Evaluation of the Composition, Thermal and Mechanical Behavior, and Color Changes of Artificially and Naturally Aged Polymers for the Conservation of Stained Glass Windows

A study on the stained glass windows of Naumburg Cathedral, Germany, reveals that acrylate resins were predominantly used for conservation, with notable lamination materials from the 1940s and isolated cases of epoxy resins. Artificial aging experiments demonstrated that UV radiation and extreme temperatures had a stronger impact on material properties than humidity. Naturally aged samples showed less degradation compared to artificially aged ones, providing insights into the long-term effects of environmental exposure. The research used spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman), thermal analysis, PY-GC/MS, and SEC to characterize historical conservation materials and derive recommendations for the preservation of these cultural artifacts.

Brandt, J., Kanaki, E., Fischer, D., & Herm, C. (2023). Evaluation of the Composition, Thermal and Mechanical Behavior, and Color Changes of Artificially and Naturally Aged Polymers for the Conservation of Stained Glass Windows. Polymers, 15(12), 2595. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15122595