The Chemical Age, Vol. 54, No. 1401

Ths Chemical Age, May 4th, 1946

n t ía s !:r ¿ a í:'a t t ¿ l l í « g k i « í s r j u g C A e t M í S í r y VOL. LTV

N o. 14 0 1 S A T U R D A Y , M A Y 4, 1946

R EG IS T E R E D A S A N EW SPA P ER

ö d . PKR C o p y P08T F r e e 8d .

H IG H SPEED

MIXER. Th i s m a ch in e is d e s ig n ­ ed fo r M ixing cellu lo se , d is te m ­ p e r, e m u lsio n s, en am els, in k s, lu ­ b ric a n ts, oils and sim ilar liq u id s. It is also fo r th in n in g , tin tin g , c ru sh in g a n d liq u efy in g m a t­

eria ls . P e rfe c t lu b r i­

ca tio n is given to th e g e a rs, w h ich a r e to ta lly e n c lo sed an d r u n in .oil.

B A LL & PEBBLE MILLS

for the grinding of all kinds of Chemicals, Clays, Fibres, Paints, Enamels, Minerals, Nitro-cellulose, lacquers, etc., and practically every substance which can be reduced by abrasion. In addition, they are most efficient Mixers. The operations of mixing

and grinding are accomplished I f l S M S B h simultaneously.

L et us s e n d y ou a b r o c h u r e dea lin g In g r e a t e r d e ta il w i t h S t e e l - S h a w *

m a ch in es.

PO R C ELA IN P O T MILLS. F o r w e t o r d r y g rin d in g o f sm all b atch e s and la b o r a to r y te s tin g sam p les, an d a re m a d e up in v a rio u s u n its c o n ta in in g fro m o n e to n in e p o ts .

1 m

i j | Í *

r *

H

- ü f c ---

STEELE &COWLISHAW LTD

Engineers

DEPT I2 COOPER ST.. HANIEY. STOKE-on-TRENT London Office; 329. High Holbom.W.C.I.

P hone: H olborn 6 0 2 3

T Is m ^y "2 a -tn ,

A.C. WELLS

& CO. L T D

P R O V I D E N C E M I E I S - H Y D E - C H E S H I R E

Write for fuller particulars of these oil filters.

Telephone : Hud* 9 5 3 , Telegrams : Un-*

breakable Hyde.

T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ma y 4 , 19 4 6

NEw LIFE give OLD OIL

W ith W ells* W a s te - O ll F ilte r y o u can u se y o u r oil s e v eral tim e s

o v e r an d ch a n g e i t m o re o fte n . A th o r o u g h ly re lia b le su p p ly o f oil Is a s s u re d w ith th e u se o f W ells*

S pecial F ilte r Pads w h ich w o r k in c o n fu n c tlo n w ith W ells* P a te n t S y p h o n F eed .

BAKELAQUE PHENOLIC RESINS

for a c id -p ro o f c o atin g s for a b ra s iv e w h e e ls fo r e le c tric a l insulation

ATTWATER & SONS, Ltd.

E s t 1868

H O P W O O D STREET PR ESTO N , E N G .

M I L L ,

I f y o u r p ro d u c ts re q u ire carefu l h a n d lin g a t th e p u m p in g stag e to av o id co n ta m in a tio n a n d d isc o lo u ra tio n , th e n y o u sh o u ld have d e ta ils o f th e M O N O P U M P .

F re e d o m fro m p u lsa tio n , ém u lsificatio n , a era tio n , tu rb u le n c e , a n d co n ta m in a tio n is a c h a ra c te ris tic re s u ltin g fro m th e u n iq u e p rin c ip le o f th e M o n o P u m p a n d is th e reaso n fo r its in creasin g p o p u la rity w ith m a n u fa c tu rin g ch em ists.

care.

S e lf p r i m i n g , p o s i t i v e a c t i o n , s im p l e a n d r o b u s t c o n s t r u c t i o n , r e a s o n a b l e i n i tia l c o s t a n d lo w m a in ­ t e n a n c e a r e a d d i t i o n a l c h a r a c te r is t» r s .

F ull d e t a il s s e n t o n r e q u e s t .

M O N O P U M P S L T D .

M O N O H O U SE, CLER KENW ELL R O A D , L O N D O N , E .C .I.- T e le p h o n e 'a n d T e le g ra m s : H o lb o rn 3712 (6 lin e s).

C ables:

M ONOPUM PS, L ondon. C o d e : A.B.C. Seventh Edition

d m 1483

Ma y 4 , 19 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E

N E W D E V E L O P M E N T S I N S O L V E N T T E C H N I Q U E

why ketones ?

' Like wine in a bottle, which goes on developing and changing its character with the passing of time, so the story of a solvent does not “ finish ” with its incorporation in an end-product.

Its characteristics can, and will, determine the behaviour of the end-product in the hands of the user. Its stability will affect the time it can safely be kept. I f there is a tendency to hydrolysis, what may have seemed a good product to begin with may be a poor product after some time in store.

It is considerations like this which are causing a steady swing from esters to ketones where dependable solvents are required.

T P

offer to the chemical and allied industries a very full

range of solvents in this class—high, medium and low boilers.

All are of exceptional chemical purity (9 9 % + ).

We shall be glad to discuss their applications with interested enquirers or to collaborate in evolving new uses.

ACETONE • M ETH Y L ETHY L KETONE

M ETHYL ISOBUTYL K ETO N E DIA CETONE ALCOHOL

T E C H N IC A L PR O D U C T S L IM IT E D

ST. HELEN’S COURT, GREAT ST. HELEN’S, LONDON, E .C .3 TELEPHONE : AVENUE 4 3 2 1

A

i i T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ma y 4 , 1 9 4 6

ATHOLE G. ALLEN (Stockton) LTD

STOCKTON-ON-TEES

Telephones: m i . »

S T O C K T O N 6375 (3

lines) CO. DURHAM

N O N M E M B E R S O F T R A D E A S S O C I A T I O N S

A R E PRODUCERS OF

BARIUM COMPOUNDS

B A R IU M C H L O R ID E

Fully Sold fo r E x p o rt

B A R Y T E S

L im ited S u p p lies O n ly

IRON COMPOUNDS

F E R R IC C H L O R ID E ( P E R C H L O R ID E O F IR O N )

P r o m p t D eliv ery H o m e and E x p o rt

F E R R O U S C H L O R ID E

P ro m p t D eliv ery H o m e and E x p o rt

TOLUENE NITRATION PRODUCTS

M O N O N IT R O T O L U E N E D I- N IT R O T O L U E N E P A R A N IT R O T O L U E N E O R T H O N IT R O T O L U E N E

E n q u iries Invited fo r H o m e and E x p o rt

M a y 4 , 1 9 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E

M ad e by Chance Brothers Ltd.

H ead Office and W orks : Smethwick, Birmingham.

London Office:

10, Princes Street, Westminster, S .W . I

S T O C K S H E L D B Y A L L R E C O G N I S E D L A B O R A T O R Y F U R N I S H E R S

FRANCIS W .

HARRIS & Co. L td

B U R S L E M - S t o k e - o n - T re n t P h o n e : S to k e -o n -T re n t 7181-2

W ir e s : B eltin g , B urslem T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ma y 4, 1 946

40 years’ experience enables us to supply

B E L T I N G

and

ENDLESS VEE ROPES

— of -

S u p e r l a t i v e Q u a l i t y

L A R G E S T O C K S . . . P R O M P T D I S P A T C H

EVÄPORÄTORS

b y KESTNER

K E S T N E R ’S

CHEMICAL ENGINEERS

5, G r o s v e n o r - G a r d e n s , L o n d o n , S . W . l FILM TYPE, H O R IZ O N T A L O R V E R T IC A L . F O R C E D C IR C U L A T IO N . S A L T IN G TYPE.

S IN G L E O R M U L T IP L E EFFECT.

H IG H V A C U U M M U L T IP L E C IR C U L A T IO N F O R S E N SIT IV E L IQ U O R S .

