A variety of adhesives are used for the conservation of paintings. These materials include natural adhesives such as animal glues, waxes, and gums which may chemically degrade over time resulting in unwanted discoloration and mechanical failure. Synthetic adhesives have been introduced to address these concerns. However, most consolidating adhesives have not been specifically formulated and tested to meet the high demands of conservation, ultimately resulting in undesirable physical and mechanical properties. Additionally, some synthetic adhesives are less stable and may cross-link making it difficult to remove years after application. This paper investigates the photo-stability of commercially available tri-block acrylic copolymers (PMMA-PnBA-PMMA) to assess their potential long-term serviceability as consolidants for flaking paint. These copolymers were combined with synthetic low molecular weight resins to reduce viscosity of the adhesive and provide tack. The polymer blends underwent accelerated aging under simulated indoor conditions. Blends were analysed for degradation using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography. Upon irradiation, acrylic copolymers (PMMA-PnBA-PMMA) undergo shifts to higher and lower molecular weight, suggesting that degradation occurs by polymer cross-linking and chain scission. Furthermore, the acrylic copolymer degradation rate was influenced by the type of low molecular weight resin. However, with the addition of a hindered amine light stabilizer these blends exhibited minimal changes in molecular weight. Lastly, the peel strength of the blends were investigated and shown to have comparable peel strength to a popular commercial material, Paraloid™ B-72, often used in consolidation thus showing their promise for use within cultural heritage.

Failure of ultramarine blue paint layers in historic as well as modern paintings has been reported in the literature many times and is often referred to as “ultramarine disease” or “ultramarine sickness.” The pigment itself is known to degrade hydrolytically when exposed to acids, but whether this is the primary cause of the failure remains unclear. This paper describes a study in which ultramarine blue paints using linseed oil and a urea-aldehyde resin as binding media were aged under simulated indoor conditions. The paints were analyzed using reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The urea-aldehyde resin binding medium was analyzed using size exclusion chromatography and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The study provides evidence of photo-catalytic degradation of binding media of ultramarine blue paint layers via free-radical processes, causing changes in reflectance while the pigment itself remains intact. It is believed that this is the primary process behind the degradation of ultramarine blue paint layers in paintings.