THIS IS CHEMISTRY OF THE 60IES
BY FRIEDERIKE WAENTIG
Plastics have infiltrated almost everything to do with life and living. They are found in art and design, social history and technological collections and are also among the ethnographic materials. Retirement, or life after the functional use of the objects addressed here, takes place in collections or museums. Aged objects display altered properties and for this reason characterizing them is also difficult. Complete identification of high-molecular organic masses is a complicated task that sometimes requires considerable effort. It often suffices for many purposes in restoration and conservation to determine to which class of plastics an unknown sample belongs. Answering this question is usually possible by relatively simple methodology, but not without causing some destruction. The presented which is in development aims to help people with plastics in their care identify them. It is intended for those with little knowledge of plastics and as a starting point for further exploration.