October, 1925
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
synthetic rubber, and then said: “The difficulties which have been overcome were great indeed and those which still remain to be surmounted in order to produce a substance equal to Para caoutchouc in quality and capable of competing with cheap plantation rubber costing only two marks per kilo are still greater. But such difficulties do not intimidate the chemist and manufacturer; on the contrary they spur them on to further efforts. The stone is rolling and we will see to it that it reaches its destination.” Great progress has been made in synthetic organic chemistry since that time. Much more is known of colloids, of the use of high pressures and temperatures, of the functions of catalysts, and of the part played by mere traces of elements and compounds in chemical manufacturing. It would seem that the perfection of synthetic rubber is something which should be undertaken, not only with some prospect of production a t a profit, but with the utility of such a plant as pro.tection against unjustifiably high prices fully in mind. Factories for the production of synthetic camphor are ready to begin work whenever producers of natural camphor make it worth while. If the producers are wise, they will not tempt these plants to start operation. They stand as a safeguard for those who must buy camphor. While the rubber growers seem to be well entrenched, i t may be for their own good to remind them of the experience of the American distillers of hardwood. The advantage of natural raw materials has been largely lost through the fermentation process for acetone and acetic acid, the catalytic method for making acetic acid from acetylene, and now the synthesis of methanol, leaving wood charcoal alone without serious competition. Rubber can be made by polymerizing butadiene and its derivatives. If the polymerization is carried out in the cold, a solid, inelastic material resembling bread is obtained; if carried out a t 60” C., a rubber similar to natural rubber is formed. Both methods require several months to complete the reaction, but if the temperature is raised to 100” C. the reaction is apparently complete in a week or two, a t least with small quantities. The Germans made both types during the war, starting out with 2,3-dimethylbutadiene. The cold polymerization product, known as “H” rubber, was successfully used for hard rubber articles, particularly submarine battery jars. The hot or warm polymerization product, known as “W”rubber, never came into extensive use. If vulcanized in the ordinary way it is “dead.” Of course such a difference in vulcanization may be eliminated by further study, but it is very likely that this study will be long and difficult. The Germans made their rubber from acetone, but nothing is known of the yield or the cost. Assuming that acetone can regularly be made for 10 cents per pound, even when very large amounts are in demand, and assuming that 50 per cent yields are obtained in each case, going from acetone to pinacone and thence to dimethylbutadiene, the materials cost of the latter would be approximately 40 cents, since the aluminium used for the reduction is quite inexpensive and no chemical reagent is used in the second transformation. The dehydration of the pinacone is carried out by distillation under pressure. If the polymerization is successful 50 cents per pound would not seem to be beyond reason. Butadiene and its derivatives can also be obtained by cracking petroleum, and even by chemical treatment of butyl alcohol, amyl alcohol, etc. It mould appear, tkerefore, that petroleum would be the cheapest source, and if the polymerized product could be made to vulcanize and give “live” products, that is where the emphasis should be laid. The question of converting one basic commodity into another looms large as always. If the price of rubber stays up, sooner or later some synthetic rubber will be sure to make
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its appearance. It is difficult to tell how long the present price will prevail. It has been stated that plantations can, produce rubber a t as low a figure as 8 cents per pound, although the general opinion is that the ordinary production cost is something like twice that amount. At any rate, 25 cents per pound surely would cover production costs and a fair profit. Accordingly, synthetic rubber might have to meet this price in order to compete a t all, except perhaps in very special places. The business of reclaiming used rubber also suffered during the era of low prices, and under present conditions it is natural that the recovery plants should be enlarged and enjoy great activity. Here, too, is an opportunity for interesting and profitable research. It is no condemnation of reclaimed rubber to suggest that still better material of this sort is a possibility and, so far as statisticians can see, money invested in such research should prove a paying investment. Then there is always the question of good rubber substitutes and the design of compounds using reduced quantities of rubber. We hear little talk of overproduction of a material of such universal use and for which new employment bears principally a direct relation to cost. These and other problems in this great industry of comparatively recent growth offer marked opportunities to those qualified by temperament, training, and experience to engage in research upon the most complex problems, for the synthesis of rubber is indeed a complex problem. It is not the rubber hydrocarbons themselves that present the greatest difficulty, but the nature of the latex particle itself. This is liquid, perhaps a mixture of three or four different hydrocarbons surrounded by the shell of other hydrocarbons, and this, in turn, by a film of nonrubber substances, principally proteins. This arrangement seems to be the same in all particles and their exact duplication is unquestionably diffjcult. However, other seemingly impossible problems, such as the synthesis of ammonia from inert nitrogen and hydrogen, have become accomplished facts and no scientist is prepared to admit that anything is ultimately impossible. Although so far the ram materials have been too costly to make synthetic rubber a real competitor, continued high prices will be a challenge to the laboratory and one never knows from what test tube or from what catalytic bomb a revolutionary discovery may be brought forth. Will the rubber industry make the discovery through cooperative research, will some progressive company undertake it on its own account, or will the opportunity be left to others outside the industry?
