Physical Property Analysis and Manufacture of Beeswax-Treated Paper of Annals of the Joseon Dynasty

조선왕조실록 밀랍지 시제품 제작 및 물리적 특성 분석

Annals of the Joseon Dynasty were composed of 1,229 volumes, and the 475 copies of total annals were wax-treated. Compared to non-wax treated copies, waxed volume of annals were seriously damaged such as crack, stick, discoloration to brown or black, and partially degradation. It is believed that the purpose of wax treatment for some volumes in the annals of the Joseon Dynasty is to prevent paper to deteriorate and to keep for the long time. But, beeswax could be deteriorated itself more rapidly. As a result, the waxed volume was much more damaged than non-waxed volume. Therefore, the investigation of decomposition and deterioration mechanism of beeswax-treated paper which might be used in waxed volume of the annals of the Joseon Dynasty must be done in order to prevent further decomposition and to restore the degraded wax-treated copies of the annals. For basis data of this purpose, physical properties of beeswax-treated paper be analyzed by coating methods. In result, sample products was manufactured reproducibility in lab scale. Specially, beeswax-treated method improved a orientation of papers. And the brushing method was stronger than the dipping method.