Collodian Safe?

mark · Aug 5, 2007

Z-Man posted this in my request for reading material. WHat do you folks have to say?

if you read the material in the links(thanx for listing) or any of the many others available you will notice that it was cheaper and easier to buy colloidon readymade at the time

the colloidon was not originally made for photography-was made for medical and explosive uses

google: nitrocellulose, guncotton; these are the other names for colloidon

get comedy routines richard prior did after his last time free-basing for info on what happens when ether meets heat/spark; or just get some auto quick-start carb spray(ingrds: ether+propelants) and read the warning on can

i feel that mixing up old tech equiv of semtec/c-4 in kitchen and then processing with ether is about the same as cooking your own meth as far as the safety issues go

i suppose(but dont quote me) that buying a can of nitrocelluslose laquer and coating a plate and then processing with auto carb spray is definitely quicker, easer and cheaper-maybe even safer in right hands

i would never admit to doing such a thing however

this is rocket science-really

personally-ether allways knocked me out

Roger Hicks · Aug 5, 2007

Dear Mark,

Certainly, if I want it, I buy it -- still available in bulk in most European pharmacies.

Cheers,

R.

Kerik · Aug 5, 2007

Huh???

mark · Aug 5, 2007

Kerik said:
Huh???

That is what I am trying to figure out. I don't understand the post but it seems to be saying that collodian is combustible and damn dangerous. I thought you folks might understand better than I.

Roger Hicks · Aug 5, 2007

mark said:
.. collodian is combustible and damn dangerous.

It IS! But it's also a damn' good wound dressing. Avoid naked flames and (Slick Willy-style) avoid too much inhaling and it's perfectly safe. I've had the stuff in the house for decades without problems. But I would NOT attempt to synthesize it myself, even though I know (in theory) how. This from someone who is not too worried about making napalm (though I've not done that in decades either).

Cheers,

R.

smieglitz · Aug 5, 2007

Collodion is hazardous but can be handled safely. It is extremely flammable, but so is gasoline. Because of the ether involved, care must be taken to avoid concentrating the fumes around an ignition source like a furnace inside a residence, a sparking refrigerator or exhaust fan motor.

Raw ether has a short shelf life (3-12 months under ideal conditions), especially once the bottle is opened and the contents exposed to oxygen. Over time, ether in contact with air forms explosive peroxides and old containers should be considered extremely dangerous and disposed of via proper channels. Googling ether and peroxides will bring up several incidents of old bottles of ether going off.

One key to safely handling this stuff is to purchase minimum quantities that will be used quickly thus avoiding extended storage issues.

It turns out that additional ether may not actually be required in compounding wetplate formulas. Grain or denatured alcohols may be substituted in several formulas thus reducing the hazard somewhat.
The alcohol used in the collodion stabilizes the ether and extends the shelf life. It should still be kept in a cool, dark place away from ignition sources.

The nitrocellulose is also extremely flammable and in the early days of photography was a concern since many practitioners made their own. That is an extremely hazardous task that is avoided in modern times by purchasing the collodion solution already mixed.

Finally and most importantly, anyone handling this stuff should consult the MSDS and an expert chemist/hazardous waste officer and not rely on internet hearsay for information.

Joe

z-man · Aug 6, 2007

thanx for the continued support

smieglitz said:
Collodion is hazardous but can be handled safely. It is extremely flammable, but so is gasoline. Because of the ether involved, care must be taken to avoid concentrating the fumes around an ignition source like a furnace inside a residence, a sparking refrigerator or exhaust fan motor.

Raw ether has a short shelf life (3-12 months under ideal conditions), especially once the bottle is opened and the contents exposed to oxygen. Over time, ether in contact with air forms explosive peroxides and old containers should be considered extremely dangerous and disposed of via proper channels. Googling ether and peroxides will bring up several incidents of old bottles of ether going off.

One key to safely handling this stuff is to purchase minimum quantities that will be used quickly thus avoiding extended storage issues.

It turns out that additional ether may not actually be required in compounding wetplate formulas. Grain or denatured alcohols may be substituted in several formulas thus reducing the hazard somewhat.
The alcohol used in the collodion stabilizes the ether and extends the shelf life. It should still be kept in a cool, dark place away from ignition sources.

The nitrocellulose is also extremely flammable and in the early days of photography was a concern since many practitioners made their own. That is an extremely hazardous task that is avoided in modern times by purchasing the collodion solution already mixed.

Finally and most importantly, anyone handling this stuff should consult the MSDS and an expert chemist/hazardous waste officer and not rely on internet hearsay for information.

Joe

amen

vaya con dios

Photo Engineer · Aug 6, 2007

Ether boils at near room temperature (34.6 deg C) and the vapor has a density over twice that of air. The vapor creeps down surfaces and spreads along the floor for many feet before being dissapated and therefore can spread from a relatively safe position over to a water heater or furnace and ignite.

It can flow down stairs into your basement and become a hazard as well.

During graduate school, I was subjected to one explosion and one fire from ether fumes only.

Be careful.

PE

removed account4 · Aug 6, 2007

i used to buy collodion at my local pharmacy.
its dangerous, but with the proper care
you won't burst into flames

think--- moviehouse fire

Jim Noel · Aug 7, 2007

It is amazing and frightening what we used to get at the local pharmacy and now have difficulty obtaining. Collodion was a staple in the farm medicine cabinet until the 70's or 80's. There is nothing better for holding a large owund closed. Burns like hell in the pen sore though.

Collodian Safe?

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