What does this research mean for the field?

LED-MFT more accurately replicates natural aging of paper under LED illumination compared to Xe-MFT, which aligns better with artificial chamber aging. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to explore the light sensitivity of paper using the micro fading test and compare its effectiveness across different aging methodologies.

February 27, 20260 citationsOpen Access

Application of the Micro Fading technique to study the light sensitivity of paper objects with cultural heritage relevance

GVGiulia Vannucci

Key Points

The study aims to explore the light sensitivity of paper using the micro fading test and compare its effectiveness across different aging methodologies.
Applied micro fading tests with xenon-based and LED-based devices
Conducted artificial and natural aging experiments
Mapped UV radiation exposure at measurement points
Quantified instrumental errors in MFT results
Analyzed paper samples from various historical periods
LED-MFT better replicates natural aging under LED light than Xe-MFT
Xe-MFT correlates more closely with artificial aging in controlled environments
Distinct trends in light sensitivity revealed based on paper composition
First mapping of UV exposure impacts on paper during MFT

Abstract

The light sensitivity of paper is a well-known concern among conservators and art curators working in the field of graphic art. The micro-fading test (MFT) is gaining increasing recognition as a valuable tool for predicting the future color change of art objects resulting from light exposure. However, paper as a substrate has so far received limited attention in MFT research. This dissertation explores the application of MFT to investigate the light sensitivity of paper, with an emphasis on optimizing methodologies and comparing data from Xenon-based (Xe-MFT) and LED-based (LED-MFT) devices with other aging conditions. These included artificial aging in chamber and natural aging in three different exposure settings. In this regard, this study aims to fill a gap in the MFT community by providing a comprehensive comparative analysis between MFT results and real-world data. In this study, the instrumental error associated with MFT tests is quantified and mitigated, and the effects of including UV radiation in Xe-MFT tests are explored. Additionally, the study presents the first mapping and quantification of UV radiation at the measurement point through the development of a custom model. Another key focus was determining the Xe-MFT spot size and advocating for more standardized methodologies. Paper samples across four series – pre-industrial (A), industrial (B), contemporary (C), and chromophore-doped (D) – were studied in the research. Results revealed distinct trends influenced by compositional factors such as lignin, iron salts, and optical brightening agents (OBAs). The comparison between Xe-MFT and LED-MFT and real-world data indicated that LED-MFT more accurately replicated natural aging under LED illumination, while Xe-MFT aligned better with artificial chamber aging. This research advances the understanding of comparability of MFT and real-world data for the specific case of paper, providing insights to inform preservation strategies for paper-based cultural heritage.

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