Reinforcing Degraded Textiles Some New Approaches to the Application of Consolidants
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English Slovak |
| ISBN: | ISBN 0-8412-0553-1 |
| Online Access: | http://www.viks.sk/chk/ppthav_315_332.doc |
| Abstract: | Summaries. Gentler physical techniques and milder chemical conditions were explored for applying potential consolidants to artificially aged cotton textiles. These included vapor phase and spray applications of acrylonitrile, vapor phase and immersion applications of dimethyldichlorosilane, free and vacuum draining of acrylic resins, microwave drying of acrylic resins, and applications of nonacidic acrylic resins. Although none of these treatments produced any notable advantages over known procedures, the last two approaches show the most potential. An exploratory study indicated that cotton cellulose fibrils or wood pulp can be used to patch highly damaged textile artifacts. The fibers were applied by passing dilute suspensions through the specimens supported on a screen. Openings and tears in deliberately damaged fabrics were repaired by the technique. Conclusions. Of all the treatments described, patching and strengthening the deteriorated fabric with fibrillated cellulose shows the greatest promise. This method is attractive because the patching material is chemically identical to the substrate, making the questions of compatibility and long term stability somewhat less worrisome. The fact that the support may be removed by immersion in water is another positive and significant feature. It is uncertain how much moisture is required to weaken the patch, so the treatment may be unsuitable for pieces stored in high or fluctuating humidity. It is, in fact, the amount of moisture that the degraded textile can withstand that will dictate whether or not the technique is useful-some fabrics cannot be subjected to the repeated wetting and drying that is necessary for the applications of the pulp. If the fabric is not harmed by immersion in water and if the small number of fibrils remaining on one side of the fabric is not objectional, the method might be considered as a means of increasing tensile strengths as well as patching. Attempts to apply some potential consolidants by spraying or from vapors were not notably successful because of poor control and variability. Some promise was shown in the application of acrylic resins by draining rather than by padding and by drying in a microwave oven. Although these approaches were not completely successful, further efforts in the directions explored here would be justified. |
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| ISBN: | ISBN 0-8412-0553-1 |
