Effects of Heat on Tape?

[Ignatius-]

So, I just received two reels of 1" RMGI SM911 and the stupid idiot mail person left the box in between a glass storm-door and the main door in direct sunlight. It wasn't that hot today, but I got home after the sun went down to find my $300+ worth of tape still really hot sitting in the worst possible place he or she could have left them... The rolls themselves were inside a couple of boxes, but they must have gotten really hot if they were still that hot when I opened the box. At least it wasn't humid at all...

I tried searching for what kind of impact this could have, but I couldn't really find anything (all I could find was info about storing tape, which I already know...). Is this that big of a deal? The box of tapes was probably in that position for about 5-6 hours before I removed it... Should I be worried? Is a one time exposure to very hot temperatures bad?

 

[lonewhitefly]

It's probably not the best idea, but I tend to watch out for the heat/humidity combo. I'd say if they perform okay, you should be fine.

 

[jpmorris]

I'd suspect it's worse if you have a recording on it - increased temperature can affect magnetic fields and may deteriorate the recording. For blank tapes it's probably not going to hurt much unless it gets hot enough to cause physical damage.

Interestingly, accelerated ageing tests on tape seem to involve keeping it at 60 or 80 degrees centigrade for weeks on end. With that in mind, I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[miroslav]

I wouldn't worry about it. Just leave it in the packaging until it all comes back down to room temp.
I get more worried about winter time deliveries of electronic stuff...you don't want to bring that up to room temp too fast.

With large format tape decks, the heat coming off the top can be pretty substantial. Yet not enough to do any damage to the tape. I just usually like to wait about 30 minutes or so, until the deck and spool of tape have warmed up to a consistant temp before tracking anything.

 

[DM60]

I think short term there is little effect within reason. Long term is where storage comes into play. I have had cassettes, reel to reels exposed to heat for short periods and it didn't affect it short term, but I am sure long term it would degrade fast.

I think direct exposure to sunlight is far more worse. Since these were in boxes, they were protected.

 

[Ignatius-]

Thanks guys - puts me at ease. That's kind of what I was thinking, but I know the medium is temperature sensitive so I wanted to make sure.

 

[DM60]

Thanks guys - puts me at ease. That's kind of what I was thinking, but I know the medium is temperature sensitive so I wanted to make sure.

Plus, $300 worth of tape! I would be nervous too.

 

[miroslav]

Could be worse....they could have left the package outside, in the rain.

I mean....it's really not the "stupid idiot mail person's" fault for not knowing there's precious tape inside the package.
Next time tell them in advance to hold the package at the PO, and you can go pick it up.

 

[DM60]

Could be worse....they could have left the package outside, in the rain.

I mean....it's really not the "stupid idiot mail person's" fault for not knowing there's precious tape inside the package.
Next time tell them in advance to hold the package at the PO, and you can go pick it up.

+1, they don't know. How could they?

 

[Ignatius-]

Could be worse....they could have left the package outside, in the rain.

I mean....it's really not the "stupid idiot mail person's" fault for not knowing there's precious tape inside the package.
Next time tell them in advance to hold the package at the PO, and you can go pick it up.

I know... that was a little bit harsh. I think I was projecting a little bit there. I was more mad that I didn't get home earlier, or leave a note to leave it in the shade. It was probably mostly my fault... stupid idiot me!

 

[DM60]

I know... that was a little bit harsh. I think I was projecting a little bit there. I was more mad that I didn't get home earlier, or leave a note to leave it in the shade. It was probably mostly my fault... stupid idiot me!

Ah, crap happens.

 

[miroslav]

I get a lot of UPS/FedEx/PO deliveries of audio related stuff....and I'm always watching the weather and the tracking info so I can gauge when it's coming.
There's been a couple of times where I called UPS or FedEx and told them hold the package at their distro facility, and I went and picked it up because it was a guitar or something, and I didn't want it laying out in 20 degree temps all day in front of my door.
AFA the PO...I always take care of my main PO delivery girl for XMas....and she always walks all my packages down the steps from the gate and puts them under the front door overhang...nice and safe.

My place is pretty secure, so you could leave a cash at the front door and no one would touch it....but I am always worried about the weather.

So yeah...you have to stay on top of that...otherwise, they'll leave it in the middle of the driveway, in the rain, without a plastic bag.
I've had that happen a few times with FedEx Ground deliveries, too lazy to walk down the steps but the Express guys and the UPS guys always bring it to the door.