1947-10-02 — Page 8

ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT POPULAR AT HOME Economy The Key-Note

for cutting ironing may be reduced to a Despite the calls down of electrielty consumption, minimum. Thermostatically con- British housewives may still buy trolled Irons help to save current. A normul three-pint kettle electric kettles, boiling rings, hot plates, grille and wash boilers, marked 1,000 watt should ball electric irons, cookers and re-five or six thnos for one unit. frigerators without purchase tax. "Don't boil ten cups two will The Chancellor of the Ex do." Many people still make th

bolling more water cheuer has taken off purchase mistake of tax ranging from 33-1/2 to 00-2/3 than they need. per cunt, in response, to appeal

Although the average radio re- from British women's organiza-ceiver only consumes one unit of tions, Cookers and refrigerators lectsfeity in 16 hours, that is but the the equivalent of a 60-watt lamp. are hard to come by,

Very few Dritish people in- other articles are in plentiful sup-

dulge in the 26-gallon prowa ply at present.

wore heated by

If women buy this new elec-bath. If this trical equipment, however, good electricity it would consume four that they precious units, taking 10 gallons citizenship demands

By Melita Spraggs

Of The "Christian Science Monitor"

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THE CHINA MAIL, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1947,

ENGINEERING

PAGE

POLYTHENE

"RADAR"

AND

WIDE RANGE OF USES IN INDUSTRY

Polythene

on

Brunter

AL

Polythene, discovered in 1933 by research workers of I.C.I., is a general term for a range of solid polymers produced by subjecting ethylene gas to very high pressures. It has outstandingly good electrical insulating pro- perties. First produced towards the end of 1939, polythene immediately became of vital importance as an insulator for radiolocation or "radar." While radar-another triumph of British wartime inventiveness would no doubt have been developed without polythene, it is equally certain that it could not have done so with such rapidity as it did. Today, poly- thene is employed all over the world in the manufacture of telecommunication and sub- marine cables, and is also finding a variety of applications, ranging from chemical plant components to lampshades.

to.

¡electrical

applications include moulded parts, such as cable ends, high voltage brushings and con- dender dielectrics.

The suitability of "Alkathens" for electrical purposes should not, however, be allowed to overshadow its other applications Compound- soft grade ed with waxes, the

at

or

raises their melting point and re- duces the tendency to crack finke. Ita good water resistance makes it an excellent wrapplag material, especially for hot humid climates. It may also be numb used for moulded containers and general fancy goods. Its trans- al- lucent white appearance is tractive, and it is easy to colour by the addition of pigments.

"Alkathene"

WAR discovered through a programme of un- lamental scientific research under- taken by 1.C.L's Alkali Division. This work was unrelated to any processes then being operated, and comply with the urgent call for of water at 180° F. mixed with was directed purely to broadening tha the fold of knowledge of Every 15 gallons of cold water. conomy in

her five-inch bath per person, which mechanism of chemical reactions British housewife honour to reduce her electricity most people now have, takes 2 under extreme physical conditions.

Early experimental work consumption by one quarter com-unit of electricity.

enrried out by high pressures was pared with last year. At present

the French scientist Amagat over the free to reaponize in the way and at the time of the day

In regard to the tonster, the half a century ago. Brunner. Mohd parents of 1.C.1.'s stu thinks fits in beat with her Asunciation has worked out that& Co. (the

anakali Division) becanus interest family arrangemeats,

World the Best

War The Electrical Ax action for morning's oust equals

week's varunn ekaning in the fed after

contact with Prof. Wonen, m its new brukpiarters average those id. Tant should through

AM.J.P. Micheis of Amsterda+n2 35 Grosvenor Plate, Lambon, S. W.

be retarded op a luxury, the A exhibitriation ay, The familly should University Severn! of fueleron my 1. bag a which show how current ecompe he willing to co-operate so that Mond's staff worked with Prof. a great

In the United Kingdom, poly- mies may be made by thoughtful it-caved may be more use. Michels, who was doing

thene is manufactured by 1.C.L'A sk of apparatus, concentrating fully coploved to help mother variety of work on high pressures

their and

Alkali Division and marketed by he frequently visited en esentials and by giving the the lab ser-saving job carried out

laboratories at Winnington,

1.G.I. Plastics Division under the Beds by the washer and housewife the help

Cheshire. From this collaboration

trade name of "Alkathene." from electrie labour-saving equip jelenner.

Despite the fact that plant The

which Anving

he grew 1.C.L's decision to undertake

length, however, through maintained, even though operating the worked

changing of research on the effect of extremely through

conditions dimiculties were still not entirely capacity has reached two hundred statutory

15,000 to studying the reaction

times the output of 1930 and two light Minister of Fuel and Power han electric

to lower high pressures (from buth H space heating by gan walinge where a bright light is 300,000 16.) on certain chemical and paying particular attention to overcome,

ethylene gas, the purity of the

Meanwhile, in 1940, I.C.I. had thousand that of 1938, practically electricity in residential premises not needed is shown by the ful reactions.

