8mm Forum: Production of Nitrate Film

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Topic: Production of Nitrate Film

Clinton Hunt
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 845
From: Waharoa,North Island,New Zealand
Registered: May 2010

posted April 02, 2016 07:45 PM

I just came across this youtube video telling how Nitrate is made to be added to film bases.
I never knew how it was done to be honest.
It talks about safety for the workers but somehow I think it wouldn't be ok in todays work place .... aaahhh the 1920's!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_dbAXUJaNA

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Cheers from me in New Zealand :-)

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Pasquale DAlessio
Film God

Posts: 3523
From: Bristol,RI, USA
Registered: May 2010

posted April 02, 2016 09:45 PM

Excellent film. Thanks for the post. Even more interesting is the one following it on youtube showing some film being burned in a landfill. What a shame.

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Clinton Hunt
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 845
From: Waharoa,North Island,New Zealand
Registered: May 2010

posted April 02, 2016 11:33 PM

It's saddens me Pasquale when I hear about film and film related stuff or even projectors that are not working being dumped!
Give them all to ME and then let me see if they are worth keeping!
But probably because I really enjoy this hobby [Smile]

BUT obviously the flammable film is not safe for the average collector.

Here's the youtube link Pasquale mentions ,the film starts with an average fire to massive within seconds.It must've been scary for projectionist when it caught fire while projecting!

https://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=r6r9DcGC0Gg&ebc=ANyPxKqM6D2JniyyacOgV55hLQK116e7MCiHIXC13xRYhLIsNgj4fDzXaXZe4WSlZaGrv8m1sGA6h3KqCRA5Y7B2wkXq6cjpIA

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Cheers from me in New Zealand :-)

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Pasquale DAlessio
Film God

Posts: 3523
From: Bristol,RI, USA
Registered: May 2010

posted April 03, 2016 03:40 AM

I agree with you Clinton. Thanks for posting the link. I noticed on the mans hat it looked like it said Movietone. So I am assuming buy that plus they all look like short clips that they were news items from Movietone News. But still a pity to see them burned.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted April 03, 2016 05:04 AM

In my early days as a cinema projectionist we were still showing nitrate prints on a Sunday. The projectors of the day had adequate fire protecting devices.

In my case, on BTH Supas (Single Unit Projection Assembly), the 2000ft spools were in totally enclosed spool-boxes with fire traps which had guillotine blades to sever the film at top and bottom. This only left about three feet of film which, at the worst, could catch fire. It did happen once. Everything worked correctly, and the small section of ignited film was quelled with a Pyrene hand-held fire extinguisher.

I suggest that this topic should be under "General Yak."

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Maurice

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Terry Sills
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1423
From: Weymouth,Dorset,England
Registered: Oct 2012

posted April 03, 2016 11:16 AM

I've heard that old Nitrate film can break down and revert to Nitroglycerin and that when stored in a tin has been known to explode when the can was opened. Is this true?

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Mitchell Dvoskin
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 128
From: West Milford, NJ
Registered: Jun 2008

posted April 06, 2016 02:26 PM

Not exactly true.

Nitrate film in good condition is no more dangerous than gasoline. If stored and handled properly, it is not particularly dangerous.

On the other hand...

Decomposing nitrate film gives off a gas that is flammable, and when it builds up in enclosed spaces like a film can, is can be explosive. However, it takes a flame or spark to set it off.

Further, for decomposing nitrate film, the temperature at which it will self ignite can go down to almost room temperature making it especially dangerous.

Nitrate film will burn under water, as it makes it's own oxygen as it burns.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted April 06, 2016 03:15 PM

Storing nitrate film:-
1) Keep temperature as cool as possible and always below 70F. Freezing is recommended.
2) Keep humidity between 30- 40%.
3) Do not expose to a source of heat.
4) Only store in ventilated containers.
5) Keep storage area well ventilated.
6) Isolate the film/s. Nitrate can emit gases harmful to humans and other collection items.

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Maurice

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