# Durium

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Highly durable synthetic resin

For other uses, see [Durium (disambiguation)](/source/Durium_(disambiguation)).

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A record made of Durium

**Durium** is a highly durable [synthetic resin](/source/Synthetic_resin) developed in 1929. It was used in phonograph records, as well as in the casting process for [metallic type](/source/Movable_type) and in the aeronautics industry.

## Origin

It is a [resorcinol](/source/Resorcinol)-[formaldehyde](/source/Formaldehyde) resin, the result of research by Hal T. Beans, professor of chemistry at [Columbia University](/source/Columbia_University).[1]

## Properties

The resin is flexible, tasteless, odorless, fire and waterproof. It is highly resistant to heat and was heated to 230 °C (446 °F) in production of records. It is fast-setting, reducing the production cost of items made from it.

## Applications

Being resistant to fire and water, the resin was used as a substitute for varnish on aeronautical parts.

It was commercialized by Durium Products Company (renamed Durium Products, Inc., from 1931) as the medium for [Hit of the Week](/source/Hit_of_the_Week) records, from 1930 to 1932. The resin was bonded to a cardboard substrate and, being much lighter than its competitor [shellac](/source/Shellac), was sold at newsstands for only 15 cents per disc.[2]

## See also

- [Durium Records (UK)](/source/Durium_Records_(UK))

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Unbreakable Disks Made of New Resin; Phonograph Records, Flexible and Cheap, Use Durium, Product of Dr. H.T. Beans. Unhurt by Hammer Blows: Compound Which Withstands Heat of Molten Lead Expected to Find Many Industrial Uses"](https://www.nytimes.com/1930/01/04/archives/unbreakable-disks-made-of-new-resin-phonograph-records-flexible-and.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. January 4, 1930. Retrieved March 30, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Science: Durium Records"](https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,738695,00.html). *[Time](/source/Time_(magazine))*. February 17, 1930. Retrieved March 30, 2018.

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