The Impact of Additive Saffron on Prevention of Paper Corrosion Caused by Iron-Gall Ink

Corrosion of paper caused by iron-gall ink is a common problem in calligraphy. Although there are certain treatments to solve the problem in old calligraphic works, they have a curative function not a preventive one. In other words, calligraphic works written in commonly used inks may not be safe, a few years later, from corrosion. Interestingly, no effectively serious research has been done in this respect. In the present study, the effect of additive saffron on traditional ink was examined using laboratory techniques and tests. The aim was to find out whether the additive saffron could generate an anti-corrosive quality in gall-iron ink. In fact, the study tried to answer two basic questions: What impact(s) can saffron have on calligraphic ink and paper? How much saffron should be added to an ink so that the optimum resistance against cellulose decomposition can be generated? Having made four samples of black ink based on the instructions mentioned in old treatises, thermal accelerated tests were done on them following determined standards. pH and color intensity of the samples were measured. In addition, in order to examine the samples more closely, they were tested in terms of Fourier-Infrared transform spectroscopy as well as Uv-Vis spectroscopy. The methodology was a descriptive-analytic one. The results showed that adding saffron to ink prevents paper corrosion resulted from iron-gall effect. The reason seems to be that saffron solution functions as a buffer and as the ink concentration increases so does the buffer intensity. Data were gathered based on library sources and laboratory tests.