SP E C IA L A C ID E V A P O R A T O R S . A n d th e new

H O R IZ O N T A L FILM E V A P O R A T O R W H IC H E L IM IN A T E S M E T A L L IC C O N T A C T O N A L L H E A T IN G S U R F A C E S.

“ Every Kestner plant is designed to su it the individual j o b . "

Ma y 4 _ 1 9 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E V

EFFICIENT ECONOM ICAL, A N T I - C O R R O S I V E

Every plant unit lined with anti­

corrosion rubber by Dunlop receives individual treatment from technicians of wide experience— backed by extensive scientific resources.

Dunlop anti-corrosive rubber will stand hard treatment and a wide

DUN

D U N L O P R U B B E R C O . L T D . ( G E W O R K S A N D H E A D O F F I C E : C L O N D O N : Clerkenwell House,

Clerkenwell Green, E.C.I.

L IV E R P O O L : 24 Cornhlll,

Park Lane, I.

range of temperatures w ithout crack­

ing o r softening. Non-absorbent — simple to clean — and stainless too, if required. Once on it stays.

The illustration show s a pickling tank 26 ft. by 5 ft. by 4 ft. rubber lined by Dunlop.

LOP

E R A L R U B B E R G O O D S D I V I S I O N ) . M B R I D G E S T R E E T , M A N C H E S T E R

B IR M IN G H A M : Dunlop House, Livery Street, 3.

G L A S G O W : 48-60 and 70-78 North W allace Street, C.4.

T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ma y 4 , 19 4 6

WHEN THE EXPERIMENT

n in t o f a c t o r y 3 jro d u c tio n p r e s u p p o s e s adequate e q u ip m e n t In

both spheres.

C a n n o n \ G I a s s - l i n e d P l a n t p r o v e s t h e o riginal e x p e rim e n t time and time again—

w ith a 'co n siste n t regularity\that is in bute to t y o f

P-

B A R IU M B A R IU M B A R IU M B A R IU M B A R IU M B A R IU M B A R IU M B A R IU M B A R IU M

C A R B O N A T E H Y D R A T E M O N O X I D E N A P H T H E N A T E O L E A J E P E R O X ID E S T E A R A T E S U L P H A T E S U L P H ID E

S O D I U M H Y P O C H L O R IT E S O D I U M S U L P H ID E S O D I U M P E R C A R B O N A T E

T I T A N I U M O X ID E

S O A P S

A L K A L IN E C L E A N E R S H Y D R O G E N P E R O X ID E , A M M O N I U M P E R S U L P H A T E B E N Z O Y L P E R O X I D E C A L C I U M P E R O X ID E M A G N E S I U M P E R O X ID E P O T A S S IU M P E R S U L P H A T E U R E A P E R O X ID E

Z I N C P E R O X ID E

S O D I U M A C ID P H O S P H A T E S O D I U M A C I D P Y R O P H O S P H A T E S O D I U M P E R P Y R O P H O S P H A T E S O D I U M P Y R O P H O S P H A T E

¡ . A P O R T E

B .T A P O R T E Ltd. L U T O N 'G ratas : L a p o rt« Luton

k ****&• M ent llllim

L o n d o n O ffice: C h em ical P lan t D e p a r tm e n t, 1 5 7 V ic to ria S tr e e t, S .W .I. Telephone: ABBey 2708_(2'Jines)

Ma y 4, 1 946 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E

T h ere is a b e tte r w a y of r e a c h i n g d e c i s i o n s

The discriminating manufacturer leaves nothing to chance. His process is the most efficient he can devise and is controlled throughout to ensure the uniformity of his finished product.

I f he is using chemicals for technical purposes, he insists on buying from a manufacturer upon

whose resources and integrity he can rely. There must be no chances taken or his own reputation will in the long run be in jeopardy.

I f you are not already using M & B fine chemicals, we invite your en­

quiries and our Technical Service Department will be glad to help solve any chemical problems you may have.

M AY & BA K ER L T D ,

D A G E N H A M

Telephone: ILFord 3060

Sa le s Departm ent: E xten sion 7 2 Technical S e rv ic e Dept.- Exte n sio n 71 M a n u fa ctu re rs o f

Since

Fine Chem icals 1 8 3 4

T C 50 0 4

v i i i T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ma y 4 , 1 9 4 6

ALLANTO IN

For medicinal and synthetic uses.

A

1 T i l Y

A

N T T N For organic syntheses and as a raw material

1

^{i n} po r t^ e manufacture 0 f riboflavin.

HYDRAZINE SULPHATE

Used in rare-metal refining, and as an anti­

oxidant in light-metal fluxing and soldering.

P H i f l t t n n n i r T N n T An essential developer and end- V. L L I U l l N U J j C0mp0nent in dye-line printing.

R U R i m f l J V l Q / S T T Q For the manufacture o f thermionic

n U D I U l U m a / l L l O

and photo-sensitive valves.

GENATOSAN LTD., LOUGHBOROUGH, LEICESTERSHIRE

T elephone: L o u g h b o ro u g h 2292

^ PRECISE is the word

“ PRECISION is the result

50-TON HAND OPERATED

PRESS H & L.P. 2 sp eed p u m p6* s t r o k e , b y hy d rau lic jack, I ¿ "a d ju stm en t by S. & Hand w heel, 18 ’ day­

light, H ’ x H ’ pla ten s, P res­

s u re gauge.

Three Important Services at your service

1. Hydraulic Presses for the Plastics trade.

2. Electric, Gas and Steam Hotplates.

3. Pelletting, Polishing and Finishing machines.

Your enquiries welcomed for th e above, and special needs.

F I N N E Y P R E S S E S L T D . B E R K L E Y ST., B I R M I N G H A M

T elephone: MID 379S (2 lines)

HYDRAULIC PRESSES

The Grub Screw

T h e KEE KIAMP

ßtructjön is completed

and then another

Ma y 4, 1 9 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E

KEE-KLAMPS ARE THE KEY

Y O U C A N M A K E . . . Hand Rails for Buildings of all descriptions, Guard Rails round every conceivable object or machine ; Racks of all kinds, including Tyre Racks ; Benches, Jigs, Tables for W elding, Assem bly o r Equipment ; Trolleys ; Inspection and Repair Plat­

forms, Towers, Staging, Hangars, Sheds, Runways. Now we’re out of breath— the uses are endless.

N o matter how complicated the structure may be, you can erect it by the K E E -K L A M P SYSTEM , which is Rigid yet Adaptable, Fixed yet Mobile, Simple yet Com plex and capable of Infinite Variation.

T o so lv e c o n stru c tio n a l p ro b le m s w h ic h in th e p ast have In v o lv e d th e use o f a n g le iron s, p lates, left- a n d rig h t-h a n d t h re a d in g and g a lv a n iz in g a ft e r c o m p le te c o n stru c tio n , w e in v ite y o u t o se ek o u r aid. W e be lieve w e can find th e c o rre c t answ e rs.

W rite to the address below for full details.

The G EO . H. G A S C O IG N E C O . LTD.

(Dept. 3B)

B E R K E L E Y A V E N U E , R E A D IN G

Telephone : Telegram s:

READING 4831/2/3 KEKLAMPS, READING

The hardened steel cup-ended Locking Screw s, when screw ed through th e Kee-Klam p, grip th e tubet giving rigid construction. Any stru ctu re can be d ism antled sw iftly and the m aterial re-erected else­

w here or used again for som e com pletely d iffe ren t purpose.

