Degradation of Japanese lacquer caused by light irradiation was examined at various wavelengths. By exposing lacquer specimens to a narrow monochromatic light band isolated from dispersed polychromatic light emitted by a Xe lamp source, the wavelength sensitivity characteristics of lacquer degradation could be determined on the basis of radiant energy. Tame-Urushi (brown) lacquer displayed peak degradation maxima at 220 and 315 nm. A broad shoulder peak was also observed in UVA. For Shu-Urushi (cinnabar) lacquer, in addition to peaks in the UVA–UVB range, a large degree of degradation was observed following exposure to light in the visible range. Ao-Urushi (green) lacquer showed similar characteristics, although it was less prone to degradation. Similarly, Shin-Urushi (black) lacquer showed little change in response to light, although UV light caused limited degradation. These results indicate that along with the damage caused by UVA and UVB, visible light in the range 510 - 650 nm may also have a significant degradation effect. Our results provide experimental evidence that Japanese lacquer responds differently to light of various wavelengths and that specific wavelengths, including visible light, can cause significant degradation.
M. Webb, “Lacquer: Technology and Conservation,” But- terworth-Heinemann, Oxford, 2000, p. 54.
A. Burmester, “Far Eastern Lacquers: Classification by Pyrolysis Mass Spectrometry,” Archaeometry, Vol. 25, No. 1, 1983, pp. 45-58. doi:10.1111/j.1475-4754.1983.tb00660.x
N. Umey, “Oriental Lacquer,” Conservation News, No. 32, 1987, pp. 23-25.
M. Webb, “Methods and Materials for Filling Losses on Lacquer Objects,” Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, Vol. 37, No. 1, 1998, pp. 117-133. doi:10.2307/3179915
A. L. Andrady, A. Torikai and T. Kobatake, “Spectral Sensitivity of Chitosan Photodegradation,” Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 62, No. 9, 1996, pp. 1465-1471. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-4628(19961128)62:9 3.0.CO;2-Y
Z. Zhenfeng, H. Xingzhou and L. Zubo, “Wavelength Sensitivity of Photooxidation of Polypropylene,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 51, No. 1, 1996, pp. 93-97. doi:10.1016/0141-3910(95)00210-3
H. Xingzhou, “Wavelength Sensitivity of Photo-Oxida- tion of Polyethylene,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 55, No. 2, 1997, pp. 131-134. doi:10.1016/S0141-3910(96)00120-6
Y. Fukuda and Z. Osawa, “Wavelength Effect on the Photo-Degradation of Polycarbonate and Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)-Confirmation of the Photo-Degradation Mechanism of PC/PMMA Blends,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 34, No. 1-3, 1991, pp. 75-84. doi:10.1016/0141-3910(91)90112-5
A. L. Andrady, N. D. Searle and L. F. E. Crewdson, “Wavelength Sensitivity of Unstabilized and UV Stabilized Polycarbonate to Solar Simulated Radiation,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 35, No. 3, 1992, pp. 235-247. doi:10.1016/0141-3910(92)90031-Y
N. S. Allen and M. Edge, “Fundamentals of Polymer De- gradation and Stabilization,” Elsevier Applied Science, London and New York, 1992.
A. L. Andrady, “Wavelength Sensitivity of Polymer Photo- degradation,” Advances in Polymer Sciences, Vol. 128, 1997, pp. 49-94.
B. Forsthuber and G. Grüll, “The effects of HALS in the Prevention of Photo-Degradation of Acrylic Clear Topcoats and Wooden Surfaces,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 95, No. 5, 2010, pp. 746-755. doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2010.02.016
H. Hintz, H.-J. Egelhaaf, H. Peisert and T. Chassé, “Photo-Oxidation and Ozonization of Poly(3-Hexylthio- phene) Thin Films as Studied by UV/VIS and Photoelectron Spectroscopy,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 95, No. 5, 2010, pp. 818-825.
Q. Shi, S. Zhong, Y. Chen and A. Whitaker, “Photo- Crosslinking Copolymers Based Polyanhydride and 1G Polyamidoamine-Methacrylamide as Bone Tissue Engineering: Synthesis, Characterization, and in Vitro Degradation,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 95, No. 10, 2010, pp. 1961-1968.
F. Bezati, V. Massardier, J. Balcaen and D. Froelich, “A Study on the Dispersion, Preparation, Characterization and Photo-Degradation of Polypropylene Traced with Rare Earth Oxides,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 96, No. 1, 2011, pp. 51-59.
T. Potta, C. J. Chun and S. C. Song, “Controlling the De- gradation Rate of Thermoresponsive Photo-Cross-Linked Poly(Organophosphazene) Hydrogels with Compositions of Depsipeptide and PEG Chain Lengths,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 96, No. 7, 2011, pp. 1261- 1270.
M. Watanabe, “The OKAZAKI Large Spectrograph and the Extension, to the Ultraviolet Region, of the Action Spectra for the Signaling Effects of Blue and Near- Ultraviolet Light in Plants and Fungi,” Photomedicine and Photobiology, Vol. 10, 1988, pp. 83-94.