Despite the world depression, the process was brought under shipped polythene to America. It all production is absorbed by hign until the end of September and lawing figures:

mouldings, prohibits apuce heating by all A 25-watt lamp gives light. 10 this project was embarked upon in control. By 1938, important advan-ws processed by the Du Pont priority requirements such

made by cables and industrial first beginnings ware mada kinds of fuel in nonresidentini

Plans for new plants and increas the Western Electric Company premises until the end of Octours for one unit; 40-watt, 231930. Work started in 1931, and ices had been achieved, and the Company, and a cable

hours: 6-walt, 16 hours: 100-over a year was spent developing wards devising a continuous pro-was laid on a section of the Bell jed output are in active prepara- the technique of making and ceas of manufacture, which was Telephone Company's trunk tole- watt, 10 hours,

the handling

laboratory Frescent lighting, which

"Alkathene" has recently been ap-

csential if an ultra-high-pressure

lines. The United States

tatos devoloped as a costing for papers Exemptions

rapidly becoming popular in the paratus. The chemical studies be

experienced dificulties

and fabrics. Materiais treated in over the ins

insulating of radar Exemptions are made where home, effects a considerable saygan a year later. The first period process was to be a practical pro-

this way are glossy, tasteless, wns one of great disappointment position.

not easy. Development was 1033 that

cables, and in 1941 was decided beating is necessary for children ing of electricity and given ex- under three and for old people cellent light for runding and sew-and it was not until

Carly Work at pressures above 16,000 to standardise polythene. Accord-odourless and almost water whlic. indicate that they are likely can be fine. the Association says. Charts anything novel was found. Ear ib. ner square inch made it neces-ingly, an

American delegation: Tosts over 70; where clothes dried in no other way; and whier.jare phlished telling people how that year, whey carrying outary to design novel gas compres visited I.C.I. and were given fulto be of valve for many applica-

of reactions involving

tions and particularly for the to read their electricity meters in series for an

well. ore, joints, valves, tubing, reac information about

manufacture. tions

of foodstuffs and order check up on their con- ethylene--the roactive Ras

organic known to

itlon vessels and similar equipment. Production started in a packaging chemists-a

chemicals. The Association tries help sumption.

wide trace of a white solid was found As the pressures were similar to 1943,

Folythene is also finding a people keep the "target" in s

Polythene's war-time contribu- This was those occuring in a gun Import licences are no longer! in the reaction vessel. right pera pestive. Mutor-driven

expinalan of the charge, the tech tlon to radar overshadowed overy-range of industrial uses, where its appliance, they say, consume granted for cars, taxis, motor "Palythene."'n solid polymer

nique used in the manufacture of thing else, but it had other im-chemical inertness and toughness are of great importance. It is, for minimum of electricity.

artillery was adapted. The vans. lorries or buses into In-ethylene.

The many difficulties were fini, portant uses, as sleeving in radio Instance, being employed for press vnenumn clouner and the electric dia. Machinery and raw ma

iy overcome, mainly by devoted in the fuser of rocket tools for metal pressing, chemical : extravagant loterial which india needs will,

and, as strip or transpar washer are nut

anti- in 1937 continu- and current. The casumption of

team-work, on the ather hand, be allowed

ent film, for packing the small pilot plant malarial mepacrine this ous running on e vacuum cleaner is about one thit

sensitive in licence-free. in four to right hoUTK.

Although the Hindustan Mo-dealing with the enormous pre in the inboratory was achieved. drug had tended to deteriorate in sares, and larger and more efl-The following year saw the con- the hot damp climates of the Always empty the dust

Morris cient apparatus, made a systema struction of a proper pilot plant malarious battle areas to which after two or three hours as tors Studebaker

of this entirely new unit, capable of demonstrating the it was sent. It was found, how they advise, and never leave the assembly works in Culenttu are the study

aving coming on apner, it seems prob material possible. Almet imme-basic ideas of a full-scale manu-ever, that polythene packs kept it motor running when furniture about prior to cleaning able that there will be a lang dintely, a whole series of setbacks fucturing process.

in perfect condition even when it underneath ог bebind heavy interim peried before India were encountered. Attempts to re-

was actually immersed in water. pieces.

resulted ready fu Ko inter

large-scale peat Initial experiments

With the end of the war, poly- An electric iron uses a unit of automobile production on herin violent and inexplicable expls.

thene once more became important electricity in about

vessels. The ban, if maintained. There was a constant danger "Don't do the job too oflea; let)

mean serious transport the apparatus being wrecked. On being made of the properties of the mangie help you," they say.) By first mangling sheets, tabir.' difficulties in India for the next lone occasion the laboratory was. this wholly novel product. cloths, towels, and all flat linen, few years.

In fact, badly damaged.

outstanding electrical characteris tles great toughness, flexibility, lightness and water resistance- augured a promising future in bor of ethylene units, 500 or more, electrical engineering.

henting is necessary dividual health.