X T H E C H E M I C A L A G E ^{Ma y} 4 , 1 9 4 6

B .P . and T E C H N IC A L

Enquiries should be made to the

W h o lesa le and E x p o rt D epartm en t

B O O T S P U R E D R U G CO . L T D N O T T IN G H A M

A. J. RILEY & SON, ^Ltd.

BATLEY, YO RKS

Telegrams: 41 BOILERS, BATLEY." Telephone: 657 BATLEY (3 lines) ESTABLISHED IBB8

Makers of

M IL D STEEL R IV E T E D A N D W E L D E D VESSELS J A C K E T E D P A N S C O M P L E T E

W IT H A G IT A T O R S

S H E E T L E A D O R H O M O G E N E O U S L IN E D VESSELS

T A R . B E N Z O L E & O IL STILLS C O N D E N S E R S , E V A P O R A T O R S

A N D D IS T IL L IN G P L A N T S M IL D STEEL PIPES

A L L PR ESSU R E S L A N C A S H IR E , C O R N IS H E C O N O M IC & W .T . B O ILE R S

NEWTON CHAMBERS

NEWTON C H A M B E R S & CO LTD THORNCLiFFE N

^r

SHEFFIELD

Ma y 4 , 19 4 6 T HE C H E M I C A L A G E

London Office : A R T IL L E R Y H O U S E , A R T IL L E R Y R O W , S .W .I.

CHEMICAL

PLANT < $ >

Expert advice is always at your disposal.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

TOP RIGHT. Jacketed Paddle Mixer.

CENTRE. Retorts In Heat-Resisting Cast Iron.

LOWER LEFT. Sulphur Burner.

Newton Chambers specialise in the design and manufacture of all types of plant for application to the Chemical Industries.

x i i T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ma y 4 , 1 9 4 6

M A C H IN E R Y

M E A S U R E D ,

G U A R D S

D E S I G N E D ,

C O N S T R U C T E D & E R E C T E D

F .W . POTTER & SOAR

l t d P H I P P S T R E E T , L O N D O N , E.C.2

Telephone : BIShopsgate 2 /7 7 .

FINEST QUALITY.

A C T U A L L Y M A N U F A C T U R E D A T B A R N E T by ■

PIERSON, MORRELL & CO., LTD.

(T H E O R IG IN A L BR IT ISH A S P IR IN M A K E R S )

Q UEE N’S ROAD - BARNET - HERTS

Phone : Barnet 0723 Gram s : Pierson Morrell, Barnet

B A R B I T O N E

BARBITONE SO LU B L ALLO BARBITONE

CYCLOBARBITONE

HYDROFLUORIC ACID

AMMONIUM BIFLUORIDE ACC U M U LA TO R A CID

SODIUM FLUORIDE FLUORIDES

Also Specially Pure Hydro­

chloric, Nitric 'and Sulphuric A C ID S FOR A N A L Y S I S

JAMES W ILKINSON & SON, Ltd.

TINSLEY PARK ROAD, SHEFFIELD

T e leg ram s: “ C hem ical«, S h effield ’* P h o n e : 41208-9

Ma y 4 , 19 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E

WATER TO TASTE

SU TCLIFFE S P E A K M A N & C O M P A N Y L IMITED, LEIGH, L A N C A S H I R E L ondon Office : 82 Kins: W illia m S tre e t, E .C .4 Phone : M a n sio n H o u se 1285-6 M ost p eople p re fe r to d rin k th e ir w a te r w ith so m e th in g else a d d ed

to it, a n d it ’s th e re t h a t ta s te s differ. So few p eo p le choose c h lo rin e as a flav o u rin g , h o w ev er, t h a t a f te r w a te r h as been c h lo rin a te d to rid it o f b a c te ria m a n y w a te r su p p ly a u th o ritie s filter it th ro u g h a c tiv e carb o n to re m o v e th e ta s te o f c hlorine. A fte r th a t, a n y a d d itio n s are u p to th e co n su m er, a n d S utcliffe S p e a k m a n

w ash th e ir h a n d s o f th e w hole

S U T C L I F F E

S P E A K M A N

x i v T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ma y 4 , 1 9 4 6

BURGESS

D a s e Ł f l t f a gives longer runs between regeneration

GENERAL MET.

SPECIALITIES

A L C O H O L S A N D G L Y C O L S

G L Y C O L E T H E R S O L V E N T S

("C E L L O SO L V E " R A N G E)

E T H A N O L A M 1 N E S M O R P H O L I N E E T H Y L E N E D I C H L O R I D E

C A R B O W A X

("W A T E R SOLUBLE W A X ” )

GENERAL METALLURGICAL

& CHEMICAL LIMITED

120 M O O R G A T E L O N D O N E.C.2

M O N a rch 4328

SODIUM

s o f t e n i-g

for PARTICULAR WRITE

PETER SPENCE & SONS LTD.

NAT'ONAl P.UJLDINGS ■ ST, MARY S PARSONAGE

M A N C H E S T E R , 3

LONDON O FFIC E: 7 78 / 7 8 0 S A LIS B U R Y HOUSE E.C.2 TL 3

BURGESS ZEOLITE C O M PA N Y LIMITED

68-723I0RSEFERRY ROAD .WESTMINSTER.S.W.I. Tel: ABBey 1868 M a n u fa c tu re rs o f o v e r f o r t y d if f e r e n t ty p e s o f P h o t o - e le c t r i c c e l ls f r o m sta n d a rd ra n g e s to " m i n i a t u r e s ” an d “ s p e c i a l s ” d e sig n e d to m e e t all r e q u ir e m e n t s in in ­ d u s t ry an d th e la b o r a t o r y , w it h c h a r a c t e r ­ istic s a n d p h y sic a l d im e n s io n s o v e r th e w id e s t p o s s ib le r a n g e .

& M u lt ip lie r c e l ls fo r a m p lific a t io n o f th e p r i m a r y p h o t o c u r r e n t . Q G u l g e r M u l l e r

tu b e s f o r C o s m ic R a y r e s e a r c h am i o t h e r a p p lic a t io n s .

# Q u a r t z c e l l s f o r u se w ith u l t r a v i o l e t r a d ia tio n .

CINEM A-TELEVISION LTD.,

INCORPORATING BAIRD TELEVISION LIMITED

WORSLEY BRIDGE R D „ LONDON, S.E.26

Telep ho n e: H I T h e r G r e e n 4 6 0 0

S u p p lie r s t o A D M I R A L T Y , M I N I S T R Y O F A I R C R A F T P R O D U C T I O N , M I N I S T R Y O F S U P P L Y , A R M A M E N T R E ­ S E A R C H , e t c . M a n u fa c tu re rs o f S c ie n t i f i c In s tr u m e n ts an d

P h o t o - e le c t r ic c e l ls .

New Brochure a n d p ric e list now a v a ila b le on ap p lica tio n .

Ma y 4, 19 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E XV

C h e n u #

C X j K l C

BISMUTH SALTS

CITRATES

SCALE

(■Re p a r a t i o n s

ETHER A I Æ S T H r i l C 0 P . And METHYLATED

MERCURIALS

VL ln M 01'

P rO P e y £ * ¿ s o l u t e

r i ( j t i

^ ¿ ¡ S *

S o t i æ . , rrL a s ta n d a r d 8» ® p h a «

■o

^ * elht:S e

^{a n d o í}

*****

Stan>^requirements of *

v í \ * * e te q ^ ^ ^ u'ien . „n tic an d « att r e s p e c t. ^ p0Víe r f * a n t ¿ .Jjna\ soaps-

S l t f l ś " " '

: , S a - » " OTPt

x v i T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ma y 4 , 1 9 4 6

LODGE COTTRELL

r ELECTROFILTERS

T O T C L E A N G A S

•

H IG H E F F IC IE N C Y R E C O V E R Y O F D U S T S A N D F U M E S F R O M I N D U S T R I A L G A S E S T H E O N L Y M A N U F A C T U R E R S IN T H IS C O U N T R Y P R O D U C IN G E X C L U S I V E L Y E L E C T R I C A L

P R E C IP IT A T O R S

•

L O D G E - C O T T R E L L L T D .

Head Office and W orks: B I R M I N G H A M

London Office : D R A Y T O N H O U S E - G O R D O N S T R E E T - W - C - I

B R <

KIR AN!

