October 1, 1912] 



JHE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



49 



pounds to square inch) and a temperature of 180 to 185 degs. 

 Cent. (356 degs. to 365 degs. Fahr.), ordinary rubber packing 

 cannot be any longer used, as it will not stand the strain. To 

 meet these requirements, new compounds were found necessary. 

 These acquired the name of "Ite" compounds, on account of most 

 of their designations terminating in "ite," as the special mark of 

 certain firms; such as "Klingerite," "Moorite." "Mctzelerite," 

 "Cooperitc," etc. Within a relatively short time, particularly in 

 (iermany, there has arisen a keen competition in these com- 

 pounds ; what was at one time a specialty having now become a 

 staple, to the disadvantage alike of producers and distributors. 



In principle these "Ite" compounds consist of a felted mass with 

 a foundation of asbestos. Siberian asbestos bears high tempera- 

 tures better than the Canadian material. Long fibers are neces- 

 sary ; asbestos w'aste not being suitable. 



The special compounds for "Ite" slabs, generally contain min- 

 eral substances, such as kaolin, baryta, oxide of iron, etc. Rub- 

 ber is employed in limited quantity, chiefly as a binder. Balata 

 is also used. Such compounds produce a packing, tough and 

 llexible in character and as tenacious as leather ; unaffected by 

 pressure or heat. The rubber employed is first dissolved in 

 l)enzine ; the fluid mass obtained being divided into two parts 

 and mi.xed with the powdered substances to be added; a uniform 

 pulp being thus obtained. The asbestos fiber is then added ; the 

 whole being kneaded long enough for the whole mass to become 

 felted. The better the fiber is carded before being mixed, the 

 more regular is the mixture. 



After having been thus prepared, the mass can be brought into 

 slabs in different ways ; or it can be rolled advantageously in 

 separate layers, with tempered cast iron calenders. The ends of 

 the slabs can be placed together, so that sheets of 10 or 15 feet 

 can be produced. In some factories, sheets of 15 feet can be 

 made without the need of joining the separate slabs. 



The pulp coming from the mixing machine is rolled between 

 cold cylinders ; being taken up on a cloth which carries it to the 

 rolling mill, where the sheets are pressed. As soon as the de- 

 sired thickness is attained, the slab is cut off and removed. The 

 cylinders can be heated or used cold. Finally the sheets are 

 pressed in order to obtain hard slabs. 



INTERNATIONAL COMPAKATIVE STATISTICS. 



An interesting result is presented by a German statistical re- 

 turn, showing the comparative German, English and French 

 imports and exports for 1910 and 1911. Converted into Ameri- 

 can equivalents, the figures stand: 



CER^l.^NV. 



1910. 1911. 



Imports $2,232,990,000 $2,386,195,000 



Exports 1,868,665.000 2,025,452,500 



ENGI..\ND. 



1910. 1911. 



Imports $3,4(10,042,500 $3,470,850,000 



Exports 2,196,075,000 2,316,837,500 



FR.\NXE. 



1910. 1911. 



Imports $1,793,332,500 $2,040,165,000 



Exports 1,246,760,000 1,184,415,000 



For comparison with the above figures the following returns 

 for the United States for the calendar years 1910 and 1911 will 

 be of interest: 



UNITED ST.\TES. 



1910. 1911. 



Imports $1,.S62.904,1S1 $1,533,067,130 



Exports 1 ,829,022,929 2.058,413,224 



RUBBER RESIN AND ITS USES. 



In connection with the subject of its railway classification, Herr 

 Badermann has summarized the chief features affecting the pro- 

 duction and uses of rubber resins. 



From the latex of the Djcra costulatu, found in quantity in 

 Borneo and Sumatra, a raw material exudes which, according to 

 its origin and port of shipment, is generally known as Jelutong. 

 Its composition is about as follows: 



Water 70 per cent. 



Resin 20 " 



Foreign matter and albuminous substances 2 " 



Rubber 8 " " ' 



After the extraction by pressure of the greater portion of the 

 water, the mass is treated in closed boilers with a solvent, the 

 composition of which is a trade secret. The resin and foreign 

 matter are separated from the solid rubber by allowing the 

 fluids to escape. The solution of resin is then conducted into 

 an apparatus, by means of which first the water and then the 

 resin solvent are removed by distillation, the residue left in- 

 the still consisting of resin and of the impurities separated. 



The Chemical Testing Bureau at Berlin in its report upon; 

 rubber resin as compared with imported resin, states: 



"We have not maintained that rubber resin equals American 

 pine resin in all its possible uses, but have concluded that it 

 competes with the ordinary rosins of commerce in the art and 

 varnish industries." 



One firm at Magdeburg. Germany, had asserted that the product 

 of distillation of rubber resin had an unpleasant odor. Upon 

 this point the report adds that all rosin oils obtained by distilla- 

 tion (unless intended for use in axle lubricants) have to be freed 

 from their odor by chemical purification. The distillate of rubber 

 thus treated is an extremely viscous product, with an agreeable, 

 odor, which fully competes with rosin oils of different origin. 



With respect to the objections which have been urged as to- 

 the use of rubber resins in the varnish industry it is pointed 

 out that after solution a small proportion is again precipitated ; 

 but not, as has been asserted, the largest part. This action is, 

 however, more or less shown by all rosins used in the varnish 

 industry. Every rosin needs to stand a long time for clarifica- 

 tion before it is ready for use. , 



JAPANESE CRUDE RUBBER IMPORTS. 



By Our Regular Correspondent. 



/^WING to the recent publication of fuller official details,. 

 ^^ the estimates already published of the comparative Japan- 

 ese crude rubber imports for 1910 and 1911, are now available, 

 in more complete form, as shown below : 



Sources of Japanese Crude Rubber Imports. 



1910 191 T 



Pounds. Value.' Pounds. Value. 



British India 54,175 $ 45,112 121.160 S 118,355" 



Straits Settlements .. 892.928 617,012 1.223,071 691,651 



Dutch India 119.593 70,317 132.173 80,703 



Great Britain 311,559 474,727 426,013 467,696 



Germany 13,845 20.621 4.588 3,563 



United States 85,476 121,797 112.170 126,363 



Other countries 103,342 156.397 35,689 41.678 



Total 1,580,918 $1,505,983 2,054,864 $l,530,00St' 



The increase thus shown for 1911 of about one-third in quan- 

 tity, owing to the fall in prices, only resulted in about the same- 

 value as in 1910. Considerably increased attention was paid, 

 in Japan to the crude rubber trade, as a result of the advance 

 witnessed in 1910 in the crude material. 



Of the total quantity imported by Japan in 1911, the largest 



