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nitrocellulose
Sign in to saveAlso known as cellulose nitrate, flash paper, flash cotton, gun cotton, guncotton, flash string, gun-cotton, pyroxyline
Nitrocellulose (also known as cellulose nitrate, flash paper, flash cotton, guncotton, pyroxylin and flash string, depending on form) is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through exposure to a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid.
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~28 min read
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17 sectionsContents
- Production
- Use
- Other uses
- Laboratory uses
- Hobbies
- Historical uses
- Early work on nitration of cellulose
- Guncotton
- Film
- Nitrate film fires
- Nitrocellulose decomposition and new "safety" stocks
- Fabric
- Coatings
- Hazards
- See also
- References
- External links
Nitrocellulose (also known as cellulose nitrate, flash paper, flash cotton, guncotton, pyroxylin and flash string, depending on form) is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through exposure to a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid.
One of its first major uses was as guncotton, a replacement for gunpowder as propellant in firearms. It was also used to replace gunpowder as a low-order explosive in mining and other applications. In the form of collodion, it was also a critical component in an early photographic emulsion, the use of which revolutionized photography in the 1860s. In the 20th century, it was adapted to automobile lacquer and adhesives.