[Nhcoll-l] Putty For Sealing Jars

[Robert Waller]

Hi James,
Not a complete answer, but something you might want to check on. Your mineralogy or geology prep labs might have equipment for grinding perfectly flat surfaces (for them, in advance of polishing). If so, they could quickly and easily grind your jar tops flat for you. If they don't have the equipment then they may be able to point you to someone who does. A vibrating lap (https://kingsleynorth.com/16-inch-covington-vibrating-lap.html) might be ideal but even a rotating flat lap (https://arrowheadlapidarysupply.com/products/18-rotating-disc-flat-lap-model-18rl/2695/)<https://arrowheadlapidarysupply.com/products/18-rotating-disc-flat-lap-model-18rl/2695/)%20would> would serve.
Whatever you choose to seal with, the a perfectly flat jar top is certain to improve the seal.
Rob
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

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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