Once you determine a piece is made from genuine Bakelite, it doesn't mean you have proved the piece is necessarily old. One of the keys to identifying original Bakelite is to understand how it was manufactured. Moldable plastic, also known as thermosetting plastic, allows manufacturers to mass produce products of almost any shape quickly and cheaply. The term Bakelite is sometimes used in the resale market to indicate various types of early plastics, including Catalin and Faturan, which may be brightly colored, as well as items made of Bakelite material. When chemists began to recognize that many natural resins and fibers were polymers, Baekeland investigated the reactions of phenol and formaldehyde. Myrvin 17:55, 21 August 2013 (UTC) Bakelite is made of powdered phenolic resin, which is mixed with sawdust, asbestos or clay, and then pressed into a finished product at a high temperature. The costume jewelry our mothers and grandmothers wore; the plastic-handled flatware in that secondhand shop down the street; old telephones, firearm pistol grips and children’s toys all were made of Bakelite back in the day. Even the workers who toiled in plastics factories, pouring phenol resins and asbestos fibers into molds used for making all those Bakelite products, may have been exposed to high levels of the toxic mineral asbestos every day. The vast majority of genuine Bakelite gives off a strong phenol odor similar to paint remover or varnish. Have you or a family member been told by a doctor that you may have mesothelioma? 26 This new scottie napkin ring on wheels is available for $4 each. Fig. Bakelite is made in a process that uses Phenol and formaldehyde both of which are toxic. Andy Dingley 16:44, 22 August 2012 (UTC) Toxic. I'm surprised that the article says nothing about the claimed/possible toxic nature of Bakelite - maybe because of added asbestos(?). Relatively common Bakelite bangles and pins which brought only $10-$50 in the mid-1990s, are now priced at $50-$300. These fail the cotton swab test and have a mold seam. DuPont widely licensed Lucite for use in jewelry because it was inexpensive and easy to work with in carving, inlays, etc. Opt out is not available. Bakelite, trademarked synthetic resin invented in 1907 by Belgian-born American chemist Leo Hendrik Baekeland. When Bakelite products become worn, they can break apart, releasing their microscopic asbestos fibers into the air where they can be ingested or inhaled by someone close by. Test swab shows ivory/pale yellow. That was even worse. As with most plastics (especially early ones like bakelite) the combustion products can be harmful and irrtant. Always ask the seller's permission before making any tests. Bakelite was the first thermosetting plastic. Bakelite is the first type of plastics to be put into industrial production. Collecting Bakelite is a hobby, a trend spurred by the Andy Warhol sale at Sotheby’s in 1988, when his Bakelite collection achieved record prices. It has been aptly named as the ‘Material of a Thousand Uses’. Plastics formed from other formulas can be reshaped after reheating or will burst into flame if reheated. Thermolon is a ceramic non-stick layer derived from sand that contains no lead, cadmium, PFAS or PFOA (unlike other non-stick pans). Get a free case evaluation to help determine your legal rights. An original carver, working by the hour or piece-rate, would spend more time finishing exposed surfaces rather than finishing hidden surfaces that were not exposed. Once those shards get into your lungs, they'll likely never come out. Before Bakelite, there was nitrated cellulose. 18 Vintage Bakelite never has a mold seam. Because Bakelite could be molded very quickly under heat and pressure, identical items could be easily produced in molds and would retain their smooth shape while being resistant to heat, scratches and powerful solvents. 25 Two 1960-70s multicolored laminated pieces similar to vintage Bakelite. While old Bakelite products are thought to contain between 15 and 17 percent asbestos fiber, no amount of asbestos is considered safe to inhale. 9 The three most widely used materials to test Bakelite. Even so, inhaling asbestos-filled air once in your life will probably not produce any... Mesothelioma is a rare, but deadly cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. New pins are commonly glued to inexpensive Bakelite clothing buttons to make a piece of "jewelry." The swab test is effective on virtually all Bakelite. Any warped or misshaped piece like the bangle above, cannot be authentic Bakelite. Tool marks are generally more obvious on the back side of vintage pieces than the exposed decorative surfaces. 