Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB, Tenite Butyrate), a tough cellulose ester thermoplastic CAB
Cellulose esters: a cellulose backbone with acetyl and butyryl ester groups on its hydroxyl positions. The butyryl share sets the glass transition (Chalmers). · CAS 9004-36-8
Also known as CAS 9004-36-8, Tenite™ Butyrate
Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) is cellulose in which part of the hydroxyl groups are esterified with acetyl and butyryl groups.
Evidence level
2 of 5
Lab-measured
- 0Predicted only. No one has made it, or no measurement exists.
- 1Calculated. Only calculated or predicted values from sources.
- 2Lab-measured. Measured properties with their conditions stated.
- 3Space-relevant tests. Measured in conditions relevant to space, such as vacuum or atomic oxygen.
- 4Ground-qualified. Qualified for an application on the ground.
- 5Flown or field-proven. Flight or field results exist.
Heat at low plasticizer
79 °C
Glass transition
109 °C
Toughness at room temperature
198 J/m
Density
1.16 to 1.21
Recipe, share of the weight
- C6 ring not statedAnhydroglucose unit
- COCH3 not statedAcetyl group
- COC3H7 not statedButyryl group
Best for
Tough injection-moulded and extruded parts whose heat load stays below the heat deflection temperature of the chosen grade: 79 °C at 1.82 MPa for the 8 % plasticizer grade and 64 °C for the 16 % grade. Choose the UV-inhibited grade for outdoor parts.
Weakest at
Water uptake of 1.3 to 1.5 % after 24 h immersion, low-temperature impact (91 J/m at -40 °C for the 8 % plasticizer grade), and outdoor UV without a UV inhibitor. No space flight, vacuum or radiation data were found.
Risk at a glance
- People None found. Low acute hazard; combustible dust
- If it fails High. Dust explosion during handling of powder or pellets
- Corrosion Moderate. Special outdoor Tenite butyrate formulations are expected to stay useful for at least five years outdoors in the continental United States.
Quick facts: CAB
| Property | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.16 to 1.21 | 3 sourced values across conditions |
| Yield strength | 25.5 to 37.2 MPa | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Tensile strength | 33.8 to 47.6 MPa | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Melting point | 127 to 240 °C | 1 sourced value |
| Specific heat | 1,260 to 1,670 J/(kg·K) | 1 sourced value |
What is the density of Cellulose acetate butyrate, a tough cellulose ester thermoplastic (CAB)?
Cellulose acetate butyrate, a tough cellulose ester thermoplastic (CAB) has a density of 1.16 to 1.21. The range covers 3 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the melting point of Cellulose acetate butyrate, a tough cellulose ester thermoplastic (CAB)?
Cellulose acetate butyrate, a tough cellulose ester thermoplastic (CAB) has a melting point of 127 to 240 °C. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the yield strength of Cellulose acetate butyrate, a tough cellulose ester thermoplastic (CAB)?
Cellulose acetate butyrate, a tough cellulose ester thermoplastic (CAB) has a yield strength of 25.5 to 37.2 MPa. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the tensile strength of Cellulose acetate butyrate, a tough cellulose ester thermoplastic (CAB)?
Cellulose acetate butyrate, a tough cellulose ester thermoplastic (CAB) has a tensile strength of 33.8 to 47.6 MPa. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What are the other names and codes for Cellulose acetate butyrate, a tough cellulose ester thermoplastic (CAB)?
Cellulose acetate butyrate, a tough cellulose ester thermoplastic (CAB) is also written as CAS 9004-36-8, Tenite™ Butyrate. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.
What is Cellulose acetate butyrate, a tough cellulose ester thermoplastic (CAB) used for?
Uses recorded in the sources include Injection-moulded and extruded parts (Tenite butyrate); Tool handles; Clear sheet, tube and film for glazing.
Why it exists
Cellulose acetate butyrate is a cellulose ester thermoplastic. Eastman sells it as Tenite Butyrate in plasticizer levels that trade heat resistance against toughness: the 8 % plasticizer grade has a heat deflection temperature of 79 °C at 1.82 MPa, and the 16 % grade has 64 °C. The butyrate groups lower the glass transition compared with plain cellulose acetate.
Where it's used
Injection-moulded and extruded parts
Eastman says Tenite butyrate has been used in an array of injection moulding and extrusion applications, and is one of the most widely used cellulosic thermoplastics.
Tool handles
Wikipedia says CAB is widely used for tool handles because of its toughness and its resistance to oil and gasoline.
Clear sheet, tube and film for glazing
Emco Plastics lists glazing among CAB applications, and Eastman's data sheet says Tenite cellulosic plastics come in natural, clear, selected ambers, or smoke transparents.
Recipe
Cellulose esters: a cellulose backbone with acetyl and butyryl ester groups on its hydroxyl positions. The butyryl share sets the glass transition (Chalmers).
Cellulose acetate butyrate is cellulose in which part of the hydroxyl groups are esterified with acetyl and butyryl groups, with a plasticizer added for the grade. Wikipedia gives no CAB-specific process; for cellulose acetate, purified cellulose from wood pulp or cotton linters is mixed with glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride and a catalyst.
| Ingredient | Share of the weight | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Anhydroglucose unit C6 ring | not stated | The cellulose backbone repeat unit. Its hydroxyl groups are the sites that the acetyl and butyryl groups replace. |
| Acetyl group COCH3 | not stated | Esterifies part of the hydroxyl groups. The Yunjian CAB-381-0.1 sheet gives less acetyl than butyryl in its grades. |
| Butyryl group COC3H7 | not stated | Replaces part of the acetyl groups. The Yunjian CAB-381-0.1 sheet prints butyryl content of 35.5 to 41.5 %, and the butyryl groups lower the glass transition. |
Weight shares are as printed in the sources.
What it can do
Heat at low plasticizer
79 °C
measured
The 8 % plasticizer grade, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008, has a heat deflection temperature of 79 °C at 1.82 MPa after 4 h at 70 °C, per its Eastman data sheet. The 16 % grade has 64 °C.
Glass transition
109 °C
measured
In the Chalmers study, a hot-melt pressed film of the highest-butyryl CAB has a glass transition of 109 °C, against 193 °C for cellulose acetate film.
Toughness at room temperature
198 J/m
measured
The 8 % plasticizer grade has a notched Izod impact of 198 J/m at 23 °C, falling to 91 J/m at -40 °C, per its Eastman data sheet.
Density
1.16 to 1.21
measured
Eastman's selector chart prints a specific gravity from 1.16 to 1.21 across plasticizer levels of 3 to 23 %.
How it compares
CAB and cellulose acetate (CA) are both cellulose esters, and Wikipedia describes CA as made from wood pulp or cotton linters. The butyrate groups in CAB lower the glass transition: the Chalmers films fall from 193 °C for CA to 109 °C for the highest-butyryl CAB. For Tenite grades, Eastman's selector chart shows that plasticizer level sets the heat deflection, which runs from 52 to 86 °C at 1.82 MPa across 3 to 23 % plasticizer. Pick CAB where a lower glass transition and an outdoor-stabilised formulation are wanted.
