Caring for Cultural Material 1

Caring for Cultural Material 2

Damage and Decay

Managing Collections

Managing People

Handling, Transportation, Storage and Display

Glossary

Index

reCollectionsreCollections home spacer Damage and Decay
Image montage with navigation elementsHome pageIndexGlossaryHome pageVolume oneVolume twoVolume threeVolume fourVolume fiveVolume six
Printer Print this volume (PDF)
Print this chapter (PDF)

Damage and Decay
In this volume:
Light and Ultraviolet Radiation
arrow Humidity and Temperature
Biological Pests
Dust and Pollutants
Common Deterioration Processes
Acknowledgments

Humidity and Temperature
In this chapter:
Objectives
Introduction
What is relative humidity?
How does relative humidity change?
Why worry about relative humidity and temperature?
Can the damage be prevented?
Identifying the source of the problem
What can be done to minimise damage?
Modifying the conditions in buildings
A word of caution about travelling exhibitions and loans
In an ideal world …
Australia’s climatic zones
  MORE ABOUT RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE
Measuring relative humidity
Dehumidifiers
arrow Humidifiers and steam generators
The use of silica gel
For further reading
Self-evaluation quiz
Answers to self-evaluation quiz

 

Search reCollections


spacer

Humidity and Temperature

Humidifiers and steam generators

Moisture can be introduced into the air by using either a steam generator or an ultrasonic humidifier.

A steam generator uses heat to create steam. The steam is then cooled to form a water-vapour, which can be introduced into the museum.

An ultrasonic humidifier uses a small crystal—vibrating at very high frequency—to smash liquid-water into tiny droplets. The droplets are small enough to be suspended in air as a cold vapour.

Both devices are remedial measures to adjust a dangerously dry environment.

NB. The water in humidifiers and steam generators needs to be topped up regularly. If this is not done, the steam generator or ultrasonic humidifier could be severely damaged.

 

 

spacer blueline