Durability of an industrial epoxy vinyl ester resin used for the fabrication of a contemporary art sculpture

In this study we report on an assessment of the conservation condition of a sculpture partially made of synthetic polymers, and on the prediction of its long term durability. Compositional analysis, largely based on IR spectroscopy and Raman spectrometry, identified the epoxy vinyl ester resin used for modelling the lower part of the sculpture as the most critical component. Accelerated degradation tests of the epoxy vinyl ester resin possibly employed by the artist were performed in a photodegradation device and separately in a forced-air circulation oven at 140 °C, to simulate natural degradation. The results obtained by monitoring structural and molecular changes by FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) allowed us to propose a comprehensive mechanism of oxidation. The validity of the prediction of the durability of the resin was corroborated through a comparison with the results obtained evaluating the actual state of conservation of the artwork.