[NHCOLL-L:3004] RE: Sintra PVC archival attributes

[Lundberg, Holly]

I have Oddy tested Sintra (Alcan Composites) in the past and it passed for use as an exhibit case material. However, color may be a deciding factor, so I would recommend that you have a conservator in the area test a sample of the exact Sintra product you want to use.
 
Holly Lundberg, Conservator 
Chicago History Museum/ Chicago Historical Society
1601 North Clark
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 799-2069
Fax (312) 799-2369
lundberg at chicagohistory.org
   


________________________________

From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu on behalf of kwellspring
Sent: Thu 3/9/2006 9:56 AM
To: NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:2996] Sintra PVC archival attributes


Greetings List,

We are considering using a PVC material (produced by Alcan Composites, marketed under the name Sintra) to line shelves in  closed display cases for some new exhibits. The MSDS for Sintra lists its components as polyvinyl chloride, lead compounds, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide and 15-25% "other". It is advertised variously as "acid-free" "archivally sound" and as having "little out gassing".  The cases will contain primarily vert/invert/paleobotantical fossils, and some osteological material, and some specimens may be in direct contact with the Sintra liner.

Does anyone have experience in working with Sintra in exhibit cases? Can you suggest ways in which I could determine whether it is an appropriate inert material for exhibiting specimens for the next 20 years?

Many thanks,

Kate Wellspring

______________________________
Kate Wellspring
Collections Manager
Amherst College Museum of Natural History (formerly the Pratt Museum)
Amherst College
Amherst MA 01002
(413) 542-2165
www.amherst.edu/museumofnaturalhistory