The Soaking Resistance of Electronic Storage Media
-
Joe Iraci
Joe Iraci is a Senior Conservation Scientist in the Conservation Science Division at the Canadian Conservation Institute. He has been performing research studies on electronic media for the past 20 years. His research work includes examining the stability and degradation of analog and digital electronic storage media. Mr. Iraci has delivered many workshops across Canada, teaching participants from archives, libraries, and museums about the preservation of electronic media.
Abstract
In a disaster event involving water, the length of time that collection materials remain wet is a critical factor in determining whether a successful recovery is possible. There is a substantial knowledge base for the water immersion resistance of traditional information carriers such as paper documents but not for electronic storage media. In this study, floppy diskettes, VHS videotapes, optical discs, and flash media, were immersed in different water baths for various time intervals. The baths consisted of two different sources of tap water, a more corrosive tap water solution, and artificial seawater. Most electronic media survived well in clean tap water but problems occurred with some CDs and VHS tapes. More damage became evident with electronic storage media when the immersion bath was more corrosive. For some media, such as optical discs, whether damage occurred was likely linked to the manufacturing quality of the media. Drying methods were also explored. Air-drying was determined to be the best method for recovering wet electronic storage media. Freeze-thaw-air drying and vacuum freeze-drying methods can destroy CDs and DVDs and should be avoided. If wet materials cannot be recovered and dried promptly, it was established that storage in cool water reduces deterioration significantly.
Zusammenfassung
Die Beständigkeit von elektronischen Speichermedien gegenüber Wasser
Bei Katastrophen in Zusammenhang mit Wasser ist die Zeit, die das Sammlungsgut dem Wasser ausgesetzt ist, ein kritischer Faktor, der bestimmt, ob eine Wiederherstellung der Medien möglich ist. Über die Beständigkeit von traditionellen Informationsträgern wie etwa Papierdokumenten gegenüber Wasser existiert bereits eine breite Wissensgrundlage, nicht aber für elektronische Speichermedien. In dieser Studie wurden Floppy Disketten, VHS Videokassetten, Optical Discs und Flash-Medien unterschiedlich lange verschiedenen Arten von Wasser ausgesetzt. Die Bäder bestanden aus zwei verschiedenen Qualitäten von Leitungswasser, einer korrosiveren Leitungswasser-Lösung und künstlichem Meereswasser. Die meisten elektronischen Speichermedien waren Leitungswasser gegenüber resistent; Probleme tauchten bei CDs und VHS Kassetten auf. Bäder in korrosiveren Lösungen verursachten größere Schäden an den Speichermedien. In manchen Fällen stand das Ausmaß des Schadens auch mit der Herstellungsqualität des Mediums in Verbindung. Auch unterschiedliche Trocknungsmethoden wurden in dieser Studie getestet. Lufttrocknung erwies sich als die beste Methode, um nasse elektronische Speichermedien wieder herzustellen. Frost-Tau Lufttrocknung und Vakuum Gefriertrocknung können CDs und DVDs zerstören und sollten vermieden werden. Es hat sich herausgestellt, dass nasse Materialien, die nicht sofort getrocknet werden können, am besten in kaltem Wasser gelagert werden, da bei dieser Methode Abbauprozesse signifikant verlangsamt werden können.
