The module examines the physical and chemical structure of selected synthetic and natural polymers, identifies their properties and decay routes and relates these to their use as conservation materials. This information is used to discuss how and why polymers are chosen for use in conservation practice and the evidence for their success or failure is critically assessed.

(Learning outcomes are statements of what a typical student is expected to know, understand and be able to do.)

Knowledge:

Students should know the following:

• The broad chemistry of organic polymers
• Functional groups in organic polymers
• Physical properties used to define polymers
• Classification of polymers
• Mechanisms via which polymers degrade
• Theories of adhesion, consolidation and coating
• Adhesive types
• Theory of solvation
• Methods for testing the properties of polymers
• The range of synthetic polymers used in conservation practice
• General properties of synthetic polymer families used in conservation practice
• The range of natural polymers used in conservation practice
• The range of natural polymers likely to occur in museum objects

Students should understand the following:

• Why understanding the structure of polymers is important to conservation practice
• The uses of polymers in conservation practice
• Primary bonding in polymers
• Secondary bonding in polymers
• The physical structure of polymers
• How agencies of decay change polymers
• The ideal properties of polymers for conservation practice
• The reasoning and rationale of polymer testing for conservation practice
• The limitations of polymer testing
• Rationale for selecting adhesives, consolidants and coatings for conservation practice
• The factors that link polymers into generic categories
• How to identify the role of polymers, solvents and other additives in mixtures such as paints and adhesives

How the module will be delivered

This module is delivered via one hour contact sessions that will include lectures and interactive group discussion with prior set reading. Attending these contact sessions is compulsory. All students will be expected to carry out the prior reading and to contribute to discussions.

The module aims to introduce students to:

Study the structure of synthetic polymers via their chemical and physical properties.

Gain an overview of changes caused in synthetic polymers by the various agencies of decay.

Review the theories of adhesion, adhesion, consolidation and surface coating.

Testing the properties of polymers for conservation practice.

Properties of solvent based polymers and dispersion systems.

The properties and applications of the various groups of synthetic polymers, which have been and/or are currently used in conservation practice.

An overview of the structure, properties and decay of natural organic polymers which constitute cultural material.

Students should develop a critical knowledge of:

The broad chemistry of organic polymers.

Functional groups in organic polymers.

Physical properties used to define polymers.

Classification of polymers.

Mechanisms via which polymers degrade.

Theories of adhesion, consolidation and coating.

Theory of solvation

Methods for testing the properties of polymers

General properties of synthetic polymer families used in conservation practice

The range of natural polymers likely to occur in museum objects

Students should understand how to:

Identify criteria and develop rationale for choosing polymers for conservation practice.

Predict the properties of polymers used in conservation practice from their physical and chemical structure.

Identify decay in polymers.

Test polymers for conservation practice.

Identify the ideal properties of polymers for conservation practice

Skills: (e.g. cognitive, discipline specific, transferable, practical etc.)

Students should be able to:

• Students should be able to:

   

  Source academic and other publications on polymers.

  Identify why particular polymers are used in conservation practice

  Assess the suitability of a polymer for use in conservation practice

  Recognise why certain polymers are no longer used in conservation practice

  Critically assess articles on polymer use and testing in conservation

  List factors that should be taken into account when choosing a polymer for conservation practice

  Recognise the signs of ageing in polymers

  Identify and report the condition of decayed polymers.

  Recognise changes which have taken place due to decay in polymers.

  Identify likely causes of polymer decay.

  Assess the stability of polymers and identify agencies of decay which are capable of continuing their decay.

Methods of assessment

Assessed through an Essay (2,500 words) which contributes 100%. The approximate date of assessment will be Week 11 of the Spring Semester.

Chemical and physical structure of synthetic polymers; glass transition temperature; thermal, photolytic, oxidative, biological, chemical decay of organic polymers; mechanical, adsorption and diffusion theories of adhesion; surface tension, viscosity, surface energy in relation to wetting, adhesion and consolidation of porous and non porous substrates; polymers in emulsion, dispersion, melt freeze, solvent and network systems as adhesives, consolidants and surface coatings; testing physical characteristics of polymers and accelerated ageing of polymers ; solvents in conservation practice.

Chemistry, structure, physical properties and deterioration of: styrene based polymers ; polyethylene; polypropylene; vinyl acetate resins and emulsions and their derivatives (acetals and vinyl alcohol); acrylic resins and dispersions; cellulose nitrate and acetate; cellulose ethers; nylons; polyesters; epoxy resins; silanes; early plastics.

Oils and fats; waxes; proteins; gums; resins; cellulosics; lacquer

This is a basic underpinning reference list.  A more extensive reference list will be provided with the modular data.

