GENERAL INFORMATION. Description.-Pyroxylin plastics are substances composed of soluble nitrocellulose and camphor. The soluble nitrocelluloses contain a lower per cent of nitrogen than those used in the manufacture of explosives. These plastics are inflammable but not explosive under ordinary conditions and are softened by heat so that they may be molded into any desired form. They may be made transparent or by the addition of suitable pigments, they may be colored as desired or made opaque. These plastics are sold under different trade names, such as "celluloid," "fiberloid," "viscoloid," and "pyralin." Moving-picture films are quite different in composition, as they contain only 2 or 3 per cent of camphor. They are not plastics and are made by an entirely different process. Uses.-Pyroxylin plastics are used for making combs, brush, and mirror backs, knife handles, buttons, rims of eyeglasses, piano keys, penholders, chessmen, boxes, toys, and many other articles. These substances do not compete to any great extent as yet with the phenolic resins such as "Bakelite." These are used mostly where a noninflammable material is necessary. Manufacture. The materials used in the manufacture of pyroxylin plastics are nitrocellulose, camphor, alcohol, and substances to be used as pigments and stabilizers. The stabilizer usually used is urea and the pigment zinc oxide. Camphor is the most expensive constituent. The supplies of natural camphor are controlled entirely by Japan. In recent years synthetic camphor has been produced in this country from turpentine. Before the war the urea used was obtained entirely from Germany, but American companies are now supplying the market. The nitrocellulose is made from a very pure grade of unglazed paper, preferably tissue paper, which is usually subjected to bleaching before final washing. The nitrocellulose is then finely pulped in order that it may be absolutely uniform. Then to 100 parts of pyroxylin are added 40 parts of alcohol, about 35 parts of camphor, and from one-half to 2 parts of stabilizer, such as urea. The amount of zinc oxide added in some cases may be as high as 20 per cent of the total. These substances are then intimately mixed in a kneading machine. After the constituents have been thoroughly incorporated the mixture is run between slightly heated rolls and pressed into sheets. These sheets are then pressed together in a hydraulic press heated to about 70° C. and made into a solid cake. From this cake sheets of the desired thickness may be cut or it may be formed into rods, tubes, blocks, or into any desired shape by heated hydraulic presses. This plastic material is then freed from excess solvent and is seasoned by drying in fireproof rooms at 30° C. for from one to six weeks, or longer, according to thickness. The product thus obtained is either worked into finished articles at the factory where it was produced or is sold to other companies which manufacture only the finished articles. Domestic production. The domestic production of pyroxylin plastics has increased rapidly in the United States in the past 20 years. The value of such articles which in 1899 amounted to $1,526,572 had increased to $5,682,379 in 1909, and in 1914 the total value was $8,876,509, of which $5,098,135 represented finished articles manu factured in the producing establishments. In 1918 all the pyroxylin plastics manufactured in the United States were produced by four companies, which sold a part of their product to other companies as well as manufacturing some of it into finished articles. Imports. The imports of pyroxylin plastics not made into finished articles have averaged less than i per cent of the domestic production, although the increase was marked following the reduction of duty in 1913. The imports for 1914 amounted to 118,980 pounds, valued at $59,270. Since the beginning of the war the imports have fallen off greatly an during 1918 amounted to only 1,349 pounds, valued at $1,343. Imports of partly or wholly finished articles manufactured from pyroxylin compounds have been greater, amounting in 1914 to about 10 per cent of the domestic production of such articles. case of the crude plastic, the increase of imports was marked after the reduction of duty in 1913. The imports for 1913 were valued at $267,502, while in 1914 the imports amounted to $521,175. After the beginning of the war the imports from Europe almost ceased, so that the imports for 1918 amounted to only $49,592. Exports. Domestic exports of "celluloid, and manufactures of,” have shown a decided increase because the war to a large extent stopped the exports from Europe. From 1910 to 1914 the domestic exports averaged about $1,500,000 annually, while in 1917 the value was more than double that amount. The exports for 1918 were valued at $3,744,745, 1919 at $7,966,493, and for first 9 months of 1920 (calendar year) $7,398,729. Foreign production.