• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.143-155
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the properties and manufacturing methods of soil mural finishing layers fabricated using animal glue, starch adhesive(wheat paste), and Dobak glue. We assessed the workability and weatherproofing properties of the earthen plaster and finishing layers fabricated using concentrations of 3%, 5%, 7% and 10% for each adhesive. The results showed that a mixture using 3% or 5% starch adhesive or 3% Dobak glue was suitable for constructing the finishing layer. For finishing layers made with animal glue, earthen plaster had poor workability. It was dry and easily broken as the concentrations of animal glue increased. However, specimens made with low concentrations of animal glue did not exhibit surface deterioration after a freezing-thawing test. Therefore, animal glue mixtures could possibly be used for constructing finishing layers in concentrations lower than 3%. Mixtures containing starch adhesive produced plasters with good workability. Additionally, starch adhesive enhanced compression strength. However, when starch adhesive was mixed at concentrations above 7%, the surface exhibited roughening and staining in freezing-thawing tests. When Dobak glue was used in mixtures, it enhanced compression strength, but concentrations above 5% produced specimens with surface cracking. For concentrations of 3%, there were no cracks and the specimens were stable after freezing-thawing tests, so concentrations below 3% of Dobak glue are suitable for constructing finishing layers. We expect this study will be useful for restoring the traditional technology of soil mural finishing layers and suggest using adhesives to construct the finishing layer.