The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.
| Measurement | CAB | CA | CA, CAB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal behavior and safety | |||
| Heat deflection temperature at 1.82 MPa, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | 79 °C9 | no data | 52 °C |
| Heat deflection temperature at 0.455 MPa, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | 89 °C10 | no data | 52 °C |
| Weight loss on heating, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | 0.3 %13 | no data | 0.15 % |
| Heat deflection temperature at 1.82 MPa, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | 64 °C20 | no data | 52 °C |
| Heat deflection temperature at 1.82 MPa, range across Tenite CAB formulas (3 to 23 % plasticizer) | 52 °C24 | no data | 52 °C |
| Specific heat at 23 °C, range across Tenite CAB formulas | 1.26 kJ/kg·K25 | no data | 1.26 kJ/kg·K |
| Melting point range as printed in the SDS, Eastman CAB-551-0.01 (a high-butyryl Eastman grade, not Tenite 264 or 485) | 127 °C29 | 230 °C | no data |
| Physical and electrical | |||
| Specific gravity, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | 1.2 -1 | 1.291 g/cm³ | 1.26 g/cm³ |
| Specific gravity, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer, UV inhibitor) | 1.17 -14 | 1.291 g/cm³ | 1.26 g/cm³ |
| Specific gravity, range across Tenite CAB formulas (3 to 23 % plasticizer) | 1.16 -23 | 1.291 g/cm³ | 1.26 g/cm³ |
| Temperature behavior | |||
| Vicat softening temperature, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | 109 °C11 | no data | 88 °C |
| Vicat softening temperature, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | 96 °C21 | no data | 88 °C |
| Glass transition temperature, highest-butyryl CAB (CAB III, hot-melt pressed film, Chalmers study) | 109 °C26 | 180 °C | 193 °C |
| Glass transition temperature, cellulose acetate (CA, comparison, not CAB), hot-melt pressed film | 193 °C27 | 180 °C | 193 °C |
| Other measurements | |||
| Tensile stress at yield, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | 37.2 MPa2 | no data | 17.2 MPa |
| Tensile stress at break, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | 47.6 MPa3 | no data | 20 MPa |
| Elongation at break, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | 50 %4 | no data | 50 % |
| Flexural modulus, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | 1586 MPa5 | no data | 827 MPa |
| Flexural yield strength, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | 51 MPa6 | no data | 21.4 MPa |
| Notched Izod impact at 23 °C, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | 198 J/m7 | no data | 139 J/m |
| Notched Izod impact at -40 °C, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | 91 J/m8 | no data | 139 J/m |
| Water absorption, 24 h immersion, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | 1.5 %12 | no data | 1.2 % |
| Tensile stress at yield, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | 25.5 MPa15 | no data | 17.2 MPa |
| Tensile stress at break, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | 33.8 MPa16 | no data | 20 MPa |
| Flexural modulus, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | 1103 MPa17 | no data | 827 MPa |
| Notched Izod impact at 23 °C, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | 331 J/m18 | no data | 139 J/m |
| Notched Izod impact at -40 °C, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | 107 J/m19 | no data | 139 J/m |
| Water absorption, 24 h immersion, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | 1.3 %22 | no data | 1.2 % |
| Butyryl content, CAB-381-0.1 (Jiangsu Yunjian, a different supplier's medium-butyryl grade) | 35.5 %28 | no data | no data |
Why choose it, and why not
Good for
- Moulded and extruded parts that must hold shape under 1.82 MPa up to 79 °C, using the 8 % plasticizer grade.
- Tool handles, where toughness and resistance to oil and gasoline matter, according to Wikipedia.
- Outdoor parts with a UV inhibitor, where Eastman expects at least five years of outdoor use.
Watch out for
- Water uptake of 1.3 to 1.5 % after 24 h immersion.
- Low-temperature impact: notched Izod falls from 198 J/m at 23 °C to 91 J/m at -40 °C for the 8 % plasticizer grade.
- Dust explosion and static hazards in powder handling, per the Eastman CAB SDS.
CAB is a mature cellulose ester with a usable heat range, good room-temperature toughness and clear grades. Its weak points are water uptake, low-temperature impact, UV without a stabiliser, and dust and static in handling. No space flight, vacuum or radiation data were found, so it cannot be called space-qualified.
Technical details
For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.
Other names and standards
The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.
| System | Codes |
|---|---|
| CAS | 9004-36-8 |
| Trade name | Tenite™ Butyrate |
Notes
The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.
| # | Measurement | Method | Conditions | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Specific gravity, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | Printed as Specific Gravity, D 792, 1.20 in the General block of the 264E2R30008 technical data sheet (typical value; the sheet prints no unit, so the value is dimensionless) | grade Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (Formula 264, 8 % plasticizer)plasticizer 8 %test ASTM D792temperature 23 °C | — |
| 2 | Tensile stress at yield, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | Printed as Tensile Stress @ Yield, D 638, 37.2 MPa (5400 psi) on the 264E2R30008 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)test ASTM D638temperature 23 °C | — |
| 3 | Tensile stress at break, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | Printed as Tensile Stress @ Break, D 638, 47.6 MPa (6900 psi) on the 264E2R30008 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)test ASTM D638temperature 23 °C | — |
| 4 | Elongation at break, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | Printed as Elongation @ Break, D 638, 50 % on the 264E2R30008 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)test ASTM D638temperature 23 °C | — |
| 5 | Flexural modulus, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | Printed as Flexural Modulus, D 790, 1586 MPa (2.30 x 10 5 psi) on the 264E2R30008 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)test ASTM D790temperature 23 °C | — |
| 6 | Flexural yield strength, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | Printed as Flexural Yield Strength, D 790, 51.0 MPa (7400 psi) on the 264E2R30008 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)test ASTM D790temperature 23 °C | — |
| 7 | Notched Izod impact at 23 °C, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | Printed as Izod Impact Strength, Notched, 198 J/m (3.7 ft·lbf/in.) at 23 °C on the 264E2R30008 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)test ASTM D256temperature 23 °C | — |
| 8 | Notched Izod impact at -40 °C, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | Printed as Izod Impact Strength, Notched, 91 J/m (1.7 ft·lbf/in.) at -40 °C on the 264E2R30008 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)test ASTM D256temperature -40 °C | — |
| 9 | Heat deflection temperature at 1.82 MPa, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | Printed as Deflection Temperature @ 1.82 MPa (264 psi), 79 °C (174 °F), conditioned 4 h at 70 °C, on the 264E2R30008 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)load 1.82 MPa (264 psi)test ASTM D648conditioning 4 h at 70 °C | — |
| 10 | Heat deflection temperature at 0.455 MPa, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | Printed as Deflection Temperature @ 0.455 MPa (66 psi), 89 °C (192 °F), conditioned 4 h at 70 °C, on the 264E2R30008 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)load 0.455 MPa (66 psi)test ASTM D648conditioning 4 h at 70 °C | — |
| 11 | Vicat softening temperature, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | Printed as Vicat Softening Temperature, D 1525, 109 °C (228 °F), on the 264E2R30008 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)test ASTM D1525conditioning 4 h at 70 °C | — |
| 12 | Water absorption, 24 h immersion, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | Printed as Water Absorption, 24 h immersion, D 570, 1.5 % on the 264E2R30008 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)test ASTM D570exposure 24 h immersion | — |
| 13 | Weight loss on heating, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer) | Printed as Weight Loss on Heating, 72 hours @ 80 °C, D 707, 0.3 % on the 264E2R30008 data sheet; not a canonical property name, listed in gaps | grade Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)test ASTM D707exposure 72 h at 80 °C | — |
