Durium is a highly durable synthetic resin 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- formaldehyde 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 Manha ...

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 records, from 1930 to 1932. The resin was bonded to a cardboard substrate and, being much lighter than its competitor shellac, was sold at newstands for only 15 cents per disc.

References

{{reflist Synthetic resins