Résumé
La Résistance à l’immersion des supports de stockage électroniques
En cas de catastrophe impliquant de l‘eau, la durée pendant laquelle les matériaux de collections restent mouillés est un facteur critique du succès de leur sauvetage. Il existe déjà un important corpus de connaissances à propos de la résistance à l‘immersion dans l‘eau des supports d‘information traditionnels tels que les documents papier, mais pas pour les supports de stockage électroniques. Dans cette étude, des disquettes, bandes vidéo VHS, disques optiques et médias flash ont été immergés dans différents bains pendant différents intervalles de temps. Les bains se composaient de deux sources différentes d‘eau du robinet, d’une solution d‘eau du robinet plus corrosive et d‘eau de mer artificielle. La plupart des supports électroniques ont bien survécu dans le bain composé d‘eau du robinet, mais des problèmes ont survenus avec des CD et des cassettes VHS. Plus de dégâts ont également eu lieu avec les supports de stockage électroniques lorsque la solution d‘immersion était plus corrosive. Pour certains supports tels que les disques optiques, la survenue du dommage est probablement liée à la qualité des supports de fabrication. Des méthodes de séchage ont également été étudiées. Le séchage à l‘air a été déterminé comme étant la meilleure méthode pour sauver les supports de stockage électroniques humides. Les méthodes de séchage par congélation-décongélation et lyophilisation peuvent détruire les CD et les DVD et doivent être évitées. Si des matériaux mouillés ne peuvent pas être récupérés et séchés rapidement, il a été montré que le stockage dans l‘eau froide réduit de façon significative les détériorations.
About the author
Joe Iraci is a Senior Conservation Scientist in the Conservation Science Division at the Canadian Conservation Institute. He has been performing research studies on electronic media for the past 20 years. His research work includes examining the stability and degradation of analog and digital electronic storage media. Mr. Iraci has delivered many workshops across Canada, teaching participants from archives, libraries, and museums about the preservation of electronic media.
Appendix 1. Analysis of white deposits on VHS
The white deposit found on several VHS was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, x-ray microanalysis, and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The deposit was found to consist primarily of magnesium and calcium salts of fatty acids with myristic acid being the predominant one at about 90 % (Moffatt and Sansoucy 2001). Butyl myristate is used as a lubricant for the binder and support (Baker 1995). It appears this lubricant has reacted with the magnesium and calcium ions in the tap water and precipitated out of the tape on drying.
References
Aerosonic. Personal communication. Welshpool, 2001.Search in Google Scholar
AMP Incorporated Technical Report, Golden Rules: Guidelines for the Use of Gold on Connector Contacts, 2004. http://www.te.com/documentation/whitepapers/pdf/aurulrep.pdf (accessed 17.2.2016).Search in Google Scholar
Atkins, W., Belcher, E.: Coordinating a bomb blast recovery. Conservation Administration News. No. 55, 1993.Search in Google Scholar
Azoulay, A., Garzon, P., Eisenberg, M.: Comparison of the mineral content of tap waters and bottled waters. Journal of General Internal Medicine 16(3) (2001): 168–175. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1495189/(accessed 17. 2. 2016).10.1111/j.1525-1497.2001.04189.xSearch in Google Scholar
Baker, M. T.: Lifetime predictions for polyurethane-based recording media binders: Determination of the shelf-life of videotape collections. In: Resins Ancient and Modern, Pre-Prints of the SCCR’s Second Resins Conference, Aberdeen, 13–14 September 1995, M. M. Wright and J. H. Townsend (eds.), Edinburgh: Scottish Society for Conservation and Restoration, 1995: 106–110.Search in Google Scholar
Ballou, G.: Handbook for Sound Engineers, 5th ed. Burlington, MA, USA.: Audio Engineering Society, Focal Press, 2015: 1171.10.4324/9780203758281Search in Google Scholar
BhelPuri, Help: CDs Damaged by Water, 2010. http://www.maintitles.net/forum/discussion/2049/help-cds-damaged-by-water/ (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Buchanan, S.: Drying Wet Books and Records. Northeast Document Conservation Center – Technical Leaflet Emergency Management, Andover, 1994. http://hosted.lib.uiowa.edu/flood/dryingb_r.html (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
