POLYMERS FOR CONSERVATION

The course belongs to the “Core educational activities” of the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Technologies for the Conservation and the Restoration.
The course specific task is to introduce the student to the interdisciplinary world of polymer chemistry and physics. As matter of fact, today, polymers find widespread application either as materials for artistic expression either as materials for conservation of objects of cultural, historic and artistic interest.

1. Knowledge and understanding
a. Basic concepts: monomer, repeating unit, macromolecule. Polymer architectures isomeries and stereochemistry.
b. Polymer polydispersion, average molecular weights and their determination..
c. Polymer physics. Amorphous and cristalline polymers. Tm and Tg.
d. Polymer mechanical behaviour: stress-strain curve, viscoelastic behavior
e. adhesion
f. Coatings and film formation
g. Polymers as artistic materials.
2. Skill in applying knowledge and understanding
a. Monomer functionality in relation with thermoplastic and themosetting materials.
b. Polymeric solutions.
c. Methods for Molecular Weight determination .
d. Understanding of the causes of polymers degradation. .
3. Judgement skills
a. Choice of the polymeric material most suitable for a remediation in relation with reversibility and time.
4. Comunication skills
a. Acquaintance with the polymer chemistry terminology.
b. Ability in suitably discuss the issues connected with the use of polymeric materials in conservation.

The student should be familiar with the contents of the Organic Chemistry course.

Monomer, repeating unit, polymer, polymer architectures and stereochemistry.
Molar mass distributions.
Polymer solutions.
Average molecular weights and their determinations,
Gel permeation chromatography.
Polymer synthesis: acrylates polymerization.
Amorphous polymers; semicrystalline polymers, Tg and Tm determination.
Polymers mechanical behavior: stress-strain curve, creep.
Adhesion and adhesives.
Natural and synthetic rubber.
Coatings.
Employement of polymeric materials in conservation

- Brucker et al.: “Scienza e tecnologia dei materiali polimerici” III ed., Edises, Napoli 2016.
- V. Horie “Materials for Conservation” 2nd Edition, Butterworth- Heinemann, Oxford 2010.
Further readings:
- S. Turri “Vernici” Ambrosiana Editrice, Milano 2007.
- O. Chiantore, et al. “Conservare l'arte contemporanea : problemi, metodi, materiali, ricerche” Electa, Milano 2005

The oral examination aims at recognizing student acquaintance with:
- polymer chemistry language;
- the employement of polymeric materials in conservation.

The course is based on frontal lessons. Copy of the powerpoint presentations is available on moodle.unive.it

Italian

Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and
students with specific learning impairments:
Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010)
regarding support services and accommodation available to students
with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual,
hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning
impairments (Law 170/2010). In the case of disability or impairment
that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note
takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and
Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it

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