At 09:02 AM 3/8/99 -0500, you wrote: > >> Grained celluloid > >Barrie, > >Is this true celluloid or just a generic name for near white plastic >of a different composition? > >Celluloid, real celluloid, is explosively flammable, and as such >should be avoided. One cigarette burn and the whole set can go off in >mere fractions of a second. > >Get a piece and put it on a safe spot on the side walk and touch a >match to it. If it flares immediately don't use it. If it sits there >and goes out it is safer. > > Newton That's cellulose nitrate, or "gun cotton" to the archaic types. They used to make billiard balls out of the stuff, as a more obtainable, uniform and dependable substitute for ivory. They eventually got tired of blowing up billiard halls and went to a sort of clay. The stuff used to be made by soaking cotton in sulfuric and/or nitric acid, I forget, and don't want to take the time to look it up. I don't think anyone is using cellulose nitrate for keytop material any more, are they. Ron
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