Kavda, S; Golfomitsou, S; Richardson, E; (2017) The Effect of Gelling Agents and Solvents on PMMA Surfaces: A Comparative Study. In: Angelova, L and Ormsby, B and Townsend, JH and Wolbers, R, (eds.) Gels in the Conservation of Arts. (pp. pp. 331-336). Archetype Publications: London, UK.

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Abstract

Gels were introduced to the field of conservation to optimize cleaning treatments through their assumed ability to control solvent diffusion and limit mechanical stresses. We are currently undertaking a systematic study into the impact of solvent gel combinations to increase our understanding of their effect on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) artefacts. The isotropic, amorphous nature of PMMA renders it vulnerable to low molecular weight liquid penetration (Shashoua 2008). Their diffusion into PMMA results in changes to mechanical behaviour; a localized reduction in yield strength renders the material highly susceptible to scratches, crazes and brittle fracture (Michler 1989: 378). Based on the hypothesis that solvent-based gels permit solvent penetration into the PMMA surface, while minimizing the risk of material dissolution (Khandekar 2004), this study assesses the damage potential of the individual materials employed in gel systems. Experimental work examined the effect, safety and time-dependent action of solvents, hydrogel matrices and solvent-gel mixtures.

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