[NHCOLL-L:4386] Re: PETE Container for Malacology Collections

[Dirk Neumann]

Hi Jane,

be aware that the PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) polymeres might not 
be formalin resitant and may crack over time as Bakelite / 
phenol-formaldehyde resin based plastics do/.
/I couldn't relocate the website where I found this information earlier, 
but PET seems to be instable against ketones like MEK (denaturing 
additive used in alcohols in Europe) and Acetones also.
Acetones are included in low concentrations in Alcohols as residual 
substances. Even though their concentration is quite low, these are 
highly polar and reactive substances and it is unclear if PET polymers 
are corroded over time (> 10 years). We discussed this issue with John 
E. Simmons on the SPNHC workshop last Saturday; perhaps more information 
will be posted on this the next weeks.
http://books.google.de/books?id=MqEx7mfMKRQC&pg=PA178&lpg=PA178&dq=pet,+chemical+corrosion&source=bl&ots=_JxkpVFcHQ&sig=TtL55zL_aDZ8rIr-H6B2rzCagmQ&hl=de&ei=s-1aSqkymcqaA-bIxN0J&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10


We use pharmaceutical glasses; these are normally made of neutral glass 
(like e.g. test tubes) and are +/- chemically inert (but not the same as 
borosilicate glass). Glasses up to volumes of 1 litre are available in 
Europe; you may find a local trader in the US at 
http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/Storage-bottle-manufacturers/b/2000000003844/3000000152450/16962.htm
//
Kind regards
Dirk




Jane MacKnight schrieb:
>
> Finding archival storage containers for malacology collections has 
> been a challenge for our curator. We use a combination of acid-free 
> boxes, glass vials, and the PET clamshell boxes (from Gaylord) but 
> we’ve been looking for something to replace the smaller sized acrylic 
> boxes with snap lids.
>
> Recently the curator has found 2oz and 4oz round containers with 
> separate flat lids both components are made of PET by two companies, 
> Solo and Sysco. My concern is that they are coated with something to 
> accommodate food, like the Ziploc bags. Has anyone used these 
> containers? Or done any research?
>
> I realize that we can get the PET containers from Gaylord in custom 
> sizes but funds are always an issue and off the shelf products can be 
> cheaper.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jane
>
> Jane C MacKnight
>
> Senior Registrar
>
> Cincinnati Museum Center
>
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>
> Cincinnati, OH 45203
>
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>
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>


-- 
Dirk Neumann

Tel: 089 / 8107-111
Fax: 089 / 8107-300
email: Dirk.Neumann(a)zsm.mwn.de

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---------

Dirk Neumann

Tel: +49-89-8107-111
Fax: +49-89-8107-300
email: Dirk.Neumann(a)zsm.mwn.de

postal address:

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