| |
|
|
ARCHIVAL MATERIALS & METHODS: |
 |
|
|
| Publisher: |
BIll Harvey |
| Date: |
2007-02-06 |
| Word count : |
1991 |
|
| Ranking |
Click at the star to rank |
| Ranking Level |
|
0 |
| No. ranking |
0 |
|
|
|
| |
Sponsored Links
ARCHIVAL MATERIALS & METHODS: A Chemistry Lesson to Help you Protect and Preserve your Collectibles and Antiques: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What a complicated subject this is! First off -it might be helpful to sort out the difference between things that are made to be archival and things that are made to protect things of archival value. For example, the paper you buy on sale at the office supply store to run through your Xerox machine or printer is NOT archival. But an expensive piece of art had better-dang-well-be painted or printed on a piece of paper that you can count on being around for a long time. On the other side of the coin, there is the stuff you use to protect / store / display valuable stuff. Key word here is "protect." Suppose you carefully tuck your collectible away in a nice cushy bed of whatever and put it safely away for years and years. Then you take it out -or let's be frank here- your heirs take it out even more years down the road- and find that the stuff you so conscientiously used for padding has dissolved into ugly goo and smeared itself all over your item. Your valuable collectible held up perfectly, but is now worthless -or certainly less valuable. This is actually the topic I want to address in this article, but a few words on archival materials is in order -then I move on-to protecting collectibles with archival SAFE methods. ARCHIVAL MATERIALS Everyone has heard of "acid free" and it sounds like a good thing. Acid is -after all- corrosive -it can burn you and this must be a bad thing. But it turns out that everything is acid. Or alkaline -which is the same thing -only the complete opposite. Your body is acid -slightly. All fruit juice is acidic, carbonated beverages -by virtue of that carbonation over-and-above the fruit juice- is acidic. Vinegar is a good strong acid -"acetic acid" by name. Lemons make you pucker-up because of citric acid -chemically right next to ascorbic acid -better known as Vitamin C. So why is acid in certain things bad -and conversely, why is 'acid-free' a good thing? Near as I can tell, things that get manufactured -paper for instance- are easier to manufacture if they have some chemistry done to them. Acid is certainly a sub-set of chemistry. You didn't learn about acid in your HS American Literature class did you? My point here is that things that are pretty much the way God made them are safe from self-destruction from the acids they contain. (This is not to say that there are not other ways for them to get messed up -remember from my article on Bio-Hazzards, that if God made it, He (She?) also made something that eats it.) But wood is probably not going to turn yellow and brittle like a cheap paper-back book. A real butterfly is not apt to curl up and crack like a decorative plastic one. An oil painting (linseed oil & ground mineral pigments on cotton or flax fabric) is not going to fade the way a movie poster does, made with cheap paper and printed with quick drying organic inks. So what do you do if you have something you value and want to have around for a long time, but you are not sure it's made out of archival materials? Actually, there is not much you can do. Ask questions when you buy it, but does the seller look like they know their chemistry? There is one possibility. There are de-acidification sprays made to spray on paper (and photographs). Such things go on wet and do chemistry to your collectible. Are you a little hesitant to spray some chemical goo all over a valuable document or image? Don't blame you. One expert -Dennis Smith of Archival Methods* says that such things in the hands of a casual user can do more harm then good. If it's this valuable, you would do well to go to a pro who knows the chemistry. But before you even do this -you must ask yourself if you have done all the other things a collector can do to protect his or her collection? Consider..... UV & Light Protection Using DESICCANTS Protection from Bio-Hazards ARCHIVAL SAFE METHODS: This side of the coin deals with storing and protecting your valuable items in a manner the actually protects them. Let me give you an example of how NOT to do it. This is a direct quote from a nice lady -a curatorial expert actually- who helped out when I wrote my article -A Visit to the Fabric Store,: "And velvet, well, my opinion is still bad, bad, bad. Velvet and silver is a 500% Don't Do It.