NC with a nitrogen content of 10.7% to 11.3% has the designation A, as this nitrocellulose is soluble in ethanol (=Alcohol).
A-grade are particularly characterized by their thermoplastic behavior. This is important for heat-sealing foils and/or films. A-grades are preferred in the production of printing inks because of their solubility in alcohol.
Varnish films of A-grades display a poor resistance to ethanol with the result that they are rarely used in wood coatings.