3 T H E R H O O D

0 GAS COMPRESSORS

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H O M O G E N I S E R S ;

S T E A M E N G I N E S A N D T U R B I N E S

Descriptive Literature and Advice free on request

PETER BROTHERHOOD LTD. ■ PETERBOROUGH

The Chemical Age

A Weekly J o u rn a l Devoted to In d u stria l and E ngineering C h em istry

B O U V E R IE H O U S E , 154 F L E E T S T R E E T , L O N D O N , E .C .4 T e leg ra m s : A L L A N G A S F L E E T LO N D O N

G L A SG O W : 1 1 6 H o pe S tre e t (C entral 3970)

T e le p h o n e : C E N T R A L 3 2 12 (12 lines) B IR M IN G H A M D a im le r H o u se , P a ra d ise S tr e e t (M id lan d 0784-3 ) T H E C H E M IC A L A G E offices a re closed on S a tu rd a y s in ac co rd an c e w ith th e a d o p tio n of th e fiv e -d ay w eek b y

B en n B ro th e rs L im ite d

VOL. LIV

N o. 140z.

May 4, 1946

A n n u al S u b sc rip tio n 2 1 8.

O verseas 263.

Cast Iron T

H E a n ti q u i ty o f c a s t iro n is u n ­

d o u b te d . M r. J . G. P e a r c e , t h e D ir e c to r o f t h e B r i ti s h C a s t I r o n R e s e a r c h A s s o c ia tio n , in h is a d d r e s s t o t h e R o y a l S o c ie ty of A r t s , s t a t e d t h a t th e r e w a s e v id e n c e o f i t s u s e in C h in a so lo n g a g o as 500 B .C . C h in a s e e m s to h a v e b e e n t h e h o m e of m o s t of th e a r t s , a n d i t is a n i n te r e s t in g h is to r ic a l q u e s tio n to c o n s id e r w h y t h a t a n c ie n t la n d n o lo n g e r le a d s t h e c iv ilis e d w o rld . H o w e v e r i t m a y h a v e h a v e h a p p e n e d , t h e ir o n in d u s t r y r e a c h e d E u r o p e , w h e re i t s h is to r y b e co m es e v en m o r e u n c e r ta in . S o m e t h e r e a r e w h o d e ­ c la r e t h a t t h e a r t o f m a k in g c a s t iro n c a m e f ro m G e r m a n y to B r i t a i n ; o th e r s w ill h a v e i t t h a t t h e t r a v e l w a s in t h e r e ­ v e r s e d ir e c tio n . T h u s , T . S- A s h to n ( I r o n a n d S te e l in th e I n d u s tr ia l R e v o lu ­ tio n ) h a s p o in te d to th e ir o n g r a v e s to n e a t B u r w a s h in S u s se x

( d a te d 1352) a n d to t h e i n n e r c h a m b e r of c a s t ir o n c o n ta in e d in c a n n o n o f t h e 1 5 th c e n t u r y a n d h a s c o n ­ c lu d e d : “ I t w o u ld t h u s a p p e a r p o ss ib le t h a t it w a s n o t P r u s s ia — a s h a s b e e n c la im e d — b u t S u s s e x t h a t s a w t h e b i r t h a n d e a r ly d e ­ v e lo p m e n t o f t h e a r t o f c a s tin g , a n d t h a t t h is to o k p la c e b e fo re 1500, t h e a p p r o x im a te d a t e u s u a lly a s s ig n e d to i t . ” B e t h a t a s i t m a y , t h e h is to r ia n in A s h to n g e ts th© b e t t e r o f h is e n th u s ia s m , a n d

On O th er P ag es

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C h e m istry B ra in s T r u s t N ew U .S . P a te n ts B ill

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A llo y s in G as T u r b in e s . . B elg ia n F er tilis e r s

P a rlia m e n ta ry T opics A C h e m ist’s B o o k s h e lf P erso n a l N o te s ...

P e n ic illin D e v e lo p m e n t ...

G en era l N e w s fr o m W e e k to W e e k 506 S to c k s a n d S h a re s ... 50!) B r itis h C hem ical P rice s ... 510

487

h e c o n c lu d e s : “ A ll t h a t c a n b e s a id w ith c e r t a i n t y is t h a t in t h e d a y s of E d w a r d I I I m o s t, if n o t a ll, of t h e iro n u s e d w a s th e p r o d u c t o f t h e b lo o m e ry o r f o rg e , w h ile i n t h e d a y s o f H e n r y V I I I b y f a r th e g r e a t e r p a r t w a s s m e lte d in t h e f u r n a c e a n d c a s t i n to fin is h e d a r tic le s , o r i n to p ig s t h a t w e re s u b s e q u e n tly fin ed in to m a lle a b le b a r s a t t h e f o r g e . ”

T h e m a k in g o f c a s t iro n w a s t h u s a m o n g t h e e a r l ie s t f e rr o u s i n d u s tr ie s o f B r i ta i n . I t w a s n o t t h e e a r lie s t, o f c o u rs e , b e c a u s e i t w a s p re c e d e d b y t h e m a lle a b le i r o n m a d e in t h e C a ta la n h e a r t h a n d s im ila r f u r n a c e s in w h ic h iro n w a s p ro d u c e d in p a s t y fo rm d i r e c t f r o m t h e o re . I f t h e t e m p e r a t u r e h a p p e n e d to h e su ffic ie n tly h ig h to m e l t t h e ir o n i t w o u ld d isso lv e c a r b o n a n d t h e p r o d u c t w o u ld b e a m i x t u r e o f c a s t iro n a n d m a lle a b le ir o n . W o c a n s a f e ly s a y t h a t t h e c a s t- ir o n i n ­ d u s t r y in t h is c o u n tr y is n o t le s s t h a n 400 y e a r s o ld a n d m a y w ell b e o v e r 500 y e a r s old.

T h is , in i ts e lf , p r o ­ v id e s p ro b le m s . O ld- e s ta b lis h e d in d u s tr ie s g ro w b y p r a c t ic e a n d p r e c e p t, n o t b y t h e a p p lic a tio n o f s c ie n c e , a n d th e r e in th e y r e a c h a s ta g e a t w h ic h t h e a p p lic a tio n of s c ie n c e b e co m es p e c u lia r ly d iffic u lt. W e h a v e l a t e ly b e e n p r iv ile g e d to r e a d a n a r tic le in T h e B r itis h S te e l­

m a k e r , w r i t te n b y H a r r y B r e a r le y — s till 48!)

491 493 494 495 496 497 501 501 502 502 ...503 503 504 505 505

B

.(88 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ma y 4 , 19 4 6 a n a m e t o c o n ju re w ith in m e t a ll u r g y —

in w h ic h h e 1 d is c u s s e s w ith a s te e lm a k e r o f th e o ld sc h o o l t h e e ffe c t o f s c ie n c e on m e ta llu r g y ; so a p tl y d o e s t h is c o n v e rs a ­ tio n re v e a l t h e a t t i t u d e o f m in d o f th e p r a c t ic a l m a n , w ho fo r a tim e d o m in a te s all o ld e r i n d u s t r y a n d c a n b e c o n v in c e d o n ly w ith g r e a t d iffic u lty , t h a t w e s h a ll m a k e b o ld to q u o te a fe w s e n te n c e s :

" I should like to ask y o u ,” said I , " how fa r you th in k steelm ak in g could h av e gone w ith o u t help from th e c h e m ist.”

“ Q uite a w a y .”

“ B u t B essem er m ade no h ead w a y w ith o u t th e help of th e c h e m ist."

“ H e nev er tr ie d .” H e ad d e d : " Y o u r qu estio n , so f a r as it re la te s to B essem er is—could h is process he w orked w ith o u t th e c h em ist? T h e answ er is t h a t it w as, and is, so w orked. T h e chem ist o p e rates on th e steel a fte r th e in g o ts h a v e been m ade, not d u rin g th e m ak in g of th e m .”

" Y ou a p p ea r to h av e no g re a t opinion of th e ch em ists B essem er b ro u g h t to th e steelw o rk s.”

“ N o d isresp ect to th e m ; th ey w ere novices lea rn in g a new job and m ak in g m istakes.