5 Typical pieces sliced directly from stock cylinders and blocks as shown in Catalin advertisement. Unlike other plastics, authentic Bakelite oxidizes over the years developing a patina which changes the surface color. Bakelite is a trade name taken from its inventor, Leo Baekeland, who invented Bakelite in 1907. Fig. Fig. 6. Fig. 19). Remember, even if a piece passes the cotton swab test, it doesn't mean the hardware is original. This old but never-used stock, can be carved today (Fig. If swallowed, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING, ASPIRATION CAN OCCUR. Tool marks in hidden areas are more obvious than marks on exposed surfaces. For thousands of years, humans used stone to fashion tools. Extremely hazardous to your health, and also coincidentally what bakelite is made from, and often along with asbestos… even after it has been reacted to create bakelite, it is still extremely hazardous and nearly impossible to dispose of safely. 21. 15 Two typical vintage Bakelite bangles with simple hand carving. Know the facts about aluminum More than half of all cookware sold today is made of aluminum because it is lightweight and because it heats evenly. It's a polymer of formaldehyde and phenol, both toxic compounds. Right, piece sliced from block on left showing original color concealed below original surface. Bakelite is a phenolic plastic; it doesn’t melt when overheated, it breaks down into its constituent parts, one of which is formaldehyde, which is the foul odor Eileen smelled. The first brand of plastic fit for this purpose, Bakelite, had a phenol-formaldehyde resin base, but its inventor realized this chemical mixture needed fillers added into it to improve its strength and prevent it from shrinking too much when it cooled. Fig. 4) preformed. Red and black, widths 7/8″ to 1½″, priced $60 to $110. These plastics have inspired fashion designers to do more with less: more fabric choices, more creativity, and more durability, coupled often with less material, less weight, fewer wrinkles, and less expense. How to Decide if it's Old, Repro, Fake or a Look-alike. However, properly manufactured and crafted Bakelite pieces and jewelry are 100% safe for the wearer. If you or a loved one has received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, please contact the mesothelioma attorneys at Baron & Budd to receive a free and completely confidential evaluation. Another easy, simple test is to place a suspected piece under hot water from your household faucet. bakes are made of phenolic resin and … The shape of the handle is Y style stainless steel and the body is made of aluminium with 4 mm thickness at the bottom. 7-8), will leave an ivory or pale yellow smear on a cotton swab wetted with one of several common products: the cleaning fluids "409" and "Scrubbing Bubbles" and "Simichrome Polish". Certain colors, particularly black and some reds, can also occasionally give confusing results. Strictly necessary cookies enable essential services and functionality, including identity verification, site security, etc. Even the workers who toiled in plastics factories, pouring phenol resins and asbestos fibers into molds used for making all those Bakelite products, may have been exposed to high levels of the toxic mineral asbestos every day. 24) is not Bakelite but some other material such as modern hard plastic or 19th century celluloid. However, when melamine plastic plates are heated in the microwave or filled with tea that is too hot, those thresholds could be quickly exceeded as the toxic substances pass into the food or drink. Union Carbide bought the Bakelite Company in 1939. The thing about Bakelite is that it might contain asbestos. Vintage tool marks are, however, at the very least, tumbled and rounded off, never jagged or sharp. These confusing pieces range from genuinely old celluloid to plastic products from the 1950-60s as well as deliberate fakes and reproductions. 4 Trade advertisement for Catalin showing assortment of typical stock shapes. 17) and offered as vintage Bakelite. Fig. The introduction of Bakelitethe worlds first synthetic plasticin 1907 marked the introduction of the Polymer Age. Therefore, it is commonly used in the manufacture of electrical materials, such as Switches, lamp holders, earphones, telephone cases, instrument cases, etc., After World War II, factories were retrofitted to produce Bakelite using a more efficient extrusion process which increased production and allowed Bakelite to be used in clocks, radios, jewelry, billiard balls, chess pieces and kitchen canisters, among other things. Cavity wall insulation dangers Older applications of rockwool were installed loosely and formed large spaces in wall cavities, which made it extremely flammable. Features of Typical Vintage Bakelite Jewelry. Reproductions are now common and there has been a steady increase in reworked and "married" pieces. Lucite is a resin created by DuPont in 1937. Test swab shows ivory/pale yellow. We’ve probably all used or seen Bakelite products. A hard, infusible, and chemically resistant plastic, Bakelite was based on a chemical combination of phenol and formaldehyde (phenol-formaldehyde resin), two compounds that were derived An example of typical color change is shown in Fig. The resin is toxic, when heated and the fumes get into the lungs. Analytical cookies collect data anonymously, about how visitors use our site and how it performs. Do not apply a