Bakelite - what is it? The material is one of the oldest types of plastics developed by mankind. It is obtained by condensation of phenols with formaldehyde resins, in the presence of alkali. Externally, the material may somewhat resemble amber, ebonite, celluloid and even ivory.
The invention of Bakelite
Bakelite - what is this material? The idea of developing heavy-duty, non-combustible plastic came to the Belgian inventor Leo Bakeland back in 1909. For a long time, the material was used exclusively to meet the needs of industrial fields. Later, light weight and the extreme strength of bakelite served as excellent properties for specialists in the manufacture of inexpensive jewelry.
At first, the material was not in great demand. Only in the 40s of the last century, thanks to a significant expansion of the color palette, bakelite began to attract the attention of the most numerous enterprises specializing in the manufacture of jewelry and a variety of household accessories.
In the postwar period, the demand for bakelite decreased slightly. A new wave of popularity of the material occurred in the 80s, when bakelite jewelry again became popular, mainly due to American designers. In particular, a huge collection of bakelite jewelry was available from the famous artist and filmmaker Andy Warhol, after whose death the items were sold at auction for a record amount at that time.
Today, attention to bakelite as a high-strength, extremely lightweight and textured material is still quite high, however, like its price.
How to make bakelite
A mixture of formalin with phenols in the presence of an alkaline or acid catalyst forms bakelite. What is it? If we talk about formalin, then get it by oxidation of methanol at a temperature of 650 about With the presence of a catalyst in the form of silver. Another component of bakelite - phenol is extracted from wood, brown peat, and oil products .
Bakelite ingredients are poured into specialized forms and heated to 80 ° C. The bakelite A raw material at room temperature has properties similar to rosin.
In order to avoid the formation of cavities and bubbles in the bakelite structure, the material is polymerized at an elevated pressure level of about 8 atmospheres. In the polymerization of bakelite in sealed vessels, the necessary pressure is achieved by itself.
Bakelite - material properties
Bakelite is a strong, solid material that undergoes a non-melting, insoluble form under the influence of prolonged heating. The material is highly soluble in alcohol. Therefore, this property is successfully used for the production of bakelite varnishes.
The material has a durable coating. Bakelite is an excellent conductor of heat; its surface resists friction and pressure well. Bakelite workpieces can be machined on a lathe.
Among other things, the material is highly resistant to corrosive chemicals. The only exceptions are concentrated solutions of nitric and sulfuric acid.
Naturally, like any other material, bakelite also has its drawbacks. What is it? First of all, it is worth noting the density and increased fragility of the material. Bakelite-based items are massive. Therefore, the material is absolutely unsuitable for the production of cases of modern electronics.
At the same time, bakelite is harmful due to the presence of formaldehydes and a number of other toxic components. Based on this, the possibility of using the material in some industrial fields remains extremely limited.
How to distinguish real bakelite from fake?
Bakelite - what is it? First of all, the material is characterized by such valuable properties as resistance to atmospheric influences, acids, it is an excellent dielectric and lends itself well to machining.
Despite the whole mass of pronounced distinctive properties of the material, fakes are often found. However, there are several proven methods that can distinguish this type of plastic from fake:
- Processing the back surface of bakelite with a household cleaner necessarily leads to a noticeable patina in the form of a yellowish speck.
- Exposure to bakelite with hot water causes a specific odor slightly resembling camphor aroma.
In fact, making a fake bakelite is quite simple. In the presence of a certain set of chemical components, imitation of the material can be done at home. Often, only with testing and close, careful consideration, it becomes clear that the material is not authentic.
Bakelite jewelry manufacturing
Is Bakelite harmful? This question is asked by the most numerous masters who decided to engage in the manufacture of jewelry. At the time of the appearance of the material, the safety of its use raised some doubts. However, at present, the composition of bakelite is devoid of toxic, potentially
harmful substances. Therefore, today it is so fashionable to use this basis for the production of jewelry.
There are craftsmen who use bakelite cases of old household appliances for the production of jewelry. Usually, with this method of manufacture, the buyer of the jewelry is warned about its origin.
The cost of bakelite products
If we talk about the cost of bakelite jewelry, then it depends on the complexity of the product, the collection value and the authority of the manufacturer. Typically, bakelite jewelry in black, green, and iris can be bought at the lowest price.