Wet Gate Scanning for Fragile Nitrate Film
Safety hazards and specialized steps required when running highly unstable cellulose nitrate film through wet gates.
Nitrate film preservation is a high-stakes endeavor. Running these highly flammable, chemically volatile materials through liquid gates requires extreme caution.
Preventing Static and Friction
The primary safety advantage of wet gate scanning for nitrate film is that the indexing fluid acts as a heat sink and lubricant. This dramatically reduces friction and eliminates the risk of static electrical sparks, which could otherwise ignite unstable nitrate bases.
Chemical Interactions with Decomposing Nitrate
Decomposing nitrate releases nitric acid, which can react aggressively with certain wet gate solvents or corrode metal scanner parts. Labs must use chemically inert fluids and continuously monitor the pH of the recirculating fluid loop.