Evaluation of an eco-friendly flame retardant treatment applied to cellulosic textiles used for the conservation of historical tapestries

Year: 2022

Authors: Diego Quintero Balbas; Cirrincione C.; Cimt M.; Lanterna G.; Pizzo B.; Fontana R.; Striova J.

Autors Affiliation: CNR-INO National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, Largo E. Fermi 6, 50125 Florence, Italy; Laboratorio di restauro Arazzi e Tappeti, Opificio delle Pietre Dure – MiC, Palazzo Vecchio, Sala delle Bandiere, Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Florence, Italy; Laboratorio Scientifico, Opificio delle Pietre Dure – MiC, viale F. Strozzi 1, 50129 Florence, Italy; CNR-IBE Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council, via Madonna del Piano 10, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy

Abstract: This work evaluates the performance and feasibility of the use of flame-retardant textiles, treated with an eco-friendly procedure (COEX(R)), for the conservation and exhibition of historical tapestries. Four fabrics currently in use at the Laboratory of Conservation of Tapestries and Carpets of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence were evaluated with Attenuated Total Reflection – Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Fibre Optics Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS), and Energy Disperse Spectroscopy – Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDS). Besides, the tensile strength, flame-retardancy, pH, and water absorption of the fabrics before and after the treatment were tested. Two critical factors were identified, the pH and the tensile strength. The results showed suitable characteristics of the treated fabrics, particularly for the application as roller cover for the tapestries storage.

Journal/Review: POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY

Volume: 199      Pages from: Article number  to:

More Information: The authors thank to the COEX (R) company, in particular, Simona Pesaro, Alberto Tonani, and Lucia Curioni, for providing the treated samples used in this research. We also thank NiccoloTacconi for his support in the experimentation. This work was supported by Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) [Intervention program “CNR4C”] and the Regione Toscana [POR FSE 2014-2020 -Axis A Employment, “GiovaniSi”] as part of the project RS4ART.
KeyWords: Flame-retardant, Eco-friendly, Textile conservation, Historical tapestries, Cellulosic fabrics, Heritage science
DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2022.109907