Historical Oddy Test Results: Plain Weave
Oddy Test Results for Plain Weave Fabric
The following four test results encompass all 17 colors that we are currently selling. If there is no product number following the sample, it means that Benchmark found the Oddy test results unacceptable and declined to offer it for sale.
(test 1 of 4) TEST PROCEDURE: Oddy
An Oddy test was conducted on seven samples of our plain-weave fabrics.
The test procedure was as follows: Each sample was enclosed in a separate glass vial with blanks of polished lead, silver and copper. Half of the sample was placed beneath the blanks so that any effect of direct contact as well as volatile contaminates could be assessed. Moist cotton was placed in the test vial, which was then sealed and exposed to 55ºF for 48 days.
A control vial was prepared in the same manner, without any sample, and exposed to the same conditions.
| DAY | SAMPLE NUMBER | PRODUCT DESCRIPTION | OBSERVATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-48 | Sample 1 | Even, grey-black corrosion on copper blank. | |
| 1-48 | Sample 2 | 71-020 | No change in test blanks. |
| 1-48 | Sample 3 | Even, grey-black corrosion on copper blank. | |
| 1-48 | Sample 4 | No change in test blanks. | |
| 1-48 | Sample 5 | Even, grey-black corrosion on copper blank. | |
| 1-48 | Sample 6 | 71-019 | Slight tarnish on silver blanks. |
| 1-48 | Sample 7 | 71-018 | No change in test blanks. |
| 1-48 | Control | No change in test blanks. |
INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
Samples 1, 3, and 5 exhibited a dark gray-black corrosion layer on the copper blanks. The corrosion was noticed on Sample 5 first, on day 13 of the test, Sample 1 on day 23 and Sample 3 on day 36. The deposits/corrosion did expand from an edge. This layer was very even but did not cover the entire surface of the copper blank. This type of corrosion has been identified in the literature as copper sulfide and may be connected with biological as well as chemical agents. It may be that the deposit/corrosion is not a simple function of the fabric dyes and finishes. Based on these results, however, the investigator would be hesitant to use the fabric in a well- sealed exhibit case without additional testing.
Sample 6 (71-019) did show very slight tarnish of the silver blank at the end of the test. This corrosion was very slight, occurred on the area of the blank left uncovered, and after the standard 30 days for the Oddy Test. The nature of the corrosion leads the investigator to believe that the corrosion may have resulted from a leak in the seal of the vial as opposed to volatile emissions from the sample. The investigator would use this fabric in an exhibit case.
All samples were found to be colorfast to water.
(test 2 of 4) TEST PROCEDURE: Oddy
PROCEDURES
This test comprised seventeen sample fabrics.They were tested for volatile compounds using a variant of the standard "Oddy test". The production of volatile compounds was tested by isolating each sample to be tested in an air-tight glass chamber with polished metal coupons of lead, copper, and silver. Distilled water was included in a glass vial in each chamber to provide high relative humidity and promote chemical interaction.
Eighteen chambers were employed: 1) a control (metal coupons and water only); and 17) chambers, each containing 15 square cm. sample of Benchmark plain weave fabric (with metal coupons and water). All chambers were stored in a window sill with western exposure, to allow daily cycles of temperature and humidity within nominal ranges (60°-70°F, and 50-100% R.H.).
After 8 weeks, the samples were removed from the window, opened, and the coupons examined using a 212 opm ausJena stereo microscope.
RESULTS
Control: No corrosion, oxidation, or alteration was noted on the silver, copper, or lead coupons; no change.
Benchmark plain weave fabrics: No corrosion, oxidation, or alteration was noted on any of the silver, copper, or lead coupons; no change.
CONCLUSIONS
These tests indicate that the Benchmark 1-01 thru 1-17 (71-001 thru 71-017) plain weave fabrics tested are safe for long-term use in close proximity to collections objects.
The following colors are no longer available:
- 71-003
- 71-004
- 71-010
- 71-012
- 71-015
(test 3 of 4) TEST PROCEDURE: Oddy
08/06/03
PROCEDURES
These materials were tested for volatile compounds which may create corrosion in display or storage using a variant of the standard "Oddy Test." The production of volatile compounds was tested by isolating each sample to be tested in an air-tight glass vessel with polished metal coupons of lead, copper, and silver. Distilled water was included in each vial to provide high relative humidity and accelerate any chemical reactions. A control set of coupons was included. All coupons were exposed to temperatures of 40°C for a period of forty-eight days.
After this time period, the coupons were removed and examined using a bench stereo microscope to assess the extent of corrosion.
This procedure was augmented by use of the sodium azide test employing cut fragments of the fabric exposed under glass to the sodium azide test reagent for 3-4 minutes while examining the extent of the reaction with a microscope with a control sample of hair as a standard.
RESULTS
Control: no corrosion, oxidation or alteration was noted on the silver, copper or lead coupons.
Benchmark: 100% polyester black plain weave no corrosion, oxidation or alteration was noted on any of the silver, copper or lead coupons: no change.
Sodium Azide test: no release of nitrogen, from which can be inferred that no reactive sulfer compounds are present in the material.
CONCLUSIONS
This fabric test indicates that the Benchmark sample 100% polyester plain weave, black (71-021), is safe to use in close proximity to art objects.
(test 4 of 4) TEST PROCEDURE: Oddy
PROCEDURES
These materials were tested for volatile compounds which may create corrosion in display or storage using a variant of the standard "Oddy Test." The production of volatile compounds was tested by isolating each sample to be tested in an air-tight glass vessel with polished metal coupons of lead, copper, and silver. Distilled water was included in each vial to provide high relative humidity and accelerate any chemical reactions. A control set of coupons was included. All coupons were exposed to temperatures of 40°C for a period of forty-eight days.
After this time period, the coupons were removed and examined using a bench stereo microscope to assess the extent of corrosion present on each compared with the controls.
This procedure was augmented by use of the sodium azide test employing cut fragments of the fabric exposed under glass to the sodium azide test reagent for 3-4 minutes under the polarizing light microscope while examining the extent of the reaction under a glass cover slip.
RESULTS
Control: no corrosion, oxidation or alteration was noted on the silver, copper or lead coupons.
Sample 2 (71-027), Sample 3 (71-024), Sample 4 (71-025), Sample 5 (71-022), Sample 6 (71-023), Sample 7 (71-026): no corrosion was determined to be present on the silver coupon, no oxidation or alteration was noted on the copper or lead coupons.
Sample 1 (71-028): very slight corrosion was determined to be present on the silver coupon, no oxidation or alteration was noted on the copper or lead coupons.
Samples 1 through 7: Sodium Azide test: no release of nitrogen, from which it can be inferred that reactive sulfur compounds are not present in the material in any appreciable amount.
CONCLUSIONS
The scientific evaluation indicates that these Benchmark fabrics are safe to use in the display and storage of works of art.