The Source & Composition Audit
Every material used in book restoration requires irrefutable documentation of its composition, sourcing, and certification status. This section provides printable Material Data Sheets for each product category, ensuring transparency and enabling informed conservation decisions.
Repair Paper - Japanese Tissue
Material Data Sheet: Japanese Tissue Paper
Product Name
Archival Japanese Tissue - Kozo Fiber
Chemical Composition
100% Kozo (Broussonetia kazinoki) fiber, purified water, minimal sizing agent (methylcellulose)
Fiber Source
Cultivated Kozo plants, Japan. Sustainably harvested, no wood pulp content.
pH Level
7.5 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
Lignin Content
< 0.1% (essentially lignin-free)
Alkaline Reserve
2.5% calcium carbonate
Certification
ISO 9706 compliant, ANSI/NISO Z39.48 certified, acid-free certified
Reversibility
Fully reversible. Can be removed with warm water or appropriate solvent without damaging original substrate.
Application
Torn page mending, hinge repair, spine consolidation. Applied with wheat starch paste or methylcellulose adhesive.
Storage Requirements
Store in acid-free folder, away from light and moisture. Stable at 18-22°C, 45-55% relative humidity.
Conservation Adhesive - Wheat Starch Paste
Material Data Sheet: Wheat Starch Paste
Product Name
Traditional Wheat Starch Paste - Conservation Grade
Chemical Composition
Purified wheat starch (amylose and amylopectin), deionized water, trace amounts of natural preservative (thymol <0.1%)
Fiber Source
Food-grade wheat starch, European Union origin. No synthetic additives or plasticizers.
pH Level
6.8 - 7.2 (neutral, buffered)
Lignin Content
0% (starch-based, no cellulose)
Alkaline Reserve
Not applicable (liquid adhesive)
Certification
Conservation-grade certified, pH neutral, reversible adhesive standard
Reversibility
Fully reversible. Removable with warm water (40-50°C) or enzyme treatment. Does not cross-link or harden permanently.
Application
Paper-to-paper bonding, tissue application, board attachment. Applied at 5-8% concentration for general use.
Storage Requirements
Refrigerate at 4°C. Shelf life: 3-5 days prepared, 2 years dry powder. Protect from contamination.
Acid-Free Board - Conservation Board
Material Data Sheet: Acid-Free Conservation Board
Product Name
Archival Conservation Board - Cotton Fiber
Chemical Composition
100% cotton linter fiber, calcium carbonate buffer (2.5%), minimal sizing (starch-based), no optical brighteners
Fiber Source
Cotton linter (Gossypium hirsutum), United States. No wood pulp, no recycled content.
pH Level
7.8 - 8.2 (alkaline, buffered)
Lignin Content
0% (cotton fiber, naturally lignin-free)
Alkaline Reserve
2.5% calcium carbonate (permanent buffering)
Certification
ISO 9706 permanent paper standard, Library of Congress approved, museum-grade certified
Reversibility
Board itself is permanent. Adhesives used for attachment should be reversible (wheat starch paste recommended).
Application
Book covers, box construction, protective enclosures, mounting boards. Available in various thicknesses (2-8mm).
Storage Requirements
Store flat, protected from moisture. Stable indefinitely under proper conditions (18-22°C, 45-55% RH).
Understanding Reversibility
Reversibility is a fundamental principle in conservation work. It ensures that materials applied during restoration can be safely removed in the future without damaging the original artifact. This allows for future conservators to update or correct previous work as techniques and materials improve.
Reversibility Assessment
Fully Reversible
Materials that can be completely removed using standard conservation solvents (water, ethanol, acetone) without leaving residue or causing damage. Examples: wheat starch paste, methylcellulose, Japanese tissue.
Partially Reversible
Materials that can be removed but may require specialized techniques or leave minimal traces. Examples: some synthetic adhesives with appropriate solvents.
Non-Reversible
Materials that bond permanently or cause chemical changes to the original. Generally avoided in conservation work. Examples: epoxy resins, cyanoacrylate adhesives.
