Hi, Mason,

There were at lest 2 formulas in use in the US during this period..Presto
and a French on licensced by Audiodisc. A look at the patents on the boxes
or in their literature might be informative. Bill Lund (on the Amepx list)
and Del Eilers, (Bill can contact him) were 3M product managers for tape and
knew lots of other, untapey stuff and folks.

Steve Smolian

-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mason Vander Lugt
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2014 4:19 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ARSCLIST] Historical Lacquer Formulas

Hi ARSC,

I'm writing to see if any of you have information about historical lacquer
formulas used to make instantaneous discs in the 1930s-1950s.

At NEDCC we're trying to develop conservation treatments for delaminating
discs, but we need some more background info about the chemistry of the
lacquer to make sure there are no surprise reactions.

From Pickett & Lemcoe and Paton et al. (1997) I understand that it's
nitrocellulose lacquer plasticized with castor oil. Contemporary sources
mention that other resins, lubricants, dyes and solvents may have been added
as well, but I can't find out what these were, or in what proportions.

If any of you have historical formulations or chemical analyses of the
lacquer, or know somebody I should get in contact with, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!
Mason