Vendors for Storage Materials(Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement)
STORAGE MATERIALS
Material: Foams
Use:  Foams can be easily carved to support all types of objects
  • Polyethylene foam plank is available in various sizes.  “Ethafoam®” brand is most common.
    • Vendor: Rempac, Foam Fair, Reilly Foam Corp.
    • Manufacturer: Dow.
  • Die cut polyethylene foam rings to support ceramics.
    • Vendor/fabricator: Hibco Plastics.
    • Manufacturer (of foam): Dow.
  • Polyethylene foam sheet (1/8”) for padding and lining shelves, drawers, and carts.
    • Vendor: Foam Fair, Reilly Foam Corp., Rempac
    • Manufacturer: Dow.
  • Cross-linked polyethylene foam has a smooth surface that will not abrade objects.
    • “Minicel®” brand is available in various dimensions.
    • Manufacturer: Voltek.
    • Vendor: Foam Fair, Reilly Foam.
  • Cross-linked polyethylene foam sheet can be adhered to surface of carved foam plank for a smooth surface.
    • “Volara®” brand is available in 1/8” and 1/4” thick.
    • Manufacturer: Voltek.
    • Vendor: Foam Fair, Reilly Foam.
  • Backer rod is an extruded polyethylene foam rod, available in various sizes.
    • Triangular rod “Tri-rod” brand, various sizes up to 2”/side.
    • Vendor: Granite State Log Homes.
    • Manufacturer: Nomaco.
  • Circular backer rod on spools, various diameters.
    • Vendor: Kenseal.
    • Manufacturer: Nomaco.
  • Straight 1” diameter circular rod (not on spools):
    • Vendor/Manufacturer: Nomaco.

Material: Acid-free paper and board products
Use: For making storage pallets, trays and boxes
  • Acid-free paper and corrugated acid-free paperboard
    • Vendors: University Products, Gaylord, Archivart
  • Acid-free cardboard tubes for rolling textiles (various diameters: 2”, 3”, 4”, 6”)
    • Vendor: Archivart
  • Acid-free “conservation board” for supports and pallets for delicate objects
    • Vendors: Archivart, Gaylord
  • Acid-free “library board” for making folders to store works of art on paper
    • Vendors: Archivart, Gaylord, Conservation Resources Ltd, MetalEdge.
  • Pre-made artifact storage boxes
    • Vendors: Archivart, Gaylord, Conservation Resources Ltd, MetalEdge.
  • pH neutral, non-buffered, acid-free tissue paper for interleaving, padding folded textiles
    • Vendors: University Products; Archivart, Gaylord, Conservation Resources
  • Corrugated polypropylene board for making storage pallets, trays, and boxes, available various gauges
    • Vendor/Manufacturer: Coroplast
  • Pre-made tab and slot trays, various sizes, special order
    • Vendor, fabricator, and manufacturer: Coroplast



Material:Adhesives
Use: Constructing supports, support trays, and boxes.
  • Hot melt glue (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer) and applicators:
o   Low temperature hot melt glue (3M #3792 LMQ) for paperboard and foam;
o   High temperature hot melt glue.: (3M # 3748Q) for Coroplast         
  • Applicators (glue guns)
o   Polygun LT for low temperature
o   Polygun TC for high temperature
o   Manufacturer: 3M
o   Vendor: Tape Systems (for both glue sticks and for both types glue guns)
o   Vendor: Grainger (for low melt glue sticks)

Tapes
o   Double-sided tape (3M #415)
o   Vendor: University Products
o   Manufacturer: 3M.

Material: Fasteners
Use: for constructing trays and boxes
  • Two part (male and female) nylon mini rivets 27MRF12 and 27MRM125187;
  • Ratcheting action rivets
    • Manufacturer/Vendor: Micro Plastics Inc.



Material: Film and sheet products
Use: For wrapping, lining and containing
  • Polyester (polyethylene terephthalate) film (“Melinex Type 516” or “Mylar D” brand) for wrapping rolled textiles
    • Vendor: Plastics Suppliers
    • Manufacturer: DuPont
  • “Teflon®” (polytetrafluoroethylene sheet) has an extremely smooth surface
    • Vendor: Saint Gobain PPL Corp, Consolidated Plastics, Grainger
    • Vendor: Mc Master Carr (1” and 2” “military grade” tape)
    • Manufacturer: DuPont
  • “Tyvek®” brand (high density spunbonded olefin sheet) sheet for linings, pillows, garments, lifting sheets, rolling textiles, custom trays for fragile things
    • “Soft” drapeable - (Tyvek® # 1443R)
      • Vendor: Fall River Paper, MetalEdge. Manufacturer: DuPont
    • “Hard” paper-like - (Tyvek® #1025D)
      • Vendor: Avery Dennison, Fasson Division.  Manufacturer: DuPont
    • Polyethylene self-closing bags (“zip-lock”) for storing fragments, various sizes
    • Vendor: Grainger, Mc Master Carr, Consolidated Plastics



Material: Soft products
Use: for wrapping, stuffing, tying, strapping
  • Polyester batting for internal pillows/supports for moccasins, headdresses, etc.
    • Vendor: Bonded Fibers Midwest
  • 100% cotton muslin (plain weave, lightweight) for rolling textiles, used as a covering. 
    • Vendor: Testfabrics
  • 100% cotton knit tubular fabric (orthopedic stockinet), for internal supports/pillows for various artifacts, for exhibit forms/mannequins.
    • Vendor: Park Surgical Supplies
  • 100% cotton twill tape for tying, strapping
    • Vendor: (unbleached narrow tape) University Products
    • Vendor: Mc Master Carr (1/2” and 1” bleached or natural tape).



Material:  Metals storage For storing metals
  • “Corrosion Intercept®” brand for storing copper and copper alloys
    • Vendor: University Products, L. Gordon Packaging, Engineered Materials Inc.
    • Manufacturer: Engineered Materials Inc.
  • “Pacific Silvercloth®” brand for storing silver and silver alloys
    • Vendor: University Products
    • Manufacturer: Wamsutta Specialty Products



TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Specialized equipment
  • Rolling Wire Carts
    • Manufacturer/Vendor: Nexel Industries
  • Rubbermaid Carts
    • Manufacturer/Vendor: Rubbermaid, Consolidated Plastics



Miscellaneous Tools/Equipment
  • Wall mounted board cutter.
    • Manufacturer: The Fletcher-Terry Co. Vendor: Washington Moulding
  • Heat sealer for preparing custom polyethylene sheet bags and custom Tyvek pillows.
    • Vendor: Grainger, Mc Master Carr, Consolidated Plastics



STORAGE FURNITURE
Shelving & Racks
 
Resource list created by Eugenie Milroy, AM Art Conservation - Webinar 3E Presenter