Cellulose Acetate

Cellulose acetate is a plastic that replaced cellulose nitrate as a base for photographic negatives and motion picture film. Early audio recordings, microfilm/microfiche and X-ray film also consisted of cellulose acetate. It is known as “safety film” because it is far less flammable than its predecessor (cellulose nitrate film). Cellulose acetate was introduced as early as 1909 but did not entirely replace cellulose nitrate until the 1950s. Its deterioration gives rise to the euphemistically named “vinegar syndrome” because of the characteristic odour of the acetic acid released as a by-product.