Cellulose
Acetate
Cellulose
acetate was first prepared in 1865 by Schützenberger,
and a manufacturing process developed by Cross
and Bevan in 1894. An acetone-soluble polymer was
developed by Miles in 1904, employed for 'safety
film' in 1909, and extensively used for aircraft
dope during the First World War. The dope
factories were later converted for the spinning
of fibres - Celanese. Cellulose acetate was
produced commercially as sheet and rod material
in about 1927 and as moulding powder in about
1930. It is a tough thermoplastic available in a
full colour range, including transparent. It has
a good gloss and was widely used for toys until
ABS plastics were developed. Attractive and with
a 'natural feel' it is still used for tool
handles and spectacle frames.
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