| 14 | Specific gravity, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer, UV inhibitor) | Printed as Specific Gravity, D 792, 1.17 in the General block of the 485A2R30016 technical data sheet (typical value; no unit printed) | grade Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (Formula 485, 16 % plasticizer, odor mask and UV inhibitor)plasticizer 16 %test ASTM D792temperature 23 °C | — |
| 15 | Tensile stress at yield, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | Printed as Tensile Stress @ Yield, D 638, 25.5 MPa (3700 psi) on the 485A2R30016 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)test ASTM D638temperature 23 °C | — |
| 16 | Tensile stress at break, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | Printed as Tensile Stress @ Break, D 638, 33.8 MPa (4900 psi) on the 485A2R30016 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)test ASTM D638temperature 23 °C | — |
| 17 | Flexural modulus, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | Printed as Flexural Modulus, D 790, 1103 MPa (1.60 x 10 5 psi) on the 485A2R30016 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)test ASTM D790temperature 23 °C | — |
| 18 | Notched Izod impact at 23 °C, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | Printed as Izod Impact Strength, Notched, 331 J/m (6.2 ft·lbf/in.) at 23 °C on the 485A2R30016 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)test ASTM D256temperature 23 °C | — |
| 19 | Notched Izod impact at -40 °C, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | Printed as Izod Impact Strength, Notched, 107 J/m (2.0 ft·lbf/in.) at -40 °C on the 485A2R30016 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)test ASTM D256temperature -40 °C | — |
| 20 | Heat deflection temperature at 1.82 MPa, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | Printed as Deflection Temperature @ 1.82 MPa (264 psi), 64 °C (147 °F), conditioned 4 h at 70 °C, on the 485A2R30016 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)load 1.82 MPa (264 psi)test ASTM D648conditioning 4 h at 70 °C | — |
| 21 | Vicat softening temperature, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | Printed as Vicat Softening Temperature, D 1525, 96 °C (205 °F), on the 485A2R30016 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)test ASTM D1525conditioning 4 h at 70 °C | — |
| 22 | Water absorption, 24 h immersion, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer) | Printed as Water Absorption, 24 h immersion, D 570, 1.3 % on the 485A2R30016 data sheet | grade Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)test ASTM D570exposure 24 h immersion | — |
| 23 | Specific gravity, range across Tenite CAB formulas (3 to 23 % plasticizer) | Printed as Specific gravity, D792, across the plasticizer columns of the selector chart (1.21 at 3 %, 1.16 at 23 %) | grade Tenite cellulose acetate butyrate, Formulas 264, 285, 485, 530, 550, 565, 575 and 576 (range, not one grade)plasticizer 3 to 23 %test ASTM D792temperature 23 °C | — |
| 24 | Heat deflection temperature at 1.82 MPa, range across Tenite CAB formulas (3 to 23 % plasticizer) | Printed as Deflection temperature, 1.82 MPa, across the plasticizer columns of the selector chart (86 °C at 3 %, 52 °C at 23 %) | grade Tenite cellulose acetate butyrate, Formulas 264 to 576 (range, not one grade)plasticizer 3 to 23 %load 1.82 MPa (264 psi)test ASTM D648conditioning 4 h at 70 °C | — |
| 25 | Specific heat at 23 °C, range across Tenite CAB formulas | Printed as Specific heat @ 23 °C (73 °F), DSC, 1.26 to 1.67 kJ/kg·K in the miscellaneous butyrate properties block of the selector chart | grade Tenite cellulose acetate butyrate (range across formulas, not one grade)temperature 23 °Ctest DSC | — |
| 26 | Glass transition temperature, highest-butyryl CAB (CAB III, hot-melt pressed film, Chalmers study) | Printed in the text of section 3.2 as the Tg of CABIII films: the Tg of hot-melt pressed films falls from 193 °C for CA down to 109 °C for CABIII | form hot-melt pressed film of CABIII (a laboratory cellulose ester of the Chalmers study, not a Tenite grade)test DSC | — |
| 27 | Glass transition temperature, cellulose acetate (CA, comparison, not CAB), hot-melt pressed film | Printed in the text of section 3.2 as the Tg of hot-melt pressed CA films; quoted here only for comparison with CAB | form hot-melt pressed film of cellulose acetate (CA, not CAB), Chalmers studytest DSC | — |
| 28 | Butyryl content, CAB-381-0.1 (Jiangsu Yunjian, a different supplier's medium-butyryl grade) | Printed as Butyryl Content 35.50%~41.50% in the composition table of the CAB-381-0.1 technical data sheet | grade CAB-381-0.1 (Jiangsu Yunjian Chemical Technology Co., Ltd), not a Tenite grademethod note composition printed in the sheet's properties table | — |
| 29 | Melting point range as printed in the SDS, Eastman CAB-551-0.01 (a high-butyryl Eastman grade, not Tenite 264 or 485) | Printed as Melting Point 127 - 240 °C in the physical and chemical properties block of the Eastman CAB-551-0.01 SDS, with no test method given | grade Eastman CAB-551-0.01 (SDS), not Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 or 485A2R30016basis range printed in the physical and chemical properties block of the SDS | — |
Corrosion and compatibility
What happens when it meets other materials and environments.
| Environment | Concern | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor UV and sunlight | moderate | Special outdoor Tenite butyrate formulations are expected to stay useful for at least five years outdoors in the continental United States.1 |
| Humidity and water (24 h immersion) | low | Water absorption is 1.5 % after 24 h immersion for the 8 % plasticizer grade and 1.3 % for the 16 % grade.2 |
| Heat before use (72 h at 80 °C) | low | Weight loss on heating after 72 h at 80 °C is 0.3 % for the 8 % plasticizer grade and 0.8 % for the 16 % grade.3 |
| Heat in service under load | moderate | Heat deflection under 1.82 MPa is 79 °C for the 8 % plasticizer grade and 64 °C for the 16 % grade, after conditioning for 4 h at 70 °C.4 |
| # | Environment | Details | Test conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Outdoor UV and sunlight | Ultraviolet light breaks the chains of cellulose esters, and with oxygen it causes oxidation; infrared warms the plastic and speeds both. UV inhibitors absorb UV and antioxidants protect against oxidation. Eastman gives the five-year figure for its special outdoor formulations, not for general grades, and its Arizona exposure results are graphs with no printed numbers recorded here. | exposure outdoor, continental United States and comparable climatesstabiliser special outdoor formulations with UV inhibitors |
| 2 | Humidity and water (24 h immersion) | Water uptake is printed only as 24 h immersion. The selector chart shows water absorption falling as plasticizer level rises across 3 to 23 %, so the lowest-plasticizer grades take up the most water. | exposure 24 h immersiontest ASTM D570 |
| 3 | Heat before use (72 h at 80 °C) | The printed weight loss rises with plasticizer level across the selector chart. The data sheets do not say what is lost, and no source in the record gives a strength or colour change after this test. | exposure 72 h at 80 °Ctest ASTM D707 |
| 4 | Heat in service under load | Lower plasticizer gives the higher heat deflection temperature, so the 8 % grade holds more heat than the 16 % grade under the same load. | load 1.82 MPa (264 psi)test ASTM D648 |
Risks and side effects
Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.
For people
The Eastman CAB safety data sheet classifies the product as combustible dust (EUH014) and prints no H-codes. The sources read do not classify it as hazardous otherwise.
- The powder
- No H-codes are printed. The SDS gives the signal word warning and EUH014, May form combustible dust concentrations in air.
- Dust
- Fine dust in air can form an explosive mixture with an ignition source. Keep dust down and avoid sparks.
- Molten material
- Molten CAB causes burns. The SDS advises cooling the skin rapidly with cold water and physician treatment for burns.
If the material burns
Fire data come from the SDS, not from field incidents.
- Fire
- Use water spray, dry chemical or CO2. The SDS says not to use a solid water stream, which may scatter and spread the fire.
- Decomposition
- Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are the decomposition products named in the SDS. The SDS also warns of static build-up when CAB is mixed with toluene or xylene.
Handling and service
- Storage
- Keep the container tightly closed, keep the material away from heat, sparks and open flames, and prevent static discharge.
- Outdoors
- Use a formulation with a UV inhibitor. Eastman says its special outdoor butyrate formulations should remain useful for at least five years outdoors.
Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.
