Gasket materials

Jim Moss <clkmkr [at] tiac__net> writes

>I am replicating some cast iron barometer cisterns. I need to find a
>material to serve as a gasket between the cover and the body. The
>criteria that I would like is:
>
>    1.  non reactive to mercury
>    2.  non reactive to iron
>    3.  slightly compressible
>    4.  lifetime of 200 years +/-  a couple
>    5.  will not decompose into chemicals that will react with
>        either the iron or the Hg
>    6.  not hygroscopic

A useful lifetime of 200 years, +/-, is not very realistic, however,
you will find some useful descriptions of barometers and materials
in Charles Tomlinson's Cyclopaedia of Useful Arts, Vol. I, London,
Virtue and Co. 1866. Pp. 101-108.

Jack
Thompson Conservation Lab.
7549 N. Fenwick
Portland, Oregon 97217
USA
503-735-3942 (phone/fax)


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 17:26
                Distributed: Tuesday, September 2, 2003
                       Message Id: cdl-17-26-003
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