B e n c h m a r k

The fabrics that we are selling are indicated in pale green by their product number (e.g. 71-020 ). If there is no product number following a sample, we were not happy enough with that sample's test results to sell it.  

As of April 2007, the following colors are no longer available: 
71-003, 71-004, 71-010, 71-012, 71-015

The following four test results encompass the seventeen colors we are currently offering.

(test 1 of 4)
Oddy Test Results for 7 samples of Plain-Weave Fabric as follows:

TEST PROCEDURE: Oddy

An Oddy test was conducted on seven samples of plain-weave fabric. The test procedure was as follows: Each sample of the fabric 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 affect 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 55°C for 48 days. A control vial was prepared in the same manner, without any sample, and exposed to the same conditions.

INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

Samples 1 (black), 3 (light tone), and 5 (gray) exhibited a dark gray-black corrosion layer on the copper blanks. The corrosion was noticed on Sample 5 first, on day 1, 3 of the test, Sample I 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 (medium tone) 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)
Oddy Test Results for 17 samples of Plain-Weave Fabric as follows: 

1.0 PROCEDURES: 

These (17) materials 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.

2.0 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.

3.0 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.

(test 3 of 4)
Oddy Test Results for 1 sample of Plain-Weave Fabric as follows: 

Project number: 2003-1-1
Project: research & testing
Materials:  100% polyester plain weave, black
Date of report: August 6, 2003

1.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.

2.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.

3.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)
Oddy Test Results for 7 samples of Plain-Weave Fabric as follows: 

Project number: 2007-1-3
Project: research & testing
Materials:  100% polyester plain weave, black
Date of report: February 9th, 2007

1.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.

2. Results
Control: no corrosion, oxidation or alteration was noted on the silver, copper or lead coupons.
Benchmark
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 maerial in any appreciable amount.

Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, N.J.  08556

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