cellulose nitrate
A chemist carefully handles a small sample of cellulose nitrate in the laboratory.
Noun: A highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose, used primarily in the manufacture of lacquers, coatings, and certain types of explosives.
"Cellulose nitrate" is a technical term used in chemistry and industrial manufacturing. It refers to a specific material with distinct properties and applications. - It is commonly discussed in contexts involving film history (as the base for early photographic and movie film), explosives manufacturing, and specialty coatings. - The term is typically used in its full form, "cellulose nitrate," though the variant "nitrocellulose" is more common in many technical fields.
- Historical Context: The term is often used when discussing the preservation of historical artifacts, especially early photography and cinema, due to the material's instability and flammability.
- Technical Specification: In industrial settings, the degree of nitration is often specified (e.g., pyroxylin for a lower nitrogen content used in lacquers).
- Nitrocellulose (noun): The most common synonym for cellulose nitrate. It is the preferred term in many chemical and industrial contexts.
- Guncotton (noun): A form of cellulose nitrate with a high nitrogen content, used primarily as an explosive.
- Pyroxylin (noun): A form of cellulose nitrate with a lower nitrogen content, soluble in organic solvents and used in lacquers and celluloid.
- Nitrocellulose
- Pyroxylin (for lower-nitrogen variants)
- Guncotton (for higher-nitrogen, explosive variants)
- Cellulose nitrate film: Refers specifically to the photographic or cinematic film stock made from this material.
- Cellulose nitrate lacquer: A type of fast-drying lacquer or coating that uses this compound as a film-forming agent.
A chemist carefully handles a small sample of cellulose nitrate in the laboratory.
- a nitric acid ester; used in lacquers and explosives