Nitrocellulose (Cellulose nitrate), also known as nitrocellulose, collodion, nitrocellulose, cotton collodion, etc., belongs to the nitrate ester class. It is a high molecular weight compound with the molecular formula (C6H7O2CONO2)n and a number-average relative molecular mass of 30,000 to 1,000,000. It is a white or slightly yellow fluffy solid with a melting point of 160 to 170°C, a density of 1.58 to 1.65 g/cm3, and a hardness of 90 to 110 (Rockwell). Due to different conditions in the nitration process, the nitrogen content of nitrocellulose varies, and its solubility and density also vary with the nitrogen content. [5] The auto-ignition point of nitrocellulose is 170°C, and the flash point is 12.8°C (alcohol). It is odorless, tasteless, resistant to water, dilute acids, weak alkalis and various oils, insoluble in water, and soluble in organic solvents such as esters and acetone.
Main applications
1. High nitrogen content is commonly known as guncotton, used to manufacture smokeless gunpowder; low nitrogen content is commonly known as cellulose ether, used to manufacture paint, artificial leather, film, plastics, etc.
2. Used to make stationery, daily necessities, instrument signs, etc.
3. Used in inks, leather, various nitrocellulose lacquer, rubber caps, typewriter wax paper, etc.
4. Used in the pharmaceutical industry, photographic negatives, film negatives and leather manufacturing. [2] Nitrocellulose is widely used as a binder for single-base, double-base, triple-base, modified double-base and composite modified double-base propellants. Used as a viscosity modifier in the manufacture of propellants or casting mixed explosives. As a curing crosslinking agent, its main function is to crosslink uncured prepolymers to prevent plastic flow of propellants. Nitrocellulose with different ammonia contents has different names, as well as different solubilities and uses.
