Poly-p-oxybenzoate plastic inert, heat-resistant Chemists have been a long time trying to polymerize p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Now that they have succeeded, it seems well worth the wait to Dr. James Economy of Carborundum Co., Niagara Falls, N.Y. He finds that the resulting polyester resists temperatures greater than 600° F . , has a selflubricating surface like that of polytetrafluoroethylene, and is virtually inert to solvents and corrosive liquids (C&EN, March 2, page 13). Carborundum will start up a 500,000 pound-per-year plant at Niagara Falls to produce the polyester, which the company will market as Ekonol. Another 5 million pound-a-year plant is still in the planning stage. The company sees uses for the plastic in areas including: • Corrosion-resistant service. Pump impeller blades, seals, shafts, valves, and valve seats can be made or coated with the poly-p-oxybenzoate material for use with hot, corrosive liquids. • Heat-resistant objects. Handles of the polyester can be attached to metal tools or other objects designed to be heated to high temperatures. Carborundum claims metal-plastic junctions won't deform when heated. The company sees possibilities of coating titanium hulls of supersonic transport jets with Ekonol to protect the planes from weathering and heat. • Dry lubricated surfaces. Ekonol can be used in much the same way that polytetrafluoroethylene is used to coat frying pans with a nonstick surface. And, Carborundum men say, the polyester will resist scratching better than PTFE.
• Complex composites. Adding inorganic fillers to Ekonol gives variable properties: graphite, boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide, or PTFE for greater lubricity, silicon carbide for abrasiveness, and metals and carbon fibers for added strength. Re-usable scrap. Costs of Ekonol objects can be cut by salvage of scrap, Dr. Economy says. The plastic is fabricated by powder molding, plasma spraying, and high energy rate forgings—all techniques that could use powdered scrap plastic. Carborundum will buy p-hydroxybenzoic acid for now, but for expanded production Dr. Economy expects the company to begin making the monomer from potassium hydroxide-catalyzed condensation of carbon dioxide with phenol. Current prices are $15 per pound on 100- to 1000pound orders, but Dr. Economy thinks that prices will drop to $5.00 to $7.00 per pound in two or three years.
LITHIUM BATTERY ANODES IN ORGANIC ELECTROLYTES New Technology for High Energy Density Batteries If you're working with lithium metal, Foote can furnish your complete requirements-from ingots to finished anodes. Our continuing development program on new forms of lithium for use in high energy density batteries now makes it possible to offer these options: Expanded Screen can be filled with lithium metal and low melting lithium alloys, increasing thicknesses by only one mil, thus maintaining dimensional tolerances. Porous Metal Composites: Sintered compacts can be filled with lithium. Bimetallic Strips: Stainless, nickel, copper and many other metals in various thicknesses can be coated on one or both sides. Anodes can be produced by various methods to customer specification. Casings and Wire Connections can be furnished for any of the above anodes.
F O O T E M I N E R A L
Let's talk. Foote Mineral Company, Dept 103, Route 100, Exton, Pa. 19341. Phone:215-363-6500.
C O M P A N Y
MARCH 9, 1970 C&EN 69
