Artificial induction of the “vinegar syndrome” in cellulose acetate motion picture film and multi-analytical protocol for its monitoring

One of the most crucial subjects for cellulose acetate motion picture film conservation is associated with the so-called “vinegar syndrome”. This paper shows the set up of an innovative procedure for the artificial induction of this degradation process in both cellulose triacetate laboratory samples and real motion picture films. Moreover, a multi-analytical approach based on optical microscopy, gravimetry, solubility, free acidity measurements and tensile tests, combined with acetyl content calculation through Heterogeneous Saponification Method (HSM) and Fourier Transform InfraRed Attenuated Total Reflectance spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) was also defined to obtain a complete picture of the evolution of the “vinegar syndrome”. The procedures presented in this paper are preliminary to the set up of new materials specifically tailored for the inhibition of the “vinegar syndrome”. The idea is to artificially induce the de-acetylation on cellulose acetate samples in a controlled, reproducible and non-aggressive way for the tested inhibitors, and monitor the evolution of the process through the abovementioned multi-analytical approach.