Thread: Cell Rot info....

I've been reading up on celluloids; there were different types of celluloids produced from similar though different chemical compounds.

One thing caught my eye in reading about cellulose triacetate degradation in motion picture film stock.

I'll quote the particular area of interest:

"Cellulose acetate film was introduced in 1934 as a replacement for the cellulose nitrate film stock that had previously been standard. When exposed to heat, moisture or acids in the film base begin to deteriorate to an unusable state, releasing acetic acid with a characteristic vinegary smell, causing the process to be known as "vinegar syndrome."

When I first read this, I thought it said that acetic acid was released when the celluloid was subjected to heat, moisture OR acids. After reading again, I see it says when exposed to heat.

Granted, again there are different forms of celluloid, but if anyone has dipped steel in vinegar, oxidation does occur very very quickly. So......celluloid and heat = bad/cell rot?

Chris L

FULL WIKI ARTICLE HERE

Don't we get our scales "moist" every time we shave? Can't keep all the water particles away from the scales.

I was thrown at first by the quote as well, but if you reread it's saying that particular celluloid when subjected to heat, alters the moisture inherent in the celluloid. Heat messes with moisture that's already in the material.

As an aside, I almost never get moisture on the scales of my razors when shaving. It's happened, but I honestly can't remember a time recently when that's happened.


Chris L

I wonder if a particular product such as Renaissance Wax or perhaps Armour All might be effective in keeping the rot from the door so to speak ? It seems that vintage pieces found with rot have rusty blades and grunge built up on the inside of the scales. So it might be safe to assume that keeping the razor clean and dry after the shave would be sufficient.

Once the dreaded rot rears it's ugly head I don't know if there is any cure ? I don't think that there is.

Neutralizing the acid with lye would come to my mind