Objekt- und Restaurierungsforschung

Abstract:

The preparation of mock-ups in heritage science studies represents a valid alternative for investigation purposes, avoiding extensive sampling of cultural heritage objects. This work presents for the first time the successful preparation of three dimensional (3D) mock-ups made of celluloid, considering a combination of historical industrial production strategies and small-scale lab facilities. Prefabricated transparent celluloid sheets were acquired and then shaped through compression molding for creating mock-ups with 3D geometries. These reflected common and representative shapes encountered in the collection of the Deutsches Museum. Visual inspection of the mock-ups allowed determining the best compression molding conditions. Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) confirmed the absence of molecular heterogeneity due to the processing method. Artificial aging of the mock-ups was conducted to reach degradation states comparable with naturally aged objects. ATR-FTIR investigation offered first insights into the induced artificial degradation. Ion chromatography (IC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analyses allowed to assess the extent of the artificial aging of the celluloid mock-ups and confirmed the occurrence of loss of camphor, denitration, and main chain polymer scission, the latter being the predominant decay path. The comparison with historical objects highlighted that the mock-ups are representative of moderately aged artifacts. As such, this study paves the way for implementing moderately aged celluloid 3D mock-ups in heritage science research, enabling in-depth testing for the scope of conservation.

Verfügbar unter: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/4/852

Abstract: Celluloid artifacts are known by conservation professionals to be prone to degradation,threatening their own integrity and that of nearby heritage collections. Celluloid alteration can have a heterogeneous nature, and this research topic is still in its infancy for heritage science. This article investigates degradation gradients, both along depth and width, of artificially aged celluloid sheets, and compares them to three-dimensional (3D) historical objects with the aim of gaining a better insight into the nature and evolution of their decay. ATR-FTIR was used to systematically study different sampling points of the artificially and naturally aged specimens and allowed us to recognize better-preserved surfaces and more deteriorated cores. ATR-FTIR was found suitable for assessing the molecular changes induced by degradation, particularly denitration and formation of carbonyl-containing degradation products in severely aged specimens. Even though the severely artificially aged sheets displayed unusual alteration phenomena, they present a degradation gradient similar to the one observed for the naturally aged 3D objects under study. This research underlines that sampling at different depths and/or widths is relevant for characterizing the heterogeneity of degraded celluloid, and further investigation with chromatographic techniques would greatly benefit the understanding of the complex degradation of celluloid artifacts.

Verfügbar unter: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/3/522

Vorträge:

Elsässer C, Pamplona M, Montag P, Hilbig H, Angelin EM, Grosse CU. (2022). Assessment of the effectiveness of cool, cold and frozen storage conditions for celluloid 3D objects through chemical analysis. Konferenz »The Plastics Heritage congress«, Accademia di Belle Arti, Neapel, 17.-19. Oct. 2022.

Micheluz A, Bosetti D, Donner T, Elsässer C, Pamplona M. (2022). Protective or degradative? Assesment of the effectiveness of sorbent materials for the conservation of historical cellulose nitrate objects. Konferenz »The Plastics Heritage congress«, Accademia di Belle Arti, Neapel, 17.-19. Oct. 2022.

Poster:

Angelin EM, Micheluz A, Pamplona M. (2022). Plastics in computer heritage: investigation of Apple iBooks G3 Clamshell containing colored polyurethane elastomers. Konferenz »The Plastics Heritage congress«, Accademia di Belle Arti, Neapel, 17.-19. Oct. 2022.

Sawitzki J, Pamplona M, Frank Dittmann. (2022). Robotic Objects – Material analysis and its impact on exhibition design and preventive conservation. Konferenz »The Plastics Heritage congress«, Accademia di Belle Arti, Neapel, 17.-19. Oct. 2022.

La Nasa J, Blaensdorf C, Dolcher E, Del Seppia S, Ducoli R, Lucejko J, Micheluz A, Modugno F, Capra N, Giovannini L, Tomansi ML, Pamplona M, Colombini MP, Degano I, Bondaduce I. (2022). Aerospace technology as part of our heritage: characterization of aircraft materials and study of their degradation processes by analytical pyrolysis. Konferenz »The Plastics Heritage congress«, Accademia di Belle Arti, Neapel, 17.-19. Oct. 2022.

Weitere Informationen zur Konferenz finden sie hier: https://plasticsheritage2022.org/#

Verschiedene Untersuchungstechniken werden zur Erforschung von Objekten und deren Veränderungen im Restaurierungslabor des Deutschen Museums eingesetzt.