Ability of Textile Covers to Protect Artifacts from Ultraviolet Radiation

Textiles are an effective, reusable, and inexpensive means of protecting museum objects from ultraviolet radiation (UV), visible light, and dust. To determine how well fabrics screen objects from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, a selection of fabrics varying in fiber content, structure, and color were characterized. The UV transmission in the 280–380 nm range was recorded for each fabric with a spectrophotometer equipped with an integrating sphere and a fluorescence filter. Results showed that the UV blockage varied from a low of 61% (Cerex spunbonded nylon) to a high of 99.9% (black nylon/spandex knit). Unbleached muslin blocked more UV than bleached muslin. The fabric characteristics most affecting UV transmission were mass, thickness, and color.