Powdered Cellulose Microblasting for Dry Cleaning Printed Works on Paper

TL;DR

This paper shows that powdered cellulose microblasting is an effective and safe dry cleaning method for printed artworks on paper.

Contribution

The study demonstrates the practical feasibility of powdered cellulose microblasting for dry cleaning paper artworks in real conservation settings.

Findings

Powdered cellulose microblasting does not cause morphological changes to the surface of paper artworks.

The method reduces cleaning time and allows precise treatment control.

It avoids long-term negative effects from synthetic polymer residues.

Abstract

This study evaluates the practical feasibility of using powdered cellulose microblasting for dry cleaning paper-based printed artworks in a real setting of conservation treatment. The control parameters used for this purpose are the potential morphological changes in the surface, the level of cleanliness achieved, and the amount of residue remaining in the artwork after the treatment. In this study, cleaning of a lithography was conducted entirely with powdered cellulose microblasting. The outcomes were evaluated before and after treatment using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and spectrophotometry. The results indicate that powdered cellulose microblasting is a feasible and efficient technique for conducting the dry cleaning of printed works on paper without causing morphological changes to their surface. Additionally, it offers significant benefits by enabling precise treatment control, reducing cleaning time, and using materials stable in the long term and compatible with the substrate. Moreover, it mitigates the long-term negative effects caused by synthetic polymer residues from the cleaning materials commonly used in the dry cleaning of paper.

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