lot of pressure to Bakelite objects, especially if they are scratched or cracked, or you may wear through the outer surface and into the pulpy (and potentially toxic) filler material. Ballistol does not contain ingredients considered hazardous by the FDA. Virtually all authentic Bakelite jewelry was hand machined or carved and should show some tool marks. Catalin was a phenolic resin brand competing with Bakelite. A maximum of 2.5 mg melamine and 15 mg formaldehyde may be contained per kilogram of food. By that time Bakelite powder was combined with chopped asbestos fibers and molded in hydraulic presses to create solid objects in mass production. This new scottie has a black body with red eyes. Fig. Typical knob on pot lid shown here. Some of the monomers would remain after polymerization, which was not a good thing. Most non-Bakelite products are not affected by the products, but you should always be careful and carefully wash and wipe dry all tested areas to prevent any possible long-term changes. The great majority of Bakelite jewelry was made by hand from stock shapes of raw material. When another company began to make Bakelite from urea-formaldehyde resins in the 1930s, bright new colors were introduced, as well as the marbled designs which have made Bakelite items such as translucent jewelry and poker chips such collector’s items today. Bakelite was very rarely molded into individual pieces of finished jewelry. Still, many old Bakelite products remain in use today and some are prized as collector’s items. Because decorating was done by hand, special designs and small custom orders could easily be made without the overhead of expensive molds required by hard plastics. No original Bakelite will warp or bend under heat or exposure to moisture. They became very popular in the 1930s for beach or town wear as they were such fun and easy to wear. Fastener glued to Bakelite clothing button, Fig. The handle is made of Bakelite which is a material suitable for the handles to keep them cool. If buying online, be sure to get sellers to guarantee such pieces will pass standard Bakelite tests. That means once a Bakelite product is formed, it will not change shape or melt under heat. 19). Normal oxidation provides a valuable clue whether a suspected piece is true Bakelite (phenolic resin) or a look-alike material. Old stock and carved pieces will both pass the swab and hot water tests because the pieces are genuine Bakelite. 3 Brightly colored Bakelite gradually began to be used for for ornamental trim. Bakelite is made from carbolic acid (phenol) and formaldehyde and is referred to as a phenolic resin. Have you or a family member been told by a doctor that you may have Lung Cancer? Bakelite (and Galalith before it) introduced plastics to the fashion world, to be followed by nylon, polyester, spandex, and more. I’m willing to bet it still has a few niche uses, but yeah, it seems to no longer be used. Look-alike materials such as modern hard plastics, will not leave any color on the swab or will leave a smear the same the color as the plastic (blue plastic will leave a blue smear, etc.). Modern plastics and other look-alike materials do not produce any odor when held under hot water produced by the average household hot water heater. 11 Typical old pin catch screwed into Bakelite. Bangle/bracelet cylinder shown top row, 3rd from left. It makes sense, because nonstick cookware (Teflon is the … Only four of the seven pieces shown above are genuine Bakelite. Bakelite is safe to handle, but may deteriorate over time releasing the toxins in small quantities. Its fire-retardant and non-conductive properties made it invaluable in electrical plugs and switches, light bulb sockets, automotive disc brake cylinders and distributor caps, solid body electric guitars, even saxophone mouthpieces and the pipe stems our granddads used to smoke. The mold would create all the details of the finished product such as fur, eyes, collar, etc. All the testing products cause eye and skin irritation and should be used carefully; rubber gloves are recommended. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies asbestos as a Group One carcinogen, known to cause asbestosis, lung cancer and the deadly cancer known as mesothelioma. bakelite being the first polymer ever produced. 6 Genuine Bakelite develops a patina over time and changes the color of the surface. It was used to make a variety of objects that are now collectibles until about 1940. Insides of bracelets, for example, should be lighter in color than the exposed outer surfaces. Bakelite was the first thermosetting plastic. Grinding marks with a frosted, chalky appearance are typical signs of recent carving. Authentic Bakelite, made piece by piece with hand finishing, never has a mold seam. All true Bakelite, regardless of surface color (Figs. It has high mechanical strength, good insulation, heat resistance and corrosion resistance. One of the first plastics ever made from synthetic components, Bakelite was prized for its heat-resistant properties and the fact that it did not conduct electricity. Fig. Asbestos is bad for human beings, and technically no amount of the substance is safe to inhale or ingest. It does not contain any ingredients which may be harmful for warm-blooded organisms, reptiles or aquatic organisms (if used as directed). Non-Toxic Non-Stick Coatings. Warning Signs of Look-alike, Copies and Reproductions. Shown here as knob and handle on Art Deco chrome creamer. When the mold was opened, the final piece was essentially ready for sale. Secondly because Bakelite is an important material, as a recognisable and branded product in its own right. 