page_title: Sticky-shed syndrome
section_title: Solutions
hierarchical_section_title: Sticky-shed syndrome / Solutions
caption_attribution_description: English: A magnetic tape which has been so affected by shedding that the oxide, which holds the magnetic information (brown), has completely come away from the polyester base (clear).
context_page_description: Sticky-shed syndrome is a condition created by the deterioration of the binders in a magnetic tape, which hold the ferric oxide magnetizable coating to its plastic carrier, or which hold the thinner back-coating on the outside of the tape. This deterioration renders the tape unusable. Some kinds of binder are known to break down over time, due to the absorption of moisture.
  The symptoms of this breakdown can be immediately obvious even when rewinding the tape: tearing sounds and sluggish behavior. If a tape with sticky-shed syndrome is played, the reels will make screeching or squeaking sounds, and the tape will leave dusty, rusty particles on the guides and heads. In some cases, particularly with digital tapes, the symptoms are more subtle, causing intermittent dropouts.
context_section_description: Current solutions to sticky-shed syndrome seek to safely remove the unwanted moisture from the tape binder. Two different strategies are commonly employed: applying heat to the tape (commonly called 'baking'), and changing the environment to lower the humidity. Baking is widely practiced but can destroy tapes. While modification of humidity by safely controlling the environment may take significantly longer, its major benefit is that it does not irreparably damage the tape. Alternative practices have also been developed by engineers to repair affected tapes.
caption: The binder on this tape has deteriorated to the extent that the oxide (brown), which holds the magnetic information, has come away from the polyester base (clear). It is unrecoverable.
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