Theory 157/Paper ageing/Rate lens
Paper Ages by Hydrolysis
The claim
Paper embrittlement rate is set by the rate of acid hydrolysis of cellulose rather than by age.
01Mechanism
Acid catalyses chain scission; the rate depends on acidity and moisture, which vary between collections.
02Prediction
Embrittlement should track hydrolysis rate.
03Refutation
Embrittlement tracking age would remove acidity.