{"id":6301,"date":"2026-05-04T14:16:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T14:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cartapro.pl\/?p=6301"},"modified":"2026-05-15T14:22:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T14:22:04","slug":"dlaczego-papier-zolknie-i-jak-temu-zapobiec","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cartapro.pl\/en\/dlaczego-papier-zolknie-i-jak-temu-zapobiec\/","title":{"rendered":"Dlaczego papier \u017c\u00f3\u0142knie i jak temu zapobiec?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the conservation and archival field, the phenomenon of paper degradation is sometimes referred to as a \u201eslow fire\u201d. Estimates published as part of the Multiannual Government Programme \u201eAcidic Paper\u201d, implemented by the National Library, are alarming: As many as 90% publications produced in Poland in the 19th and 20th centuries were printed on acid paper.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The yellowing of pages and their increasing brittleness are not solely natural, inevitable signs of material \u201eageing\u201d. These are measurable, physicochemical chain processes that can be slowed down, and in many cases, entirely halted. However, to effectively protect collections \u2013 whether you\u2019re managing a state archive warehouse or saving your home collection of old prints, you need to understand exactly what\u2019s destroying paper from the inside.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is destroying the collections? The chemistry of paper yellowing and embrittlement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The disintegration of paper is strictly dependent on the structure of its macromolecules and the substances used in the processing of wood pulp in the paper mill. The two primary mechanisms responsible for degradation are acid hydrolysis and lignin oxidation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acid hydrolysis \u2013 the silent killer of cellulose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The primary structural component of paper is cellulose \u2013 a natural biopolymer whose long chains provide sheets with flexibility and tensile strength. When the bonds between the molecules in these chains break, the polymer fragments, and the paper begins to crumble. This process causes a phenomenon called acid hydrolysis<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is there acid in paper at all? The main historical reason is the Industrial Revolution. In the mid-19th century, a new, cheaper mass-production technique was introduced \u2013 sizing paper in the mass using alum-rosin glue. Alum (aluminium sulphate), in contact with the natural moisture from the air, releases sulfuric acid. What's worse, this process is autocatalytic, meaning it drives its own course, producing further destructive acids (acetic and formic).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lignin and photo-oxidation \u2013 why does paper change colour?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While acids are responsible for brittleness, lignin is responsible for the characteristic rusty-brown hue of old documents. It is a complex organic polymer that naturally stiffens wood tissues. Unlike pure cellulose, lignin is extremely sensitive to light (especially UV radiation) and oxygen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the influence of light, photoactive lignin molecules transform into transient radical structures. The end product of this reaction is substances that strongly absorb visible light, giving paper an unnatural, yellow hue. This reaction, called photooxidation, proceeds much more rapidly if the paper is already acidic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also worth mentioning metallic contaminants. Iron and copper ions, often originating from historical inks (e.g. iron gall inks), in the presence of moisture can catalyse the formation of destructive free radicals, which directly attack and cleave cellulose chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The influence of the environment on the rate of ageing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even the most degraded historical paper can be saved by providing it with a suitable microclimate. Canadian conservation expert, Stefan Michalski, using the Arrhenius equation as his basis, popularised an extremely vivid principle in the archival world: Each reduction in storage temperature of 5\u00b0C leads to a doubling in the rate of paper degradation reactions.<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that moving the collections from a room at 20\u00b0C to a storage area that is just five degrees cooler doubles the expected lifespan of the collection. Conversely, an increase in relative humidity of 20% can almost double the rate of acid degradation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modern standard ISO 11799:2024<\/strong>, which sets out the principles for the storage of archival and library materials, now moves away from the artificial, energy-intensive maintenance of ideal conditions (e.g. a strict 18\u00b0C and 50% humidity level) using air conditioning. Instead, the standards promote the passive stability of buildings (the use of thick walls and insulation), allowing for slow, natural seasonal fluctuations whilst eliminating sudden daily temperature spikes that are harmful to cellulose. This standard also categorically rules out artificial lighting \u2013 UV radiation must be absolutely filtered out, and the maximum permissible lighting emission cannot exceed 75 \u00b5W\/lm.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mass deacidification of paper \u2013 salvation for millions of volumes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since the acidification process is internal and progressive, it has become necessary to implement mass procedures for large book collections. Institutions such as the National Library are successfully using advanced deacidification technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For delicate sheets of paper or maps, aqueous chambers are often used (e.g. systems based on Neschen solutions), where the substrate is saturated with alkaline magnesium bicarbonate. In the treatment of bound volumes, whose historical adhesives would be destroyed in water, Bookkeeper technology is used \u2013 an anhydrous dispersion of magnesium oxide. These treatments safely introduce an alkaline reserve into the paper, which neutralises the destructive action of acids for decades. However, one thing must be remembered: The deacidification process halts chemical degradation but does not reverse existing mechanical damage. Once broken cellulose fibres will not re-bond without the physical intervention of a conservator.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to prevent paper degradation in your studio or collection?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you're a hobbyist restorer or run a professional workshop, there are a number of preventative and repair measures you can take yourself, using tried-and-tested professional materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To effectively protect paper, prepare your workshop:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Carry out object deacidification<\/strong> \u2013 For valuable, individual objects or small collections, you can use the same technologies that national libraries use, but on a smaller scale. CartaPro offers specialised Paper deacidification materials<\/a>, such as Bookkeeper's anhydrous sprays, which safely apply a magnesium carbonate buffer to the document's structure, halting its deterioration process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Only use certified packaging<\/strong> \u2013 Even the best-restored book will be damaged if you put it in a box made of ordinary, acidic cardboard. The protection system is based on the ISO 16245 standard. storage and archiving<\/a> When storing collections, boxes and folders from trusted manufacturers, such as the German brand KLUG, should be used. These guarantee the presence of an alkaline buffer and complete chemical purity (absence of volatile organic compounds from adhesives).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Repair tears without damaging the paper's chemistry<\/strong> \u2013 Ordinary adhesive tape is a death sentence for documents \u2013 its glue deeply penetrates the fibres, yellows, hardens and ultimately corrodes the paper. For repairing mechanical damage, CartaPro specialists recommend the use of certified conservation tape<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Utilise Japanese traditions to make good the deficiencies<\/strong> \u2013 For advanced work on very fragile, historical paper, the safest method of strengthening its structure is Japanese mending (subjecting the object to reinforcement by adhering thin, yet incredibly strong, tissue paper).\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    W \u015brodowisku konserwatorskim i archiwalnym zjawisko degradacji papieru bywa nazywane \u201epowolnym po\u017carem\u201d. Szacunki opublikowane w ramach Wieloletniego Programu Rz\u0105dowego \u201eKwa\u015bny papier\u201d, realizowanego przez Bibliotek\u0119 Narodow\u0105, s\u0105 alarmuj\u0105ce: a\u017c 90% publikacji wydanych w Polsce w XIX i XX wieku zosta\u0142o wydrukowanych na papierze kwasowym.  \u017b\u00f3\u0142kni\u0119cie kart i ich rosn\u0105ca krucho\u015b\u0107 to nie s\u0105 wy\u0142\u0105cznie naturalne, nieuniknione […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6302,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_breakdance_hide_in_design_set":false,"_breakdance_tags":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6301","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartapro.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6301","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartapro.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartapro.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartapro.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartapro.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6301"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cartapro.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6301\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6303,"href":"https:\/\/cartapro.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6301\/revisions\/6303"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartapro.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartapro.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6301"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartapro.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6301"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartapro.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}