Frigilene
Description
A brand name for a cellulose nitrate based solution that produces a crystal clear film often used to minimize tarnish on silver and silverplate. Frigilene is designed to give protection to the silver without changing the surface appearance. It does not diminish the lustre of highly polished metal, nor does it impart a gloss to matt. The product does not contain bulking agents and only contains small amounts of additives s including a dye and an alkyd (used to help the mixture flow more evenly and smoothly over the surface).
A thinner, called Frigilene Reducer is available for this product.The coating has a limited life expectancy of approximately 20-30 years dependent on environmental conditions. The application process, via brushing, spraying or dipping, is critical as the coating must an even, continuous film to provide protection from atmospheric pollutants.
Synonyms and Related Terms
cellulose nitrate; nitrocellulose
Related materials: Zapon lak; Zapon lacquer; Agateen Lacquer
Applications
- Coating silver
Personal Risks
- Contains xylene
- HS Walsh: SDS
Collection Risks
- Becomes yellow and brittle with age.
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Soluble in acetone.
- Flashpoint: 17.2 C
- T.L.V: 100 ppm 435 mg/m3
- Specific gravity: 0.885 at 20 C
Resources and Citations
- In Situ Conservation and Museum Services: Frigilene
- English Heritage: 'Preventing silver tarnish – lifetime determination of cellulose nitrate lacquer' by Naomi Luxford and David Thickett Metal07, Vol. 5.
- AIC Conservation-Wiki: Tarnish
- Simon Metcalf, 'Weighing up silver objects: evaluating past and future conservation methods' Conservation Journal, 1997 link
- Chandra L. Reedy, Richard A Corbett, Deborah L. Long, Robert E. Tatnall and Bradley D. Krantz "Evaluation of three Protective Coating for Indoor Silver Objects", Objects Specialty Group postprints, American Institute for Conservation 27th Annual Meeting, St. Louis. Washington, D. C.:AIC. 6:41–69, 1998. Link
- G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 436
- AIC Global Conservation forum discussion thread: Cellulose nitrate coatings for protecting silver Accessed July 2025