Crack opening: from colloidal systems to paintings

Shrinkage cracks are observed in many materials, particularly in paintings where great interest lies in deducing quantitative information on the material with the aim of proposing authentication methods. We present experimental measurements on the crack opening induced by the drying of colloidal layers and compare these results to the case of a pictorial layer. We propose a simple model to predict the crack width as a function of the thickness of the drying layer, based on the balance between the drying stress buildup and the shear frictional stress with the substrate. Key parameters of the model include the mechanical properties that are measured experimentally using micro-indentation testing. A good agreement between theory and experimental data for both colloidal layers and the real painting is found. These results, by comparing the shrinkage cracks in model layers and in pictorial layers, validate the method based on the use of colloidal systems to simulate and to reproduce drying cracks in paintings.