aluminium foil barrier

[Rysley]

Is there any thing wrong with usng aluminum foil behind paper artwork to act as a barrier between the art and gatorboard?

[John Richards]

HUH?

[FramerDave]

Yes. This was covered here or on HH or somewhere ages ago. The aluminum foil, like you'd use for wrapping baked potatoes, is not considered of high enough quality (contains impurities)for use in a frame package. Plus I remember reading somewhere that it's full of microscopic holes.

If you absolutely have to have a barrier, instead of switching the board, try Mylar or equivalent.

[Rysley]

thanks. What is HH?

[wpfay]

University Products has a couple of alternatives for this application. One is Aluminized Polyester, and its name-brand equivalent "Marvelseal" is another. They are both used in making sealed frame packages. The clear film alone won't provide a non-permeable barrier as I learned recently in Atlanta. The only non-permeable barriers are glass and metal.

HH is the Online Forum for PPFA members.

[JRB]

I'm no expert, but it seems to me that using foil directly behind paper art would not be a great idea. Foil not only does not absorb moisture, it also condenses moisture. My other thought would be, what is this supposed to be a barrier from? Are you using a wood back or corrugated cardboard back? Metal is usually used as a barrier against acid. Why not just use an acid free rag board backing, four or eight ply, then some acid free foam core behind that?

John, T.P.F.

[ 09-20-2003, 04:34 PM: Message edited by: JRB ]

[ERIC]

HEY! John, did you make, I mean get your TPF certificate already?

[JRB]

Welll, I don't actually have a certificate yet.

I understand the True Professional Framer Association is working feverishly on the design and logo. I have heard that they want this to be one of the most impressive certificates in our industry.

Since this is tested on the honor system, and since I know for sure that I am TPF qualified, I thought, what the heck, and went ahead and bestowed the honor on myself.

I did it at an awards dinner in my honor. I bought a new rice cooker and tried it out last night, that was what was served at the banquet, a bowl of rice. All in attendance, me and my cat, enjoyed the evening immensely.

John, T.P.F.

[Jim Miller]

For framing purposes, there are two gas-impermeable barriers: glass and metal.

As earlier noted, cooking foil is not suitable.

Mylar (polyester film), matboard, foam center board, acrylic sheet and other products are often used as "barriers". While they all will slow the migration of acids to varying degrees, none of those will actually stop migration of gaseous chemical contaminants.

There's a practical limit to almost everything. In most retail framing, a 50-year "barrier" (filter) would be practically as good as an absolute barrier. Chances are the frame package would be violated by something else in that length of time, or the framing would be re-done.

Still, it's helpful to know the working differences, so we can identify those occasions when a real gas-impermeable barrier is called for. For example, when frequent temperature or humidity extremes are involved.