Lacquers Made From Cellulose Ethers and Esters

More than 95 percent of lacquers made from cellulose ethers and esters are produced from nitrate esters of cellulose (seeCELLULOSE NITRATE LACQUERS). In addition, lacquers made from ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, and cellulose acetate buty-rate are important.

Ethyl cellulose lacquers contain inexpensive solvents (such as a mixture of toluene and ethyl alcohol), plasticizers (such as esters of phthalic acids), and natural or synthetic resins (such as phenol-formaldehyde resins). The resins serve to enhance the decorative properties of the coatings, improve the coatings’ adhesion to the base, and increase the amount of film-forming material in the lacquer. Films of ethyl cellulose lacquers are less flammable, more elastic, and more resistant to alkalinity, light, and heat than are films of cellulose nitrate lacquers. Ethyl cellulose lacquers withstand temperatures of up to 150°C and retain their elasticity at low temperatures. They are used mainly for the finishing of paper products and the treating of fabric braidings of electric wires.

Cellulose acetate lacquers form nonflammable coatings that are resistant to the action of light and of heat up to 200°C. These lacquers do not adhere well to the base, and they have a low resistance to alkalinity. Cellulose acetate lacquers are not widely used in industry, because of their low solubility in available solvents and their incompatibility with many natural resins.

Cellulose acetate butyrate is soluble in many organic compounds and compatible with resins. It forms lacquers that are nonflammable and are resistant to the action of light and of heat up to 200°–220°C. These lacquers have a number of uses, including the finishing of paper products.