--you will have hundreds of etchings over the surface that look as if tiny worms had burrowed just beneath the surface--and they're not fixable. Saw it firsthand once, and it was amazing." Imagine that -you work very hard to protect something you cherish -with velvet -soft luxurious velvet even -it's padded and tucked away safely and one of the very things you do to protect it -ends up ruining it! So what to do to protect your collection -the way the museum professionals do -the guys with advanced degrees and who can spell CHEMESTRY with out getting help from SpellCheck every-dang-time? A little vocabulary might be a helpful way to start out. ACETATE A plastic that may be good (tri-acetate) or bad (di-acetate). ACID-FREE Means just that. But you also need to know about... ACID MIGRATION If something that contains no acid is stuck closely enough to something that does contain acid -the acid moves into the acid free thing. The moral here is to be careful of what you stick the valuable thing in to / on to / next to. ACRYLIC Good plastic for archival undertakings. Stiff, clear and chemically stable. ALKALINE The opposite of acid and probably a good thing. Unless it's a bad thing. BUFFER A unique sort of chemical thing that is the opposite of both acid and alkaline -it neutralizes -or 'buffers' both. (And if this confused you -find yourself a chemistry teacher to s'pain it 'cause it don't make a lick of sense to me either.) HYGROSCOPIC A material capable of absorbing moisture from it's surroundings. This can be good or bad. Desiccants are hygroscopic on purpose. Paper is hygroscopic to some degree -can't be helped- and as such, paper may come to be nourishing to fungi and mildew. BTW both hops and alcohol are hygroscopic and absorb water from places like your brain and the lining of your bladder, which makes it smaller. Don't need to discuss the later effect -but a dehydrated brain is a large part of what is called a 'hang-over.' LIGNIN A component of wood fiber that breaks down into acid. The good news is that most of the lignin is taken out of most paper -except newsprint. Archival safe materials are almost entirely "lignin free." MYLAR & MELINEX Trade names for an absolutely inert and absolutely vapor-proof plastic. It has archival value in protecting things from atmospheric nastynesses. OUT-GAS (Cool word! Has a scientific edge to it and is useful for insulting people who are too full of hot air.) This is the tendency for some things to slowly emit various damaging gasses. See..... PLASTICIZER Stuff in plastic that makes it more flexible. Plasticizers tend to evaporate / 'volatilize' / 'out-gas.' All this means that some plastics emit 'goo' that can mess up the things you store in them. A discussion of the good plastics and the bad plastic would quickly degenerate into something very like a graduate level organic chemistry class so -for the time being- if it smells like a cheap new shower-curtain- you are smelling the evil plasticizers and this is a bad thing.) POLY----- Most plastics start with the word "poly" and go downhill from there. In general, the good plastics for protecting valuable things are polyester, polypropylene, and, acrylic. (They don't smell.) HOW-TO... Now this is curious, but after longish introduction and bothersome vocabulary lesson, I have comparatively little advice for you. Too much stuff gets itself collected and there is too much variation in what it's made out'a. None-the-less, consider the following: * Buy your self a few pairs of white cotton gloves and keep them close to your collection. If nothing else,this will impress people who you let -reluctantly or otherwise- handle your collectibles. * Learn how to protect your specific collection. Having made it through my article, you now know more then 95% of the people out there and so such an undertaking will be a piece of cake. The AIC - American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works -is an excellent resource. A slightly intimidating resource, it must be said, but an excellent resource. I know this because they say most of what I have said in my articles on preservation -they just use a lot more and bigger words. And they offer advice specific to.... * SPECIAL COLLECTIONS -sort of a catch-all article * ARCHITECTURE * Books (This is what I collect!) * CERAMICS AND GLASS OBJECTS * FURNITURE * METAL OBJECTS * PAINTINGS * PHOTOGRAPHS * DOCUMENTS AND WORKS OF ART ON PAPER * HOME VIDEOTAPES (!?!) * TEXTILES * MATTING AND FRAMING WORKS OF ART ON PAPER * If you are using fabric to cushion, protect, and display your valuables, read my article on Fabric for the Collector * Learn about DESICCANTS and get yourself some! * If you are collecting photographs or things on paper, check out what the folks at Archival Methods have to say. (And notice that they sell desiccant kits too!) * At the very least -order a bunch of their archival tissue paper. 480 sheets of the stuff -16" x 20"- will set you back just a little over $20.00. I suspect that if you have a nice collection in a collection of boxes that may or may not be archival, this tissue would go a long way to both preventing any acid migration and cushioning the objects. * If all the above has succeeded only in frightening you about your real REALLY valuable collections of X, find yourself a conservation consultant. The AIC has Guidelines for Selecting a Conservator. (But be prepared to spend some money.) IMPORTANT LINKS: The folks at Gaylord Brothers, take this business pretty seriously. They also offer an absolutely excellent on-line (free!) book on simple techniques for the maintenance and repair of books, BOOKCRAFT Archival Methods is a good company, with helpful people and a web-site you need to see. Art-Care is where to go to find out where, how, and with whom to spend money -but it also has excellent information and experts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bill Harvey is an expert cabinet maker and the Author of HOW-TO CORNER -a series of usefull online articles for the dedicated collector or hobbyist to use in protecting and displaying his or her valuable items. He is also the owner of Home-Museum.com -a source for display cases and drawer cases designed and built specifically for collectors.
