Art Conservation: Mechanical Properties and Testing of Materials

Conservators and other museum professionals face a large number of issues involving the mechanical behavior of materials, including questions on craquelure, restoring physically damaged objects, art in transport, or the selection of adhesives. However, science in conservation and museum studies curricula often focus primarily on chemistry. This book fills this important gap in conservation training. It amalgamates Dr. Wei’s extensive experience—almost 20 years in the aircraft and energy industries dealing with the mechanical properties and lifespan of engineering components, and 25 years in conservation science addressing issues such as vibrations, shock, and mechanical testing of conservation materials. This unique book introduces the basics of the mechanical properties and behavior of materials and objects, with examples and exercises based on conservation practice. It also delves into more complex issues of mechanical loading and presents advanced solutions. The book is specifically for the conservation community and professionals with little or no background in mechanical engineering.

About the Author

W. (Bill) Wei was a senior conservation scientist at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, until his retirement in 2021, and is now an independent consultant. He has a BSE in mechanical engineering (Princeton University, 1977) and a PhD in materials science (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1983). Before working in cultural heritage, he spent almost 20 years in industrial materials research and development in the areas of fracture mechanics, fatigue, and corrosion. Dr. Wei has since been conducting research and consulting on the effects of vibrations and mechanical stresses on the condition of fragile works of art for more than 20 years. He also conducts research on perception related to conservation treatments and object appearance, risks for objects due to mechanical loads, and conservation ethics.