Hot melt adhesives

Nelly Balloffet <nballoffet [at] optonline__net> writes

>... We are
>looking for efficient ways to cut down on the time it takes to make
>suitable mounts without compromising safety to the object. Does
>anyone have experience with using hot melt adhesives in a glue gun
>to fabricate mounts made of museum board, foam board and other light
>boards? ...

In advance of a collection relocation project carried out a few
years ago I tested a range of hot-melt adhesives.  The testing
procedure included standardised Oddy tests, organic vapour analysis
for acetic acid and formaldehyde, pH determination and corrosion
analysis of some metal coupons from the Oddy tests.  Following
testing two adhesives from 3M proved to be suitable for long term
use: 3792-LM which is a lower-melt adhesive for foams, and 3748
which is higher-melt and suitable for plastics and fluted
polypropylene board.  The 3M applicator guns are also well designed
and durable.

Amanda Pagliarino
Conservator, Sculpture
Queensland Art Gallery
Brisbane, Australia


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:7
                  Distributed: Tuesday, July 13, 2004
                        Message Id: cdl-18-7-003
                                  ***