T h eir province w as to stick com position lab els on to casts of steel because com posi­

tio n w as th e h a n d ie st w ay of d istin g u ish in g one io t from a n o th er. A s th e c h em ists wore scientific gow ns th ey w ere n a tu ra lly asked to explain th in g s th ey d id n 't u n d e rstan d , an d som e of th em fell fo r th e flattery . . . . T h e chem ist is a g re at convenience, a v a lu ­ able h elp in tim e of tro u b le , b u t h e is n ot a d o w n rig h t necessity. . . . T h e chem ist m u s t n o t conclude t h a t w ith o u t h is help th e bulk processes of ste e lm a k in s would h av e sto p p ed dead ; th e y w ould

have

developed differently and n o t so f a r . ” T h e s te e l in d u s t r y w a s s c ie n tific b y c o m p a ris o n w ith t h e c a s t- ir o n i n d u s t r y in th o s e d a y s. A ll t h e m o re c r e d i t to e a s t iro n t h a t i t h a s r is e n f ro m r u le -o f-th u m b a n d h a s a p p o in te d s c ie n tific m e n t o h e lp i t th r o u g h t h e m e d iu m o f t h e B r i ti s h C a s t I r o n R e s e a r c h A s s o c ia tio n . T h e r e s u lt h a s b e e n a d e q u a te ly d e s c rib e d b y M r.

P e a r c e as t h e a p p lic a tio n of t h e a r t o f so a d ju s tin g c o m p o s itio n , s e c tio n o f c o a tin g , a n d p ro c e s s of m a n u f a c t u r e a s to p ro d u c e a m e t a l o f t h e r e q u ir e d p r o p e rtie s . A w id e r a n g e o f q u a litie s is a v a ila b le : e n g in e e r in g g re y i r o n c a s tin g s m a y b e o b ­ t a i n e d u n d e r n a tio n a l s p e c ific a tio n s w ith te n s ile s t r e n g th s v a r y in g f r o m 9 to 26 t o n s / s q . in . ; m a lle a b le c a s tin g s c a n b e p ro d u c e d w ith e lo n g a tio n s in te n s io n v a r y in g fro m 3 to 20 p e r c e n t. ; c a s tin g s s u r f a c e - tr e a te d fo r h a r d n e s s m a y b e p r o ­ d u c e d u p to 1000 B rin e ll. A w id e v a r ie ty of fin is h e s m a y b e a p p lie d t o t h e m a t e r i a l fo r te c h n ic a l a n d d e c o r a tiv e p u rp o s e s . A

m o d e r n d e v e lo p m e n t is c e n tr if u g a l c a s t ­ in g fo r t h e p r o d u c tio n of p ip e s .

A lth o u g h th e c o m in g o f s te e l in 1855 d e ­ p o se d c a s t ir o n f r o m i t s f o r m e r p ro u d p o s itio n a s t h e s u p r e m e s t r u c t u r a l m a t e r i a l, th e o u t p u t to - d a y h a s r is e n to 2£ m illio n to n s a y e a r . T h e m o d e rn f o u n d r y is a c o m b in a tio n o f t h e a r t of th e m o u ld e r a n d c o r e - m a k e r w ith t h e sc ien c e of t h e m e t a ll u r g is t , c h e m is t, a n d fo u n d r y e n g in e e r , a n d r e q u ir e s s k ille d e x e c u tiv e c o n tro l. T h e o ld e r m e th o d s h a v e b e e n d is c a r d e d fo r so m e p u rp o s e s -with c o n ­ s id e r a b le s a v in g s in c o s t o f p r o d u c tio n . T h e . in d u s t r y h a s b e e n p ro fo u n d ly in ­ flu e n c e d , n o t o n ly b y s c ie n tific a n d te e h - n i c a r d e v e l o p m e n t , b u t also b y c o n tin u o u s p ro d u c tio n m e th o d s u s e d w h e r e c a s tin g s of s im ila r siz e a n d s h a p e a r e to b e m a d e in q u a n ti t y . M o u ld s a n d c o re s a r e m a d e on m a c h in e s ; s a n d is fe d to t h e m a c h in e s b y h o p p e rs filled f ro m o v e rh e a d c o n v e y o rs ; a s s e m b le d m o u ld s a r e m e c h a n ic a lly c o n ­ v e y e d to t h e f u r n a c e , a r e fille d , a n d c o n ­ v e y e d a g a in to t h e k n o c k -o u t s tr ip p in g s t a ti o n , w h e re t h e c a s tin g s a r e re m o v e d f o r c le a n in g . T h e s a n d is r e tu r n e d to a re -c o n d itio iiin g p l a n t b e fo re b e in g c ir ­ c u la te d a g a in to t h e m o u ld in g m a c h in e .

Y e t in s p ite o f t h i s m o v e to w a r d s m e c h ­ a n is a tio n , in s p ite o f t h e w id e r a n g e of a v a ila b le p r o d u c ts s e c u re d b y v a r y in g t h e s t r u c t u r e o f t h e m e t a l — g r e y ir o n , w h ite ir o n , a u s te n itie ir o n , m a r t e n s i ti e ir o n , a c ic u la r ir o n , c h r o m iu m ir o n s , silic o n ir o n s , a n d so f o r t h — o n e fe e ls t h a t a ll m a y n o t be w ell w ith t h e i n d u s tr y . T h e r e is s t i ll m u c h to b e d o n e . O n e f e e ls , w i'itin g fro m t h e p o in t o f v iew o f t h e d is in te r e s te d o u ts id e r , t h a t t h e i n d u s t r y m a y b e to o d iffu se fo r m o d e r n c o n d itio n s . T h e r e a re no fe w e r t h a n 1750 e s ta b lis h m e n ts w id ely d iffe rin g in s iz e a n d e m p lo y in g 10 0 ,0 0 0 p e o p le . D o e s n o t t h a t im p ly to o m a n y s m a ll firm s f o r s u c c e s s fu l o p e r a tio n u n d e r m o d e r n c o n d itio n s ? T h e r e is a m a r k e d d iffic u lty in g e tt i n g r e c r u i ts fo r t h e f o u n d r y i n d u s t r y o n t h e g ro u n d , w e u n d e r ­ s t a n d , t h a t t h e w o rk is r e g a r d e d b y p a m ­ p e re d m o d e r n y o u th a s d i r t y a n d u n ­ p le a s a n t. T h e f o u n d r y is to - d a y a b o t t l e ­ n e c k in p r o d u c tio n f o r t h a t re a s o n . S h o u ld w e b e r i g h t in s u g g e s tin g t h a t t h e fo u n d r y t r a d e is in n e e d o f c o n c e n tr a tio n in to fe w e r a n d la r g e r u n i ts a n d t h a t i t n e e d s a b o v e a ll re d e s ig n in g in i t s e n g in e e r in g p l a n t to l ig h te n t h e la b o u r a n d to m a k e t h e w o rk m o re a t t r a c t i v e ? A s o u ts id e r s w e m a k e th e s e s u g g e s tio n s w ith t e m e r i t y . I t is f o r t h e e x p e r ts to c o r r e c t u s.

