Evaluating Treatments of Paper Using Statistically Valid Test Methods Part II: Experimental Setup and Protocol

The second part of a study (Part I: Restaurator 27: 219-274) is presented that evaluate important test methods traditionally used for the determination of paper properties. The procedures - already complied in Part I were tested on different paper samples and the resulting data were statistically evaluated. On the basis of this evaluation, the most sensitive and reproducible test procedures were selected in order to suggest a test protocol for paper conservation interventions. The general concept of the evaluation is based on the determination of short and long-term results of an intervention and needs to consider the ageing characteristics of treated and untreated paper samples. Parameters for the suggested test protocol such as sample selection, sample preparation, artificial ageing procedures are discussed as well as criteria by which the test results can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of a conservation intervention. The test procedures suggested for a test protocol to describe paper properties are: folding endurance, the colour coordinate b* of CIELAB, extraction pH and degree of polymerisation. © 2007 Saur.