2017 WAAC - Putting the Wiki Platform to Work: Sharing Material Testing Results
Channel: J. Willard Marriott Library
Date: 2017-10-10

Putting the Wiki Platform to Work: Sharing Material Testing Results
Samantha Springer, Conservator, Portland Art Museum

Andrew W. Oddy first introduced an accelerated corrosion test used for evaluating exhibition case materials at the British Museum in 1973. The “Oddy Test,” as it has come to be known, continues to be used by museums as the primary litmus test for materials used in the display of artwork and cultural heritage materials. Several variations and improvements have been published since and almost every institution has their preferred method based on the equipment available to them. Although conservators continue to use the test and informally share results, there has been historical resistance to publicizing them. One of the primary issues with publishing results is fear of manufacturer backlash or alternatively being held responsible for damage caused through use of an “approved” material. In addition, variations in Oddy testing protocol prevent the standardization of results. Finally, the accelerated corrosion test is only one of various methods of evaluation and results may be quickly voided by unannounced product manufacturing changes.

It seems particularly pertinent approaching the forty-fifth anniversary of Andrew Oddy’s initial publication that we address the topic of materials testing and sharing results, especially in light of the fact that the British Museum has published their results dating from 2009-2014 on their website. In 2012 conservators created a platform for others to do the same on the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Wiki site. It was established with the hope that colleagues would feel more comfortable sharing information on a collaborative platform, giving them safety in numbers. By establishing best practices for sharing results on the AIC Wiki, such as describing the testing protocol and imaging test coupons, the databases allow conservators to evaluate others’ results for themselves. This initiative began at the request of AIC’s Research & Technical Studies (RATS) Specialty Group, and in 2011 the J. Paul Getty Museum (JPGM) contributed the initial content to the newly established Materials Testing page.  This included a general explanation of Oddy testing, a description of their testing protocol, and a list of adhesives and tapes tested by the Getty Conservation Institute in 2000. Around 2011, the Cleveland Museum of Art’s renovation campaign prompted the authors, who were asked to test materials to build an internal reference library, to perform a review of their own Oddy testing protocols. 

Samantha Springer Biography
Samantha Springer relocated to Portland, Oregon in 2015 to take the position of Conservator at the Portland Art Museum. While Samantha remains a generalist due to her responsibility for care of a broad collection, she has particular interest in preventive conservation, sustainability, and working with living artists and Native American tribal representatives. She became a Professional Associate of AIC in 2013 and co-created and continues to manage the Materials Testing: Oddy Test Materials Database on the AIC-Wiki. Samantha graduated from the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation in 2008 with a major in objects and minor in preventive conservation. Previously she held positions at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, and Alaska State Museums.