How Trustworthy Is an Adhesive? The Suitability of Adhesives for Use in Conservation of Fine Art

Bastien Vassort, Vendula Prázná, Anna Nguyen, Bhavana Kapalli, Noah Whitney, Ruben Mevius, Veronique Hehl, Dunya Handor, Nikita Shah, Kate Seymour, Giuditta Perversi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

Abstract

Adhesives used for treatments in the conservation of fine art are often proprietary and subject to change in formulation without notification by manufacturers. Following the market discontinuation of a number of commonly used vinylic and acrylic dispersion adhesives, substitutes are often integrated into working practice without full knowledge of any shift in formulae. Deceptively similar substitutes can result in very different working properties and aging characteristics, eroding trust and confidence in the working practice and rising ethical concerns on adverse consequences for the artwork. This study provides the result of a long-term aging study on 21 common adhesives applied to glass slides and brushed out on opacity charts. Empirical evidence on the properties is provided and correlated with attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy analysis. The thorough comparison across a decade of aging allows for a compelling performance estimate and can offer guidance for long-term application process and new formulation efforts.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Future of Heritage Science and Technologies
Subtitle of host publicationMaterials Science
PublisherSpringer Science + Business Media
Pages119-135
Number of pages17
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2022

Publication series

SeriesAdvanced Structured Materials
Volume179
ISSN1869-8433

Keywords

  • Acrylics
  • Adhesives
  • Aging
  • Stability
  • Vinylics

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