Multianalytical approach to the study of polymeric materials under artificial aging: Reference database

Abstract

The accurate identification of polymeric materials used in Cultural Heritage is crucial for ensuring their preservation. Their inherent variability makes the identification and characterization a complex endeavor. Consequently, it is vital to improve identification methods and to deepen the understanding of plastic degradation. A comprehensive approach incorporating reliable reference standards is essential for the precise diagnosis of their state of conservation and to support appropriate intervention strategies and criteria. Furthermore, facilitating the dissemination of these data for practical application within the sci- entific and professional community is fundamental. The primary objective of this study is to translate the aforementioned knowledge into a readily accessible resource in the form of a reference database providing a framework for the identification and conserva- tion of polymeric heritage items and artistic production and assisting in the study of existing products on the market. This research systematically analyses 50 widely used materials processed under the same conditions provided by The ResinKitTM . The polymers were characterized using a range of analytical methods, in- cluding optical microscopy, spectrocolorimetry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR-FTIR), and Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The samples were then subjected to artificial aging under controlled conditions of radiation (Xenon-Arc chamber for 1080 h), temperature and humidity (Climate test chambers for 840 h). The evaluation of the results was undertaken by repeating the series of previous tests and comparing them with the pre-aging analytical data. The final step was to integrate all the results into a freely accessible online database that compiles all the information providing controlled reference standards for analyses of cultural artifacts and commercially available polymeric materials, thereby facilitating research in laboratories dedicated to the study of these materials within the context of fine arts and heritage conservation. This paper analyses, as a case study, key heritage polymer families: polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs) and cellu- lose acetates (CAs).