Re: Buffered matboard

Herold Faulkner (faulkner@redshift.com)
Fri, 06 Feb 1998 19:58:44 -0800

I would recommend Conservation Resources as a source for archival supplies
of all kinds. Their catalog is a mini-course in the chemistry of paper and
decay. They also have several unique materials including buffered and
un-buffered lignin-free boards and papers and offer a unique new product
which uses a "molecular trap" to bind polutants thereby taking an active
role in providing an archival environment for your prints, negatives. They
can be reached at
1-(800) 634-6932.
Their prices seem competative with the other major suppliers but they aren't
a discount house. Also if you live on the West Coast, like I do, shipping
may become a consideration: paper and board are heavy.

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Schanberger <fschanberger@ucsd.edu>
To: alt-photo-process-l@skyway.usask.ca
<alt-photo-process-l@skyway.usask.ca>
Date: Friday, February 06, 1998 9:15 AM
Subject: Re: Buffered matboard

>I found that the term "acid free" usually meant that a buffer like Sodium
>Bicarbonate was being used on the material not just that it was free of
>lignum(?) or wood pulp products. Because of this I have steered clear of
>anything advertised as acid free or buffered and have actually used
>"non-archival" boards such as the ultra black letraset for some color work.
>When one looks at the pHs listed for some buffered boards from Light
>Impressions (8-10) it looks like the acid-free will be more harmful than
>helpful. I would even go as far to use non-buffered board for everything
>except silver gelatin.
>
>Francis
>
>
>>The bottom line is do not use buffered matboard with cyanotype. Also watch
out
>>for buffered paper boxes and paper that might come in contact with
cyanotype
>>prints. Buffered materials are used so that the base incorporated will
help
>>neutralize the acid which forms from lingum in the paper and/or acids that
>>come from sulfer dioxide in the atmosphere. The base will bleach the
cyanotype
>>prints. It may take a while, but eventually it will, especially if the
>>humidity
>>is over 40-50 %. I have been told that Rives BFK is buffered so every time
I
>>buy a new batch, I check its pH. Why bother with buffered matboard. Why
not
>>use a good grade of acid free matboard for everything?
>>
>>Bob Schramm
>
>
>