Mar 03, 2009 professional films were often coated on cellulose nitrate, which is the nasty, inflamable and almost unextinguishable stuff. History, science, preservation and treatment of cellulose. Introduction to nitrate film national science and media. By treatment of the film or fiber, the cellulose derivative may be converted back regenerated into cellulose although the processing involves reduction in molar mass. Nitrate film burns at a higher temperature than even. Standard for the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate. Decomposing films stored in metal film cans may also be covered in very fine brown. Cellulose nitratetransparent plastic used as the base in the earliest 35mm film stock. Nitrate can be very dangerous, mainly because it is highly flammable. Unfortunately, nitrate film is a severe fire safety hazard. Camphormodified cellulose nitrate has been known for over 120 years, and it still retains its use in a few specialized applications. Film stock with a nitrate base was the first transparent flexible plasticized base commercially available, thanks to celluloid developments by john carbutt, hannibal goodwin, and eastman kodak in the 1880s. Nitrocellulose is a name for several products obtained by treating cellulose with a mixture of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acids. There are five stages in the decomposition of nitrate film.
Nitrocellulose one source states nitrocellulose is a mixture of polymeric nitrate esters, and that three types of nitrocellulose are recognized. Cellulose nitrate has been used to repair crazed enamel. Cellulose nitrate is also used as a coating material in fastdrying automobile lacquers, on the cloth used to cover hardbound books, and as a leather covering. Lily rothman, time, this mysterious longlost film of the brooklyn bridge wasnt seen for a century, 18 may 2018. How to spot and handle dangerous nitrate film everpresent. Storage temperatures therefore need to be as cold as possible. Safe handling, storage, and destruction of nitrate based motion picture films this publication will help you understand the requirements to safely handle, store, transport, and destroy cellulose nitrate.
This building was constructed following the national fire protection associations standard for the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate film nfpa 40 and, as such, lac had to follow certain rules. It is highly flammable and also decomposes with age, becoming toxic. Furthermore, as the film breaks down, it gives off nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and other gases that yellow the film base, yellow and soften gelatin, and oxidize the silver image. It has been the consensus of opinion of authorities that these regulations, if rigorously carried out, take care of the fire hazard and the gas hazard in the case of cellulose nitrate xray films. Cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate are the two types of unstable plastics used as the support for photographic film. Not all nitrate film has decomposed, some is actually in excellent condition. It is made from nitrocellulose, also called cellulose nitrate, and is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through exposure to. Nitrate film burns at a higher temperature than even gasoline. Early safety films made of cellulose acetate compounds had higher burning points but were more expensive and less durable than nitrate film. Management of cellulose nitrate and cellulose ester film. A number of institutions have patterned their film storage after these regulations. The introduction of safety film in 1923 addressed the flammability issue by replacing cellulose nitrate film with cellulose acetate. Leo enticknap, the film industrys conversion from nitrate to safety film in.
The danger of such ignition is reduced by inspecting stored film stocks and removing and destroying all decomposing film. As nouns the difference between celluloid and cellulose is that celluloid is any of a variety of thermoplastics created from nitrocellulose and camphor, once used as photographic film while cellulose is a complex carbohydrate that forms the main constituent of the cell wall in most plants and is important in the. Disposal of cellulose nitrate film national park service. Motion picture or sound recording film that is coated on a support or base consisting essentially of cellulose nitrate. Whatman cellulose membranes clarification and final. Cellulose nitrate releases toxic gas that quickly eats away at any film stored without proper ventilation. Cellulose disease definition of cellulose disease by. Celluloid is easily molded and shaped, and it was first widely used as an ivory replacement. Because of its instability, its use for cinematography was limited in 1912 and banned in 1951.
