PROJECT OUTCOMES

Ultimately the aim is to be able to predict and increase the lifespan of the malignant plastics: natural rubber, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, polyvinyl chloride, and polyurethane.

Over the four years of the project a variety of outcomes will be created. Museums will be provided with a model for prioritising and effectively allocating resources for maximising the preservation of a vulnerable group of collections for future generations. 

Strategy
• Survey museum collections and quantify prevalence of malignant plastics in collections.

• Non-invasive techniques for identifying and characterising plastics.

• Conduct accelerated ageing experiments to characterize deterioration trajectory.

• Test preventive and active conservation treatment strategies for conserving plastics.