Document mmn3BJZy7QOymNG0jk4QDj3JQ

Hr. R. L. Moore Project.'i - Physics Section January 25, 1956 The following is the requested list of and a brief statement on the status of and planned work on the various projects assigned to the Physics Section of the Laboratory. I. Fiber Evaluation. 1. Development of Evaluation Techniques. The Bauer-McSett Classifier ha.3 just arrived and is currently being hooked up in the pilot plant. Cassiar claims this equipment is most effective in evalu ating asbestos. It will bo necessary to develop' the techniques for evaluating fibers with this equipnent. Tests will be required to correlate our measurements with Cassiar and to determine the distribution for various grades of fiber. Cassiar has shown us measurements which indicate that the series of 3/4, 3/8, 3, 6, 12, and 20 Ho-tap screens is more effective in evaluating asbestos than the 1/2, 3, 6, 12, 20, and 35 previously used. Ve are currently determining^ distributions using both sets of screens to determine which is preferred. 2. Correlation of Mill Xield Tests. The policy has recently been established that samples of asbestos used in alji standard mill yield testa will be sent to the laboratory for measurement of iengtl by Suter-Vobb Comb, surface area, ar.d fiber distribution on the Bauer-McNett apparatus and Ro-tap to determine vhat laboratory measurements are significant in evaluating asbestos, and the importance of each. Ve have ncv in the laboratory samples from the last four mill tests, measure ments on which vers held up pending arrival of the Bauer-McNett Classifier. Another n-m test is currently in progress. 3. Recent receipts of Cassiar 3 produced by the new Cassiar processing are ehorter tVm the fiber previously received processed by the old process. Also recent shipments of Cassiar- C-l appear to be shorter than previous shipments. The textile mill has requested measurements to determine hov ths new fibers compare with the old, so Cassiar car.^be ^prqcerly notified. _ t ... 'wm Hr. R. L. Moore - 2 The textile mill is now relying mnch more than previously on laboratory measurements to aid then in the evaluation of fibers, both through measurements of fibers used in mill yield testa and era fibers as received. This will require a lot of time, but it is considered, worthwhile. One could easily spend full tine foi a month to get the Bauer-McNett Classifier in operation, get caught up with the correlation with mill yield tests and the status of Cassinr asbestos. 4. Fiber Measurements. Samples of other asbestos as that in low pressure laminates, filter fiber, etc., are submitted from time to time aid the requested measurements made. The time required depends on the number of samples submitted. t? 5. Splint Content. A technique has recently been developed for producing mats to qualitatively show the abundance of splints in asbestos as received or after any processing operation. Hr. Cillery has requested nits of various fibers processed through the experimental fiberizer and other fiber processing equipment. He has also re quested. mats of different lots of Cassiar asbestos. Hr. CiUey commented relative to having something to show the quality of fiber, "I think it would be an excellent idea for the future*1. It will take a technician about a week to get the samples for Hr. Cilley and also samples for retention in the laboratory. II. Fiberisation of Asbestos. The fiberizor has been used to piocoss three lots of fiber for mill testsi a standard 1000 lb. yield test, a batch for 9505 lap, ana a batch for 9394 Pyrotex. The loss through the ceiling condenser was excessive in the yield test, yet the carding losses were so greatly reduced that the net yield was only 1.4% less than that on fiber as received. A second mill teat is to be run as a recheck on the first test. This is important in that it indicates a new concept in carding; that is, that a certain amount of fiber will be lost, either in the preparing ^ ^ department or in carding. Cne must then determine where the loss can most economically be taken. o Mr. R. L. Moore - 3 The one sample of lap from fiber through the fiberlzer shoved very little difference in splint content from lap froa asbestos through regular production processes. Since then ve have learned moro about the techniques for shoving and measuring splints. Xtiis should be reconsidered, both in relation to freedcn of the fiber frca splints as veil as fiber recovery. The one sample of Pyrotex froa fiber through the fiberlzer vas smoother and freer from splints