[ARSCLIST] acetate tape

[Rick Taylor <rtaylor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello folks,

Currently I'm surveying the condition of a collection of reel tapes that are
almost entirely backed with cellulose acetate.  Usually it's obvious, because
the acetate tapes practically glow when held up to the light.  But occasionally
I'm finding a tape that is just barely translucent - if I move my finger behind
the tape pack, I can see a shadow, but I have to look hard.

Is there another formulation for acetate tape that isn't nearly as translucent?
Because the others are so obvious, I would have marked this kind down as
polyester or PVC, except that one of them seemed to have a slight vinegar
odor.

Thanks,

Rick Taylor
Graduate Student
Preservation and Conservation Studies
School of Information
University of Texas at Austin
rtaylor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx