WHAT IS CELLULOSE ACETATE ?

Cellulose Acetate is a natural plastic, which is manufactured from purified natural cellulose. Natural cellulose of the appropriate properties is derived primarily from two sources, cotton linters and wood pulp. In the manufacturing process of Cellulose Acetate, natural cellulose is reacted with acetic anhydride to produce Cellulose Acetate, which comes out in a flake form. This flake is then ground to a fine powder.

Cellulose Acetate in primary form cannot be processed as a thermoplastic. It can only be processed by dissolving in a solvent and spinning or casting.  However, it can be processed by normal plastics processing techniques in compounded form.  For this, Cellulose Acetate has to be blended with a suitable combination of plasticizers and additives and melt compounded to get Cellulose Acetate Granules. Cellulose Acetate Granules can then be processed by all standard techniques.

GENERAL PROPERTIES OF CELLULOSE ACETATE

Cellulose Acetate Granules are a high performance thermoplastic with a unique combination of properties that make it the  material
of  choice for many applications.  These properties include

• High transparency and aesthetic appeal
• High impact and mechanical strength
• High dielectric constant
• Excellent machineability
• Good resistance to a variety of chemicals
• Compatibility with human skin
• Ability to be offered in an unlimited range of colours

Chemical resistance

Cellulose Acetate has good chemical resistance to

• diluted aqueous solutions with acidic base and inorganic salts
• parafinic hydrocarbons
• superior alcohols
• solutions with fatty matter

• alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons or solvents with chlorine, nitro benzene, or similar aromatic solvents. It will expand
  and lose plastification in contact with them.
• Soluble in acetone, esters, acids, strong mineral bases
• Chemically degrades with oxidizing salts

RESISTENCE TO MOISTURE

Cellulose acetate is hygroscopic (see table)

When a part is in contact with boiling water, there can be a superficial whitening on the surface which disappears.

Cellulose Acetate is  natural polymer with natural variations in the base raw material.  To get a consistent product of the highest quality requires a combination of technology and experience.  Interplex has a very sound technology base. Interplex has been processing Cellulose Acetate for over twelve years and has developed substantial expertise in this area. This processing expertise is  backed with a strong focus on quality and a well-equipped laboratory for testing the input raw materials and final product. 

Interplex is therefore committed to providing products of the highest quality standards.

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