Science for Conservators – serie

For more than ten years, the Science for Conservators series has been the key basic texts for conservators throughout the world. Scientific concepts are basic ot the conservation of artefacts of every type, yet many conservators have little or no scientific training. These introductory volumes provide non-scientists with the essential theoretical background to their work.

This new edition of An Introduction to Materials and Chemistry, the first in the updated Science for Conservators series, provides conservators and conservators-in-training with a very basic introduction to the language of chemistry and to the scientific approach.Drawing on 40 years of experience as a conservation scientist, Joyce H. Townsend takes readers through the elementary steps that will enable them to understand and investigate materials in historic objects, and those modern materials used to conserve them, in scientific terms. The book also introduces basic chemistry concepts. It provides worked examples and exercises throughout. This new edition has been significantly expanded and updated, with new material about health and safety, sustainability, and the trend to use greener materials, amongst other topics. The book also includes all-new illustrations, a list of further reading and is accompanied by a Companion Website, which features additional examples, illustrations and more.An Introduction to Materials and Chemistry assumes no previous scientific knowledge and will be essential reading for pre-program applicants to, and students already on, postgraduate conservation programs worldwide. It will also be useful to conservators who are looking to refresh their knowledge or to fill gaps in their training, and for those who trained in languages other than English, but now work in that language.

This new edition of An Introduction to Materials and Chemistry, the first in the updated Science for Conservators series, provides conservators and conservators-in-training with a very basic introduction to the language of chemistry and to the scientific approach.Drawing on 40 years of experience as a conservation scientist, Joyce H. Townsend takes readers through the elementary steps that will enable them to understand and investigate materials in historic objects, and those modern materials used to conserve them, in scientific terms. The book also introduces basic chemistry concepts. It provides worked examples and exercises throughout. This new edition has been significantly expanded and updated, with new material about health and safety, sustainability, and the trend to use greener materials, amongst other topics. The book also includes all-new illustrations, a list of further reading and is accompanied by a Companion Website, which features additional examples, illustrations and more.An Introduction to Materials and Chemistry assumes no previous scientific knowledge and will be essential reading for pre-program applicants to, and students already on, postgraduate conservation programs worldwide. It will also be useful to conservators who are looking to refresh their knowledge or to fill gaps in their training, and for those who trained in languages other than English, but now work in that language.

This new edition titled Adhesives, Coatings and Consolidants discusses the chemical, physical, and optical properties that influence the selection of adhesives, coatings, and consolidants used in the conservation of cultural heritage objects made from a wide range of materials.The structured text guides readers through the concepts that underpin the selection of the material to use for a given object, when making a join, applying a coating, or consolidating a fragile surface. Widely used conservation materials today are mentioned in the context of the desirable properties that account for their popularity, while examples of those used in the past and likely to be found on previously treated objects are also discussed. This volume is not a recipe book. It is a basic primer and an aid to the assimilation of concepts that will become embedded in decision-making by conservation professionals. Adhesives are discussed first and in the most detail, followed by coatings. The section on consolidants has been extended to reflect developments in treatment and ongoing research into more effective and more sustainable products, such as nanomaterials, that offer new possibilities for the treatment of challenging objects. A list of further reading and some practical exercises are included, along with a comprehensive index.Thoroughly updated to reflect the most recent research, Adhesives, Coatings and Consolidants remains a crucial resource for those beginning a course of study in practical conservation and as a refresher for emerging and mid-career conservators.

This new edition titled Adhesives, Coatings and Consolidants discusses the chemical, physical, and optical properties that influence the selection of adhesives, coatings, and consolidants used in the conservation of cultural heritage objects made from a wide range of materials.The structured text guides readers through the concepts that underpin the selection of the material to use for a given object, when making a join, applying a coating, or consolidating a fragile surface. Widely used conservation materials today are mentioned in the context of the desirable properties that account for their popularity, while examples of those used in the past and likely to be found on previously treated objects are also discussed. This volume is not a recipe book. It is a basic primer and an aid to the assimilation of concepts that will become embedded in decision-making by conservation professionals. Adhesives are discussed first and in the most detail, followed by coatings. The section on consolidants has been extended to reflect developments in treatment and ongoing research into more effective and more sustainable products, such as nanomaterials, that offer new possibilities for the treatment of challenging objects. A list of further reading and some practical exercises are included, along with a comprehensive index.Thoroughly updated to reflect the most recent research, Adhesives, Coatings and Consolidants remains a crucial resource for those beginning a course of study in practical conservation and as a refresher for emerging and mid-career conservators.

