• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2017

The currently used wax agents for preserving outdoor metal structures, despite their advantages, have disadvantages such as low endurance and reliability. These wax agents are easily damaged by acid rain, dust, moisture in the air, yellow dust, and air pollutants, resulting in corrosion within a short period after the initial conservation treatment. In addition, aged wax can also exhibit changes in the color or gloss, and also give a sense of difference in the surface. Given these existing problems, it is necessary to develop improved materials for metal preservation. Therefore, this study analyzed the characteristics and applications of the existing wax coating agents in order to identify their disadvantages and to develop a better material for metal preservation. In this regard, this study developed a perilla oil based compound wax and conducted experiments to test its endurance. The new compound wax agent was exposed to outdoor and acid rain conditions: it showed four times and 1.5 times the endurance of the existing wax agents in outdoor and acid rain conditions, respectively. In addition, the new agent seems to be more durable and protective as evidenced by the chromaticity, polish maintenance, and contact angle results. Further, although it is 1.3-1.8 times thicker than the existing agents, the new agent shows a more even surface. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the new compound wax agent based on perilla oil is a better alternative to the existing was coating agents.