|
|
| |
|
ARCHIVAL MATERIALS & METHODS: Keywords: |
|
|
|
acid-free archival materials archival methods archival safe preservation antiques collectables ARCHIVAL MATERIALS & METHODS: Collecting Self Improvement |
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
Related Article:ARCHIVAL MATERIALS & METHODS: |
Collapse All
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
Susan Slobac |
2008-04-30 |
|
|
|
Title: Archival Storage Boxes for your photography
|
|
Art and photo storage, when done properly, will preserve your prints and paintings for decades. This also includes framing for display as well as archival storage. What is typically referred to as “the ravages of time” are actually a combination of factors that include environmental pollutants and contaminants, humidity, acids in mounting materials and temperature fluctuations. Following proper photo storage procedure will ensure that your art and photo prints will be preserved for generations to come.
Archive or Display?
If you are planning to simply store or archive your photos, paintings or prints (generically known as “artifacts”), you need to know that there’s much more to photo storage than simply dumping them into a cardboard box and putting it into closet, attic, basement or garage. You’ll want specially designed and constructed archival storage boxes. Such containers are made from high-quality acid-free materials and treated with an acid-resistant buffering agent with a high pH level in order to neutralize any acidic pollutants that might sneak in from the outside atmosphere.
In order to keep photos from warping or curling, it’s a good idea to mount them on a piece of acid free mount board as if it were going to be framed, then placed into clear bags similar to those used by collectors of vintage comic books, after which you’ll want to stack them neatly into archival storage boxes before storing these in a clean, dry environment that is ideally free from wide temperature variations.
Different Kinds of Mount Boards
Bainbridge mat board is generally considered the best quality photo mount board available. These are 4-ply mat and mount boards with cores that have been treated with alkaline buffering agent. If used for archival storage, you’ll want to choose a plainer kind, since the more decorative varieties suitable for framed works are more expensive.
Foam core mount and mat board are easier to work with and less expensive. If other precautions are observed, these may be adequate for the purposes of archival photo storage.
A Quick Review
Whether framing for display or storing for archival purposes, the principles of effective photo storage are the same. Avoid:
- Humidity
- Acids
- Environmental Contaminants
- Ultraviolet Light Exposure
- Temperature Extremes
Keeping these issues in mind will ensure that your photo storage method will keep your artifacts in pristine condition for decades, a legacy to be enjoyed by future generations.
|
| |
|
|
Susan Slobac |
2008-04-28 |
|
|
|
Title: Using Photo Storage Box(es) found online
|
|
Using Photo Storage Box(es) found online. All About Photo Storage
Even with modern materials and more durable types of photographic paper and other media, there is a definite science to photo storage. Unless archival photo storage is done properly, using the right kinds of clear bags and acid free storage boxes, chances are that your priceless non-digital images will deteriorate over time. Here, you can learn more about effective photo storage methods and materials that will ensure the long-term preservation of your valuable pictures.
It’s About Temperature
If you use photography frames, the ambient temperature of the location in which your photos are stored can have a tremendous effect on how well they keep. As you know from your school days, heat causes materials to expand, while cold causes them to contract. This can cause your photo images to warp, resulting in irreparable damage to the prints. By using photo corners on the mounting, prints are held in place, yet there is room to allow for expansion and contraction due to temperature fluctuations; this will go a long way toward keeping your image prints in pristine condition.
It’s About Humidity – pH Levels
Almost nothing will destroy photographic images faster than moisture and acidity. Without proper protection and the correct kind of archival storage boxes, water molecules will combine with acids contained in a wide variety of air-borne pollutants to destroy the chemical dyes and photographic paper upon which your image is printed. Clear bags – which are also used to store valuable vintage comic books – are perhaps the most effective solution to this potential problem, especially when used in conjunction with acid-free storage boxes. Such boxes are specially constructed with acid-free materials and are often treated with a special “buffering agent” that raises pH levels and neutralizes any acidic compounds in the environment.
It’s About Light
It may seem counter-intuitive considering that photographic images rely on proper light levels for their creation, but the fact is that the same light that makes photography possible can aid in the destruction of the finished products. This is another reason that good quality photo storage boxes are important in protecting your valuable prints.
It’s About Framing
All of the information presented here regarding photo storage is also applicable to photography frames as well. The use of mat boards can allow the image to “breathe,” preventing the accumulation and condensation of water vapor on the inside of the glass. Of course, if you are displaying your prints in photography frames, you’ll want to avoid placing them under direct light. Alternatively, you may wish to use special filtered glass or plexiglass to protect your images.
