Hygro-mechanical short-term behaviour of selected coatings: experiments and material modelling on vapour permeability and mechanical properties

Abstract Many pieces of fine art are made wood that has been treated with coatings. Since is a very hygroscopic material, the moisture content strongly influences deformation wooden parts. Coatings often act as barriers. Therefore, permeability coatings must be considered for evaluation structural behaviour. The mechanical properties also relevant to evaluate thin artwork like panel paintings well damage and varnishes. selected used cultural investigated presented in article at hand. In this study, three artworks investigated: Lusatian cupboard from eighteenth century, an altarpiece by L. Cranach Elder Russian icon 1912. white ground, colours, varnishes, glue textile reinforced sizing. Mechanical tests conducted stiffness tensile strength icon’s coating. Cup identify This test was single coating systems consisting different investigate both barrier interaction Exponential functions relative humidity-dependent fitted based on experimental data. results allow quantification all coatings—from ground high beeswax low permeability—and magnitude dependency coating’s permeability. Furthermore, it shown simple addition water vapour resistance underrates total system. By tests, strength, ultimate strain Young’s modulus obtained. parameters required input numerical simulations behaviour coated artwork. These good step forward assess risk