340 PROCEEDINGS OP SECTION B. 



slide, having a time of 2-4 seconds, gives an average of 106°-1 as the 

 flash-point, the ordinary slide, having 3-1 seconds, gives an average of 

 102°-8, or 3° lower. Further than this, the individual tests made with 

 the hand slide agree amongst themselves, whereas with the Pensky 

 slide a difference of 5° between the lowest and highest tests is shown. 



One of the Pensky slides was altered so as to lengthen the time of 

 operation. It was found impossible to make it take three seconds 

 without rebuilding the whole apparatus ; but by increasing the length 

 of the cam the time was increased to 2-8 seconds. 



A series of tests with this altered slide were made (table F), which 

 shows that the average test is now reduced to 104°- 2, and the individual 

 tests agree rather better amongst themselves. Probably if the time 

 could be made the same as in the Abel tests the results would be closer 

 to those shown in table E ; but, as the arrangement of the port holes 

 is on the circumference of a circle, instead of being in a straight line, 

 the Pensky slide could probably never be adjusted to give exactly the 

 same results as the Abel standard. We have. devised an attachment 

 which we anticipate will agree with the Abel slide, but have not yet 

 had an opportunity of perfecting the arrangement and testing it. 



From what we have shown in these tests, it is evident that the 

 Pensky clockwork attachment does not give results which are the same 

 as those of the Abel standard, and therefore the specification of the 

 " Abel-Pensky " test apparatus set out in the schedule to the proclama- 

 tion as the standard for the purposes of the Commonwealth Customs 

 Act, 1901, cannot be complied with. 



In table Gr we have extended the principle of starting the testing 

 of kerosine with the water bath heated to a definite temperature to other 

 kerosines. This table is based upon a very large number of tests made 

 from time to time for years past upon kerosines of different flash-points, 

 details of which are not here included. This table, which is calculated 

 to give results comparable with those obtained by starting all cold, 

 will be found useful by those who have a large number of tests to make 

 at one time. 



In studying this question the remarkable fact was found that very 

 few of the Abel instruments on the market are made strictly in accord- 

 ance with the specifications prescribed. Not only do the instruments 

 err in dimensions of the several parts, but in most cases the gauge of 

 material to be used, although carefully specified, is not adhered to by 

 manufacturers. This discrepancy was seen in several instruments 

 which were stamped correct by the Board of Trade, and on investiga- 

 tion we found the further remarkable fact that in the directions to 

 manufacturers distributed by the Board of Trade no reference is made 

 to the gauge of material to be used. 



As variations in gauge or dimensions do, as we have proved, 

 seriously afiect the flash-points obtained, it is well for us to give a note 

 of warning, and advise all who may have to test kerosine to see that 

 the instrument used complies in every way with the prescribed specifica- 

 tion. 



