Transparent figures: Researching and preserving objects of cellulose acetate

This article examines the long-term aging and preservation of cellulose acetate used in the iconic Transparent Figures produced by the Deutsches Hygiene-Museum Dresden. Drawing on analyses of historic objects and accelerated aging experiments, the study investigates how environmental factors such as relative humidity, temperature, additive migration, and acetic acid release influence cellulose acetate degradation.

The work combines chemical characterization with conservation research to better understand the mechanisms behind yellowing, embrittlement, shrinkage, and other forms of material deterioration in cellulose acetate artifacts.

The findings show that relative humidity plays a particularly important role in cellulose acetate degradation, with higher humidity accelerating additive loss, deacetylation, and reductions in polymer chain length. Additive leakage and acetic acid release were observed in aging cellulose acetate, while experimental results demonstrated that degradation progressed more slowly at 30% relative humidity than at 50% or 70%. Based on these observations, the authors recommend storage conditions of approximately 30% relative humidity and 15°C to extend the service life of cellulose acetate objects. The study provides valuable guidance for museums, conservators, and researchers while also offering broader insights into the long-term stability, performance, and preservation of cellulose acetate materials across cultural, industrial, and scientific applications.

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