Topic: Glass sickness

[taylog1]

FYI

Periodically on this board we discuss glass sometimes feeling oily and smelling of acetic acid. Just came across this research which is looking at what causes it and potentially how to manage it - it’s still work in progress but one to watch is suggest.

https://www.nicas-research.nl/projects/glass-sickness/

[chopin-liszt]

  Good to know - but I am wondering if they ought to be getting in some experts on surface chemistry too.
It's a relatively new field of investigation - what actually happens at a molecular level of the surface of something and how that interacts with its surroundings.

It's kind of looking at "why we don't fall out of our skins". 

[flying free]

Very interesting subject.

I was in a Northern museum a couple of years ago and one of their 18th century goblets was weeping all over the baize in the cabinet.  I drew it to the attention of a couple of people working there. Cue much amazement and bewilderment (not from the curator who wasn't there).

I worry about a couple of old pieces of mine.  I hope they don't decide to disintegrate on my watch.

[taylog1]

I've a couple of pieces that weep, a bit of Nyman and some Czech glass; a very dry environment will stop glass weeping. Cat litter crystals are the easiest, and reusable after drying in the oven, but you'll need a closed cabinet (also works for my pyrite fossils, but off topic).