Phosphate treatments for stone conservation: 3-year field study in the Royal Palace of Versailles (France)

A three-year field study at the Palace and Park of Versailles demonstrates that certain phosphate treatments can significantly slow down marble deterioration, offering promising long-term conservation benefits. The research evaluated various phosphate consolidant formulations on naturally weathered marble specimens and a 17th-century sculpture using non-destructive methods such as ultrasounds, color measurement, and water absorption tests, alongside slightly destructive techniques like SEM, FT-IR, MIP, and IC. Results showed that while the treatments did not completely inhibit deterioration, they maintained compatibility with minimal alterations in water absorption and aesthetic appearance, confirming their potential for real-world stone conservation applications.

Sassoni, E., Delhomme, C., Forst, S., Graziani, G., Hénin, J., Masi, G., Palazzo, A., Rolland, O., & Vergès-Belmin, V. (2021). Phosphate treatments for stone conservation: 3-year field study in the Royal Palace of Versailles (France). Materials and Structures, 54(4). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-021-01717-7