Document RaqEjJK3JYqEz7XbVvjvqxM1n

Research Center October 3, 1955 File: 425-R7a-l S. Collier - G.H. (16) P. D. Cannon - D.H. G. Smolak laboratory Evaluation of Blue Fibers Task Force Report No. TF-84 Attached is the report covering the laboratory evaluation of Australian, Norca and "Old" and "Improved" S Blue fibers used in Transits pipe. Also included in the evaluation vas KCBR 3 Blue, which is understood to be a possible additional source of supply. ^z cc: . E. C. Iindstrom - D.H. W. L. VanDerbeek -- D.H. . P. B. Proctor - D.H. A. R. Girardi - D.H. R. Nebel - D.H. X. J. Vhalen - D.H. H. J. O'Brien - Manvilie A, Del Rocco - Manville A. H. Schilling - Manville E. Richards - Manville T. H. Eaton - Watson T. R. Turnbull - Waukegan J. W. Miles - Marrero E. R. Williams G, B. Brown D. Nowlin H. Engel M. S. Badollet The Task Force by* R. Rebel D.Nowlin Task Force Report No, TF-84 October 3> 1955 LABORATORY EVALUATION OF BLUE FIBERS Task Force Report No, TF-84 SUMMARY; Since the screen tests on incoming shipments of Australian, Norca and S Blue show vide differences, yet these standard Blues are used interchangeably on the pipe machines, a laboratory evaluation of the Blues alone and blended was undertaken. Both Old and Improved S Blues were included in the evaluation and KCBR3, a nev possible source of supply. The results shov little or no correlation between screen tests and strength or filtration of the Blue fibers as used in Transite pipe. Of the Blues tested, the KCBR 3, Australian, Old and Improved S Blues are equivalent in strength and significantly stronger than the Norca (NC300) Blue as shown by the sag cake strength. The KCBR 3 appears to be an acceptable Blue for use in Transite pipe and is a relatively clean and long Blue fiber. PURPOSE AND SCOPE: Due to the need of larger quantities and improved quality of Blue fibers in Transite pipe a program was started in 1951 to evaluate the various available Blue fibers. This program led to the establishment of a purchase specification for Blue fiber and the subsequent approval of additional sources of fibers. Currently being purchased and used are S Blue, NC 300 (Norca) Blue and Australian Blue, As requested by the Transite Pipe Task Force Steering Committee, a laboratory evaluation program was undertaken to compare the present standard Blue fibers. The screen testing of incoming shipments during the past 3 years indicated the various Blue fibers to be Considerably different, "Mien blended with other fibers and used on the pipe machines, no appreciable difference in machine operation recovery or ultimate strength could be observed. The laboratory evaluation was undertaken to analysis the difference between the screen and plant results. Included in the evaluation was KCBR 3 Blue, which is understood to be a possible additional source of supply. Report No, TF-84 Page 2 PROCEDURE1 : A, Screen Tests: Samples of each of the fibers in the Mas received" condition and after one time hflTnmftT'TrH T i ing vere submitted to Mr, M, S, Badollet for the following basic fiber tests. Quebec Screen Density McNett Air Analysis Hotap B, Filtration: Samples as received and after one time hsmmermilled were run on the ThvingAlbert Drainage Tester, As a part