Fire recovery supplies Non-woven fabrics

An excellent source for non-woven fabrics of inert non-hygroscopic
fibers (such as polyester or polypropylene) is Freudenberg
Nonwovens.  They are a multinational multi-division manufacturer
which includes both the Pellon and Viltec Divisions, among others.
I have had wonderful cooperation from them and very economical
pricing, although you have to purchase by the roll, usually 200-250
yards by 48" wide.  They will slit to required width at nominal cost
if the quantity is adequate.  Contact:

    Ms. Shari Fowler-Hutchinson
    Market Manager
    Technical Products Division
    Freudenberg Nonwovens Limited Partnership
    221 Jackson Street
    Lowell, MA 01852
    508-454-046
    Fax: 508-454-6132

We have used the following types which are all currently available.
All are needle-punch heat-bonded without adhesive or sizing and
absorb virtually no moisture:

    Viltec 501 - 100% polyester, thin and soft, smooth "silky"
        surface, can be used instead of tissue paper for a more
        durable wrap or interleave.

    Viltec 503 - 100% polyester, medium stiffness, smooth "silky"
        surface.

    Viltec 505 - 100% polyester, fairly stiff, smooth surface but
        with a light "tooth" and matte appearance.

    LSVP 750 - 100% polypropylene, thin and soft, "silky" feel,
        similar in appearance to nylon nonwoven "tissue", could be
        used to replace tissue paper.  This polypropylene fabric is
        slightly thicker but more transparent than the polyester
        Viltec 501, otherwise the two are quite similar in feel.

We have had good success dispensing these fabrics with a dispenser
made by Bulman Products, Inc. for packaging materials.  Various
models accommodate from one to six (with some modification) rolls
and are available with either a roller type or razor blade cutting
assembly.  The roller cutter doesn't work well on these tough and
supple fabrics but is good for foam or paper.  The razor blade type
gives clean, smooth and reasonably accurate cuts at significantly
less cost.  The cutting units are available separately as well as
part of a rack or table system.

Geoffrey Brown
Curator of Conservation
Kelsey Museum
University of Michigan
313-747-0439

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 9:78
                   Distributed: Friday, May 24, 1996
                        Message Id: cdl-9-78-006
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