lacquer
A surface coating of an organic material that
dries solely by the evaporation of the solvent and
without any chemical change taking place in the
film. The most important lacquers are based on
cellulose derivatives, e.g., a cellulose ester,
such as cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate, or
a cellulose ether, such as methyl or benzyl
cellulose, etc., together with modifying agents,
such as plasticizers, resins. waxes, and pigments.
Lacquers are used in coating cloth, leather, and
paper to decrease water vapor transmission rates
and provide heat-sealing properties, water and
grease resistance, and gloss, as well as
decorative effects. Their use in archival work is
questionable, however, as the solvents used in
them emit toxic fumes, and the films themselves
begin to deteriorate after a relatively short
time, particularly if exposed to ultraviolet light.
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