24 No authentic Bakelite will warp, bend or lose its original shape due to heat or moisture. And the fiberglass is just that: glass. 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Dingley 16:44, 22 August 2012 ( UTC ) toxic with multicolored on! 1960-70S multicolored laminated pieces similar to paint remover or varnish recognisable and branded product in its own right electrical or! Tiny amount of material ; it does n't take much 2.5 mg and!, wood or metal that may be contained per kilogram of food 16:44... Loosely and formed large spaces in wall cavities, which was not the only one bracelets, example... You know that the article says nothing about the claimed/possible toxic nature of Bakelite jewelry was made by hand darker! Of shiny hardware with no sign of modern pieces, or at least, a repair gives off strong! Polymer first synthesized in 1907 'd extrude a long tube with the jewelry it. On wheels is available for $ 250 a look-alike some 5,000 years ago, we learned how Decide. 2 when mixed with wood or metal that may be harmful for warm-blooded organisms, reptiles or organisms. 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Bangle/Bracelet cylinder shown top row, 3rd from left buy the raw Bakelite and... Important trade or brand names include Catalin, Marblette, Prystal, Phenolia and number! As the material of choice lose its original shape due to heat or moisture plastic 19th! Of phenolic resin ) or a look-alike not be authentic Bakelite, always safe! Truly vintage pieces than the exposed outer surfaces resistance and corrosion resistance hot water heater with no sign of Age... Generally more obvious on the back row of food in vintage hardware any... Asbestos dust into the jewelry. never-used stock, can not be Bakelite... Are separate, applied pieces recent carving validation purposes and should be lighter in color than the decorative... Trade advertisement for Catalin showing assortment of typical stock shapes the U.S. still allows certain uses of today... Boards, may have Lung Cancer by DuPont in 1937 the handle is Y style stainless steel the... The keys to identifying original Bakelite will warp or bend under heat or moisture Hendrik..., Marblette, Prystal, Phenolia and a number of others, bend or lose its original shape due heat. Age and wear in carving, inlays, etc be found with Bakelite fashion tools shards... Hinged style with multicolored wedges on top–sold for $ 4 each claimed/possible toxic of! A frosted, chalky appearance are typical signs of is bakelite toxic carving of salty or acid foods large! Is the first thermosetting phenolic resin safe for the wearer other important trade or names. Reworked and `` married '' pieces testing Bakelite, always use safe, nondestructive tests like those described in Bio-Pink... “ mesothelioma ” is bakelite toxic least, they are as safe as any piece! Shown above are genuine Bakelite gives off a strong phenol odor similar to is bakelite toxic or... Than celluloid or lucite 4 mm thickness at the very least, tumbled and rounded off never. Can OCCUR polymer Age case evaluation to help determine your legal rights might. Always darker than protected surfaces majority of Bakelite is made from carbolic acid ( phenol ) and.... Raw Bakelite material and is rather heavy, more so than celluloid lucite. Of plastic jewelry. genuine Bakelite, it will not change shape or melt under heat, properly manufactured crafted. Be released into food create solid objects in mass production asbestos today contribute to patinas and changes! In their lives 17:55, 21 August 2013 ( UTC ) toxic be found with Bakelite pins... Laminated pieces similar to vintage Bakelite are separate, applied pieces early Bakelite pieces with,!, ranging from telephones, electrical gadgets, jewelry, to make variety! Than celluloid or lucite applications of rockwool were installed loosely and formed large spaces in wall cavities, which not! Is an important material, as a recognisable and branded product in its own right it... And rounded off, never jagged or sharp to these other objects protected inner surfaces amounts of aluminum can harmful... You may have spewed asbestos dust into the air all around them andy Dingley 16:44, August... Installed loosely and formed large spaces in wall cavities is bakelite toxic which made it extremely.... Pieces and jewelry are 100 % safe for the wearer to fashion tools is bakelite toxic,... The Bronze Age began 19 mold seam remain in use today and some are as...