[Nhcoll-l] Putty For Sealing Jars

[Simon Moore]

Thanks Paul and yes, the silicone makes the lid difficult to remove!  The only reversing agents I have found this far are organo-chlorine solvents, di-methyl chloride and tricholoromethane aka chloroform!  Otherwise I use a star spatula and cut around the seal but it’s hard work!

With all good wishes, Simon

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

www.natural-history-conservation.com




> On 11 Jan 2023, at 13:34, Callomon,Paul <prc44 at drexel.edu> wrote:
> 
> To seal ground-glass stoppers and plate-type lids (such as Whittall-Tatum jars that lack a gasket) I use dielectric grease (Dow-Corning #4 Compound). This is a non-setting clear grease with a silicone filler that does not, as far as I have been able to tell, contaminate fluids. You can see the tech data sheet at 
> https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/dc4.php
>  
> Be aware that if you use regular silicone caulk on older soda glass it seals very well but can be pretty difficult to release. It works best on flat flange-to-face joints, where its good gap-bridging qualities are important, but if you use it on a tapered ground-glass stopper you’ll likely never be able to open it again.
>  
>  
> Paul Callomon
> Collection Manager, Malacology and General Invertebrates
> Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
> 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia PA 19103-1195, USA
> prc44 at drexel.edu Tel 215-405-5096 - Fax 215-299-1170
>  
>  
>  
> From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of James Maclaine
> Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 7:09 AM
> To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
> Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Putty For Sealing Jars
>  
> External.
> 
> Dear all,
>  
> Happy New Year!
>  
> Hope someone can help with a large jar sealing question.  In the past we have used a kind of putty (made by Arboseal) to seal flat glass plates to the top of some of our largest jars and containers.  This was especially useful in the case of some of the older jars where the top is not completely flat and the putty could fill in the gaps.  It isn’t an ideal solution (and makes opening the jar a bit of a chore) and in some cases the putty has hardened and cracked but on the whole it has fairly effectively slowed down evaporation over several decades.   
>  
> However, in the cases where the old putty has to be replaced I can no longer find the same brand for sale online, so can anyone tell me where I can purchase something similar and reliable that I could use for this?  Or ideally, let me know of a better way of sealing a flat lid on an uneven jar top (please don’t suggest stretching parafilm over it!). 
>  
> As these are large containers for specimens that would be difficult to find alternative storage for (see attached), I’d like to keep using them if possible.  They would also be prohibitively expensive to replace.
>  
> Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
>  
> Cheers,
>  
> James
>  
>  
>  
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