Paraloid B-72 Conservation Acrylic Resin

Paraloid B-72 is a clear thermoplastic acrylic resin and one of the most established materials used in art conservation and restoration. It has been widely used since the 1950s as a consolidant, impregnation resin, protective coating and adhesive due to its excellent ageing stability and good reversibility.

• Suitable for wall paintings, paintings, wood, stone, ceramics, glass and many other substrates.
• Used for consolidating loose or friable layers, impregnating and strengthening porous materials and as a protective coating.
• Can be used as a fixative for charcoal, pastel and other delicate drawing surfaces, using an appropriate concentration and application method.
• Also widely used as an adhesive for glass and ceramics, particularly in archaeological and museum conservation.
• Forms a clear, lightfast and non-yellowing layer with excellent long-term ageing stability.
• It is thermoplastic and reversible and is highly resistant to irreversible crosslinking during ageing.
• Soluble in suitable organic solvents including acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene and xylene. Modern Paraloid B-72 is also soluble in ethanol and slightly soluble in isopropanol.
• Insoluble in water and aliphatic hydrocarbons such as white spirit.
• Supplied as clear solid granules, allowing the user to prepare the concentration required for each application.
• Glass transition temperature (Tg): approx. 40°C.
• Chemical composition: ethyl methacrylate / methyl acrylate copolymer.

Indicative concentrations:

• 2-5%: light consolidation of delicate or powdering surfaces and spray applications.
• 5-10%: consolidation and impregnation of wall paintings, wood, grounds and paint layers.
• 10-20%: protective coatings and applications requiring a higher resin concentration at the surface.
• 20-40%: bonding glass, ceramics and other applications requiring increased adhesive strength.

Application: The appropriate concentration and solvent should be selected according to the material, its absorbency and the required depth of penetration. For consolidation of porous or friable surfaces, lower concentrations are generally preferred so that the resin can penetrate into the material rather than remaining primarily on the surface. Several thin applications may be applied until the desired level of consolidation is achieved.

Important: The concentrations above are indicative only. Conservation treatments should always be preceded by tests to determine the appropriate concentration, solvent and application method. Complete drying time depends strongly on the solvent, concentration, application thickness, temperature and ventilation.

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