Catalin

Catalin is a brand name for a thermosetting plastic popular in the 1930s. Chemically, it's a phenol formaldehyde resin. Catalin is a cast bakelite product, with a different manufacturing process (two-stage process) than other types of bakelite resins (without using fillers such as sawdust or carbon black). Catalin is transparent, near colorless, rather than opaque, brown, so unlike other bakelite phenolics it can be dyed bright colors or even marbled. This has made Catalin more popular than other types of bakelite. In the 1930-50's it quickly replaced most plastic consumer goods.

Catalin is a trademark of the American Catalin Corporation.

Catalin cast bakelite is perhaps the most worldwide recognized plastic used in fashion accessories and fine, expensive jewelry.

History
The first bakelite formula was developed between 1907 and 1909 by Dr. Leo Baekeland. It was known as the first true synthetic plastic.

In 1927, the American Catalin Corporation of New York, developed the first light colored, transparent, filler free, true cast bakelite in a variety of colors.

Catalin resin became known as “the Gemstone of Modern Plastics." Catalin resin was highly transparent, with a brilliant, high refractive index. Its gemstone-like appearance, brilliant, rich colorations and machineable nature, created amazing opportunities for product manufacturers.

By 1936, two-thirds of all costume jewelry, fashion accessories, resin products, made in the United States, were fashioned from Catalin cast bakelite.

The American Catalin Corporation made an endless variety of products: cast rods, tubes, sheets and parts. Catalin also made many finished jewelry items. Those included bangles, bracelets, brooches, earrings, necklaces, beads, belt buckles, buttons, and fashion accessories. Catalin became known as “the material of a thousand uses.”

For people living in the 1930s and 40s, Catalin bakelite was an everyday part of life. It was also used to make kitchen utensils, napkin rings, shaving kits and game pieces (mahjong, dominos, chess sets). Catalin products were sold in leading department stores nationwide.

By 1942, Catalin suspended its manufacturing of jewelry and cast parts to concentrate on wartime items. Later as other cheaper, “injection molded” petrol-based plastics developed, Catalin cast bakelite production was suspended. This was in part due to Catalin's resins higher costs, labor intensive cast molding and hand finishing requirements. In 2004 the American Catalin Corporation re-established itself.