In general, what works for photo storage is effective in the preservation of framed photographs as well.
|
| |
|
|
Susan Slobac |
2008-04-28 |
|
|
|
Title: Useful Photo Storage
|
|
Useful Photo Storage. Better Photo Storage and Archival
While there are pundits that think the advent of digital photography has made traditional methods obsolete, the fact is that prints taken from even the best digital sources require the use of archival storage boxes if they are to be preserved in non-digital form. Proper photo storage techniques are even more important when it comes to photographic images produced using traditional methods; light, humidity, temperature and low pH levels can all wreak havoc on traditional photographic prints. By using the right archival storage boxes and paying attention to other factors that can damage your prints, you’ll be able to archive your images and preserve them almost indefinitely.
The Basics
A good photo storage box is made from acid-free materials, is water tight, secure and compact. Ideally, such archival storage boxes are also treated with special “buffering agents” that neutralize any acids that may be present in the environment of the photo storage area. Such acid-free storage boxes represent the most effective archival photo storage solution for prints that must be stored for extended periods of time.
In addition to the proper kind of photo prints storage box, you’ll want to place each print in individual clear bags in much the same way as collectors of vintage comic books store their issues – for much the same reason. It is another layer of protection, ensuring that your photographic prints remain dry and contaminant-free.
Protection From The Elements
Once you have securely stored your prints in clear bags and acid free storage boxes, you’ll need to protect them from light and temperature extremes.
The former issue may seem confusing at first, since light is what makes traditional photography possible in the first place. Once printed and mounted however, light can make short work of an image’s quality. This may not be an issue if photo storage boxes are sealed and placed in a dry, cool, dark space, however.
What is more of a threat is temperature. Heat causes materials to expand, while cold causes them to contract; needless to say, this can cause substantial damage to stored photographic prints, particularly if such prints have been mounted. Ideally, your photo storage location is temperature controlled, or remains at a constant temperature. If this is not practical, there are other steps you can take to safeguard your mounted images from temperature-related damage, including the use of photo corners and special mat boards that allow the image to “breathe” and expand without damage to the print itself.
Good archival storage boxes are not expensive, but are nonetheless an important investment in the protection of your priceless photographic prints. In addition to clear bags and the right mounting materials (if applicable), use of proper archival storage boxes are vital in the preservation of photographs.
|
| |
|
|
Susan Slobac |
2008-04-29 |
|
|
|
Title: Photographers Archival Storage Boxes
|
|
Art and Photo Storage, when done properly, will preserve your prints and paintings for decades. This also includes framing for display as well as archival storage. What is typically referred to as “the ravages of time” are actually a combination of factors that include environmental pollutants and contaminants, humidity, acids in mounting materials and temperature fluctuations. Following proper photo storage procedure will ensure that your art and photo prints will be preserved for generations to come. Archive or Display? If you are planning to simply store or Archival Storage Boxes your photos, paintings or prints (generically known as “artifacts”), you need to know that there’s much more to photo storage than simply dumping them into a cardboard box and putting it into closet, attic, basement or garage. You’ll want specially designed and constructed archival storage boxes. Such containers are made from high-quality acid-free materials and treated with an acid-resistant buffering agent with a high pH level in order to neutralize any acidic pollutants that might sneak in from the outside atmosphere. In order to keep photos from warping or curling, it’s a good idea to mount them on a piece of acid free mount board as if it were going to be framed, then placed into clear bags similar to those used by collectors of vintage comic books, after which you’ll want to stack them neatly into archival storage boxes before storing these in a clean, dry environment that is ideally free from wide temperature variations. Different Kinds of Mount Boards Bainbridge mat board is generally considered the best quality photo mount board available. These are 4-ply mat and mount boards with cores that have been treated with alkaline buffering agent. If used for archival storage, you’ll want to choose a plainer kind, since the more decorative varieties suitable for framed works are more expensive. Foam core mount and mat board are easier to work with and less expensive. If other precautions are observed, these may be adequate for the purposes of archival photo storage. A Quick Review Whether framing for display or storing for archival purposes, the principles of effective photo storage are the same. Avoid: - Humidity - Acids - Environmental Contaminants - Ultraviolet Light Exposure - Temperature Extremes Keeping these issues in mind will ensure that your photo storage method will keep your artifacts in pristine condition for decades, a legacy to be enjoyed by future generations.