A permit is required to store, handle or use cellulose nitrate film in the following quantities. Digitization and preservation of cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate negatives posted on july 10, 20 by albumenworks before polyester film became readily available in the 1950s, all flexible film negatives were made on some form of cellulose nitrate or cellulose acetate support. Nitrocellulose also known as cellulose nitrate, flash paper, flash cotton, guncotton, and flash string is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through exposure to nitric acid or another powerful nitrating agent. Pyroxylin solution appears as a solution in absolute ethanol or another organic solvent of cellulose nitrate nitrocellulose that contains 11. Standard for the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate film. There are three broad types of film based photographic materials. Nov 03, 2011 cellulose nitrate was first used as a base for photographic roll film by george eastman in 1889. A colorless flammable material made from nitrocellulose and camphor and used to make photographic film. Spontaneous ignition of decomposing cellulose nitrate film. Major industrial polymers cellulose nitrate britannica.
In fact, nitrate film, first manufactured by eastman kodak in 1889 and continued to be made until. Innovative process produces biodegradable cellulosebased films. Jun 08, 2016 food scientists srinivas janaswamy and qin xu hold a brick atop the biodegradable film they produced from cellulose, the main component of plant cell walls. In 1950, just two years after kodak introduced a greatly improved safety film made of cellulose triacetate, the company stopped making nitrocellulose film. Motion picture film can be made of various materials and by different processes and both material and process inform storage, handling, and duplication recommendations. Cellulose nitrate film permit requirements appendix chapter 1, section 105. An operational permit is required to store, handle or use cellulose nitrate film in a group a occupancy. The emulsion becomes adhesive and films stick together. Cellulose nitrate based films were produced in the early 20 th century until 1952.
Nitrate film was used for xray photography for some time, where its hazardous nature was most acute, thus in 1933, became disused for such purposes, along with its uses for motionpicture films in 1951, when it was replaced by cellulose acetate film commonly known as safety film. The film is a cellulose nitrate film, 10 to 20 microns in thickness, cast from a solution of cellulose nitrate in tetrahydrofuran, said solution containing from 7 to 15 percent, by weight, of dioctyl phthalate, said cellulose nitrate having a nitrogen content of from 10 to percent. Storage and handing of processed nitrate film motion. Store deteriorated cellulose nitrate films separate from other cellulose nitrate films. The 19thcentury development that allowed for the nitration of cellulose fibres obtained from cotton linters may constitute the advent of plastics. Cellulose nitrate was first used as a base for photographic roll film by george eastman in 1889. Cellulose nitrate was also used for photographic film from the 1880s to 1920s and animated drawing cels. Hazards nitrate can be very dangerous, mainly because it is highly flammable. Film with a nitrate base is often called nitrate film. Safety film was the name given to cellulose acetate, the base material that replaced cellulose nitrate.
The solvent may evaporate if the solution is spilled, leaving a plastic film that is easily ignited and burns very vigorously. When motion picture film was introduced in the 1890s, cellulose nitrate was the only available transparent plastic durable enough for movie cameras and projectors. It will be marked as nitrate along the edge of the 35mm film, below the sprocket holes. Leo enticknap, the film industrys conversion from nitrate to safety film in the late. First, old film made of cellulose nitrate has a tendency to deteriorate and decompose. Pdf the film industrys conversion from nitrate to safety film in. During the abnormally hot summer of 1949, numerous fires involving cellulose nitrate motion picture films were reported in new york city and adjacent areas. Unfortunately, cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetates are unstable.
Safe handling, storage, and destruction of nitrate based motion picture films this publication will help you understand the requirements to safely handle, store, transport, and destroy cellulose nitrate based films. Cellulose nitrate film, normally just called nitrate film, has a base that is a completely different type of animal. Nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, and nitrous dioxide are all released as gases from the decomposition of cellulose nitrate. It is impossible to put out a nitrate fire but according to legend it can be put out within the first 10 seconds of catching alight. In photographic archives, active preservation efforts focus on the film based materials. The rate of decomposition of cellulose nitrate films roughly doubles with every increase of six degrees centigrade, so the higher the storage temperature, the faster the film will deteriorate. Disposal of cellulose nitrate film introduction cellulose nitrate nitrate film was manufactured from about 19101950 for use as a nonbreakable, lightweight alternative to glass plate photographic negatives. Once you convert an image from nitrate onto modern safetybase film, the safetybase image replaces the nitrate image as the museum object. Document any problems in the space including odors, discomfort, or ill effects noticed. In the early 20th century, cellulose nitrate was often used for clear lacquers, fabric dopes, adhesives, and highgloss paints. Display and storage of museum objects containing cellulose. Cellulose acetate membranes are made from pure cellulose acetate, making them suitable for biological and clinical analysis, sterility tests, and scintillation.
