4 CONCLUSIONS

It is possible to adjust the index of refraction of epoxy adhesives within the range 1.515–1.57 by varying the ratio of amounts of Ablebond resin to HXTAL NYL-1 resin. When the adhesives were subject to one year aging in the dark at room temperature, the amount of yellowing of the cured adhesives was found to be within acceptable limits as established by Down (1984). Many other properties of these modified epoxies, including their physical strengths, remain untested. The authors encourage the study of these and similarly modified epoxies to develop a clear understanding of their suitable and unsuitable applications in glass conservation. Any recommendation of their use, except in experimental situations, should await these tests.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This paper presents the results of a project conducted by Christopher C. Augerson while he was a student in the Art Conservation Department of the State University College at Buffalo (SUCB). The authors would like to thank Prof. Jonathan Thornton of SUCB for his assistance and encouragement.