Zinc plates

In Conservation DistList Instance: 9:70 Erich J. Kesse described
deteriorating zinc plates as marked by efflorescence. I am
interested in the chemical composition and appearance of
efflorescences and accretions that appear on objects in collections,
particularly as related to the storage furniture and materials in
proximity to the objects.

How are the zinc plates stored--what kind of containers, packaging,
and cabinetry (e.g., wood, painted steel, etc.)?  What is the
physical form of the efflorescence (powdery, compact, feathery,
needles, whiskers, greasy, colored, matt, shiny, glistening. etc.)?
Has the efflorescence been chemically identified?  Has its
solubility in water or organic solvents been determined?

Scott Williams

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 9:71
                 Distributed: Wednesday, April 17, 1996
                        Message Id: cdl-9-71-003
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