Shelly

2/2/11

From Megan Emery at the Cincinnati Art Museum:

-----Original Message----- From: Megan Emery [mailto:megan.emery@cincyart.org] Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 10:36 AM To: Uhlir, Shelly; mountmaking-forum@googlegroups.com Cc: Marla Miles Subject: RE: [mountmaking-forum] Re: FOSSHAPE Information & samples

Hi Shelly,

You are correct, we ran several Oddy tests on FOSSHAPE(tm), reviewed the MSDS information and carried out lengthy conversations with the manufacturer.  Overall the material passed our Oddy test, however since Oddy tests can be objective and I always ere on the side of caution I recommend a barrier layer be used for long term display or storage.  FOSSHAPE(tm) is a proprietary 100% polyester polymer blend, with no additives or post treatments.  Each individual fiber is composed of two polyesters each with a different melting point: the outer shell of the fiber has a considerably lower melting point than the core.  The fibers are then mechanically entangled to form the fabric.  When FOSSHAPE(tm) is introduced to a heat source the outer core of the fibers begins to soften/melt causing the fibers to contract and become rigid upon cooling.

Hope this is helpful,

Megan J. Emery Associate Conservator of Objects Professional Associate of AIC Cincinnati Art Museum 953 Eden Park Drive Cincinnati, OH 45202 t: (513) 639-2869 f: (513) 639 2996 megan.emery@cincyart.org

Jamie

I finally got some documentation pictures up of one of my early mannequins. You can check them out at http://www.flickr.com/photos/24204269@N06/sets/72157625951028606/

I also brought some samples of Fosshape and Wonderflex to our conservation department to get it into the queue for Oddy Testing. Since Shelly's already got a sample  of Wonderflex in process, I think I'll tell them not to test unless people feel multiple trials seem of value. If anyone has already done the Fosshape, please let me know as they're trying to squeeze this in to all the other jobs they've got going.

Jamie Hascall Chief Preparator Museums of New Mexico Santa Fe 505-476-5079