Systematic mechanical assessment of consolidants for canvas reinforcement under controlled environment
Abstract In conservation, adhesives are commonly used for the consolidation of canvases, yet their impact upon the canvas longevity has raised some concerns amongst conservators. As such, this study presents a testing protocol developed to assess the performance of commonly-used adhesives (natural a...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Heritage Science |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40494-020-00396-x |
| _version_ | 1818517122581528576 |
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| author | Alexandra Bridarolli Anna Nualart-Torroja Aurélia Chevalier Marianne Odlyha Laurent Bozec |
| author_facet | Alexandra Bridarolli Anna Nualart-Torroja Aurélia Chevalier Marianne Odlyha Laurent Bozec |
| author_sort | Alexandra Bridarolli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In conservation, adhesives are commonly used for the consolidation of canvases, yet their impact upon the canvas longevity has raised some concerns amongst conservators. As such, this study presents a testing protocol developed to assess the performance of commonly-used adhesives (natural animal glue and synthetic Beva ® 371) and a newly developed nanocellulose consolidant, nanofibrillated nanocellulose (CNF). This includes their effect on the visual appearance, consolidation, and response of the mechanical properties of the treated canvases to programmed changes in relative humidity (RH). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of animal glue- and Beva ® 371-treated canvases revealed the presence of adhesive and consolidant on and in-between cotton fibres. The consolidants form bridges linking and connecting the cotton fibres and holding them together, whereas the CNF treatment, formed a visible continuous and dense surface coating. None of the treatments induced any discernible colour change. Controlled environment mechanical testing was performed in two ways: by applying a linearly increasing static force at fixed RH (Young’s modulus) and by applying a dynamic force together with a programmed RH cycling between 20 and 80% (RH dependent viscoelastic properties). CNF gave a higher value of Young’s modulus than either of the two commonly-used materials. Measurements at different values of RH (20 and 80%) demonstrated for all the treated canvases that at the lower value (RH 20%) Young’s modulus values were higher than at the higher value (RH 80%). Besides, the dynamic mode showed that the rate of response in all cases was rapid and reversible and that the nanofibrillated cellulose treated sample showed the highest variation in storage (or elastic) modulus measured at the end of RH plateaux (20 and 80% RH). Thus CNF appears to be a promising material given its higher mechanical performance. The protocol developed in this study has enabled us to examine and compare candidate materials for the consolidation of canvases systematically, using testing parameters that remained relevant to the field of canvas conservation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T00:51:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-56d8e29ca7c349a5addb28d37bc7dd32 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7445 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T00:51:57Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heritage Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-56d8e29ca7c349a5addb28d37bc7dd322022-12-22T01:26:36ZengSpringerOpenHeritage Science2050-74452020-06-018111210.1186/s40494-020-00396-xSystematic mechanical assessment of consolidants for canvas reinforcement under controlled environmentAlexandra Bridarolli0Anna Nualart-Torroja1Aurélia Chevalier2Marianne Odlyha3Laurent Bozec4Eastman Dental Institute University College LondonDepartment of Arts and Conservation Department, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of BarcelonaAtelier Aurélia ChevalierDepartment of Biological Sciences Birkbeck, University of LondonFaculty of Dentistry, University of TorontoAbstract In conservation, adhesives are commonly used for the consolidation of canvases, yet their impact upon the canvas longevity has raised some concerns amongst conservators. As such, this study presents a testing protocol developed to assess the performance of commonly-used adhesives (natural animal glue and synthetic Beva ® 371) and a newly developed nanocellulose consolidant, nanofibrillated nanocellulose (CNF). This includes their effect on the visual appearance, consolidation, and response of the mechanical properties of the treated canvases to programmed changes in relative humidity (RH). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of animal glue- and Beva ® 371-treated canvases revealed the presence of adhesive and consolidant on and in-between cotton fibres. The consolidants form bridges linking and connecting the cotton fibres and holding them together, whereas the CNF treatment, formed a visible continuous and dense surface coating. None of the treatments induced any discernible colour change. Controlled environment mechanical testing was performed in two ways: by applying a linearly increasing static force at fixed RH (Young’s modulus) and by applying a dynamic force together with a programmed RH cycling between 20 and 80% (RH dependent viscoelastic properties). CNF gave a higher value of Young’s modulus than either of the two commonly-used materials. Measurements at different values of RH (20 and 80%) demonstrated for all the treated canvases that at the lower value (RH 20%) Young’s modulus values were higher than at the higher value (RH 80%). Besides, the dynamic mode showed that the rate of response in all cases was rapid and reversible and that the nanofibrillated cellulose treated sample showed the highest variation in storage (or elastic) modulus measured at the end of RH plateaux (20 and 80% RH). Thus CNF appears to be a promising material given its higher mechanical performance. The protocol developed in this study has enabled us to examine and compare candidate materials for the consolidation of canvases systematically, using testing parameters that remained relevant to the field of canvas conservation.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40494-020-00396-xCanvas consolidationLiningNanocelluloseDynamic mechanical analysis (DMA)Relative humidityMechanical properties |
| spellingShingle | Alexandra Bridarolli Anna Nualart-Torroja Aurélia Chevalier Marianne Odlyha Laurent Bozec Systematic mechanical assessment of consolidants for canvas reinforcement under controlled environment Heritage Science Canvas consolidation Lining Nanocellulose Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) Relative humidity Mechanical properties |
| title | Systematic mechanical assessment of consolidants for canvas reinforcement under controlled environment |
| title_full | Systematic mechanical assessment of consolidants for canvas reinforcement under controlled environment |
| title_fullStr | Systematic mechanical assessment of consolidants for canvas reinforcement under controlled environment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Systematic mechanical assessment of consolidants for canvas reinforcement under controlled environment |
| title_short | Systematic mechanical assessment of consolidants for canvas reinforcement under controlled environment |
| title_sort | systematic mechanical assessment of consolidants for canvas reinforcement under controlled environment |
| topic | Canvas consolidation Lining Nanocellulose Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) Relative humidity Mechanical properties |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40494-020-00396-x |
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