EAM - Preliminary chemical analysis - No lignin found
2002-10-07 by Paul Roark
The following was posted on the 2000P forum by a person in the preservation industry who has become interested in the EAM question. Tim's paragraph 2 seems to address the lignin issue. A more complete test and report will be made in the future. - Paul - ___________________________________________________________
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From: Tim Vitale <tjvitale@i...> Date: Mon Sep 30, 2002 10:05 am Subject: Re: [Epson2000P] Archival Matte fiber information Last week a received a fresh bottle of Graff's "C" Stain, for determining degree of fiber cook and fiber purity. I ran several spot tests and am now setting up for the standard 0.2g pulping method. It has been 20 years since I did wood species ID, so it will take a little time to regain proficiency. I can differentiate the rag fiber types and between hardwood and softwood. I ran 10 direct-from-the-paper fiber sample on Epson Archival Matte, EAM, (half, 1-year-old, with no logo on reverse and several new sample with logo) paper. There was no sign of yellow (lignin containing) fibers. The samples were all hardwood fibers, with approximately 1/3'rd red (high quality bleached wood pulp: called alpha pulp) and 2/3'rds blue (bleached wood pulp). In addition, I observed about 1-2% baggy cells (blue) which help identify the species of hardwood, but I didn't, as above. "Fines" were present, but generally there was a clean fiber furnish indicating a refined pulping process. I also ran three Hahnemuhle Photo Matte 170, HPM 170 (purchased about 6 months ago), samples. I found 1/4 red cotton fiber (not well hydrated) and 3/4's hardwood wood pulp that ranged in color from purple to blue (moderately-highly bleached to normally bleached hardwood pulp). No yellow fibers were present. There were about 1% baggy cells (hardwood) present; species was not identified, as above. As with the EAM, fines were present in a proportion indicating a refined fiber furnish. I also ran two, 2-year-old Concord Rag samples. They had 100% red cotton fibers that where shortened (to approximately hardwood fiber length) by heavy beating from their very long length. High fibrillization (hydrated) from prolonged beating was present. This is typical of a well made, well beaten, all rag paper. More later. Tim Vitale Preservation Associates