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Backing

Application of an additional layer to an item to provide support. Sometimes called lining. Backing is a conservation treatment used on weakened sheet paper items.

Bleaching

The cosmetic whitening or reduction of coloured substances in an object by the chemical action of an oxidising or reducing agent. The process is likely to weaken paper, and is rarely recommended to be used in library and archive preservation.

Bleeding

The loss or spreading of colour when coloured paper or ink comes in contact with water or other solutions. Even very high humidity can trigger bleeding in some materials, including digital images printed on some bubblejet ‘photographic’ papers.

Blocking

The joining together of pages of a book to form a solid block. Likely effect of water damage or high humidity on some coated papers. Blocking is less likely to be a problem with modern coated papers.

Blotting paper

Soft, unsized paper or board used to absorb moisture. Blotting paper used in conservation should not be coloured.

Board, cardboard

A general term for various pulped or laminated fibrous materials made into large, flat sheets, thicker and more rigid than paper. Cardboard is the term in more general use.

Bone folder

A very useful small smooth, flat tool made of animal bone or plastic and used to remove air bubbles, smooth, flatten crease or ensure adhesion between two materials. Bone folders are typically 150-200mm long, 2 or 3 mm thick, with one pointed and one rounded end.

Brittle / brittleness

A property or condition of paper or board that causes failure of the material when it is deformed by bending. Paper is said to be brittle when a corner will not withstand two complete double folds.

Buckling / cockling

The warping and twisting in several directions of, for example, the covers of a book; a puckered effect caused by excessive heat or moisture. Wet paper or board will only dry flat if subjected to some force or pressure, otherwise it will remain crumpled.

Buffer / buffering

A process sometimes used in conjunction with deacidification or during manufacture, when an alkaline material is deposited in paper in order to neutralise future potential acidity.