July 1, 1914.1 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



563 



THE BUBBER TRADE ASSOCIATION OF LONDON. 



Since its inception in 1913, the following changes have taken 

 place in the official staff of the above association : Edward Berg 

 has succeeded Samuel Figgis as chairman; Andrew Devitt has 

 replaced Harry Symington as vice-chairman. In most other 

 respects the list published in The Indi.\ Rubber World of July 1, 

 1913 (page 537) still holds good. New features are the appoint- 

 ment of a London panel of 40 arliitrators and of a Liverpool 

 "Quality Panel" of 6 members. William G. Briggs retains the 

 ■office of secretary. 



The rules from which an extract was published have been 

 modified in certain instances, the changes having come into force 

 March 1, 1914. These alterations chiefly refer to delivery, 

 Aveights and default in deliveries. 



it by acid and by exposure to the air (the carbonic acid in 

 which perhaps leads to coagulation), or by salts, as in the 

 Colosseus process. It is a question what acid and what 

 process are best as substitutes for self-coagulation. 



ACETONE FROM NATAL. 



Efforts are being made in England to induce the British War 

 Office to use the acetone manufactured from Natal wattle wood 

 in place of that from Bosnian beech. The latter gives acetone 

 of 78 per cent, purity, while the Natal article gives an 80 per cent, 

 quality and could be supplied at the same price as the above- 

 named lower grade. Acetone is a solvent for rubber resins and 

 is used in rubber extraction and in the analysis of rubber. 



TECHNICAL PROGRESS AFFECTING RUBBER DURING 1913. 



Two reviews have lately dealt with tlie above subject. One 

 is by Dr. Wurm, of Berlin, and the other from the pen of 

 Dr. Friedrich Arndt, of Birmingliam. .\mong the experi- 

 ments of Professor Harries, referred to in the former, are 

 those dealing with the influence of halogen upon rubber, the 

 experimenter finding that the hydro-halogcnides of the 

 various kinds of rubber are very similar. 



With respect to vulcanization, most experts are agreed that 

 there is a firm chemical combination, and not a mere absorp- 

 tion of the sulphur. Stern and Bernstein have treated this 

 matter in detail, the former endeavoring to isolate certain 

 •combinations. 



DIRECT DEFINITION OF RUBBER. 



Considerable trouble was taken last year in seeking a prac- 

 tical method for the defining of the substance of rubber. 

 According to Dr. Wurm's views, one reason of the difficulty 

 attending such a definition is that we are insufficiently ac- 

 quainted with the dimensions of the rubber molecule and 

 therefore cannot draw up any exact formula. Owing to the 

 diverse compositions of the various kinds of rubber, dif- 

 ferences must occur in the products of reaction; the quantity 

 of bromine absorbed largely depending on the concentration, 

 temperature and length of exposure. Yet new forms of cal- 

 culation are constantly being introduced. The definition of 

 the substance of rubber can be much more accurately effected 

 indirectly by the determination of all other components. 

 .\RTIFICIAL RUBBER. 



During last year many new methods for producing artificial 

 rubber were published and patented. The opinion is ex- 

 pressed tiiat artificial rubber has no chance of even partially 

 conquering the market in the near future. Dr. Wurm adds 

 that the cost of manufacture of synthetic rubber is high and the 

 quality so poor that it cannot stand comparison with even the 

 lowest grade of natural rubber. 



ALBUMEN. 

 Dr. Arndt states that the part occupied by albumen in crude 

 rubber has been, during last year, the subject of much in- 

 vestigation. The co-efficient of vulcanization seems to be 

 higher the larger the proportion of albumen present. Latex, 

 immediately after the tapping, is of a weak alkaline character, 

 but soon becomes acid. It is not difficult, it is added, to make 

 artificial latex of isoprene and albumen and then to coagulate 



MEETING OF GERMAN RUBBER MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION. 



In his presidential address at the recent meeting of German 

 rubber manufacturers, Kommerzienrat HofI called attention 

 to the fact that the reduction in price in the principal articles 

 of the rubber industry is greater than any economy effected 

 through the lower price of rubber. He predicted that unless 

 a change took place the results of 1914 would be more un- 

 satisfactory than those of 1913. 



Other speakers confirmed these views, pointing out the im- 

 portance of reliable price calculations and urging that manu- 

 facturers should not hesitate to refuse unprofitable business, 

 even when presented under alluring conditions. No order 

 should be executed without its calculations being strictly 

 verified. 



Another point urged was that it would be unwise to base 

 prices on any reductions in the quotations of rubber without 

 taking into account the fact that general expenses and the 

 cost of manufacture are constantly increasing. 



In view of the expiration within a few years of existing 

 commercial treaties with various foreign countries, the ques- 

 tion of new treaties of that character was referred to as a 

 Iioint of importance for deliberation. 



.\nothcr subject dealt with was the division of the rubber 

 industry into groups, each with its president. In cases of 

 necessity the members belonging to the group could be con- 

 voked for the discussion of important matters. In this way 

 the development of the industry would be facilitated for the 

 .general benefit. 



RUBBER IN LOCOMOTIVE BUILDING. 



.\ (ierman paper speaking of the use of mechanical rubber 

 products in the construction of locomotives in Europe says 

 that it is much larger than is generally known. A visit to a 

 locomotive factory will show an unlooked for consumption 

 of rubber and asbestos packing and insulating material. 

 Hose takes a prominent position in the form of tender and 

 coupling hose, brake and heating hose, as well as that for the 

 conduct of water and gas. Both smooth and spiral kinds 

 are used, with thick and thin sides, and of standard dimen- 

 sions. Smaller locomotives and those for narrow-gage lines 

 of course require smaller sizes of hose in their mechanical 

 equipment. 



.\n interesting feature of locomotive manufacture is the 

 fact that specially large engines arc required in North 

 .Vmcrica, .'\rgentina and Spain. In Europe coupling and 

 heating hose is usually about 2'/< inches internal and Syi 

 inches external diameter, with spirals far apart. The various 

 pressures to be withstood call for differences in the mode of 

 construction. 



Besides hose, packing rings of rubber and asbestos, as well 

 as asbestos slabs and loose flanges, are used. Asbestos 

 cushions serve to isolate steam, particularly superheated 

 steam, in the cylinders and pipe connections. 



Many articles, particularly in rubber, are largely used in the 

 manufacture of passenger and freight locomotives and tenders. 

 In these lines, the car builders carry large and fully assorted 

 stock, such as do makers of mechanical rubber goods. 



RECONSTRUCTION OF METZELER & CO.. MUNICH. 



.'\ Statement of the receiver in the case of Metzeler & Co., 

 Munich, shows that a strong syndicate is being formed by 

 the German banks interested, with a view to the reconstruc- 

 tion of the above concern under guarantees. 



