[NHCOLL-L:2349] Re: Insects and glue

[Victoria Book]

> which are 
> what most of my experience has been with (I'd been
> told it was 
> water-soluble, and it doesn't seem to dissolve well
> in water, 
> ethanol, or acetone). Is there any definitive method
> to distinguish 
> the different sorts of glues? 

Over time, even adhesives which were originally
water-soluble crosslink to the extent that more
aggressive solvents are required to dissolve them
(xylene, tolune, methyl chloride, etc).  Synthetic
acrylic resins have better aging qualities (Acryloid
B-72 remains soluble in acetone for >150 years) but
may or may not be suitable for insects.  Ask your
local conservator to help identify adhesives.  FTIR
(Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy) is the most
definitive method but requires a very small sample
(about the size of a pin head).

Victoria Book


		
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