of the sag cake procedure the filtration time of the individual Blue fibers and the blends of Blue, and Danville 4T and 6D as used in Transite pipe mixes vere recorded, These filtration rates are considered more indicative of the actual filtration characteristics of the fibers as used in pipe, C. Strength: For the evaluation, the Bine fibers vere used individually and in a blend of 30% Blue 33% Danville 4TAX 35% Danville 6D \ The sag cake method was used for the comparison with each fiber and blend run at 10% furnish to 35% furnish in 5 percentage point increments. Each fiber or blend was processed once through the Christy-Norris Hammermill and mixed at the various percentages with a 0,6 to 1 combination of New Jersey silex and Pioneer National .Hype I portland cement. These pre-mixed dry stocks were placed in paper bags, marked and the proper weight for each sag cake weighed out of the bags. A total of 10 sag cakes for each fiber and blend of each percentage point vere made. The order of making- each cycle was completely randomized to minimize the effect of day to dayr^Ntriationw A total of 300 sag cakes were made and tested for the complete evaluation. The data for each of the fibers and blends at each percentage point was averaged, and quadratic curves for unit strength vere calculated and plotted. As 20% furnish (approximately average for Transite pipe usage) the strength developed by each of ^the comparison Blue fibers was determined. Using the highest strength fiber as 100%, the relative strength developed by each of the other fibers was calculated. Report No. 17-84 Page 3 RESULTS t A. Screen Tests: On the as received condition the Blue fibers had the following total amount retained on the **2 and +4 mesh screens. Improved MS KCBR * Old MS Australian Norca 10.4 02 10.2 oz 9.9 oz 8.6 oz 7.2 oz On the Air Analysis the following percentages of fiber, dust and rock were obtained* Fiber Dust Rock KCBR 3 Norca Improved MS Australian COd MS 96.6 84.8 77.1 75.9 65*7 1.3 12.0 17.9 20.7 25*7 2.1 3*2 5.0 3.4 8.6 In the as received condition the McNett tests ^showed the following. 41AM Cumulative 4100M -200M KCBR 3 Australian Norca Improved MS Old >E , 85.0 73.5 66.7 60.4 47.6 89.4 > 79.3 81.8 74.6 60.9 8.1 19.0 12.7 21.1 33.3 The above results indicate the KCBR 3 Blue to be a relatively long and clean fiber with an exceptionally small amount of dust. The overall results indicate the Old MS Blue to rate relatively low on all three of the above tests. The Norca, Improved S and Australian appear to fall somewhere between the two extremes of -KCBR 3 Blue and Old MS Blue on these three screen tests. Detailed results are shown in Table I, page 5 of the Appendix. B. fi^tratign Tests: Based on the Thving-ATbert Drainage Tests on the fibers one time hammemilled the Australian and Norca were similar in filtration rates and slightly faster than the Old or Improved S Blues. The KCBR 3 Blue had the slowest filtration characteristics of the fibers tested. When combined with cement and silica, the filtration rates as measured by the sag cake method showed the Australian, Norca, KCBR 3 and Improved S Blues to be similiar at 25% fiber furnish and slightly faster than the old MS Blue. Tables II and III, pages 