Barrier Layers May Be On Their Way Out!
Barrier layer protection products consist of oils and chemicals that vaporize and form a layer on the material they’re being used to protect. The components in these tarnish prevention products are often unlisted by manufacturers, inefficient, and hazardous to health.
Barrier layers are often comprised of a wide range of chemicals and are scientifically designed to coat and bond. Once active, these chemicals crystallize and create a barrier layer all around what they’re stored with.
In theory, barrier protection keeps reactive gases from causing corrosion on the item(s) they’ve been placed with.
In reality, barrier layers are inefficient for a number of reasons.
While it may temporarily prevent corrosive agents from coming into contact with precious metals, barrier protection never neutralizes corrosive gases. Barrier integrity (and functionality) depends on a number of factors. These include packaging, temperature, humidity, acidity and UV exposure.
Even a slight change in these variables will cause the chemicals not to vaporize. In any of these instances, an initial barrier layer won’t form and this method is rendered useless.
Barrier protection is extremely problematic in the case of precious metals. Namely, because barrier layers leave behind harmful deposits once they’ve dissipated. Materials often retain residue and precipitate of the barrier layer once they’re removed from their storage area.
Most importantly, the chemicals used in barrier protection are mostly unlisted by their manufacturers. Unsurprisingly, some of the active ingredients and solvent chemicals present pose significant health hazards.
Research done by independent laboratories has found a staggering number of hazardous ingredients in barrier protection. These include:
- Triethanolamine
- Ammonia Hydroxide
- Ethyl Acetate
- Trimethylbenzene
- Propylene Glycol
- Phosphoric Acid
- Benzotriazole
But there are considerably more.
INTERCEPT TECHNOLOGY
Intercept Technology™ is the only anti tarnish that absorbs and neutralizes corrosives. Our products contain a high surface area copper embedded into a polymer and nothing else.
No volatiles. No carcinogens. No abrasives!
Fully reusable, recyclable and hazard-free, our anti tarnish gets the job done safely and more efficiently.
