Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: Billbaxter on 07/02/2011 05:30:02

Title: What is damaging these records?
Post by: Billbaxter on 07/02/2011 05:30:02

Bill Baxter  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
A friend of mine is a big collector of vinyl records.  For years he has been carefully taking records out of their original sleeves, putting them in new paper sleeves and clear vinyl outer sleeves.

He has found that the records have deteriorated over the years.  There appears to be a patina on the records and they hiss when played.  Sometime he puts a cardboard sheet in one side - then the side with a sheet is undamaged.  The vinyl sleeves appear to be causing the problem.

Is it plasticiser in the outer sleeves?  They are actually sold specifically to help preserve the records!!  Can he do anything to restore the records?

thanks
 
Bill Baxter

What do you think?