• Allen, L.; Dredge, P.; Sawicki, M.; Puskar, L.; Whurer, R.: The Use and Characterization of Aluminum Based Metallic Paints in Early Twentieth Century Paintings. Smithsonian contributions to museum conservation 9 (2019), p. 137-144

10.5479/si.1949-2367.9
Open Access Version

Abstract:
This paper presents the results of research into the composition and use of metallic aluminum paints in three paintings by Australian artists from the first half of the twentieth century as well as a contemporary can of aluminum stove paint. A brief history of the development of aluminum paint and its uses is presented. The material characteristics of aluminum powders and binders used with them are described, as well as the effects variations of components have on resulting paint films. Analyses found leafing aluminum flakes and nitrocellulose binder on two paintings and identified coumarone as the binder for the stove paint.