Adhesive in Paper Conservation

Adhesives are used for several purposes

• Consolidation of inks/paint

• Fixation of inks/paint

• Repair/lining

• Sizing of paper

Choice of adhesive depends upon the requirements for a particular purpose

• Consolidation of inks/paint – low viscosity, and low strength

• Fixation of inks/paint – reversible, protective against water

• Repair/lining – Higher viscosity, medium strength

• Sizing of paper – medium viscosity, as per requirement

Ideal Adhesive

• Should fulfill its purpose

• Suitable strength, and maintains its adhesion for an indefinite period.

• No tendency to discolor

• Reversibility without any damage to the object, even after many years.

• Flexibility

Adhesives in Conservation of paper

• Solvent-soluble adhesives

• Natural aqueous adhesives

• Cellulose derivatives

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 • Synthetic adhesives dispersions

Solvent-soluble adhesives

• Cellulose acetate, soluble in many solvents and produces a matt film, but tends
to oxidize resulting in its weakness and brittleness.

• PVA are relatively strong and stable, but produces acid on aging

• Paraloid B72, acrylic copolymer (EMA : MA :: 70 : 30) has good aging properties,
is being preferred

• Paraloid B67 (i Butyl methacrylate), recommended because of low viscosity, but

its solubility decreases with age due to cross-linking.

• Fixatives or cosolidants for water sensitive inks

Fixing of paint and inks (Masking)

• Polyvinyl acetate

• PMMA

• Microcrytalline wax

• Cellulose acetate

• Paraloid B72 (EMA:MA::70:30)

• Paraloid B67 (iBMA)

Cyclododecane - A volatile binding medium, a temporary fixer of water soluble paint

during its aqueous interaction. Can be applied in molten state or dissolved in an organic
solvent

Natural aqueous adhesives

• Protein/ polysaccharide based adhesives

• Starch based paste

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 • Gum

• Gelatin, parchment glue, deer glue and isinglass.

• Preferred because of their excellent adhesive and cohesive properties, low

surface tension and viscosity

• Funori (seaweed) from marine algae, advantageous because of low viscosity,

matte look and flexibility

Fish glue/ Isinglass

 Fish glue is prepared from the waste products of fish, such as the head, skin, and
bones.
 Isinglass is superior fish gelatin product, produced from the swim bladders of
sturgeon fish.
 It is readily reversible with moisture and heat and is non-toxic.
 A thin film produces a strong flexible bond

Funori

• Funori (seaweed) from marine algae,

• Used as consolidant of ink/paint

• Dries matte and is works extremely well with fine, powdery paints.

• Low viscosity, flexibility

• Does not yellow or shrink over time.

• Weaker, but perhaps more suitable

Cellulose derivatives

• Popular because of their long-term stability, flexibility, reversibility and resistance

to bio-deterioration

• Methyl cellulose

• Sod. Salt of Carboxy Methyl Cellulose

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 • HPC, being soluble in alcohols and many org. solvents is advantageous with
water sensitive media

Synthetic adhesives dispersions

Solution/Dispersion/emulsion

• Solutions: Mixtures made by mixing a solute and a solvent. Particle size

diameters between 0.1 nm to 1 nm, do not show the Tyndall effect

• Dispersion: heterogeneous mixtures of a insoluble solid and a liquid. Between

100 nm and 200 nm. Show the Tyndall effect.

• Emulsions: Mixture of two liquids that do not mix. Show the Tyndall effect.

• PVA emulsions, acrylic emulsions and acrylic dispersions

• Plextol (Aqueous dispersion of a butyl acrylate and methyl mathacrylate based

copolymer)

• Advantages of penetration and durability, but disadvantages of low Glass

Transition Temperature and low stability due additives.

Conclusion

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