Hi -
I don't think you're all wet (grin) but I do know that the National Museum
of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution uses Tyvek for supporting
textiles (the way most of us use acid-free tissue). We don't use it in that
capacity here at the MFA though.
As for it coming up acidic, Tyvek is supposed to be inert - so I can't
answer that question. Good luck!
Rebecca L. Fifield
Collections Care Specialist
Department of Textile and Fashion Arts
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
www.mfa.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew White [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2001 3:28 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Tyvek
I am no conservation expert or anything, but it seems to me that Tyvek would
not be your best choice. I do not know if it would damage your textiles or
not, but Tyvek's most valuable property is that it is water proof. We sell
maps in our store printed on Tyvek and they work great out on the trails in
the rain. Water beads right up on it. Which means, it seems to this
educator, that anything resting on Tyvek would get more water damage than if
it was resting on something more absorbent, in case of rain, sprinklers, or
water leak. Tyvek is also used in construction to form a water proof barrier
inside walls. You see it a lot on houses half finished.
Tyvek is good stuff, but you should save it for something that needs
protection from water or the elements. Right tool for the right job and all
that.
If a conservator on the list thinks I am all wet, I will gladly bow to their
professional opinion.
--
Matthew White
Director of Museums
Mount Washington Observatory
www.mountwashington.org
Elisabeth Engel Wrote:
> When searching for materials suitable for shelf lining I came across a
roll of
> something I believe is Tyvek, which I inherited from the previous Curator.
I
> have never worked with this material. I know that it sat in her office,
> unused for several years and when I tested it with a pH pen, it came up
> acidic. Does anyone have any experience with Tyvek? Is it safe for
textiles
> like the archival supply catalog states? Good or bad stories? Any
> information would be wonderful.
>
> Thanks,
> Elisabeth A. Engel
> Curator of Artifacts
> Circus World Museum
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:
The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message
to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help"
(without the quotes).
If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to
[log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff
Museum-L" (without the quotes).
=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:
The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).
If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
|
