Nitrocellulose lacquers

Nitrocellulose lacquers are a special type of lacquer based on nitrocellulose, a highly flammable polymer made from cellulose. These lacquers have a long tradition in various industries, particularly in furniture manufacturing and the automotive industry, and are valued for their specific properties.

The basis of nitrocellulose lacquers, nitrocellulose, is produced by reacting cellulose with a mixture of concentrated sulphuric acid and nitric acid. The resulting polymer is soluble in various organic solvents, which enables it to be used as a varnish.

Nitrocellulose lacquers are characterized by their fast drying and curing, which leads to an efficient painting time. These lacquers form a hard and resistant surface that remains elastic at the same time. The fast drying enables rapid further processing of the painted surfaces, which is an advantage in industrial production. Nitrocellulose lacquers have a wide range of applications due to their good adhesion to various substrates. Wood and metal in particular can be effectively coated with these lacquers. Due to their excellent penetration properties, nitrocellulose lacquers penetrate into the pores of the material, resulting in an even surface.

Despite their many positive properties, there are some aspects that need to be taken into account. Nitrocellulose lacquers often contain solvents that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can raise environmental and health concerns. Therefore, proper ventilation and safety precautions are required when applying and processing these coatings.

Overall, nitrocellulose lacquers remain a relevant option in various industrial applications due to their fast drying, hard surface and good adhesion to various substrates, despite the increasing popularity of more environmentally friendly lacquers with lower VOC emissions.