Pronounced As: baklit [for its inventor, L. H. Baekeland], synthetic
thermosetting resin. It has been widely used both alone, to form whole
objects, and in
combination with other materials, as a laminate or a surface
coating.
It was used as a substitute for hard rubber, amber, or celluloid;
for
insulating electrical apparatus (since it is a nonconductor); and
for
the manufacture of certain machinery gears, phonograph records,
and
many other articles useful and ornamental and as diverse in character
as
buttons, billiard balls, pipestems, and umbrella handles. Bakelite is a
condensation
polymer of formaldehyde and phenol. In practice, the phenol and
formaldehyde
are first polymerized to a small extent by using the proper choice of
catalyst
and temperature. The resulting prepolymer, called a resol, is a
low-melting,
soluble material, which can then be combined with a filler (usually
cotton
linters or wood fibers) and a pigment and heated under pressure in a
mold
to yield an object of the desired shape. The pure resin is colorless or
amber-colored
and very brittle; the various fillers and other additives give it the
desired
properties depending on its application. Heating of the prepolymer
results
in extensive cross-links between the polymer chains, resulting in a
tightly
bound three-dimensional network. A Bakelite-type resin can also be
formed
using furfural in place of the formaldehyde
http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/01021.html
HOW
DO I KNOW IF IT IS BAKELITE?
Bakelite is a synthetic resin chemically formulated and named after its
Belgian inventor, Chemist L.H.Baekeland c.1909. It is pronounced "Bay
Ka
Lite". Originally it was used for molding items that were previously
done
of celluloid or hard rubber. One of the original uses was for pool
balls.
It is collectible in all its forms including jewelry, buttons,
radio
cases, lamps, dresser sets and many more items. It was used
commercially
for parts especially in electrical wiring. After bakelite and the
introduction
of so many other plastics and composition materials it was easy to
confuse
them all. People began to lump all plastics into one generic term
"Bakelite".
However, experienced collectors developed ways of testing for bakelite
some
of which follow. None, however, can take the place of your own
experience
and careful inspection. Check out books in your local library (see the
end
of this article) and talk to other collectors.
1 Rub your fingers over the piece. (I grasp the piece with
my hand and use my thumb to rub) until it is warm, then smell.
It is unforgettable - formaldehyde or a
carbolic acid.
Familiarize yourself with this odor.
Not all pieces will have the same odor
intensity, but it will be there.
2 Immerse the piece in hot water (not with
rhinestones, please).The smell should be the same.
3 Bakelite has a clunky sound. Hit two plastic pieces
together, then two bakelite - check the difference. Feel the
difference.
4 Hot needle - be careful though.
Heat a needle until it is red hot and then
pick an inconspicuous place on the piece to stick the needle in.
Wait just a second - not too long! There's
that smell again! Also, non thermoplastics will melt and celluloid is
extremely flammable so again BE CAREFUL!
5 There is a product on the market called "Scrubbing
Bubbles" bathroom cleaner.
When put on a q-tip and touched to bakelite,
the q-tip will turn yellow. I have only tested this product and have
had successful results. No harm has come to the bakelite.
6 Colors - some giveaways are colors and shapes. Look at
some of the bakelite books on the market and note the colors.
Look at pieces reputable dealers have on
display. Bakelite colors do change with age.
