Cellophane

Description

A strong, transparent, flexible thin film of regenerated cellulose. The term 'Cellophane' was originally a trademark for a product patented in 1908 by J.Brandenberger. Now the term is used generically for cellulose films produced from wood pulp by the viscose process. Cellophane is resistant to grease and oils, accepts dyes well and does not accumulate static electricity. The transparent film is made moisture proof by passing the extruded sheet through a dilute lacquer bath. Early applications for cellophane included use as a moisture proof wrapping for food. Currently, cellophane is used primarily for decorative packaging, fringes, and lacings.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Francephane; viscose; celofán (Esp.); cellophane (Fr.); celofana (Port.); Cellophane® [Innovia Films]

Hazards and Safety

Flammable. Poor barrier film for gases and water vapor.

Authority

• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 167

• The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 2010

• R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966

• Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990

• E.J.LaBarre, Dictionary and Encyclopedia of Paper and Paper-making, Swets & Zeitlinger, Amsterdam, 1969

• Rosalie Rosso King, Textile Identification, Conservation, and Preservation, Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985

• Pam Hatchfield, Pollutants in the Museum Environment, Archetype Press, London, 2002

• John S. Mills, Raymond White, The Organic Chemistry of Museum Objects, Butterworth Heineman, London, 2nd ed., 1994

• Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000