Condition reporting terminology

Condition reports are a valuable reference point for the condition of a collection item at a given point in time; for example, before an item goes out on loan or is put on display. 

Condition reports are inherently a subjective process. One person’s “Poor” assessment is another’s “Excellent” based on personal experience or perception. In order to make your condition reports valuable references, aim for consistent ranking within your organisation as well as using accurate and descriptive terminology to describe what you see. 

Listed below you will find some terms commonly used when completing a Condition Report. 

CONDITION	DESCRIPTION
ABRASION	Surface area that has been worn away by friction or contact
ACCRETION	A solid piece of matter cause by the gradual expansion of a material, often caused by chemical reactions
BIT ROT	Slow deterioration in the performance and integrity of data stored on storage media. Also known as data degredation and bit decay
BLANCHING	Localised, slightly opaque, white haze on or in a paint or a varnish layer, often caused by chemical damage
BLISTERING	Damage to a material which creates a void between a surface layer and an underlying layer or substrate
BLOOMING	When used in relation to paint or varnish; a slightly yellow, white or blue/white haze within the material, often caused by moisture damage. When used in relation to metals; a loose, white corrosion product caused by exposure of certain metal types to moisture. When used in relation to mould; a descriptive term for the appearance of mould spores
BUCKLING	Cracks in a paint layer that are caused by compression and result in raised ridges
BRITTLE	Loss of flexibility causing the object to be easily cracked or broken e.g., paper, leather, parchment
CHALKING	Degradation of a paint layer which causes the formation of a powdery deposit, usually caused by exposure of the paint to outdoor elements or an insufficient binding medium
CHIP	A small amount of material that has broken away from the main material
CLEAVAGE	A separation in a paint layer that is broader than a crack
COCKLED	Wrinkled or puckered material caused by uneven drying e.g., paper, fabric
CORROSION	Metal oxidation product e.g., rust
CRACK	Thin splits in a material that can be either shallow or deep
CRAZING	Fine surface cracks through a glaze, varnish or paint layer
CREASE	Lines produced by folding and handling sheets e.g., paper
DENT	Surface indentations caused by impact
DISCOLOURATION	Colour change to all or a part of an object e.g., stains
DIRT	Undesirable material (e.g. dust, grass or soot) resting on or ingrained in the surface of another material
DISTORTION	Change from original shape and form e.g., twisting, cockling, warping
FADING	Loss of intensity of colour
FLAKING	Thin pieces or layers of the surface are detached or are at risk of detachment
FOXING	Brown spotting on paper caused by fungus, impurities, dampness, acids
FRAYING	Loose and/or separating threads
FRIABLE	Loose and powdery surface e.g., ochre
HAIRLINE FRACTURES	Fine cracks in an object
INSECT DAMAGE/ACTIVITY	Signs of insect activity include small holes, grazing (loss in the surface), and deposits of fine, sawdust-like material
LOSS	Areas or parts that are missing from the object
MOULD DAMAGE/ACTIVITY	Sometimes powdery growth on surface that can cause staining, discolouration and compromise structural integrity
PUNCTURE	A small hole through a material
TARNISH	Discolouration of a metal surface due to the formation of a thin film of oxide, sulphide or some other corrosion product. Used most often to describe the black corrosion product that forms on silver.
TEAR	Separation or split in a material often in areas of weakness following physical damage e.g., paper
TIDEMARK	Discolouration that forms at the edges of liquid stains
YELLOWING	Yellow discolouration that affects the whole surface of an item, e.g., plastic, varnish, newspaper
WARPING	A change in the original alignment of a material, usually caused by temperature or humidity damage
WRINKLE	Ridges or furrows in a flexible material, such as paint or varnish, which usually occurs during the drying process
WATER DAMAGE	Discolouration and staining caused by liquid spills

FURTHER RESOURCES

1. Visual Glossary, Australian Institute of Cultural Materials Conservation (AICCM), https://aiccm.org.au/conservation/visualglossary 
   

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