Extended-Term
Storage of Color Safety Film
Preprint material consisting of multiple layers
containing dye images should be kept as cold as
possible at very low RH. The following table from
the Kodak publication, The Book on Film Care, indicates
influence of temperature and humidity on dye fading.
As indicated by the
table, storage at 15% RH cuts the fading rate
in half, however, it also increases the chance
of brittleness and emulsion cracking. Therefore,
a compromise condition of 20% to 30% is recommended.
The temperature table indicates that storage at
-26° C (-15° F) cuts the fading rate to
1/1000, however, the cost of maintaining such
a refrigerated storage condition may be prohibitive.
A different approach would be to condition the
film to 25% RH and to hermetically seal it in
a container that would protect it from the ambient
RH of the storage area. Film conditioned in this
manner can be stored in cold areas having relatively
high RH, such as mines and caverns. This type
of seal will also protect the film from dust and
chemical fumes in concentrations usually found
in underground storage areas. While this type
of storage will maintain the films RH and protect
it from dust and chemical fumes, it will accelerate
the reaction if Vinegar Syndrome occurs. topˆ
| 40%
Relative Humidity |
| Storage
Temperature |
Relative
Fading |
Relative
Storage Time |
30ºC (86ºF) |
2 |
1/2 |
24ºC (75ºF) |
1 |
1 |
19ºC (66ºF) |
1/2 |
2 |
16ºC (60ºF) |
1/4 |
3-1/2 |
12ºC (54ºF) |
1/5 |
5 |
7ºC (45ºF) |
1/10 |
10 |
-10ºC (14ºF) |
1/100 |
100 |
-26ºC (-15ºF) |
1/1000 |
1000 |
| |
| Relative
Humidty |
Fading
Rate |
Storage
Time |
60% |
2 |
1/2 |
40% |
1 |
1 |
15% |
1/2 |
- |
Extended-Term
Storage of B & W Safety Film
Black and white films on acetate and polyester
base should be stored at 70° F and 20% to
50% RH. If protected from high RH as described
above, these materials can be stored in areas
having a considerably lower ambient temperature.
topˆ
Active
Working Storage
For an active working storage area, a controlled
temperature of 75° F, 40% RH is satisfactory
for both color and B & W films. Film can be
in untaped cans stored flat on racks. This material
will not require additional conditioning before
printing if it is in equilibrium with the storage
area. topˆ
|
