JULY, 1939
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
I. G. Farbenindustrie A.-G., French Patent 809,785 (March 10, 1937). Ibid., 811,933 (April 26, 1937). Ibid., 815,088 (July 5, 1937). Ibid.. 817.167 (Aue. 27. 1937). I. G: Farbenindu&ie.A.-G;, German Patent Application J. 53,302 (Sept. 28, 1935). Imperial Chemical Industries, French Patent 807,052 (Jan. 4, 1937). Linstead, R. P., and Dent, C. E. (to Imperial Chemical Industries), British Patent 441,332 (Jan. 13, 1936). Ibid.. 461.268 (Feb. 15. 1937). Linstead,’R. P., Noble, E. G., and Wright, J . M., J. Chem. Soa, 1937, 911.
(35) (36) (37) (38) (39)
847
Robertson, J. M., Linstead, R. P., and Dent, C. E., Nature, 135, 606 (1935). Thorpe, J. F., and Linstead, R. P. (to Imperial Chemical Industries). British Patent 390.149 (March 22, 1933). Thorpe, J. F., Linstead, R. P., and Thomas, J. (to ‘Imperial Chemical Industries), Ibid., 389,842 (March 22, 1933). Wyler, Max (to Imperial Chemical Industries), British Patent 464,126 (April 12, 1937). Ibid., 464,673 (April 22, 1937).
P R ~ S B N T Ebefore D the Division of Paint and Varnish Chemistry at the 96th Meeting of the American Chemical Sooiety, Milwaukee, Wis. Contribution No. 38 from the Jackson Laboratory, E. I. du Pont de Nemours k Company, Inc.
NICKEL AND MONEL EQUIPMENT In the Manufacture of Synthetic Resin Surface Coatings RICHARD T. BARNES, JR. The International Nickel Company, New York, N. Y.
D
URING commercial development of the synthetic resin
the greater list of established uses for nickel and its two alloys lies in this field. Some other important applications surface coating formulations, the necessity had been established for protecting the productsfrom contaminaare found in the production of urea-formaldehyde and coumarone-indene resins, polyvinyl esters, and vinyl chlorides tion by undesirable metal corrosion products. I n large measure this was accomplished through the use of such corrosionand acetates. The production of thiourea, polystyrene derivaresisting materials as nickel, Monel, and Inconel for the contives, and certain types of cresylic acid resins are carried out in equipment constructed of pure nickel. struction of items in process equipment. “Monel” is an alloy The varnish makers’ interest in synthetic resins lies pricontaining approximately two-thirds nickel and one-third marily in their use for the compounding of surface coating copper; “Inconel” is an alloy containing approximately 79 per cent nickel, 13.5 per cent chromium, and 6 per cent iron. formulations. A large part of the commercial production of In confirmation of the practically demonstrated merits of synthetic resins finds its way to these uses, either directly nickel, Monel, and Inconel, a detailed study was made of or with some modification. In addition to the phenolics, these certain specific properties pertinent to their usefulness in the include the glyceryl-phthalate resins, better known as alkyds, varnish plant. This work included researches on resistance a wide variety of ester gums and resins, and, to varying deto corrosion by the resins, oils, and thinners, and likewise grees, lesser quantities of other type synthetics. some measurement on the effect of metal corrosion products The small size of the batches being processed in the varnish on color and clarity of prepared varnishes. plant makes it important that such factors as metal contamiThe physical properties of nation r e c e i v e consider a b l y nickel, Monel, and Inconel a t more attention than in the Nickel, Monel, and Inconel have resistance relatively high temperatures are production of large lots for to corrosion of high order in those reactions given, with special reference to subsequent dilution. Corrothe heat-resisting qualities desirsion and strength a t high temmaking use of alkyd, phenolic, and modiable in kettle bottoms. peratures likewise assume imfied phenolic resins in the formulation of portance with respect to the synthetic resin surface coatings. ultimate life of equipment in Metals in the Resin Plant Nickel, used either as the solid metal or hard service such as that called as nickel-clad steel, appears to have special The producers of synthetic for in varnish- and oil-bodying resins and their plastics make kettles. merit for those cases where the paleness extensive use of nickel, Monel, The extent of contamination and clarity of the resins are to be protected and Inconel for various items by metallic corrosion or addiduring the various steps in cooking, oil in reaction equipment, and for tion products is primarily a bodying, and thinning. Monel is likewise transportation, storage, and function of corrosion resista useful material for kettle construction weighing containers. Accordance. With the possible exceping to 1936 reports of the United tion of those cases where raw where corrosion resistance is considered of materials carry metallic impuriStates Tariff Commission, the greater moment than color protection. largest aggregate tonnage in ties, these are introduced from Established uses for Inconel lie more with synthetic resin production comcorrosion or wear of process the producers of synthetic resins than with prises the phenolics and their equipment. It seems evident the varnish maker. modifications; consequently, that the remedy for this con-
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
848
NICKEL-CLADSTEELPROCESSING KETTLEFOR DUCTION OF
THE
PHENOLIC RESINPLASTICS
PRO-
dition lies in a careful selection of the materials to be used in construction of process units.
Corrosion Tests The methods used for carrying on these corrosion tests in the plant have already been described.' These tests made use of spool-type specimen holders, on which machined metal disks were held in place through porcelain and glass insulators, supported over Monel rods. One such holder was secured in the upper section of an open truck kettle used exclusively in the processing of alkyds. A second holder was exposed in the same kettle, held in contact with the hot liquids in the heated zone. Similarly, a third holder was supported in the liquid zone of a kettle used with the regular run of natural resins and ester gums. Another important resin base is the reduced type of synthetic formed by rosin modification of the straight 1 Searle, H. E., a n d LaQue, F. L.. PTOC. A m . SOC.Testing Materials. 35, 11, 249 (1935); International Nickel Co.,Tech. Bull. T-10(1936).
VOL. 31, NO. 7
JULY, 1939
INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
TESTS IN ALKYDR E S ~ N S ~ TABLE I. CORROSION --Indicated
Corrosion RatesInch Penetration/Year Mg. loss/ Continuous In customary sq. dm./dayb operationo serviced A. In Vapors at Upper Section of Kettle 1.16 0 0002 < O 0001 Nickel 0.86 0 0001 < O 0001 Monel 0.18
