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Thanks for this great information, and the references. It really helps to know what to look for. I have some PVC sheet on hand that I use for labels and other non-contact purposes. Of course at this point, I have no idea what I might have bought, and checking with the distributor seems unreliable at this point, with your caveat that they substitute products. But I'll be sure to get the SDS next time!
In discussions in the MWG we recently covered the use of Sintra and other rigid PVC foam boards. The material has been used and tested many times at the Getty where it has been in for something like 20 years now.
At a meeting on materials held in 2015 at the Lunder Conservation Center housed at the Smithsonian American Art, the topic came up and what became clear is that all PVC board is not created equal. The markets for which the material is really designed are not concerned with off-gassing.
The material has many advantages but selecting the right specific product is key. I would recommend that you consult the AIC Wiki for test results from different institutions and the entry at CAMEO for application hints.
Other than Sintra brand other brands that have tested well are Komacel (not Komatex) and e-pvc (although the latter may have had a name change). No matter what you buy insist on receiving an SDS just to confirm the manufacturer. Sintra is to PVC board as Kleenex is to tissue. Distributors will often substitute products that are indistinguishable figuring they are doing you a favor!
Hi Pam, I find it interesting that your conservators are anti-Sintra. I would expect that, considering it's a PVC product, but once when I was installing a show that the Victoria and Albert museum was involved with, they insisted on Sintra. It's also true that the standards in the UK for picture framing are quite different from those in the US. I've often wondered why chemistry is different there...
Hi Gina, Our conservators will not allow Sintra to be used inside of our case with artifacts especially long term exhibits. We are using Acrylic everywhere.
Hi Gina, I haven’t used Palight, but I have installed into Sintra and Komacel quite a bit. You are right that it isn’t great for pressure fitting - once it compresses, it doesn’t “push back”. It does hold a screw. For small to medium sized deck mounts, I can usually get away with under drilling 2-3 sizes down, but for wall mounts and larger diameter posts, I design the same as for mounts going into acrylic: two stems, screw tabs or other mechanical connection.