Research questions and hypotheses

PVCare project will focus on the following research questions:

  • What is the frequency of the most prevalent damage processes observed in PVC collections?
  • Can we computationally model PVC yellowing, plasticizer surface accumulation, and cracking?
  • Can preventive conservation guidelines be developed on the basis of computational models?

The central hypothesis of this proposal is that it is possible, based on material properties and environmental conditions during dark storage, to develop damage functions describing the accumulation of discolouration, plasticizer migration and surface stress. Given the amount of pre-existing work on PVC degradation, we propose a range of scientific experiments to explicitly research those degradation processes that are prevalent during advanced stages of PVC degradation and thus specifically of interest to collection conservators. We also hypothesize that once these functions are known, it will be possible to use them to support preventive conservation decision making.