Pyroxylin

Description

A general term used for Cellulose nitrate formulated with less than 12.5% nitrogen. At this low nitrogen concentration, it was not explosive. Pyroxylin was most often used in lacquer formulations, generically named collodion. At the London Exposition in 1852, Alexander Parkes first exhibited pyroxylin lacquer. He later patented his production process in 1855.

Synonyms and Related Terms

cellulose nitrate; collodion; Parkesine; celluloid; loalin; French ivory; pyralin cellulose nitrate; collodion; Parkesine; loalin; French ivory; pyralin; piroxilina (Esp.);

Resources and Citations

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 171

• Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)

• Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982

• History of Plastics: www.nswpmith.com.au/historyofplastics.html (exhibited at 1852 London exposition, patented in 1856)

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyroxylin (Accessed Jan. 15, 2006)