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.