PYROLYSIS GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY (PyGC) APPLIED TO THE STUDY OF NATURAL WAXES IN ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Summary Pyrolysis gas chromatography (PyGC) was applied to the study of samples of waxes in reference collections and samples taken from museum objects. The technique permitted identification of waxes even within a class, e.g. plant waxes (carnauba, candelilla, etc.) and was helpful in detecting impurities and adulterations. It is a valuable addition to such methods as IR, GC and MS previously applied to the study of waxes.