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]

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