Before you use a tape cartridge, acclimate it to the operating environment for 24 hours or the time necessary to prevent condensation in the drive. The time varies,

depending on the environmental extremes to which the cartridge was exposed.

The best storage container for the cartridges (until they are opened) is the original shipping container. The plastic wrapping prevents dirt from accumulating on the

cartridges and partially protects them from humidity changes.

When you ship a cartridge, place it in its jewel case or in a sealed, moisture-proof bag to protect it from moisture, contaminants, and physical damage. Ship the cartridge in

a shipping container that has enough packing material to cushion the cartridge and prevent it from moving within the container.

Table 1

gives the environment for storing and shipping LTO Ultrium Tape Cartridges.

Table 1. Environment for storing and shipping the LTO Ultrium Tape Cartridge

Environmental Factor

Temperature

Relative humidity (noncondensing) 20 - 80%

Maximum wet bulb temperature

Magnetic ﬁeld

Disposing of tape cartridges

Under the current rules of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), regulation 40CFR261, the LTO Ultrium Tape Cartridge is classiﬁed as non-hazardous waste.

As such, it might be disposed of in the same way as normal ofﬁce trash. These regulations are amended from time to time, and you can review them at the time of

disposal.

If your local, state, country (non-US), or regional regulations are more restrictive than EPA 40CFR261, you must review them before you dispose of a cartridge. Contact

your account representative for information about the materials that are in the cartridge.

If a tape cartridge must be disposed of in a secure manner, you can erase the data on the cartridge by using a high-energy ac degausser (use a minimum of 4000 oersted

peak ﬁeld over the entire space that the cartridge occupies). The tape must make two passes through the ﬁeld at 90 degree orientation change for each pass to achieve

complete erasure. Some commercial degaussers have one magnetic ﬁeld regions offset 90 degrees from each other to accomplish complete erasure in one pass for higher

throughput. Degaussing makes the cartridge unusable.

If you burn the cartridge and tape, ensure that the incineration complies with all applicable regulations.

Ordering media supplies

About this task

Table 1

lists the cartridges and media supplies that you can order for the drive.

Supply Item

18 TB Ultrium 9 Data Cartridge 20-Pack (with

attached labels)

18 TB Ultrium 9 Data Cartridge 20-Pack

(without labels)

18 TB Ultrium 9 Data Cartridge 5-PACK

18 TB Ultrium 9 WORM Tape Cartridge Labeled Order as part number 02XW569L through an IBM media Authorized Distributor.

18 TB Ultrium 9 WORM Tape Cartridge

12 TB Ultrium 8 Data Cartridge (with attached

labels) 20-PACK

12 TB Ultrium 8 Data Cartridge (without

labels) 20-PACK

12 TB Ultrium 8 Data Cartridge (black and

white labels unattached) 5-PACK

12 TB Ultrium 8 WORM Tape Cartridge (with

attached labels) 20-PACK

12 TB Ultrium 8 WORM Tape Cartridge

(without labels) 20-PACK

Allowable Storage

Recommended Storage

16 - 32°C

16 - 25°C

(61 - 90°F)

(61 - 77°F)

20 - 50%

26°C (79°F)

Stray magnetic ﬁeld at any point on tape not to exceed 50 oersteds (4000 ampere/meter).

Table 1. Media supplies