Raman and FTIR microspectroscopic study of the alteration of Chinese tung oil and related drying oils during ageing

Tung oil is favoured in applications such as historic wood consolidation or as varnish component that require a rapid-drying medium compared with linseed oil and other analogues such as walnut oil and poppy seed oil. The Raman spectra of tung oil and artificially aged specimens have been obtained and indicate that severe degradation of the C=C unsaturation sites occurs compared with the slower-drying linseed oil. Characteristic spectral signatures of fresh tung oil have been identified which provide diagnostic discrimination between this oil and others used in the preparation and preservation of artworks. Mid-infrared spectra of aged tung oils have served to identify the formation of acidic functionalities which could affect associated pigments and substrates in artwork. Comparative spectra are also reported for a range of other oils such as walnut seed, poppy and sunflower seed oils.