An Introduction to Materials and Chemistry

This new edition provides a very basic introduction to the language of chemistry and to the scientific approach, taking readers through the elementary steps that will enable them to understand and investigate materials in scientific terms. It is essential reading for conservators and conservators-in-training.

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This new edition of An Introduction to Materials and Chemistry, the first in the updated Science for Conservators series, provides conservators and conservators-in-training with a very basic introduction to the language of chemistry and to the scientific approach.

Drawing on 40 years of experience as a conservation scientist, Joyce H. Townsend takes readers through the elementary steps that will enable them to understand and investigate materials in historic objects, and those modern materials used to conserve them, in scientific terms. The book also introduces basic chemistry concepts. It provides worked examples and exercises throughout. This new edition has been significantly expanded and updated, with new material about health and safety, sustainability, and the trend to use greener materials, amongst other topics. The book also includes all-new illustrations, a list of further reading and is accompanied by a Companion Website, which features additional examples, illustrations and more.

An Introduction to Materials and Chemistry assumes no previous scientific knowledge and will be essential reading for pre-program applicants to, and students already on, postgraduate conservation programs worldwide. It will also be useful to conservators who are looking to refresh their knowledge or to fill gaps in their training, and for those who trained in languages other than English, but now work in that language.