Modesty in Science N T H E occasion of the Chemical Exposition, held now after a two-year recess, we are naturally inclined to call particular attention to the progress that has been made in the interim. Like other living things, chemistry and the chemical industry must grow or perish. I n this number we have undertaken to present conservatively a few of the advances that have been made, and the Exposition itself will unquestionably point to many more in the Court of Chemical Achievement and in the booths of the many exhibitors. Recent times have been so filled with records of growth and achievement as to tempt boasting. However, this seems a fitting place in which to emphasize the plea of Robert A. Millikan, made a t the dinner of the SOCIETY a t the Los Angeles meeting. AMERICAN CHEMICAL It takes a big man to be really meek, to display becoming modesty, and to be able to call upon others to learn the lessons of science and apply them to their own conduct. Dr. hIillikan, a Nobel prize winner and one of America’s foreniost physicists, called for a greater display of modesty, noting
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INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
points in the history of the last twenty-five years that should have taught us this virtue. Unquestionably, that period has seen definite additions to our knowledge, but much that we thought we knew has now been proved untrue, and as we go forward with our work we are almost overwhelmed before the vast number of important things which we do not know. Scientists should be cautious in making general assertions and particularly careful to differentiate between experimental facts and mere speculations. One is safe in arguing from experimental facts which can be independently determined by other investigators, but unless care is taken to distinguish between these facts and the theories and speculations of the investigator, we may be led far astray. The theologian and the philosopher of the past could be accused of asserting knowledge where there was no knowledge. This cannot be forgiven in a scientist, and while we can point with justifiable pride to a substantial list of items under “Finished Business,” the agenda under ‘TJnfinished Business” is infinite by comparison. It behooves us to learn and practice modesty.
Vol. 17, So. 10
appraisals are universally recognized as indispensable parts of the machinery of banking,” but that “it is not yet generally appreciated that in very many cases chemical audits are equally essential and informing.” A few financiers regularly consult chemists before investing, and banking institutions have been known occasionally to turn to a specialist for scientific advice. It has remained for the Baltimore Trust Company to appoint upon its advisory board a consulting chemist and chemical engineerA. E. Marshall of Baltimore. The appointment is made for serious work and Mr. Marshall’s advice is regularly sought, with the result, we predict, that the bank will be more satisfied with its financial relations not only with chemical but with other industries. The policy of having trained chemists upon financial boards is so sound that we believe we are doing the public a service in continuing to bring before bankers the desirability of such a course.
Lessons of the Shenandoah
H E country was genuinely shocked to learn of the disaster which overtook the Shenandoah and grieves for HARLES FREDERICK CHANDLER, affectionately the men who lost their lives in the performance of duty. called “The Dean of American Chemists” and the Yet it seems obvious that, however great our loss, we can“Nestor of Chemistry in America,” has laid down an not simply wash our hands of aviation and decline to be exceedingly active and useful life. He had earned his place further interested in aircraft of the lighter-than-air type. in the chemical profession before many of us were born. He As is frequently emphasized, discovery, invention, and deoccupied a long list of honorable positions and was not only velopment constantly take their toll of human life and a charter and an honorary member but really one of the treasure. Progress is made only when the lessons of such most active of the founders of the AMERICANCHEMICAL disasters are well learned and applied. Whatever investigation is ’ made to ascertain the true SOCIETY. Both as teacher and consulting chemist he exercised a splendid influence on a long list of chemists who re- cause of the disaster, it is doubtful whether good would come from printing all the details. It would be surprising if there acted to his stimulus. Dr. Chandler had the privilege of living in one of the most were agreement as to the cause and certainly the data would interesting periods of the world’s history and a t a time when be misinterpreted by many. After all, structures embodying the changes in chemistry have been most far-reaching and our best designs and resting firmly on the earth are destroyed rapid. Beginning as a pioneer in the teaching of chemistry by windstorms and cyclones. It may never be possible to and active in various matters pertaining to public health, he construct a giant dirigible capable of withstanding the stresses worked on into the period of synthetic chemistry and saw in- of the most violent storm or cyclone. Perhaps what is dustry begin to take an interest in the type of work which the needed is better meteorological service to aid such ships to chemist can perform to its great advantage. He continued avoid storms. The fatigue of metals is a subject little understood as yet, in productive work long after the age when most men retire. The editorial comment in both the lay and technical press and reliable data are available on comparatively few metals pays splendid tribute to this chemist who was interested in and alloys. The frame of a dirigible must be subject to unpublic affairs and the betterment of living conditions as well numbered alternate stresses. Something is known of the as in science. Beyond question here was a man who left a liability of aluminium alloys to corrosion, but this subject also affords ample opportunity for research. What proteclasting impression. tion can be given these alloys to arrest or avoid this destructive phenomenon? Surely it cannot be claimed that our knowledge of the metallurgy of aluminium alloys is anywhere HE advantages to the financial world which come from near complete. These alloys are comparatively new. They frequent consultation with chemists and chemical en- have not been given the test of time in use, as have many of gineers have been thoroughly demonstrated abroad. Such the older metals. While the utmost precautions were taken contacts are mutually advantageous, and we have persistently to test many duplicates of structural members of the Shenanendeavored to bring to the bankers of America such informa- doah and there is no charge of lack of caution in her construction as would enable them to decide to what extent it would tion, it would be a grave mistake not to study parts of the pay to consult chemists frequently. The question has been broken frame, resorting to every method of modern testing, discussed repeatedly with the secretaries of the state bankers’ particularly metallography. The etched polished surface associations and with the national organization, with the re- under the microscope, which has played so great a part in sult that both Dr. Teeple and Dr. Little have appeared before many phases of modern metallurgy, may also help to find bankers’ organizations under the sponsorship of the AMERI- the cause of weakness if it exists in duralumin and point the CAN CHEMICAL SOCIETYand have delivered talks on “Re- way for avoMance in future. The data which the full examination will disclose may give search as a Basis for Credit” and “The Chemistry behind the Dollar.” I n concluding his address, Dr. Teeple said, “Given rise to extensive research in many fields where the specialists any chemical industry today, I would rather judge its future in several branches of the natural science must cooperate. by its fixed attitude toward research than by its fixed assets, Chemical, physical, mechanical problems abound. Their its working capital, or its past earning power.” Dr. Little solution, bit by bit, will form a nucleus from which improved emphasized the point that “Financial audits, accounting, and plans will be evolved.
The Dean Passes
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Chemistry in Banking
