Specialty Chemicals

EASTMAN™ CELLULOSE ACETATE BUTYRATE (CAB-531-1) is a cellulose ester with a higher butyryl level than Eastman CAB-381 type esters. Tough films with good resistance to marring and weathering are possible through combinations of cellulose acetate butyrate with thermoplastic acrylic resins. Eastman CAB-531-1 and CAB-381 esters are similar in hydroxyl content and solubility characteristics, both being soluble in a wide range of solvents. Eastman CAB-531-1 is a more flexible resin that requires lower plasticizer modification than the Eastman CAB-381 esters. When CAB-531-1 is dissolved in appropriate solvents, a clear, colorless solution is produced. Eastman CAB-531-1 is based on cellulose, one of the most abundant natural renewable resources. The calculated approximate bio-content value of 38% for Eastman CAB-531-1 was determined by using six bio-based carbon atoms per anhyroglucose unit divided by the total number of carbons per anhyroglucose unit. Although the value reported is not specifically measured for bio-carbon, it can be estimated based on typical partition data.