On-­‐site Collections Management: NIR Characterisation and Condition Monitoring of Modern Textiles

Decisions regarding the long-term storage and display of artefacts within heritage collections rely on an intimate knowledge of materials and their behaviour. Over time deterioration is inevitable, but the rate at which objects deteriorate may be greatly reduced by careful control of the environment. Degradation routes and stabilisation vary with material classes, illustrating the need for an intimate knowledge of their behaviour and for positive identi cation within collections, which is not always easy with limited sampling of artefacts. The in-situ application of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for the non-invasive identi cation and condition monitoring of synthetic textile materials should greatly assist in the long-term preservation of contemporary collections. The ability to identify modern textiles quickly, in conjunction with natural organic material, would provide museum professionals with the information required for a greater understanding of their collections. This should enable informed long-term action plans and more immediate remedial conservation plans to be implemented.