Failure risks
| Failure | Trigger and consequence |
|---|---|
| Softening under load in servicemoderate severity | Service above 79 °C under 1.82 MPa for the 8 % plasticizer grade, or above 64 °C for the 16 % gradeThe part deflects under load once its heat deflection temperature is passed; lower plasticizer grades hold the most heat. |
| Dust explosion during handling of powder or pelletshigh severity | Fine CAB dust in air at high concentration with an ignition sourcePotential dust explosion. The SDS advises water spray, dry chemical or CO2, and warns against a solid water stream, which may scatter and spread the fire. |
| Static ignition during solvent mixinghigh severity | Mixing CAB into nonpolar hydrocarbons such as toluene or xyleneThe SDS says this may build up static electricity, risking a flash fire or explosion, and advises an inert gas atmosphere when CAB is added to any flammable liquid. |
| Low impact strength at low temperaturemoderate severity | Impact at -40 °CNotched Izod falls from 198 J/m at 23 °C to 91 J/m at -40 °C for the 8 % plasticizer grade. |
| Loss of properties in outdoor UVmoderate severity | Outdoor exposure without a UV inhibitor, under sunlight and humidityChain scission and oxidation. Eastman says formulations unprotected by UV inhibitor generally give only a few months of satisfactory outdoor service. |
Side effects on surrounding parts
| Affects | Effect |
|---|---|
| Operators during moulding and extrusion | Molten CAB can cause burns. The SDS says to cool the skin rapidly with cold water after contact with molten material and that burns must be treated by a physician. |
| People and equipment near a fire | Decomposition products in a fire are carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, according to the SDS. |
Handling and storage
- Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames and hot surfaces, and take action to prevent static discharges (precautionary statements P210 and P243).
- Minimize dust generation and accumulation, and keep the container tightly closed.
- Keep strong oxidizing agents apart from CAB; the SDS lists them as incompatible materials.
- Dispose of contents and container at an approved facility under applicable regulations (P501).
Mitigations
- Choose a formulation with a UV inhibitor for outdoor use. Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 contains an ultra-violet inhibitor (UVI) according to its data sheet.
- Pick the plasticizer level for the heat the part must survive: the 3 % plasticizer CAB gives a 1.82 MPa heat deflection of 86 °C, against 52 °C at 23 %.
Supply and geography
How common the raw materials are and where they come from.
Cellulose feedstock for CAB: wood pulp or cotton linters
Wikipedia says purified cellulose from wood pulp or cotton linters is mixed with glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride and a catalyst for cellulose acetate, and gives no CAB-specific process. Eastman describes its cellulose esters as plastics made from wood pulp, a renewable resource.
Cellulose acetate materials, all types: global production
The global production of CA materials was over 800,000 tonnes per year in 2008, per Wikipedia. The figure covers cellulose acetate generally, not CAB alone.
Eastman Tenite Butyrate producer
Eastman sells Tenite butyrate grades. Its selector chart prints a corporate address in Kingsport, TN, U.S.A. No production volume or country share is printed.
Jiangsu Yunjian CAB-381 producer
Jiangsu Yunjian Chemical Technology Co., Ltd sells CAB-381 series grades (CAB-381-0.1 and others), per its technical data sheet. No production volume or country share is printed.
Documents
Datasheets, safety data sheets, papers and standards you can open.
Full record
The complete spore, as stored. Free to reuse under CC-BY-4.0. Images keep the licence shown with each one.
Show the full YAML
spore: profile
id: cellulose-acetate-butyrate
spore_version: '0.2'
family: engineering-polymers
name: Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB, Tenite Butyrate), a tough cellulose ester thermoplastic
abbreviation: CAB
role: Cellulose ester thermoplastic for injection-moulded and extruded parts, tool handles, sheet, film and coatings
category: polymers
type: cellulosics
summary: |
Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) is cellulose in which part of the hydroxyl groups are esterified with acetyl and butyryl groups. Eastman's Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008, with 8 % plasticizer, has a specific gravity of 1.20 and a heat deflection temperature of 79 °C at 1.82 MPa after 4 h at 70 °C, per its Eastman data sheet. Its Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 grade, with 16 % plasticizer and a UV inhibitor, has a specific gravity of 1.17 and a heat deflection temperature of 64 °C at 1.82 MPa. In the Chalmers study, a hot-melt pressed film of the highest-butyryl CAB has a glass transition of 109 °C, against 193 °C for cellulose acetate.
best_for: 'Tough injection-moulded and extruded parts whose heat load stays below the heat deflection temperature of the chosen grade: 79 °C at 1.82 MPa for the 8 % plasticizer grade and 64 °C for the 16 % grade. Choose the UV-inhibited grade for outdoor parts.'
weakest_at: Water uptake of 1.3 to 1.5 % after 24 h immersion, low-temperature impact (91 J/m at -40 °C for the 8 % plasticizer grade), and outdoor UV without a UV inhibitor. No space flight, vacuum or radiation data were found.
identity:
formula: 'Cellulose esters: a cellulose backbone with acetyl and butyryl ester groups on its hydroxyl positions. The butyryl share sets the glass transition (Chalmers).'
cas: 9004-36-8
designations:
- system: CAS
code: 9004-36-8
source: nextsds-cab
where: Composition table, CAS 9004-36-8 row, cellulose acetate butyrate 100 %
- system: Trade name
code: Tenite™ Butyrate
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Page title line, Tenite™ Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp
source: wikipedia-ca
where: Other cellulose esters section (CAB as a mixed ester of cellulose); CAS number from the NextSDS composition table
tags:
environments: []
stresses: []
applications:
- structures
- optics-and-cameras
properties:
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: density
label: Specific gravity, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer)
value: 1.2
unit: '-'
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (Formula 264, 8 % plasticizer)
plasticizer: 8 %
test: ASTM D792
temperature: 23 °C
method: Printed as Specific Gravity, D 792, 1.20 in the General block of the 264E2R30008 technical data sheet (typical value; the sheet prints no unit, so the value is dimensionless)
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: General block, Specific Gravity row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: yield_strength
label: Tensile stress at yield, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer)
value: 37.2
unit: MPa
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D638
temperature: 23 °C
method: Printed as Tensile Stress @ Yield, D 638, 37.2 MPa (5400 psi) on the 264E2R30008 data sheet
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Mechanical Properties block, Tensile Stress @ Yield row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile stress at break, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer)
value: 47.6
unit: MPa
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D638
temperature: 23 °C
method: Printed as Tensile Stress @ Break, D 638, 47.6 MPa (6900 psi) on the 264E2R30008 data sheet
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Mechanical Properties block, Tensile Stress @ Break row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: elongation
label: Elongation at break, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer)
value: 50
unit: '%'
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D638
temperature: 23 °C
method: Printed as Elongation @ Break, D 638, 50 % on the 264E2R30008 data sheet
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Mechanical Properties block, Elongation @ Break row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: flexural_modulus
label: Flexural modulus, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer)
value: 1586
unit: MPa
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D790
temperature: 23 °C
method: Printed as Flexural Modulus, D 790, 1586 MPa (2.30 x 10 5 psi) on the 264E2R30008 data sheet
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Mechanical Properties block, Flexural Modulus row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: flexural_strength
label: Flexural yield strength, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer)
value: 51
unit: MPa
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D790
temperature: 23 °C
method: Printed as Flexural Yield Strength, D 790, 51.0 MPa (7400 psi) on the 264E2R30008 data sheet
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Mechanical Properties block, Flexural Yield Strength row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: notched_izod_impact
label: Notched Izod impact at 23 °C, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer)
value: 198
unit: J/m
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D256
temperature: 23 °C
method: Printed as Izod Impact Strength, Notched, 198 J/m (3.7 ft·lbf/in.) at 23 °C on the 264E2R30008 data sheet
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Mechanical Properties block, Izod Impact Strength Notched @ 23 °C row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: notched_izod_impact
label: Notched Izod impact at -40 °C, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer)
value: 91
unit: J/m
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D256
temperature: '-40 °C'
method: Printed as Izod Impact Strength, Notched, 91 J/m (1.7 ft·lbf/in.) at -40 °C on the 264E2R30008 data sheet
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Mechanical Properties block, Izod Impact Strength Notched @ -40 °C row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
label: Heat deflection temperature at 1.82 MPa, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer)
value: 79
unit: °C
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)
load: 1.82 MPa (264 psi)
test: ASTM D648
conditioning: 4 h at 70 °C
method: Printed as Deflection Temperature @ 1.82 MPa (264 psi), 79 °C (174 °F), conditioned 4 h at 70 °C, on the 264E2R30008 data sheet
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Thermal Properties block, Deflection Temperature @ 1.82 MPa row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
