Re: Masonite replacement

[Jenny Barnett <andelos@xxxxxxxxx>]

"Mary W. Ballard" wrote:

> Jenny Barnett--Here in the US, Small Corporation produces sealed textile frames for traveling exhibitions; these frames--like small vitrines--control RH; temperature, if I remember correctly, is controlled by the traveling case. My question was about retrofitting existing frames to remove the embrittled masonite boards without remounting the mounted textile. Sometimes it is preferable to use the same format, so as not to change the internal dynamics of a mounting system: a masonite back so often signifies a glass glazing in front, a solid back might change the internal dynamics. This, as you point out, might be a problem in a relatively uncontrolled environment--and if the institution still has masonite, the chances are that the environmental conditions are generally not well controlled! However, you cannot say to a museum, "spend 10 million dollars on a new HVAC system before I will change your backboards" or "put every textile in a traveling case and ignore the building" S!
om!
> times the mount is fine, the textile is fine, just the backboard needs changing. Mary

Dear Mary,
OK, I now understand that the backboard is definitely seperate to the mounted textile and the situation is "in an uncontrolled environment".

Up to a certain size, a backboard does not need to be as heavy and thick as masonite to add stability to a frame. But which thickness of masonite are we talking about here?

For large frames, more tham ±50cm x 60cm, I would still use acid free Fome-cor because it is stiff, lightweight, heat insulating, easy to work with and probably allows a slow diffusion of moisture in and out of the frame. An extra piece of thin acidfree cardboard could be laid between the back of the mounted textile and the backboard to provide more RH buffering cellulose.

Yet another alternative (smaller frames) is to line an acid free cardboard backboard with adhered aluminium foil which has been perforated by hand in some way. Since you were thinking of cotton flanel on the inside of an aluminium plate, you could adhere the foil on the outside of the backboard to provide more organic, moisture buffering material inside the frame. There is of course no danger of airborne soiling passing trough the cardboard. I've only just thought of this, so I haven't tried it out yet.

Jenny Barnett
Andelos Textielrestauratie
Oude Looiersstraat 65-67
1016 VH Amsterdam
NETHERLANDS
tel/fax 00 31 (0)20 427 18 27
andelos@xxxxxxxxx