NC Lacquer + Camphor = More Flexible?

[stix]

My current method of making NC Lacquer is dissolving ping-pong/table tennis balls in Acetone. It works very well although i'd prefer it was less brittle.

 

I've read that ping-pong balls are made from nitrocellulose+camphor. Seems reasonable, as I have smelled camphor when cutting them open - similar to the smell of a product here in Oz called Vicks VapoRub, which camphor is a major constituent.

 

I've also read that adding Camphor to NC Lacquer will make it more flexible.

 

What do you guys think - Has anyone tried it?

 

Cheers.

Edited October 27, 2014 by stix

[rogeryermaw]

i've used them with success in a pinch but i prefer to dissolve double base smokeless powder in acetone. i used the ping pong balls to make a bp slurry for electric igniters that worked flawlessly. i have not tried adding camphor as the balls are already 25% camphor.

Edited October 27, 2014 by rogeryermaw

[stix]

Thanks for that rogeryermaw. Yes, I've read that smokeless powder is the best for NCL. Unfortunately I don't have access to it, so I will have to stick with the ping pong balls.

 

As a matter of interest though, is the smokeless powder NCL flexible as is, or do you add camphor?

 

Interesting to note that ping pong balls already have 25% camphor - I guess I can always try and add some more and see what happens.

 

Cheers.

[WSM]

Besides camphor, try adding a little mineral oil. Various process oil additives are used to make otherwise hard plastics pliable and rubbery; vinyl tubing as opposed to hard PVC pipe, for example.

 

Give it a try and see if it works. Good luck.

 

WSM

[patsroom]

I have never used smokeless powder to make NC Lacquer. So my question would be if any kind of smokeless powder can be use?

Of course the reason I ask is because someone gave me a small jar of smokeless powder and I do not know what brand it is and I would like to use this powder in something that would work. Thanks before hand..................Pat

[pyrojig]

I have used many diff types of smokeless powders for Lacquer . All seem to work equally as well. The base ingredient is the key (NC) the rest is a mix of the NG and N-Guan, and other stabilizers .etc.

[stix]

Besides camphor, try adding a little mineral oil. Various process oil additives are used to make otherwise hard plastics pliable and rubbery; vinyl tubing as opposed to hard PVC pipe, for example.

 

Give it a try and see if it works. Good luck.

 

WSM

 

Thanks - I thought there must be some other approach.

I'm going to give paraffin oil a go - for the simple reason that I know it burns easily.

Not sure if it dissolves in acetone though?

 

Cheers.

[patsroom]

I have used many diff types of smokeless powders for Lacquer . All seem to work equally as well. The base ingredient is the key (NC) the rest is a mix of the NG and N-Guan, and other stabilizers .etc.

Thank you for the information.................Pat

[stix]

 

Thanks - I thought there must be some other approach.

I'm going to give paraffin oil a go - for the simple reason that I know it burns easily.

Not sure if it dissolves in acetone though?

 

Cheers.

 

Well No. A BIG FAT FAIL... Paraffin oil does not dissolve in acetone.

 

However Camphor does - It may well make the NC Lacquer a bit more soft? Not sure yet as I have other unrelated (yet ultimately tied in) experiments going on.

 

Any other suggestions on oils that will dissolve in acetone??

 

Steve

Edited November 14, 2014 by stix