Influence of Relative Humidity on the Mechanical Properties of Palm Leaf Manuscripts: Short-Term Effects and Long-Term Aging

Wenjie Zhang · Shan Wang · Hong Fu Guo

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Conservation Techniques and Studies Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis Hygrothermal properties of building materials

Abstract

Palm leaf manuscripts are a valuable part of world cultural heritage. Studying the mechanical properties of palm leaf manuscripts and their changes due to environmental influences is of great significance for understanding the material characteristics, aging mechanisms, and preventive conservation of these manuscripts. This study used dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) and a thermomechanical analyzer (TMA) to investigate the changes to the mechanical properties of palm leaf manuscripts in response to different relative humidity conditions and different time periods. The short-term study results show that exposure to varying relative humidities leads to changes in the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of palm leaf manuscripts, causing the bending strength of the samples to decrease significantly with increasing humidity. The bending modulus initially increases and then decreases as the humidity increases. Moreover, the greater the desorption hysteresis of the samples, the more pronounced the changes to the mechanical properties. Therefore, a stable environment in terms of humidity can prevent changes in the mechanical properties of palm leaf manuscripts, thereby preventing the onset of degradation. The results of the long-term aging studies indicate that prolonged exposure to either very dry or very humid conditions greatly affects the mechanical properties of palm leaf manuscripts, which is detrimental to their preservation. The samples kept at 50% RH did not exhibit significant signs of deterioration, with no notable changes in their mechanical properties or chemical structure. This suggests that 50% RH is a relatively optimal humidity condition for the preservation of palm leaf manuscripts.

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References

1995Effects of Air Pollutants on the Accelerated Ageing of Cellulose-based Materials 2018Simulations of Moisture Gradients in Wood Subjected to Changes in Relative Humidity and Temperature Due to Climate Change 2002Palm Leaf manuscripts of the world: material, technology and conservation 2022A literature review of palm leaf manuscript conservation—Part 1: a historic overview, leaf preparation, materials and media, palm leaf manuscripts at the British Library and the common types of damage 1978The Effects of Temperature and Moisture on the Accelerated Aging of Paper 2022Preservation characteristics and restoration core technology of palm leaf manuscripts in Potala Palace 2022Consolidation and Dehydration of Waterlogged Archaeological Wood from Site Huaguangjiao No.1 2023A literature review of palm leaf manuscript conservation—Part 2: historic and current conservation treatments, boxing and storage, religious and ethical issues, recommendations for best practice

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2024Chemical Conservation of Paper-Based Cultural Heritage 2025Scientific restoration of engraved palm leaf manuscripts 2025Aging effects of relative humidity on palm leaf manuscripts and optimal humidity conditions for preservation

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