This study evaluates the effects of temperature variations during ionizing radiation processing on soda-lime glass, as well as the bleaching of γ-irradiated samples through exposure to light radiation. Glass samples were subjected to γ-ray doses ranging from 2 kGy to 25 kGy under two temperature conditions: room temperature and dry ice cooling. The effects of ionizing radiation on samples were analyzed using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and colorimetry. The results indicate that irradiation at dry ice temperatures significantly mitigates radiation-induced darkening compared to irradiation at room temperature. Additionally, subsequent exposure of irradiated glasses to different light wavelengths was investigated, revealing that UVB radiation effectively restores transparency lost due to irradiation. These findings provide valuable insights for the conservation and restoration of glass-based cultural heritage materials, where preserving original visual properties is essential. • Lower irradiation temperatures significantly reduce radiation-induced darkening in soda-lime glass. • Post-irradiation UVB exposure effectively restores the transparency of γ-irradiated glass samples. • Controlled temperature and light exposure can mitigate the visual effects of irradiation on glass materials. • Understanding radiation-induced optical changes aids in developing preservation strategies for historical glass artifacts.
Nagai et al. (Sun,) studied this question.