Ma y 4 , 1 9 4 6 T HE C H E M I C A L A G E 4 8 9

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N E o f t h e m o s t u n u s u a l m e ta llu r g ic a l fin d s fo r m o r e t h a n h a lf a c e n tu r y is g e r m a n iu m — a m in e r a l o f t h e c a rb o n f a m ily t h a t is r a r e r t h a n g o ld . E x is te n c e o f t h e e le m e n t w a s p r e d ic te d in 1871 b y t h e R u s s ia n p h y s ic is t M e n d e lé e v , w h o c o n s tr u c te d t h e p e rio d ic s y s te m o f e le ­ m e n ts . H e a lm o s t p re c is e ly f o r e to ld t h e a to m ic w e ig h t, d e n s ity , a n d c o lo u r of t h e t h e n u n k n o w n e le m e n t a n d n a m e d i t e k a - silic o n . F i f t e e n y e a r s l a t e r , C lem e n s W in k le r a c tu a lly is o la te d t h e e le m e n t a n d fo u n d t h a t i t a lm o s t in c r e d ib ly fu lfilled M e n d e lé e v ’s fo r e c a s t. H e r e n a m e d i t g e r m a n iu m . I t is d e s c rib e d a s a silv e ry , e le m e n t t h a t o c c u rs in m in u t e q u a n ti t ie s in z in c a n d le a d o re s , a n d a lth o u g h o n ly a p p r o x im a te ly tw ic e a s h e a v y as a lu m in ­ i u m , is h a r d e n o u g h to c u t g la s s . I t is n o t a tt a c k e d b y b o ilin g c o n c e n tr a te d h y d ro c h lo ric a c id . I t is s a id t h a t a v e r y s m a ll p e r c e n ta g e o f g e r m a n iu m a d d e d a s a n a llo y in a lu m in iu m a n d m a g n e s iu m c a s tin g s g iv es th e m v e r y h ig h r e s is ta n c e t o f a tig u e a n d c o rro s io n . A c u r io u s p r o ­ p e r t y o f t h e e le m e n t is t h a t it e x p a n d s as i t cools. T h is f a c t o r w o u ld m a k e i t s u i t ­ a b le f o r a llo y in g g o ld o r a m a lg a m fillin g s f o r t e e t h a s t h e fillin g s w o u ld c lo s e th e m in u t e s t c re v ic e s a n d p r e v e n t f u r t h e r t o o th d e c a y . A n o th e r c h a r a c t e r i s ti c is t h a t g e r m a n iu m i m p a r t s s p e c ia l r e f r a c tiv e p r o p e r tie s t o o p tic a l g la s s . C a m e r a , m ic ro s c o p e , a n d o t h e r le n s e s h a v in g a t r a c e o f i t w o u ld p r o je c t im a g e s w ith s h a r p e r d e fin itio n .

S eg reg a tio n P ro cess

S

E G R E G A T I O N o f g e r m a n iu m in v o lv e s a se ie s o f o p e r a tio n s . T h e p r in c ip a l s te p s , e x p la in e d in v e r y s im p lifie d f o rm , a r e a s fo llo w s: Z in c c o n c e n tr a te s a r e r o a s te d in h u g e o v e n s t o b u m o u t t h e s u l­

p h id e s a n d fo rm z in c o x id es . T h e s e a re b u r n e d slo w ly w ith s a l ts a n d a s e m i-h a rd c o al, a n d c a d m iu m , g e r m a n iu m , a n d v a r io u s a m o u n ts of a d o z e n a n d a h a lf o t h e r m e ta ls a r e c a r r ie d off in t h e d e n s e fu m e s . T h e f u m e s a r e p ip e d to a p r e ­ c ip i t a t o r in w h ic h t h e m e ta ls a r e d isso lv e d in s u lp h u r ic a c id . C a d m iu m is th e n s e p a r a t e d o u t, le a v in g a re s id u e o f h ig h g e r m a n iu m c o n te n t. T h is r e s id u e is o x i­

d is e d in a f u r n a c e a n d t h e n m ix e d w ith c o n c e n tr a te d h y d ro c h lo ric a c id . L a s t c o m e s d is tilla tio n , w h ic h fr e e s t h e ge r-

C O M M E N T S

m a n iu m fro m e v e ry t r a c e o f t h e a s s o c ia te d m e t a ls , so t h a t w h e n a n u g g e t is c a u g h t in t h e b o tto m o f a c ru c ib le a t t h e e n d of t h e 1 0-d a y p ro c e s s , i t is so p u r e t h a t n o c o n ta m in a tio n b y fo re ig n m a t t e r c a n b e d e te c te d w ith t h e s p e c tro s c o p e .

S u b stitu te s for B auxite

A

L T H O U G H s u p p lie s o f b a u x it e w e re a v a ila b le to G e r m a n y a n d h e r a llie s in b o th F r a n c e a n d H u n g a r y , n e v e r th e le s s , su c h w a s t h e n e e d fo r a lu m in iu m a n d y e t m o r e a lu m in iu m d u r in g t h e w a r t h a t b o th G e r m a n y a n d J a p a n m a d e s tr e n u o u s e ffo rts to d e v e lo p p ro c ess es u s in g m o re p le n tif u l r a w m a t e r i a ls . D e ta ils o f so m e of th e s e e ffo rts h a v e b e e n p u b lis h e d in B IO S ' R e p o r t N o. 167, w h ic h g iv es a n a c c o u n t of t h e G e r m a n a p p lic a tio n o f a F r e n c h p ro c e s s , k n o w n a s t h e S d ailles- D y c k e rh o ff, fo r t h e p r o d u c tio n of a s u i t ­ a b le - a lu m in a - b e a r in g m a t e r i a l f ro m in ­ d u s t r i a l w a s te s s u c h a s c o a l a s h e s , co al- c le a n in g re s id u e s , a n d t h e lik e . P ilo t p l a n t h a d b e e n s e t u p a t t h e D y c k e rh o ff c e m e n t w o rk s b e fo re t h e w a r , w h e r e th e p r o d u c ts o f a r o t a r y k iln w e r e le a c h e d , o rig in a lly w ith w a te r , a n d l a t e r w ith a d ilu te a lk a li, w h ic h g a v e t h e r e q u ir e d y ie ld of a lu m in a , t h e m a t e r i a l b e in g a f te r w a r d s p r e c ip ita te d in t h e u s u a l w a y . I n d u e c o u rs e tw o fu ll-s c a le p l a n t s w e r e s e t u p , u s in g c o llie ry p o w e r - s ta tio n a s h , o n e n e a r B e r lin , t h e o t h e r in C z e c h o slo v a k ia . B o th , h o w e v e r, p ro v e d m o re e x p e n s iv e t h a n th e c o n v e n tio n a l B a y e r p l a n t , a n d t h e m e th o d w a s c o n s id e re d u n lik e ly to b e e co n o m ic in n o r m a l tim e s , e v e n w ith m a t e r i a l r u n n in g as h ig h as 40 p e r c e n t, a lu m in a . T h e p r o ­ cess is o f i n t e r e s t , h o w e v e r, e s p e c ia lly w h e n c o m p a re d w ith r e c e n t A m e ric a n a t t e m p t s to o b ta in a lu m in a e c o n o m ic a lly fro m c l a y ; a n d w e h o p e to h a v e t h e o p p o r­

t u n i t y o f d is c u s s in g t h e v a r io u s s y s te m s in e x ten a o i n a l a t e r iss u e .

A lu m in iu m and F r u it

W

H I L E t a l k i n g o f e x -e n e m ie s a n d a lu m in iu m , i t is i n te r e s t in g to r e ­ c all a s id e -is s u e a r is in g o u t of t h e w o rk in g o f t h e I t a l i a n a lu m in iu m re d u c tio n p la n t s in t h e h illy n o r t h e r n re g io n s of M o ri a n d B o lz a n o . T h e s e p la n t s a r e u p t o d a te in c o n s tr u c tio n , u s in g b o th p r e -b a k e d e le c ­ tr o d e a n d S o d e r b e rg e le c tr o d e p o t lin e s

(see B IO S R e p o r t N o . 126), b u t a n u n ­

4 9 0 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ma y 4, 1 9 4 0 u s u a l f e a t u r e h e r e is t h a t a ll p o ts a r e e n ­

c lo s ed a n d c o n n e c te d to a n e x h a u s t s y s te m . T h e re a s o n fo r t h is is t h a t p r o ­ te c t io n is r e q u ir e d fo r t h e la r g e a m o u n t o f f r u i t w h ic h g ro w s in t h e d i s t r i c t a n d w h ic h h a s b e e n t h e s ta p le i n d u s t r y o f th e lo c a lity fo r m a n y y e a r s . T h is , in c i d e n t ­ a lly , is a p o in t w o r th c o n s id e rin g w h e n n e w in d u s t r ia l - a g r i c u l t u r a l a r e a s a r e b e in g p la n n e d in t h is (o r a n y o th e r ) c o u n tr y . B o th t h e p la n t s c o n c e rn e d a r e o w n e d b y t h e M o n te c a tin i g r o u p , a n d r e c e n t a d v ic e s f r o m I t a l y in d ic a te t h a t a lth o u g h b o th w e re p r a c tic a lly u n d a m a g e d b y t h e w a r , t r a n s p o r t c o n d itio n s w e re so b a d l a s t y e a r t h a t i t w a s p o ss ib le to u s e th e m o n ly u p to a b o u t 15 p e r c e n t, of t h e i r c a p a c ity .

