William Mair (chemist)

William Mair (1902-1980) was a Scottish chemist known primarily for his work on polymer chemistry, particularly the development and application of cellulose acetate plastics.

Mair studied at the University of Glasgow, earning his Ph.D. in 1926. He subsequently joined the British Celanese company, where he remained for much of his career. At British Celanese, Mair's research focused on improving the properties and manufacturing processes of cellulose acetate, a versatile thermoplastic material used in a wide array of products from textiles and films to molded components.

His contributions included work on the acetylation of cellulose, the control of polymer chain length and distribution, and the formulation of cellulose acetate plastics with improved strength, heat resistance, and dimensional stability. Mair's research helped to establish cellulose acetate as a commercially important polymer and contributed to its widespread adoption in various industries.

Beyond his industrial research, Mair was also involved in scientific societies and collaborations. He published several papers on cellulose acetate and related topics in scientific journals and held several patents related to his inventions. He was a member of the Society of Chemical Industry.