Evaluating the Impacts of Alcohol-Based Solutions on Silk: Chemical, Mechanical and Wettability Changes before and after Artificial Ageing

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, since 2020, alcohol-based sanitisers have been frequently used in museums and historic sites. Although they provide a safer environment for visitors, impact of (components in) on cultural heritage open display is still uncertain. The current study investigated effects ethanol isopropanol solutions silk artefacts specifically relation possible mechanical changes their long-term based artificial ageing. Thus, samples from three modern fabrics were treated through spraying immersion with six solutions, two which contained benzalkonium chloride (BZK), surfactant suggested by Italian national guidelines formulation museums. treatment was studied chemical perspective, i.e., spectroscopic techniques, considering strength uniaxial tensile testing. In addition, water wettability measured. To whether contact can affect degradation path silk, after treatment, exposed light ageing stored at medium high RH, 55% 80%. Furthermore, untreated textiles placed Museum Palazzo Mocenigo (Venice) define behaviour an actual museum environment. results show that, even when immersed 180 min, no relevant physical be observed fibres. Variations noted end occurred regardless treatments so are not affected sanitisers. Nevertheless, treating (also spraying) containing BZK, adsorbed textile. Once adsorbed, BZK significantly increases causing persistent modification property as also situ tests.