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How To Use The Database - Web - Final

The British Museum publishes a Database of Materials Test Results containing the results of Oddy tests and pH tests carried out on materials over the previous 5 years. Oddy tests evaluate a material's potential to corrode metals like silver, copper, and lead. pH tests determine if a material's pH is suitable for contact with organic objects. The database is sorted by material category and searchable. It provides an overall rating of Pass, Temporary, or Fail based on test results. However, the Museum does not endorse any products and users should do their own testing to evaluate material suitability for their specific needs and circumstances.

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60 views3 pages

How To Use The Database - Web - Final

The British Museum publishes a Database of Materials Test Results containing the results of Oddy tests and pH tests carried out on materials over the previous 5 years. Oddy tests evaluate a material's potential to corrode metals like silver, copper, and lead. pH tests determine if a material's pH is suitable for contact with organic objects. The database is sorted by material category and searchable. It provides an overall rating of Pass, Temporary, or Fail based on test results. However, the Museum does not endorse any products and users should do their own testing to evaluate material suitability for their specific needs and circumstances.

Uploaded by

Bubbles
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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 Database of Materials Test Results

The British Museum’s published Database of Materials Test Results contains


the results of the Oddy tests and pH tests carried out on materials in the British
Museum in the previous 5 years.

Some materials release volatile components (solvents, organic acids etc.)


which, in an enclosed space, may reach levels of concentration capable of
damaging objects e.g. corroding metals or harming organic matter. Materials
testing is carried out to help determine if materials are safe to use with objects
inside showcases, packing crates or stores.

The Database of Materials Test Results is in an MS Excel spreadsheet format,


already sorted by material ‘category’, but it can be searched by name,
manufacturer, colour, etc. It should be noted that the spreadsheet only allows
one designation of ‘category’ per material entered. Therefore, where certain
materials could fall into more than one possible category (e.g. ‘adhesive’ and
‘sealant’), users seeking test results for a particular material are advised to
search against the various categories that might apply to the material in which
they are interested.

What is an Oddy test?

An Oddy test is an accelerated corrosion test which can help to predict whether
particular materials are safe to use with objects inside enclosed spaces such as
showcases or stores. The accelerated corrosion test evaluates the potential for
a material to cause corrosion of the metals silver (Ag), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb)
and alloys containing these metals. These three metals are used in the test
because they react to a variety of gaseous pollutants; however, the test results
are applied to all material types.

Oddy tests are performed using the ‘3-in-1’ version of the test as described in
the publication Selection of materials for the Storage or Display of Museum
Objects available at:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/publications/research_publications_se
ries/research_publications_online/selection_of_materials.aspx

For dry or bulk samples such as paper, fabric, boards etc., a 2 g sample is used
wherever possible. Unless otherwise specified, paints are spread onto a piece
of Melinex (polyester film) and allowed to air dry for four weeks, with a 12 cm x
6 cm sample size used for each test. The preparation of other sample types
such as adhesives is currently under review.
What is a pH test?

pH tests are carried out for fabrics and papers. A pH test is carried out to help
predict whether the material tested can safely be placed in direct contact with
an organic object. The pH should be between 5.5 and 9 if the tested material is
to be in direct contact with organic materials. When the pH test is performed, it
is also possible to assess whether the tested material is colourfast. If the
material is not colourfast, it is advised that it is not used.

Interpreting results in the Database of Materials Test Results

Oddy test results: Test results are recorded for each individual metal used in
the test. However, an overall rating is assigned to indicate a material’s
general suitability.

pH test results: A material with a fugitive (non-colourfast) dye or a pH value


outside 5.5-9 will be classified as an unsuitable material.

The overall rating for the material is shown in the first column and is
determined by the worst test result obtained.

P Pass- Suitable for permanent use


T Temporary- Suitable for temporary use (less than six months)
F Fail- Unsuitable, do not use

Important Notice and Disclaimer

The data published in the Database of Materials Test Results (‘the database’) is
regularly updated and revised. It contains the results of research work carried
out by the British Museum within five years of the most recent update.

The British Museum does not use or rely on any version of the database, or any
data contained within it, which is more than five years old. In making any
predicative assessment of the suitability of materials based on the Oddy test or
the pH test, the most up to date version of the database published on the British
Museum website is the only current and authoritative statement of British
Museum opinion at any given time.

The British Museum undertakes Oddy tests and pH tests for its own internal
purposes only and reserves the right, at its absolute discretion, to cease from
carrying out and publishing the results of Oddy tests and pH tests at any time.
The test results contained in the database reflect the preparation and testing
methods used by the British Museum having regard to its own particular needs
and circumstances. The data in the database is published for illustrative and
informative purposes only. The British Museum neither endorses nor
disapproves any company or product mentioned in the database. Nor does it
offer any warranty about the effectiveness or safety of any of the products
tested. Nothing contained in the database is published on the basis that it
has any express or implicit general application to circumstances or
situations other than those of the British Museum itself; and the British
Museum makes no representation or warranty that the test results have
any wider application whatsoever. It is a serious misrepresentation of the
British Museum’s position for any person to state or imply anything to the
contrary.

It is the responsibility of any person inspecting the data published in the


database to make their own assessment of its reliability, applicability and
usefulness to their own particular circumstances and research. The British
Museum recommends that anyone inspecting the database arranges or
carries out their own tests and makes or obtains their own independent
professional assessment on the suitability of materials for their particular
purposes. The British Museum accepts no liability for the failure of any
person inspecting the database to carry out their own tests or make their
own independent assessment of any materials.

The British Museum does not undertake Oddy or pH testing as a commercial


service and will not accept any unsolicited materials for testing.

The attention of users of the Database of Materials Test Results is also directed
to the Terms of use of the British Museum website, to which access to the
database is subject:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/about_this_site/terms_of_use.aspx

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