Identification and characterization of rayon in women's dresses of the 1920s and 1930s
Date
Author
Institution
Degree Level
Degree
Department
Supervisor / Co-Supervisor and Their Department(s)
Examining Committee Member(s) and Their Department(s)
Citation for Previous Publication
Link to Related Item
Abstract
The use of rayon in 1920s and 1930s garments confronts conservators with new challenges: definitive fibre identification involves more than basic microscopy and treatment can be difficult with little available research on early rayon and its conservation. Rayon is expected to degrade similarly to other cellulosic fibres; however, since it is a regenerated fibre, rayon is at risk of doing so at a faster rate. The purpose of this research was to develop and test a protocol for the identification of viscose and cuprammonium rayon and to determine whether early rayon dresses have condition issues at this time. Polarizing microscopy, hot-stage microscopy, acetone solubility and relative fibre refractive index were explored as fibre identification techniques, resulting in the development of a rayon identification scheme. 1920s and 1930s rayon dresses were surveyed for condition and it was determined that dresses in this sample have limited condition issues at this time.