In research that is still underway, X-ray diffraction and X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy analysis will help to identify the composition
of the compounds that build up on the surface of lead and copper
as it corrodes. Increased understanding of the causes of rapid corrosion
of copper and lead in carbonyl environments will help conservation
scientists, environmental consultants, and conservators to improve
control strategies.
Irene Karsten (a doctoral student in textile conservation
science in the Human Ecology Department at the University of Alberta)
worked in the Conservation Processes and Materials Research Division
with Jane Down during the summer of 1999.
Irene's previous work had suggested that relative humidity (RH)
during the drying process can affect the quality of adhesive coatings
on sheer fabrics that are used to support textiles, as well as the
stiffness and peel strength of silk textiles that are heat-sealed
to these supports. Her goal at CCI was to test the theory that RH
during drying can influence the properties of adhesive films. The
work involved preparation of adhesive films at five different RH
levels ranging from 6 to 85%, and measurement of their tensile properties
and gloss after the films had dried.
Measurements were taken after 1 day and after 4 weeks of conditioning
in an ambient laboratory setting with 50%RH. After 1 day of conditioning,
dispersion adhesive films that had been dried at very low RH levels
exhibited lower gloss, lower tensile strength, and higher elongation
at break than films that had been dried at very high RH levels.
The differences in tensile properties disappeared after 4 weeks
of conditioning in 50%RH, but the gloss differences persisted. Preliminary
tests of adhesive films cast over polyester Tetex indicated that
these differences in tensile properties could affect the integrity
of the adhesive coating if the fabric was pulled off a Teflon-coated
glass cloth release surface immediately after adhesive drying.
Clearly, therefore, RH is an important factor to be considered
during the preparation of an adhesive-coated support fabric for
textile conservation treatment. The results of this study, along
with Irene's previous work that revealed the problem, will eventually
be published in detail in the conservation literature.
Some other interns who have been at CCI in the past 6 months
include:
Elizabeth Berry: A graduate of the Collections Conservation
and Management program at Sir Sandford Fleming College. October
2000 to April 2001 in the Treatment and Development Division - Objects
with Tom Stone.
Sarah Brett: A graduate of the Collections Conservation
and Management program at Sir Sandford Fleming College. February
to November 2001 in Learning and Development with Sonya Milly.
Wing-Fai Lai: A graduate of the Hong Kong University of
Science and Technology and presently a conservator at the Hong Kong
Museum of Art. January to December 2001, a joint internship with
the Treatment and Development Division (with Bob Barclay) and the
Preventive Conservation Services Division (with Jean Tétreault). |