In te rp re ta tio n of Science M

U C H h a s b e e n s p o k e n a n d w r i t te n

in r e c e n t m o n th s a b o u t t h e n e c e s s ity o f “ i n te r p r e t i n g ” sc ie n c e to t h e g e n e r a l p u b lic , a n d w e a g r e e t h a t , w ith s c ie n c e in i t s p r e s e n t p o s itio n in r e la tio n to so c ia l a n d e c o n o m ic f a c to r s w h ic h a ffe c t e v e ry ­ b o d y , i t a p p e a r s d e s ir a b le t h a t e v e ry b o d y sh o u ld h a v e so m e id e a of w h a t sc ien c e m e a n s a n d w h a t s c ie n tis ts a r e d o in g . Y o u c a n t a k e a h o r s e to th e w a t e r , b u t y o u c a n n o t m a k e h im d r i n k : t h a t o ld saw co m e s in to p la y a t o n c e , w i t h t h e q u e s tio n , d o th e p e o p le w a n t to h a v e sc ie n c e “ i n t e r ­ p r e te d ” t o t h e m ? D o th e y n o t p r e f e r to r e m a in in t h a t d e lig h tf u l s t a t e o f h a z in e s s a b o u t i t , w h ic h r e q u ir e s n o m e n ta l e ffo rt a n d le a v e s t h e m in t h e p o s itio n w h e r e , if a n y th in g s e rio u s g o es w ro n g , i t c a n b e b la m e d o n t h e - s c i e n t i s t s ? U n f o r tu n a te ly , so f a r a s c o n c e rn s a la r g e p e r c e n ta g e of t h e B r i ti s h p e o p le , t h e a n s w e r is t h a t t h a t is e x a c tly w h a t t h e y d o p r e f e r .

S ta rtin g fro m S c ratc h T

H E Y p r e f e r t h e h e a d lin e “ A to m to

b e N a t io n a l is e d ! ” to a r e a s o n a b le an d n o n - te c h n ic a l s t a t e m e n t t h a t r e s e a r c h on n u c le a r e n e r g y m u s t b e r e s e r v e d fo r s c ie n ­ t i s t s in G o v e r n m e n t e m p lo y . I t ’s le s s t r o u b le n o w , p e r h a p s , b u t m a k e s fo r m o re tr o u b le in t h e f u t u r e . O th e r p e o p le s a r e p r e p a r e d t o s p a r e a l i t t l e m e n t a l e n e rg y f ro m t h e t a s k o f c a lc u la tin g t h e o d d s.

Q u ite c a s u a lly , a co p y of F ra n c e c a m e in ­ to o u r h a n d s t h e o t h e r d a y . W e m a y h a v e b e e n lu c k y , p e r h a p s , b u t a t a n y r a t e th is n u m b e r c o n ta in e d a c o n tr ib u te d a r t i c l e o n t h e c r e a tio n of n e w c h e m ic a l e le m e n ts , w i t h a b r ie f a n d s im p le e x p la n a tio n a n d a n in te r e s t in g h is to r ic a l n o t e ; in a l a t e r c o lu m n w a s a n e x tr a c t fro m L e F ig a ro r e ­

p o r tin g o n t h e c o n v e rs io n in to p e tr o l of n a t u r a l g a s fo u n d in S o u th e r n F r a n c e - tw o go o d e x a m p le s of t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of c h e m ic a l s c ie n c e . O u r “ i n t e r p r e t e r s ” s t a r t w ith a h e a v y h a n d ic a p ; w h a t th e y m u s t r e a lis e is t h a t o u r m e th o d s of g e n e r a l e d u c a tio n to w a r d s s c ie n c e a r e f u n d a m e n t ­ a lly u n s o u n d , a n d t h e y w ill h a v e to g e t o v e r t h a t h u r d le f ir s t. W e s u r m is e t h a t th e y w ill g e t l i t t l e a s s is ta n c e f ro m t h e p o p u la r P r e s s .

L ib ra ry C h em ists

L A N C IN G th r o u g h a n A m e r ic a n c h e m ic a l jo u r n a l l a s t w e e k , w e c a m e a c ro s s a n a r ti c l e w ith t h e c h a lle n g in g t it l e

“ W a n t e d : M o re L ib r a r y C h e m is ts ” ( J . O h e m . E d u c ., 1945 , 23, 176). T h e a u th o r w a s M iss E . L . S c h u lz e , a la d y e m p lo y e d b y a n in d u s t r ia l c h e m ic a l c o n c e rn , a n d , a m o n g o t h e r th in g s , s h e c la im e d t h a t th e jo b of l ib r a r y c h e m is t w a s p a r ti c u l a r ly s u ite d to w o m e n in t h e in d u s t r y . T h e r e s e e m s to b e q u ite a n e x te n s iv e A m e ric a n l i t e r a t u r e d e a lin g w ith t h e d u tie s a n d q u a lific a tio n 's of lib r a r y c h e m is ts , a n d M iss S c h u lz e h a s so m e in te r e s t in g t h in g s to s a y a b o u t t h e r e la tio n s b e tw e e n th e s e c h e m is t- lib r a r ia n s a n d t h e w o r k e r s in t h e r e s e a r c h a n d d e v e lo p m e n t la b o r a to r ie s of i n d u s tr y . T h e r e m a y b e so m e l ib r a r y c h e m is ts in i n ­ d u s t r y in t h is c o u n tr y ; w e b e lie v e t h a t I . C . I . , fo r e x a m p le , h a s a h ig h ly effic ie n t s e r v ic e o f t h e k in d . J u d g i n g , h o w e v e r, fro m t h e q u e r ie s w h ic h r e a c h o u r office fro m a ll s o r ts a n d k in d s o f i n d u s t r ia l c h e m is ts — a n d w h ic h w e do o u r b e s t to a n s w e r— n o t m a n y of t h e m p o ssess e v e n a lib r a r y . I n t h e s a m e is s u e o f t h e s a m e jo u rn a l is a lis t of w h a t t h e u n iv e r s ity c h e m ic a l lib r a r i a n sh o u ld b e a b le to do fo r h is p ro fe s s o rs a n d l e c tu r e r s . I t is a f a ir ly to u g h p r o g r a m m e , a n d r e q u ir e s m u c h k n o w le d g e o f c h e m is tr y , a n d of lib r a r ia n s h ip a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i o n a s w ell.

I t is go o d to s e t a h ig h s t a n d a r d , of c o u rs e , b u t e v e n if t h e in d u s t r ia l l ib r a r i a n fe ll s h o r t of t h e id e a l in so m e r e s p e c ts , w e fe el s u r e t h a t sh e (w e s a y “ s h e ” a d ­ v is e d ly ) w o u ld b e a g r e a t a s s e t to m a n y firm s . T h e id e a is w o r th p o n d e r in g , a t a ll e v e n ts , a n d s u g g e s ts a n e w lin e fo r w o m e n in i n d u s tr y .

F re n c h p ro d u cts, in clu d in g p o ta s h , phos­

p h a te s, p la s te r of p a ris , m eta llu rg ic a l and ch em ical goods, w ill b e s e n t to H o lla n d , u n d e r a recently-signed a g reem en t, in ex ­ ch an g e fo r a g ric u ltu ra l p ro d u cts, linseed, benzol and coke.

