Comparative study of adhesives used in textile support reinforcements: Compatibility, adhesion and reversibility parameters of tack-melt and hot-melt adhesives in painting conservation

The study focuses on the conservation strip-lining treatment of a contemporary poly(vinyl acetate) painting which artistic composition leads conservators to question the suitability of traditional criteria. Minimum intervention, innocuousity, reversibility, compatibility, stability and adhesion parameters are focused. A physical and mechanical comparative study of thermoplastic adhesives (Beva Film) and tack-melt adhesives (Lineco, Vinavil 59, Plextol B500) was developed. Chemical and mechanical characterization of the prepared adhesives and test specimens, before and after T(ºC)/HR(%) artificially ageing and SO2 polluted atmosphere has been done. Different techniques of analysis were applied: Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR-ATR), Pyrolysis coupled with Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), pH measurements, drying characterization, evaluation of hardness, Tensile Tester copulated with Optical Microscopy (TTOM), resistance to traction, tangential force and peeling, and evaluation of residual adhesive. Mechanical tests conducted with the TTOM allowed explaining the mechanical interactions of the forces presented on complex pictorial systems.