Automatic drying cabinets can protect your digital media, microfilms and photographs against moisture in the most effective manner.
There are a lot of papers have been written on the storage of magnetic tapes and recommendations have been incorporated into published standards covering relative humidity, temperature and air purity. Two types of storage conditions are specified, one intended for medium-term storage and the other for extended-term storage. The former is for a life expectancy of 10 years. Extended-term storage specifies more rigid environmental conditions that are expected to give a useful life of 50 years.
Effect of moisture on magnetic tapes
Video tapes which are stored at dry cabinet are protected against loss of sound and image because of high moisture.
Degradation of magnetic binders is caused by chemical reactions, whose rates are lowered with decreasing temperature and decreasing relative humidity. Consequently, the useful life of magnetic tape can be increased by lowering the storage temperature and storage humidity.
Effect of moisture on CD and DVD Medias
The polycarbonate substrate, or the plastic composition, that makes up most of the disc is a polymer material that is vulnerable to moisture. Any prolonged exposure to moisture resulting from a spill, humid air, or immersion allows water to become absorbed into the disc, where it may react with any of the layers. Returning the disc to a dry environment will allow the absorbed moisture or water to dissipate out of the disc over time; however, water or a water-based liquid may leave behind, within the disc, contaminants such as dyes or other dissolved minerals. If the disc has experienced no permanent damage from absorption of the liquid, it should play normally.
Optical discs kept in a cooler, less-humid environment and not subjected to extreme environmental changes should last longer. Optical discs stored in an optimal environment will outlast discs that are not.
Some of the standards published by different associations about the storage of digital media and films are stated below:
ISO 5466: Photography. Processed safety photographic films. Storage practices. This standard gives recommendations concerning the storage conditions, storage facilities, handling and inspection for all processed safety photographic films in roll, strip, aperture-
