Bakelite Buttons

[subaluba]

What do you look for to tell if a button is bakelite? When I tested the ones I thought would be bakelite I was surprised. Are bakelite buttons rare? Do people buy them to make jewelry?

[buttonsoldbuttons]

How did you test them? Some people say if you rub them between your hands until they are warm they will smell like formeldahyde. One lady told me if you use a Q-tip dipped in 409 it would turn orange and it wouldn't hurt the button. Haven't tried that yet.

[tommy_2_fingers]

Hi What ive been told and used as a rule to tell bakelite on silverware handles, buttons, toys etc. is to rub the item with your finer or thumb....back and forth 7 to 10 times then smell your finger, bakelite will leave an odor on your finger

[caspiantern]

I am assuming bakelite buttons were made up to the 50s or so, is this correct. Also I associate them with the art deco period of design.

[svengali]

It's been a long time since I checked this discussion board, had problems logging in but now I can. Go figure. Bakelite can be easily tested using a "hot point" test which is fairly well known to button collectors who keep up with the "latest". Hot point testing is not for everyone but many feel it is the best way to test for "phenolic resin" (Bakelite is a name brand for that type of plastic) thermoset plastic content. The tool used was created for pyrography, wood burning art, but comes in handy for testing plastics of all types. It will not harm a button made of bakelite but could put a hole into some other types such as celluloid. If you wish more information on where to obtain a hot testing tool or what results to expect, post here and I'll try to give an answer or lead you to printed material you can obtain to learn this excellent testing method. -Carol C-

[ottoknot11]

To test for bakelite I would strongly recommend using a q-tip with either a bit of 409 (grocery store cleaning agent) or simichrome (motorbike/auto car chrome polish, which comes in a small tube). Either of those, particularily simichrome will, when a dab is applied on a q-tip and then unto the button, turn a unique bright yellow-orange. However test is not always effective on black bakelite, the result there can be weak. Good test for those who sense of smell is not well... as good as fido's. Neither product harm the material. Would very strongly argue against using any form of hot test or needle, because heat can damage both bakelite and other compositions, and well, I think the backs are just as important as the front. With a little practice it is pretty easy to visually identify bakelite whith its unique weight, color, and styles.

[momlovesabargain_1]

I would agree with autonaut22. I have tried the 409 test with q-tips on a button I knew to be Bakelite and it worked just like she said. So now I use it to test all my suspected Bakelites and once you do that you start to recognize whether a button is Bakelite or not even before you test it. Bakelite is a lot fun to look for they have some really cool designs and shapes.

[bigsister]

I found a web site that recommends 409 not simichrome or hot testing. It is a great read for those interested in the testing subject. I have been using the hot water and 409 testing with good results. http://www.plasticfantastic.com/testing.html

[artcwe]

I have used the simichrome polish and it works well. It is pink but turns yellow if the item is bakelite. you can buy it on ebay just type simichrome in the search bar and something should come up.

[svengali]

With all due respect, hot water and Simichrome are really not difinitive tests for phenolic resin ("Bakelite" is a name brand) plastic. Since it is a thermoset plastic it has a high degree of protection from heat. A hot needle test will rarely leave even a tiny mark on the back of a button and is really the only test that is conclusive. What you will be looking for is virtually no reaction to a hot needle touching the plastic and perhaps an odor which some are familiar with, a sort of weak petrochemical odor. Those of use who are really concerned about "getting it right" use a tool meant for wood burning art projects (pyrography) which some button dealers sell (see buttonimages.com she sells the tool). This tool heats to just the right temperature for testing a variety of plastics. Jocelyn Howells has three booklets out on plastic buttons including a chart which tells what to look for in hot tool testing to properly identify plastics. She sells these booklets directly and through the National Button Society. We should begin to reject testing methods which are not always accurate and try to embrace the research done on our behalf by those who love and collect buttons. People claim concern about the mark that might be left on the back of a button but I would personally rather see a tiny mark rather than pay a bunch of money for something that is simply a look-alike or wrongly described by those who don't really know how to test accurately. Celluloid is the only plastic which will react dramatically to a hot needle or hot tool test. There will be an instant poof of smoke, the needle will sink in immediately and could go thru the button so test carefully, and there will be an acrid odor of "camphor". Get Jocelyn's booklets thru the NBS (join by finding the info at the bottom of my home page website vintagebuttons.net) and learn to test the scientific way not the "maybe" way. -Carol C- Group Co-Moderator

[artcwe]

Thanks Carol for the great information. I had never been informed that simichrome was not always accurate. this is very interesting as I have some beads I just really think are bakelite but didnt pass the hot water test or the simichrome. And I had heard that some bakelite may have a coating on it. again thanks for the info .....its always great to learn new things!

[svengali]

It's actually not a coating causing the color you see when using simichrome or other topical testing methods, it's patina built up from years and years of aging. Many bakelite pieces are nowhere near the color they started out as. For instance, lots of white bakelite was made which mellowed to yellowish tones and blue bakelite is almost unheard of but was made, it has changed to all manner of other colors including brown. The thin bakelite realistic buttons sometimes show a blue color when held to the light, that's the only blue bakelite I've ever found. If it's blue it's probably going to end up being casein, a milk plastic.