September 2000 Volume 22 Number 3

Conservation and Art Materials Dictionary

The Conservation and Art Materials Dictionary (CAMD) is now available online for use and review at http://www.mfa.org/conservation/resources.htm. It can also be accessed through the MFA HOME. CAMD is an electronic database that provides technical information about historic and contemporary materials used in all aspects of the conservation, preservation and production of artistic, architectural and archaeological materials. CAMD has been developed by Michele Derrick at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) with support from the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT). Its purpose is to consolidate, record and disseminate information on the broad variety of natural materials and commercial products encountered in art and conservation, e.g., pigments, minerals, binders, coatings, adhesives, fibers, dyes, surfactants, solvents, reagents, woods, alloys, corrosion inhibitors, pollutants, pest control agents, insects, etc. Currently the database has nearly 10,000 entries. It is continually growing; all corrections, additions and new material submissions are welcome. Access to CAMD is free for all users.