For some years it has been the concern and indeed worry of many conservationists that the widespread, yet standard, methods for cleaning the components of clocks and watches may be causing problems in some pieces.
Many people fear that the compounds derived from ammonia which are major constituents of these fluids tend to contribute to a breakdown of the brass known as STRESS CORROSION CRACKING. There are just as many perfectly honest and skillful horologists who do not agree with this hypothesis.
The purpose of my setting up this discussion list is to attract as many ordinary opinions as possible coupled with as much advice and chemical explanation of the potential problem.
To date there is little published information and much of that has been challenged by those with chemical expertise. It is important therefore to arrange the collection of information and even more important to have an area of public access to publish the results as fast as they become available.
Please tell us of any unusual breakages you have experienced in the components of clocks watches or any other brass apparatus.
© Sylvester A Crowley 1998 to date Wales United Kingdom