|
| |
|
|
Jonathan Blocker |
2008-04-27 |
|
|
|
Title: Photo Storage Box(es)
|
|
All About Photo Storage Even with modern materials and more durable types of photographic paper and other media, there is a definite science to photo storage. Unless archival photo storage is done properly, using the right kinds of clear bags and acid free storage boxes, chances are that your priceless non-digital images will deteriorate over time. Here, you can learn more about effective photo storage methods and materials that will ensure the long-term preservation of your valuable pictures. It’s About Temperature If you use photography frames, the ambient temperature of the location in which your photos are stored can have a tremendous effect on how well they keep. As you know from your school days, heat causes materials to expand, while cold causes them to contract. This can cause your photo images to warp, resulting in irreparable damage to the prints. By using photo corners on the mounting, prints are held in place, yet there is room to allow for expansion and contraction due to temperature fluctuations; this will go a long way toward keeping your image prints in pristine condition. It’s About Humidity – pH Levels Almost nothing will destroy photographic images faster than moisture and acidity. Without proper protection and the correct kind of archival storage boxes, water molecules will combine with acids contained in a wide variety of air-borne pollutants to destroy the chemical dyes and photographic paper upon which your image is printed. Clear bags – which are also used to store valuable vintage comic books – are perhaps the most effective solution to this potential problem, especially when used in conjunction with acid-free Photo Storage Box(es). Such boxes are specially constructed with acid-free materials and are often treated with a special “buffering agent” that raises pH levels and neutralizes any acidic compounds in the environment. It’s About Light It may seem counter-intuitive considering that photographic images rely on proper light levels for their creation, but the fact is that the same light that makes photography possible can aid in the destruction of the finished products. This is another reason that good quality photo storage boxes are important in protecting your valuable prints. It’s About Framing All of the information presented here regarding photo storage is also applicable to photography frames as well. The use of mat boards can allow the image to “breathe,” preventing the accumulation and condensation of water vapor on the inside of the glass. Of course, if you are displaying your prints in photography frames, you’ll want to avoid placing them under direct light. Alternatively, you may wish to use special filtered glass or plexiglass to protect your images. In general, what works for Photo Storage Box(es) is effective in the preservation of framed photographs as well.
|
| |
|
|
Jonathan Blocker |
2008-04-27 |
|
|
|
Title: What you should know about Photo Storage
|
|
Better Photo Storage and Archival While there are pundits that think the advent of digital photography has made traditional methods obsolete, the fact is that prints taken from even the best digital sources require the use of archival storage boxes if they are to be preserved in non-digital form. Proper photo storage techniques are even more important when it comes to photographic images produced using traditional methods; light, humidity, temperature and low pH levels can all wreak havoc on traditional photographic prints. By using the right archival storage boxes and paying attention to other factors that can damage your prints, you’ll be able to archive your images and preserve them almost indefinitely. The Basics A good Photo Storage Box(es) is made from acid-free materials, is water tight, secure and compact. Ideally, such archival storage boxes are also treated with special “buffering agents” that neutralize any acids that may be present in the environment of the photo storage area. Such acid-free storage boxes represent the most effective archival photo storage solution for prints that must be stored for extended periods of time. In addition to the proper kind of photo prints storage box, you’ll want to place each print in individual clear bags in much the same way as collectors of vintage comic books store their issues – for much the same reason. It is another layer of protection, ensuring that your photographic prints remain dry and contaminant-free. Protection From The Elements Once you have securely stored your prints in clear bags and acid free storage boxes, you’ll need to protect them from light and temperature extremes. The former issue may seem confusing at first, since light is what makes traditional photography possible in the first place. Once printed and mounted however, light can make short work of an image’s quality. This may not be an issue if photo storage boxes are sealed and placed in a dry, cool, dark space, however. What is more of a threat is temperature. Heat causes materials to expand, while cold causes them to contract; needless to say, this can cause substantial damage to stored photographic prints, particularly if such prints have been mounted. Ideally, your photo storage location is temperature controlled, or remains at a constant temperature. If this is not practical, there are other steps you can take to safeguard your mounted images from temperature-related damage, including the use of photo corners and special mat boards that allow the image to “breathe” and expand without damage to the print itself. Good archival storage boxes are not expensive, but are nonetheless an important investment in the protection of your priceless photographic prints. In addition to clear bags and the right mounting materials (if applicable), use of proper archival storage boxes are vital in the preservation of photographs.
