Permanency of reprographic images on polyester film

Citation
H. Szczepanowska et W. Wilson, Permanency of reprographic images on polyester film, J AM INST C, 39(3), 2000, pp. 371-390
Citations number
10
Categorie Soggetti
General
Journal title
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION
ISSN journal
01971360 → ACNP
Volume
39
Issue
3
Year of publication
2000
Pages
371 - 390
Database
ISI
SICI code
0197-1360(200023)39:3<371:PORIOP>2.0.ZU;2-5
Abstract
This project stemmed from a search for archival standards for records made on polyester film. A progressive deterioration was noticed on some records produced during the past 30 years. The damage included discoloration, blist ering and flaking emulsion, bleeding images, and images transferred to adja cent pages when records were stored together. To establish handling and sto rage guidelines that would ensure longevity of records made on polyester fi lm, the project sought a correlation between the ongoing damage and imaging technique and between damage and environmental factors. In an attempt to u nderstand the nature of the damage and the deterioration process, several h undred records from the collection at the Maryland State Archives in Annapo lis, Maryland, were examined. Selected samples representing various types o f damage and imaging techniques underwent a variety of tests. The effects o f exposure to extreme conditions, such as high relative humidity (99%), vis ible light, and ultraviolet light, are discussed in this article. Although there is substantial literature exploring the history and chemistry of the specific reprographic technologies as well as the characteristics of polyes ter film, there is no known published information devoted to imaging on pol yester film. The experimental work presented in this article is a pilot pro ject, indicating areas that require further in depth study.