Eastman CAB 381-2 is a cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) with a medium butyryl content and higher than average molecular weight for a CAB in the 381 series. As CAB 381-2 has a higher molecular weight, it provides films with improved toughness compared to other cellulose acetate butyrate materials. CAB 381-2 is versatile, being soluble in many different solvents and compatible with several resins and plasticizers used across many different industries. This flexibility provides formulators with plenty of options when looking to optimize their systems.

CAB 381-2 is used most commonly in coating formulations. Ranging from metal coatings to leather and carton coatings, cellulose acetate butyrate improves metallic pigmentation effects, coating gloss, and UV stability and decreases surface defects. For inks, CAB 381-2 can be used as a resin that improves pigment dispersion, wetting, antiblocking, and UV stability. Eastman CABs provide more safety benefits and stability compared to other film formers like nitrocellulose. Eastman cellulose acetate butyrate can also be utilized in nail care formulations to provide fast cure times and phenomenal resistance to discoloration due to UV exposure. Additionally, nail polish formulations utilizing CAB 381-2 require fewer reapplications.