11

ม

two hours.

own. will

of

Setbacks Another two

elapsed years before ́ improved technique for

the reaction

"AMBASSADOR"

AMBASSADOR

A BRITISH PRODUCT

RELIABLE

QUALITY! PERFORMANCE!

of

Properties

on the

phone

Other uses

plant

and mouldings. componenty

range from: tubing in And beer- cold-water plumbing pumping installations in bars and liners for bottle closures. Attrac breweries, tó suspenders, and

tive

delicately

and

tinted

lampshades are being made from another form of polythene known as "Crinothene."

development, a study

During this period of technical in the field of telecommunication. Boom In

WAS also

Its

A Solid

Polythene may be described as

a solid comprising a large num

Laundry Appliances

andi

linked together under the com- The American Washer In 1938 contact was made with bination of extreme pressure tem- Ironer Manufacturers Associa

itperature and a catalyst. Ethylene tion says

the Telegraph Construction

sales of household can be produced in two way laundering appliances broke the from alcohol via molasace by

Ma who had many m

years'

1.

the

the processing catalytic dehydration and also industry's all-time records of gutta-percha, particularly for under-sca cables. They were quick from petroleum cracking gases. June,

The ethylens is purified with the The Association said January to realise

the possibilities of polyutmost care, and then carefully to June sales of standard-sized thena arid adapted some of their machinery to the new material.

A D

ม

VALUE!

the best BUY in its price HK$360 ONLY.

Produced by R. N. Fitton Ltd., Radio Works Brighouse, Yorks Leading Manufacturers in the Radio Field.

SOLE AGENTS:

K. CAUDRON & CO.

cable was made at

ENGLISH ELECTRIC CO. LTD.

TRANSFORMERS

ANY OUTPUT, VOLTAGE OR TYPE

SOLE AGENTS:

THE JARDINE ENGINEERING CORPORATION LTD.

14-16 PEDDER STREET, HONG KONG. Telephone 30311

∙METAL WINDOWS.

lu

GIBBONS

High class Architectural Fittings

Stocks Avallable

COMPANY, LTD.

In

GILMAN

Engineering Department

Telephone: 31146

mixture is compressed in two main pared to 2,023,981 in all of 1946) 4a Des Voeux Rd: C.

and

and accurately mixed with oxygen washers totalled 1,754,689, com-

The in An experimental length of sub a very small concentration. marine

the cha end of 1938, and a mile length in 1939 stages to 1,200 atmospheres and Even at this early, imperfect

fect finally enters the reaction weasel

at 200°C, shown stago, great interest was

by

the British Post Ofico.

During the polymerisation Further experience indicated that considerable amount of heat is developed and the removal of this polythene was not only promising

has been the subject of ingenious and telegraph design

in the manufacturing polythene

for

telephone

cables, but also for high-frequency plants. Tho liquid work, especially in television.

Results were Do satisfactory emerges from the reaction vessel that I.C.I. too decided to design in the form of a pollacid stream. and erect a full-scale manufactur-,

ing unit. This came into produc-

tion on September 1st, 1989-the

very day Germany invaded Poland

of

then "Alkathons, inte blocks,

1.C.I.'s brand polythene, is a tough, waxy-look- material-normally white,

sheets,

but polythene had already given though sometimes slightly grey or such evidence of its potentialities pink-made in the form of that the decision to double the rode and granules or chips.

It has a remarkable combine. capacity of the plant had been

of insulating properties

| taken even before it started.

The first ton of polythene from great dielectric

the full-scale unit was used in ex- toughness' and fgth, great

light-

perimental work with radioloca-cas and extreme water resistance. tlon er radar, which had been usually only attacked by acids of Chemically it is very inert and is developed during the same period alkalles at high temperatures. It The outbreak of war brought the thermoplastic and can be ex- two inventions together, Although, truded or moulded by compression in early 1940, polythene was mainly being developed for the eded for machining or welding. or injection. No special tools aro But fecial submarine!

when

by the time of Dunkirk, Its tensile strength falls with In- the second unit of the creasing temperature and it melte original plant came into operation point being reached at about 90°C. sharply at about 1150, the lok the bulk of the output had already

been diverted to the manufacturo covers whole range of products. The generic name polythene of radar cables

To quote Bir Robert Watson with gradations in properties, and Watt, F.R.S., the pioneer of wrist I.C.I. manufactures various grades

ane transformed the pro-

of "Alkathene suited. to the per polythene

formance blema presented by airborne radar 100 required of the finished from the simost insoluble to: the article, Hard grades are less liable comfortably manageable, and to attack. by chemical reagents thers the wolf, which are easier to "played an indkapensible, part ja|ta) the folk series of victories in the process. sir, on the soa and on the Bland; which"""were made, possible" by radar.

A Now Plant

Alkathens's outstanding com bination

of electrical properties MAKER...it very valuable « fork IL

per of electrical |fortšolid

To assure kippline, an; entirely High-frequ

-Phone:: 27589

| now plant was, dongha

1948) power loss.

and cama.Into hraduation in 1942: umall/29

the 1,059,887 In 1941, Erentest prewar year. Sales of automatic ironers in crcased proportionately, the Association said.

ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE SWISS WATCHES OF TO-DAY!

FARHARRO

A perfect time keeper.

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Inspect one of these very modern watches today:

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David Housi

·and"