Table 1 Volatile species detected by EGA-GC–MS for 16 plastic materials used in museums. Also included are the predicted Oddy test result based on the volatiles detected and the actual Oddy test result from triplicate experiments

Agateen

Cellulose nitrate

Acetic acid ^a

n-Butyl acetate

Other solvents

Acetic acid is known to corrode lead coupons [1]. This acid is likely to have been formed from hydrolysis of the residual n-butyl acetate solvent

F

F^b

Delrin

Poly(oxymethylene), POM

Formaldehyde ^a

Phthalate plasticizer

Formaldehyde is a known pollutant. The resulting formic acid can corrode metal, cause brittleness in cellulose films, and attack calcium rich objects [1]

F

F

Cellulose propionate window gel

Cellulose propionate

Propionic acid ^a

tris(1-Chloro-2-propyl) phosphate

Organic acids are known to be corrosive [1]

This phosphate fire retardant may undergo hydrolysis and form phosphoric acid, which can corrode metal objects [1, 30]

F

F

ULINE adhesive, economy

Ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, EVA

Acetic acid ^a

Branched hydrocarbons

Tetradecanoic acid

Hexadecanoic acid

Organic acids are predicted to corrode the lead coupon [1]

F

F/T

ULINE adhesive, heavy duty

Polyethylene/olefin

Carbonyl sulfide ^a

Sulfur dioxide ^a

Dibutylamine

Dibutylformamide

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Hexadecanoic acid

Organic amines are known to cause corrosion of bronze, copper, and silver [28]

F

F/T

RTV162 silicone sealant

Silicone

Dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether

Siloxanes

P

F

Kimberly Clark purple nitrile gloves

Poly(acrylonitrile), PAN

Carbon disulfide ^a

2,4,7,9-Tetramethyl-5-decyn-4,7-diol (non-ionic surfactant)

CS₂ is a common solvent used in the manufacture of plastics and resins. As a reducible sulfide compound, CS₂ is reported to be moderately reactive to silver [1]. However, given the extremely low level detected, the Oddy test result was predicted as a temporary rating

T

T/P

Sintra (3A)

Rigid poly(vinyl chloride), PVC

2-Ethyl-1-hexanol

Chlorodecane

2-Ethylhexyl thioglycolate

Thioglycolate is a product of the mercaptotin heat stabilizers commonly added to rigid PVC. Although unstudied, thioglycolates could directly or indirectly tarnish metals. The low levels and low volatility led to a prediction of temporary

T

F/T

Komatex (Kommerling)

Rigid poly(vinyl chloride), PVC

Methyl methacrylate

2-Ethylhexyl thioglycolate

T

T

Fuhr sealant

Polyacrylate

Triethylamine

Propylene glycol

Butyl esters of succinic acid

Organic amines are known to cause corrosion of bronze, copper, and silver [28]

F

T/P

Plexiglas

Poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA

Methyl methacrylate (monomer)

P

P

Volara foam (black)

Polyethylene, PE

Various branched hydrocarbons (alkanes and alkenes)

P

P

PUR (ester) foam

Polyester urethane, PUR

Cyclic diester

n-Alkylmorpholines (catalysts for the fabrication process)

PUR foams are generally considered safe, but the alkylmorpholines can form crystals on objects during storage [10], even though they would not corrode metal coupons

P

P

Clean seal adhesive teardrop gasket

Silicone rubber

Chlorobenzene

Siloxane compounds present

P

T/P

Styrene foamboard

Polystyrene, PS

Styrene

P

P

Fome-Cor with zeolites

Polystyrene, PS

Styrene

Benzene

Ethylbenzene

P

T/P