One-Step Lining and Deacidification of Aged Newspapers with Double-sided Writing

Abstract

AbstractThe one-step lining and deacidification process of aged newspapers with double-sided writing combines deacidification and reinforcement processes. Wheat starch paste or carboxymethyl cellulose were prepared using an aqueous solution of Ca(OH)2. The newspapers were lined with Japanese tissue (9 g/m2), using the alkaline adhesive in order to mechanically reinforce the newspapers and at the same time increase the pH of the paper. After treatment, the pH value of the newspaper samples reached an ideal range between 8.0–8.5 when thew.1% Ca(OH)2was used. More notably, the Japanese tissue lining doubled strength and folding endurance. The treatment had little impact on the visual appearance of the writing and even increased the degree of whiteness of the paper. The increase of tensile strength and whiteness was not diminished even when the treated newspaper samples were exposed to accelerated thermal ageing.