Mellon director of collections, describes the effort to assess, preserve, and digitize our collection of approximately 35,000 nitrate negatives. Enamel is basically a glass colored by the addition of metal oxides and fused onto a metal base. Major industrial polymers major industrial polymers cellulose nitrate. We are committed to saving our visual history whenever possible identifying nitrate film. The requirements of this standard, therefore, apply strictly to longterm storage of cellulose nitrate film. Cellulose nitrate has a characteristic acid odor, similar to that of nitric acid. Cellulose nitrate film, a product once widely used in cinema but ceasing production nearly 70 years ago, is by no means a pillar of the modern industry. Nitrate degradation is a slow chemical process that occurs because of two factors. Preserving nitrate negatives chicago history museum. Care, handling, and storage of motion picture film.
Nitrate film burns rapidly, is fueled by its own oxygen, and releases toxic fumes. Decayed nitrate film is even more volatile, and can selfignite at temperatures over 100 degrees fahrenheit. How do i determine whether film is nitrate, cellulose ester. Nitrocellulose xray film ignition was the cause of the. Cellulose nitrate film stock was in commercial use through the early 1950s, when it was replaced by cellulose acetate plastic safety film. Cellulose, however, may be chemically treated so that the modified products may be dissolved and the solution may then either be cast into film or spun into fiber. Cellulose nitrate used for film is highly nitrated, this means that the polymer is. Decomposing nitrate film can ignite spontaneously at temperatures as low as 120f. Cellulose acetate film, or safety film, is used in photography as a base material for photographic emulsions. Base polymers nfsa national film and sound archive. The main use was in movie and photography film industries, which used only celluloid film stock prior to the adoption of acetate safety film in the 1950s.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries it was the basis of the earliest manmade fibres and plastic materials. When used as a propellant or loworder explosive, it is also known as guncotton. Understanding f how i decays national film preservation. The process uses nitric acid to convert cellulose into cellulose nitrate and water.
Method of producing thin cellulose nitrate filmpatent doe. In the presence of atmospheric moisture, these gases combine with water to form nitric acid. Despite the known hazards, nitrate sheet film remained in widespread use until the mid1930s, though use of nitrate roll and motion picture film persisted until the early 1950s. The truth is we need to convert films to digital now to stop the degradation of the image that. Because cellulose nitrate contains oxygen, nitrate fires can be very difficult to extinguish. Recent examples on the web but almost all cellulose nitrate film has selfdestructed in the last 100 years.
In the early part of the twentieth century, it was widely used for combs. Nitrate film preservation facility library and archives. When used as a propellant or loworder explosive, it. At the same time, amateur films were coated on cellulose diacetate.
Whatman offers a variety cellulose membranes for multiple applications. Cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate film bases are chemically unstable and require special action to minimize the risk of total. The first clue to identifying cellulose nitrate based films in a collection is gauge or width of the film. Cellulose nitrate definition of cellulose nitrate by. Nitrocellulose and cellulose, nitrate are listed as technical names for collodion, and cellulose, nitrate is also listed as a technical name for nitrocellulose. Jul 17, 20 the ability to separate the image emulsion layer from a deteriorated acetate film base relies on the presence of cellulose nitrate subbing layers between the emulsion, support, and anticurl layers of the negative. Flammability was one of the main drawbacks with nitrate motion picture film.
Evaluating the extent of deterioration the nitrate film you have in storage may be middleaged, but if it was properly stored, it may be quite usable. Identifying and handling nitrate film december 2008 here is some basic information about how to identify nitrate film, the hazards of handling nitrate film and information about shipping and housing nitrate film. Checklist for cellulose nitrate film storage definition of cellulose nitrate film. Cellulose triacetatestrongest acetate film base used for motion picture film. A common additive used in nitrate film, camphor, is also highly flammable further compounding the problem. Disposal of nitratebased motion picture film motion. It shrinks, even to the point of becoming unusable. Highly flammable, cellulose nitrate base film was phased out in the early 1950s. Conserveogram 222 disposal of cellulose nitrate film. In 2011, construction of library and archives canadas lac new nitrate film preservation facility nfpf was complete.
