Abstract
Shrinkproof and reinforcing effects of duck feather hydrolysate on the treatment of archaeological waterlogged wood were investigated. The bulking effect, i.e. the shrinkproof index was enhanced through the impregnation of cell walls with duck feather hydrolysate and sodium acetate derived from neutralization process in the preparation of pH 7 duck feather hydrolysate solution. The reinforcement of cell walls seems to be brought about through the structural modification of duck feather hydrolysate to Beta sheet form by acetic acid in the treatment bath. The good affinity between lignin, maincomponent of biodegraded waterlogged wood, and duck feather keratin is also effective for the reinforcement of cell walls.
