Article

Degradation of PEG in the Warship Vasa

  1. Jens Glastrup1,*,
  2. Yvonne Shashoua1,
  3. Helge Egsgaard2,
  4. Martin Nordvig Mortensen1

Article first published online: 27 APR 2006

DOI: 10.1002/masy.200650604

Issue

Macromolecular Symposia

Macromolecular Symposia

Special Issue: Macromolecules in Cultural Heritage

Volume 238, Issue 1, pages 22–29, April 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Glastrup, J., Shashoua, Y., Egsgaard, H. and Mortensen, M. N. (2006), Degradation of PEG in the Warship Vasa. Macromol. Symp., 238: 22–29. doi: 10.1002/masy.200650604

Author Information

  1. 1

    The National Museum of Denmark, Dept. of Conservation, Brede, Post box 260, I.C. Modewegsvej, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

  2. 2

    Biosystems Department, Risø National Laboratory, P.O. Box 49, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark

*The National Museum of Denmark, Dept. of Conservation, Brede, Post box 260, I.C. Modewegsvej, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. Fax: (+45) 33 47 35 34

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 27 APR 2006
  2. Article first published online: 27 APR 2006

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Keywords:

  • formic acid;
  • mass spectrometry;
  • molecular weight distribution;
  • poly (ethylene glycol)

Abstract

The distribution and ageing of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in the Vasa warship has been examined and compared with other archaeological shipwrecks which have also been impregnated with PEG. The distribution of the PEG has been characterised using a variety of mass spectrometric and FT-IR techniques. Our results show that the PEG after 30 years is still in a reasonably good condition, with a molecular weight distribution that resembles fresh PEG. Only minor levels of degradation products were found. It seems that the PEG preserved wood contains an increased amount of formic acid and the results suggest that it originates from the PEG. Acetic acid is also present; this probably originates from the wood.

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