PLAY IT SAFE!  MUSAFIA PRESSURE PORTS STABILIZE INTERNAL HUMIDITY

Our testing has shown that if an air-tight case is exposed to heat or direct sunlight, within the space of 20-30 minutes the relative humidity inside increases dramatically, doubling or even more. Yet anyone who has studied physics knows that the relative humidity of a given air mass should actually decrease with the increase of temperature! So how is this possible? Simple. Even a small increase of air temperature means that the air tries to expand. If the case is air-tight, as in many so-called “high-tech” cases, the air cannot expand because it’s trapped inside. The air, as it heats, becomes compressed, increasing the dew point and therefore the relative humidity. Our testing wasn't extreme conditions testing, either: just re-creating normal use in common summertime conditions. 

Test results dated July 25, 2005. Note that maximum relative humidity is attained in just 30 minutes of exposure to sunlight, before dropping off when air gradually begins to escape under pressure. Test conditions: direct sunlight, ambient air temperature range 90-93°F. Wireless temp/humidity probes used, values averaged for accuracy.

We have seen that in some cases the relative humidity can actually double in less than half an hour of exposure to sunlight, going from 40% to 80%. But the more the case really is air-tight, the higher the humidity will go, even to the point of creating condensation within the case. Look what can happen...

This is what happens to an air-tight case (a specially-built Musafia case, made for the purpose of testing) when repeatedly exposed to high temperatures for a long period without ever opening it. Condensation forms and cannot escape, eventually soaking the lining and breeding an impressive amount of mold. Try to imagine your violin in there! Test conditions: direct sunlight, ambient air temperature range approx. 50-125°F.  

All of this is why Musafia cases can be waterproof, but they are NOT designed to be air-tight. On the contrary: Musafia PressurePorts™, standard on Enigma cases and optional on all professional-level Musafia Cremona Italy cases, let excess air pressure escape when the case is heated or exposed to direct sunlight, maintaining a much more stable humidity inside the case and preserving the instrument from excess stress (or mold!).

       Test results dated July 28, 2005 with two Musafia Luxury Classic cases with black cover, one with PressurePorts™ and one without. While maximum relative humidity is attained in just 20 minutes of exposure to sunlight in the normal case, the case with PressurePorts™ peaked out at 40 minutes (i.e. twice as long) at almost half the increase before dropping off further. Test conditions: direct sunlight, ambient air temperature range 89-99°F. Wireless temp/humidity probes used, values averaged for accuracy.

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