Eastman cellulose acetate butyrates (CAB) are mixed cellulose esters containing acetate and butyrate functional groups. They are commonly used as thermoplastic binders and additives in coating applications for a variety of materials, including plastics, textiles, metal, leather, and wood. Most Eastman cellulose acetate butyrate grades are soluble in several low-cost solvents and compatible with a broad range of resins and pigments.

Key Properties are:
Transparency: CAB is clear and glossy, making it suitable for applications requiring optical clarity. CAB retains its optical properties even under harsh conditions, making it ideal for applications where transparency is critical.
Durability: It is tough and resistant to impact, scratching, and wear. CAB offers good mechanical properties, such as flexibility and impact resistance, which are valuable in a wide range of industrial uses.
Weather Resistance: It exhibits good stability under UV exposure and resists degradation caused by weathering.
Chemical Resistance: CAB is resistant to water, oils, and many solvents. The material resists degradation by chemicals, moisture, ensuring longevity in a range of products.
Adhesion and Coating: It has excellent adhesion to various surfaces and is commonly used in coatings and lacquers.
CAB appears as powder and is easily dissolved in a wide range of common solvents and shows good compatibility with many other resins.

Overall, CAB is a highly adaptable material used in various industries for applications that require durability, clarity, and resistance to environmental factors.

Common Applications:
Coatings and Paints: CAB is often used as a film-former in coatings, especially in automotive and wood finishes, where its durability, clarity, and resistance to UV are valued.
Optical Coatings: used in coatings for optical lenses and components due to its excellent optical clarity and scratch resistance.
Protective Coatings: CAB is also used in protective coatings for various materials, including plastics, due to its ability to provide resistance against water, oils, and chemicals.
Wood Finishes and Paints: CAB is used in surface finishes for wood, providing an aesthetically appealing, durable finish that is resistant to environmental wear.
Leather and Textiles: CAB can be applied as a coating on leather and textile materials to enhance their durability, water resistance, and tactile feel.
Inks: It serves as a binder in printing inks, enhancing flexibility and adhesion.
Adhesives: CAB is a component in adhesive formulations, offering good bonding strength and durability.
Plastics and Molding: It is used in injection molding and extrusion processes for making durable plastic products like eyewear frames and tool handles or Toys and Sporting Goods that require durable, lightweight plastic with a clear appearance.
Packaging: Some forms of CAB are used in packaging films or laminates due to its aesthetic appeal and ability to form a smooth, glossy surface.
Specialty Products: Items like musical instrument parts, pens, and durable consumer goods are also made from CAB.
Safety Glass: It is used in the production of laminated safety glass in vehicles, where its impact resistance is valuable.
Biomedical and Pharmaceutical: CAB has potential applications in controlled drug delivery systems where it is used to form microencapsulations or coatings to release drugs at a controlled rate.
Cosmetics: in skin care and in nail polish mainly to improve film forming
Photography and Imaging: CAB is used in the production of photographic films, especially in applications requiring transparency, clarity, and toughness.