AbstractThe artificial and nalural degradation of cellulose triacetate base motion picture film material has been studied using viscometry, moisture regain, acidity, infra-red spectroscopy and hydroperoxide analysis. Under both natural (archival) and accelerated ageing conditions there is a direct correlation between the moisture regain of the film material, acidity and decrease in viscosity. From these results two degradation processes are identified. The first is an acid catalyzed hydrolytic de-acetylation of the ester functionality while the second is an acid catalyzed hyrolytic oxidative scission of the main cellulose chain. Oxidative degradation and de-acetylation of the polymer is more significant in an open than a closed environment. Iron is shown to be absorbed into the film during storage from the metal container arId is acting as a powerful catalyst in accelerating the degradation and de-acetylation processes. This is corlfirmed by doping the film with iron. The initiation process is shown to be...