[Nhcoll-l] longterm stability of Instapak Foam

[Anderson, Gretchen]

Hi Thomas,

I am not sure about the chemical stability of Instapak foam, however I can give you a take on the same idea done back in the 1990's.  An expanding foam product (not sure which one, before my time here) was placed in polyethylene bags and used to create storage mounts for vertebrate Paleontology  - basically the same idea as Instapak foam.  It deteriorates over time (UV or no UV), losing cushioning and support.  It literally crumbles away.  We are now faced with replacing all of the mounts that were made - 10-15 years after the initial work was done.

The other problem with this method is the exothermic reaction.  It would be worth checking on that before experimenting with it.

I have also seen it used to make a cast for exhibition purpose.  The foam was coated with thin plaster and painted.  There was no light exposure to it 10 years, yet is also deteriorated.

Good Luck.
Gretchen Anderson
Gretchen Anderson
Conservator
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
5800 Baum Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
AndersonG at CarnegieMNH.Org<mailto:AndersonG at CarnegieMNH.Org>
412-665-2607 (office)
412-420-9083 (Cell)


From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Schossleitner, T.
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2015 9:03 AM
To: 'nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu' <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] longterm stability of Instapak Foam

Hi there,

we at the paleo vertebrate department of the MfN Berlin need to pack heavy and big dinosaur bones and are considering using instapak foam (or any other PU foam) inside a plaster casket. So I was wondering if anyone has some experience with it and if the foam is stable in the long term or if there are any other risks of outgassing or anything else. I know it is sensible to UV light, but as it is in an enclosed casket I would have hoped that shouldn't pose to much of a problem.
I am also interested and open in/to any other idea concering the the storage of big fossil specimen.

Thanks and all the best
Thomas


___________________________________________________________________________________

Museum für Naturkunde
Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung
Thomas Schossleitner
Invalidenstrasse 43
10115 Berlin
Tel. +49(0)30 2093 8537  Fax. + 49(0)30 2093 8868
e-mail: t.schossleitner at mfn-berlin.de<mailto:t.schossleitner at mfn-berlin.de>
___________________________________________________________________________________

www.naturkundemuseum-berlin.de<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.naturkundemuseum-2Dberlin.de_&d=AwMFAw&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=o4muPOKOjsje_U7hybp1-IDO81c_S03CMMZ1WN-KGvE&s=6_ohNWxMe6cFTXU6au714QgOWQ6kt9F7ptV2aReJfuk&e=>




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