Volatile Organic Compounds are compounds that can enter the air from chemical application and have the potential to harm both people and the environment. The field of art conservation has recently been engaged in research to find more sustainable coatings and corrosion inhibitors for outdoor sculpture, and this project contributes to those efforts by investigating the efficacy of three clear coatings, including two that are labeled as Ultra-Low VOC (less than 50g/L produced). The three coatings investigated include Ship-2-Shore Corrosion Shield (calcium alkylsulfonate surfectant compound, ultra-low VOC), Permalac Clear Coat Satin (acrylic coating), and Permalac NT Satin (acrylic coating, ultra-low VOC). The sample size for each coating type was seven mild steel coupons, with the addition of an uncoated control group. Samples were naturally aged outdoors in winter conditions in Kingston Ontario for a period of two weeks. Gravimetric analysis were conducted in accordance with ASTM Standard G01 Standard Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corrosion Test Specimens; however a modified approach was used since there were only small amounts of corrosion produced on test specimens over the aging period. This study is intended to serve as a preliminary comparison and evaluation of the various coatings tested in order to assist conservators in making treatment material choices based on the requirements of their specific object. Although all coating types provided better protection for mild steel than no coating, the Ship-2-Shore Corrosion Shield appeared to have the highest variability in coating formation, warranting the need for further study.
