RECORD Alum Hardening Converter

Description

RECORD Alum Hardening Converter

Unhardened emulsions are easily scratched when wet, and absorb moisture when dry. Adding RECORD Alum Hardening Converter to a fixer solution is one method of toughening emulsions to be more resistant to abrasion and water absorption. If used correctly, it will increase archival permanence by protecting emulsions.

All non-pre-hardened B&W Films require alum hardening converter in the fixer. As far as we know, all commercially-available films are now pre-hardened and so do not require hardening fixer.

RC Prints require alum hardening converter for a hard gloss on glossy finish papers, and alum hardening converter will make them more resistant to scratches.

Fiber-Based Prints should only be hardened if prints are to be dried on hot drums, or if emulsion is very soft. Fiber prints are hardened during manufacture, as well as by exposure to heat, light, and air, so additional hardening may be harmful.

Archival Permanence

Alum Hardening will promote archival permanence only with correct timing and proper washing. Excess hardening will make prints brittle, curly and difficult to wash and tone to archival specifications.

Alum-hardened films and prints cannot be thoroughly washed with water alone. Use ARCHIVE Fixer Remover as directed. Treatment with ARCHIVE Fixer Remover will ensure thorough washing and even toning. For complete directions on washing, please see instructions for ARCHIVE Fixer Remover.

Whenever a hardening fixer is used, BLOCK Stop Bath working solution must be used before fixing to provide the correct acid environment.

One liter of RECORD Alum Hardening Converter will convert 66.6 liters of 1:9 RECORD Print Fixer working solution, or 33.3 liters of 2.8 RECORD Film Fixer working solution.

How to Mix

Add RECORD Alum Hardening Converter concentrate to RECORD Speed Fixer in a ratio of 15 ml Converter to every 100 ml RECORD Fixer concentrate present in the working solution. On no account mix Alum Hardening Converter with RECORD Speed Fixer Concentrate, only add it to working solution.

Choose the desired working solution from the examples below.

Hardening Film Fixer

Dilute RECORD Speed Fixer concentrate 2:8 with water. To each liter of diluted fixer, add 30 ml of RECORD Alum Hardening Converter concentrate. This is only called for in rare cases – such as hand-coated films or plates – as modern commercially available films are all (as far as we know) pre-hardened in manufacture.

For example:

Hardening Print Fixer

Dilute RECORD Speed Fixer concentrate 1:9 with water. To each liter of diluted fixer, add 15 ml of RECORD Alum Hardening Converter concentrate.

For example:

Hardening Stop Bath

Dilute BLOCK Stop Bath and ARCHIVE Fixer Remover concentrates with water in the proportions described below.

To each liter of this working solution, only then add 30 ml RECORD Alum Hardening Converter concentrate.

For example:

When mixing other quantities of hardening stop bath, please be sure to maintain not only the correct proportions but also the order described above.

How to Use

Hardening Film and Print Fixers

Fix for 1-3 minutes as directed in instructions for RECORD Speed Fixer. Hardening increases with immersion time. To reduce hardening, shorten immersion time.

Hardening Stop Baths

Immerse films or prints for 3-6 minutes with constant agitation, as directed in instructions for BLOCK Stop Bath.

Compatibility

RECORD Alum Hardening Converter is compatible with SPRINT™ products only. Do not mix with other brands of fixer. Do not mix other brands of hardener with SPRINT™ products.

Before toning or spot coloring, hardened prints must be treated with ARCHIVE Fixer Remover and washed, as directed by instructions for using ARCHIVE Fixer Remover.