than Fyrotex processed from regularly processed asbestos. A seoond check vith a better study of residual splints has been requested. Everyone agrees the fiberlzer is effective in removing splints. The only factor deterring its acceptance is the cost of processing end possible greater shrinkage during processing. These must be carefully studied probably through additional runs. Vith the availability of the Baver-McNett Classifier ve can obtain additional information on the effect of the fiberlzer on the asbestos relative to other processing equipment. This is considered essential. The completion of the study on the fiberlzer vill require approximately a month's vork. III. Dust Counts The dust count program is very active at present in various departments. 1. Spinning Room-. A study is currently under vay to determine the dust in the spinning room, and specially the factors contributing to dust, since `variations in the du6t count by a factor of 2 have been measured. Once these factors have been determined, they vill be applied to reduce the dust from its present level of about 2 million per cuft. 2. T-13. The exhaust system to the cards of the Fyrotex linos in T-13 are currently being modified. Dust courts are made to evaluate these modifications. 3* ~ Speedem. * ` -1 * ` * Kr. Cilley has requested dust study around the speeders to determine if ventilation is needed undor the speeders, hov much ventilation is required, and hov much the dust can be reduced by proper ventilation. A part of this program is t: .s measure of the dust in the air dravn into the department from outside. Mr. ri. L. Moore - 4 4. Universal Winders. Mr. Ciller has requested counts around Universal binders to determine if dust control measures are required. 5. Vetting Asbestos. In his memorandum of December 19, 1955, Mr. Cilley requested studies to determine If water sprinkled on asbestos in the preparing department would be effective in reducing dust. This study would include the optimum amount of water, vnether water would be lost during carding, the retention of water prior to and during spinning. Mr. Cilley also states "If water doesn't give the desired results, try emulsions. The selection of the right kind of oil is important." At present, Joe Klnsingcr is spending about 1/3 his time in items 1 and 2. Ve have started on program No. 3* Ve have not had time to do anything on No. 5, IV. Noise Studies, Noise studies are currently being made on the speeders. The noise level is too high for safety and racommendatione for it3 reduction have been made. V. Friction. Several requests have been recently made for test3 on the Chase nachine following the Smaric&n Hoist \ derrick. Procedure. About 1/3 of Joe Slnsinger's time over the past throe weeks haB been devoted to this project. I do not know how such longer it will continue. y^SX- Synthetic Fibers. Presently the physics Section haB samples of FIberfram for the determination of its carding characteristics. A sample of Pyroter containing Istron, a plasticised acetate, carrier fiber. Its physical properties are to be measured to determine its possibilities as a base for low pressure laminates. It will reouire only several days to obtain these data, but I have not had time to plan the work. Mr. A. l. Moore - 5 VII. Teflon. Tvo projects on Teflon are currently receiving attention: 1. Ve are trying to compile tlie data requested by Hr. Horvath on the Uniting pressure for Teflon expan:ion Joints at various temperatures. 2. A customer requirement is that all Teflon rod and sheet for defense applications be x-rayed to insure freedom fron internal flavs. An order has just been received for 5,000 feet to be x-rayed. This vill require about half of Kiss Garner's tine for the next 6 veeks. VIII. Asbestos Bibliography. All issues of Chemical Abstracts are checked for abstracts on asbestos to be included in the Asbestos Bibliography, Pertinent articles are obtained and studied. 12. Physical Testing. Requests are continually being received for the physical properties of vario items. In addition, the i'hysica Section regularly - 1. prepares certifications of compliance of materials to customer specifications. About 3 certifications per day have been requested so far this year. 2. evaluates all skived Teflon tape. 3. measures the magnetic rating of production asbestos laps and yams. 4. measures resistivity cf production laps. Most physical testing is done by Miss Garner. Over half her time is token up by these routine physical measurements. 0 cc Dr. 2. ?* StefI , M*