Ingredient 1: Nitrocellulose
What Is It Made Of? Highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose.
Chemical name: Gun Cotton
Chemical formula: [C6H7O2(OH)3x(ONO2)
Physical properties: flammable
Chemical properties: Pale yellow syrupy liquid
Health Effects: toxicity is low, explosion hazard
Purpose of including ingredient: film-forming polymer dissolved in a volatile organic solvent.


Ingredient 2: Butyl Acetate
What Is It Made Of? Carbon hydrogen and oxygen.
Chemical name: N-Butyl acetate
Chemical formula: C6H12O2
Physical properties: floats on water, vapors heavier than air
Chemical properties: colourless liquid with a fruity odor
Health Effects: air way irritation, eye irritation, pulmonary functions
Purpose of including ingredient: to impact the coating, necessary strength, hardness.



Ingredient 3: Isopropyl  Alcohol
What Is It Made Of? Combining water and propene in a hydration reaction.
Chemical name: Isopropanol
Chemical formula: C3H8O
Physical properties: flammable
Chemical properties: colorless, strong odor
Health Effects: IPA poisoning can occur, slowed breathing, dizziness, coma
Purpose of including ingredient: anisotropic etching, roughness

I chose nail polish, because that is an item I use most of the time to do my nails. I would like to know what nail polish is made out of.

  1) How does the nail polish get the certain color its supposed to be?

  2) Why does it have such strong smell?

  3) What is nail polish made of?