March 1, 1912.] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



28; 



A GERMAN VIEW OF RUBBER HEELS. 



WHEN first introduced, rubber heels constituted a relatively 

 simple feature of the industry. At present, however, the 

 competition in shapes and qualities is such, that there is apparently 

 no limit to the variety of which the article is susceptible. As 

 the "Gumnii Zeitung" remarks, a good deal of trouble and 

 patience was necessar.v, while developments were impeded by the 

 non-success, in many cases unavoidable, of the novelty. 



In the first place the determination of the most suitable shapes 

 and of the methods best adapted for attaching the heels, necessi- 

 tated costly practical experiments. The rubber manufacturer, 

 who had never had to do with heels, could not be expected to 

 know the special requirements connected with them, while the 

 shoemaker lacked the needful acquaintance with rubber, which, 

 of course, has to be treated differently from leather. 



Before this question was in some measure solved, a large 

 quantity of more or less unsuitable goods was placed on the 

 market, which fact tended to afifect the manner in which the 

 article was being adopted. If from the first there had been 

 fewer misconceptions as to the manufacture and quality of 

 rubber heels, they would have met with a more rapid and wider 

 distribution. However, by correcting these defects, an opportu- 

 nity was afforded of demonstrating the advantages of the article, 

 although a good deal of questionable work had been meanwhile 

 placed on the market. 



DUR.\BILITY OF RUBBER HEELS. 



The main point on which the public needs to be reassured is 

 that of the superior durability of rubber heels, while their other 

 advantages (such as a lighter and more elastic tread) can only 

 be regarded as forming adjuncts of a pleasing character. If 

 they will not last, all other good qualities will not make them go. 

 They must at least wear as long as leather heels, let us say two 

 or three months : but as leather is cheaper than rubber, greater 

 durability is called for in the latter material. The only way 

 to make rubber heels an article of general use, is to give their 

 wearers the impression that they have found something better 

 than leather heels. 



GOOD M.'iTERl-^L NEEDED. . 



On this point it is asserted that by using heels of good material 

 there is no difficulty in so increasing the durability of rubber 

 as to make their life two or three times that of leather heels, 

 while the difference in cost thereby involved is more than com- 

 pensated by the improvement in quality, as putting on new 

 heels (whether leather or rubber) involves cost of labor 

 in excess of that represented by the material used. As the 

 weight of the body is largely borne by the heel, the burden on 

 that limited surface is relatively heavy. The rubber heel should 

 not be of too yielding a character, but should display great 

 toughness. At the same time, it should not be too hard, or 

 it would lose the property of imparting elasticity to the step, 

 in addition to being brittle. 



This toughness should result from a good quality of material, 

 it being recommended to use the best Para rubber, with the 

 addition of hardening ingredients such as magnesia, litharge, 

 etc. Any manufacturer using cheap, soft grades, and trying 

 through high temperature to attain the desired results, will be 

 disappointed. Too great heat results in the destruction of 

 the elasticity, particularly in low grades of rubber; while moder- 

 ate heating is advisable even with better qualities. Rubber heels 

 are often kept a long time in stock before they are used, and 

 in such a case, if the material has been subjected to a high 

 temperature, they are likely to deteriorate until there is a doubt 

 of their being suitable for their intended purpose. 



Another point named is the relatively heavier weight resting 

 on the smaller surface of a ladies' heel, which consequently 

 requires to be composed of the best material. In these smaller 



sizes, moreover, labor forms the chief element of cost, so that 

 a slight economy in the value of material does not count for 

 much. 



In the selection of shapes, it is of course advisable to choose 

 those which are generally considered suitable. This course is 

 all the less easy, on account of the many and frequent changes 

 of fashion, and the consequent diversity of requirements. 



PROSPECTS or BUSINESS. 



In conclusion it is remarked that there are the most encourag- 

 ing prospects for rubber heels, provided the quality is maintained ; 

 and cheapness is not regarded as a preponderating factor. 

 In view of the costly nature of the manufacture, it is doubly 

 necessary to produce goods that will sell and do credit to the 

 makers. Competition being keen, only "tip top" goods should 

 be turned out, of standard character and attractive in appear- 

 ance. 



NEW GERMAN SUBSTITUTE FOR HARD RUBBER. 



.According to German reports, Herr Karl Scherer, of Frank- 

 furt-on-JNlain, has produced a new substitute for hard rubber 

 and vulcanized fiber, which is being placed on the market under 

 the name of "Rionite." It is claimed that the new product is 

 of the highest insulating properties, resisting water and acids ; 

 being, moreover easily worked and polished, and being made in 

 various degrees of hardness and fusibility. 



NEW RUBBER TRADE ASSOCIATION IN HAMBURG. 



Out of the Hamburg firms interested in rubber, 71 have joined 

 the newly formed association of rubber merchants, while 39 have 

 declined to join and 32 will await developments. The associa- 

 tion will take steps with a view to the introduction on the Ham- 

 burg exchange of business in rubber futures. 



Hamburg dealers, it is reported, are not in sympathy with this 

 movement, which is being promoted by firms which import 

 rubber and are not strictly speaking rubber traders. Regret has 

 been expressed in some quarters at this attitude of the local 

 rubber dealers. 



GERMAN RUBBER IMPORTS. 



Germ.\n imports of crude rubber for the calendar year 1911 

 were 19,948 tons, against 18.705 in 1910, exports having been 

 respectively 4,666 tons and 4.754 tons. The net consumption of 

 Germany represented for 1911, 15.282 tons, as compared with 

 13,951 tons for 1910; this result showing an increase of 10 per 

 cent, in consumption. 



One of the features of the year 1911 was the increased import 

 from Mexico, which amounted to 2,099 tons for that year, while 

 that of 1910 had only been 1,347 tons. This increase is attributed 

 to the progress being made in guayule cultivation in Mexico. 



INFLUENCE OF COLD ON RUBBER GOODS. 



Rubber goods, when stored, must be protected from frost, says 

 a German expert. Sufficient attention is not paid to the fact that 

 in many instances rubber long exposed to frost loses its elas- 

 ticity ; becoming hard and brittle, and therefore unserviceable. 

 It is consequently recommended to protect rubber goods against 

 temperatures below freezing point, in order to avoid unnecessary 

 losses. 



WHAT TERRITORY DOES "JAPAN" INCLUDE! 



Attention is called in the German press to the advisability of 

 special stipulations in contracts with Japanese agents, defining 

 the exact meaning of the word "Japan." The territorial exten- 

 sion of Japan during recent years has rendered it advisable in 

 all cases to specify to which Japanese islands contracts apply, 

 and particularly to state whether they include Corea. 



