Document aBEvyxjzzvkRBq3jo2JV4erxy

TELEPHONE HUDSON 3-6126 Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc. (FOUNDED 1872) 1825 Connecticut Avenue, N. W. Washington, D. C. 20009 MINUTES OF MEETING PLASTICS COMMITTEE New York Hilton Hotel New York City January 31, 1967 ;!*SNT' ssrs. ^ , G. L. Pitzer (chairman), Union Carbide Corporation P. J* Weaver (for Vice Chairman Nantz), F. Goodrich Chemical E. S. Ebers, United States Rubber Company J. W. Ferguson, Hooker Chemical Corporation G. M. Hale, Shawinigan Chemicals Limited J. F. Kroeger, Shell Chemical Company F. M* Norton, Allied Chemical Corporation J. R. Ryan, Hercules Incorporated E. J. Sullivan, The Borden Chemical Company J. G. Stranch (for D. C. Williams), Eastman Chemical Products F. H. Carman (Secretary), MCA and W. F. Bartoe (Guest), Rohm and Haas Company R. L. Schuyler, Jr. (Guest), E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company SUMMARY The Chairman and Secretary had received comments on the Teatherability Project from Messrs. Harold Bible (Monsanto), R. G. Askew (Phillips) , and E. C. Yehle for W. C. Goggin (Dow) . m general, their views were consistent with those of the majority present in the meeting and as stated in greater detail later in -iese minutes. Dr. Bartoe reviewed the status of the program since his -ast report to the Committee. Briefly, the NBS has appointed A E. Gray to head up the work for the Bureau. As requested, bjectives of the program have been enumerated, and an appraisal the project to achieve these objectives together with recom mended implementation were to be considered by the Steering Coramittee February 9. it was proposed by V. E. Gray that the project be staffed with one research associate and two technical assistants Sporting to the NBS project supervisor. CMA 078764 2- - The Committee, after a thorough discussion of progress te and its future prospects concluded: (1) that this joint "fi rt on Part industry is worthwhile; (2) that NBS had its part by making changes proposed by industry; (3) that team may not be fully cooperative and that its competence e be improved; and (4) that the project should be continued fr Present even though industry is not fully satisfied progress. k if ie it ** ^hprability Project Chairman Pitzer thanked all present for their participar.on in this meeting called without much advance planning. He ^ressed the desirability of a quick appraisal of the program in 3.ieW of the Symposium February 8 and 9 and subsequent action that *ay be taken to improve operations of the project. Comments by W. F. Bartoe and the Secretary are stated -riefly in the above summary. The discussion during this meeting included the following One company representative had advised the Chairman and Secretary that, as a result of a thorough study on the practicability of the project, they felt the probability of success was so small that the logic of continuing the program is questionable. The attitude of the Bureau has improved, and they have taken the steps requested in direction of the work. The NBS is a good location for achieving creditability of any developments in the field of weatherability testing For the moment, there would appear to be nothing gained in moving the project at this time; however, it was the feel ing of some that an academic laboratory may have some advantage, perhaps due to lower cost. Capabilities of the Research Associates are questionable. In several respects they are not fully cooperative with each other, with the Steering Committee, or with the Bureau. Leadership has not been shown in the senior research associate; thus, there is a weakness in the MCA team. CMA 078765 The program has had rough sledding over the past two years but now seems to be on the track. There is a need for listing of specific objectives 0r the next year and for an analytical chemist to be part of the MCA team. This appears to be a long-term project, and the industry have expected too many quick and revolutionary develop ments . A joint effort to develop procedures for determining weatherability characteristics is a worthwhile project j.n behalf of the plastics industry. The project should be continued for a third year; and, in this recommendation, it was pointed out NBS has responded, MCA has not recruited a third man, and the Association must do its part. -i,ese to varying degrees were the comments of several present. aaltimore-Washington SPE Chairman Pitzer and the Washington office had been advised j a regional technical conference to be held in Washington, D. C., September 7 and 8, 1967, and were requested to call this to the attention of member representatives. Also, it had been proposed that MCA endeavor to assist in orientation of engineering person nel in government agencies to encourage the use of plastics and, in general, promote their use as engineering materials. It was agreed the interested Washington representatives should be (1) advised that this has been reported to the Committee, (2) alerted of the September 7, 1967, conference, and (3) advised it is not clear at this time what further program the MCA can properly take. Respectfully submitted. FHC/bk CC: All Present Plastics Committee February 13, 1967 F. H. Carman, Secretary Plastics Committee CMA 078766