label: Heat deflection temperature at 0.455 MPa, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer)
value: 89
unit: °C
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)
load: 0.455 MPa (66 psi)
test: ASTM D648
conditioning: 4 h at 70 °C
method: Printed as Deflection Temperature @ 0.455 MPa (66 psi), 89 °C (192 °F), conditioned 4 h at 70 °C, on the 264E2R30008 data sheet
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Thermal Properties block, Deflection Temperature @ 0.455 MPa row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: vicat_softening_temperature
label: Vicat softening temperature, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer)
value: 109
unit: °C
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D1525
conditioning: 4 h at 70 °C
method: Printed as Vicat Softening Temperature, D 1525, 109 °C (228 °F), on the 264E2R30008 data sheet
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Thermal Properties block, Vicat Softening Temperature row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: moisture_absorption
label: Water absorption, 24 h immersion, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer)
value: 1.5
unit: '%'
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D570
exposure: 24 h immersion
method: Printed as Water Absorption, 24 h immersion, D 570, 1.5 % on the 264E2R30008 data sheet
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Permanence Properties block, Water Absorption row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: weight_loss_on_heating
label: Weight loss on heating, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 (8 % plasticizer)
value: 0.3
unit: '%'
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp (8 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D707
exposure: 72 h at 80 °C
method: Printed as Weight Loss on Heating, 72 hours @ 80 °C, D 707, 0.3 % on the 264E2R30008 data sheet; not a canonical property name, listed in gaps
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Permanence Properties block, Weight Loss on Heating row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: density
label: Specific gravity, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer, UV inhibitor)
value: 1.17
unit: '-'
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (Formula 485, 16 % plasticizer, odor mask and UV inhibitor)
plasticizer: 16 %
test: ASTM D792
temperature: 23 °C
method: Printed as Specific Gravity, D 792, 1.17 in the General block of the 485A2R30016 technical data sheet (typical value; no unit printed)
source: eastman-485-sheet
where: General block, Specific Gravity row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: yield_strength
label: Tensile stress at yield, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer)
value: 25.5
unit: MPa
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D638
temperature: 23 °C
method: Printed as Tensile Stress @ Yield, D 638, 25.5 MPa (3700 psi) on the 485A2R30016 data sheet
source: eastman-485-sheet
where: Mechanical Properties block, Tensile Stress @ Yield row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile stress at break, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer)
value: 33.8
unit: MPa
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D638
temperature: 23 °C
method: Printed as Tensile Stress @ Break, D 638, 33.8 MPa (4900 psi) on the 485A2R30016 data sheet
source: eastman-485-sheet
where: Mechanical Properties block, Tensile Stress @ Break row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: flexural_modulus
label: Flexural modulus, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer)
value: 1103
unit: MPa
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D790
temperature: 23 °C
method: Printed as Flexural Modulus, D 790, 1103 MPa (1.60 x 10 5 psi) on the 485A2R30016 data sheet
source: eastman-485-sheet
where: Mechanical Properties block, Flexural Modulus row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: notched_izod_impact
label: Notched Izod impact at 23 °C, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer)
value: 331
unit: J/m
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D256
temperature: 23 °C
method: Printed as Izod Impact Strength, Notched, 331 J/m (6.2 ft·lbf/in.) at 23 °C on the 485A2R30016 data sheet
source: eastman-485-sheet
where: Mechanical Properties block, Izod Impact Strength Notched @ 23 °C row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: notched_izod_impact
label: Notched Izod impact at -40 °C, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer)
value: 107
unit: J/m
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D256
temperature: '-40 °C'
method: Printed as Izod Impact Strength, Notched, 107 J/m (2.0 ft·lbf/in.) at -40 °C on the 485A2R30016 data sheet
source: eastman-485-sheet
where: Mechanical Properties block, Izod Impact Strength Notched @ -40 °C row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
label: Heat deflection temperature at 1.82 MPa, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer)
value: 64
unit: °C
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)
load: 1.82 MPa (264 psi)
test: ASTM D648
conditioning: 4 h at 70 °C
method: Printed as Deflection Temperature @ 1.82 MPa (264 psi), 64 °C (147 °F), conditioned 4 h at 70 °C, on the 485A2R30016 data sheet
source: eastman-485-sheet
where: Thermal Properties block, Deflection Temperature @ 1.82 MPa row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: vicat_softening_temperature
label: Vicat softening temperature, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer)
value: 96
unit: °C
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D1525
conditioning: 4 h at 70 °C
method: Printed as Vicat Softening Temperature, D 1525, 96 °C (205 °F), on the 485A2R30016 data sheet
source: eastman-485-sheet
where: Thermal Properties block, Vicat Softening Temperature row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: moisture_absorption
label: Water absorption, 24 h immersion, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 (16 % plasticizer)
value: 1.3
unit: '%'
conditions:
grade: Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural (16 % plasticizer)
test: ASTM D570
exposure: 24 h immersion
method: Printed as Water Absorption, 24 h immersion, D 570, 1.3 % on the 485A2R30016 data sheet
source: eastman-485-sheet
where: Permanence Properties block, Water Absorption row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: density
label: Specific gravity, range across Tenite CAB formulas (3 to 23 % plasticizer)
value: 1.16
value_high: 1.21
unit: '-'
conditions:
grade: Tenite cellulose acetate butyrate, Formulas 264, 285, 485, 530, 550, 565, 575 and 576 (range, not one grade)
plasticizer: 3 to 23 %
test: ASTM D792
temperature: 23 °C
method: Printed as Specific gravity, D792, across the plasticizer columns of the selector chart (1.21 at 3 %, 1.16 at 23 %)
source: eastman-cab-selector
where: Selector chart, Specific gravity row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
label: Heat deflection temperature at 1.82 MPa, range across Tenite CAB formulas (3 to 23 % plasticizer)
value: 52
value_high: 86
unit: °C
conditions:
grade: Tenite cellulose acetate butyrate, Formulas 264 to 576 (range, not one grade)
plasticizer: 3 to 23 %
load: 1.82 MPa (264 psi)
test: ASTM D648
conditioning: 4 h at 70 °C
method: Printed as Deflection temperature, 1.82 MPa, across the plasticizer columns of the selector chart (86 °C at 3 %, 52 °C at 23 %)
source: eastman-cab-selector
where: Thermal block, Deflection temperature 1.82 MPa row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: specific_heat
label: Specific heat at 23 °C, range across Tenite CAB formulas
value: 1.26
value_high: 1.67
unit: kJ/kg·K
conditions:
grade: Tenite cellulose acetate butyrate (range across formulas, not one grade)
temperature: 23 °C
test: DSC
method: Printed as Specific heat @ 23 °C (73 °F), DSC, 1.26 to 1.67 kJ/kg·K in the miscellaneous butyrate properties block of the selector chart
source: eastman-cab-selector
where: Miscellaneous butyrate properties, Specific heat row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: glass_transition_temperature
label: Glass transition temperature, highest-butyryl CAB (CAB III, hot-melt pressed film, Chalmers study)
value: 109
unit: °C
conditions:
form: hot-melt pressed film of CABIII (a laboratory cellulose ester of the Chalmers study, not a Tenite grade)
test: DSC
method: 'Printed in the text of section 3.2 as the Tg of CABIII films: the Tg of hot-melt pressed films falls from 193 °C for CA down to 109 °C for CABIII'
source: chalmers-ca-2022
where: Section 3.2, first paragraph on Tg
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: glass_transition_temperature
label: Glass transition temperature, cellulose acetate (CA, comparison, not CAB), hot-melt pressed film
value: 193
unit: °C
conditions:
form: hot-melt pressed film of cellulose acetate (CA, not CAB), Chalmers study
test: DSC
method: Printed in the text of section 3.2 as the Tg of hot-melt pressed CA films; quoted here only for comparison with CAB
source: chalmers-ca-2022
where: Section 3.2, first paragraph on Tg
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: butyryl_content
label: Butyryl content, CAB-381-0.1 (Jiangsu Yunjian, a different supplier's medium-butyryl grade)
value: 35.5
value_high: 41.5
unit: '%'
conditions:
grade: CAB-381-0.1 (Jiangsu Yunjian Chemical Technology Co., Ltd), not a Tenite grade
method_note: composition printed in the sheet's properties table
method: Printed as Butyryl Content 35.50%~41.50% in the composition table of the CAB-381-0.1 technical data sheet
source: yunjian-cab381
where: Composition table, Butyryl Content row
- scope: material
status: ground
benchmark: melting_point
label: Melting point range as printed in the SDS, Eastman CAB-551-0.01 (a high-butyryl Eastman grade, not Tenite 264 or 485)
value: 127
value_high: 240
unit: °C
conditions:
grade: Eastman CAB-551-0.01 (SDS), not Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 or 485A2R30016
basis: range printed in the physical and chemical properties block of the SDS
method: Printed as Melting Point 127 - 240 °C in the physical and chemical properties block of the Eastman CAB-551-0.01 SDS, with no test method given
source: nextsds-cab
where: Physical and chemical properties block, Melting Point row
corrosion:
- environment: Outdoor UV and sunlight
headline: Special outdoor Tenite butyrate formulations are expected to stay useful for at least five years outdoors in the continental United States.
