Chemical and physical characterization of the degradation of vulcanized natural rubber in the museum environment
Auteur ou éditeur
Connors, Sandra André
Queen's University
Lieu de publication
Kingston, ON
Maison d'édition
Queen's University
Date de publication
1998
Collation
144 p.
Résumé
Vulcanized natural rubber was chemically characterized using three Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy techniques: attenuated total reflectance-microscopy-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and photoacoustic-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.Two thermal analysis techniques were also used: thermogravimetry and thermogravimetry-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Physical characterization of vulcanized natural rubber was done using scanning electron microscopy as well as mechanical testing. The chemical and physical data were correlated to determine if any consistencies between changes in physical and chemical properties were present. It was found that the physical changes occurring in the artificially aged samples closely resembled the changes found in many museum artifacts. These physical changes included: cracking, hardening and embrittlement as well as softening of the material.