Experimental Design and Scientific Data Analysis provides accessible information about the research process from start to finish as applied to conservation to enable readers to successfully plan and carry out research and share findings effectively with others.The book is divided into two parts, starting with experimental design in Part I and then considering data analysis in Part II. Part I takes the reader through the process of designing and planning experiments, from the initial design of aims and objectives to ethical testing, and includes a range of examples to demonstrate how these ideas apply to a range of specialisms and materials. Part II focuses on what to do with data once it has been collected, including choosing the right statistical test, different methods of presenting information, and communicating your findings clearly to your chosen audience. Questions at the end of each chapter are designed to help readers check and consolidate their knowledge of the different topics.Experimental Design and Scientific Data Analysis is suitable for students, emerging professionals, and experienced conservators at different stages of their careers, and is particularly suitable for those without a scientific background.

Experimental Design and Scientific Data Analysis provides accessible information about the research process from start to finish as applied to conservation to enable readers to successfully plan and carry out research and share findings effectively with others.The book is divided into two parts, starting with experimental design in Part I and then considering data analysis in Part II. Part I takes the reader through the process of designing and planning experiments, from the initial design of aims and objectives to ethical testing, and includes a range of examples to demonstrate how these ideas apply to a range of specialisms and materials. Part II focuses on what to do with data once it has been collected, including choosing the right statistical test, different methods of presenting information, and communicating your findings clearly to your chosen audience. Questions at the end of each chapter are designed to help readers check and consolidate their knowledge of the different topics.Experimental Design and Scientific Data Analysis is suitable for students, emerging professionals, and experienced conservators at different stages of their careers, and is particularly suitable for those without a scientific background.

Colour, Colour Measurement and Colour Change, the first new book in the expanded Science for Conservators series, explains the science of colour, colour measurement and colour change for conservators in a clear and comprehensible way, elucidating the topic for those with no scientific background.The book explains how and why we see colours and how colour and colour change can be measured, as well as clarifying why these would be done in a conservation context. It then examines the ways in which colour can change – such as darkening, yellowing, fading, blanching and patination – illustrating these in different types of cultural heritage materials, including metals, varnishes, plastics, textiles and paints. The final chapter explores how colour change can be reduced in different types of storage and display settings, and, in particular, what can be done to protect against damage by light, damp and pollutants.This book is an invaluable introduction to all aspects of the science of colour in conservation. It is suitable for students in undergraduate and postgraduate conservation programmes, as well as being a useful reference guide for practising conservators.

Colour, Colour Measurement and Colour Change, the first new book in the expanded Science for Conservators series, explains the science of colour, colour measurement and colour change for conservators in a clear and comprehensible way, elucidating the topic for those with no scientific background.The book explains how and why we see colours and how colour and colour change can be measured, as well as clarifying why these would be done in a conservation context. It then examines the ways in which colour can change – such as darkening, yellowing, fading, blanching and patination – illustrating these in different types of cultural heritage materials, including metals, varnishes, plastics, textiles and paints. The final chapter explores how colour change can be reduced in different types of storage and display settings, and, in particular, what can be done to protect against damage by light, damp and pollutants.This book is an invaluable introduction to all aspects of the science of colour in conservation. It is suitable for students in undergraduate and postgraduate conservation programmes, as well as being a useful reference guide for practising conservators.

This revised and expanded edition of Cleaning provides a comprehensive introduction for conservators and conservation students to the science of cleaning, solvents and other materials currently in use, and cleaning techniques.Cleaning has been updated throughout to reflect changes in the field in the thirty years since the previous edition of the book, covering the underlying chemical and physical principles behind safe surface cleaning. It includes contemporary imperatives for professionals and students, such as sustainability, green materials, and safety advice for conservators and objects. The volume also contains three new chapters, comprising: cleaning with gels cleaning by chemical reaction, including the use of enzymes and chelation agents; and cleaning processes based on physical, rather than chemical, cleaning methods.Cleaning: Removing Dirt and Coatings from Objects will be a vital resource for students of conservation, particularly those without a scientific background, as well as conservation professionals.

This revised and expanded edition of Cleaning provides a comprehensive introduction for conservators and conservation students to the science of cleaning, solvents and other materials currently in use, and cleaning techniques.Cleaning has been updated throughout to reflect changes in the field in the thirty years since the previous edition of the book, covering the underlying chemical and physical principles behind safe surface cleaning. It includes contemporary imperatives for professionals and students, such as sustainability, green materials, and safety advice for conservators and objects. The volume also contains three new chapters, comprising: cleaning with gels cleaning by chemical reaction, including the use of enzymes and chelation agents; and cleaning processes based on physical, rather than chemical, cleaning methods.Cleaning: Removing Dirt and Coatings from Objects will be a vital resource for students of conservation, particularly those without a scientific background, as well as conservation professionals.