Cellulose nitrate, or nitrocellulose, adhesives have historically been one of the most versatile adhesives, as witnessed to its well known use as a common household cement. In a typical formulation, the polymer is plasticized with camphor and dissolved in an alcohol-ester-ketone mixture. Other cellulose nitrate formulations, containing wax, are used as a heat-seal coating on cellophane.
RESULTING PROPERTIES
Cellulose nitrate adhesives adhere well, forming a tough bond to a variety of materials such as glass, leather, metals, cloth, and some plastics. Cellulose nitrate gives a very strong bond to polar substrates. They are water resistant and age fairly well, but discolor in sunlight. Having a high viscosity and good tack, they develop strength rapidly with tough films being formed even with some residual solvent present.
The cellulose nitrate adhesive films are flammable, and this limits their use in many industrial applications. One of the important uses for cellulose nitrate is bonding of thermoplastics, and it is often referred to as “model cement” from its use in assembling plastic model airplanes. The adhesive formulation provided above can be used with china, wood, metal, glass, paper and leather.
