Is Bakelite plastic still made?

Bakelite stock is still manufactured and produced in sheet, rod and tube form for industrial applications in the electronics, power generation and aerospace industries, and under a variety of commercial brand names. Phenolic resins have been commonly used in ablative heat shields.

When did we stop using Bakelite?

1940s
Many companies stopped using Bakelite in the early 1940s as the need for World War II related products took hold. By the end of the War, new technologies in the world of plastics had made Bakelite obsolete. The height of Bakelite jewelry was the late 1930s, up until the end of the Art Deco period.

What are the disadvantages of Bakelite?

However, bakelite had its obvious limitations: it was resistant, but fragile. The hardness and lack of flexibility that made it suitable for certain uses was a drawback for others. “You couldn’t make packaging from Bakelite, or fabric, or anything transparent, super lightweight things,” Freinkel sums up.

Does anyone still make Bakelite?

Bakelite is still produced. Used in manufacturing machinable phenolics or micarta. Bakelite is a generic named material based on the thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride.

Why is Bakelite collectible?

Bakelite is a castable, fire-resistant plastic that was invented by Leo Baekeland in 1909. It was originally used for industrial purposes until jewelry makers found that its light weight made Bakelite a perfect choice for designing and manufacturing inexpensive bracelets, rings, pins, and other jewelry.

Who invented Bakelite plastic?

Leo BaekelandBakelite / Inventor

Leo Baekeland and the Invention of Bakelite. By 1899, the invention of Velox photographic paper had already made Leo Baekeland a wealthy man. At his Snug Rock estate in Yonkers, New York, he maintained a home laboratory where he and his assistant, Nathaniel Thurlow, involved themselves in a variety of projects.

How do you tell the difference between plastic and Bakelite?

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.

How can you tell the difference between bakelite and plastic?

Is Bakelite black?

If it is Bakelite, the cloth should turn yellow with ease (although the color may vary from light to dark). If a piece is lacquered, it may test negative. Black Bakelite pieces often fail this test as well. Following up with the hot water test when you get home is an option to consider.