B e n c h m a r k     

Oddy Test Results for samples of White Felt Tape sample as follows:

TEST PROCEDURE:  Oddy
    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 also included. All coupons were exposed to temperatures of 40oC 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.


INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
    Control: no corrosion, oxidation or alteration was noted on the silver, copper or lead coupons.
    Benchmark white felt sample with adhesive backing: no corrosion was determined to be present on the silver coupon, no oxidation or alteration was noted on the copper or lead coupons.
    Sodium Azide test: no release of nitrogen, from which can be inferred that reactive sulfur compounds are not present in the material.
CONCLUSIONS
    The scientific evaluation indicates that the Benchmark white felt fabric with adhesive backing is safe to use in the display and storage of works of art. No indications were found in the tests that the backing adhesive is of poor quality, and this should not provide a source of corrosion itself.


Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, N.J. 08556

Oddy Test Results for samples of Black Felt Tape sample as follows:

TEST PROCEDURE:  Oddy
    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 also included. All coupons were exposed to temperatures of 40oC 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 reagent for 3-4 minutes under the polarizing light microscope while examining the extent of the reaction under a glass cover slip.


INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
    Control: no corrosion, oxidation or alteration was noted on the silver, copper or lead coupons.
    Benchmark black felt sample with adhesive backing: no corrosion was determined to be present on the silver coupon, no oxidation or alteration was noted on the copper or lead coupons.
    Sodium Azide test: no release of nitrogen, from which can be inferred that reactive sulfur compounds are not present in the material.


CONCLUSIONS
    The scientific evaluation indicates that the Benchmark black felt fabric with adhesive backing is safe to use in the display and storage of works of art. No indications were found in the tests that the backing adhesive is of poor quality, and this should not provide a source of corrosion itself.




Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, N.J. 08556

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