Dry methylcellulose foams: Investigation of simple foaming and drying methods for applications in the field of conservation and restoration

Bründler, Stefanie; Bunz, Sophie; Ritler, Magdalena; Scherrer, Nadim; Soppa, Karolina (22 September 2023). Dry methylcellulose foams: Investigation of simple foaming and drying methods for applications in the field of conservation and restoration In: ICOM-CC 20th Triennial Conference: Working Towards a Sustainable Past. Valencia. 18–22 September 2023.

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This paper explores the foaming of methylcellulose (MC) using straightforward foaming and drying methods for different applications in the field of conservation and restoration. The aim was to elaborate a low-tech, inexpensive and reproducible foaming method to achieve dimensionally stable, homogeneous, dried foams. Crucial influencing parameters of the foaming process such as viscosity grade, concentration, water temperature, mixing device, whipping time and drying method were investigated. Dried foams were produced with MC A4C 5–7 wt% and A4M 4–6 wt% and then characterized by comparing them with industrial polyethylene foams, as reference material, with respect to their cell size and compressive strength. The tested samples consisted of heterogenous cells between 0.3 and 2.3 mm in diameter, and the hardness was 1.2–15.1 N/cm2. Possible areas of application of dried MC foam in the field of conservation-restoration, e.g. as a filling material, are explored within a case study.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Division/Institute:	Bern Academy of the Arts Bern Academy of the Arts > Institute Materiality in Art and Culture Bern Academy of the Arts > Institute Materiality in Art and Culture > Conservation Techniques
Name:	Bründler, Stefanie; Bunz, Sophie; Ritler, Magdalena; Scherrer, Nadim0000-0002-6576-885X and Soppa, Karolina0000-0002-5838-5391
Subjects:	N Fine Arts > ND Painting
Language:	English
Submitter:	Nadim Scherrer
Date Deposited:	16 Jan 2024 15:35
Last Modified:	16 Jan 2024 15:35
Additional Information:	The publications on the ICOM-CC Publications Online platform are available to individuals for private study, scholarship, and research purposes only.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	methylcellulose, ether, foaming, conservation, restoration, filling, bonding
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.21067
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/21067