The Use of Micro-Fading Spectrometry to Evaluate the Light Fastness of Materials in Oxygen-Free Environments

ABSTRACT

The use of inert gases for displaying sensitive objects and for the treatment of artifacts infected with bio-deteriorating agents is a current practice in many cultural institutions around the world. However, some artifacts may also experience color changes as a result of exposure to light in these reducing environments. Therefore, it becomes essential to evaluate the light stability of an object under anoxic conditions prior to its exhibition. This study dealt with the development of a procedure based on micro-fading spectroscopy to determine the light fastness of materials when exposed to an argon atmosphere. The efficacy of this method has been tested using turmeric/silk and Prussian blue/silk systems. Evaluation of color changes in real time have demonstrated that the approach provides an efficient way of detecting any potential variation occurring as a result of long-term anoxic display in a museum environment.

KEYWORDS:

• anoxic treatment
• microfading spectrometry
• museum objects
• visible reflectance spectroscopy

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported through a Pre-Doctoral Fellowship from the Smithsonian Institution Office of Research and Training Services. The authors thank Anthony Maiorana and Cathy Zaret, Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute interns, for preparing and providing a set of dyed-silk samples for the study.

Notes

This article is not subject to US copyright.