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.
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. Materials for consolidation
g. Coatings and film formation
f. 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.

Polymeric materials for conservation and art.
Problem of restoration for contemporary art.
Monomer, repeating unit, polymer, polymer architectures and stereochemistry.
Molar mass distributions.
Polymer solutions. Teas diagrams.
Average molecular weights and their determinations,
Gel permeation chromatography.
Anti-writing materials.
Polymer synthesis: Carothers.
Polyamides and contemporary works.
Gelation. Gel cleaning systems.
Polyurethanes and contemporary works.
Amorphous polymers; semicrystalline polymers, Tg and Tm determination.
Microcrystalline waxes.
Polymers mechanical behavior: stress-strain curve, creep.
Adhesion and adhesives.
Natural and synthetic rubber.
Silicone resins and Restoration (protective, water repellent, consolidating).
Polyesters: synthesis, properties and their use for Restoration.
Acrylic resins in painting and in Restoration. Acrylfluorinated resins.
Surface coatings. Formation methodologies of a film.
Degradation of polymers by hydrolysis and photo-oxidation.
Pictorial binders. Drying oils.
Alkyd resins. Fluorinated polymers.
The use of polymers for Cultural Heritage: i) consolidating (for stone, glass, wood, canvas, paper); ii) protective; iii) adhesives.

- Leonardo Borgioli: Polimeri di sintesi per la conservazione della pietra, ed. Il Prato
- Leonardo Borgioli e Paolo Cremonesi "Le resine sintetiche usate nel trattamento di opere policrome", Ed Il Prato.

Further readings:
- O. Chiantore, et al. “Conservare l'arte contemporanea : problemi, metodi, materiali, ricerche” Electa, Milano 2005

The learning assessment consists of an oral test in which the student must demonstrate knowledge of the topics of the course and to expose them adequately.
In particular, the oral exam is aimed at recognizing student acquaintance with:
- polymer chemistry language;
- the use of polymeric materials in conservation.
The oral exam may possibly include the presentation through slides of a restoration intervention that used polymeric materials.
The aim is to verify the student's ability to independently process the information received.
The oral exam lasts 30 - 45 minutes.

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

Italian

STRUCTURE AND CONTENT OF THE COURSE COULD CHANGE AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC.
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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