effect: Ultraviolet light breaks the chains of cellulose esters, and with oxygen it causes oxidation; infrared warms the plastic and speeds both. UV inhibitors absorb UV and antioxidants protect against oxidation. Eastman gives the five-year figure for its special outdoor formulations, not for general grades, and its Arizona exposure results are graphs with no printed numbers recorded here.
rating: moderate
conditions:
exposure: outdoor, continental United States and comparable climates
stabiliser: special outdoor formulations with UV inhibitors
source: eastman-weathering
where: Introduction and Factors that influence weathering damage
- environment: Humidity and water (24 h immersion)
headline: Water absorption is 1.5 % after 24 h immersion for the 8 % plasticizer grade and 1.3 % for the 16 % grade.
effect: Water uptake is printed only as 24 h immersion. The selector chart shows water absorption falling as plasticizer level rises across 3 to 23 %, so the lowest-plasticizer grades take up the most water.
rating: low
conditions:
exposure: 24 h immersion
test: ASTM D570
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Permanence Properties block, Water Absorption row
- environment: Heat before use (72 h at 80 °C)
headline: Weight loss on heating after 72 h at 80 °C is 0.3 % for the 8 % plasticizer grade and 0.8 % for the 16 % grade.
effect: The printed weight loss rises with plasticizer level across the selector chart. The data sheets do not say what is lost, and no source in the record gives a strength or colour change after this test.
rating: low
conditions:
exposure: 72 h at 80 °C
test: ASTM D707
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Permanence Properties block, Weight Loss on Heating row
- environment: Heat in service under load
headline: Heat deflection under 1.82 MPa is 79 °C for the 8 % plasticizer grade and 64 °C for the 16 % grade, after conditioning for 4 h at 70 °C.
effect: Lower plasticizer gives the higher heat deflection temperature, so the 8 % grade holds more heat than the 16 % grade under the same load.
rating: moderate
conditions:
load: 1.82 MPa (264 psi)
test: ASTM D648
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Thermal Properties block, Deflection Temperature @ 1.82 MPa row
risks:
hazards:
- text: The Eastman CAB safety data sheet for CAB-551-0.01, read through NextSDS, classifies the product as combustible dust with signal word warning (as printed), hazard statement EUH014 (May form combustible dust concentrations in air) and no H-codes.
ghs:
- EUH014
source: nextsds-cab
where: Section 02, hazard classifications and hazard statements
- text: Fine dust dispersed in air in sufficient concentration, in the presence of an ignition source, is a potential dust explosion hazard, according to the same SDS.
ghs: []
source: nextsds-cab
where: Fire-fighting measures, specific hazards
failure_risks:
- mode: Softening under load in service
trigger: Service above 79 °C under 1.82 MPa for the 8 % plasticizer grade, or above 64 °C for the 16 % grade
consequence: The part deflects under load once its heat deflection temperature is passed; lower plasticizer grades hold the most heat.
severity: moderate
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Thermal Properties block, Deflection Temperature rows
- mode: Dust explosion during handling of powder or pellets
trigger: Fine CAB dust in air at high concentration with an ignition source
consequence: Potential dust explosion. The SDS advises water spray, dry chemical or CO2, and warns against a solid water stream, which may scatter and spread the fire.
severity: high
source: nextsds-cab
where: Fire-fighting measures, specific hazards
- mode: Static ignition during solvent mixing
trigger: Mixing CAB into nonpolar hydrocarbons such as toluene or xylene
consequence: The SDS says this may build up static electricity, risking a flash fire or explosion, and advises an inert gas atmosphere when CAB is added to any flammable liquid.
severity: high
source: nextsds-cab
where: Handling and Storage (section 07)
- mode: Low impact strength at low temperature
trigger: Impact at -40 °C
consequence: Notched Izod falls from 198 J/m at 23 °C to 91 J/m at -40 °C for the 8 % plasticizer grade.
severity: moderate
source: eastman-264-sheet
where: Mechanical Properties block, Izod Impact Strength rows
- mode: Loss of properties in outdoor UV
trigger: Outdoor exposure without a UV inhibitor, under sunlight and humidity
consequence: Chain scission and oxidation. Eastman says formulations unprotected by UV inhibitor generally give only a few months of satisfactory outdoor service.
severity: moderate
source: eastman-weathering
where: Tenite butyrate formulations for outdoor use
side_effects:
- text: Molten CAB can cause burns. The SDS says to cool the skin rapidly with cold water after contact with molten material and that burns must be treated by a physician.
affects: Operators during moulding and extrusion
source: nextsds-cab
where: First aid measures, skin and burns
- text: Decomposition products in a fire are carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, according to the SDS.
affects: People and equipment near a fire
source: nextsds-cab
where: Stability and reactivity, decomposition products
handling:
- text: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames and hot surfaces, and take action to prevent static discharges (precautionary statements P210 and P243).
source: nextsds-cab
where: Precautionary statements
- text: Minimize dust generation and accumulation, and keep the container tightly closed.
source: nextsds-cab
where: Storage and fire prevention
- text: Keep strong oxidizing agents apart from CAB; the SDS lists them as incompatible materials.
source: nextsds-cab
where: Incompatible materials
- text: Dispose of contents and container at an approved facility under applicable regulations (P501).
source: nextsds-cab
where: Precautionary statements
mitigations:
- text: Choose a formulation with a UV inhibitor for outdoor use. Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 contains an ultra-violet inhibitor (UVI) according to its data sheet.
source: eastman-485-sheet
where: Product description, second paragraph
- text: 'Pick the plasticizer level for the heat the part must survive: the 3 % plasticizer CAB gives a 1.82 MPa heat deflection of 86 °C, against 52 °C at 23 %.'
source: eastman-cab-selector
where: Thermal block, Deflection temperature 1.82 MPa row
uses:
- application: structures
device: Injection-moulded and extruded parts (Tenite butyrate)
example: Eastman says Tenite butyrate has been used in an array of injection molding and extrusion applications, and has become one of the best-known and most widely used cellulosic thermoplastics.
source: eastman-weathering
where: Opening text, first column
- application: structures
device: Tool handles
example: Wikipedia says CAB is widely used for tool handles, due to its toughness and resistance to oil and gasoline.
source: wikipedia-ca
where: Other cellulose esters section
- application: optics-and-cameras
device: Clear sheet, tube and film for glazing
example: Emco Plastics lists Glazing among CAB applications. Eastman's data sheet for Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 says Tenite cellulosic plastics are available in natural, clear, selected ambers, or smoke transparents.
