Hi, we are trying to strengthen the clear paper made of cellophane - types 165 (uncoated and thinner) and 180 (coated to increase impermeability and thicker). We want to keep it flexible and foldable, while preventing ripping. We also want it transparent.
These are our initial findings in the PDF but we would like additional comments and feedback to help guide us.
Google Drive Link to the PDF file:
We are not experts, so we need your help.
Thank you!
P. S. Is there any other archival material(s) (we recently found out that cellophane is not archival) that is pliable/foldable, resistant to tearing, and transparent?
We did not synthesize the material (it’s actually not clear paper… it’s clear material made of cellophane, in the form of thin sheets) Therefore we do have control over goes in and cannot subtract materials.
Please note that 90% of the results were failure (except for hair-drying which was a mixed result).
We are looking solution(s) to especially increase the tear resistance, as it starts to rip easily from the edges; without losing any of the flexibility property.
A bunch of glues were bought such as Elmers but not sure this will do the trick.
we tried coating the edges of the cellophane with elmer’s clear glue to prevent it from ripping, in addition to coating the surfaces with the glue and also heating it with hair dryer to strengthen it further… now the problem is that while it is very strong and doesn’t rip it bounces back without remembering its folded shape… anyone got a solution for this dilemma.
I will not try the proposed Amorphous Silica (as we do not want to risk ourselves). Non toxic alternatives/solutions that may work are preferred.
We are still looking for remedies to these dilemmas.