Object Oddy Tests
An Oddy Test is a procedure developed to determine the safety of materials used in contact/close proximity to delicate art objects.
Benchmark contracts with outside conservators who perform testing to assure that our products are non-reactive. Oddy testing is, by its nature, subjective. Testing protocols vary among institutions, and one conservator may approve what another would find unacceptable.
When we submit a product to Oddy testing, there are long discussions with our manufacturers about the consistency of their materials and processes. Their assurances aside, it’s always difficult to say whether a material’s formulation might change slightly, or how stringently spec guidelines are followed. We do what we can from our end to maintain consistency in materials and making.
Periodically, we resubmit our products to testing in order to safeguard against any material changes. Aside from our contracted re-testing, we always welcome our customers to submit our materials to their own testing and to share with us their results. Our test results are shared with the caveat that you should defer to the expertise of your own conservators when assessing the risk of damage to object.
Due to the subjective nature of the test, other testing labs might have different results than the ones shown below. If you encounter different results, please contact us and we will note it here for other customers.
Collapsible content
Sticky Wax
Samples of Sticky Wax provided by Benchmark Catalog were tested with the Oddy Test protocol. The material was evaluated visually and received a "pass", as the silver, copper, and lead coupons had no corrosion in comparison to the control coupons. A-D strips also had no reaction to the material.
The conclusion from these tests is that the material - Benchmark's Sticky Wax ( 09-100 ) is safe to use in contact with art objects or in packing and display.
*Reminder: All waxes are capable of leaving stains if left on an object for a long time. Limited use is better. Conservators recommend a barrier layer of B-72.
Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, NJ 08556
Previous Oddy Tests on this material can be viewed here.
Felt
March 2025:
Eight samples of Felt material and pressure-sensitive adhesive provided by Benchmark Catalog were tested with the Oddy Test protocol. Each material was evaluated visually and received a "pass", as the silver, copper, and lead coupons had no corrosion in comparison to the control coupons. We ask that all color candidates be tested dry - that is without PSA - in addition to a sample of White felt backed with PSA.
The conclusion from these tests is that the following materials (both dry and with PSA) are safe to use in contact with art objects or in packing and display:
- 31-111 BK / Black Felt
- 31-111 AH / Ash Felt
- 31-111 WG / Warm Grey Felt
- 31-111 IV / Ivory Felt
- 31-111 WH / White Felt
- 31-111 MS / Moss Felt (This Moss will be available when old Moss is sold out)
- 31-111 TN / Tan Felt
- 31-111 OT / Oat Felt (This Oat will be available when old Oat is sold out)
- 31-111 DB / Dark Brown Felt
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From our previous test results, MOSS and OAT are still available for purchase as of March 2025:
Ten samples of Felt material and pressure-sensitive adhesive provided by Benchmark Catalog were tested with the Oddy Test protocol. Each material was evaluated visually and received a "pass", as the silver, copper, and lead coupons had no corrosion in comparison to the control coupons. A-D strips also had no reaction to the material.
The conclusion from these tests is that the following materials (both dry and with PSA) are safe to use in contact with art objects or in packing and display:
- 31-111BK Black Felt
- 31-111SM Smoke Felt
- 31-111 CG Cool Grey Felt
- 31-111 IV Ivory Felt
- 31-111WH White Felt
- 31-111MS Moss Felt
- 31-111TC Terracotta Felt
- 31-111TN Tan Felt
- 31-111OT Oat Felt
- 31-111DB Dark Brown Felt
Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, NJ 08556
Previous Oddy Tests on this material can be viewed here.
TFE Teflon 4:1 Heat-Shrinking Tube
Samples of teflon heat-shrink material (34-111) were provided for testing by Benchmark Catalog. No assumptions for their reactivity or corrosiveness were made prior to testing.
The three metallic coupons being lead, silver, and copper were evaluated for corrosion byproducts to determine if each of the test materials passed or failed our testing protocol. In synopsis, all samples successfully passed the material testing protocol (Oddy Test).
Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, NJ 08556
Previous Oddy Tests on this material can be viewed here.
Polyethylene Strap
A sample of polyethylene strapping material was provided for testing by Benchmark Catalog. No assumptions for their reactivity or corrosiveness were made prior to testing.
The three metallic coupons being lead, silver, and copper were evaluated for corrosion byproducts to determine if each of the test materials passed or failed our testing protocol. In synopsis, all samples successfully passed the material testing protocol (Oddy Test).
Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, NJ 08556
Previous Oddy Tests on this material can be viewed here.
Polyolefin 2:1 Heat-Shrink Tubing
Samples of polyolefin heat-shrink material (34-12X) were provided for testing by Benchmark Catalog. No assumptions for their reactivity or corrosiveness were made prior to testing.
The three metallic coupons being lead, silver, and copper were evaluated for corrosion byproducts to determine if each of the test materials passed or failed our testing protocol. In synopsis, all samples successfully passed the material testing protocol (Oddy Test).
Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, NJ 08556
Previous Oddy Tests on this material can be viewed here.
Linen Fabric
Six samples of Linen material were provided by Benchmark Catalog. No assumptions for their reactivity or corrosiveness were made prior to testing.
The three metallic coupons being lead, silver, and copper were evaluated for corrosion byproducts to determine if each of the test materials passed or failed our testing protocol. In synopsis, all samples successfully passed the material testing protocol (Oddy Test).
The following list of materials were provided by Benchmark for materials testing:
- 75-001 Almond Blend Linen
- 75-002 Black Linen
- 75-004 Oatmeal Blend Linen/Cotton
- 75-005 Oatmeal Linen
- 75-006 Oyster Linen
- 75-007 Natural Wheat Linen
Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, NJ 08556
Previous Oddy Tests on this material can be viewed here.