--Before the war Germany was the largest producer of pyroxylin, supplying 40 to 50 per cent of the total output. The United States ranked second and England, France, and Japan in the order named. When the war began the German shipments ceased and the English and French factories devoted most of their equipment to the manufacture of smokeless powder. The Japanese seem to be rapidly gaining in experience in the manufacture of pyroxylin plastics, and Japan probably will become the chief competitor of the United States, since it controls the world's supply of camphor, which is the most expensive constituent of these plastics. One company manufacturing pyroxylin plastics is at present making synthetic camphor which is used by it, and is therefore independent of the Japanese supply. Tariff history.-Pyroxylin compounds have been specially provided for in all the tariff acts since 1883. The duty on the crude, unshaped product was 50 cents per pound under the acts of 1883, 1890, and 1897, but was reduced to 40 cents per pound by the acts of 1894 and 1909. The act of 1913 made the duty 15 per cent ad valorem. The duty on pyroxylin compounds made into sheets, blocks, etc., has been more variable, ranging from 60 cents to 45 cents per pound, until the act of 1913 made the duty an ad valorem one of 25 per cent. For partly finished or finished articles the duty has been specific plus an ad valorem duty, except under the acts of 1894 and 1913. The act of 1894 placed the duty at 45 per cent ad valorem. Under the act of 1913 it is 40 per cent ad valorem. Prices. Before the war pyroxylin sold for about 70 cents per pound, and in 1918 was selling at about $1 per pound. COLLODION. Description.-Collodion is a solution of nitrocellulose (pyroxylin) in alcohol and ether. It is a clear sirupy liquid which is highly inflammable. On evaporation of the solvent it leaves a film of nitrocellulose. Flexible collodion is simple collodion with small amounts of castor oil and Canada balsam, or camphor, added. On drying it is more flexible than ordinary collodion. Cantharidal collodion contains cantharides, acetone being used as the solvent. Uses.-Collodion is used in surgery for coating wounds, abrasions, boils, etc. Flexible collodion is used where a flexible covering is desired as it does not shrink on drying as does ordinary collodion Cantharidal collodion is used where it is desired to produce a blistering effect, as in the case of severe neuralgic pains, pneumonia, etc Various preparations of collodion are sold under special trade names, such as "Heal All," "Heal Skin," "Fluid Skin," and "Nu-Skin," Collodion is also used in the preparation of some photographic plates. Manufacture.--Collodion is made by dissolving soluble nitrates of cellulose in ether and alcohol or some other convenient solvent. The lower nitrates, known as pyroxylin, are used. Pyroxylin is prepared by treating pure cellulose, such as tissue paper, or cotton waste with the proper mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids. (For further details see page 43.) Domestic Production. Separate figures for the production of collodion are not obtainable but are included in the total figures for pyroxylin compounds. Imports. Imports of collodion and other solution of pyroxylin have never been large. In 1913 the imports amounted to 523 pounds valued at $2,298. In 1914 the total value was $2,936. In 1918 $2,109 worth was imported. Exports. No exports of collodion are shown in Commerce and Navigation. Prices. The price of collodion was fairly constant at about 35 cents per pound from 1914 to the middle of 1917 when it began to increase and by December, 1917, it was quoted at 45 and 47 cents per pound due to use in war surgery and to the withdrawal of Germany as the largest producer of pyroxylin which combined with alcohol and ether makes collodion. By July, 1920, it had dropped to 30 cents as not so much was needed as in war time for surgical purposes. Flexible collodion has shown a great change in price from 35 to 40 cents per pound in January, 1916, to 70 to 72 cents by January, 1918. The rise due to same causes that affected collodion. In July, 1920, the price of flexible collodion had decreased to 35 and 36 cents per pound. Tariff history.-Collodion has been dutiable since the tariff act of 1883. Under the acts of 1883, 1890, and 1897, collodion was dutiable at 50 cents per pound while the acts of 1894 and 1909 placed a duty of 40 cents per pound on this substance. The act of 1913 made the duty an ad valorem one of 15 per cent. . Japanese1 production of celluloid and manufacturers of Production in principal foreign countries. 1 From the Thirty-fifth Statistical Report of the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Japan. Yen converted at par value of $0.4985. Collodion and all other liquid solutions of pyroxylin or of other cellulose esters or of cellulose 1-Imports for consumption-Revenue. 1 Prior to act of 1913, described as "Collodion and all compounds of pyroxylin or other cellulose esters.' 2 From Jan. 1 to July 1, 1920. Compounds of pyroxylin and other cellulose esters-Imports for consumption-Revenue. POLISHED, WHOLLY OR PARTLY, OR IN FINISHED OR PARTLY FINISHED ARTICLES (ACTS OF 1909 AND 1913). 1 IN BLOCKS, SHEETS, RODS, TUBES, OR OTHER FORMS, NOT POLISHED AND NOT MADE |