RESTORATION TECHNIQUES OF

DAMAGED PAPER-BASED MATERIALS

 RESTORATION ?

• The process of rehabilitating an item

to return it as nearly as possible to
its original condition.
• Restoration may include fabrication
of missing parts with modern
materials, but using processes and
techniques that are similar to those
originally used to create the item.
EXAMINATION
1. EXAMINATION
To identify the action to be taken on the archival materials.
Whether it is preservation, conservation and restoration.

 This involves preliminary procedure which to determine the

original materials and structure of the item.

It is also to determine the extend of the deterioration.

2. FUMIGATION

• Remove insects or mould

• This process will exposed the documents and
records to a toxic chemical in gaseous form in
order to kill the insects and mould.
• Undertake by expertise who are skillful in this
process because fumigation are dangerous
and can sometimes damage the archival
materials themselves / harmful to human.
 Example of chemicals:

a) Paradichlorobenzene
• Agent destructive insects (insecticide)
• Is a chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon
compound used as a fumigant insecticide and
repellent
• Easy to steam or turns directly from a solid
into a gas (sublimation).
• Volatile solid that has a strong odour.
• Effects of poisoning (toxic), harmful to
humans.
b) Thymol
• Destroy fungus and solid strong smell.
• Not suitable with liquid nylon type of varnish and painter ink.
• Thymol is a phenol that is a natural monoterpene derivative of
cymene and has a role as a volatile oil (aromatic oils) component.
• A phenol obtained from thyme oil / other volatile oils used as a
stabilizer in pharmaceutical preparations as an antiseptic
(antibacterial/antifungal) agent.

c) Formaldehyde
• Agent to destroy insects and fungus
• Have pungent smell
• Used under rigorous smell
• Shaped methanol in water solution containing about 40%
formaldehyde.
d) Ethylene oxide
• Agent to destroy insects and fungus
• Chemicals that produce gas
• Toxic effects are strong
• Have not been used since it is harmful to human

e) Nitrogen
• Agent to destroy insects
• A heavy gas that reduce O₂ to kill insects
• Fumigation for 60 hours.
 Fumigation Process

• Proper fumigation process is to use a space or room (chamber) that is

airtight.
• Airtight room can make fumigation agents react effectively
• Space or chamber area depend on the fumigation type, size and number of
documents to be fumigated
• Example chemical used:
1. Paradichlorobenzene
2. Thymol
3. Nitrogen
3. CLEANING
• Remove the dirt on the surface of a document or book.
• Conservator must identify the type of dirt.
• The cleaning method depends on the type of dirt because wrong methods
can add more injury to the document.
 CLEANING

Non aqueous
Washing
solvent

Mechanical cleaning:
-eraser, brush, vacuum cleaner
 a) Mechanical Cleaning

• This method is typically used on documents with decorative or simple inks

which is to remove dirt such as dust, mold, and dirt by insects.
• Documents need to be drained and physically in a strong state to face
treatment.
• Cleaning should be carried out in adequate space with ventilation.
• Cleaning is done by using suction at low rates.
• Suction is directed from the center to the edge of the document and make
sure the document is vacuum suction resistant.
 Cont…

Vacuum cleaner Brush Eraser

• To remove solid dirt from

• To remove dust from the
the surface of the
surface of the document
document
• Brush is used if the use of a
• Sprinkle eraser flour on the
vacuum cleaner is not suitable
surface of the document.
• Use a soft brush to sweep the
surface of the document
• Sweep from the center to the
edges of the document.
 b) Non-Aqueous Solvent

• Solution without water (non-aqueous solvent)

• To remove dirt from the surface of the document
• Only to be used in place that has dirt.
• Avoid using excessive solvent.
• Used in cases where the use of a brush or eraser is not effective .
 c) Washing

• The most appropriate water to wash the document is hard water (contains
dissolved of high mineral contents such as calcium and magnesium).
• Wash document when other methods can not be used because of physical
condition.
4. TEST FOR ACIDITY, INK AND
STRENGTH PAPER.
1. Titration test:
• Through cold and hot extraction (these require a destructible sample, pH
meters, and a closely controlled environment) and surface pH tests.
• The surface tests can be conducted using pH pens, a liquid chemical, or pH
strips.

2. Lignin test:
• Chemical lignin testing using a destructible sample can determine the
percentage of lignin in the paper.
• A simple check of supplies and enclosures can be done with a lignin
testing pen, which shows a bright orange if lignin is present.
2. Ink

• Is a liquid or paste that contains pigments or dyes and is used to colour a

surface to produce an image, text, or design.
• Generally fall into four classes:
1. Aqueous
2. Liquid
3. Paste
4. Powder

3. Test for strength

• Paper are made from plant fibres that are piled together
• If more plant fibres are piled together , the paper will appear to be stronger
and thicker.
5.
DEACIDIFICATION
The acidity from papers can become the main factors that
lead the papers to become more damage

The presence of acids in the paper is due to:

• The existence of acids in the process of

paper making
• The absorption of acids into the structure of
the paper from the atmosphere
• Occurs during malnutrition
Measurement Of Acidity And Alkalinity

