Aging Characterization and Preliminary Exploration of Gel-Based Cleaning of Cellulose Acetate in Jose Escada's <i>Le Rituel</i>.

ABSTRACT: Cellulose acetate (CA) is a semi-synthetic polymer widely present in modern and contemporary collections, yet its conservation poses major challenges due to its chemical and physical instability. Hydrolytic degradation, acetic acid release, plasticizer loss, and embrittlement compromise both structure and surface, making cleaning particularly difficult. Conventional cleaning methods may cause abrasion, extract additives, or alter gloss. Although hydrogels have shown promise for CA cleaning, the literature remains extremely limited. This study reports a preliminary investigation of gel-based cleaning on Le Rituel (1968), a heavily soiled cellulose acetate (CA) artwork by José Escada. The object's condition was assessed through visual inspection, pH measurements, volatile acidity test

SUBMITTER: Franca de Sa S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12732853 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature