CHEMICALS
Polyefhylenes w i t h α Difference • Differing from ordinary polyethylene in physi cal properties, new plastic defies 2 5 0 ° F., temperatures • Synthetic w a x , also derived from polyethylene, has outstanding ability to plasticize other waxes pOLYETHYLENE's versatility is demon-*• strated in two new compounds: one, a high molecular weight plastic, has physical properties vastly different from conventional polyethylene; the other, a low molecular weight synthetic wax shows promise as a substitute for high-cost commercial wax ingredients. • Super Dylan, N e w Plastic Most recent of the nation's chemical manufacturers to launch production of high molecular weight polyethylene by the German-developed, low pressure Ziegler process is Koppers at its plant in Kobuta, Pa. Early next month, the company will begin offering small com mercial quantities of the new plastic, t r a d e n a m e d Super Dylan, to molders for testing. By spring, 1956, Koppers expects to have its Super Dylan in full scale commercial production. Koppers identifies its conventional polyethylene as Dylan. The n e w plastic, produced by cata lytic polymerization at near atmos pheric pressure, has physical properties so unlike those of conventional poly ethylene p r o d u c e d at high pressure that it is, for all intents and purposes, an entirely different material. In some respects, t h e n e w polyethylene is simi lar to polystyrene, particularly in its rigidity a n d surface characteristics. Compared to ordinary polyethylene, which has the flexibility that lends it self so well to squeeze bottles, the new plastic is decidedly more rigid. This increased stiffness should make the material more suitable for mixing bowls, pipe couplings, and other applications. Ordinary polyethylene has a dull, waxlike surface which, in some appli cations, may b e none too attractive. O n t h e other hand, Super Dylan has a smooth, glossy surface, similar to polystyrene. It will be offered in a wide r a n g e of translucent and opaque colors, d e p e n d i n g on the thickness of t h e plastic and the concentration of t h e coloring agent. One of the most notable properties of Super Dylan is its greater heat re sistance. For example, a baby bottle m a d e of t h e new material can b e safely sterilized at 250° F., a temperature at which ordinary polyethylene is reduced to a worthless blob. T h e total di 2152
mensional change of t h e n e w plastic, after repeated exposure to 250° F., is only about 2 to 4fA. Because of its higher heat tolerance, it will be much more suitable for sterilizable containers, washing machine parts, or for other items exposed to elevated temperature. Another important feature of Super Dylan is its high chemical resistance. It is not attacked by acids (even hydro fluoric) or alkalies and exhibits superior resistance to detergents. Diffusion through Super Dylan bottles is about one-third that through bottles made of ordinary polyethylene. Because of its high impact strength at t e m p e r a t u r e s as low as that of dry ice (—78° C ) , the n e w plastic should be especially useful in aircraft, refrig eration, and military applications. Because it has three times t h e bursting strength of ordinary polyethylene, it should be an effective material for piping subjected to elevated pressures. Significantly, the bursting strength of Super Dylan does not decrease rapidly with rising temperature. Although the full range of applica tions for t h e new plastic defies predic tion, t h e best educated guesses are that it will find outstanding use in kitchenware, bottles, carboys, piping, wash ing m a c h i n e agitators, refrigerator parts,
radio housings, steering wheels, and battery cases. While entertaining no illusions that the development of ri^kl polyethylene will mark the twilight of the lumber, steel, and ceramic indus tries, Koppers voices high hopes for its new " t o u c h é " in the plastics field. CS I
• Polyethylene-Derived W a x Another polyethylene product, b u t in this instance a low molecular weight version, is Eastman Chemical Products Epolene, a synthetic wax. The result of an almost two-year search for an inexpensive, convenient synthetic wax made from polyethylene, Epolene will b e of particular interest to packaging engineers, purchasing agents, and to wax compounders, polish manufacturers, and converters who are always seeking less expensive substitutes for high-cost commercial wax ingredients. The new wax will be offered in small-size pellet form about the size of a grain of rice: an emulsifiable type is designated Epolene-E while t h e nonemulsifiable type will be known as Epolene-N. Both forms are completely compatible with carnauba, says Eastman, without impairment of the physical properties of the latter. I n addition, Epolene-E is compatible with candelilla a n d ouricury; Epolene-N is compatible with most of the components oi uotn canoeiiiifi arm ouricury. Eastman has demonstrated t h e effectiveness of t h e n e w polyethylene wax in the up-grading of paraffin. Some of the benefits which result from incorporating Epolene into mixtures of basic paraffin for melt coating applications
Chemical inertness of Super Dylan is demonstrated when bent samples are immersed in a very active detergent for long periods. Super Dylan samples emerge uneracked whereas samples fabricated of ordinary polyethylene fail
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Victor Research improves products a n d processes for its customers Many unusual and profitable improvements have h>een developed for the benefit of Victor customers. It's the added service . . - and the extra value our customers in more t h a n 40 different industries are receiving from the Victor research staff. Victor is pioneering work on many new organo-ptiosphorus compounds. These promising newcomers ha.ave excellent properties as chemical intermediates, stabilisers, emulsifiers, and fire-retardants. They are recognized for their advantages in the manufacture of many plastics, drugs, textiles, and petroleum additives. Every Victor customer has the benfit of technical assistance and application data relative to their particular chemical problems. Why don't you join other leading industries who use Victor chemicals and service. Wsritei Victor Chemical Works, 155 N. Wacker Drive, Chicagro Illinois. When you do, you'll find . . . It pays to see Victor
VC' M. VC'clcli Manufacturing Co
ALKYL A C I D PHOSPHATES · PHOSPHONATES » ANTI-STATS - OXAMIOE · BENZENE PHOSPHORUS CHLORIDES · CATALYSTS BENZENE P H O S P H O N I C A C I D · CHLOROPHOSPHATES · ALKYK. PHOSPHITES · ALKYL FORMATES · F O R M I C A C I D A N H Y D R O U S S E N D F O R C A T A L O G O F O T H E R V I C T O R C H E M I C A L S U S E D IN Y O U R I N D U S T R Y VOLUME
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16,
1955
2153
CHEMICALS.
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Need heat for production or processing? Chromalox Electric Heaters are your quick and economical answer. Over 15,000 types, sizes and ratings to choose from to give working temperatures up to 1100°F, Temperatures controlled precisely by either manual or automatic thermostatic controls. No steam-lines, no boilers or expensive equipment to install!
WRITE FOR Handbook "101 Ways to Apply Electric Heat.*' It suggests many uses for Chromalox Electric Heater. EDWIN L. W I E G A N D C O . , Industrial Division 75! 0 T H O M A S BLVD., PITTSBURGH 8 , PA. Send m e the i l l u s t r a t e d booklet A A AT. " 1 0 1 W a y s to A p p l y Electric H e a t . "
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Considerable time and expense can be saved by use of Eastman's pelleted Epolene as compared to conventional wax blocks which have to be melted down. Epolene will be packaged in 50-lb. paper bags reducing unnecessary in-plant handling
are increased block resistance, increased resistance to moisture vapor transmission; increased hardness and flexibility. Epolene also produces a higher melting point and improves dielectric properties. Perhaps the outstanding property of Epolene is its demonstrated ability to piasticize other waxes. Eastman says that Epolene-E promises to b e a major ingredient in self-polishing emulsion type waxes for floor and furniture use. Epolene-N, with its outstanding ability to up-grade paraffin, will find use in food packaging such as in milk carions and bread wraps. Its superior gloss, unusual hardness, and high scuff resistance will lend themselves to its use in floor, auto, furniture, and shoe polishes. Melting point properties will make it useful in candle-making and as a means of raising the melting point in crayons. Add to these uses those which its good dielectric properties make possible—coils, condensers, or small radio parts—and others such as bodying agents in printing inks, calendar release agents in rubber compounding, and it is easy to see why the wax is acclaimed to be so highly versatile. CS2 Acrylic Emulsions Show High W a t e r Absorption Resistance Rohm & Haas has developed two new acrylic emulsions, Rhoplex X-52 and B-85 which have the outstanding characteristics of producing polymers with superior hardness with consequent improvement in resistance to blocking and to water absorption. Rhoplex X-52, says company, produces films having the clarity, imperviousness to grease and resistance J to discoloration and embrittlement typi-
cal of the acrylics. It is therefore suggested for producing clear or lightly colored pigmented coatings in which low water absorption, resistance to dirt collection, and reduced blocking are desired. Emulsion has 45% solids content, a pH of 4 to 5 when packed, and is milky in annearance. Films produced by this emulsion are insoluble in toluene, though swelling does occur after prolonged exposure. Rhoplex X-52 may be thickened with nonionic agents. Rhoplex B-85, unlike most acrylic emulsions, does not form a continuous fllrn when used in unmodified form. However, continuous films can be obtained readily by blending it with softer emulsions or by using plasticizing agents, says Rohm & Haas. It has a low viscosity and particle size is small. Mechanical and chemical stability are said to be good. Rhoplex B-85 is supplied in aqueous form, contains about 38% solids, has a pH of about 10 when packed. CS 3
• Acid-detergent material designed for pickling and scale-removal operations in metalworking plants has been added to Oakite Products line. Designated Oakite Compound No. 131, material is said to remove light to moderate rust, heat scale, tarnish, and other oxides, as well as normal shop dirt. Compound is readily soluble in water or alcohol. It may be used in a concentration range of from 5 to 30C4 by volume. CS 4
CHEMICAL
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