Adhesives, Coatings and Consolidants

This new edition titled Adhesives, Coatings and Consolidants discusses the chemical, physical, and optical properties that influence the selection of adhesives, coatings, and consolidants used in the conservation of cultural heritage objects made from a wide range of materials. The structured text guides readers through the concepts that underpin the selection of the material to use for a given object, when making a join, applying a coating, or consolidating a fragile surface. Widely used conservation materials today are mentioned in the context of the desirable properties that account for their popularity, while examples of those used in the past and likely to be found on previously treated objects are also discussed. This volume is not a recipe book. It is a basic primer and an aid to the assimilation of concepts that will become embedded in decision-making by conservation professionals. Adhesives are discussed first and in the most detail, followed by coatings. The section on consolidants has been extended to reflect developments in treatment and ongoing research into more effective and more sustainable products, such as nanomaterials, that offer new possibilities for the treatment of challenging objects. A list of further reading and some practical exercises are included, along with a comprehensive index. Thoroughly updated to reflect the most recent research, Adhesives, Coatings and Consolidants remains a crucial resource for those beginning a course of study in practical conservation and as a refresher for emerging and mid-career conservators.

Joyce H. Townsend, PhD, FIIC, ACR, is Series Editor for the updated Science for Conservators series. She has been IIC Director of Publications for over ten years and a conservation scientist for over four decades, more than three of them spent at Tate in London, UK, where she specialises in microscopical methods for the analysis of paint and the interpretation of the techniques of British artists working in oil and watercolour, as well as microfading and X-ray fluorescence studies for works on paper. She has published widely for a range of audiences. Since 2019 she has been an honorary professor in the School of Culture and Creative Arts, University of Glasgow, UK.

1. Sticking things together; 2. The chemistry of polymers; 3. Making joints with different types of adhesive; 4. The strength and stiffness of materials; 5. How long will it last?; 6. Coatings; 7. Consolidants.