What Causes Deterioration of Paper Other Than Aging?

Paper deterioration can be caused due to a number of factors. These include light, pollution, microorganisms, acid hydrolysis, oxidative agents, and most significantly the age of paper. Besides, the basis of the cellulose, the process of pulping and papermaking process, add-ons to the pulp, and paper storage are also crucial factors behind paper deterioration. 

Do you know you can measure the deterioration of paper using UECIN’s MIT Folding Endurance tester? The instrument basically measures the ability of the paper against bending, creasing, and folding. However, it is also useful for measuring the deterioration of paper upon aging.

Earlier a mystery, the reasons causing corrosion of paper are now known to us, as mentioned in the beginning. So, let’s know about these factors in detail in the below section.

Factors Causing Deterioration Of Paper

1. Microorganisms

Biological attacks and degradation make paper suffer especially in libraries and archives. The most common and frequent causes of biological issues are insects, molds, and microorganisms. These insects are a result of high temperatures and humidity. Termites, cockroaches, booklice, carpet beetles, powder post beetles, deathwatch beetles. silverfish and case-bearing clothes moth are examples of these insects. Besides, they are caused by human negligence, such as:

• Dust and dirt, caused by careless housekeeping practices.
• Keeping food in the storage or exhibition area. 
• Open windows and doors.
• Keeping insect-attacking items in the storage. 
• Leakage from roofs and cracks
• Poor ventilation

2. Light

Light can also deteriorate paper, especially in museums. Besides paper, ink, dyes, and other cellulose and other materials can easily degrade when they come in contact with the light regularly. Since ink and colors are prone to degradation, the colors of a painting can easily fade when exposed to light for a long time.

Oxidation of cellulose by the ultraviolet rays of the sun and fluorescent light can either make the material brittle or damage its quality. The paper, as a result, can either get bleached, faded, yellowish, or brownish. For instance, newspapers getting yellowish. 

3. Pollution

The pollutants in the atmosphere are another cause of paper degradation. Organic materials like leather, parchment, and artifacts include cellulose fibers like paper products that create support. These materials can get soiled or stained by carbon particles, sulfuric acids, etc. The resulting paper or leather loses its strength and acidity. Besides these pollutants, the dust air also generates an abrasion on the paper, causing it to deteriorate. 

4. Temperature

Changing temperatures and relative humidity are also the factors causing the degradation of paper and other materials. High moisture or humidity can result in the development of mold and insects on materials like paper, leather, and glue. The growth of molds indicates a rise in the level of humidity than usual. 

In libraries, if the moisture content rises more than normal, a gray dusty bloom can be seen on dark binding books, which soon turns into small patches.  

Conclusion

Besides the above-mentioned factors, the paper can deteriorate with the normal aging which can be measured by a specific paper testing machine. UECIN is a manufacturer, supplier, and exporter of paper, packaging, and board, testing machines that test and measure properties like strength, porosity, and more. Get in touch to inquire about equipment like these and more.