CDC, Tsunamis: Water Quality, 2014. http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/tsunamis/waterquality.asp (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Corrosion Doctors 1, Corrosion in Marine Environments. http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Seawater/Introduction.htm (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Corrosion Doctors 2, Module Eight of CCE 281 Corrosion: Impact, Principles, and Practical Solutions. Types of Water. http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Corrosion-by-Water/Types-of-water.htm (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Corrosion Doctors 3, Module Two of CCE 281 Corrosion: Impact, Principles, and Practical Solutions. Corrosion Chemistry. http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Chemistry-of-Corrosion/Introduction.htm (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Corrosion Doctors 4, Module Eight of CCE 281 Corrosion: Impact, Principles, and Practical Solutions. Water Constituents. http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Corrosion-by-Water/Constituents.htm (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
CybergothiChe, How to Recover Compact Discs and Other Related Media After a Major Flood, 2010. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-recover-Compact-Discs-and-other-related-med/ (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Democracy Now, Toxic Soup: The Deadly Floodwaters of New Orleans, 2005. http://www.democracynow.org/2005/9/8/toxic_soup_the_deadly_floodwaters_of (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Deppe, E.: Opti Drive Control Manual. Version 1.70, 2012. http://www.cdspeed2000.com/files/OptiDriveControl.pdf (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
ECMA – European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA) (ed.): 120 mm DVD – Read-Only Disk, Third Edition, ECMA-267. Geneva: ECMA, 2001. http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/files/ECMA-ST/Ecma-267.pdf (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Guild, S., Macdonald, M.: Mould prevention and collection recovery: guidelines for heritage collections. Technical Bulletin No. 26, Canadian Conservation Institute, Ottawa, 2004. https://www.cci-icc.gc.ca/resources-ressources/publications/Downloads/TechnicalBulletins/Eng/TB26-MouldPrevention.pdf. (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Hembruff, D.: Video Duplication, 1993. http://www.execulink.com/~impact/duping.htm (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Hendriks, K. B.: The stability and preservation of recorded images. In: Imaging Processes and Materials, Neblette’s Eighth Edition, J. Sturge, V. Walworth, A. Shepp (eds.), New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1989: 637–684.Search in Google Scholar
Hendriks, K. B., Lesser, B.: Disaster preparedness and recovery: Photographic materials. American Archivist 46(1) (1983): 52–68. http://americanarchivist.org/doi/pdf/10.17723/aarc.46.1.7k532t5p75w013jm (accessed 17. 2. 2016).10.17723/aarc.46.1.7k532t5p75w013jmSearch in Google Scholar
Hendriks, K. B., Thurgood, B., Iraci, J., Lesser, B., Hill, G.: Fundamentals of Photograph Conservation: A Study Guide. Toronto: Lugus Publications, 1991.Search in Google Scholar
IEC – International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) (ed.): Audio Recording – Compact Disc Digital Audio System, IEC 60908:1999. Geneva: IEC, 1999.Search in Google Scholar
ISO – International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (ed.): Imaging Materials—Optical Disc Media—Storage Practices, ISO 18925:2013. Geneva: ISO, 2013.Search in Google Scholar
Johnson, C.: Inside the USB: A Dissection in a Flash! 2009. http://blog.premiumusb.com/2009/12/inside-the-usb-a-dissection-in-a-flash/ (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Johnson, C.: Difference Between COB and UDF USB Flash Drives, 2010. http://blog.premiumusb.com/2010/11/difference-between-cob-and-udf-usb-flash-drives/ (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Kraft, N.: Salvaging Sound Recordings on Discs, 2009. http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/preservation/files/RecordRecoveryALAprogram.ppt (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Krogh, P.: The DAM Book – Digital Asset Management for Photographers. Sebastopol: O’Reilly Media, 2009.Search in Google Scholar
