Cellulose Acetate MW 30000 CAS 9004-35-7

The acetate ester of cellulose, cellulose acetate is probably the oldest of the polysaccharide chemical derivatives and was first prepared in 1865. Cellulose acetate is still used as a film base in photography, as a component in some coatings, and as a frame material for eyeglasses.  It is also used as a synthetic fiber in the manufacture of cigarette filters and playing cards. In photographic film, cellulose acetate replaced nitrate film in the 1950s, being far less flammable and cheaper to produce but in recent years has been rendered obsolete by the advent of digital cameras.

Cellulose acetate fiber is one of the earliest synthetic fibers and is based on cotton or tree pulp cellulose. These "cellulosic fibers" have been replaced in many applications by cheaper petro-based fibers (nylon and polyester) in recent decades.  Acetate shares many similarities with rayon, and was formerly considered as the same textile. Acetate differs from rayon in the employment of acetic acid in production.