What Fate for Plastics in Artworks? An Overview of Their Identification and Degradative Behaviour

Abstract

This review is conceived as a guide for material science researchers and conservators aiming to face the problem of deterioration of contemporary artworks entirely or partially made of plastics. It initially illustrates the analytical approaches for identifying polymeric material components in 3D art objects, such as sculptures and installations, and provides a perspective of their limits and advantages. Subsequently, the methodologies used for studying the deterioration of contemporary art plastics are reviewed, emphasising the main effects of the different types of degradation (i.e., migration of additives, oxidation and hydrolysis) and suggesting the appropriate techniques for their detection. Finally, the application of artificial ageing tests is critically assessed. All the concepts are elaborated through case studies and examples.

Exploring the Materials and Condition of 20th-Century Dolls in Zoe Leonard’s Mouth Open, Teeth Showing 2000

“…HMDS-PyGCMS of the white bloom identified the trimethyl silyl (TMS) derivatives of stearic acid, which dominated the sample; small amounts of the TMS-derivatives of dodecanoic acid, 1-dodecanol and palmitic acid, as well as traces of di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate (DEHA) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) plasticisers. Carboxylic acids with a carbon chain length ≥ 12 and 1-dodecanol are heat stabilisers or lubricants that are used for PVC, and certainly stearic acid is commonly used, up to around 3% by weight in PVC [ 67 , 68 ].…”

Simulation of the Long-Term Ageing of Polypropylene-Made Disposable Surgical Masks and Filtering Facepiece Respirators

“…160℃). It is largely accepted that the conditions of simulated ageing assays do not trigger unexpected reactions: either artificial solar light or isothermal treatment at a moderate temperature essentially accelerates the same chemical changes as those occurring in the long term under environmental conditions, also taking into account that for vinyl polymers weathering pathways are commonly related to oxidative degradation [7,22].…”

“…MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions, or products referred to in the content. conditions of the most important classes of industrial polymers (including PP) were extensively studied [6][7][8][9][10], their ageing behaviour in the form of nonwoven fabrics, such as those used for the manufacture of disposable face masks, has been investigated mostly in general terms, essentially focusing on field observations and within recycling proposals [2,[11][12][13][14][15]. Some studies highlight the risk of microplastic release from both surgical masks and filtering facepiece respirators FFP2 due to fragmentation processes, e.g.…”

Study of the Long-Term Aging of Polypropylene-Made Disposable Surgical Masks and Filtering Facepiece Respirators

“…These microplastics threaten terrestrial and marine ecosystems, global food security, and the tourism industry and exacerbate climate change and the spread of pathogens [ 2 ]. Although the weathering and the degradation under different conditions of the most important classes of industrial polymers (including PP) were extensively studied [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], their aging behavior in the form of nonwoven fabrics, such as those used for the manufacture of disposable face masks, has been investigated mostly in general terms, essentially focusing on field observations and within recycling proposals [ 2 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Some studies highlight the risk of microplastic release from both surgical masks and FFP2 filtering facepiece respirators due to fragmentation processes, e.g., [ 2 , 12 , 16 , 17 ], but without focusing on the microplastic formation mechanism, especially after weathering and other aging processes.…”