Activated carbon cloth

CCI activated carbon cloth Flexsorb FM10

• Ideal for pollutant filtration in showcases
• Large internal surface of 900-1200 m²/g
• Adsorbs acetic acid and other volatile organic acids, H₂S, NO₂ and SO₂ as well as formaldehyde and unpolar gases
• Available laminated on one side (recommended), laminated on both sides and unlined (frays easily!)
• Adsorption of acetic acid per 100 g of cloth as a function of the concentration (unimpregnated type):
  at 1000 ppmv: 20 g, at 10 ppmv: 7 g, at 0.1 ppmv: 1 g, at 0.01 ppmv: 0.25 g

Pollutant filtration in showcases is best achieved with activated carbon fabrics, as they offer a larger adsorber surface than some activated carbon granules because of their thin fibres. The black fabric consists of 100% activated carbon and has very fine pores with an inner surface of 900 - 1200 m²/g. Due to their large surface, they offer the greatest possible protection against harmful substances. Therefore, museums often prescribe activated carbon cloth in their loan conditions. Activated carbon cloth is the ideal solution for large surfaces such as back panels of showcases. If the black colour of the cloth is unwelcome it can be covered by a thin decoration fabric. ACC could have a slightly corrosive effect on some metal surfaces if they are in direct contact (battery effect). In this case a neutral fabric should be interleaved between ACC and the exhibits. Please avoid contact with skin, eyes, works of art, metals (aluminum, zinc, ...) and sensitive surfaces!

ACC can be lined with a variety of decorative fabrics. The most versatile type is ACC laminated on one side or both sides to a non-woven. Depending on your needs, you can turn up the charcoal or the non-woven side. ACC is only crumbles slightly at cut edges and can be worked like any fabric.

Activated carbon fabrics are also used to decontaminate furniture or wooden objects that are contaminated with pesticides (PCP, lindane ...). The items are packed in pouches or covers made from these filtering fabrics to make sure the harmful gases cannot get into room air. Over the years the objects will get decontaminated. However, the cloth can only bond the pollutants that have entered the gas phase. Therefore, with this technique you cannot decontaminate the objects faster than if they are placed in a well-ventilated space.

Some archives use activated carbon for filtering pollutants in film cans. Since the activated carbon fabric dusts at the cut edges, for this application the pieces of cloth are sealed into dustproof Tyvek. Prices upon request. 

For tarnish protection of silver please also have a look at our special line of products for this purpose, see here.

Which pollutants occur in showcases?

Even in modern showcases and storage cabinets very high concentrations of harmful gases can be detected. Especially in high-quality, well sealed showcases and cabinets pollutants can concentrate to high levels.

• Acetic acid and other volatile organic acids, formaldehyde from showcase materials (wood-based materials, adhesives and paints) and works of art
• H₂S, NO₂ and SO₂ from ambient air

Which works of art and materials are attacked by harmful gases?

• Metals and their alloys, especially lead and leaded bronzes, copper, iron, silver…
• Glass, glazes, enamels (glass disease)
• Calcareous ceramics (efflorescence of thecotrichite)
• Mussels, snails and eggshells (Byne's disease)
• Leather, organic adhesives (hardening by formaldehyde, red rot caused by SO₂ ...)
• Paper, books, graphics, textiles, canvas paintings ... (becoming increasingly acid and brittle)
• Pigments (lead white...)
• Plastics, eg cellulose nitrate (autocatalytic accelerated degradation caused by NOx)