Krogh, P.: Digital Photography Best Practices and Workflow – Backup Overview, 2012. http://dpbestflow.org/node/262 (accessed 17. 2. 2016).10.4324/9780080928227-6Search in Google Scholar
May, T. P., Alexander, A. L.: Spray testing with natural and synthetic sea water. Part I – corrosion characteristics in the testing metals. Amer. Soc. for Testing and Materials Proceedings 50 (1950): 1131–1143.Search in Google Scholar
Moffatt, E., Sansoucy, G.: Analysis of a white powder on a VHS tape. Unpublished report (ARL 3952), Ottawa: Canadian Conservation Institute, January 26, 2001.Search in Google Scholar
National Physical Laboratory, A Short Introduction to Corrosion and Its Control. Corrosion of Metals and Its Prevention, 2003. http://www.npl.co.uk/upload/pdf/basics_of_corrosion_control.pdf (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Nova Scotia Environment, The Drop on Water – pH and Alkalinity, 2008. http://www.novascotia.ca/nse/water/docs/droponwaterfaq_ph.pdf (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
O’Byrne, J.: Digital indestructible – don’t throw away those flood-damaged DVDs and CDs. The Times-Picayune Wednesday September 28, 2005. http://www.nola.com/katrina/pages/092805/0928PAGEC04.pdf (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Pereira, V.: A Warning to Blu-Ray Owners Re: Water Damage, 2012. http://www.avsforum.com/forum/150-blu-ray-software/1439113-warning-blu-ray-owners-re-water-damage.html (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Pereira, V.: Advice on Cleaning a Blu-Ray Disc, 2013. http://www.hometheaterforum.com/topic/322131-advice-on-cleaning-a-blu-ray-disc/ (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Rudoff, P.: Hurricane Sandy Salvaging Project, 2013. http://www.theraffon.net/~spookcentral/scblog/index.php/2013/02/03/hurricane-sandy-salvaging-project (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Tait, S.: The Role of Chloride Ions in Spray Package Corrosion, 2012. http://www.spraytm.com/the-role-of-chloride-ions-in-spray-package-corrosion.html (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Van Bogart, J. W. C.: St. Thomas Electronic Records Disaster Recovery Effort. National Media Lab. Technical Report RE0025, 1995a.Search in Google Scholar
Van Bogart, J. W. C.: Magnetic Tape Storage and Handling: A Guide for Libraries and Archives. Washington, DC: Commission on Preservation and Access, 1995b. http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub54/Download/pub54.pdf (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Van Malssen, K.: Recovering the Collection, Establishing the Archive: A Case Study on the Recovery of Eyebeam Art + Technology Center’s Multimedia Collection Following Superstorm Sandy, 2013. http://www.avpreserve.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/RecoveringTheEyebeamCollection.pdf (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
Walsh, B.: Salvage operations for water damaged collections. WAAC Newsletter 10(2) (1988): 2–5.Search in Google Scholar
Witt, E., Adams, C., Wang, J., Shaver, D., Filali-Meknassi, Y.: Selected chemical composition of deposited sediments in the flooded areas of new Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. In: Science and the Storms-the USGS Response to the Hurricanes of 2005, G. S. Farris, G. J. Smith, M. P. Crane, C. R. Demas, L. L. Robbins, D. L. Lavoie (eds.), St. Petersburg: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey), 2007: 207–212. http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1306/pdf/c1306_ch7_b.pdf (accessed 17. 2. 2016).Search in Google Scholar
© 2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- A New Housing Concept for the Karl Friedrich Schinkel Collection: Chemical and Mechanical Aspects
- The Soaking Resistance of Electronic Storage Media
- An Unexpensive Self-Produced Trap for Entomological Monitoring in Libraries and Archives
- Cut and Tape: Marguerite Yourcenar’s Emendations to a Typescript of L’Œuvre au noir
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- A New Housing Concept for the Karl Friedrich Schinkel Collection: Chemical and Mechanical Aspects
- The Soaking Resistance of Electronic Storage Media
- An Unexpensive Self-Produced Trap for Entomological Monitoring in Libraries and Archives
- Cut and Tape: Marguerite Yourcenar’s Emendations to a Typescript of L’Œuvre au noir
