No one seems to have done research on this subject in relation to disc storage. In the Yale HSR archive discs are housed in a great variety of types of envelopes, of both neutral and (normal acidic) paper. We use only non-acidic sleeves now. The main advantage is that the paper or card-stock of neutral envelopes will last much longer before becoming brittle than that of those made of acidic paper. At Yale, we've had to replace many of the older, acidic sleeves.
My experience suggests that private collectors may find no advantage to non-acidic sleeves and may do best to shop by quality and price, buying neutral sleeves only if they're no more expensive than others of the same quality.
Experience also suggests that uncoated aluminum discs can be sleeved in any sort of clean, strong paper sleeves (the aluminum itself oxidizes almost instantaneously and protects itself, in a manner of speaking).
Lacquer ("acetate") discs will deteriorate no matter how they are stored -- their degradation is a chemical process that's independent of container.
Richard
-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Doug Pomeroy
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2010 10:22 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ARSCLIST] Acid-free sleeves question
What exactly is the advantage of acid-free sleeves for storing 10"
and 12" lacquer discs?
I also have many un-coated aluminum discs, and I wonder if there
is any reason to favor acid-free over the more conventional type
when it comes to aluminum?
I have never researched this subject, and thought it might be faster
to ask folks in ARSC, many of whom work in audio archives.
Doug Pomeroy
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