What material provided a safety improvement over the fragile early cellulose nitrate base used for film?
Answer
Cellulose acetate
The production of the flexible film base involved handling volatile materials, initially utilizing cellulose nitrate, which was fragile. To manage quality and inherent risks across millions of feet produced annually, the company later implemented safety improvements, including the use of cellulose acetate as a base material. This transition highlights the continuous chemical undertaking required by Eastman's industrial-scale manufacturing operation, balancing high-volume production with material stability and safety concerns.

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