Consolidating Adhesive Project

The consolidating adhesive project is an international collaboration which aims to develop a new adhesive with well characterized physical, optical, and ageing characteristics specific for the consolidation of painted layers. Since starting in 2010, many findings have been made, and new useful polymer-tackifier, and polymer-tackifier-wax blends have been tested. The concept of component miscibility and the effect it has on the final properties of the adhesive is complex, but fundamental to the development of a new product. To quantify the properties conservators most need, the initial focus was on understanding BEVA(R) 371, a widely used poly(ethylene vinyl acetate) based heat-seal adhesive. It was originally developed as a lining adhesive for paintings, and has been adapted by conservators for a variety of consolidating applications; however, its ideal consolidation performance properties are starting to be out-weighed by concerns regarding its long-term stability, as well as recent formulation changes. There is a need for a new adhesive tailored to the requirements of the conservation field. This paper will discuss the results obtained thus far, and the goals for the future. The project is entering a new phase, where we hope to continue to explore new blends, and have conservator testing on painting mock-ups.