On the Reversibility of Spray Adhesives in Paper Conservation.

This research explores the practical advantages and potential applications of spray adhesives, focusing on testing their suitability for artwork mounting uses. Their solubility in common low-toxicity solvents (ethanol and acetone) was evaluated. Seven commercial spray adhesives from different commercial brands and compositions were applied on paper samples and subjected to different ageing conditions. The samples were then immersed in the solvent, and the degree of adhesive removal was measured. One of the most relevant conclusions is that commercial neoprene-based spray adhesives become brittle and fragile in a few weeks, which makes them unsuitable for both long-term and temporary applications in the heritage field. On the other hand, the solubility was high or very high in some cases: up to 98 % of adhesive removal was achieved in acetone wash. These tests and the convenience, cost and availability of spray adhesives suggest that some of them may be safely used in some scenarios such as temporary mountings or transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]