General Organic and polymer chemistry

BILLMEYER F.W. (1984) Textbook of polymer science, 3rd ed., Fred W. Billmeyer, Jr., Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1984, 578 pp.

BROWN W. H. and FOOTE C. S. 2002 Organic Chemistry, 3^rd edtn., Brooks/Cole Thomson Higher Education

CARRAHER Jr. C E., (2013) Introduction to Polymer Chemistry, Third Edition. Coca Raton Florida, USA, CRC Press.

ELIAS H.G. (1997) An Introduction to Polymer Science. VCH Weinheim. New York

FOX M. A., WHITESELL J. K. 2004 Organic Chemistry, 3^rd edtn., James and Bartlett MA USA

HORNBY M. and PEACH J. 1993 Foundations of Organic Chemistry, Oxford University Press.

MAITLAND JONES Jnr. 2005 Organic Chemistry, 3^rd edtn., Norton and Company NY.

Mc MURRAY J. 1994 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry, 3rd edtn., Thomson Higher Education, Belmont CA USA

Mc MURRAY J. 2008 Organic Chemistry, 7^th edtn., Thomson Higher Education, Belmont CA USA

STEVENS MP (1999) Polymer Chemistry An Introduction. 3^rd edtn. Oxford University Press

Conservation focused publications

ALLEN K.W. (1984) Adhesion and Adhesives - some fundamentals. Adhesives and Consolidants International Institute for Conservation Paris Congress 2-8 September 1984. Bromelle N., Pye E., Smith P. and Thomson G. (Eds). 5-12.  IIC

ALLEN N.S., EDGE M. and HORIE V. (1992) Polymers in Conservation. Special publications number 105. Royal Society of Chemistry.

BROMELLE N., PYE E., SMITH P. and THOMSON G. (Eds) 1984 Adhesives and Consolidants. IIC Paris Congress 2-8 September 1984. International Institute for Conservation.

COMYN J (1997) Adhesion Science. Royal Society of Chemistry Paperbacks.

DE LA RIE R. (1992) Stability and Function of Coatings Used in Conservation. Polymers in Conservation.  Allen NS, Edge M and Horie V (eds). Royal Society of Chemistry.  62-81

DE WITTE E. et al (1984) Influence of the modification of dispersions on film properties. Adhesives and Consolidants Bromelle N., Pye E., Smith P. and Thomson G. (Eds) International Institute for Conservation Paris Congress 2-8 September 1984. 32-35. IIC

DOWN J. (1984) Adhesive testing at the CCI, past and future. Adhesives and Consolidants Bromelle N., Pye E., Smith P. and Thomson G. (Eds) International Institute for Conservation Paris Congress 2-8 September 1984. 18-21. IIC

DOWN, J. L., MACDONALD, M. TETREAULT, J. and WILLAMS, S. (1996) Adhesive testing at the Canadian Conservation Institute - an evaluation of selected poly(vinyl acetate) and acrylic adhesives. Studies in Conservation 41 19 -44.

HORIE C.V. (2010) Materials for Conservation, Organic Consolidants, Adhesives and Coatings. Butterworths. MACGREGOR AND GREENWOOD (1980) Polymers in Nature. 

ICON Science for Conservators Volume 3 Adhesives and Coatings. The Conservation Unit  (Straightforward basic information)

MASSCHELEIN-KLEINER L. (1995) Ancient Binding media, varnishes and adhesives. ICCROM

MILLS J.S. and WHITE R. (1987) The Organic Chemistry of Museum Objects. Butterworths. NICHOLSON, J.W. (1997) The chemistry of polymers, 2^nd Edition. Cambridge, The Royal Society of Chemistry.

MILLS J.S. and WHITE R. (1987) The Organic Chemistry of Museum Objects. Butterworths.

NEWEY C., BOFF R, DANIELS V., PASCOE M. AND TENNENT, N. (1987) Adhesives and Coatings. Science for Conservators. Book 3.  Science for Conservators. Series 2^nd Edition. Museums and Galleries Commission.

NEWEY C., BOFF R, DANIELS V., PASCOE M. AND TENNENT, N. (1987) An introduction to materials: Science for Conservators. Book 1. Science for Conservators. Series 2^nd Edition. Museums and Galleries Commission.

NEWEY C., BOFF R, DANIELS V., PASCOE M. AND TENNENT, N. (1987) Cleaning: Science for Conservators Book 2. Science for Conservators. Series 2^nd Edition. Museums and Galleries Commission.

TATE J.O., TENNENT N.H. and TOWNSEND J.H. (1983) Resins in Conservation. Proceedings of S.S.C.R. Conference held in Edinburgh 21-22 May 1982. ICON Science for Conservators Volume 2. Cleaning. The Conservation Unit (Straightforward basic information)