MWG Image Gallery of Damages

back to Choosing Materials for Storage, Exhibition & Transport

This Gallery provides images that document deterioration or damage caused by the use of inappropriate or incompatible materials for the storage, exhibition, and transport of cultural heritage artifacts. Please use these images and the associated information as a learning resource and share with colleagues so that we may all better care for the objects of our shared history. For more information on choosing appropriate materials visit the Choosing Materials for Storage, Exhibition & Transport and consult the Materials Testing Tables for Oddy and other test results.

A Note About the Organization of the Page: The first gallery includes all images on the page with the most currently posted images at the beginning. The galleries that follow are organized by the material that is damaged. Please contact the page administrator for corrections or suggestions.

If you have an image you would like to add to the gallery please see the discussion page for instructions.

This page is managed by members of AIC's Materials Selection and Specification Working Group (MWG). Contributors include those who have worked on the setup and maintenance of this page and/or contributed images: Samantha Springer, Emma Guerard, Patty Silence, Judy Jungels, Morten Ryhl-Svendsen, Gwen Spicer, Olivia Kohler-Maga, Paul Collomon, Ian McCleod

All Images organized by most recent first

Metals. Corrosion caused by air contamination
Comments: Acids from the breakdown of the cellulose nitrate of the comb caused the metal to corrode; tooth of comb broken during use or handling.
Image credit: Photograph by Jen Cruse.
Metals. Corrosion caused by air contamination
Comments: Acids from the breakdown of the cellulose nitrate of the comb caused the metal to corrode; deposit source unknown.
Image credit: Photograph by Jen Cruse.
Wood. Discoloration caused by light.
Comments: Light radiation has caused fading, visible on the front face of the box. Large crack along wood grain caused by incorrect RH.
Image credit: Photograph by Samantha Springer.
Plastics (Synthetics). Efflorescence caused by pollutants from case materials.
Comments: Pollutants from gasket on case react to form salts (above) which appears as fluffy white crystals on the case interior.
Image credit: Photograph by Pam Hatchfield © MFA Boston.
Ceramics. Efflorescence caused by pollutants from case materials.
Comments: Tetramethyl Piperidinol (TMP) from gasket reacts with acids in/on porous materials to form salts like TMP chloride (above) which appears as fluffy white crystals on the surface.
Image credit: Photograph by Pam Hatchfield © MFA Boston.
Ceramics. Efflorescence caused by pollutants from case materials.
Comments: Tetramethyl Piperidinol (TMP) from gasket reacts with acids in/on porous materials to form salts like TMP chloride (above) which appears as fluffy white crystals on the surface.
Image credit: Photograph by Pam Hatchfield © MFA Boston.
Ceramics. Efflorescence caused by pollutants from case materials.
Comments: Tetramethyl Piperidinol (TMP) from gasket reacts with acids in/on porous materials to form salts like TMP chloride (above) which appears as fluffy white crystals on the surface.
Image credit: Photograph by Pam Hatchfield © MFA Boston.
Metals. Corrosion caused by air pollution.
Comments: Sulfur in the air caused dark tarnish on surface of silver ladle.
Image credit: Photograph by David Thickett.
Metals. Corrosion caused by contamination in air.
Comments: Similar to rust on iron, this type of corrosion is likely caused from the presence of chlorides and of the alloy and water (or humidy) from the air.
Image credit: Photograph by David Thickett.
Metals. Corrosion caused by air contamination.
Comments: Acetic acid in the presence of lead can lead to the formation of lead acetate on the surface of the metals. Acetic acid may be offgassed by common gasketing materials or enclosures.
Image credit: Photograph by Dr. Katherine Curran.
Metals. Corrosion caused by air pollutants.
Comments: Metal hinge attaching cellulose nitrate handle to handbag is heavily corroded causing blue powdery crystals to form on surface of metal, and utimately detaching handle from bag
Image credit: Photograph by van Aubel van Rooijen, Plastic Identification Tool.
Plastics (Synthetics). Sugaring or Powdering caused by air pollutants.
Comments: Corrosion causing a visible layer of salt crystals to form on cellulose nitrate glasses
Image credit: Photograph by van Aubel van Rooijen, Plastic Identification Tool.
Plastics (Synthetics). Sugaring or Powdering caused by air pollutants.
Comments: Corrosion causing a visible layer of salt crystals to form on cellulose nitrate glasses
Image credit: Photograph by van Aubel van Rooijen, Plastic Identification Tool.
Glass. Etching caused by acid.
Comments: Acids from direct handling of glass caused the fingerprint to be etched into the surface.
Image credit: Photograph by Samantha Springer.
Metals. Corrosion caused by air pollutants.
Comments: Sulfur in the air and from silk degradation products caused dark tarnish on silver knives.
Image credit: Photograph by van Aubel van Rooijen, Plastic Identification Tool.
Wood. Efflorescence formed after storage with open-cell polyester polyurethane.
