Author Topic: What are the Universal Game Cases made of? EDIT: Come in and find out hehe  (Read 1876 times)

June 09, 2009, 01:02:15 AM
Read 1876 times

fuctfuct

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I have been told certain plastics are bad for storing games in long term. Does anyone know what kind of plastic these cases are made from?

« Last Edit: June 12, 2009, 12:28:11 PM by fuctfuct »

June 09, 2009, 04:28:44 AM
Reply #1

tiktektak

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2 + 3 = 23

June 09, 2009, 04:34:35 AM
Reply #2

fuctfuct

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June 12, 2009, 07:32:35 AM
Reply #3

fuctfuct

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OK, according to this thread

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74980

"The case itself is made from polypropelene which is totally Ph neutral and safe for archival storage, BUT the sleeve on the outside is PVC"

In case you don't know PVC is very bad for storing games/comics ect... Anyone think it matters since the PVC is on the outside?

June 12, 2009, 08:44:50 AM
Reply #4

tiktektak

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OK, according to this thread

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74980

"The case itself is made from polypropelene which is totally Ph neutral and safe for archival storage, BUT the sleeve on the outside is PVC"

In case you don't know PVC is very bad for storing games/comics ect... Anyone think it matters since the PVC is on the outside?

Why is PVC bad for storing games? Any chemists background info on that?

If it really is bad if it's on the outside it shouldn't be a problem...
2 + 3 = 23

June 12, 2009, 08:52:20 AM
Reply #5

fuctfuct

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PVC breaks down chemically over time. This releases a gas which will break down and discolor your games. Google it.. its pretty well known in the game collecting world. That's why i wanted to know what these where made of before i did a bunch more. It's on the outside but i don't know if i'm going to risk it.

June 12, 2009, 11:59:12 AM
Reply #6

tiktektak

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Hmmm.... Are you sure....? Afaik PVC is a pretty stabile compound....

The only problems could be the softeners in smooth-PVC which can gas out after some time....

This depends on storage temperature and moisture though....
2 + 3 = 23

June 12, 2009, 12:17:35 PM
Reply #7

fuctfuct

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Every single retro gaming site i go to mentions it somewhere. If it was perfectly fine and harmless why do comic bags feel the need to advertise stuff like "No PVC Acid Free 25 Per Pack".

"Using PVC (polyvinyl chloride), you'd have a greenish tint on your mags after a couple years (or less, depending on heat and humidity). But polypropylene and polyethylene are chemically inert plastics, and are therefore perfectly safe (plastic food bowls and containers most of the time are polypropylene, and plastic sandwich bags are polyethylene)  .

(So I took 2 full years of chemistry in college... .) "

I can look around for more examples if you wish... Feeling kinda lazy right now.

June 12, 2009, 12:24:38 PM
Reply #8

the7k

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Damn, that kinda sucks. I have a lot of PVC figures... it's a shame that they'll die eventually...

June 12, 2009, 05:55:24 PM
Reply #9

Ragnarok2103

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i had heard that these cases had pvc and that wasnt good, but unfortunately for most of us they are the best option at this point. unless someone knows of another type of case that is readily available, i guess i'll just have to replace the printed covers when they start to fade in color.

June 12, 2009, 06:10:46 PM
Reply #10

Mick Dundee

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if its that big a deal....why don't we just get sandwich bags and put them in those before the case....doesn't sound that dumb does it? Snes games use to come in a plastic bag inside the box. Why not put the games in safe plastic bags.

June 12, 2009, 06:30:07 PM
Reply #11

fuctfuct

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if its that big a deal....why don't we just get sandwich bags and put them in those before the case....doesn't sound that dumb does it? Snes games use to come in a plastic bag inside the box. Why not put the games in safe plastic bags.

That my friend is a wicked idea.. So simple i feel dumb for not even thinking of it lol

June 12, 2009, 06:44:13 PM
Reply #12

tiktektak

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if its that big a deal....why don't we just get sandwich bags and put them in those before the case....doesn't sound that dumb does it? Snes games use to come in a plastic bag inside the box. Why not put the games in safe plastic bags.

Maybe those original plastic bags the SNES games came in are made of PVC.... That would be pretty sick if PVC destroys the cart over the years... Imagine a sealed collector opening it's copy of Earthbound after twenty years and he finds nothing but a completely corroded cart safely stored in it's original plastic bag.... ;D
2 + 3 = 23

June 12, 2009, 06:53:58 PM
Reply #13

fuctfuct

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