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Twelve mordanted and cochineal dyed modem wool samples were subjected to scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS) analysis. The analyses for metallic elements matched in all cases those actually used in the preparation. The mordants detected contained the metallic ele- ments: aluminum, chromium, copper, iron, and tin. SEM photomicrographs were also examined for the effects of mordanting on fiber surfaces. Atomic absorption (AA) analysis of the samples is also reported.

The effects of dry oven accelerated aging on samples of three kinds of paper (Whatman Chromatography #1, Arches Cover Infinity, and Aquabee Newsprint Rough 887-R), washed in three qualities of water (New York City tap water, deionized, and distilled), were observed. Changes in folding endurance, tensile strength, reflectance, color, and pH are reported. Results support findings reported by other researchers that greater purity of wash water is not necessarily beneficial to paper. However, the findings presented here suggest that the acidity of the wash water and the composition of the paper are also factors influencing the effects of the washing treatments.

In the first part of this investigation, the composition and aging behavior of four dry cleaning products (Opaline Pad, Pink Pearl, Magic Rub, and Kneaded Rubber erasers) are studied. The second part consists of an examination of the effects on paper of eraser treatments performed with these products. Changes in folding endurance, tensile strength, surface pH, color, texture, and wettability of aged and unaged samples of Whatman Chromatography paper treated with the four dry cleaning products were observed and are compared with results for untreated controls.Conclusions are that the dry cleaning procedures performed with these products alter surface characteristics but not mechanical properties of the paper. Pink Pearl and Kneaded Rubber erasers altered the paper surface the most while the Magic Rub eraser altered it the least. The Magic Rub eraser was determined to have substantially different organic constituents from the other three products, which have similarities in composition.

Thirteen silk fibers from seven different historical silk textiles were subjected to EDS analysis. The major metallic elements detected were aluminum, iron, calcium, silicon and potassium. No evidence for copper, chromium, tin or zinc was found. These results were compared to analyses of known mordanted silk samples.

Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS) have been employed along with the light microscope to describe some metal threads made of proteinaceous substrates taken from museum textile collections. The textiles are said to originate in Central Asia, Western Asia, and Syria or Egypt, thirteenth/fifteenth century AD. This study extends the set of data obtained in an earlier study of threads from the same time-period. A general methodology for the examination of these types of metal threads is proposed.

The affects of accelerated aging at temperatures of 21°, 60°, 80°, 100°C on Whatman #1 chromatography paper treated with four commercially available glues and paper cements have been observed. Folding endurance, reflectance, objective color and pH of the systems have been measured as well as reversibility in water and toluene of the adhesives applied to glass plates. None of these adhesive materials is recommended for use in paper conservation on the basis of observed properties upon accelerated aging. Conclusions reached on the basis of observations at higher temperatures support results obtained at lower temperatures and longer aging times.

(1972). THE CHEMISTRY AND HISTORY OF THE PIGMENT INDIAN YELLOW. Studies in Conservation: Vol. 17, Lisbon Congress 1972: Conservation of Paintings and the Graphic Arts, pp. 401-408.

(1971). An Evaluation of Adhesives for use in Paper conservation. International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works: Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 58-75.

A large number of valuable paintings in museum collections are thinly painted on delicate open-weave canvases and are sensitive to solvents ordinarily used in conservation treatments. Environmental stresses cause the paint layer to crack and flake. To save the paintings from disintegration they often must be reinforced by a lining and the paint layer must be readhered. Traditional lining adhesives (wax-resin or glue) may penetrate the paint layer and change its appearance.

Samples of modern wool, silk and cotton woven fabrics were mordanted with five common dyeing mor- dants: potassium aluminum sulfate, cupric sulfate, ferrous sulfate, stannous chloride and potassium dichromate. Samples were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and metallic elements detected by energy disper- sive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The results and limitations of the detection process are discussed and compared to other analytical procedures. The application of this proce- dure to historical textiles for analysis of metallic mordants and certain dyes is discussed.

The conservator faced with the need to assess the acidity of a paper support cannot resort to the more rigorous cold extraction methods. The surface electrode permits the non-destructive measurement of pH. The resultant data, however, must be interpreted with caution since the nature of the paper support and any additive materials will have a profound effect on the measured pH.It is further noted that extreme care must attend the conditioning of the surface electrode prior to measurement. Conditioning is optimum when the electrode is immersed in a buffer of pH near that of a test reading, of the paper surface.

Fresh elephant ivory samples were hated at oven temperature between 149°C and 871°C for one hour. Color changes are described. Weight losses and elemental analyses of the heated ivory are presented and discussed in term of alteration of the collagenoous portion of the ivory. A grey-blue coloration obtained at temperature above 593°C is attributed to small quantities of free carbon in the absence of proteinaceous material. Museum samples of excavated ivory were also analysed and compared to heated ivory. The grey-blue coloration of museum samples also appears to arise from small quantities of free carbon rather than from trace inorganic salts as has been previously suggested.

Sixteen metal acetylacetonates (aluminum (III), chromium (III), cobalt (III), cobalt (II), copper (II), iron (III), iron (II), lead (II), manganese (III), manganese (II), nickel (II), potassium, oxotitanium (IV), oxovanadium (IV), vanadium (III), and zinc (II)) simulating paint pigments in three different media (linseed oil, acryloid B-72, egg) were applied to both linen and cotton canvas. Two different organisms, chaetomium globosum and aureobasidium pullulans plus nutrient were placed in contact with the metal-medium-canvas system. Visual and photographic observations were made of the systems over a two week period. The effects on metal species, medium, and canvas are distinguished and discussed.

In previous reports42 we have described weight loss, physical condition, color changes, and elemental analyses of fresh elephant ivory samples heated at oven temperatures between 149?C and 871?C for one hour. This report describes the effects of extended heating periods on physical condition, weight loss and color change. A suggestion,3 discussed in the previous reports on the basis of chemical analyses, that the grey-blue coloration in excavated ivory came from the presence of traces of vivianite [ferrous phosphate, Fe2(H2O)8(PO4)2] is considered further and rejected on the basis of data from oven heating experiments with vivianite. The suggestion that the coloration of excavated ivory may be intentional4 is also explored by reference to qualitative observations of the mechanical strength of heated ivory.