Comments: Dendritic, white amine deposits formed on the wood object, after it was wrapped in polyethylene sheeting and placed on polyethylene foam for approximately 5 years.
Image credit: Photograph by Adriana Rizzo, © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Wood. Efflorescence caused by direct contact with open-cell polyester polyurethane.
Comments: Acicular, dendritic white amine deposits formed where the wood object was cushioned by polyurethane foam. The efflorescence is made of thin, sticky filaments.
Image credit: Photograph by Hiromi Nomurajima, © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Ceramics. Efflorescence caused by direct contact with open-cell polyester polyurethane.
"Comments:" White amine deposits formed on the lower glazed portion of the jar and the unglazed base where it had been stored with polyurethane foam. The object and foam lining were stored in a cardboard box for a period of 10 years.
Image credit: Photograph by Donna Strahan, © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Metal. Corrosion due to acidic storage pollutants.
Comments: White, powdery corrosion present on lead and pewter in storage drawer. Corrosion rates differ according to metal alloy and stability of patina. Corrosion is the result of organic acids from the immediate environment. Lead particularly prone to this type of corrosion.
Image credit: © Government of Canada, Canadian Conservation Institute.
Metal. Corrosion known as tarnish caused by air pollutants.
Comments: A tarnished silver cup, showing a range of colors.
Image credit: © Government of Canada, Canadian Conservation Institute.
Metal. Corrosion particulate caused by acidic pollutants from storage cabinent.
Comments. Corrosion from acetic acid pollutant is visible as white particulate at the bottom of the exhibition cabinet.
Image credit: © Government of Canada, Canadian Conservation Institute.
Paint. Plasticizer migration, Surface disruption and change in sheen to paint.
Comments: Paint sheen and texture is disrupted due to long-term contact with bubble wrap, most likely due to plasticizer migration.
Photo credit: Olivia Kohler-Maga
Metal. Etching of surface by paint.
Comments: Red accession number paint applied without barrier coat etched into brass surface.
Image credit: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Metal. Corrosion caused by pollutants and moisture trapped by beeswax.
Comments: Green copper corrosion products exposed after beeswax removed likely due to prolonged contact with contaminants and moisture.
Image credit: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Metal. Etching caused by direct contact of acidic material.
Comments: Acids from lemon in direct contact with pewter caused the shape to be etched into the surface and discoloration.
Image credit: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Textile. Stain from installation paint.
Comments: Dress damaged from paint applied to display materials in installation.
Image credit: © President and Fellows of Harvard College, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Shell. Powdering of shell at edges from acidic storage material.
Comments: Acidic pollutants in storage cause the breakdown of the shell matrix and the material to powder at the edges.
Image Credit: © President and Fellows of Harvard College, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Paper. Darkening and discoloration due to exposure to poor quality housing material.
Comments: Matburn on the artwork is caused by physical contact with poor-quality acidic window mount.
Image credit: © President and Fellows of Harvard College, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Paper. Stain caused by poor quality adhesive and backing material.
Comments: Brown staining caused by physical contact of degraded adhesive and acidic backing materials.
Image credit: © President and Fellows of Harvard College, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Metal. Corrosion due to wood acid exposure.
Comments: Continued exposure to acids from the MDF board backing caused lead corrosion. Drawing at left shows condition prior to installation.
Image credit: Morten Ryhl-Svendsen, IAQ in Museums and Archives
Photo. Yellowing and Fading due to oxidation from poor quality storage materials.
Comments: Print on right was pinned to chipboard and displayed for six months while left print was stored in acid-free pure alpha-cellulose sleeve.
Image credit: Morten Ryhl-Svendsen, IAQ in Museums and Archives
Textile. Stain and darkening by contact from acidic material
Comments: Military, Navy uniform hung in physical contact on a wooden hanger.
Image credit: Gwen Spicer, Spicer Art Conservation, LLC
Metal. Corrosion from acidic air pollutants
Comments: Corrosion to galvanized mild steel screws and chrome plated iron hinge from acetic acid vapors released from wood.
Image credit: Ian MacLeod
Paper. Darkening/Discoloration by contact from poor-quality housing materials.
Comments: Mat burn caused by physical contact with poor-quality acidic window mount additionally stored in inappropriately regulated environment.
Image Credit: Alice Cannon, Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials
Shell. Crystal damage by acidic pollutants from housing materials.
Comments: Shell on left showing Bynesian decay, the breakdown of Calcium carbonate in the shell and growth of other salt crystals in the presences of acidic vapors.
Photo Credit: Paul Callomon

