Given the ease of mass-producing the material, plastic objects can be found in virtually every museum around the world. Research initiatives and knowledge concerning the conservation of plastics have rapidly increased over the last 25 years, creating a need for a thorough and comprehensive resource.
Properties of Plastics: A Guide for Conservators (Getty Conservation Institute, $70) is an accessible volume that offers conservators and students the most essential information for understanding each of the main classes of plastics. In addition to the main chapters, Properties of Plastics contains 56 illustrated “fact sheets” which summarize the properties of plastics most commonly found in cultural heritage collections. Aimed at the hands-on museum practitioner, this book will assist professionals in understanding the aging and deterioration of plastic objects and help guide conservation strategies.