Thread: Celluloid in modern razors

People usually describe the smell as vinegar.

thebigspendur,

The acidic, vinegary smell is from traces of nitric acid, either from the original manufacture of the celluloid, or from its break down.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Cellulose acetate breaks down to give a vinegar smell (sometimes also a bit like ammonia) - it was once called the "vinegar syndrome." It may also stretch, shrink and flex and exude the plasticiser, leaving an oily deposit, as well as triggering a chemical reaction in nearby articles made of cellulose acetate.

Cellulose nitrate is worse: the breakdown products are strongly acidic: this causes metals to rust and as it is a strong oxidising agent it can also cause spontaneous combustion (early formulations). To counter this, camphor was added - hence the camphor smell.

Two types of celluloid - two different smells!

Who knows how many more varieties there are?

Regards,
Neil