[Nhcoll-l] Question about jar grease in fluid collections

[Simon Moore]

Thanks Dirk,

I have also had problems with older versions of Vaseline (1970s) where the dehydrating effect of IMS / IDA alcohols produced little tiny coagulated ‘pills’ of vaseline in the sealed area, whereas Paraffin soft white (a similar product) was fine and didn’t do this.  The Alsirol I have used to good effect thus far for at least 7 years but some say it’s quite expensive at E33 per 50ml tub; however, as Dirk suggested, you do only need a thin smear to seal a jar effectively.  To that end  you only need a small amount of any of the greasy sealants - too much and they gradually flow down into the jar and the lid can ‘float’ on the excess sealant. 

With all good wishes, Simon.

Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian, 


www.natural-history-conservation.com 




> On 27 Feb 2020, at 14:47, Dirk Neumann <neumann at snsb.de> wrote:
> 
> Hi Esther,
> 
> vaseline has few disadvantages
> 1. it tends to flow inside the jar (especially if you need to close uneven battery jars etc. with increased amounts of vaseline to produce a proper seal)
> 2. it tends to attract additional moisture evaporating from inside the jar (turning the jelly glossy - usually a good indicator when it slowly starts running)
> 3. it sometimes may get backed (might be linked with low RH values inside storage).
> 
> We changed around 2000 to a silicon-free vacuum joint grease called Alsirol with good results. It is produced from a small company in Bamberg, Germany and formerly was also distributed (at least in Germany) via VWR, FisherScientific apparently is also offering it
> https://www.fishersci.de/shop/products/joint-grease-1/10130201
> 
> But you can also contact and order directly http://www.poellath-labor.de/
> 
> The containers are rather small (only 50 ml), but Alsirol is very economic and you only need little to produce a proper closure (too much in fact even is disadvantageous). As it is very greasy and stable, it is possible to build it up on uneven flanges or battery jars.
> 
> Hope this helps, with best wishes
> Dirk
> 
> Am 27.02.2020 um 15:32 schrieb Esther Dondorp:
>> Dear all,
>> 
>> Just a short question - we always use vaseline to seal gound jar stoppers, now that we cannot use our old supplier anymore the support department ordered the commercial vaseline petroleum jelly like this one. I was wondering if we can use it or that it has additional additives that can effect the balance inside the jar. Is there an acid free or other alternative? Wondering what other people use! 
>> 
>> Many thanks,
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Esther Dondorp
>> Senior Collectiebeheerder
>> 
>> 
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>> esther.dondorp at naturalis.nl - www.naturalis.nl
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> Dirk Neumann
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> Dirk Neumann
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> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose
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> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to
> society. See http://www.spnhc.org for membership information.
> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.