IPERION HSIntegrating Platforms for the European Research Infrastructure ON Heritage Science
Technique: Accelerated artificial ageing followed by mechanical testing and spectrophotometry

Accelerated ageing tool

Exposure of samples to artificial conditions for ageing studies using: - KBF climatic chamber from WBT Binder with controlled temperature and humidity; - Exposure to light for accelerate degradation using simulated sunlight (Hoenle solar simulator SOL lamp) or museum/gallery type lighting (LED or fluorescent).

Potential Results

Materials used in conservation treatments (e.g. colourants, consolidants, adhesive) need to have favourable ageing characteristics to ensure their long term stability and possible reversibility. Accelerated ageing tests are usually carried out on model materials or mock-ups and followed up by material characterisation of the physical and chemical changes. Tensile tests provide information about the mechanical properties of a material such as its strength, extensibility, flexibility, rigidity, stiffness and more. Spectrophotometry provides accurate colour measurement and quantification of colour differences. Depending on the research question additional analytical techniques are available for material characterisation such as Variable pressure scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (VP-SEM/EDS); FTIR and FTIR imaging; Raman sprectroscopy; Polarized UV-Vis transmission light microscopy; Technical photography; Multispectral imaging; Micro X-ray fluorescence (µXRF); X-ray.