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The Effect of Vikane™ on the Stability of Cellulosic and Ligneous Materials — Measurement of Deterioration by Chemical and Physical Methods

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Abstract

Vikane™ (sulphuryl fluoride) is a commercial fumigant[1] which is used for the control of pests in museum collections. This paper summarizes the results obtained through an investigation of the effect of Vikane™ on twenty-five paper and textile samples. Samples chosen were representative of artifacts present in North American collections (cotton, linen, jute, and wood pulp fibres, from 1622 to present).

The effect of the fumigation treatment has been evaluated by chemical and physical analyses: (1) Acidity — surface pH, cold extracted pH, total acid (iodometric titration), (2) Oxidative and Hydrolytic Degradation — viscometric average degree of polymerization, carbonyl content (hydrazone derivatization), (3) and Fumigant Residues (specific ion electrode). Analysis of unfumigated and fumigated samples was carried out before and after accelerated ageing (70°C and 50% relative humidity) in order to estimate the long term stability of fumigated samples.

The data obtained show that commercial grade Vikane™ degrades cellulosic and ligneous fibres. A second set of experiments on two fibre types using a new experimental grade of Vikane™ gave significantly less degradation. The presentation of this work will concentrate upon a general scientific interpretation of results.

It is anticipated that the conclusions will be applicable to a broad range of artifacts.

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References

  1. Vikane™ is a product of the Dow Chemical Company.

  2. Nan-Yao Su and R.H. Scheffrahn, “Fumigant Efficacy of Sulfuryl Fluoride Against Four Beetle Pests of Museums (Coleoptera: Dermestidae, Anobiidae)”, Final Report to the Getty Conservation Institute, January 10, 1989.

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  4. Requests for a copy of the annotated bibliography should be sent to: Getty Conservation Institute, Scientific Department-Vikane Bibliography, 4503 Glencoe Avenue, Marina Del Rey 90292.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank J.C. McCawley, Chief, Conservation Processes Research (CPR), CCI for his help and encouragement during this project. The Canadian Conservation Institute acknowledges the financial assistance of the Getty Conservation Institute in carrying out the Vikane™ project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Communications, Conservation Processes Research, Canadian Conservation Institute, 1030 Innes Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0C8

    Helen D. Burgess & Nancy E. Binnie

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  1. Helen D. Burgess
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  2. Nancy E. Binnie
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Burgess, H.D., Binnie, N.E. The Effect of Vikane™ on the Stability of Cellulosic and Ligneous Materials — Measurement of Deterioration by Chemical and Physical Methods. MRS Online Proceedings Library 185, 791–798 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-185-791

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-185-791

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