The Effect of Microbial Growth on Synthetic Polymers Used on Works of Art

Biological growth has been found on some synthetic polymers used in the treatment of monuments. The present work investigated suitable methods for evaluating the ability of these materials to sustain microbiological growth, and to determine if consequently the efficacy of the polymers was altered. Preliminary tests were carried out on some preservatives and consolidants. More extensive tests were made on samples treated with these products then incubated in a climatic cabinet or submitted to soil burial testing. The possible change in the efficacy of the polymers after biological attack was evaluated by measuring contact angle and water absorption properties.