The degradation of magnetic tapes is one of the main threats to the survival of our collective audio heritage. Archives around the world, big and small, are all concerned with the same challenge, that of counteracting the natural decay of plastic compounds. This study investigates the biodegradation of poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(vinyl chloride) (PVA/PVC) blends tapes, namely audio magnetic tapes, using the spectrophotometry (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The tapes (both sides) were studied in the light of their degradation in special conditions. The objective is to obtain more information regarding the polymer degradation of magnetic tapes for audio recording and how it affects the structural composition of the tapes. This study contributes to the long-term goal of building a structured knowledge base about diagnostic tools and recovery methods for magnetic tapes.

Authors: da Costa, Ana Paula; Rosa, Teresa; Bressan, Federica
Affiliations: Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisbon, Portugal; Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium(See document for exact affiliation information.)
AES Convention: 146 (March 2019) Paper Number: 10158
Publication Date: March 10, 2019 Import into BibTeX
Subject: Industry Issues
Permalink: https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=20291

Click to purchase paper as a non-member or login as an AES member. If your company or school subscribes to the E-Library then switch to the institutional version. If you are not an AES member and would like to subscribe to the E-Library then Join the AES!

This paper costs $33 for non-members and is free for AES members and E-Library subscribers.

Learn more about the AES E-Library

E-Library Location:   /conv/146/10158.pdf

Start a discussion about this paper!