1917] on Cellulose and Chemical Industry (1866-1916) 25 



or precipitant, which converts it at once into the sohd state, but 

 retaining- 80 per cent, of water. This hydrated product is purified 

 by successive treatments, and is finally dehydrated and dried with a 

 shrinkage of 33 per cent., the 1 • 5 m. of hydrated xanthate, as first 

 precipitated, being reduced to a width of 1 m. in the finished 

 cellulose film. 



This is a noteworthy achievement in chemical engineering, and 

 is entirely due to the inventive persistence of the personnel of the 

 Societe Frangaise de la Viscose, especially to MM. L. Naudin and 

 J. E. Brandenberger. It is a pleasant duty to recognize technical 

 pioneer work of so high an order. 



In addition to these main applications there are many other uses 

 of the reactions involved in the Viscose cycle. Thus " merceriza- 

 tion " of cellulose is an application of the interaction of cellulose 

 (textiles) and caustic soda, to produce lustre effects and finishes upon 

 cotton goods. The structural changes of yarns and cloths determined 

 by these reactions were investigated by John Mercer at a period 

 which long antedates our half century of progress. To Mercer's 

 " genial " anticipations there succeeded a long incubation period. A 

 few discoveries of minor import in this field then revived interest in 

 the major product, the alkali cellulose of the A'iscose cycle, and 

 " mercerized goods " became a textile market of first note and 

 importance. 



The lecture was illustrated by incidental experimental demonstra- 

 tions, including the drawing of " artificial " cellulose threads from 

 the cuprammonium solution ; also by a selection of specimens repre- 

 sentative of the industries specially described. It is proper to mention 

 by name the manufacturing firms who freely supplied these, as they 

 are firms and corpoiations not merely industrially successful, but 

 pioneers who have developed the technical science of these industries 

 as their essential basis, and the list of names is a technological record. 



Cortaulds, Ltd., Coventry. (S. S. Napper, Chief Chemist.) 



Artificial silks, monofil and film tissues. Experimental demon- 

 stration of artificial thread formation. 



Societe Fran9aise de la Viscose, Paris. (MM. J. E. Brandenberger 

 and E. Defaucamberge.) 



" Cellophane " film fabrics. Viscoid solid products. 



Messrs. Olive and Partington, Glossop. 



Specimens illustrating bi-sulphite wood-pulp process. 



Messrs. Tullis, Russell and Co., Markinich, N.B. 



Specimens of esparto pulp, papers and by-products. 



Messrs. Burgess, Ledward and Co., Manchester. (\Y. H. Pennington.) 

 Mercerized yarns, illustrating the technical effects of merceriza- 

 tion. Special fast dyeings of artificial silks. 



