Gatorboard

Bas van Velzen <bas.van.velzen [at] icn__nl> writes

>In the ongoing quest for materials with better properties for
>backingboards for paintings and framed works of art in general, we
>are considering Gatorboard as a replacement for Kapaline. Before
>extensively testing this material we would like to know if
>Gatorboard is used in conservation ...

Gatorboard, or Gatorfoam, has been tested at the Royal Ontario
Museum as part of our regular materials testing program.  It is
*not* considered an archivally acceptable material, because there is
significant detectable offgassing from the facings.  Nevertheless,
there may be short-term exhibit situations in which it might be used
for other reasons, such as that mentioned in Ekaterina's posting.

Where long-term stability is an issue, acid-free foamboard, or
Fome-Cor, is acceptable, as is Gatorplast, which has the same foam
core/facing sheet construction as Gatorboard, but is made of
polystyrene throughout.

Helen Coxon
Preventive Conservation
Royal Ontario Museum


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 20:29
                Distributed: Thursday, November 30, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-20-29-004
                                  ***