I am restoring a couple of accordions, dating from the 1950-60s. They contain some components that appear to be moulded material of some sort. I'd like to be able to identify the material. I'm aware that 'hard rubber' (whatever that is – it's hard and black…) was/is used for saxophone mouthpieces, but don't know much about what plastics were around in my childhood. Accordions have traditionally been covered in moulded sheet celluloid, but the things I'm interested in are thicker-section items like feet and moulded key facings, which I doubt are lumps of celluloid (although the key facings might be…).

OK, I know there were thermosetting materials like Bakelite, and some thermoplastics, like acrylic, polystyrene, polyethylene, nylon and possibly ABS, but what else? Are there practicable ways of identifying plastics from this era? From plastic kit-making days, I could tell polystyrene by its smell, but my sense of smell is poor now, and, although a childhood pyromaniac, I've forgotten the burning characteristics of those plastics the identity of which I knew. Also what is 'hard rubber'?

Edited By Kiwi Bloke on 04/09/2023 11:28:52

Oh, sorry, I'm guilty of a sin that's all too common: not making an effort to help myself before seeking help. Now I know what 'hard rubber' is, thanks to Wikipedia…