Thermal and Mechanical Characterization of Yarn Samples from Flemish Tapestry of the Sixteenth Century

We propose a physico-chemical approach for theharacterization of the conservation condition of yarns from a Flemish tapestry of the sixteenth century. The aging effect on the yarns' performance was evaluated by comparison with commercial materials. Water uptake experiments highlighted the aptitude of yarns toward water sorption and their increased hydrophilicity upon aging. Thermogravimetric analysis can be considered a fast approach for the fiber identification and assessment on the material life-time. The dynamic mechanical analysis provided direct evidence on the yarns, conservation state and their performance under different mechanical stresses. The proposed characterization path can be relevant for stating the condition of the tapestry and for designing a conservation protocol for the preservation of the artwork.

Automated summary

This article proposes a physico-chemical approach to characterize the conservation condition of yarns from a sixteenth-century Flemish tapestry. The study evaluates the aging effect on the yarns' performance through water uptake experiments, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The proposed characterization path provides valuable insights for assessing the condition of the tapestry and designing a conservation protocol.