Applications of differential scanning calorimetry and dielectric thermal analysis to the study of paper deterioration

Abstract

A preliminary study has been made using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), IR spectroscopy and dielectric thermal analysis to examine the reaction of recent and old newsprint with ethylene oxide. Data are presented which show that changes occur in the parameters measured and that they do vary with the length of exposure of the paper to ethylene oxide. Indications are that the ethylene oxide treatment improves the thermal stability of the paper, particularly in the case of recent newsprint where the onset of discolouration on heating occurred at higher temperatures for samples with prolonged exposure to ethylene oxide. DSC data also showed that it was possible to distinguish clearly between old (1910) and recent (1989) newsprint.