6 and 7, and Charts I and II, pages 8 and 9 of the Appendix show the detailed results. Report No* TF-84 Page 4 RESULTS: (ContM) C. Strengths Based on sag cake strength only at the normally used percentage furnish in Transite pipe (20%) the Blue fibers had the following unit strengths* Unit Strenrth Per. Cent of Highest Si Old IB Blue Improved Australian KCBR 3 Norca 4100 4070 3950 3900 3400 100 99 96 95 > 83 Within the limits of the test method the first four of the above fibers are considered to be equivalent in strength* The Norca Blue is significantly lover* Similar strength results were obtained on blends containing 30% Blue, 35% 4TAX, 35% 6D. Detailed results can be found in Tables II and IH, pages 6 and 7, and Charts HI and IV, pages 10 and 11 of the .Appendix* CONCLUSIONS: % Based on this evaluation and the samples used: 1* Ihere appears to be little or no correlation between screen test results and strength or filtration of Blue fibers as used in Transite pipe* 2* Considering fiber length, strength and filtration characteristics, KCBR..3, Improved .M3, Australian and Old MS Blue are similar as used-in'Transite .pipe, with the KCBR 3 grading the best of the four due to its high fiber, low dust content* 3. Although' grading relatively high on the McNett Screen and Air * Analysis, the Norca (NC 300) Blue appear to be the least desirable of those Blue fibers tested for use in Transite Pipe. TABLE I FIBER ANALYSES* F iber Improved M.S4 Blue "Old" M .S . Blue A u s tra lia n Blue Norca Blue KCB-R3 C rt t- VS VS 3 <E * 0 <*\ "4 H iA H *t H P> H ia H r\ X ws i,-rt rv rs -oC*\ C* 0 esCV f- r-t 0 tv to r$ H H rt H X :'h O <v eo H i-t TO *4 t- 0 to to HH >f aj >a h n <v <t SN IOSI >o irt r\ H I w\ -4 O H f I H NH 5;^ 'tv tv to > c *8 *10 0 \* c 4m* * 1 H Hh H<n 1. <vo*c* $i o H t"* <*% (fi 0 * S3 S tv4 V4\ tv4 O4 H4 H e m-O H U C 0 0J 0 CJ w tv (A4 H4 H4 (V4 rt a (V TO ^ TO C- tv 'C - rv & a% B1 (rkt|1'Ct 4* 1A4 ^>3 S'*1" 4 iA 44 4 r4t tv t-HNO f4V-t rl V WNWSM'Il OVPSS* `rAA*' TCO** O OV*S O4' 4t4v y4O 4 (A O(A MH AIA O Quebec Screen o t. B ac ' *xH 4OaC* >< 3 3f*A',. iTfO\(U-. O O O e gO i| pHi , 0 0 0 0 0 Htv4 0V4S >O04' t-4 * 0 rs0t0o ^ t<Dv *> O Vs 9 c*. < *5 <5 <w fi ^ O H O' 0 -c4 r*>*r\ 4-t^v4rw4v-0s j tv TO -4 ^ 4 tv VC O' >o TO 4 tv 4 es 4 a 4 rt ty (V N H <1 04VO4V444H VS to PS PS tv * i a 9 0 ffl f Hc- vtVs fV 0 Hty h (e4 x^X4 HKf*4 TfO*A OIXA' tTOt 'COO' C 1 H4 H4 <o a *1 n 0 h 0 N4>4A N44<A4<C vs r* tv -e 4^ 4>40 40 4O4O O' O' t^ vs H vs4 O4' TO4 r**4*4 TVOS TNO TIOAOO' tO' tO-4 PrH4* VOS4 rO-4t tOv4 5 v4s O4t4o 4O 40 <o n eo (A A N IA O H H rl O 5 to 4 .4 >A r\ wt- <TOo i-4l r*tf-4 <V C4H *t P H tXv v4 *44 p4s _ to4 IA W O O H T re a tm e n t 0 *o *0 *o *o 7e> 0 0 0 0 0O CQ <d <a <a <a >C4O*' 4O 4fA4(A r(Al 03 3r( (HA bV l^< (A. hA tA< X X XXX U3 Im proved M4S . B lue "O ld" M.S. Blue A u s tra lia n Blue Norca B lue 1 KCB-R3 i a Report fe. IT-64 Page 5 H O l* H hN H *. *HI.O1 N't *1 wW N H 4 * *s H vs ft hc- w oc- s > * O' es N* lf\ O H t- I- rs to tv tHv xm fr' rr-\ o e tioo f vs t* t- tv -OTO* 'Oo 'O*s tN- o*4 4t 04 W4N f*4 O4 ^o t* J''v$o a r\ hi n <* p>< tro\ <-o o< *f4- o *o *e *0 *e aOes aOs aOes Oeee O UCAh CU AUOU ! X X X X *3* H H *3 *5| S3 03 S3 X J (0 I Hw4 ffl g. Sg? aS^i 0c C3 r9t _Hx hm . a a Oo n *H 3 hffi _ Xa MaB. *-He> hX 5' Note1 *B j Research F ib e r S ection Report No* TF-84 Page 6 TABIE II Sag Cake Test Results Individual Blue Fibers, XI HammenaiUed Average Results Represents 10 Cakes per Percentage Identification Fiber Kind Per Cent Furnish Operating Moisture Moisture Filter After 1 After Time Filter Press sec. % % Physical Properties Modulus Density of Thickness (Dry) Rupture in. lb/cu ft (Sat.)