W. I. Catherine and M. M. Terence, “UV-Action Spectrum (254 - 405 nm) for Inhibition of a K+-Stimulated Adenosine Triphosphatase from the Plasma Membrane of ROSA DAMASCENA,” Photochemistry and Photobiology, Vol. 36, No. 5, 1982, pp. 537-542. doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.1982.tb04413.x
A. Curtis, P. Cole, F. Donald and E. D. Ronald, “An Action Spectrum for UV Photocarcinogenesis,” Photochemistry and Photobiology, Vol. 43, No. 3, 1986, pp. 275-284. doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.1986.tb05605.x
M. J. Peak, J. G. Peak, M. P. Moehring and R. B. Webb, “Ultraviolet Action Spectra for DNA Dimmer Induction, Lethality, and Mutagenesis in Escherichia coli with Emphasis on the UVB Region,” Photochemistry and Photobiology, Vol. 40, No. 5, 1984, pp. 613-620. doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.1984.tb05349.x
P. C. Crews, “A Comparison of Selected UV Filtering Material for the Reduction of Fading,” Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, Vol. 28, No. 2, 1989, pp. 117-125. doi:10.2307/3179484
K. Himeno, Y. Okada and Z. Morita, “Photofading of Monoazo Disperse Dyes on Polyester and Polyamide Substrates,” Dyes and Pigments, Vol. 45, No. 2, 2000, pp. 109-123. doi:10.1016/S0143-7208(00)00009-7
K. Katsuda, T. Omura and T. Takagishi, “Photodegradation Behavior of Dyes in Solution,” Dyes and Pigments, Vol. 36, No. 3, 1998, pp. 231-241. doi:10.1016/S0143-7208(97)00017-X
N. Katsuda, T. Omura and T. Takagishi, “Photodegradation of an Anthraquinone Type Disperse Dye on Polyester, Diacetate, and Triacette Fibers and in Solution,” Dyes and Pigments, Vol. 34, No. 2, 1997, pp. 147-157. doi:10.1016/S0143-7208(96)00066-6
N. Katsuda, K. Otake, T. Omura and T. Takagishi, “Effect of Ultraviolet Absorbing Agents on Photodegradation Behavior of a Disperse Dye,” Dyes and Pigments, Vol. 36, No. 3, 1998, pp. 193-204. doi:10.1016/S0143-7208(97)00003-X
N. Katsuda, S. Yabushita, K. Otake, T. Omura and T. Takagishi, “Photodegradation of a Disperse Dye on Polyester Fiber and in Solution,” Dyes and Pigments, Vol. 31, No. 4, 1996, pp. 291-300. doi:10.1016/0143-7208(96)00012-5
M. Makansi, “Effect of Ageing on Dyeability of Nylon Yarns,” American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 18, No. 1, 1993, pp. 27-35.
U. Meyer, J. Wang, Y. Xia, J. Yang and H. Zollinger, “Dye-Fiber Bond Stabilities of Some Reactive Dyes on Silk,” Journal of the Society of Dyers and Colourists, Vol. 102, No. 1, 1986, pp. 6-11.
D. Rastogi, K. Sen and M. Gulrajani, “Photofading of Reactive Dyes on Silk and Cotton: Effect of Dye-Fiber Interactions,” Coloration Technology, Vol. 117, No. 4, 2001, pp. 194-197. doi:10.1111/j.1478-4408.2001.tb00060.x
T. Sato, N. Takada, M. Ueda, T. Nakamura and M. R. Luo, “Comparison of Instrumental Methods for Assessing Colour Fastness. Part 1: Change in Colour,” Journal of the Society of Dyers and Colourists, Vol. 113, No. 1, 1997, pp. 17-24.
Y. P. Wang and I. J. Wang, “Photolytic Behavior of Some Azo Pyridone Disperse Dyes on Polyester Substrates,” Textile Research Journal, Vol. 62, No. 1, 1992, pp. 15-20.
K. Yoshizumi and P. C. Crews, “Characteristics of Fading of Wool Cloth Dyed with Selected Natural Dyestuffs on the Basis of Solar Radiant Energy,” Dyes and Pigments, Vol. 58, No. 3, 2003, pp. 197-204. doi:10.1016/S0143-7208(03)00065-2
A. Imaizumi and K. Yoshizumi, “Effect of Substrates on Action Spectra of Fading of a Selected Disperse Dyestuff under Light Radiation,” Textile Research Journal, Vol. 76, No. 10, 2006, pp. 757-764. doi:10.1177/0040517506070056
A. Imaizumi and K. Yoshizumi, “Fading Characteristics of a Disperse Dye on Cellulose Triacetate, Polyester and Nylon Fabric Substrates under Monochromatic Light Radiation,” Coloration Technology, Vol. 122, No. 2, 2006, pp. 86-92. doi:10.1111/j.1478-4408.2006.00014.x
E. Takamura, K. Yoshizumi and P. C. Crews, “Photo Yellowing and Photo Bleaching of Silk and Wool Fabrics under Monochromatic and Multichromatic Light Radiation,” The Textile Specialty Group Postprints, American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works, Vol. 515, 2000, pp. 75-81.
CIE (International Commission on Illumination), “A Reference Action Spectrum for Ultraviolet Induced Erythema in Human Skin,” International Commission on Illumination Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, 1987, pp. 17-22.