On-site Scientific Services
Image 1: On-site chemical analysis of a historic plastic object using a portable FTIR spectrometer.
Image 2: A variety of environmental monitoring equipment is available from CCI.
Image 3: Using a portable Minolta Chromameter to measure the colour change of a silk garment undergoing conservation treatment.
The Institute offers a wide range of services including on-site non-destructive testing for the characterization of materials. Measurements are carried out in accordance with national and international standards organizations such as the American Society for Testing Materials and the International Commission on Illumination. CCI staff can help you design and implement an effective monitoring system.
Testing services available on-site include:
- determination of the chemical composition of objects or materials by infrared spectroscopy
- characterization of reflective colour or gloss using tristimulus colour analysers or gloss meters
- matching of colour and gloss
- measurement of the thickness of coatings over metallic substrates
- assessment of wood degradation and moisture content
- measurement of visible and ultraviolet light levels, relative humidity, and temperature
CCI will also loan equipment such as recording data loggers (for measuring relative humidity and temperature), Minolta Chromameters, and gloss meters.
The information provided by on-site testing can be applied in a number of ways:
- precise identification of the chemical composition of museum objects can aid in choosing conservation treatments and storage methods, as well as in detecting imitation and substitute materials
- substances in collections that could be health hazards can be identified immediately
- colour measurements allow documentation or colour matching, as well as monitoring of stability during exhibition, storage, conservation treatment, and natural weathering
- characterization of properties such as colour gloss and thickness can be useful in monitoring the durability and service lifetime of protective coatings
- assessment of wood degradation can help to determine the stability and condition prior to treatment
- as part of comprehensive collection surveys, details on the composition of many different types of objects can be provided
- assessment of light levels in exhibition and storage areas can aid in compliance with museum lighting standards and monitoring of conditions for light-sensitive objects
On-site testing can be conducted on diverse collections of materials:
- technological and scientific collections
- industrial and military artifacts
- works of art, textiles, paper, paintings, and sculpture
- modern materials
- household plastic objects such as dinnerware
- plastic costume accessories and jewellery
- coatings and adhesives
- paint, varnish, wood, and architectural finishes
- corrosion, metal patina, and pigments
On-site testing offers unique benefits:
- objects need not be moved from their museum location; they can be analysed directly on gallery walls, or in display cases, storage cabinets, and drawers, thereby eliminating shipping costs, damage during transport, and time lost for packing and moving objects
- in some cases no samples are required and there is no physical contact with the object
In addition to on-site testing, CCI offers a comprehensive testing and analysis service in its own specialized laboratories. The Institute can carry out accelerated ageing of samples under controlled temperature, humidity, and lighting using an Atlas Weather-Ometer, a controlled humidity/temperature chamber, or other purpose-built equipment, as well as analysis and interpretation of gloss and colour-change data.
