Differential Scanning Calorimetry for Art Conservation Graduate Students: A Practical Laboratory Exercise Using Polymer Blends

摘要

Polymer chemistry is an integral part of art conservation graduate training programs. The list of materials used by artists and artisans and by conservators is vast, with the majority being polymeric in nature. Conservators use an array of polymers as coatings, adhesives, fills, supports, and structures. Aside from the chemistry of these materials, all students need to have a good understanding of their thermal behaviors. This includes mechanical and physical changes due to thermal transitions, such as glass transition and melting. Additionally, students need to have some understanding of blending polymeric materials and miscibility, especially if they are tailoring a material to behave in a particular way. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) lends itself well to investigating the thermal transitions of polymer blends and their compatibility. This paper will present a practical laboratory exercise that explores both polymer miscibility and thermal transitions in the context of art conservation materials.