Nonflammable carrier solvents for museum conservation applications
Document conservation has become an increasingly urgent issue for museums, libraries and archives. While manufacturing methods introduced over the past 100 years have allowed the mass production of affordable, standardized papers, these same manufacturing methods – combined with the spread of airborne pollutants – have accelerated the acidic deterioration of valuable books, manuscripts and other documents.
To preserve these materials for future generations, the challenge has been to find ways to increase the pH of cellulosic materials without damaging or altering their written or printed content.
A new deacidification technique being successfully used by a number of rare book and document conservation specialists involves treating delicate materials with certain metallic compounds, using a 3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluid as the carrier solvent.
Novec fluids are an ideal choice for book and document conservation applications because they do not damage or discolor delicate papers or bindings, or cause inks to run or fade. Their extremely low surface tension allows treatment chemicals to penetrate deeply into the substrate, for more complete protection. These nonflammable materials evaporate quickly and completely, leaving no residue of their own behind.
As a carrier solvent for chemicals used in rare book conservation and preservation – and for other museum conservation applications including original manuscripts, textiles, photographs and other delicate materials – Novec fluids offer a unique balance of properties, including:
Nonflammable
Clear, colorless
Does not cause printing or handwriting to run or fade
Will not discolor paper or bindings
Penetrates deep into substrates
Evaporates cleanly, leaving no residue
Low odor
Low in toxicity
Non ozone-depleting, low global warming, non-VOC
Product Information on Novec Fluids for book and museum conservation