CERAMICS & GLASS

Ceramics. Efflorescence caused by pollutants from case materials.
Comments: Tetramethyl Piperidinol (TMP) from gasket reacts with acids in/on porous materials to form salts like TMP chloride (above) which appears as fluffy white crystals on the surface.
Image credit: Photograph by Pam Hatchfield © MFA Boston.
Ceramics. Efflorescence caused by pollutants from case materials.
Comments: Tetramethyl Piperidinol (TMP) from gasket reacts with acids in/on porous materials to form salts like TMP chloride (above) which appears as fluffy white crystals on the surface.
Image credit: Photograph by Pam Hatchfield © MFA Boston.
Ceramics. Efflorescence caused by pollutants from case materials.
Comments: Tetramethyl Piperidinol (TMP) from gasket reacts with acids in/on porous materials to form salts like TMP chloride (above) which appears as fluffy white crystals on the surface.
Image credit: Photograph by Pam Hatchfield © MFA Boston.
Glass. Etching caused by acid.
Comments: Acids from direct handling of glass caused the fingerprint to be etched into the surface.
Image credit: Photograph by Samantha Springer.
Ceramics. Efflorescence caused by direct contact with open-cell polyester polyurethane.
"Comments:" White amine deposits formed on the lower glazed portion of the jar and the unglazed base where it had been stored with polyurethane foam. The object and foam lining were stored in a cardboard box for a period of 10 years.
Image credit: Photograph by Donna Strahan, © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

IVORY, EGG, BONE, & SHELL

Shell. Powdering of shell at edges from acidic storage material.
Comments: Acidic pollutants in storage cause the breakdown of the shell matrix and the material to powder at the edges.
Image Credit: © President and Fellows of Harvard College, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Shell. Crystal damage by acidic pollutants from housing materials.
Comments: Shell on left showing Bynesian decay, the breakdown of Calcium carbonate in the shell and growth of other salt crystals in the presences of acidic vapors.
Photo Credit: Paul Callomon

METALS

Metals. Corrosion caused by air contamination
Comments: Acids from the breakdown of the cellulose nitrate of the comb caused the metal to corrode; tooth of comb broken during use or handling.
Image credit: Photograph by Jen Cruse.
Metals. Corrosion caused by air contamination
Comments: Acids from the breakdown of the cellulose nitrate of the comb caused the metal to corrode; deposit source unknown.
Image credit: Photograph by Jen Cruse.
Metals. Corrosion caused by air pollution.
Comments: Sulfur in the air caused dark tarnish on surface of silver ladle.
Image credit: Photograph by David Thickett.
Metals. Corrosion caused by contamination in air.
Comments: Similar to rust on iron, this type of corrosion is likely caused from the presence of chlorides and of the alloy and water (or humidy) from the air.
Image credit: Photograph by David Thickett.
Metals. Corrosion caused by air contamination.
Comments: Acetic acid in the presence of lead can lead to the formation of lead acetate on the surface of the metals. Acetic acid may be offgassed by common gasketing materials or enclosures.
Image credit: Photograph by Dr. Katherine Curran.
Metals. Corrosion caused by air pollutants.
Comments: Metal hinge attaching cellulose nitrate handle to handbag is heavily corroded causing blue powdery crystals to form on surface of metal, and utimately detaching handle from bag
Image credit: Photograph by van Aubel van Rooijen, Plastic Identification Tool.
Metals.Corrosion caused by air pollutants.
Comments:Sulfur in the air and from silk degradation products caused dark tarnish on silver knives.
Image credit: Photograph by van Aubel van Rooijen, Plastic Identification Tool.
Metal. Corrosion due to acidic storage pollutants.
Comments: White, powdery corrosion present on lead and pewter in storage drawer. Corrosion rates differ according to metal alloy and stability of patina. Corrosion is the result of organic acids from the immediate environment. Lead particularly prone to this type of corrosion.
Image credit: © Government of Canada, Canadian Conservation Institute.
Metal. Corrosion known as tarnish caused by air pollutants.
Comments: A tarnished silver cup, showing a range of colors.
Image credit: © Government of Canada, Canadian Conservation Institute.
Metal. Corrosion particulate caused by acidic pollutants from storage cabinent.
Comments. Corrosion from acetic acid pollutant is visible as white particulate at the bottom of the exhibition cabinet.
Image credit: © Government of Canada, Canadian Conservation Institute.
Metal. Etching of surface by paint.
Comments: Red accession number paint applied without barrier coat etched into brass surface.
Image credit: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Metal. Corrosion caused by pollutants and moisture trapped by beeswax.
Comments: Green copper corrosion products exposed after beeswax removed likely due to prolonged contact with contaminants and moisture.
Image credit: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Metal. Etching caused by direct contact of acidic material.
Comments: Acids from lemon in direct contact with pewter caused the shape to be etched into the surface and discoloration.
Image credit: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Metal. Corrosion due to wood acid exposure.
Comments: Continued exposure to acids from the MDF board backing caused lead corrosion. Drawing at left shows condition prior to installation.
Image credit: Morten Ryhl-Svendsen, IAQ in Museums and Archives
Metal. Corrosion from acidic air pollutants
Comments: Corrosion to galvanized mild steel screws and chrome plated iron hinge from acetic acid vapors released from wood.
Image credit: Ian MacLeod

