Ethyl cellulose |None |None. |Widely soluble. Cellulose acetate sheet |Slight |Decomposes |([7]). Cellulose acetate molding | do | do |([7]). Cellulose nitrate | do | do |([7]). ------------------------------+------------+------------+--------------- [1] ASTM D48-33. [2] Decomposed by oxidizing acids; reducing and organic acids no effect. [3] On bleed-proof materials. [4] Resists alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and oils. Soluble in ketones and esters; swells in aromatic hydrocarbons. [5] Soluble in ketones, esters, and aromatic hydrocarbons. [6] 48 hours. [7] Soluble in ketones and esters; softened by alcohols; little affected by hydrocarbons. NOTE.—The values for the properties in this table are based upon maximum and minimum figures submitted to Modern Plastics by a number of manufacturers of each type of material. Differences in test procedure and sizes of test specimens may lead to erroneous conclusions in some cases if direct comparisons are attempted. Special grades of materials are often available which excel in one particular property. Source: Modern Plastics, vol. 15, No. 2, opp. p. 120. October 1937. 15. SYNTHETIC RESINS IN OTHER COUNTRIES Large-scale production of synthetic resins is confined principally to the United States, Germany, and Great Britain. There is small production in many other countries, of which the most important are France, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Canada, and Japan. In 1934 the world output was estimated at 135 million pounds, of which the United States produced about 44 percent, Germany 26 percent, and Great Britain 24 percent. In 1937 world output was estimated at 360 million pounds, the United States’ share of the total being almost 50 percent, followed by 27 percent for Germany, 20 percent for Great Britain, and the remaining 3 percent scattered. European estimates indicate that about 40 percent of the output goes into surface coatings and that 60 percent of the surface-coating resins are tar-acid and 40 percent alkyds. The Tariff Commission found that in 1937 50 percent of the United States production of all synthetic resins went into surface coatings, 27 percent into molded articles, and the remaining 23 percent into laminating and miscellaneous uses. Approximately three-fourths of the surface-coating resins were alkyds and one-fourth tar-acid resins. GERMANY Production. In recent years Germany’s production of synthetic resins has increased rapidly, each succeeding year registering the attainment of a new record. In 1933 production totaled 17,500,000 pounds and by 1935 had increased to 55,000,000 pounds. A further expansion of about 30 percent to 70,000,000 pounds in 1936 and present production trends indicate a gain of about 40 percent more in 1937, to an estimated total of 100,000,000 pounds.