Ventilated Film Cans—Their Effect on the Diffusion of Decomposition By-products from Motion Picture Film

Metadata

Publisher: SMPTE — White Plains, NY, USA
Doc Type: Journal Article
Content Type: Original Research
Abbreviated Title: SMPTE J
Volume: 111, No. 1, pp. 29–33
Abstract: One of the major issues in film preservation is decomposition of the cellulose ester polymers used as the film base. During decomposition acid by-products are formed that will catalyze and accelerate the decomposition reaction once a certain concentration of acid, the autocatalytic point, is reached. Apart from using controlled low-temperature and relative-humidity storage to slow the reaction, removing acid by-products from the decomposing film is an approach to slowing the rate of decomposition. Encouraging diffusion of the acids away from the film base is an effective control method. Film cans are comparatively well sealed and provide a buffering effect for the internal microclimate. This sealing also reduces the ability of the decomposition acids to diffuse from the film. Punching holes in the sides of film cans to allow ventilation of the diffused gases is often practiced. This paper examines the effect of ventilation designs of film cans as a strategy in the long-term storage of motion picture film assets.
Publication Date: 2002-01-01
DOI: 10.5594/J16413
ISSN: Print: 0036-1682
Link: https://doi.org/10.5594/J16413
Author(s): Mick Newnham
bio
Mick Newnham is a technical researcher with ScreenSound, Australia's Engineering and Research Group, Preservation and Technical Services Branch. His current research projects include examining the effect of cellulose triacetate film base decomposition on the modulation transfer function of the silver image and the efficiency of positively ventilating film cans as a low energy method of improving storage environments. Prior to joining ScreenSound, Newnham worked at the University of New South Wales as a technical officer with the Dept. of Chemistry (Australian Defence Forces Academy). At that time, he obtained tertiary qualifications in technical photography. For the past few years, Newnham has been involved in film preservation training throughout the southeast Asian region and, most recently, was the course director for a UNESCO sponsored workshop held in Hanoi, Vietnam. Currently, chair of the SouthEast Asia Pacific Audio Visual Archive Assoc. (SEAPAVAA) Technical Committee, he is also a lecturer with the joint ScreenSound Australia/Charles Sturt University web-based training course in Audio Visual Archiving.
Copyright: © 2002 Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, Inc.

Bibliographic Reference(s)

Stability of Cellulose Ester Base Photographic Film: Part III — Measurement of Film Degradation [Active]
1. Bigourdan Jean-Louis Reilly James , “Environment and Enclosures in Film Preservation,” Final Report to the Office of Preservation, National Endowment for the Humanities , pp. 71 – 79 . EXTERNAL
2. Reilly James , “IPI Storage Guide for Acetate Film,” Image Permanence Institute , p. 13 . EXTERNAL
3. Chi Seapaava-Unesco Ngo Hieu , “Dry Treatment at the VFI,” Advanced Training Seminar on the Treatment of Vinegar Syndrome and Mould Affected Films, Report, Annexe S. . EXTERNAL
4. Morris Mike , “Passive Sorbents for Organic Acid Removal,” Proc. of 1998 IAP Meeting. . EXTERNAL
5. Ligternik Frank , “Application of the Hoetjer Equation in Climate Control Studies,” Proc. of 1999 IAP Meeting. . EXTERNAL
7. Jacobsen Morten , http://www.dancan.dk/preprint.html ; extract from Dianna M. Williamson “The Degradation of Cellulose Acetate Base Motion Picture Film,” doctoral thesis submitted Feb. 1994, Manchester Metropolitan Univ . EXTERNAL

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Mick Newnham; Ventilated Film Cans—Their Effect on the Diffusion of Decomposition By-products from Motion Picture Film, SMPTE Journal ( Volume: 111, Issue: 1, January 2002); SMPTE, 2002. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/J16413

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Mick Newnham; Ventilated Film Cans—Their Effect on the Diffusion of Decomposition By-products from Motion Picture Film, SMPTE Journal ( Volume: 111, Issue: 1, January 2002); SMPTE, 2002. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/J16413

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<span class="citation">Mick Newnham; <cite>Ventilated Film Cans—Their Effect on the Diffusion of Decomposition By-products from Motion Picture Film</cite>, SMPTE Journal ( Volume: 111, Issue: 1, January 2002); SMPTE, 2002. Available at <a href="https://doi.org/10.5594/J16413" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.5594/J16413</a></span>

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Mick Newnham; <cite id="bib-10-5594-j16413">Ventilated Film Cans—Their Effect on the Diffusion of Decomposition By-products from Motion Picture Film</cite>, SMPTE Journal ( Volume: 111, Issue: 1, January 2002); SMPTE, 2002
<span class="doi">10.5594/J16413</span>
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