Paper acidification causes paper relics to undergo embrittlement and decay, to form dregs, and even to break upon a single touch; therefore, reinforcement and deacidification treatments are essential steps for paper conservation and to retard the deterioration and prolong the life of objects. Polymeric adhesives play an essential role in reinforcement and deacidification treatments, although it is not well studied. In this work, the effect of polymeric adhesives on the conservation process and their protective effects on acidified paper relics were studied. Firstly, three polymeric adhesives, including wheat starch paste, polyvinyl butyral (PVB), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), were selected as research objects. Subsequently, their effects on four popular conservation methods were further discussed, including traditional mounting, hot-melt with silk net, alcohol-soluble cotton mesh, and water-soluble cotton mesh. Additionally, as an example, the reversibility and long-term durability of water-soluble adhesive PVA-217 were assessed. Using a computer measured and controlled folding endurance tester, pendulum tensile strength tester, tear tester, burst tester, FT-IR, video optical contact angle tester, and other instruments, the conservation application of water-soluble adhesives in paper relics was evaluated. This study provides a scientific basis and experimental data for the application of polymeric adhesives in the conservation of paper relics.

Curling disease in long historical photos significantly affects the presentation of cultural heritage information. However, people lack attention to the formation process and microstructural changes of photo curling. In this article, a long historical photo (1912–1949 AD) collected by the Second Historical Archives of China was taken as the research object, and the formation process and cause of the curling were further explored. Firstly, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray energy disperse spectrometer (EDS), and other instruments were used to analyze the material composition of the long historical photo. It was found that the photographic paper was made of gelatin, barium sulfate, and plant fiber layers. Then, the effects of hygrothermal environments on curling and contraction in the gelatin layer and simulated photographic paper were explored. Meanwhile, the formation process and main influence factors of the curling were preliminarily revealed. The morphological analysis by SEM was carried out to identify the inner correlation between the microstructure and curling of photos. Finally, the possible formation cause of photo curling was analyzed. This study provides a scientific basis and experimental data for the preservation and restoration of long historical photos based on gelatin.

Textiles are valuable cultural heritage items that are susceptible to several degradation processes due to their sensitive nature, such as the case of ancient ma colored-paintings. Therefore, it is important to take measures to protect the precious ma artifacts. Generally, ″ma″ includes ramie, hemp, flax, oil flax, kenaf, jute, and so on. In this paper, an examination and analysis of a painted ma textile were the first step in proposing an appropriate conservation treatment. Standard fiber and light microscopy were used to identify the fiber type of the painted ma textile. Moreover, custom-made reinforcement materials and technology were introduced with the principles of compatibility, durability and reversibility. The properties of tensile strength, aging resistance and color alteration of the new material to be added were studied before and after dry heat aging, wet heat aging and UV light aging. After systematic examination and evaluation of the painted ma textile and reinforcement materials, the optimal conservation treatment was established, and exhibition method was established. Our work presents a new method for the conservation of ancient Chinese painted ramie textiles that would promote the protection of these valuable artifacts.

Jiatang scroll paintings listed in the Chinese intangible cultural heritage list are an important form of family trees. In this paper, a Jiatang scroll painting drawn in the seventh year of Guangxu (AD 1881) was chosen as a prototype to analyze its components. Samples were taken from different parts of the Jiatang scroll painting to analyze the composition of fibers, pigments, and adhesives. Herein, fiber analyzer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Herzberg stain were conducted to identify the type of fiber used. Microstructural and microchemical analyses by means of SEM-EDX and Raman spectroscopy were performed to characterize the pigments present in the painting, while the nature of the adhesive was examined using pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The results show that the painting fiber is from cotton, while the red, black, and green pigments were identified as cinnabar, carbon black, and emerald green, respectively. Finally, the adhesive is a mixture of animal glue, benzoin gum, and starch. The research results provide a basis for the protection and restoration of this precious cultural heritage in the future.

Textiles are valuable cultural heritage items that are susceptible to several degradation processes due to their sensitive nature, such as the case of ancient ma colored-paintings. Therefore, it is important to take measures to protect the precious ma artifacts. Generally, ″ma″ includes ramie, hemp, flax, oil flax, kenaf, jute, and so on. In this paper, an examination and analysis of a painted ma textile were the first step in proposing an appropriate conservation treatment. Standard fiber and light microscopy were used to identify the fiber type of the painted ma textile. Moreover, custom-made reinforcement materials and technology were introduced with the principles of compatibility, durability and reversibility. The properties of tensile strength, aging resistance and color alteration of the new material to be added were studied before and after dry heat aging, wet heat aging and UV light aging. After systematic examination and evaluation of the painted ma textile and reinforcement materials, the optimal conservation treatment was established, and exhibition method was established. Our work presents a new method for the conservation of ancient Chinese painted ramie textiles that would promote the protection of these valuable artifacts.