Glass Atmospheric Alteration

The first International Symposium on glass degradation in atmospheric conditions took place at the Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France (C2RMF) in Paris from November 15 to 17, 2017. Organized by the group of researchers, from the C2RMF and the Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris, working on glass (UMR CNRS 8247), this symposium aimed to advance the knowledge of the complex physicochemical processes involved in the glass alteration in a humid atmosphere. Indeed, although the deterioration of glass in liquid phase has been the subject of numerous research for decades, that of glass in the atmosphere is much less studied.

During this symposium, scientists, curators and conservators of the Cultural Heritage tackled two major themes: the study of the mechanisms of the glass alteration in the atmosphere and the conservation of these altered glasses. These exchanges made it possible to give an overview of the general situation in this area, to draw the lines of research for the future of the conservation and the restoration of the glass works of the patrimony, and to open perspectives of collaboration between the different institutions present at this event.

The dissemination of knowledge to scientists, curators and conservators concerned by this subject continues through the present publication of the proceedings of the conference.