Document 6wB4MLqRJY5KmQ8zboj7D8gDm

. USE OF AUSTRALIAN BLUE FIBER (RHYS) IN TRANSITE PRESSURE PIPE CONFIDENTIAL Report No. 23-876 Problem No. 10-R-9.4 May 6, 1940 I. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. A sample of blue fiber (trade name RHYS) produced in Australia, wee secured by Mr. Shoemaker to peridt its evaluation as a fiber for use in Transits Pressure Pipe. Previous examination by the Fiber Laborstory*Jiad indicated it to be essentially of the same quality as MS blue, but not!' quite so brittle. . 2. Two blends using this fiber were run, each for a period of 6 to 7 hours. These blends were selected to show the effect of the Australian .material in a furnish normally unstable, and in a furnish of standard quality. Each was run in direct comparison with a similar blend using the standard MS blue fiber. 3. No difference in operating ease or quality could be observed between the MS and Australian -fiber blends. Examination of the production using an unstable furnish shows that some machine difficulty existed during this period . which affected both fiber blends being run. This is not a function of the-' Australian fiber, however, since the second group, using stable blends, did not repeat the difficulty. 4. The Australian blue fiber will permit manufacture of a pipe of strength, equal to that produced with MS blue. There is some evidence that its willowing characteristics differ slightly from the MS material, in that it will require somewhat longer processing to secure theoptimum opening of the fibers. Under such conditions, it is possible thqt it will permit manufacture of pipe slightly, stronger than our present standard product. 5. It is recommended that further quantities of the Australian blue fiber be obtained to permit more extensive runs with the material, and at the same time that an examination he made with a view to eliminating the slight cost difference that exists (at Manville) between it and the MS blue. is entirely probable that the.cost of the two fibers will definitely favor the Australian material for use at Watson factory. Book values for the fibers at Manville are .0677 pents per pounds for the Australian, and .0631 for th MS Blue. *see Report 12-36 Cross Reference: Asbestos - Research & Development n - Specific Usage - Transite Pipe S TART,. COPY BOX NO./FILE DRAWER NO. INITIALS DATE SEGMENT NO. SIGNIFICANT - . . , ----------------- - . -- t: TvT n T1 T? O aiiy_ - J^Z sr~>_______________ ________________________________________