Ink corrosion aqueous and non-aqueous treatment of paper objects - State of the art

Paper conservators are still uncertain about the treatment they should apply on ink corroded objects. This might be due to unsatisfactory results obtained by previous treatments, as well as the fact that the degradation process is chemically complicated and still under investigation. However, the main factors that cause ink decay are known today, and so more suitable conservation measures can be chosen. This article is discussing commonly applied aqueous and non-aqueous treatments. Also the positive influences of these treatments and their risks are discussed, based on the results of previously published studies, as well as on the author's practical experiences.