The degradation evidence of natural and synthethic fibers

Abstract

Based on their chemical composition, fibres belong to two main groups: the natural cellulose-, and protein-based materials; and the natural-based and synthetic-based artificial textile materials. The physical and chemical properties of the fibres determine their future behaviour in a different environment. Their damage results from the physical, chemical, and biological interactions between the fabric and its surroundings. There is clear evidence of the degradation of the several hundred years old natural fibres. Still, at the same time, the twentieth-century objects are often said to be “time bombs” waiting to explore in museum collections. It is becoming evident that these modern materials show signs of breakdown, sometimes dramatically and rapidly. Since they are only barely a hundred years old, there is not enough data concerning their long-term future behaviour. However, there is a burning need in conservation to examine the deterioration factors of the different artificial threads to preserve them as much as possible for posterity. Future work will be based on the aging tests of artificial textiles to predict their future behaviour and determine their optimal environmental limits for preventive conservation. In this paper, we will try to give a short overview of the most important damage factors and their effects on textiles that should be considered during storage and exhibition.