Susanne is a certified operator of the Jeol JSM-6610LA Scanning Electron Microscope with a variable vacuum (also known as an environmental SEM) and Elemental Dispersive Spectroscopy for inorganic elemental analysis and surface mapping at Victoria University Wellington. Applications for heritage materials includes:

• Ratio percent composition of metal artefacts and materials

• Metal identification

• Cellular structure of wood to identify deterioration factors and the extent of degradation (chemical or biological)

• Surface characterisation of skeletal materials

• Detection of the presence of chlorides in metals and organics to determine if salt corrosion is an issue

• Fibre classification for textiles

• Ceramic composition and inclusions

• Paint layer composition and pigment analysis

• Detection of the presence of arsenic in historic collections

• Surface anatomy of fossils

• Ratio percent composition of inorganic components of inks and dyes used on paper

• Characterisation of modern leather tanning elements

• Verification of coatings

• Research and development for conservation treatments and processes

All services include sample collection (if needed) and sample preparation. Sample size is limited by the size of the chamber.

We also have relationships with other research facilities and can facilitate the analysis of organic materials.

In House Services

We also offer a variety of analytical services from our commercial studio in New Plymouth. These include:

• Wood genus identification

• Presence/absence of lead

• Fibre identification

• Shell identification

• Ceramic print identification