Physical prospective of polyamide 6 for the consolidation of fragile vegetable tanned Leather artifacts

Abstract

This study aims to determine the efficiency of Polyamide 6 in consolidating fragile vegetable-tanned leather artifacts. Through two proposed interaction strategies, molecular modeling calculations demonstrated how the proposed polyamide 6 structure can protect vegetable-tanned leather from deteriorating environmental conditions. The total dipole moment was calculated as a potential descriptor of structure reactivity, and all of PA6 and the two proposed interaction models reveal poor reactive behavior when compared to pristine structures, confirming its capabilities as a protective layer. Furthermore, electrostatic potential maps were created to enhance PA6 s ability to safeguard leather artifacts and transform them into neutral, non-reactive substances. It was also created new vegetable-tanned leather prototypes. Polyamide 6 was produced in various concentrations and impregnated into the aged untreated samples. The evaluation process used some physical qualities (digital and scanning electron microscopes, color change, water absorption, and water vapor permeability). All examinations and investigations revealed that 2% and 3% concentrations produced the best results, while the concentration of 5% produced the worst. As a result, this study suggests employing 2% and 3% concentrations to treat historical and archaeologically fragile vegetable-tanned leather objects