polyurethane foam and fumes and DVDs/camera film

[ybwuser]

I made a box of ply and used epoxy and silica to make glue.
To be doubly sure there were no gaps I used a bead of foam inside (wanted it air tight)

I store dvd's and cds and photos and video tapes - all very sentimental and not replaceable.

I opened it and the fumes sent me reeling.

Could these fumes damage the media stored within - google has not helped so far?

 

[vyv_cox]

There has to be an element of guess-work here, as I certainly don't have any experience of this.

Epoxy is completely inert when cured, more so than many other materials used for storage. No problem there.

Polyurethane foam takes a long time to fully cure, during with time small amounts of isocyanate may be released, probably toluol di-isocyanate with DIY foams.

I can't see tdi affecting the discs but no idea what it might do to photos and tapes.

You have two options - remove the foam and add a bit more epoxy and silica to ensure the air-tightness. Cure warm if you can, just putting a light bulb in the box is a good method. Alternatively you could just leave the foamed box for a longer time, try blowing a hot air gun into it to heat and disperse gases. I would pick the former one, as the foam is not contributing to the functionality of the box.

 

[andrewbodenham]

[ QUOTE ]
I made a box of ply and used epoxy and silica to make glue.
To be doubly sure there were no gaps I used a bead of foam inside (wanted it air tight)

I store dvd's and cds and photos and video tapes - all very sentimental and not replaceable.

[/ QUOTE ]

Presumably your box has an opening lid, in which case it is unlikely to be air-tight.

Better protection would be provided by buying some inexpensive plastic food storage boxes instead. These are probably as water-tight and air-tight as you are likely to get. It would be a good idea to pack a dessicant (e.g. silica gel) with items that need a dry atmosphere to avoid condensation forming in the boxes, and wrap photos etc. in acid-free tissue paper if they are really valuable. Museum quality archiving materials and advice are available if you google.

 

[ybwuser]

Cheers you two.