|
| |
|
|
parag patel |
2007-10-02 |
|
|
|
Title: Low cost cd/dvd movie
|
|
Ahh, This real estate agent’ve continued looking at spit out so a person untill: a general forecast on archival level media. When This real estate agent pull off expert utility development along with specialized photography (what one distinct combination), I crisis archival quality CD yet DVD media to insert my info close to. But then, 2 in regards to the present hardest Times in regards to could be in fact attain fantastic media, or else nonetheless appreciated the reason it's well media. This report focuses according to presently history on Small Discs, writable CD/DVD media, yet why DVD+St is the best on DVD-St. On the condition that me fancy out of simply can identify how media can be quality becoming, skip out of their summary at the present rock bottom. Very brief history based on so Compact Disc The present invention based on data from overly Compact Disc had held a sufficient affect to both music and computing in on currently endure 20 years. Invented in on 1979 as one joint predict between Sony together with Phillips in order to counter too self-destructive nature from customer audio playback (similar to tapes while puts presently could merely take in played such a good number of times before the present recording degraded substantially) by switching in regards to a resilient digital format. Such a CD wass furthermore programmed based on information from input usual computer info, while over 1985 so primarily CD runs according to computers were released; astonishing, bulky, and costly, it was not until the present mid-90s right now properties acutely took off, driven almost solely by video games and also perfect multimedia applications. Throughout 1990, Sony as well as Phillips went going back based on who drawing table, in conjunction with when that happens came out among who CD-R, one directory-yet medium. Again, this moment chiefly CD burners got huge, steep, while bulky, however by so late 90s going through a CD burner was this moment newly made ‘in’. Overly earliest couple of generations for CD media, designed by Taiyo Yuden (a company their This real estate agent attention, and also buy everyone my archival level media of), so much type from what i read in sucked; it wasn’t until on 2000 such businesses began bringing about particularly elevated finishing media. CDs and also DVDs insert specific bits (encoded during numerous ways depending approximately too media) in regions to reflective yet non-reflective districts. Right now system will be identified ‘pits and lands’, at which pits ‘absorb’ sunshine (ie, can be ‘off’ bits) as well as lands ‘reflect’ sunbeams (ie, may be ‘based on what i read in’ bits). Amongst pressed media, that pressing procedure instigates pits based on data from reflect that laser’s indeterminate away out of such sensor, as well as now lands in order to reflect it coming back at the current sensor. During burned media, an insane gas laser causes regions of organic dye of endeavor opaque additonally, obscure right now reflective surface based on what i read in the present pits, stopping the organic dye on lands only.
|
| |
|
|
Susan Slobac |
2008-05-04 |
|
|
|
Title: Photography Frames are a great tool
|
|
All About Photo Storage Even with modern materials and more durable types of photographic paper and other media, there is a definite science to photo storage. Unless archival photo storage is done properly, using the right kinds of clear bags and acid free storage boxes, chances are that your priceless non-digital images will deteriorate over time. Here, you can learn more about effective photo storage methods and materials that will ensure the long-term preservation of your valuable pictures. It’s About Temperature If you use photography frames, the ambient temperature of the location in which your photos are stored can have a tremendous effect on how well they keep. As you know from your school days, heat causes materials to expand, while cold causes them to contract. This can cause your photo images to warp, resulting in irreparable damage to the prints. By using photo corners on the mounting, prints are held in place, yet there is room to allow for expansion and contraction due to temperature fluctuations; this will go a long way toward keeping your image prints in pristine condition. It’s About Humidity – pH Levels Almost nothing will destroy photographic images faster than moisture and acidity. Without proper protection and the correct kind of archival storage boxes, water molecules will combine with acids contained in a wide variety of air-borne pollutants to destroy the chemical dyes and photographic paper upon which your image is printed. Clear bags – which are also used to store valuable vintage comic books – are perhaps the most effective solution to this potential problem, especially when used in conjunction with acid-free storage boxes. Such boxes are specially constructed with acid-free materials and are often treated with a special “buffering agent” that raises pH levels and neutralizes any acidic compounds in the environment. It’s About Light It may seem counter-intuitive considering that photographic images rely on proper light levels for their creation, but the fact is that the same light that makes photography possible can aid in the destruction of the finished products. This is another reason that good quality photo storage boxes are important in protecting your valuable prints. It’s About Framing All of the information presented here regarding photo storage is also applicable to photography frames as well. The use of mat boards can allow the image to “breathe,” preventing the accumulation and condensation of water vapor on the inside of the glass. Of course, if you are displaying your prints in photography frames, you’ll want to avoid placing them under direct light. Alternatively, you may wish to use special filtered glass or plexiglass to protect your images. In general, what works for photo storage is effective in the preservation of framed photographs as well.
