Freezing of wet textiles

["Karin von Lerber, Prevart GmbH" <karin.vonlerber@xxxxxxxxxx>]

During recovery work after the floods in Switzerland there was a
controversial discussion about the possible negative effects of freezing
wet textiles. The concerns were that ice crystals will grow inside the
fibres and cause damage. Fortunately at that point of the disussion
clean water became available again; we therefore continued rincing and
air drying the textiles, and freezing the textiles to avoid mold
outbreak on the muddy wet textiles in order to gain time became unnecessary.
Nevertheless, I would like to find out if there are any articles about
research concerning the effect of freezing on wet textiles. I am well
aware of  the publications dealing with freezing as a pest control
method and its effects on (dry) textiles. What I am looking for,
however, is information on the effect of freezing (not only
freeze-drying) on textile fibres when textiles are completely soaked. I
am also aware that freezing is done rather frequently when block
salvaging textiles and is recommended on many internet based
recovery-information sites. But I am not aware of any scientific
research demonstrating what is actually going on during the freezing
process. I welcome any information or comment.

Karin von Lerber

--
Karin von Lerber
Prevart GmbH
Oberseenerstr. 93
CH-8405 Winterthur
Tel. +41 (0)52-233 12 54
Fax. +41 (0)52-233 12 57
e-mail: karin.vonlerber@xxxxxxxxxx
www.prevart.ch