Muslin and Flannel
Swatches of muslin and flannel material were provided for testing by Benchmark Catalog. No assumptions for their reactivity or corrosiveness were made prior to testing.
The three metallic coupons being lead, silver, and copper were evaluated for corrosion byproducts to determine if each of the test materials passed or failed our testing protocol. In synopsis, all samples successfully passed the material testing protocol (Oddy Test).
Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, NJ 08556
Previous Oddy Tests on this material can be viewed here.
Sueded Padding
Seven samples of Sueded Padding and pressure-sensitive adhesive provided by Benchmark Catalog were tested using the Oddy Test Protocol. Results from the Oddy Test indicated all test samples passed showing no corrosion on the lead, silver or copper coupons. Equally, those samples that were maintained in the ambient lab facility with A-D strips did not show any development of corrosion thereby showing a “Pass” of all fabric materials tested.
The conclusion from these tests is that the following materials (both dry and with PSA) are safe to use in contact with art objects or in packing and display:
- 35-111WH White Sueded Padding - a/o 2022: No longer available; replaced by White (see below)
- 35-111CR Crème Sueded Padding - a/o 2025: No longer available; replaced by Buff (see below)
- 35-111BG Beige Sueded Padding
- 35-111CM Camelhair Sueded Padding - a/o 2022: No longer available; replaced by Chestnut (see below)
- 35-111SG Steel Grey Sueded Padding - a/o 2024: No longer available; replaced by Fog (see below)
- 35-111BR Brown Sueded Padding
- 35-111WB Warm Black Sueded Padding - a/o 2021: No longer available; replaced by Carbon (see below)
Test results for 35-111CB (CARBON), 35-111CH (CHESTNUT), 35-111WH (WHITE), 35-111FG (FOG), 35-111BF (BUFF)
Procedure: A two gram sample of the material to be tested is placed in a test tube along with a sample vial stopped with cotton containing 2ml of de-ionzed water. Three polished and degreased metal coupons, one each of lead, copper, and silver are suspended on strands of monofilament above the test sample within the test tube. The test tube is then covered and sealed, and is heated to 60°C (140º F) for 28 days. A blind test (a test tube with metal coupons and water vial only) is prepared and run as a control. At the end of the test period, the coupons from the experimental test are compared against those in the blind test. In order to pass the accelerated corrosion test, a material should cause no more corrosion on any of the metal coupons than caused by the reference blind test.
Results: Pass / no change in lead, copper or silver coupon when compared to control.
Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, NJ 08556
Previous Oddy Tests on this material can be viewed here.
Black Stockinette
A swatch of Black Stockinette material was provided for testing by Benchmark Catalog. No assumptions for their reactivity or corrosiveness were made prior to testing.
The three metallic coupons being lead, silver, and copper were evaluated for corrosion byproducts to determine if each of the test materials passed or failed our testing protocol. In synopsis, all samples successfully passed the material testing protocol (Oddy Test).
Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, NJ 08556
Previous Oddy Tests on this material can be viewed here.
Grey Stockinette
4/10/2017
Samples of Grey Stockinette provided by Benchmark Catalog were tested with the Oddy Test protocol. The material was evaluated visually and received a "pass", as the silver, copper, and lead coupons had no corrosion in comparison to the control coupons. A-D strips also had no reaction to the material.
The conclusion from these tests is that the fabric - Benchmark's 100% polyester grey stockinette ( 82-5xx ) is safe to use in contact with art objects or in packing and display.
Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, NJ 08556 4/10/2017
White Stiockinette
A swatch of White Stockinette material was provided for testing by Benchmark Catalog. No assumptions for their reactivity or corrosiveness were made prior to testing.
The three metallic coupons being lead, silver, and copper were evaluated for corrosion byproducts to determine if each of the test materials passed or failed our testing protocol. In synopsis, all samples successfully passed the material testing protocol (Oddy Test).
Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, NJ 08556
Previous Oddy Tests on this material can be viewed here.
Felt Tape
Swatches of felt tape material with adhesive were provided for testing by Benchmark Catalog. No assumptions for their reactivity or corrosiveness were made prior to testing.
The three metallic coupons being lead, silver, and copper were evaluated for corrosion byproducts to determine if each of the test materials passed or failed our testing protocol. In synopsis, all samples (31-13X & 31-23X) successfully passed the material testing protocol (Oddy Test).
Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, NJ 08556
Previous Oddy Tests on this material can be viewed here.
Plain Weave Fabric
Seventeen samples of Plain Weave fabric provided by Benchmark Catalog were tested using the Oddy Test Protocol. Results from the Oddy Test indicated all test samples passed showing no corrosion on the lead, silver or copper coupons. Equally, those samples that were maintained in the ambient lab facility with A-D strips did not show any development of corrosion thereby showing a “Pass” of all fabric materials tested.
Products Tested:
71-001, 71-002, 71-006, 71-011, 71-013, 71-016, 71-017, 71-018, 71-019, 71-021, 71-022, 71-023, 71-024, 71-025, 71-026, 71-027, & 71-028
(Please check the Case Dressing Fabric page for current availability of colors.)
Requested by Benchmark, Rosemont, NJ 08556
Previous Oddy Tests on this material can be viewed here.
Twill Tape
A swatch of twill tape material (02-XXX) was provided for testing by Benchmark Catalog. No assumptions for reactivity or corrosiveness were made prior to testing.
The three metallic coupons being lead, silver, and copper were evaluated for corrosion byproducts to determine if each of the test materials passed or failed our testing protocol. In synopsis, all samples successfully passed the material testing protocol (Oddy Test).