Maya Ellison
The term acid-free is often used in the photo industry to describe products that are safe for long-term storage. While it is commonly associated with paper products, some companies also market their plastic products as acid-free. However, it is important to note that the term acid-free is not technically applicable to plastics. This is because plastics do not dissolve in water, making it impossible to measure their pH level and determine acidity. The use of the term acid-free on plastic products is primarily a marketing strategy aimed at consumers who believe that all their storage materials need to be labelled as such. To identify if a plastic product is suitable for archival purposes, terms such as inert and stable are more appropriate, as they indicate that the plastic is chemically stable and will not interact with or damage the items being stored.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Term Origin | In the 1930s, it was discovered that acidic papers deteriorate rapidly and are not suitable for archival purposes. |
| Term Usage | "Acid-free" is not used in relation to plastics. |
| Misconception | Consumers believe that all their supplies need to be labelled as acid-free. |
| Marketing | Companies label their plastic products as acid-free to appeal to misinformed buyers. |
| Alternative Terms | "Inert" and "stable" are used to describe plastics that can be safely used in preservation. |
| Alternative Plastics | Polyester (Mylar), Polypropylene, and Polyethylene are inert plastics suitable for preservation. |
| Acidic Damage | Acids can cause deterioration, stains, and discolouration of photographs. |
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What You'll Learn
'Acid-free' is a term used for paper, not plastic
The term "acid-free" is used to describe paper, not plastic. Paper is made from wood pulp and various additives, some of which can be acidic. In the 1930s, it was discovered that acidic papers deteriorate rapidly and are unsuitable for archival purposes. As a result, paper production changed to use different additives to prevent the chemical reactions causing the paper to break down quickly. This is what the term "acid-free" refers to—paper produced in a way that prevents or reduces the likelihood of acidic byproducts forming.
Acid-free paper is treated with a mild base, usually calcium or magnesium bicarbonate, to neutralize the natural acids in wood pulp. It may also be buffered to prevent the formation of additional acids. The bicarbonate is added in excess to provide an alkaline reserve to protect the paper from further acid attack. For paper to last at least 100 years, it must have an alkaline reserve of 2% or more. Alkaline paper has a life expectancy of over 1,000 years for the best paper and 500 years for average grades.
The term "acid-free" became popular in the 1990s due to the discovery of old sports card collections in attics. However, the term is not applicable to plastics because plastics do not dissolve in water, and therefore, their pH cannot be measured. The terms "inert" and "stable" are used to describe plastics suitable for preservation.
Despite this, many companies market their plastic products as "acid-free" due to consumer demand. This has led to a widespread belief that all materials used for storage, including plastic, need to be labelled as acid-free. Consumers seeking safe plastics for their collections should look for plastics described as "inert" or "stable" rather than focusing on the "acid-free" label.
While the term "acid-free" is not applicable to plastics, it is crucial for paper intended for archival purposes. Acid-free paper ensures the preservation of artwork, photographs, and documents. It is available in various colours, thicknesses, and sheet sizes to meet different archival needs.
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Plastic cannot be acidic
The term "acid-free" is not used in relation to plastics. The terms inert and stable are used to describe plastics that can be safely used in preservation. The pH scale is a way of measuring how acidic or basic an aqueous solution is. Since plastics do not dissolve in water, their pH cannot be measured, and therefore they cannot be acidic.
The term "acid-free" came into popularity in the 1990s by the sports card hobbyists who were discovering old collections in attics. Paper is made of wood pulp combined with various additives, some of which can be acidic. In the 1930s, it was discovered that acidic papers deteriorate rapidly and are not suitable for archival purposes. Paper production then changed to use different additives to prevent the chemical reactions causing the paper to break down quickly. This is what the term "acid-free" refers to—paper that has been produced to prevent or reduce the likelihood of acidic byproducts forming.
There are, however, plastics that are acid-resistant. Polypropylene (PP), for example, is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer that is widely used in the manufacture of containers, bottles, and various storage items. It is not only affordable and versatile but also lightweight and very durable. Thanks to its chemical inertia, it offers advantageous acid compatibility. Aside from a few high-concentration acids, PP can easily withstand prolonged exposure to a wide variety of acidic chemicals.
Other plastics that are acid-resistant include PVDF, PEEK, PTFE, and ECFTE. These plastics are excellent choices for applications that require corrosion-resistant materials. It is important to refer to their respective charts and data sheets to make the right choice for a particular application.
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'Acid-free' plastic is a marketing tactic
The term "acid-free" is not used in relation to plastics. It is impossible to measure the pH level of plastics as they do not dissolve in water. Therefore, plastics cannot be acidic. The terms "inert" and "stable" are used to describe plastics that can be safely used for preservation. However, the term "acid-free" is often used as a marketing tactic by companies to cater to misinformed consumers who believe that all their supplies need to be labelled as acid-free.
