Art-Sorb

Nigel Larkin <nrlarkin<-a t->easynet< . >co< . >uk> writes

>    1.  Is it really possible, using Art-Sorb, to maintain RH levels
>        as low as 2% in display cases?

I think Art-Sorb is a quality product, but wonder if perhaps a
zeolite molecular sieve would be cheaper and more efficient at
extremely low RH%. Zeolites are used in some silica gel mixtures
(such as Arten gel) to flatten the response curve at low humidity.
For more info, contact a manufacturer such as Davison Chemical
Division (W.R. Grace & Co.) at 301-659-9010.  Describe your problem
and ask for info on their 13X (or larger pore) molecular sieves.
Cheaper still, how about a desiccants salt such as dried calcium
chloride?

Of course, this begs the question: what are you considering
displaying in such a radical environment?  And given such an extreme
gradient between inside the case and out, how often will you need to
recondition?

John Burke

                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:33
                 Distributed: Thursday, October 9, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-11-33-002
                                  ***