Polímeros em Conservação

The aim of Polymers in Conservation is to prepare the student to a critical evaluation of the importance of Polymers in Conservation, and their evolution in time, i.e., their ageing. Polymers are used as protective materials, consolidants, and as the materials from which the work of Art is made of. The student should become familiar with the literature produced in different fields of research, ranging form material science, polymer chemistry and technical art history; and aware of its importance and constant growing. The theoretical lessons may be divided in two main sections: Part 1 and Part 2, by Susana França de Sá and Maria João Melo, respectively. The first part, deals with the fundamental aspects of the chemical and physical behaviour of polymeric materials and its characterization. In the second part, the fundamental aspects of polymer degradation, stability and conservation are discussed. Also, the requirements a material must fulfil to be used in conservation and restoration of cultural heritage are set and analysed.