Glass disease

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Glass disease, also known as sick glass, is a degradation process encountered in art conservation.

Glass disease is caused by an inherent fault in the chemical composition of the original glass formula. Usually, inadequate calcium oxide causes the alkalis in the glass to remain water soluble at a low level, and extended exposure to high levels of relative humidity during storage or display causes these salts to hydrate and leach out of the material upon any reduction of relative humidity. This causes a distinctive network of fine cracking, also called crizzling, which can reduce the transparency of the glass or even threaten the integrity of the structure.

[edit] References

A brief description of the subject can be found at [1].

Applebaum, Barbara (1991). Guide to Environmental Protection of Collections. Sound View Press. ISBN 0-932087-16-7.