Durium is a highly durable

synthetic resin Synthetic resins are industrially produced resins, typically viscous substances that convert into rigid polymers by the process of curing. In order to undergo curing, resins typically contain reactive end groups, such as acrylates or epoxides. ...

developed in 1929. It was used in phonograph records, as well as in the casting process for metallic type and in the aeronautics industry.

Origin

It is a

resorcinol Resorcinol (or resorcin) is an organic compound with the formula C6H4(OH)2. It is one of three isomeric benzenediols, the 1,3-isomer (or '' meta''-isomer). Resorcinol crystallizes from benzene as colorless needles that are readily soluble i ...

formaldehyde Formaldehyde ( , ) (systematic name methanal) is a naturally occurring organic compound with the formula and structure . The pure compound is a pungent, colourless gas that polymerises spontaneously into paraformaldehyde (refer to section ...

resin, the result of research by Hal T. Beans, professor of chemistry at

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...

Properties

The resin is flexible, tasteless, odorless, fire and waterproof. It is highly resistant to heat and was heated to in production of records. It is fast-setting, reducing the production cost of items made from it.

Applications

Being resistant to fire and water, the resin was used as a substitute for varnish on aeronautical parts. It was commercialized by Durium Products Company (renamed Durium Products, Inc., from 1931) as the medium for

Hit of the Week Hit of the Week was an American record label founded in 1930 that sold low-priced records made of Durium instead of the usual shellac. History Around 1930, several types of thin, flexible records made of various plastic formulations were introduc ...

records, from 1930 to 1932. The resin was bonded to a cardboard substrate and, being much lighter than its competitor

shellac Shellac () is a resin secreted by the female lac bug on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. It is processed and sold as dry flakes and dissolved in alcohol to make liquid shellac, which is used as a brush-on colorant, food glaze and ...

, was sold at newstands for only 15 cents per disc.

References

{{reflist Synthetic resins