Name: Are Vinyl Records Flammable? How Heat Affects Records | Vinyl Record Life
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Are Vinyl Records Flammable? How Heat Affects Records | Vinyl Record Life

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Skip to contentExcessive heat damages vinyl records, causing them to warp and deform, so it’s normal to wonder whether records are flammable. It can be a concern for those who’ve recently started collecting records.Vinyl records are not considered flammable and will not ignite on their own. If exposed to extreme heat a record will wilt, and if placed into a burning fire it will burn, but a vinyl record is not considered to be a fire hazard on its own.Often, it’s the packaging of a record, such as the cardboard jacket and inner sleeve, which are much more flammable and which pose more of a fire threat. The way in which records are stored will also play a role in whether they are susceptible to catching fire.Despite not being flammable, records are vulnerable to heat, and in this article we’ll look at how and why heat affect vinyl records and how you can protect your records.A vinyl record is made up of more than 95% Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), which on its own is resistant to ignition, and has an auto-ignition temperature point of 850ºF (454ºC). Read more here about what vinyl records are made from.Combining PVC with other materials will alter the flammability of whatever the final mix is, but in the resin mix that makes a vinyl record, the other materials – such as heat stabilizers – are there to help make the record more robust.Of course, everything has its limit and as stated above a record will ignite at a critical temperature, but that is so high that it’s extremely unlikely to be reached in a normal atmosphere.Far more likely to occur, and of therefore of greater concern, is damage to your records through exposure to moderate heat, the kind of which can occur frequently in normal living conditions.Your records may not explode or go up in flames dramatically when exposed to a bit of excess temperature, but if your records are exposed to excessive heat it can be really detrimental to them, with the most notable outcome being warping.It’s widely accepted that an ambient temperature of between 65ºF (18ºC) and 70ºF (21ºC) is the temperature at which vinyl records can be stored safely, and won’t experience any undue stress.We mentioned above that PVC’s auto-ignition temperature is around the 850ºF (454ºC) mark, but at a temperature of 140ºF, (60ºC) PVC will start to distort, so your record will deform and become warped.If your record is exposed to temperatures exceeding 212°F (100°C), they’ll likely become so malleable that they can be rolled up like a tortilla.To demonstrate what happens when a record’s exposed to these higher temperatures, we stuck an old, already-damaged and unplayable record in the oven at different temperatures. It’s advisable to not do this in a home oven, as vinyl records can melt and give off toxic fumes that are carcinogenic.These were the results:The best way to stop your vinyl record collection from damage at the hands of excessive heat is to take care to store it correctly.In our guide to storing vinyl records we outline the most important things to consider. Specifically for avoiding heat damage, the following points are essential:Along with heat, humidity is a key factor in protecting vinyl records from damage.Ideally, records should be stored at around 40-50% humidity to keep them in good shape.Mold has ruined many records, and damp conditions or humidity that starts to creep above 50% can cause mold to grow and fester in record jackets.Mold can even begin to manifest in the record’s grooves if the situation gets out of hand, so it’s really important to ensure the right humidity in your record storage area.One way to help keep dampness and moisture that leads to humidity under control is to place a very small dessicant pouch in the corner of a record jacket. These 1g packs are the right size for this.These pouches have desiccant properties and help to keep moisture well managed. It’s an extreme measure, but one which can help protect any prized records in your collection against mold.Cold is far less compromising for a vinyl record than heat is, but it’s the change in extreme temperatures that does need to be avoided at all costs.If your records are stored in conditions that are fairly cool, that’s fine, as records can be reasonably resistant to temperatures as low as 40ºF (5ºC). They’ll be okay just under that temperature too, but when they get to freezing point 32ºF (0ºC) they can become fragile.What is to be avoided at all costs is storing records in any kind of environment that will see them experience the extremities of cold and warmth, as this will create plenty of problems as outline above, as well as conditions that can create humidity and moisture.Taking great care of your records is one of the most important factors in ensuring you’re always getting the best possible sound out of your collection, and keeping your records clean and in the...Continue ReadingOne of the most important steps in a proper care routine for a vinyl record collection is the handling of records. However, it’s also one of the most overlooked areas of record...Continue ReadingHi, my name's Joe and this is my blog about all things vinyl. I've been collecting records for a number of years now, after inheriting an incredible collection from my dad. I've learned a lot about records, turntables/record players and all things audiophile along the way, and continue to do so. I want to share all that information here on my blog for you to benefit from too!This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.

Skip to contentExcessive heat damages vinyl records, causing them to warp and deform, so it’s normal to wonder whether records are flammable. It can be a concern for those who’ve recently started collecting records.Vinyl records are not considered flammable and will not ignite on their own. If exposed to extreme heat a record will wilt, and if placed into a burning fire it will burn, but a vinyl record is not considered to be a fire hazard on its own.Often, it’s the packaging of a record, such as the cardboard jacket and inner sleeve, which are much more flammable and which pose more of a...

Are Vinyl Records Flammable? How Heat Affects Records | Vinyl Record Life

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