Iron Gall Ink Corrosion on Parchment. Preliminary Evaluation of Treatment Methods Using Aqueous Solutions

Lisa Behrens; Ute Henniges; Kerstin Forstmeyer; Irene Brückle

doi:10.1515/res-2022-0003

Article

Iron Gall Ink Corrosion on Parchment. Preliminary Evaluation of Treatment Methods Using Aqueous Solutions

Lisa Behrens , Ute Henniges , Kerstin Forstmeyer and Irene Brückle

Published/Copyright: May 31, 2022

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From the journal Restaurator. International Journal for the Preservation of Library and Archival Material Volume 43 Issue 1-2

Abstract

Ink corrosion on parchment is a phenomenon that, unlike its counterpart on paper, has so far been little researched. The same applies to the options for conservation treatment. In order to provide a guide for conservation practice as well as further research, five water-based treatment methods were examined: calcium phytate with pH 5.3 or 3.0, a 0.5% (w/w) solution type B gelatine, a 1% (w/w) solution of phytic acid at pH 2.2 and calcium phytate in combination with gelatine. These were tested on 70 specimens cut from on piece of buffed vellum and 36 specimens from an early modern deed on parchment that showed signs of ink degradation. After treatment and accelerated ageing, the samples were examined with colorimetry and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and tested with bathophenanthroline for free iron ions. None of the tested treatment methods achieved a fully reliable inhibition of ink corrosion, but apart from a moisture-catalysed acceleration of degradation reactions, no adverse effects were observed either. Results from ATR-FTIR suggest that oxidation plays a more important role in damage related to ink corrosion of parchment than hydrolysis.

Zusammenfassung

Tintenfraß auf Pergament ist ein Phänomen, das im Gegensatz zu seinem Pendant auf Papier bisher wenig erforscht ist. Das Gleiche gilt für Möglichkeiten der konservatorischen Behandlung. Um Anhaltspunkte für die konservatorische Praxis sowie für die weitere Forschung zu gewinnen, wurden fünf wässrige Behandlungsmethoden untersucht: Calciumphytat mit pH 5,3 bzw. 3,0, eine 0,5% (m/m) Lösung Typ B Gelatine, eine 1% (m/m) Phytinsäurelösung (pH 2,2) und Calciumphytat in Kombination mit Gelatine. Diese wurden an 70 Proben aus einem Stück velourtiertem Kalbspergament und 36 Proben aus einer frühneuzeitlichen Pergamenturkunde getestet. Alle Proben wiesen Anzeichen von Tintenfraß auf. Die Proben wurden nach Behandlung und künstlicher Alterung mit Hilfe von Farbmetrik, des Bathophenanthrolin-Tests und ATR-FTIR Spektroskopie untersucht. Durch keine der getesteten Behandlungsmethoden konnte eine zuverlässige Komplexierung der Eisenionen erreicht werden, aber abgesehen von einer feuchtigkeitskatalysierten Beschleunigung der Abbaureaktionen wurden auch keine nachteiligen Auswirkungen beobachtet. Die Ergebnisse der ATR-FTIR-Untersuchung deuten darauf hin, dass die Oxidation eine wichtigere Rolle bei der durch Eisengallustinte verursachten Korrosion von Pergament spielt als die Hydrolyse.

Keywords: calcium phytate; gelatine; parchment; iron gall ink corrosion; bathophenanthroline; ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

Schlüsselwörter: Calciumphytat; Gelatine; Pergament; Tintenfraß; Bathophenathrolin; ATR-FTIR-Spektroskopie

Corresponding author: Lisa Behrens, Oberösterreichisches Landesarchiv, Anzengruberstr. 19, 4020 Linz, Austria, E-mail: lisa.behrens@ooe.gv.at

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Stephanie Dietz from the Stuttgart Academy of Art and Design (ABK) for her support with FTIR spectrometry. The discussions with Marie Kern (also ABK) provided us with valuable information on parchment properties and the pitfalls of UV/VIS spectroscopy. Cornelia Ripplinger from the Göttingen State and University library (SUB) supported Lisa Behrens with hints on research and information on the parchment fragments of the collections there, and Doreen Giesecke-Weiß (also SUB) advised on conducting and documenting tests on the same.

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Published Online: 2022-05-31

Published in Print: 2022-06-27

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/res-2022-0003

Keywords for this article

calcium phytate; gelatine; parchment; iron gall ink corrosion; bathophenanthroline; ATR-FTIR spectroscopy