250 ANNUAL EEPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1947 



This mixture of components with the addition of tetraethyl lead 

 was known as 100/130-grade aviation gasohne. It has a performance 

 rating of 130 under take-oflf conditions and a rating of 100 under flight 

 conditions. This fuel made available 30 percent more power over the 

 old fuel for take-offs and short bursts of speed during actual combat. 

 At the start of the war the production of 100-octane aviation gasoline 

 was approximately 40,000 barrels per day. At the close of the war 

 100/130-grade aviation fuel was being produced in excess of 500,000 

 barrels per day. 



INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING MATERIALS FROM PETROLEUM 



In the field of what are known as processing materials from pe- 

 troleum there continue to be new products and applications. In fact 

 there are few articles that do not utilize petroleum in some form in 

 their manufacture. It is said that over 30 basic industries employ 

 petroleum in their manufacturing operations. Individual applica- 

 tions are numerous. It is in the classes of processing materials and 

 manufactured chemicals that petroleum products number into hun- 

 dreds and unit values are greatest. 



One of the processing materials made from petroleum in largest 

 volume is paraffin wax with which we are all familiar as a component 

 of bread wrappers, waxed paper, paper milk bottles, and candles. 



A newcomer to the field of waxes is a material known as micro- 

 crystalline wax which is tough and pliable at low temperatures and 

 extremely resistant to water. Microcrystalline waxes had been made 

 prior to the war but their real value was not appreciated until the 

 advent of problems created by the war. They were first called 

 "amorphous waxes" because they were believed to be noncrystalline. 

 Later is was found that they contained minute crystals and the name 

 microcrystalline waxes came into use. Small arms and rations were 

 packaged in containers utilizing these waxes in their construction. 

 They have also been used for liners of metal cans and drums to resist 

 the action of beer, wines, and acids. The developments in these waxes 

 created large demands and it is necessary for the industry to bend 

 every effort to supply the required quantities. 



In most uses of petroleum waxes, they are applied in a molten con- 

 dition. Wax can also be applied in the form of a wax emulsion which 

 is a suspension of fine wax particles in water, with a suitable dispersing 

 agent. The use of wax emulsions is attaining increased importance. 

 The armed forces used thousands of yards of tent cloth, cotton duck, 

 and mosquito netting that had been treated with wax emulsion to im- 

 part a water repellent finish to the individual fibers. The treatment 

 has practically no effect on the appearance and "feel" of the fabric 



