How can you tell the difference between Bakelite and plastic?

Identifying by Weight Bakelite feels heavier when compared to some other types of plastics, like celluloid. Hold another type of plastic you have identified in one hand, and a piece you know to be Bakelite of approximately the same size in the other. You will often notice the heavier feel of Bakelite.

What exactly is Bakelite?

Polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride, better known as Bakelite (/ˈbeɪkəlaɪt/ BAY-kə-lyte; sometimes spelled Baekelite), was the first plastic made from synthetic components. It is a thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin, formed from a condensation reaction of phenol with formaldehyde.

What was so special about Bakelite?

Like many modern plastics, Bakelite was lightweight and durable, and it could be molded into nearly infinite shapes, so its use quickly expanded as manufacturers realized its potential. Bakelite made perhaps its largest stamp on the world of fashion.

Why did they stop using Bakelite?

There are several reasons. One half of the chemical reaction is formaldehyde, which has a bad reputation. The other half is phenol, which is a derived petrochemical, and has its own poor health record. Bakelite is a therrmo-setting material, which means that it cannot be melted down and used again.

Is bakelite considered a plastic?

A hard, infusible, and chemically resistant plastic, Bakelite was based on a chemical combination of phenol and formaldehyde (phenol-formaldehyde resin), two compounds that were derived from coal tar and wood alcohol (methanol), respectively, at that time.

What is the difference between celluloid and bakelite?

Bakelite is a sturdy material and is heavier than Celluloid. Bakelite is denser and heavier than Celluloid. Hold two pieces of jewelry in your hands and compare the weight. Simichrome Polish is a non-abrasive cream that can be purchased in hardware stores.

What is Bakelite polymer?

What is Bakelite? Bakelite is a polymer made up of the monomers phenol and formaldehyde. This phenol-formaldehyde resin is a thermosetting polymer. The ease of molding polymers into different shapes and their relatively low cost of production has been the main reason for their universal usage.

When was Bakelite plastic invented?

1907
The introduction of Bakelite—the world’s first synthetic plastic—in 1907 marked the introduction of the Polymer Age.

What is the difference between Bakelite and melamine?

The key difference between bakelite and melamine is that bakelite is a thermosetting phenol-formaldehyde resin whereas melamine is an amine organic compound. Melamine is a thermoplastic material, but upon combining with formaldehyde, it gives a characteristically durable thermosetting material, melamine resin.

Is Bakelite plastic toxic?

These are incredibly dangerous chemicals. Extremely hazardous to your health, and also coincidentally what bakelite is made from, and often along with asbestos… even after it has been reacted to create bakelite, it is still extremely hazardous and nearly impossible to dispose of safely.

What is the difference between Bakelite and celluloid?