Performance and stability of historic casein formaldehyde
- Submitting institution
-
Nottingham Trent University
- Unit of assessment
- 32 - Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
- Output identifier
- 14R - 702837
- Type
- D - Journal article
- DOI
-
-
- Title of journal
- e-plastory: Journal of Plastics History
- Article number
- -
- First page
- 1
- Volume
- 00
- Issue
- -
- ISSN
- 2190-9598
- Open access status
- Compliant
- Month of publication
- June
- Year of publication
- 2017
- URL
-
http://e-plastory.com/index.php/e-plastory/article/view/Kaner
- Supplementary information
-
-
- Request cross-referral to
- -
- Output has been delayed by COVID-19
- No
- COVID-19 affected output statement
- -
- Forensic science
- No
- Criminology
- No
- Interdisciplinary
- No
- Number of additional authors
-
2
- Research group(s)
-
B - Design Research Centre
- Proposed double-weighted
- No
- Reserve for an output with double weighting
- Yes
- Additional information
- This works builds on Kaner’s research into early twentieth century semi-synthetic plastic materials. It applies experimental work conducted by Kaner for the purposes of conservation and historical understanding of casein formaldehyde. The experimental work explored material performance in terms of Relative Humidity and Modulus of Rupture. The empirical findings of the lab based work inform the practice and management of conservation heritage objects containing the material. Further literature based work examined the nomenclature of the commercial terms for casein formaldehyde which is brought together for the first time.
The research shows that we can control the loss of colour on casein formaldehyde and protect the surface of objects from light exposure providing guidelines to museums on what light levels should be used in display improving the longevity of the material.
The work further demonstrates that aged and distorted casein formaldehyde can be treated in order to reverse the damage caused through deterioration if the correct conservation procedures are observed and implemented by the conservator.
The historical aspects of the paper consider the use of casein plastic by the Scottish architect CR Mackintosh in his refurbishment of the Northampton home of Bassett-Lowke and the connections with the Germans interned on the Isle of Man during the first world war. This construct is based upon research done at the heritage archives on the Isle of Man, the Hunterian in Glasgow and the Brighton Museum and Gallery.
The literature study used archival material business records, technical material and extant objects from a wide set of global sources. The experimental work was designed to understand the behaviour of the material in order to provide solutions applicable to cultural heritage that is in danger of continued deterioration, through a conservation approach. Methods for testing materials were used following standards, including sample size, measurement and procedures.
- Author contribution statement
- -
- Non-English
- No
- English abstract
- -