? rsi Improved 10 39 Cape M.S. 15 38 Blue 20 32 25 32 30 31 35 28 "Old" Cape M.S. Blue 10 44 15 40 20 i X2 25 35 30 36 35 35 Australian Blue 10 15 20 25 30 35 43 39 36 36 32 30 Korea Blue 10 15 20 25 " '**30: * 35' 37 37 33 .'31 35 31 KCBR 3 Blue * V^io 15 20 25 30 35 41 38 . 37 35 31 28 34.4 36.9 45.8 55.0 62.5 72.7 33.6 38.1 41.1 47.8 52.8 57.8 33.0 34.8 39.2 48.3 50.8 57.6 38.1 42.5 50.5 55.4 67.3 77.6 41.3 47.8 54.1 58.4 63.8 69.3 27.8 0.262 * 29.7 .277 32.8 288 36.3 .306 39.2 .316 44.6 , .338 26.3 28.8 29.5 32.5 * 34.5, 36.4 .249 .259 .269 .279 .289 .296 27.1 28.4 29.1 33.7 35.1 37.6 .257 %271 .280 .300 .315 .329 29.5 31.8 34.7 36.4 40.5 45.7 .263 .281 .294 .306 .323 .344 28.8 31.7 35.1 36.5 39.2 41.8 .271 .284 .303 .315 .330 .344 93.2 89.7 87.7 84.0 81.3 78.4 98.0 94.3 91.0 89.5 86.4 84.8 94.8 91.1 90.0 85.5 83.1 79.9 93.7 89.3 85.7 83.7 8C.7 77.9 91.9 88.8 85.8 84.7 83.1 79.8 3000 4060 4250 3650 3430 3070 2900 3530 4080 4380 4360 3930 2850 3190 4290 4030 3700 3360 2650 3130 3390 3420 2820 2630 3360 4270 4140 3230 3150 2860 Report No. TT-84 Page 7 TABLE III Sag Cake Test Results Fiber Blends*, X l~ftaanaerailied Identification Per Cent Blue Fiber Fiber Kind in Blend Blend Filter Time sec. Operating - Moisture Moisture After After Filter Press %% Physical Properties i Modulus Density of Thickness (Dry) Rupture in* lb/cu ft (Sat.), psi Improved Cape M.S. Blue 10 66 38.7 27.5 15 70 42.8 28.4 20 73 47.3 29.7 25 74 46.0 28.8 30 85 54.6 31.2 35 90 58.1 32.2 0.248 254 .258 .257 .268 .273 96.9 94.7 92.7 93.2 90.1 88.9 2930 3710 4370 4380 4879 4750 . "Old" Cape M.S, Blue Australian Blue 10 78 36.7 15 74 a. 8 20 80 46.7 25 84 49.7 30 87 55*0 35 100 60.4 25.8 28.4 29.7 29.8 31.4- 32.9 , - .244 .250 .253 .257 ..262 4267 10 ' -68 - 36*8.. - 26.5. r -- _.245 15 73 41.2 . 28.0- . .250 20 74 45.7 4- 28. 8~ -\256 25 83 49.5 30.3. .260 30 93 - 53.6 35 101 57.2 31.3 ` 31.9 .564 . .268 98.4 96.6 94.5 92.7 91.4 89.9 98.1 96.0 93.8 92.3 91.1 90.1 2920 3760 ; 4620 4640 4840 4900 2740 3710 4280 4800 4890 4880 Norca Blue 10 15 20 25 30 - 35' 64- ~39;4^ ' 67 -- 44*0 .. 70 49.1 77' r -52.4 86 57.4 - '891 -60.2- 2sa" - .248 29.5 -- .253 h 30.6- -__ .259 , 31.1 -.,264 --32.81 . - .269 -39.7 -- *7274- 96.8 95.0 93.2 91.4 90.1 88.4 2730 3560 4080 4290 4420 4670 * Fiber.Blends Composed as * Blue Fiber Kind "New MlHn 4TAX' Danville .6D20 Total Per Cent 30,0 35.0 ; 35.0 i Report No. TF-84 Page 8 CHART I *\ laboratory Evaluation of Blue Fibers Thwing-Albert Drainage Tests /A 6 Gram Sample Slow er F ilte rin g Time to D ra in , Seconds Faster F ilte rin g " '--'.i Report No. TF-S4 Paco 9 CHART II Laboratory Evaluation of Blue Fibers Sag Cake Filtration Fibers One Time Hammermilled ruster i-ilte rin g Slower F ilte r in g Report No, TF-84 Page 10 Report No. TF-84 Page 11