[NHCOLL-L:1099] RE: recommendations for herbarium glues?

[Carol Brynjolfson]

I suggest that you contact the Canadian Conservation Institute about PVA
adhesives.  They have published a report 'Adhesive Testing at the Canadian
Conservation Institute - An Evaluation of Selected Poly(vinyl acetate) and
Acrylic Adhesives' EDR Report# 1603.  For referal to one of the scientists
who wrote the report and deal with adhesives, email them at
cci-icc_services at pch.gc.ca.  In order to purchase a copy of the report, the
email address is cci-icc_publications at pch.gc.ca.  They have tested various
adhesives over several years and have recommended several based on pH,
volative emissions, flexibility/brittleness, and yellowing.  I looked
through the report to see if Lineco was listed, but couldn't find it.  It is
quite possible that they have analyzed this adhesive since then and could
give you more information (especially if it has the same chemical
composition as one of the tested adhesives).

If the irritating odor smells like vinegar, then it is probably acetic acid.

You should also consider some of the acrylic emulsions recommended in the
report.

Carol Brynjolfson
Conservator
Vancouver Museum


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu
[mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu]On Behalf Of spau
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 11:32 AM
To: NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:1098] recommendations for herbarium glues?


Hello all,

The herbarium I'm employed at is currently testing out pH Neutral,
archival quality glues for use in plant mounting, and would like some
suggestions for archival quality adhesives that are safe for prolonged
use by volunteers and staff.  Currently, we are testing out a brand of
adhesive put out by Lineco Inc., which is called simply "Neutral pH
adhesive".  However, the main ingredient is polyvinyl acetate (PVA)
which I believe is nonreversible, and we have also had complaints by
staff of its odors, which some find overwhelming after prolonged use in
a ventilated environment.  If there are other herbariums out there who
have found an effective, safe, and archival quality adhesive for
botanical specimens, some suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Also, as a side note, does anyone know if PVA might be the source of the
irritating odor?  Or any other side effects of PVA known?

Thanks,

Stephanie Pau
Curatorial Asst., Botany Dept.
California Academy of Sciences