Glossary List - Preservation Topics

taken from Ritzenthaler, M. L. (2010). Preserving archives & manuscripts, 2 ed. Chicago, IL: Society of American Archivists

Sample Table	b	c	d	e

#| xx |

A| xx |

B| xx |

C| xx |

Cockle

A planar distortion in flat materials, especially paper and parchment, which is characterized by puckering, waves, or rippling. Generally caused by uneven drying, shrinking, or exposure to elevated temperature and relative humidity.

D| xx |

Dye

Coloring matter; complex organic compound that may occur naturally but more often today is synthetic. Unlike pigments, which are suspensions, dyes dissolved in solvents reveal no particle structure. The discovery in the mid-nineteenth century that synthetic (or aniline) dyes could be produced from coal tar signified the decline in the use of natural dyes.

E| xx |

F| xx |

G| xx |

H| xx |

Hydrolysis	Chemical action involving water. Decomposition in which a compound is split into other compounds by taking up the elements of water. Reaction that occurs during deterioration of cellulose and other organic materials; facilitation by heat and low pH.
Hygroscopic	Ability of a material to absorb or emit moisture in response to changes in the relative humidity.

I| xx |

J| xx |

K| xx |

L| xx |

M| xx |

Mold

Microscopic fungal growths that develop from spores (which are always present in the air) under conditions of varying temperature and high relative humidity. When environmental conditions are suitable, mold and mildew (both of which are types of fungus) thrive on nutrients provided by such material as cellulose and the starch in sizing adhesives.

N| xx |

O| xx |

Oxidation

Chemical reaction that converts an element into its oxide; to combine with oxygen. Oxidation causes the degradation of natural and synthetic polymers, resulting in embrittlement and discoloration.

P| xx |

Pigment

Coloring matter; naturally occurring or synthetic insoluble substance that is ground up or pulverized and suspended in a liquid to form ink, paint, and so on.

Q| xx |

R| xx |

Relative humidity

the amount of water vapor in the air expressed as a percentage of the maximum that the air could hold at a given temperature. Relative humidity (RH) is temperature dependent; if not additional moisture is added to the air, as the temperature increases, the RH decreases.

S| xx |

T| xx |

U| xx |

V| xx |

W| xx |

X| xx |

Y| xx |

Z| xx |