The Organic Chemistry of Museum Objects (Butterworth-heinemann Series in Conservation & Museology)

This book makes available in a single volume, a survey of the chemical composition, properties and analysis of the whole range of organic materials incorporated into objects and artworks found in museum collections. The authors cover the fundamental chemistry of the bulk materials such as wood, paper, natural fibres and skin products, as well as that of the relatively minor components incorporated as paint, media, varnishes, adhesives and dyes. This expanded second edition follows the structure of the first, though it has been extensively updated. In addition to chapters on basic organic chemistry, analytical methods, analytical findings and fundamental aspects of deterioration, the subject matter is grouped as far as possible by broad chemical class - oils and fats, waxes, bitumens, carbohydrates, proteins, natural resins, dyestuffs and synthetic polymers. Since the first edition, significant advances have been made in some fields - the red insect dyestuffs, synthetic varnish resins, and the use of antioxidants, for example - and are given more extended discussion, while some other topics, such as the synthetic resin parylene, are newly introduced. The Organic Chemistry of Museum Objects provides an account of the composition, chemistry, and analysis of the organic materials which enter into the structures of objects in museum collections. This book is not intended to duplicate the information available in existing handbooks on the materials and techniques of art and conservation but rather to convey the state of knowledge of the chemical composition of such materials and so provide a framework for a general understanding of their properties. The book begins with a review of basic organic chemistry, covering hydrocarbons and compounds with functional groups. It then describes spectrometry and separation methods. This is followed by discussions of the chemistry and composition of oils and fats, natural waxes, bituminous materials, carbohydrates, proteins, and natural resins and lacquers. Subsequent chapters deal with synthetic materials, i.e., high molecular weight polymers of a wholly synthetic nature; and natural and synthetic dyestuffs. Also discussed are the deterioration and other changes in organic materials resulting from both free radical and ionic reactions; and the application of analytical methods to identify the organic materials of actual museum objects. This book is intended for both chemists and nonchemists. Content: Butterworths Series in Conservation and Museology , Page ii Front Matter , Page iii Copyright , Page iv Preface , Page v , John Mills, Raymond White Introduction , Pages ix-xi , John S. Mills, Raymond White 1 - Basic organic chemistry , Pages 1-12 , John S. Mills, Raymond White 2 - Analytical methods , Pages 13-25 , John S. Mills, Raymond White 3 - Oils and fats , Pages 26-40 , John S. Mills, Raymond White 4 - Natural waxes , Pages 41-47 , John S. Mills, Raymond White 5 - Bituminous materials , Pages 48-59 , John S. Mills, Raymond White 6 - Carbohydrates: sugars and polysaccharides , Pages 60-72 , John S. Mills, Raymond White 7 - Proteins , Pages 73-82 , John S. Mills, Raymond White 8 - Natural resins and lacquers , Pages 83-110 , John S. Mills, Raymond White 9 - Synthetic materials , Pages 111-120 , John S. Mills, Raymond White 10 - Dyestuffs and other coloured materials , Pages 121-133 , John S. Mills, Raymond White 11 - Fundamental aspects of deterioration , Pages 134-140 , John S. Mills, Raymond White 12 - Analysis in practice , Pages 141-159 , John S. Mills, Raymond White Index , Pages 161-165 John S. Mills And Raymond White. Includes Bibliographies And Index.