THE CH NEWS P TV
These pictures of the new Knoxville Plexiglas plant were obtained through the courtesy of Rohm & Haas Co. Transformed from a drab warehouse into a modern air-conditioned plant in 8 months, the plant is now an important war production center. Photo at left shows view of one of warehouses before conversion into modern chemical unit for making Plexiglas, the transparent plastic from which bomber noses, gun turrets, and other military enclosures are fabricated.
Right. Volatile liquid intermediates used in the manufacture of Plexiglas give rise to vapor which becomes a serious explosion hazard and calls for these explosionproof motors and special controls and lights in the manufacturing area. Where it is possible, conventional type starters and switches are located outside of the danger areas. Brick foundations and stainless steel tanks are used.
Left To obtain high optical clarity in Plexiglas, plant operating conditions of almost medical cleanliness must be maintained. Air conditioning at the Knoxville plant helps to prevent the introduction of dust and dirt, and fluorescent lamps facilitate the very careful inspection of the finished sheets.
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\RAVE R i g h t .Officials of Rohm & Haas Co. and The Austin Co., participating in ceremonies attending the official opening of the new unit which has been producing Plexiglas since March 1 , 1 9 4 3 . Left to r/ght: J . K. Gannett, vice president of The Austin Co.; V . C. Henrich, manager of the new plant; S. C. Kelton, secretary of Rohm & Haas; G . A . Bryant, president of The Austin Co.; and J. C. Childs, the recently retired Austin manager at Philadelphia.
Above. Copper tanks are used to prevent discoloration of the monomer which might affect clarity of finished Plexiglas. The monomer must be handled with extreme care and, in order to avoid contamination and premature polymerization, stainless steel tanks are used. Right. The finishing of some thick Plexiglas sheets requires buffing and polishing. Soft, open type of buffing wheel, such as the one shown here, is used at the Knoxville plant. Polishing to a mirrorlike finish is done individually in well-lighted rooms.
