Acetate peels are used in many different fields. They are most often used are in museums for the study of bones and fossils, and in dentistry for the examination of teeth and dentures. Technicians use certain techniques to make the process of acetate peeling easier and to prevent any problems, such as damage to the fossil or tooth.
Uses
The man-made material acetate is formed from wood pulp and other ingredients. Acetate peels are used to gather impressions of objects so they can be studied, copied and even modified.
Acetate peels are not the only use of acetate. With certain modifications to the base structure, acetate can be formed into thread, used as an adhesive and even used for photography film. Another, less concentrated, form of acetate peel is used on skin face for exfoliation. Acetate peels are often used on fossils in museums to study the bone structures of ancient animals.
Process
The process of creating an acetate peel is delicate and complicated. It is important that only trained professionals attempt the peels because a high concentrations of the material can cause damage to the skin and lungs.
First a fossil bone must be cut using a tool designed to cut through the hardest materials. A technician sands the fossil to help the acetate peel adhere to the surface better. He then polishes it on a specialized glass plate. An acid bath of hydrochloric acid is used to etch the fossil, which makes it easier to use the acetate peel. The bone is then dried.
Next the technician applies acetone to the etched surface and places a sheet of acetate ion the acetone. The sheet remains on the bone while it dries. When the sheet is removed, bone particles are removed with the acetate. This enables paleontologists to examine the fossil and its structure.
Techniques
It is important to wear gloves and a mask when working with acetate, acetone and acids of any kind. The acetone sheeting can be removed from the bone after 5 to 20 minutes. The best way to determine when to remove the sheet is by smell. If the acetone no longer has an odor, it is ready to remove.
More than one acetate sheet can be obtained from one fossil. The steps of acid bathing, rinsing and applying the acetone and acetate sheets must be repeated each time.
A paleontologists places acetate sheets between two glass slides for examination under a microscope or places them between two additional acetate sheets for projecting onto a wall with a projector.
Tags: Acetate peels, acetate sheets, acetate acetone, acetate formed, acetate peel
