232
JOURNAL OF
CHEMICAL EDUCATION
XI. THE RESEARCH CHEMIST IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES OLIVER G. VOGEL
The physical chemist has a n important part i n the menufacture of such electrical appliances as ranges, water heaters, and so forth. The author of this article i s Research Chemist with the Edison General Electric Appliance Company. Mr. Vogel receiered his bachelor's and doctor's degrees from the University of ChiGago (1927, 1930). He is a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Physical Society, and of Sigma X i . His publications hawe beenin chejield of physical chemistry.
My work is concerned particularly with the study and further developmentof an electricalheating element. The influence of chemistry and the related subjects, physics, and mathematics, on the problem has been very pronounced. The heating element utilizes a refractory oxide which operates in conjunction with metallic parts a t a high temperature (1600-1650°F.). I t is necessary that i t have stability over long periods of time. This immediately suggests, as will be further pointed out, the need for research on the chemical and physical properties of the refractory, on the heat resistant alloys adaptable to the service, the influence of the latter on the refractory behavior, the development of tests to evaluate the changes introduced and other problems attending the applications of materials to specific requirements of a rather extreme nature. A critical production difficulty had emphasized the need for study of the factors affecting the electrical resistivity of the refractory in the temperature range of 1000-1900°F. Accordingly, a research program was undertaken to determine and evaluate the variables involved and permit, in so far as possible, the control of the properties desired. Electrical measurements, petrographic study, chemical analyses, and considerations of high temperature interaction between refractory oxides followed. An extensive study of the physical and chemical factors was thus carried on and information of theoretical, as well as practical, importance has steadily been gained. The work has progressed for seven years and remains in a very active state. There have been regular improvements in the quality of the commercial refractory, with the resultant raising of the standards on the heating element. The understanding of the fundamental aspects of the problem has been greatly enlarged. The applications of chemistry and physics have been numerous. Throughout this work, there persisted the fact that the refractory was only one of the major parts of the element-that it was being used as an electrical insulator between metals operating a t 1600°F. or higher. To study the element as a whole, an accelerated life
test was developed (as illustrated in the fignre). This bad to be correlated with tests under conditions more typical of field operations, and the building up of data over a period of many months was necessary. With the adoption of long time tests the refractory problems naturally broadened. In addition, an extensive study of heat resistant alloys was undertaken in conjunction with the metallurgical department. The life test, which was being used to predict that which one should expect from the long time application of the element in the field, showed that the alloy was
not standing up well enough. Thirty or forty different alloys were procured and studied. This resulted in the selection and early change to an alloy which lasted several times as long. Here again, compositional differences and physical properties were emphasized and a knowledge of chemistry and physics lent itself to development of the work. Such subjects as oxidation, intergranular attack, effect of minor constituents and contaminations are among the many which have made the work most interesting and significant to practical application. Although it was learned that one of the best alloys available had been selected, subsequent work has been directed toward obtaining an alloy which will combine the very desirable combination of lower cost with even better properties. [Dt. Vogel commented upon the qualifications of the research worker as follows. ] The successful carrying out of such a problem makes it necessary for the research worker to become familiar
with the engineering and production phases of the bnsiness. It is necessary to take advantage of the design possibilities and to adapt the results to production requirements. The writer was given opportunity for developing experience in these matters. A well-rounded knowledge of the heating element, with its manifold applications and possibilities, was furthered. This has
led to activities of a more administrative nature, and this particular department has become responsible not only for the further development and improved quality of the unit-which is primarily a research problembut also, for the maintenance of standards and the specifications of tests which will assure the quality of the manufactured product.