The term "acid-free" originated in the 1930s when it was discovered that acidic papers deteriorated rapidly and were unsuitable for archival purposes. Paper production then changed to use different additives to prevent the chemical reactions causing the paper to break down quickly. This term became popular in the 1990s when many old collections of sports cards were being discovered in attics.
The plastics used for products like photocard sleeves and bags for albums are often labelled as "acid-free" to appeal to consumers who believe that their collectibles need to be stored in acid-free materials. However, this is not a requirement as plastics do not need to be acid-free.
Instead of relying on the phrase "acid-free", consumers can look at the material an item is made of and confirm that it is one of the archive-safe plastics. Polyester (Mylar), Polypropylene, and Polyethylene are examples of inert plastics that are suitable for preservation.
In conclusion, while the term "acid-free" may have originated from legitimate concerns about the preservation of paper products, its application to plastics is misleading and is often used as a marketing tactic to appeal to consumers who are misinformed about the requirements for safe storage of their collectibles.
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'Stable' and 'inert' plastics are safe for preservation
The term "acid-free" is not used in relation to plastics. Plastics do not dissolve in water, and therefore their pH level cannot be measured, meaning they cannot be acidic. Instead, the terms "inert" and "stable" are used to describe plastics that can be safely used for preservation. These plastics are chemically inert, with high tensile strength, and chemical and dimensional stability. They are ideal for preservation as they do not interact with other plastics or the items being preserved.
The term "acid-free" originated in the 1930s when it was discovered that acidic papers deteriorated rapidly and were unsuitable for archival purposes. Paper production changed to use different additives to prevent the chemical reactions causing the paper to break down. This term was later applied to plastics, with companies marketing their products as "acid-free" to meet consumer demands.
It is important to understand the properties of different plastics to ensure safe preservation. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), for example, is a thermoplastic commonly used for photo storage pages. However, it can contain plasticizers that make the compound unstable and cause the breakdown of the material over time. The plasticizers release chemical gases and cause the pages to become oily, soft, and yellow.
To ensure the safe preservation of items, it is recommended to use inert and stable plastics such as polyester (Mylar), polypropylene, and polyethylene. These plastics are chemically stable and will not interact with or damage the items being stored. Polypropylene, for instance, is used for card storage as it is clear, chemically inert, and has high tensile strength, ensuring the cards remain protected and visible.
By choosing stable and inert plastics, one can safely preserve photographs, documents, and other valuable items. These plastics do not interact with the items, ensuring their integrity over time. Additionally, the use of inert and stable plastics prevents the release of chemical gases that could be harmful to the preserved items or the environment.
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Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is not safe for preservation
The term "'acid-free' is not used in relation to plastics. The terms "inert" and "stable" are used to describe plastics that can be safely used for preservation. The term "acid-free" came into popularity in the 1990s by the sports card hobby community. This was in reference to paper that has been produced in a way that prevents or reduces the likelihood of acidic byproducts forming.
Polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC, is a type of hard plastic made from vinyl chloride. PVC is not safe for preservation. Firstly, an item made from 100% PVC is not harmful to humans, but it is very hard and brittle, so it is not a useful material. However, to make PVC more flexible, plasticizers are added to the compound that should be considered dangerous and damaging to archival materials. These plasticizers will not only release chemical gases into the air but will also cause the breakdown of the material over a short period. Photo pages will seem "oily" to the touch and will begin to soften and yellow.
Secondly, a key ingredient in PVC is carcinogenic, and its additives include known endocrine disruptors. In the 1970s, researchers began to document liver cancers in PVC plant workers and traced their exposure to vinyl chloride monomer, now classified as a carcinogen. Some of the additives used to make PVC flexible can interfere with hormones. It can also spew noxious compounds, especially when burned.
Thirdly, the large number of additives used in the production of PVC, its susceptibility to weathering processes, and the use of various advanced treatments required for its isolation from environmental samples lead to changes in the surface of PVC microplastics. This may result in large underestimations of its amounts in environmental studies. Their durability and low weight mean that plastic microparticles are easily transported along with air and water currents.
Lastly, the degradation of PVC is mainly caused by the thermal dehydro-chlorination reaction, leading to the formation of conjugated double bonds or chlorine substitution (hydrolytic degradation). Analyses conducted on the leaching of dibutyl phthalate (DnBP) from PVC microplastics in aqueous solutions showed the relationship between the amount of released plasticizer and the size of polyvinyl chloride particles, concentration of added phthalate, and the ageing of the plastic.
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Frequently asked questions
The term "acid-free" is not used in relation to plastics. The terms "'inert' and 'stable' are used to describe plastics that can be safely used for preservation. The term "acid-free" came into popularity in the 1990s by the sports card hobby community.
Consumers began to believe that all their supplies needed to be labelled as acid-free, including plastic products. Companies labelled their products as acid-free to avoid losing misinformed buyers.
The manufacturer often states the type of plastic used on the packaging. The simplest way is to look at the "recycling symbol" on the packaging, which indicates the material.