|
| |
|
|
Susan Slobac |
2008-05-04 |
|
|
|
Title: Photographers use Clear Bags
|
|
Better Photo Storage and Archival While there are pundits that think the advent of digital photography has made traditional methods obsolete, the fact is that prints taken from even the best digital sources require the use of archival storage boxes if they are to be preserved in non-digital form. Proper photo storage techniques are even more important when it comes to photographic images produced using traditional methods; light, humidity, temperature and low pH levels can all wreak havoc on traditional photographic prints. By using the right archival storage boxes and paying attention to other factors that can damage your prints, you’ll be able to archive your images and preserve them almost indefinitely. The Basics A good photo storage box is made from acid-free materials, is water tight, secure and compact. Ideally, such archival storage boxes are also treated with special “buffering agents” that neutralize any acids that may be present in the environment of the photo storage area. Such acid-free storage boxes represent the most effective archival photo storage solution for prints that must be stored for extended periods of time. In addition to the proper kind of photo prints storage box, you’ll want to place each print in individual clear bags in much the same way as collectors of vintage comic books store their issues – for much the same reason. It is another layer of protection, ensuring that your photographic prints remain dry and contaminant-free. Protection From The Elements Once you have securely stored your prints in clear bags and acid free storage boxes, you’ll need to protect them from light and temperature extremes. The former issue may seem confusing at first, since light is what makes traditional photography possible in the first place. Once printed and mounted however, light can make short work of an image’s quality. This may not be an issue if photo storage boxes are sealed and placed in a dry, cool, dark space, however. What is more of a threat is temperature. Heat causes materials to expand, while cold causes them to contract; needless to say, this can cause substantial damage to stored photographic prints, particularly if such prints have been mounted. Ideally, your photo storage location is temperature controlled, or remains at a constant temperature. If this is not practical, there are other steps you can take to safeguard your mounted images from temperature-related damage, including the use of photo corners and special mat boards that allow the image to “breathe” and expand without damage to the print itself. Good archival storage boxes are not expensive, but are nonetheless an important investment in the protection of your priceless photographic prints. In addition to clear bags and the right mounting materials (if applicable), use of proper archival storage boxes are vital in the preservation of photographs.
|
| |
|
|
meera |
2008-04-14 |
|
|
|
Title: Visulization of Sss Materials
|
|
Visualization of SSS Materials.
SSS Materials: [Triple S Materials]
Materials possessing grain size on the order of a billionth of a meter. Since nano materials posses unique, beneficial, chemical physical and mechanical properties they can be used for wider variety of applications. We can see the presence of nano materials everywhere and how it is superior to other materials which are being used now days and earlier. Nano materials can be called as SSS materials as they are SMALL, STRONG and SMART.
Amazing Resistance power:
Tungsten Carbide , Tantalum Carbide and Titanium carbide are much harder , much more wear resistant, erosion resistant and last longer than their conventional counter parts. Miniaturization of micro electronic circuits ,the industry needs microdrills( drill bits with diameter less than the thickness of average human hair or 100µm) with enhanced edge retention & far better wear resistance. Since nano crystalline carbides are much stronger, harder , and wear resistant they are currently being used in these microdrills.
High Energy Density batteries:
The life of conventional and rechargeable batteries is low. Nano crystalline materials synthesized by Sol-gel techniques are the ones for separator plates in batteries because of their foam-like (aerogel) structure, which can hold considerably more energy than conventional ones. Nano crystalline nickel and metal hydrides are envisioned to require far less frequent recharging and to last much longer because of their large grain boundary (surface) area and enhanced physical , chemical , and mechanical properties.
Pollution Eraser:
Due to their enhanced chemical activity, nano materials can be used as catalysts to react with such noxious and toxic gases as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide in automobile catalytic converters and power generation equipment to prevent environmental pollution arising from burning gasoline and coal.
Mega Power Magnets:
The strength of a magnet is measured in terms of coercivity and saturation magnetization values. These values increase with a decrease in the grain size and an increase in the specific surface area of the grains. The magnets made of nano crystalline yittrium-Samarium-cobalt grains posses very unusual magnetic properties due to their extremely large surface area. Other applications:
Automobile alternators, land-based power generators, motors for ships, ultra-sensitive analytical instruments and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in medical diagnostics.
High Sensitivity Sensors:
Sensors employ their sensitivity to the changes in various parameters they are designed to measure. The measured parameters include electrical resistivity chemical activity, magnetic permeability, thermal conductivity and capacitance. All these depend greatly on the microstructure of the materials employed in the sensors. The sensors made nano crystalline materials are extremely sensitive to the change in their environment. Applications for sensors made out of nano crystalline materials are smoke detectors, ice detectors on air craft wings, automobile engine performance sensor etc.
Enhancing Efficiency of Automobiles:
Currently automobile engines waste considerable amounts of gasoline thereby contribute to environmental pollution by not completely combusting the gas. A conventional spark plug is not designed to burn the gasoline completely and efficiently. Since nano materials are stronger, harder and much more wear –resistant and corrosion resistant they are presently being envisioned to be used as spark plugs.
These electrodes render the spark plugs longer-lasting and combust fuel far more efficiently and completely. Automobiles waste significant amounts of energy by losing the thermal energy generated by the engine. This is especially true in the case of diesel engines. Hence the engine cylinders (liners) are currently being envisioned to be coated with nano crystalline ceramics, such as Zirconia and alumina so that they retain heat much more efficiently and result in complete and efficient combustion of the fuel.
Improvising the performance of Aerospace Components:
Due to the risks involved in flying aircraft manufacturers strive to make the aerospace components stronger, tougher and last longer. One of the key properties required of the aircraft components is the fatigue strength which decreases with the component’s age. By making the components out of stronger materials the life of aircraft is greatly increased. SSS materials i.e nano materials provide such a significant reduction in the grain size over conventional materials that the fatigue life is increased by an average of 200-300%. Further more components made of nano materials are stronger and can operate at higher temperatures, aircrafts can fly faster and more efficiently. So nano materials are the best substitute for spacecraft applications.
Other side of ceramic materials:
Ceramics are very hard, brittle, and hard to machine. These characteristics of ceramics have discouraged the potential users from exploiting their beneficial properties. However these ceramics must posses nano crystalline grains to be superplastic. i.e it can be deformed to great great lengths (up to 300% of its original length).Nano crystalline ceramics, such as silicon nitride, and silicon carbide have been used in such automotive applications as high strength springs , ball bearings and valve lifters because they posses good formability and mach inability combined with excellent physical, chemical and mechanical properties. They can also be used as components in high-temperature furnaces.
Computer chips of future generation:
The micro electronics industry has been emphasizing miniaturization, where by the circuits, such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors are reduced in size .Though microprocessors run faster there are several technical impediments to these advancements including lack of the ultra fine precursors to manufacture these components, dissipation of heat energy due to faster speed short mean time failures etc. Nano materials break these barriers down by providing the manufacturers with Nano crystalline starting materials ultra high purity materials, materials with better thermal conductivity, longer lasting durable inter connections.(connections between various components in microprocessors).
Large Electronic Display Devices:
An electronic device consists of material which an optical absorption band can be introduced or an existing band can be altered by the passage of current through the materials, or by the application of an field. Nano crystalline materials such as tungsten oxide gel are used in very large electro chromic display devices. The resolution, brightness and contrast of these devices greatly depend on the tungstic acid gel’s grain size .Hence nano materials are being explored for this purpose.
HDTVS:
The resolution of the television or a monitor depends greatly on the size of the pixel. These pixels are essentially made of materials called “phosphors” which glow when struck by a stream of electrons inside the cathode ray tube (CRT).The resolution improves with the reduction in the of the pixel or the phosphors. Nano crystalline Zinc selenide, Zinc sulfide, cadmium sulfide and lead telluride synthesized by the sol-gel technique are improving the resolution of the monitors. The use of nano phosphors is envisioned to reduce the cost of displays so as to render high definition televisions and personal computers
FLAT-PANEL DISPLAYS:
Flat-panel displays represent a huge market in the lap-top computers industry. The flat-panel displays constructed out of nano materials possess much higher brightness and contrast than the conventional ones owing to their enhanced electrical and magnetic properties.
Longer Lasting Satellites:
Satellites are being used for both defense and civilian purposes. These satellites utilize thruster rockets to remain in or change their orbits due to a variety of factors including the influence of gravitational forces exerted by the earth .Hence these satellites to a large extent is determined by the amount of fuel they can carry on board . In fact more than 1/3 of the fuel carried aboard by the satellites is wasted by these repositioning thrusters due to incomplete and inefficient combustion of the fuel such as hydrazine. The reason for the incomplete and inefficient combustion is that the on board ignitors wear out quickly and cease to perform effectively. Nano materials such as nano crystalline Tungsten-titanium diboride-copper composite are potential candidates for enhancing these ignitors life performance characteristics.
Conclusion:
We have seen only the few applications of nano materials. Many new applications being discovered almost everyday . There are many other applications and uses which have yet to be covered. From the applications we can see that such a small material does wonder in all the fields of science. Their strength and physical chemical and mechanical properties show that their presence in varsity of applications. Really the materials are smart and even specific too. As we study their characteristics deeply we can enjoy the performance of these peculiar materials.
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
Leave Comment |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
