Preservative
Alum
Preservative for skins.
Potash alum is a preservative frequently used in taxidermy. It is mixed with salt (1/3 alum, 2/3 salt) and rubbed on the skin side or used in a dipping liquor. For a dipping liquor, 100 litres of water, 10 kg of salt and 3 kg of alum dissolved in boiling water are used.
Disadvantages
Alum conservation is often referred to as alum tanning. However, this is not correct, as the alum is not stored in the skin in a wash-proof way. Another major disadvantage of alum is that sulphuric acid is released during the aging process of alum, which leads to acid damage to the hide. Depending on the storage conditions (air and material humidity), this can lead to complete decay of the hides within 15 to 30 years. See the article in the journal "Der Präparator" Volume 49, June 2003, pages 49 to 59.
Disadvantages
Alum conservation is often referred to as alum tanning. However, this is not correct, as the alum is not stored in the skin in a wash-proof way. Another major disadvantage of alum is that sulphuric acid is released during the aging process of alum, which leads to acid damage to the hide. Depending on the storage conditions (air and material humidity), this can lead to complete decay of the hides within 15 to 30 years. See the article in the journal "Der Präparator" Volume 49, June 2003, pages 49 to 59.
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