Klarinet Archive - Posting 000674.txt from 1996/03

From: mlfl%vax.ox.ac.uk@-----.BITNET
Subj: Re: First Appearance of Plastic Clarinets
Date: Tue, 26 Mar 1996 03:48:13 -0500

Ebonite may have some similar properties to some plastics, but it is actually a
form of hard rubber. Ebonite clarinets were made largely for use in tropical
countries, as the material is much less likely to warp in hot and humid
conditions than wood. Keywork on ebonite clarinets is generally stainless
steel, as the sulphur content would rapidly turn a copper-based alloy black.
After a while, the surface of an ebonite instrument acquires a rather pleasing
yellowish-green patina, presumably produced by excess sulphur oozing out of the
material. Some plastic instruments acquire such an appearance too, but the
cause must be different.
Roger Shilcock