conservation

research & diagnosis

vulnerabilities in glass

solarisation of glass

Solarisation is the permanent degradation of physical and mechanical properties. It is the phenomenon whereby glass that is initially colourless acquires a pronounced tint after prolonged exposure to sunlight. The tint is usually blue or purple and is caused by radiation triggering a reaction between iron and manganese oxides in glass.

Cultural Heritage Thesaurus, Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands

Solarisation is a phenomenon in which initially colourless glass develops a pronounced tint after prolonged exposure to sunlight. The tint is usually blue or purple and is caused by radiation triggering a reaction between iron and manganese oxides in the glass.