Accelerated ageing of drying oil paint - an FTIR study on the chemical alteration: problems of accelerated ageing under variable conditions of light, temperature and relative humidity

The aging process of drying oil was examined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) under four different climatic conditions. Sulfur tetrafluoride was used to discriminate overlapping signals and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to verify the FTIR data. The various stages and variables observed are early oxidation, chemical changes during aging, and the influence of temperature and humidity on the accelerated aging process. The products used in testing were linseed oil paint with zinc white and basic lead white without a dryer, which were exposed to light in different temperatures, humidities, and atmospheric oxygen content. Although the results are not comparable to the natural aging of paint, accelerated aging tests are useful if applied with appropriate goals in mind. The infrared spectra are reproduced from different paint samples exposed to different conditions.