source: emco-cab
where: Applications list
supply:
- subject: 'Cellulose feedstock for CAB: wood pulp or cotton linters'
abundance: Wikipedia says purified cellulose from wood pulp or cotton linters is mixed with glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride and a catalyst for cellulose acetate, and gives no CAB-specific process. Eastman describes its cellulose esters as plastics made from wood pulp, a renewable resource.
producers: []
critical_lists: []
substitutes: []
source: wikipedia-ca
where: Production section; Eastman selector chart, Plastics made from wood pulp line
- subject: 'Cellulose acetate materials, all types: global production'
abundance: The global production of CA materials was over 800,000 tonnes per year in 2008, per Wikipedia. The figure covers cellulose acetate generally, not CAB alone.
producers: []
critical_lists: []
substitutes: []
source: wikipedia-ca
where: Disposal and degradation section
- subject: Eastman Tenite Butyrate producer
abundance: Eastman sells Tenite butyrate grades. Its selector chart prints a corporate address in Kingsport, TN, U.S.A. No production volume or country share is printed.
producers: []
critical_lists: []
substitutes: []
source: eastman-cab-selector
where: Title line and corporate address block
- subject: Jiangsu Yunjian CAB-381 producer
abundance: Jiangsu Yunjian Chemical Technology Co., Ltd sells CAB-381 series grades (CAB-381-0.1 and others), per its technical data sheet. No production volume or country share is printed.
producers: []
critical_lists: []
substitutes: []
source: yunjian-cab381
where: Company name line in the header of each CAB-381 data sheet
media: []
documents:
- title: Eastman, Technical Data Sheet, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp
type: datasheet
url: https://productcatalog.eastman.com/tds/ProdDatasheet.aspx?product=71003583&pn=tenite-butyrate-264e2r30008-natural-trsp
- title: Eastman, Technical Data Sheet, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural
type: datasheet
url: https://productcatalog.eastman.com/tds/ProdDatasheet.aspx?product=71003742&pn=tenite+butyrate+485a2r30016+-+natural
- title: Eastman, Tenite cellulose acetate butyrate selector chart, SP-TRS-10277 (12/19)
type: datasheet
url: https://www.eastman.com/content/dam/eastman/corporate/en/literature/s/sptrs10277.pdf
year: 2019
- title: Eastman, Weathering of Tenite butyrate, SP-TRS-10080 (2/20)
type: datasheet
url: https://www.eastman.com/content/dam/eastman/corporate/en/literature/s/sptrs10080.pdf
year: 2020
- title: Nilsson et al., Screening of hydrogen bonds in modified cellulose acetates with alkyl chain substitutions, Carbohydrate Polymers 285 (2022) 119188
type: paper
url: https://research.chalmers.se/publication/528876/file/528876_Fulltext.pdf
year: 2022
- title: Eastman CAB-551-0.01 safety data sheet (read through NextSDS)
type: sds
url: https://nextsds.com/sds/en/281331501297661/eastman-tm-cellulose-acetate-butyrate-cab-551-0-01
- title: Jiangsu Yunjian, Technical Data Sheet, CAB-381-0.1 cellulose acetate butyrate
type: datasheet
url: https://img.chemicalbook.com/ProductImageEN1/ProductDoc/2025-05-20/202505201614020432548.pdf
gaps:
- 'No glass transition or heat deflection value for a commercial Tenite butyrate grade: the Eastman data sheets and selector chart print no Tg. The Chalmers CABIII film is a laboratory cellulose ester, not a Tenite grade.'
- No space flight, vacuum outgassing (TML or CVCM) or radiation test result for CAB was found in a source opened in this run.
- PubChem was not opened in this run, so there is no PubChem CID or GHS record for CAB. The hazard entries come from the Eastman CAB SDS only.
- Sections 11 (toxicology), 12, 13 and 15 of the Eastman CAB SDS are marked as not yet processed in NextSDS, and section 14 (transport) has no content, so no toxicology or transport data are given.
- Weight loss on heating (weight_loss_on_heating) and butyryl content (butyryl_content) are not canonical names in spores/property-canon.yaml; they use short snake_case names.
- Light transmission (>90 %), haze (<8.5 %) and Rockwell R hardness (88 and 40) are printed on the data sheets but not recorded as properties, because there is no canonical name for them in the property list.
- The Eastman Arizona weathering results (tensile and impact after outdoor exposure) are graphs; no numbers are taken from them.
- Thermal conductivity, coefficient of linear thermal expansion, dielectric strength and dielectric constant ranges for Tenite CAB are printed in the selector chart but are not recorded in this profile.
- Producer countries and production shares for CAB were not found in a source opened in this run, and no acetic acid or acetic anhydride supply source was read.
- No critical-mineral list was checked for cellulose, acetic acid or butyric acid, so critical_lists is empty.
- No atomic weights are given in a source read in this run, so the recipe parts carry no atomic_weight field.
- The CAB-551-0.01 melting range comes from an SDS for a different Eastman grade, not from the Tenite data sheets, and is labelled with its own grade.
- The butyryl content row comes from a different supplier's CAB-381-0.1 sheet, not from Eastman, and is labelled with its own grade.
sources:
eastman-264-sheet:
title: Eastman, Technical Data Sheet, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp
id: 264E2R30008 (Formula 264, 8 % plasticizer)
url: https://productcatalog.eastman.com/tds/ProdDatasheet.aspx?product=71003583&pn=tenite-butyrate-264e2r30008-natural-trsp
kind: datasheet
license: Eastman literature, cited not reproduced
eastman-485-sheet:
title: Eastman, Technical Data Sheet, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural
id: 485A2R30016 (Formula 485, 16 % plasticizer)
url: https://productcatalog.eastman.com/tds/ProdDatasheet.aspx?product=71003742&pn=tenite+butyrate+485a2r30016+-+natural
kind: datasheet
license: Eastman literature, cited not reproduced
eastman-cab-selector:
title: Eastman, Tenite cellulose acetate butyrate selector chart, Formulas 264, 285, 485, 530, 550, 565, 575, 576
id: SP-TRS-10277, 12/19
url: https://www.eastman.com/content/dam/eastman/corporate/en/literature/s/sptrs10277.pdf
year: 2019
kind: datasheet
license: Eastman literature, cited not reproduced
eastman-weathering:
title: Eastman, Weathering of Tenite butyrate
id: SP-TRS-10080, 2/20
url: https://www.eastman.com/content/dam/eastman/corporate/en/literature/s/sptrs10080.pdf
year: 2020
kind: datasheet
license: Eastman literature, cited not reproduced
chalmers-ca-2022:
title: Nilsson et al., Screening of hydrogen bonds in modified cellulose acetates with alkyl chain substitutions
id: doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119188 (Carbohydrate Polymers 285, 119188)
url: https://research.chalmers.se/publication/528876/file/528876_Fulltext.pdf
year: 2022
kind: paper
license: open access, Chalmers repository
nextsds-cab:
title: Eastman CAB-551-0.01 safety data sheet (read through the NextSDS aggregator)
id: NextSDS listing 281331501297661
url: https://nextsds.com/sds/en/281331501297661/eastman-tm-cellulose-acetate-butyrate-cab-551-0-01
kind: datasheet
license: SDS, cited not reproduced
wikipedia-ca:
title: Wikipedia, Cellulose acetate
id: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulose_acetate
url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulose_acetate
kind: web
license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (text)
yunjian-cab381:
title: Jiangsu Yunjian Chemical Technology Co., Ltd, Technical Data Sheet, cellulose acetate butyrate CAB-381-0.1
id: CAB-381-0.1 data sheet, composition table
url: https://img.chemicalbook.com/ProductImageEN1/ProductDoc/2025-05-20/202505201614020432548.pdf
kind: datasheet
license: Supplier data sheet, cited not reproduced
emco-cab:
title: Emco Plastics, Butyrate (cellulose acetate butyrate) product page
id: emcoplastics.com/butyrate
url: https://www.emcoplastics.com/butyrate/
kind: web
license: Distributor web page, cited not reproduced
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-11-01'
review:
status: draft
method: assistant
checked_values: 29
unreachable: 1
caveats: 2
note: Read by an AI assistant on 2026-11-01 from two Eastman Tenite butyrate data sheets, the Eastman selector chart and weathering note, the NextSDS CAB SDS, Wikipedia, the Chalmers 2022 paper, a Yunjian CAB-381 data sheet and an Emco Plastics page. 29 properties are sourced. PubChem was not opened in this run.
story:
recipe:
line: Cellulose acetate butyrate is cellulose in which part of the hydroxyl groups are esterified with acetyl and butyryl groups, with a plasticizer added for the grade. Wikipedia gives no CAB-specific process; for cellulose acetate, purified cellulose from wood pulp or cotton linters is mixed with glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride and a catalyst.
parts:
- name: Anhydroglucose unit
symbol: C6 ring
role: The cellulose backbone repeat unit. Its hydroxyl groups are the sites that the acetyl and butyryl groups replace.
