Conservation of Plastics (2008)(en)(320s)

Yvonne Shashoua0750664959, 9780750664950, 9780080878782

Plastic objects are included more than ever in museums and galleries collections these days, but these items can start to deteriorate when they a just a few years old. In this book Yvonne Shashoua provides the essential knowledge needed to keep plastic pieces in the best possible condition so that they can continue to be enjoyed for many years.The historical development of plastics, as well as the technology, their physical and chemical properties, identification, degradation and conservation are all clearly and concisely covered within this single volume, making it an invaluable reference for the increasing number of conservators and curators that are encountering plastics in their day to day work.* Presents a wide range of specialist information on plastics in an accessible style* Uses case studies to illustrate the most common forms of degradation and appropriate treatments* Based on the authors 20 years of experience in the polymer industry and conservation

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Table of contents :
FRONT COVER……Page 1
CONSERVATION OF PLASTICS……Page 4
COPYRIGHT PAGE……Page 5
CONTENTS……Page 6
FOREWORD……Page 8
PREFACE……Page 10
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……Page 12
PICTURE CREDITS……Page 14
CHAPTER 1 PLASTICS IN COLLECTIONS……Page 16
1.1 Collecting plastics……Page 17
1.2 Condition of plastics in collections……Page 23
1.3 Origin and development of conservation of plastics……Page 26
1.4 Status of conservation of plastics……Page 30
References……Page 31
CHAPTER 2 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PLASTICS……Page 34
2.1 Development of semi-synthetic plastics……Page 37
2.2 Development of synthetic plastics……Page 41
2.3 Tomorrow’s plastics……Page 48
References……Page 51
CHAPTER 3 TECHNOLOGY OF PLASTICS PRODUCTION……Page 54
3.1 Preparation of polymers……Page 55
3.2 Additives……Page 71
3.3 Shaping of plastics……Page 91
References……Page 104
4.1 Chemical properties……Page 106
4.2 Optical properties……Page 114
4.3 Physical properties……Page 116
4.4 Thermal properties……Page 122
References……Page 126
CHAPTER 5 IDENTIFICATION OF PLASTICS IN COLLECTIONS……Page 128
5.1 Simple non-destructive identification techniques……Page 131
5.2 Simple destructive identification techniques……Page 135
5.3 Spot tests for identifying polymers or their components……Page 145
5.4 Instrumental techniques to identify plastics……Page 148
References……Page 163
CHAPTER 6 DEGRADATION OF PLASTICS……Page 166
6.1 Degradation attributed to physical factors……Page 168
6.2 Degradation attributed to chemical factors……Page 177
6.3 Degradation attributed to biological factors……Page 191
6.4 Degradation pathways for the least stable plastics in museum collections……Page 192
6.5 Terms used to describe the degradation of plastics objects……Page 204
References……Page 205
CHAPTER 7 CONSERVATION OF PLASTICS……Page 208
7.1 Inhibitive conservation……Page 209
7.2 Interventive conservation……Page 222
References……Page 237
CHAPTER 8 THE FUTURE OF PLASTICS CONSERVATION……Page 242
8.1 Monitoring the condition of plastics in collections……Page 243
8.3 Development of additional conservation techniques……Page 244
8.5 Development of an information interface between plastics manufacturers and users……Page 246
References……Page 247
APPENDIX 1 OPTICAL, PHYSICAL, THERMAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY COLLECTED PLASTICS……Page 250
APPENDIX 2 FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTRA OF POLYMERS FREQUENTLY FOUND IN COLLECTIONS……Page 270
APPENDIX 3 TERMS USED TO DESCRIBE THE DEGRADATION OF PLASTICS……Page 286
B……Page 290
C……Page 291
E……Page 292
G……Page 293
I……Page 294
M……Page 295
P……Page 296
S……Page 298
T……Page 299
V……Page 300
Z……Page 301