Encyclopedia

pyroxylin

pyroxylin (pīrok'silin) [key], partially nitrated cellulose (see nitrocellulose). It is used in lacquers, plastics, and artificial leathers. Pyroxylin lacquers are made by dissolving pyroxylin in a mixture of volatile solvents and adding a plasticizer and a pigment or dye. Pyroxylin plastics are made by colloiding pyroxylin with large amounts of a plasticizer such as camphor; such plastics (e.g., celluloid) are highly flammable. Collodion is a solution of pyroxylin in ether and ethanol.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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