Re: [ARSCLIST] Ampex 456 - tip of the iceberg...chemistry

[steven c <stevenc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Parker Dinkins" <parker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >I had long talks with Delos Eilers and Bill Lund at 3M a while back about
> >moisture and sticky shed syndrome. Their contention was that the
breakdown
> >in the binder compound provided an opportunity for moisture to
accumulate,
> >but that moisture itself was not the cause of the problem.
>
> The only other documented, relatively quick fix besides baking is perhaps
> Roger Nichols' vacuum process. Roger said he talked with the lone DuPont
> scientist who was responsible for the binder compound chemical that caused
> the problem. After talking with the scientist, Roger devised a vacuum
> process that provided a quick fix. A byproduct of the vacuum process was a
> reddish substance lining the vacuum chamber. Now, Roger himself has a
> background in nuclear physics, so I found his vacuum solution highly
> interesting.
>
> I really don't understand much of the chemistry which causes the problem,
> but it's pretty clear that baking does fix it in most cases. Del and Bill
> stated that the binder compound was re-cured by the proper application of
> heat. So did the Quantegy engineer. And I agree with you, we need to make
> the transfers soon.
>
One wonders...if there is moisture involved, and thus present in the
"defective" tapes...would it be possible to use a microwave oven
(which requires water molecules to create heat) to "bake" the tapes?

Steven C. Barr