Subject: Glue sticks
In May 1990 Ellen McCrady referred in the Cons DistList to tests carried out by the CCI and National Archives on the make up and stability of Pritt Glue Sticks which made for interesting reading. I have just been contacted on behalf of a renowned author whose research texts consist of many tens of thousands of assorted labels and scripts attached to assorted papers. My understanding is that the works are of a significant national importance and that as a result those associated with the author's works are increasingly worried about the longevity of this type of adhesive product being used. The makers of the glue stick have provided the author's associates with detail of the composition being 35.49% Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone, 60.99% water, 3.49% Sodium Stearate, 0.3% preservative (being 74.7% of 4.4-Dimethyloxazolidine, 2.5% of 3.4.4-Trimathyloxazolidine and water). >From its composition can anyone suggest whether or not the material is at risk from this glue stick and has anyone conducted longevity tests on glue stick products in general. Mark Vine Conservation Resources (UK) Ltd *** Conservation DistList Instance 14:26 Distributed: Wednesday, November 8, 2000 Message Id: cdl-14-26-029 ***Received on Monday, 30 October, 2000