Key characterization efforts to support the graffiti ink removal and care of Mark Rothko’s painting ‘Black on Maroon’ 1958

Heritage Science

Table 2 Average canvas tensile break properties for two canvas orientations and three ink levels

Canvas Orientation	Ink Level	Break Strain < ε_B >	Break stress < σ_B > [MPa]	Time since ink application (days)
0° weft	none	0.161 ± 0.011	13.4 ± 1.0	81
0°	none	0.149 ± 0.014	14.3 ± 1.6	259
0°	light	0.155 ± 0.014	13.7 ± 1.5	81
0°	light	0.137 ± 0.011	14.0 ± 1.5	259
0°	heavy	0.137 ± 0.020	18.3 ± 2.3	81
0°	heavy	0.127 ± 0.014	18.5 ± 1.3	259
90° warp	none	0.282 ± 0.020	27.7 ± 2.4	81
90°	none	0.280 ± 0.026	29.2 ± 2.5	259
90°	light	0.272 ± 0.028	28.8 ± 2.8	81
90°	light	0.273 ± 0.037	30.2 ± 2.9	259
90°	heavy	0.240 ± 0.015	33.3 ± 3.4	81
90°	heavy	0.244 ± 0.031	34.3 ± 2.8	259