PAINT/PAINTINGS

Paint. Plasticizer migration, Surface disruption and change in sheen to paint.
Comments: Paint sheen and texture is disrupted due to long-term contact with bubble wrap, most likely due to plasticizer migration.
Photo credit: Olivia Kohler-Maga

PAPER/PHOTO

Photo. Yellowing and Fading due to oxidation from poor quality storage materials.
Comments: Print on right was pinned to chipboard and displayed for six months while left print was stored in acid-free pure alpha-cellulose sleeve.
Image credit: Morten Ryhl-Svendsen, IAQ in Museums and Archives
Paper. Darkening and discoloration due to exposure to poor quality housing material.
Comments: Matburn on the artwork is caused by physical contact with poor-quality acidic window mount.
Image credit: © President and Fellows of Harvard College, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Paper. Stain caused by poor quality adhesive and backing material.
Comments: Brown staining caused by physical contact of degraded adhesive and acidic backing materials.
Image credit: © President and Fellows of Harvard College, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Paper. Darkening/Discoloration by contact from poor-quality housing materials.
Comments: Mat burn caused by physical contact with poor-quality acidic window mount additionally stored in inappropriately regulated environment.
Image Credit: Alice Cannon, Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials

PLASTIC (SYNTHETIC)

Plastics (Synthetics). Efflorescence caused by pollutants from case materials.
Comments: Pollutants from gasket on case react to form salts (above) which appears as fluffy white crystals on the case interior.
Image credit: Photograph by Pam Hatchfield © MFA Boston.
Plastics (Synthetics). Sugaring or Powdering caused by air pollutants.
Comments: Corrosion causing a visible layer of salt crystals to form on cellulose nitrate glasses
Image credit: Photograph by van Aubel van Rooijen, Plastic Identification Tool.
Plastics (Synthetics). Sugaring or Powdering caused by air pollutants.
Comments: Corrosion causing a visible layer of salt crystals to form on cellulose nitrate glasses
Image credit: Photograph by van Aubel van Rooijen, Plastic Identification Tool.

STONE

TEXTILES

Textile. Stain from installation paint.
Comments: Dress damaged from paint applied to display materials in installation.
Image credit: © President and Fellows of Harvard College, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Textile. Stain and darkening by contact from acidic material
Comments: Military, Navy uniform hung in physical contact on a wooden hanger.
Image credit: Gwen Spicer, Spicer Art Conservation, LLC

WOOD

Wood. Discoloration caused by light.
Comments: Light radiation has caused fading, visible on the front face of the box. Large crack along wood grain caused by incorrect RH.
Image credit: Photograph by Samantha Springer.
Wood. Efflorescence formed after storage with open-cell polyester polyurethane.
Comments: Dendritic, white amine deposits formed on the wood object, after it was wrapped in polyethylene sheeting and placed on polyethylene foam for approximately 5 years.
Image credit: Photograph by Adriana Rizzo, © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Wood. Efflorescence caused by direct contact with open-cell polyester polyurethane.
Comments: Acicular, dendritic white amine deposits formed where the wood object was cushioned by polyurethane foam. The efflorescence is made of thin, sticky filaments.
Image credit: Photograph by Hiromi Nomurajima, © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.