Velcro in display cases

Patricia L. Miller <plmxiha<-a t->prairienet< . >org> writes

>I have had a question about using Velcro to line display cases.
>Would the material or the adhesive present a hazard to collection
>objects?

In the UK, Kim Leath, was awarded the Student Conservator of the
Year by the Museums and Galleries Commission for her study on "Hook
and Loop Fasteners". This was reported in the Conservation Awards
Update, a Special edition of the Newsletter of the Conservation Unit
of the Museums and Galleries Commission Spring 1996.

Kim found that some generic brands of velcro did have "varying and
sometimes harmful effects on textiles". It depends on the materials
used to manufacture the hook and loop fasteners.

   "Kim's extensive research showed that the range of fasteners in
    use since the Velcro patent expired in 1978 had varying and
    sometimes harmful effects on textiles.  .... museums are now
    advised to check existing fasteners for signs of ageing and
    damage, and to use only fasteners which have been tested and
    found acceptable for museum use."

The safest solution, would be to buy in batches and test each batch
for museum use.

Cecily M. Grzywacz
Associate Scientist
Getty Conservation Institute
310-440-6260

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 10:62
                 Distributed: Friday, January 10, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-10-62-007
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