Nitrocellulose

(in 7,826 products)

1. Binder / Stabilizer - Retains the physical characteristics of food/cosmetics and ensure the mixture remains in an even state.

2. Film-Forming Agent - Leaves a coating on the surface of skin/hair

3. Glazing Agent - A waxy coating which provides protection and prevents water loss

Nitrocellulose (also known as cellulose nitrate, flash paper, flash cotton, guncotton, and flash string) is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through exposure to nitric acid or another powerful nitrating agent. When used as a propellant or low-order explosive, it was originally known as guncotton. [1]

Partially nitrated cellulose has found uses as a plastic film and in inks and wood coatings.It is the main ingredient of modern gunpowder and is also employed in certain lacquers and paints. In cosmetics and personal care products, Nitrocellulose is used in the formulation of nail creams and lotions, manicuring products, basecoats and undercoats, nail polish and enamels and nail polish removers. [1]

Nitrocellulose was originally developed as a military explosive, where it was created by mixing cellulose with nitric acid, which resulted in a “glossy film” that found its application in car paints as well as the cosmetic industry. [2] [3] Nitrocellulose is used because it “does not sensitize” and is “hard, tough, stable, and waterproof”. It is used as the varnish/lacquer or top coating in nail care. [4] Nitrocellulose is used as a plasticizer and is also largely compatible with most paints, giving “good color stability when combined with nitrocellulose”. [3] “Nitrocellulose-urethane super lacquers for furniture and wood substrates combine the fast speed of dry contributed by nitrocellulose with the toughness and durability of urethane”. [3]

In the cosmetics industry, nitrocellulose “is used almost exclusively in nail products”. [5] It can be mixed with ethanol and ether to form collodion (also known as pyroxylin), used as a binder and film-former. Its glazing property has also made it sanctioned for use in the food industry, to coat paper/paperboard products used in food packaging. [5] Low levels of nitration results in rapid breakdown, making it generally safe. Lower levels of nitration leads to higher thermal stability, resulting in decomposition at higher temperatures. [6] At higher levels of nitration, it can also be used as propellants, rocket fuel and explosives. [5]

“The LD50 of a nitrocellulose-based propellant was >5,000 mg/kg in mice and rats upon oral administration” [5], in comparison, the LD50 is approximately 4220 mg/kg for baking soda, 3300 mg/kg for table salt and 1100 mg/kg for aspirin.

Nitrocellulose was “not mutagenic in the Ames test” and showed “No statistically significant increase in tumors due to the administration of nitrocellulose were reported in the previously described 2-year dietary studies in mice, rats, or dogs when compared to the respective controls”. [5] It is therefore not genotoxic nor carcinogenic and is generally safe.

Overall, nitrocellulose is generally safe, provided that nitration levels are kept within safety ranges. It is most commonly used as a glazing agent or film-former, a heavyweight in the coatings industry. Although it was formerly developed as an explosive, polymeric combination with other compounds can result in increased durability and stability.

1. PubChem: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/44135439

2. COSMETICS AND SKIN CARE PRODUCTS. (Dermatologic Clinics, 18(4), 557–559. doi:10.1016/s0733-8635(05)70206-0)

3. Nitrocellulose, Ethylcellulose, and Water-Soluble Cellulose Ethers. (Appl. Polym. Sci. 1073–1099. doi:10.1021/bk-1985-0285.ch044)

4. Cosmetics and ancillary preparations for the care of nails. (J. Am. Acad. Dermatol., 6(4), 523–528. doi:10.1016/s0190-9622(82)70044-1)

5. Safety Assessment of Nitrocellulose and Collodion as Used in Cosmetics. (Int. J. Toxicol., 35(1_suppl), 50S–59S. doi:10.1177/1091581816651607)

6. Effect of nitrate content on thermal decomposition of nitrocellulose. (J. Hazard. Mater., 162(2-3), 1141–1144. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.05.161)