Do not exceed 70 f inside the storage vault, and maintain the relative humidity below 50. Once you convert an image from nitrate onto modern safetybase film, the safety base image replaces the nitrate image as the museum object. Paper is made of cellulose, and in this video, ill be converting it into a plastic. These materials have been used as a support for negatives, positive transparencies, motion pictures, microfilm, and other photographic products. It is a composition that often exists under high strain without apparent cause and can. Cellulose nitrate film is one material that is often demonized due to its combustible chemical composition.
You may see nitrate film, safety film or just the letter s, which also was used on safety film. The dangerous beauty of cellulose nitrate film bbc. It was introduced in the early 20th century by film manufacturers and intended as a safe film base replacement for unstable and highly flammable nitrate film. We realize and respect the importance of early films that captured our past, and have developed a safe environment to transfer the film. In 1889, the eastman kodak company introduced the first commercially available cellulose nitrate film as an alternative to the more more. Diacetate did not have the flammability problems of nitrate, but was more susceptible to turn into acetic acid vinagering. Title 49, code of federal regulations 49cfr, parts 100 through 185, govern the transportation of hazardous materials. Cellulose nitrate based films were produced in the early 20th century until 1952. Aug 17, 2015 cellulose nitrate negatives throughout our travels we have come across a few archives that were unaware they had cellulose nitrate in their collection or that film based photographic material can be made of cellulose nitrate. Kodak began working with acetate safety film as early as 1909, and started selling it in 1910 for 22 mm film. The variety of objects made from cellulose nitrate includes cutlery handles french ivory and ivorylike substitutes, drafting setsquares and drawing templates, toys and dolls, photographic film, eyeglass frames, protective and decorative lacquers, and many other cosmetic, toiletry, and household items ranging from buttons to toilet seats.
Storing and handling cellulose nitrate film with nfpa 40. Department of transportation dot has classified cellulose nitrate film as a hazardous material. Cellulose nitrate definition of cellulose nitrate by the. Nitrate captures the ephemeral, transforming it into a record that can be interpreted. Safety assessment of nitrocellulose and collodion as used in.
Cellulose nitrate polymer was used to create a silver bromide and silver iodide image emulsion that was panchromatic. To kick off monday night nitrates, our new weekly photograph series, m. This includes unexposed film, positive prints, negatives, or used film. Despite the dangers of the nitrate film base being known practically since its development, it was used in virtually all major motion pictures prior to 1952, when kodak completed a fouryear conversion program to the sole manufacturing of acetate base film stocks. Health and safety executive the dangers of cellulose nitrate film page 3 of 6 a noticeable acrid odour that may range from being a faintly irritating smell to strongly irritating fumes.
I made a mistake in the diagrams for cellulose, all of the glucose units are missing an oxygen atom. Cellulose nitrate nitrate film was manufactured from about 19101950 for use as a nonbreakable, lightweight alternative to glass plate photographic negatives. Nfpa 402019 is the 2019 edition of the standard for the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate film the very existence of this american national standard might seem strange. Nitrocellulose, also called cellulose nitrate, a mixture of nitric esters of cellulose, and a highly flammable compound that is the main ingredient of modern gunpowder and is also employed in certain lacquers and paints.
Preserving your collection of filmbased photographic. Cellulose nitrate, or nitrocellulose membranes are recommended for the majority of routine applications. They were developed to replace glass plate negatives, and used for black and white motion pictures. A film base is a transparent substrate which acts as a support medium for the photosensitive. The film contains gas bubbles and gives off a noxious odour. The earliest of the ester polymers was cellulose nitrate. The formation of nitric acid acts to further degrade cellulose nitrate film. Identifying and handling nitrate film association of moving image. The reaction is first order and proceeds by electrophilic substitution at the c.
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