• When the document

is washed with
water first, the acid
is exposed and easy
to measure pH

• The document
needs to be
thoroughly washed
by solution
 non-aqueous
aqueous deacidification
deacidification

Acid removal methods for paper

vapour-phase
mass deacidification
deacidification
 aqueous deacidification

• Ensure this process does not adversely affect the strength of the paper and ink structure
• The solution used for acid removal will not alter, or obscure the paper

To convert the paper from acidic to alkaline conditions

A solution of magnesium bicarbonate is used

- 40gm of magnesium carbonate is stirred in 10 liters of distilled water in
a container. Carbon dioxide is poured into this solution until the milky
solution becomes clear and clean. Insert the document in the
magnesium bicarbonate solution. Place documents between 2
networks, soak for 35 to 40 minutes.
- The document is intended for drying and is ready to be restored.
 non-aqueous deacidification

• Before the use of barium hydroxide solution is applied to the document, first make
sure the state of the ink on the paper is tested first
• Usage of methanol material should be monitored as it has toxic effects and is
flammable

Using Barium hydroxide

-19gm barium hydroxide dissolved in 1 liter of methanol
-this solution is mixed or dipped or sprayed onto the
document
- barium hydroxide is absorbed into the paper fiber structure
- barium hydroxide is converted to barium carbonate due to
the presence of carbon dioxide in the air
 vapour-phase deacidification

Cyclohexylamine carbonate (CHC) used

- Mix carbon dioxide with cyclohexylamine

- Documents exposed to cyclohexylamine carbonate (CHC)
- This method is not widely used due to the strong toxic
effects
 mass deacidification

• Methoxy magnesium methyl carbonate (MMM). (liquid)

• Diethyl zinc (DEZ). (gas)
• Ammonia/ eethylene oxide (BPA). (gas)
• Magnesium butoxytriglycolate (MG-3). (liquid)
6. REPAIR
TRADITIONAL REPAIR LAMINATION

MINOR SOLVENT
TISSUES HEAT
REPAIR FULL REPAIR
REPAIR
 TRADITIONAL REPAIR
• Suitable for handwritten documents such as manuscripts
• Rare and unique materials
• Need skills and patience
• Need to test the ink on the documents before repair process

• CMC (Carboxy Methyl Cellulose) is being used in traditional repair especially during tissue
repair
MATERIALS USED

• Glue made from starch / wheat • Lens tissues

• Carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) • Silk chiffon
• Handmade paper • Acid free absorbent papers
• Release papers
 MINOR
REPAIR

• Documents reviewed
• Given identification numbers
• Structured and coordinated so that the sheet is not lost or
inaccurate
• Inspects damaged, torn, missing, perforated parts, weakness of
material structure, acidity, ink resistance.
• Dry cleaning
 FULL REPAIR

• If the paper is too fragile or torn, the surface of the

paper should be supported with materials such as silk,
chiffon or lens tissue.
• Suitable for handwriting materials written on one page
only
• Ideal for manuscript revisions, maps and plans
• Major face lift
• Missing and torn corners are coated with similar paper
using manual repair or using leaf casting machine
• Paper structure is reinforced using supporting
materials such as handmade paper or Japanese tissue
 TISSUES REPAIR

• Suitable for printed documents on both sides

• Documents are mounted between two sheets of lens tissues
using carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) adhesive on both sides of
the document and dried under light pressure
 LAMINATION

• Technique to prevent deterioration on paper document.

• Document is being strengthened by pieces of support material on top of it.
• Fully suitable for printed material.
• Lamination techniques uses solvent and mechanical with heat.

SOLVEN
HEAT
T
Acetone is being used as a solvent to • one piece of document is being pressed between acetate
acetate foil for pasting tissues of the foil and tissue at 340° F for approximately 35 pieces of
document. document.
• suitable for weak and deteriorating document.
• suitable for books and newspaper.
• over heating may cause negative effect on document
Encapsulating
Storage containers, specifically archival quality
containers such as acid-free envelopes and boxes,
used to hold records from hazardous elements.

Type of Enclosures
– Paper enclosures
– Plastic enclosures
– Lamination
– Encapsulation
– Storage boxes
7. BINDING
MATERIAL AND
TECHNIQUE OF
REPAIRED
DOCUMENT
 5.7: Binding material and techniques of repaired
Extra leather
Loose leaf
Stationery binding
documents
bindingbinding

Pamphlet Letter press Edition

binding binding binding

Library
binding
 Using full 1.0: LETTER PRESS BINDING:
Extra Leather Binding
leather

Highly crafted
and quality
 1.1: LETTER PRESS BINDING:
Edition Binding
Same binding Binding for book
style for books in publisher and
a large quantity distributor

Hard cover
Edition binding
edition and paper
uses machine
back edition
 1.2: LEATHER PRESS BINDING:

For library Manually

Library Binding

use created
 1.3: LEATHER PRESS BINDING:
Pamphlet Binding

For single It is being

section books stapled
 ledger
2.0: STATIONERY BINDING

For books
Record/registry meant to be account

written

receipt
 Paper sheets in it can
be adjusted, manually
moved
3.0: LOOSE LEAF BINDING

Hole is being made on Screw Paper sheets can be

each paper sheets added or removed.
binding

Manuals, catalogs,
account uses this type
of binding