Document 2jawrZ98E9X1qy6pJ25vK9p7r

IM (SOM) TENNECOINTER-OFFICE MEMO CHEMICALS, INC. To Route List From J. C. Fisher Subject TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM At All Points at Flemington date November 22, 1967 N.copy to E. Arena R. T. Bucsko M. G. Caine E. Farber C. W. Johnston R. H. Marks / L. Medeiros^ G. I* Rozand P* R. Scarito W. D. Wesely M. W. Williams This memorandum has been prepared at the request of M. W. Williams for presentation to Tenneco Manufacturing Company in order to highlight problems connected with the variable quality of Tenneco MVC. A complete report on this problem for use within Tenneco Plastics Division will follow. JCF/lac Att. Original Signed Qg i a Fitiur J. C. Fisher t> COLORITE 006283 I-IM (MM) tennecoINTER-OFFI C E memo CHEMICALS , INC. To M> w. Williams At Piscataway From j c. Fisher At Flemington subject TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM Resin Stability as Related to Vinyl Chloride Monomer Quality date November 22, 1967 copy to M. G. Caine R. H. Marks G. I. Rozand Statement of Problem iii i < k A serious problem with the stability of Tenneco suspension resins became evident in June, 1967. This problem was, and still .is, exhibited in both the poorer color of pressed plaques of unstabilized resin and in the early yellowing of stabilized resin formulations. These deficiencies are evident in both homopolymer and copolymer resins produced at both the Burlington and Flemington plants. They have resulted in the loss of sub stantial resin sales, numerous complaints from customers, and the need to substantially curtail the flexibility of our pro duction scheduling. It has now been conclusively demonstrated that these resin heat stability deficiencies are caused by the quality of the vinyl chloride monomer being received from Tenneco*s Pasadena, Texas monomer plant. Conclusions 1. The quality of Tenneco MVC has varied considerably over the past eight-month period. 2. The variations in resin quality are due primarily to vari ations in MVC quality. This variation is apparent with various resins made at both Flemington and Burlington whose formulations contain only one common raw material - the vinyl chloride monomer. 3. The use of MVC from Borden has yielded good quality resin at a time when Tenneco MVC gave poor quality resin. 4. The poor resin color resulting from variations in MVC quality has been the prime cause for difficulties experi enced at the following accounts: Globe Rubber, Armstrong, Congoleum-Nairn, Ruberoid, Nixon-Baldwin, American Biltrite COLOR!TE 006284 M. W. Williams -2- November 22, 1967 Recommendations 1. A significant program must be immediately initiated between Tenneco Plastics and Tenneco's monomer-producing plant to identify and correct those MVC contaminants causing poor resin stability. 2. The quality of Borden's acetylene-based MVC has been evalu ated but the quality of both ethylene- and acetylene-based MVC from other producers should be ascertained. 3. Significant quality control tests must be developed and instituted at Pasadena, Burlington and Flemington to insure our production of good quality resin. 4. The possible introduction of contaminants into Tenneco MVC during transit in the recently introduced 38,000 gallon tank cars must be ascertained. Discussion The variation in the color stability of both homopolymer and copolymer resins has followed the following pattern: April 1967 - good stability May--June 1967 - poor stability July--Mid-August 1967 - good stability Mid-August to present - poor stability An example of this variation in color is shown in the attached Exhibit 1. This exhibit is a Xerox copy of a pressed plaque comprised of typical Tenneco 225-1 homopolymer resin produced at Flemington during the time periods listed above. This same pattern has been found with copolymer and homopolymer resin produced at Burlington during the same time periods. The evaluation of Borden vinyl chloride monomer versus Tenneco MVC was made at the Burlington plant. Special piping was in stalled to allow charging of the monomer directly from the tank cars rather than routing, as normal, through the virgin monomer storage tanks. The Borden MVC has now been evaluated versus Tenneco MVC from tank car NATX-38034 in the polymerization of Tenneco 175 resin. A companion comparison of the same Borden MVC is being made against Tenneco MVC from tank car NATX-38037 in -the polymerization of Tenneco 315 resin. COLORITE 006285 M. . Williams -3- November 22, 196 Using a newly-developed light absorbance test, a comparison of the color stability of Tenneco 175 resin made with the Borden versus Tenneco MVC has been made: Tenneco 175 Lot No. Monomer Source Light Absorbance 34582 34583 Borden Tenneco (NATX-38034) 0.45 0.62 > Samples of the Borden MVC and the Tenneco MVC (NATX-38037) are being forwarded to Paul Reed at Pasadena for a comparative analysis. 7 ^ , C. JCF:em J. C. Fisher COLORITE 006286 Exrtt&rr / t&mm&co Aar-/ COLORITE 006287