Re: [ARSCLIST] Cleaning moldy video tape

[steven c <stevenc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
> > As well, since videotape consists of (AFAIK) a plastic base and a layer
> > of magnetic material (usually metal oxides?), it would seem that any
> > mould on the tape would be "eating" some sort of surface contaminant
> > on the tape, rather than the actual tape. Does this have a "side
> > effect" which can "un-bind" tape and oxide?
> >
> > Steven C. Barr
> >
> Steven:
>
> I'm not certain if this posting was tongue-in-cheek since VHS and Beta
> videotape recording layers are a binder matrix containing ferric oxide
> recording pigments similar to most reel-to-reel audio tapes.  Testing
shows
> that the fungus is indeed eating components in the binder matrix- no
> external contaminant is required (except moisture).  Some of the most
common
> reactions caused by fungus can include serious chemical degradation of the
> binder, inter-wrap adhesion, tape deformation and binder-base adhesion
> failure (especially along the tape edges where exposure is most severe).
I
> imagine this last effect could be called "un-binding" tape and oxide?
>
Well, it wasn't tongue-in-cheek...I had no idea there were plastic (or,
more correctly, "organic-compound") eating fungi! And, yes, when the
oxide starts to fall/peel/otherwise loosen itself from the plastic
tape "body," that is what I meant by "un-binding." Am I reading
your post correctly in thinking that the "binder matrix" (which,
I assume, is the magnetic coating applied to the plastic tape)
is what these fungi "eat?" It's hard to imagine Earth's hydrocarbon-
based life forms being able to survive on that compound...but, OTOH,
if we could breed "plastic"-loving organisms, we'd solve one of
our biggest problems in waste disposal!

Then, again...that conjures of visions of mouldy 45's or LP's...not
to mention mouldy Corvettes...(t-i-c, BTW)

Steven C. Barr
(does this mean my audio tapes, including cassettes, can go "mouldy?"...)