Polyethyelene and polypropolene are generally regarded as "safe" for 
use in contact with archival and museum collections. However, I 
remember a paper at a conservation session in which polyethylene foams 
(such as closed cell foams) were tested and found to conatain small 
amounts of residual acids. An acid is apparently used in the production 
of the foam. Some lots were fine and some were not.

As a conservator I would be especially cautious about any cheap foam 
products purchased from hardware stores - the product or MSDS 
information may say "no acids" but the levels that that may refer to 
may be fine for human heath but still deleterious for our collections. 
If you use such a foam, and don't have time to do Oddy tests,  then 
perhaps consider also employing a barrier layer between it and the 
object such as soft tyvek or acid free tissue.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California, USA


-----Original Message-----
From: Shannon Lindridge <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent:         Tue, 30 Aug 2005 09:47:07 -0400
Subject: Re: polyolefin ?

    As far as I know you can use the pipe insulation from a hardware 
store.  I
do not know if pipe insulation is all made from the same stuff, so I 
would
find out what it is made of and then use the source David mentioned to 
check
the materials used.  Perhaps a conservator on the list could chime in on
this topic?

--Shannon

from generation to generation
The History Center in Tompkins County
Shannon Lindridge, Collections Manager
401 East State Street, Suite 100, Ithaca, NY 14850
607.273.8284 ext.7 (FAX) 607.273.6107
www.TheHistoryCenter.net <http://www.thehistorycenter.net/>
Please note my new email address: [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>



-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Marielle Fortier
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 8:35 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: polyolefin ?


Hello, I have heard of using pipe insulation before.  Can you really 
use the
kind you buy out of the hardware store? Are all made the same or is it 
best
to buy from a conservation company? I only ask because we have a lot of
uniforms, flags and other items that could use the tube to help pad out
folds.  I had been using stockinette stuffed with poly batting or acid 
free
tissue rolled up and could use some more support.

Thanks.

Marielle



**********************
Marielle Fortier
Museum Registrar
Norwich University
Northfield, Vermont
**********************





>From: Shannon Lindridge <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: polyolefin ?
>Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 14:21:33 -0400
>
>Last fall I took two seminars; one on exhibiting and display flat 
textiles,
>the other on mannequins,  Both were taught by the same conservator and 
she
>recommend the use pipe insulation foam or backer rod with a cotton 
muslin
>slip cover for padding out the folds of large textiles due to the fact 
that
>it is inert.  Also mentioned, is Marvelseal (printer cartridges come
>wrapped
>in it.) It is fairly inexpensive, seals it to its self using heat, no
>additional adhesive to worry about, and it is supposed to create a 
barrier
>from H2O and atmospheric gases.  You could wrap the polyolefin tube in
>Marvelseal to create a barrier.
>
>--Shannon
>
>from generation to generation
>The History Center in Tompkins County
>Shannon Lindridge, Collections Manager
>401 East State Street, Suite 100, Ithaca, NY 14850
>607.273.8284 ext.7 (FAX) 607.273.6107
>www.TheHistoryCenter.net <http://www.thehistorycenter.net/>
>Please note my new email address: [log in to unmask]
><mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
>Behalf Of Erin Storc
>Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005 1:03 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: polyolefin ?
>
>
>Has anyone had experience using polyolefin?  I would
>like to know if closed-cell polyolefin/polyethylene
>pipe insulation is artifact-friendly as I'm hoping to
>use it in constructing affordable mannequins for an
>upcoming exhibit and conference workshop.  The specs
>on the product say it's formaldehyde free, fiber free,
>dust free, resists mold and mildew, has low VOCs, and
>is made without using CFCs, HFCs or HCFCs.  Any advice
>or additional direction on the use of polyolefin is
>greatly appreciated!
>
>Erin Storc
>Museum and Education Intern
>State Historical Society of North Dakota
>
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