BEILSTEINTEST:asimple testforHalogens(Chlorides)

From: SpotTestingforMaterialsCharacterization byNancy Odegaard andScottCarroll

PowerPointPresentationby: MelbaJ.Myers,VirginiaDepartment ofHistoricResources

PLASTICFILMstorageof archaeologicalmaterials

LabelHolders

PlasticBags

SlideHolders

SlideHolders

Plastic. isPlastic.

Isntit?

isPlastic.

YouhaveheardoftestingyourpackagingmaterialsforpH(ACIDITY) So,heresanotherlurkingdangeranditlurksinPLASTIC.

Somerememberthedayswhenwewenttothegrocerystorefor plasticbags.Andnow,manyyearslater,perhapsthosebagsarenot doingsowell. ButmaybetheyareOK.....theymayLOOKOK. HowcanwefindoutifaplasticcontainsHalogens(Chlorineor CHLORIDES)

Overtime,offgassingof Chlorinefromtheplasticcan harmartifacts.Thematerial itselfwillalsonotlastaswell.

TestforHalogensUsingPyrolysis(BEILSTEINTEST)
PurposeoftheTest: Determinethepresenceof chlorine/chlorides,especiallyformaterialsbeing consideredforlongtermstorageofartifacts. PrincipleInvolved: Amaterialcontainingboundor ionichalogens(chlorine,bromine,iodine)suchassalt orpolyvinylchloride(PVC),willreactwithacopper wirewhenheatedinaflameandproduceabrilliant, longlastinggreenflame.

EQUIPMENT: CopperWire SourceofFlame

InsulatedCuWire

AlcoholLampor CigaretteLighter

PROCEDURE:
1)Selectamaterialthat youknowwillgiveyoua negativeresult asa control

Polyethyleneisgood

PROCEDURE:
2)Heatthewireuntilit ishotenoughtomeltthe plastic.Itisnecessaryto holditintheflameforat least30seconds Hint:ifyouareusinga cigarettelighter,get someoneelsetoholdit foryou

PROCEDURE:
3)Jabthehotwire intothesample plasticandjostleit arounduntilmelted plasticistransferred tothewire Hint:curlingthe endofthewireinto asmallcircleorball priortoheatingit willmakeit stronger.

PROCEDURE:
4)Returnwirewith tinyblobsofplastic onitbackintothe flame.
Drying Paintings

Mold ContaminationRoom

Negativereaction:nochlorine

PROCEDURE:
5)Nowtryan unknown
Mold ContaminationRoom

Drying Paintings

PROCEDURE:
6)Heatthewire again eitherpullout acleanwire,orburn offtheplasticfrom thepreviousone Drying
Paintings

Mold ContaminationRoom

7)Testthe unknown makesureyouget thewirehotenough

PROCEDURE:

8)Backtothe FLAME VOILLA!

Positive reaction: halogens present

RESULTS:
Positive: Astronggreencolorintheflame indicatesthepresenceofhalogens(chloride, bromide,iodidebutnotfluoride).Theflamewill burngreenforalongperiodoftimeif PVCs are present. Impurities,suchasfingerprints,orsurface treatmentsthatcontainchloridecangiveaweak greenflamethatdisappearsquickly.