Incorrect temperature

When the temperature is too high:

• chemically unstable materials like acidic paper, colour photographs and nitrate and acetate films deteriorate
   
• wax melts
   
• some resins may become tacky and absorb dirt
   
• spirits used to preserve collections evaporate

When the temperature is too low:

• paints and other polymers become brittle and easily damaged
   
• if water in materials freezes crystals form, causing physical damage
   
• freeze-thaw cycles can cause condensation on the object leading to water damage

Usually, our main concern about temperature is its effect on relative humidity - a high temperature lowers RH (the air becomes drier), and a low temperature increases RH (the air becomes more humid). Just a 1°C change in temperature would usually lead to a 3% change in RH.

Problems with temperature can be avoided by:

• avoiding extremes of temperature with well-insulated walls, floors, and roofs
   
• using thermometers, data loggers, temperature monitors, and alarms to give warning before temperatures cause problems
   
• identifying objects that need specific temperature conditions and provide them, eg cold storage for spirit collections
   
• if objects are stored at or exposed to extreme temperatures (eg for disinfestation purposes) ensure proper packing to limit the moisture around the object that can cause condensation

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