Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Nanke C. Schellmann
Abstract
Introduction
Animal glues are natural polymers derived from
mammalian or fish collagen the major structural
protein constituent of skins, connective tissue, cartilage
and bones. These glues may exhibit varied physical,
chemical and mechanical properties depending on their
origin and method of preparation. In the manufacture of
objects and artefacts, an extensive traditional knowledge
exists on which animal glues are most suitable for
specific purposes. However, conservators sometimes
lack the confidence to make informed choices between
the different collagen-based glues available when
conserving objects.
2007
Gel strength
Gel strength is a measure of the gel rigidity of gelatinous
glues, and is strongly influenced by the molecular weight
56
58
96000196000
60000
n.a.
fish gelatin
(from fish
skin, bone and
cartilage)
cold liquid
hide glue
isinglass (from
fish swim
bladders)
[14, 57]
[26, 45,
54]
[4, 33,
46]
[9, 26,
34, 45,
46, 54]
110000168000 (type A
gelatin achieves higher
values than type B
gelatin)
[10]
high
hide glue
mammalian
gelatin
[10]
low to medium
bone glue
GLUE TYPES
low to medium
medium to high
[58]
[9, 10,
14]
[911,
14, 35,
37, 57,
69]
[911,
14, 35,
37, 57,
69]
[Ref.]
Factors
influencing
property
[Ref.]
PROPERTY
[Ref.]
medium
low to medium
medium
medium to high
medium to high
medium to very
high
low to medium
degree of helicity
[Ref.]
pH (approximate values)
[10, 14,
17, 30,
34, 35,
51, 56,
75]
[10, 14,
69]
[4, 22,
46, 65]
[56, 61]
high (4000
6000 mPa.s at
manufactured
concentration)
[10]
[10, 14,
53]
highest
medium to high
(type B gelatin
comparatively more
viscous than type A
gelatin)
[10, 43,
54, 58]
[19, 61,
71, 79]
[10, 61]
[911,
61]
[911,
16, 35,
68]
[5, 10,
35, 37,
39]
[Ref.]
6.5
[10]
3.55.0
6.07.5
5.06.5
5 7
viscosity
Table 1 Comparison of the properties of different glue types. The glues are qualitatively ranked relative to one another for each property, i.e. within each individual column. Numerical data is only
referred to in those cases where information was consistent in the literature
hide glue
59
high
medium
medium
n.a.
isinglass (from
fish swim
bladders)
fish gelatin
(from fish
skin, bone and
cartilage)
cold liquid
hide glue
mammalian
gelatin
low to medium
bone glue
GLUE TYPES
[26, 27,
53]
[26, 27,
53]
[4]
[23, 39,
78]
[76]
Factors
influencing
property
[Ref.]
mechanical strength
PROPERTY
Table 1 (contd.)
[Ref.]
n.a.
[26, 58]
[23, 84]
[26, 58]
elasticity
[Ref.]
n.a
medium
medium to high
very high
medium to high
high
high
medium
[4]
[76, 86]
[6, 28]
stress development
in fluctuating RH
resolubility with age
[Ref.]
n.a.
higher than
mammalian gelatin
less sensitive to
moisture than hide
glue
[17]
[17]
[79]
[5, 39]
generally thought to be
resoluble
(contradictory data)
generally thought to be
resoluble
generally thought to be
resoluble
generally thought to be
resoluble
[17]
[17]
[23, 79]
[90]
2007
pH
For conservation applications, the choice of adhesive
may be dependent on the pH sensitivity of the substrate
[71]. Collagen-based glues can display varying pH
values that are difficult to predict purely on the basis
of the glue type or treatment during manufacture. The
assumption that glues which undergo alkaline pretreatment display a slightly alkaline pH and acid-treated
ones have an acidic pH [39, p. 171] is incorrect. It is
stated in the literature that hide and fish glue solutions
often have a fairly neutral pH in the range of 6.5 to
7.4, although wider variations are possible [911, 16,
35, 68]. In general, bone glues tend to be slightly more
acidic [5, 10, 39], with pH levels between 5 and just
below 7 [35, 37]. Pure gelatins from mammals and fish
range between pH 5.06.5 and 3.55.0 respectively [10,
53, 54, 58, 61]. Isinglass yields solutions with a pH in
the neutral range [19, 61, 71]. Conservators should test
the pH value of the chosen glue before use if sensitivity
of the substrate is of potential concern.
2007
Ageing characteristics
Whilst substantial research has been published on the
behaviour of collagen-derived glues in a fluctuating
environment, information on the ageing mechanisms
and behaviour on exposure to light seems to be more
limited. According to Michel et al., isinglass from
sturgeon, of all animal glues, best retains its mechanical
properties with thermal and ultraviolet (UV) light ageing
and RH cycling [79, p. 271]. It shows markedly less
change in strength and stiffness than pure mammalian
gelatin. Mammalian gelatin increases in tensile strength
but becomes stiffer and more brittle upon artificial
ageing under UV light, fluctuating RH and temperature.
Isinglass from sturgeon remains much tougher and more
elastic than gelatin [79, p. 274]. It also develops the least
permanent dimensional change, whereas gelatin films
swell or creep slightly during ageing, and other animal
glues show an even more marked effect.
Resolubility
Collagen-derived glues, unless they have been modified
by the addition of tanning agents which causes them
to become relatively resistant to water, generally swell
readily when exposed to water and redissolve when
heated, even after centuries [23, 39]. Neher [89]
established that the Bloom strengths of hide and rabbit
62
Conclusions
This review of the different types of currently available
animal glue has shown that collagen-derived adhesives
vary in their chemical, physical and mechanical
properties. Being a natural polymer, performance is
partly dependent on the original collagen source, which
determines the glues chemical composition, but is also
strongly affected by the extraction and preparation
procedures. Molecular weight distribution is an
important factor which directly influences the protein
solution viscosity and contributes to gel strength and
Tgel. The degree of stabilisation of the protein matrix
by hydrogen and other chemical bonding is determined
by amino acid composition, preparation procedures
and drying time. This has an even greater impact on
the performance of the glue, and significantly affects its
strength, mechanical behaviour, sensitivity to ambient
environment and stability with age. Changes in pH
and the addition of hygroscopic additives (plasticisers)
and salts can alter many of these properties. However,
manipulation of one individual factor cannot necessarily
be realised without simultaneously changing a whole
range of other properties. As most of the properties are
dependent on each other, selection of the appropriate
glue should be based on a correct balance rather than on
individual properties.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Shayne Rivers, Senior
Furniture Conservator at the Victoria and Albert
Museum, London, and Dr Ambrose C. Taylor, Imperial
College, London, for their ongoing support in discussing
this paper and their valuable advice.
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