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Rag Fiber Content: "Rag" originally meant paper made literally from rags. Today, it more commonly designates cotton fibers, usually cotton linter. The fiber content of mat board is important because rag fibers are a stable material which is less likely to degrade and become acidic over time than other fiber types.
Acid-Free: This designation assures that the material was not acidic at the time of manufacture.
Activated Carbon: This is an inert, porous material composed of a graphite plate structure which adsorbs or traps molecules (See Molecular Trap).
Alkaline-Buffered: This term signifies that the mat board contains an excess of alkaline material which will neutralize any residual acids in the board as well as acids in the paper and the environment. By absorbing these acids, the alkaline buffer prevents them from reacting with the paper of the object causing brittleness and discoloration.
Alpha-Cellulose: This is the term used to describe the alkali-resistant portion of a cellulosic material which is a highly pure form of cellulose. Native cellulose consists almost entirely of alpha-cellulose. Therefore, in purchasing paper products description of the fiber base as alpha-cellulose generally refers to a highly purified fiber derived from wood.
4-ply: This is a good, all-purpose weight of mat board designed to give support and provide protection for art objects. In specific instances, however, other plys might be acceptable.
Lignin: Lignin is a natural component of wood that darkens when exposed to light. Its presence and that of other reactive chemicals negatively affect the resistance of paper to aging.
Lignin-Free: "Lignin-free" (more accurately low-lignin) paper is made from cotton or linen (which contain little lignin) or from other fibers that have had the lignin removed. In the case of lignin-free pulps derived from wood, other chemically reactive materials would remain in the pulp which would also negatively influence the aging characteristics of the paper.
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