Materials for Cultural Heritage

We are interested in the conservation of 20th century artworks made of plasticized PVC. To this end, the aging processes of this plasticized polymer are studied under conditions representative of museum environments. Significantly different in degradation states have been evidenced depending on the contact material used for storage. In collaboration with the Musée des Arts décoratifs and C2RMF, the evaluation of varnishes as protective or curative treatment is currently evaluated, in order to slow down or even stop plasticizers migration.

Keywords : PVC, varnishes, plasticizer migration

Selection of recent papers (or patents)

E. Apchain, O. Fichet, S. Cantin; J. Cultural Heritage 57, 79-87 (2022) ; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2022.07.008
A. Royaux, E. Apchain, I. Fabre-Francke, N. Balcar, G. Barabant, C. Bollard, B. Lavedrine, O. Fichet, S.Cantin “Conservation of plasticized PVC artifacts in museums: influence of wrapping materials” Journal of Cultural Heritage 46 (2020) 131-139 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2020.07.002

Polymer networks are also effective for the restoration of ancient papers. The sol-gel introduction of a polysiloxane network with amine groups into aged paper enables both its deacidification (from pH 4 to pH 9) and mechanical reinforcement (tripling the number of double folds). However, the effectiveness of such a treatment depends on the presence of certain paper components, such as lignin and additives, as well as the pre-treatment of the paper.

 

Keywords: Aminoalkylalkoxysilanes, Degraded paper, Reinforcement, Deacidification, Lignin

Sélection de publications récentes (ou brevets)

N. Ferrandin-Schoffel, A-L. Dupont, C. Martineau-Corcos, O. Fichet, “Routes to improve the strengthening of paper with aminoalkylalkoxysilanes” Cellulose 30, (2023). 539–556 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-022-04906-x
N. Ferrandin-Schoffel, C. Martineau-Corcos, C. Piovesan, S. Paris-Lacombe, O. Fichet, A-L. Dupont, “Stability of lignocellulosic papers strengthened and deacidified with aminoalkylalkoxysilanes”, Polymer Degradation and Stability, 183 (2021) 109413 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2020.109413
N. Ferrandin-Schoffel, M. Haouas, C. Martineau-Corcos, O. Fichet, A-L. Dupont “Modeling the Reactivity of Aged Paper with Aminoalkylalkoxysilanes as Strengthening and Deacidification Agents” ACS Appl. Polym. Mater. 2(5) (2020) 1943–1953 https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsapm.0c00132

Cushioning foams, which are essential for protecting heritage objects during transport and storage, are mainly obtained from polyethylene or polyurethane, which are petroleum-based materials. The aim of this research project is to develop a foam that meets the needs of heritage institutions while having a low environmental impact, both during production and recycling. It will focus on the development of cellulose foams suitable for conserving and transporting works of art. Their properties, such as their shock absorption capacity, durability and compatibility with different types of works to be protected, will be assessed. A life cycle assessment will be carried out to compare their environmental footprint with that of foams traditionally used by heritage institutions.