Test for Celluloid Deterioration, in Theory.

[upnorth]

I have theorized a test for celluloid, to see if it is starting to gas off. Put the knife in question in a single knife box, like the kind you get with a Queen or CSC. Polish a good sized piece each, of carbon steel, brass, and nickel silver, but don't use those knife polishes that leave a film. Just a fine sanding is good, say 600 grit. You can see where this is going; put everything in the box, and check it once a month. Do a control box with a bone knife and the metal pieces, and store them under the same conditions, but not right next to each other.
Should tell the truth if one is patient enough.
Any comments??

[Darksev]

I'd think that would work. Something else maybe, a strip of litmus paper in with the knife. That should pick up any changes in acidity. Seeing what the gas from cel does, I'd assume it would have to be acidic

[Hukk]

I would guess nitric acid.

[upnorth]

Litmus paper sounds like a good idea, darksev. Will it respond to atmosphere, as well as liquid??

[Hukk]

I am 99% sure that litmus paper must be used in liquids. Great idea Darksev and question Charlie. Even to test the atmospheric conditions with litmus paper they use the rainfall - not air. I can't recall an inexpensive way to do it and I spent many years in a cleanroom environment perfecting GaAs and InGaP integrated circuit technology. Microtechnology evolving into nanotechnology - what a pain. Wish I still had acess to those SEM's though (Scanning Electron Microscopes), some have a spectograph that will tell you exactly what elements are on a sample. I don't have access to $400K+ either.

It's still worth trying in a sealed environment - clear box and clear tape, just to see what happens.

[Darksev]

yea, my bad. Litmus paper does need to be wet. now a section dampened with some pure water placed into a sealed area with the gas should react.