- name: Acetyl group
symbol: COCH3
role: Esterifies part of the hydroxyl groups. The Yunjian CAB-381-0.1 sheet gives less acetyl than butyryl in its grades.
- name: Butyryl group
symbol: COC3H7
role: Replaces part of the acetyl groups. The Yunjian CAB-381-0.1 sheet prints butyryl content of 35.5 to 41.5 %, and the butyryl groups lower the glass transition.
risk_groups:
- title: For people
level: 0
verdict: Low acute hazard; combustible dust
lead: The Eastman CAB safety data sheet classifies the product as combustible dust (EUH014) and prints no H-codes. The sources read do not classify it as hazardous otherwise.
points:
- label: The powder
line: No H-codes are printed. The SDS gives the signal word warning and EUH014, May form combustible dust concentrations in air.
- label: Dust
line: Fine dust in air can form an explosive mixture with an ignition source. Keep dust down and avoid sparks.
- label: Molten material
line: Molten CAB causes burns. The SDS advises cooling the skin rapidly with cold water and physician treatment for burns.
- title: If the material burns
lead: Fire data come from the SDS, not from field incidents.
points:
- label: Fire
line: Use water spray, dry chemical or CO2. The SDS says not to use a solid water stream, which may scatter and spread the fire.
- label: Decomposition
line: Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are the decomposition products named in the SDS. The SDS also warns of static build-up when CAB is mixed with toluene or xylene.
- title: Handling and service
points:
- label: Storage
line: Keep the container tightly closed, keep the material away from heat, sparks and open flames, and prevent static discharge.
- label: Outdoors
line: Use a formulation with a UV inhibitor. Eastman says its special outdoor butyrate formulations should remain useful for at least five years outdoors.
why: 'Cellulose acetate butyrate is a cellulose ester thermoplastic. Eastman sells it as Tenite Butyrate in plasticizer levels that trade heat resistance against toughness: the 8 % plasticizer grade has a heat deflection temperature of 79 °C at 1.82 MPa, and the 16 % grade has 64 °C. The butyrate groups lower the glass transition compared with plain cellulose acetate.'
uses:
- where: Injection-moulded and extruded parts
line: Eastman says Tenite butyrate has been used in an array of injection moulding and extrusion applications, and is one of the most widely used cellulosic thermoplastics.
- where: Tool handles
line: Wikipedia says CAB is widely used for tool handles because of its toughness and its resistance to oil and gasoline.
- where: Clear sheet, tube and film for glazing
line: Emco Plastics lists glazing among CAB applications, and Eastman's data sheet says Tenite cellulosic plastics come in natural, clear, selected ambers, or smoke transparents.
can_do:
- label: Heat at low plasticizer
benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
value: 79 °C
line: The 8 % plasticizer grade, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008, has a heat deflection temperature of 79 °C at 1.82 MPa after 4 h at 70 °C, per its Eastman data sheet. The 16 % grade has 64 °C.
- label: Glass transition
benchmark: glass_transition_temperature
value: 109 °C
line: In the Chalmers study, a hot-melt pressed film of the highest-butyryl CAB has a glass transition of 109 °C, against 193 °C for cellulose acetate film.
- label: Toughness at room temperature
benchmark: notched_izod_impact
value: 198 J/m
line: The 8 % plasticizer grade has a notched Izod impact of 198 J/m at 23 °C, falling to 91 J/m at -40 °C, per its Eastman data sheet.
- label: Density
benchmark: density
value: 1.16 to 1.21
line: Eastman's selector chart prints a specific gravity from 1.16 to 1.21 across plasticizer levels of 3 to 23 %.
compare: 'CAB and cellulose acetate (CA) are both cellulose esters, and Wikipedia describes CA as made from wood pulp or cotton linters. The butyrate groups in CAB lower the glass transition: the Chalmers films fall from 193 °C for CA to 109 °C for the highest-butyryl CAB. For Tenite grades, Eastman''s selector chart shows that plasticizer level sets the heat deflection, which runs from 52 to 86 °C at 1.82 MPa across 3 to 23 % plasticizer. Pick CAB where a lower glass transition and an outdoor-stabilised formulation are wanted.'
compare_rows:
- label: Glass transition temperature (CA film, Chalmers)
benchmark: glass_transition_temperature
- label: Heat deflection temperature at 1.82 MPa, 8 % plasticizer grade
benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
- label: Water absorption, 24 h immersion, 8 % plasticizer grade
benchmark: moisture_absorption
handling:
- Keep the powder sealed and away from heat, sparks and open flames.
- Control dust and static when the powder is handled or mixed with solvents.
- Use a UV-inhibited grade, such as Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016, for outdoor parts.
- Pick the plasticizer level for the heat the part must survive; low plasticizer gives the highest heat deflection.
good_for:
- Moulded and extruded parts that must hold shape under 1.82 MPa up to 79 °C, using the 8 % plasticizer grade.
- Tool handles, where toughness and resistance to oil and gasoline matter, according to Wikipedia.
- Outdoor parts with a UV inhibitor, where Eastman expects at least five years of outdoor use.
watch_out:
- Water uptake of 1.3 to 1.5 % after 24 h immersion.
- 'Low-temperature impact: notched Izod falls from 198 J/m at 23 °C to 91 J/m at -40 °C for the 8 % plasticizer grade.'
- Dust explosion and static hazards in powder handling, per the Eastman CAB SDS.
verdict: CAB is a mature cellulose ester with a usable heat range, good room-temperature toughness and clear grades. Its weak points are water uptake, low-temperature impact, UV without a stabiliser, and dust and static in handling. No space flight, vacuum or radiation data were found, so it cannot be called space-qualified.
References
Every number above carries a reference number. Click one to see the source and where in it the value comes from.
| # | Source | Type | Year | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastman, Technical Data Sheet, Tenite Butyrate 264E2R30008 Natural Trsp | datasheet | 18 values | ||
| Eastman, Technical Data Sheet, Tenite Butyrate 485A2R30016 Natural | datasheet | 10 values | ||
| Eastman, Tenite cellulose acetate butyrate selector chart, Formulas 264, 285, 485, 530, 550, 565, 575, 576 | datasheet | 2019 | 5 values | |
| Eastman, Weathering of Tenite butyrate | datasheet | 2020 | 3 values | |
| Nilsson et al., Screening of hydrogen bonds in modified cellulose acetates with alkyl chain substitutions | paper | 2022 | 2 values | |
| Eastman CAB-551-0.01 safety data sheet (read through the NextSDS aggregator) | datasheet | 11 values | ||
| Wikipedia, Cellulose acetate | web | 4 values | ||
| Jiangsu Yunjian Chemical Technology Co., Ltd, Technical Data Sheet, cellulose acetate butyrate CAB-381-0.1 | datasheet | 2 values | ||
| Emco Plastics, Butyrate (cellulose acetate butyrate) product page | web | 1 value |
Updated