"Metal rot..." Topic

I like to mix up miniatures within a unit but recently this has had an unforeseen result. Each one of my 15mm ECW units contains one or two figures from an ancient line (Asgard possibly) and in the last month each and every one of these figures as ballooned from metal rot leaving the surrounding Matchlock, Essex and Minifigs lads wondering if they are fighting the power of Nurgle…
Genuine casualties in the ranks.

What is this metal rot???

Dunno. Never seen it myself.

Lead oxidation, usually a white powdery substance aka lead rot. No known cure just a ruined figure that doesn't stop rotting.

I've noticed that figures I handled a lot before pain't in were more subseptical to it. The prevention, clean, prime and paint as soon as possible.

It's the alloy used. All you can do now is replace them.

Don't store them in wooden containers or drawers.

link

Lead oxidation, usually a white powdery substance aka lead rot. No known cure just a ruined figure that doesn't stop rotting.

So older figures with more lead content are more susceptible. Modern modern figures tend to have very much less lead.

And dont store them cold….

Interesting stuff chaps, especially Tony S -thank you.
I have heard of this on the forums but I've never seen it until now with one company's figures -figures I have had for 20 years or so all going at the same time -must be environmental (have I been watching too much 'House'?).

And dont store them cold….

Shouldn't cold actually slow down oxidation, like it does with most chemical reactions?

However, does air humidity have an effect?

I had a 10 year hiatus from wargaming (1986-1996) in which all my toys were stored in an un-heated attic.
We had some record cold weather some of those years. And the attic got pretty hot in the summer.
Some were stored in wood boxes. All were based on bass or balsa wood with Elmer's glue.
All the above are supposed no-noes.
Guess what.
All the figures made from the right alloy survived.
Those made from a cheap lead alloy got rot.

Unless a current manufacturer is an idiot, this should not be a problem with new figures.
If your figures were made in the 1980s you may have s problem.

Lead rot is a disease usually of older figures which had, as many have noted, a high percentage of lead.

Once it's afflicted he figure cannot be saved.

There IS a means of prevention BEFORE the lead rot when the figure is new. You must dip them in a solution of concentrated sulfuric acid for 10 seconds, then let them dry and wash thouroughly. This will form a barrier to the lead rot.

Winston Smith is correct. It's all the alloy of the figure, those of pewter or event typemetal are usually immune.

Also the paint you use can help. I use oils which makes a fairly durable and impervious barrier.

For a very complete dissertation on the subject check out this article on the Naval Sea Systems Command website about lead rot in displays.
link

Not a metallurgist and didn't stay at a holiday inn but quite a few years my 32 year old collection were stored out in my out building without heat, but I've always wondered if paint and clear coat protects from moisture and air.

In my experience they rot from the feet. All the dudes who got the dreaded Lead Rot snapped off at the ankles. Some had been under coated with Floquil primer which gave them an impregnable plastic coating. Except on the bottom. Where they had been glued with Elmer's to a wooden base.

I don't understand the chemistry but lead tot has something to do with acetic acid and acetate. Elmer's is full of it. And I guess, so does the wood. So I have been told.
Ironically, back In The Day, one was supposed to dip the lead figures in vinegar, acetic acid. Now it is supposed to be the worst thing you can do. Which I look on the suggestion of dipping in sulfuric acid with a dubious eye.

I tend to think that if the figures are made of the wrong alloy, they will rot regardless of what you do.
I also think that today's manufacturers and casters are too smart to use the wrong alloy, so anything relatively new should give no problems.

According to the report linked by Heisler, the lead rot is caused by exposure in the air to acetic acid or similar acids which convert the lead to lead carbonate powder which while in contact with the lead, accelerates the further propagation of lead rot. There is no treatment, surface or otherwise, that is reliably effective, but these practices will slow its rate:

-Models with lead parts should not be displayed or stored in cases made from oak or made from other woods on the highly destructive list. Woods not on the list in this report, and there are many, may range from minimally to highly harmful.

-Lead carbonate which has accumulated should be removed from affected parts and from inside the exhibit case interior as frequently as possible.

-For models with lead parts, exhibit case interiors should be kept as cool as may be practical.

-Exhibit cases should exchange interior air about twice a day.

-World War Two vintage waterline identification models should not be stored closed within their original wooden carrying cases.

-Do not use lead fittings when constructing new models or refitting old models.

-Wash your hands after handling lead.

Well I'm certainly not bringing concentrated sulfuric acid into the house -what could go wrong there!!!
My whole lead mountain is stored in wooden drawers -lets hope it's really an alloy mountain.

Thinking about this more my earliest figures are 28mms Ral Partha, none have been based and they definitely have been out in my out building on a shelf. Some are barely painted a few none at all.I guess I need to carefully inspect them.