Effect of Nitrogen Oxide Gases on Processed Acetate Film
Safety motion-picture film on cellulose acetate base has been found chemically damaged on occasion by storage in the same can with unstable nitrate film. As a result, the effects on acetate film of the three nitrogen oxide gases produced by the decomposition of nitrate film have been investigated. Nitrous oxide and nitric oxide were found to be harmless, but nitrogen dioxide, even at low concentrations, is seriously damaging to safety film. This is to be expected, since nitrogen dioxide reacts with moisture to form nitrous and nitric acids. The order in which the film components are attacked by nitrogen dioxide is: the silver or dye image first, the gelatin of the emulsion second, and the acetate base last. The rate of attack increases with increase in relative humidity. It is concluded that safety films should never be stored in the same can with nitrate films and preferably not in the same room.
- Print ISSN
- 0898-0438
- Published
- 1955-09
- Content type
- Original Research
- DOI
- 10.5594/J15628