Ma y 4 , 19 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E 4 9 1

Chem istry “ Brains T r u s t”

B.A .C . London S ection ’s M eeting

T | X D E R th e auspices of th e B ritis h Asso- c ia tio n of C h e m ists (L ondon S e c tio n ), a “ B ra in s T r u s t ” w as h e ld a t G as I n d u s ­ tr ie s H o u s e , 1. G ro s v en o r P la c e , L o n d o n , S .W .l , on A p ril 10. Q u estio n s h a d m o stly b een se n t by p o st b e fo re h a n d , b u t each m em b er of th e “ B ra in s T r u s t ” w a s given an o p p o rtu n ity of a n sw e rin g one o r m o re q u e stio n s “ u n s e e n .”

T h e q u e stio n m a s te r w a s D r. F . W . S to y le, B .S c ., P h .D ., F .R .I .C ., w hile th e m em b ers of th e “ t r u s t ” w ere M rs. S. M.

T r itto n (d e p u tisin g fo r M r. F . G . M oore, of H e r ts P h a rm a c e u tic a ls , L td ., w ho w as a b se n t in G erm any) ; M r. R . B a rrin g to n B ro c k , of T ow nsori a n d M e rce r, L t d . ; M r.

J . W ilso n , of th e B ritis h R u b b e r P ro d u c e rs ’ R e se a rc h A s so c ia tio n ; M r. A . L . B a c h a ra c h , of th e biochem ical d e p a rtm e n t, G laxo L ab o ra to rie s, L td .; and M r. N orm an Swin- d in , of N o rd a c , L td ., re p re s e n tin g th e ch em ical en g in eers.

T h e p ro c ee d in g s o p en ed witlj, a s h o rt a d ­ d re ss fro m th e c h a irm a n , M r. A. J . M ills, w ho m ad e an a p p e a l fo r m o re m em b e rs of th e S e c tio n to v o lu n te e r fo r c o m m ittee a n d su b -co m iu ittee w o rk — th e S e c tio n d id n o t

“ ru n its e lf ,” h e said . T ie also g av e th e w elcom e new s t h a t M r. T h r e lf a ll’s re c e n t p a p e r o n “ G la ss T u b in g ” (see Th e Ch e m i­ c a l Ag e, 1946, 54, 211) w ould soon be p u b ­ lish ed in full.

D r. S toyle, h a v in g in tro d u c e d th e m em ­ b e rs of th e B ra in s T r u s t, re m in d e d h is a u d ie n ce t h a t th e q u e stio n s th em se lv es h a d n o t b e en seen by th o se w ho w ere g o ing to try a n d a n sw e r th em . A sele c tio n o f th e q u e stio n s a n d an sw e rs follow s.

S y n t h e t i c R u b b e r

A q u e stio n s e n t in b y M r. N o rm an S h e ld o n ; “ I t is said t h a t w a r-tim e ty re s , using sy n th e tic ru b b e r only, la s t for about a q u a r te r of th e m ileag e o b ta in e d w ith n a tu r a l ru b b e r. I s th is likely to c o n tin u e if s y n th e tic r u b b e r is u sed e x te n s iv e ly ? ” w as a n sw e red b y M r. J . W ilso n a s follow s :

“ I th in k th e first p a r t is a m is -state m e n t.

T h e y d o claim now to g et th e sam e m ileag e fro m sy n th e tic ty re s , d u e to im p ro v e m en ts in te c h n iq u e in b u ild in g th e ty re . N o syn­

th e tic ty re w ill e v e r b e in th e sam e s tre e t, th o u g h , fro m a re silie n ce p o in t o f view . T h e g r e a t difficulty w ith s y n th e tic ru b b e r is i ts b ig h e a t b u ild -u p . I t is h ig h ly im ­ p ro b a b le t h a t you w ill e v er g et sy n th e tic r u b b e r w ith su ch a low h e a t b u ild -u p as n a tu r a l r u b b e r .”

M r. E . . V . B ro w e tt s u b m itte d th e q u e s­

tio n : “ D o th e B ra in s T r u s t a g re e t h a t th e e le m en ts o f ch em ical e n g in e e rin g sh o u ld be

in clu d e d in th e h o n o u rs c h em istry d e g ree sy llabus, as a know ledge of chem ical en g i­

n e e rin g is n e ce ssa ry fo r a w o rk s ch em ist a n d is an a d v a n ta g e fo r a c h em ist d o in g re s e a rc h w o r k ? ”

M r. S w in d in sa id t h a t in h is o p in io n i t w as a b it too e arly to in clu d e such a com ­ p lex s u b je c t as ch em ical e n g in e e rin g in an h o n o u rs c h em istry d eg ree. C hem ical e n g i­

n e e rin g w:as re a lly a p p lie d p h y sics in a field o f c o m m ercial co n d itio n s, a n d th e s e c o n d i­

tio n s w e re very im p o rta n t. T o e x p e c t a y o ung s tu d e n t to know th em , a t th e m om ent, w as p re m a tu re . M r. B a rrin g to n B ro c k sa id he h a d r a th e r s tro n g view s on th is s u b je c t. H e a g re e d w ith M r. S w in d in t h a t th e a p p lie d physics side w as v e ry difficult in g e ttin g an h o n o u rs d e g ree , an d h e h a d seen se v e ra l y o ung c h em ists m ak e a b so lu te asses o f th em selv es in th e c o m m ercial su b ­ je c t. M an y h a d no co n cep tio n w h a te v e r of w h a t w e n t o n in a fa c to ry . A system of a p p re n tic e s h ip w ould a t le a s t m e a n t h a t m an v ju n io r ch em ists w ould n o t m ak e asses of tiiem selves in th e first six m o n th s. H e also th o u g h t, h o w ev er, t h a t t h a t h a d som e­

th in g to do w ith th e a ttitu d e of th e w o rk s fo rem a n . M rs. T r itto n re c a lle d t h a t th e re h a d b een a sym posium on th is s u b je c t, a t w hich th e p o in t h a d b een b ro u g h t o u t very s tro n g ly t h a t som e know led g e of chem ical e n g in e e rin g sh o u ld b e in clu d e d in th e sy lla­

b u s fo r th e h o n o u rs d eg ree. E v en if one d id n o t p ra c tis e ch em ical e n g in e erin g , ju s t to h av e a n u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th e p rin c ip le s w as so im p o rta n t fo r th e c h em ist g o ing in to th e w o rk s. M r. W ilso n said h e w ould n o t te a c h ch em ica l e n g in e e rin g to o rd in a ry h o n o u rs stu d e n ts . I f a m an h a d a flair fo r it h e w ould h av e no difficulty in tu m b lin g to it.

T h e S u c c e s s f u l C o n s u l t a n t M r. D . G re e n s m ith a sk ed fo r th e B ra in s T r u s t’s view s on th e e sse n tia l re q u ire m e n ts , m a te ria l o r o th erw is e, of a su ccessfu l ch em i­

cal c o n s u lta n t. I n re p ly , M rs. T r itto n sa id she th o u g h t th is w as a v e ry u n f a ir q u e stio n . S h e d id n o t know w h e th e r she w as a su c ­ c essfu l ch em ical c o n s u lta n t. B u t sh e th o u g h t i t w ould b e w ell w o rth w h ile to say w hy she b ecam e a c o n s u lta n t, a n d she h o p e d o th e r c h em ists w ould follow h e r lines.

S h e fo u n d t h a t she w a s c h ief c h e m ist in a sm all firm , a n d she th o u g h t if she co u ld d o t h a t f o r th em she co u ld do it fo r h e rse lf.

M r. B a c h a ra c h ’s a n sw er to th is q u e stio n w a s : “ F ir s t, access to a good lib r a r y ; seco n d , a good b o a rd -s id e m a n n e r ; an d th ir d , a n a ttr a c tiv e re c e p tio n is t.” '

M r. S w in d in th o u g h t a ch em ica l c o n su l­

t a n t sh ould b e fre e fro m a n y fo rm o f b u s i­