From the late 19th century and throughout most of the 20th century, vinyl records were a popular, inexpensive, and affordable medium for distributing audio recordings until they were supplanted by digital discs.
Vinyl disc and its playback
A vinyl record is an analog audio information carrier in the form of a disk, on one or two of its sides there is a “track” (continuous groove), the depth and width of which varies depending on the sound wave. Such records are played in gramophones, old-style gramophones, as well as in more modern electric players and electrophones.
The needle of the turntable, moving along more expensive than the record, vibrates, and an electrical signal is generated. This signal is amplified by the amplifier and reproduced by the speakers, resulting in audio material recorded in the studio.
Material composition
The polymer called vinyl is a vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate copolymer. This polymer is often referred to in the industry as "vinyl resin". She was the first material from which records were made for playing in a gramophone.
The American company Carbide and Carbon was first granted a patent for its use as a material for the release of records in 1933. This is where the vinyl record industry began. The vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate copolymer, however, is not the only component of the material, since a plate made only of it would be transparent, short-lived, would give a loud noise, as well as crackle from static electricity.
Therefore, other components are included in the composition, for example, carnauba wax and calcium stearate have been used in the production of records from the 1930s to the present. As for the rest, the composition has changed several times over the course of decades to improve quality. Thus, the composition of the material for the production of the record contains 95% vinyl resin and various additives specified by the manufacturer. Additives include stabilizers, pigments, antistatic agents, plasticizers, internal and external lubricants.
Vinyl today
The production of hot-pressed LPs peaked in the 1970s. At the end of the 20th century, digital discs replaced vinyl records. They are still used, but today they are mainly used by DJs, lovers of antiquity and connoisseurs of the specific warm and lively sound that vinyl discs give. This compensates them for such disadvantages as a small number of tracks on the side of the plate and its rapid wear, exposure to moisture and temperature changes.
Vinyl lovers are actively buying records online and at auctions. The cost of individual collectibles can be a fortune.
