Paul Sorenson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >graywolf wrote: >> LOL! Nitrocellulose, AKA, gun cotten is classified as an explosive. >> >> BTW they use it for paint too. Gives a much nicer look than Acrilics >> paint does. It is still the preferred finish for guitar and other >> instrument sound boards as it give a much mellower sound. >> >The "dope" used to stiffen the fabric on early airplanes was cellulose >nitrate and highly flammable. Many a WWI aviator chose to jump to his >death sans parachute rather than burn to death in a flaming aircraft.
Yep. This "dope", mixed with powdered aluminum, was what the painted the exterior of zeppelins with. The dope is highly inflammable and when mixed with powdered aluminum it's basically rocket fuel! This, rather than the hydrogen, is now acknowledged as what was responsible for the Hindenberg disaster (it was ignited by stat electric discharge from the mooring tower to the airframe). -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
