Re: "Condensation" in plastic

[Jenny Barnett <andelos@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In response to Mary's response:I don't see the point of discussing this
with a home economics person. The paper scientist/conservtor knows what
he sees and he thinks about it and comes up with a new insight. It is
what one sees when bagged DUTCH bread is placed in the sun, not when it
is removed from the sun. The visible condensation is very fine, more a
mist than droplets.
This bread has not just come from the baker. Why am I so sure? Because
the average Dutch (Calvinist) lunch is whole meal bread sandwiches with
cheese or ham, 50% without butter or margarine, carried in a flimsy plastic
bag: it happens with bagged lunches too. I have also noticed the same kind
of condensation on the inside of plastic bags containing fruit when placed
in the sun. Since summer is coming on there, perhaps someone in Australia
could try this out at home and let us know. Interactive practice based
research?

It may well be that this phenomena only occurs with absorbent, natural materials and that it has little to do with concrete buildings. Perhaps it is only with packages with little air space and lots of moisture containing material. Perhaps it happens more than we would like to know with framed textiles and it is not noticed because the condensation is very fine and we are not looking for it. In any case, it is about a sudden increase in temperature, not a gradual one.

It is, as I said (and he), a tentative idea to apply it to packaged paper or textiles, but even so not one to be so quickly dismissed. The whole point of bringing this up is that it goes against the currently held beliefs and is therefore worth thinking about and discussing.

The different insights produced by different cultures and environments is a great richness for us all.

Next please......

best wishes,
Jenny Barnett

Andelos Textielrestauratie
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1016 VH Amsterdam
NETHERLANDS
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