Use Supercritical Fluids to Remove Water from Fragile Items

Supercritical Fluids are perfect for almost all Critical Point Drying applications. Carbon Dioxide in its supercritical state has the permeability to reach into the smallest crevices of any artifact. Unlike liquids, Supercritical CO₂ has no surface tension to destroy the artifact you’re trying to restore. With ‘normal’ evaporation techniques as the water goes from liquid to gas, the surface tension created by this state change pulls against the structure it is attached to causing capillary stress, and in the case of delicate artifacts, often destroying the artifact.

For more information on safely drying fragile artifacts with supercritical fluid, visit the SCF section of the Applied Separations website.