Passing Comments
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The Position of Crude Steel
DURING 1954 European crude steel production broke all former records and totalled nearly 82m. metric tons (a metric ton equals 0.984 long ton), an increase of 9 per cent. Production in the fourth quarter also showed a steep rise over those of previous quarters for most countries. The greatest increase above the previous year took place in Western Germany, this being over 2m. tons, whilst that of the United Kingdom was nearly 1m. to a total of almost 19m.
In the U.S.A., production at 80m. tons was, however, 21m. below the record level of 1953, although it has now risen to a higher rate than ever.
That of the U.S.S.R. rose by 3m tons to a total of 41m. The gross production given for Europe includes that for Great Britain.
Leather Improved by Silicones
\TEARS ago, reference was made in this journal to I the many unusual attributes of silicones. Silicone elastomers have only little use in connection with A30 leather products, but silicone-leather sheets and extrusions are being used for packing, gaskets and even clothing employed in extremely cold regions. The advantage with such leathers is that they combine the relatively high mechanical strength of the basic material with the temperature-resistance and chemical inertness of the silicones.
In the case of special clothing, this shows no appreciable tendency to become stiff at extremely low temperatures.
There are also special silicone water repellants which can be applied like waxes to leather to prevent water absorption.
There Could Be
AT a sitting in Glasgow of the goods vehicles
licensing court on February 15, one of the applicants seemed unduly nervous about putting forward his application. He prefaced his appeal with the remark: "I've never been in a court before." "Oh, well," said the chairman of the Licensing Authority, W. F. Quinn, smilingly, "there are worse courts than this, you know! "
New Welding Process Filmed
THE latest contribution to welding technology produced by The British Oxygen Co., Ltd., Bridgewater House, Cleveland Row, London, S.W.1, was viewed last week in London at the premiere of the company's new sound and colour film "The Argonaut Welding Process." This new process is explained by 'comparing the basic technical differences between this and the earlier Argonarc method. The film illustrates continuous and all-position welding given by the use of a thin, consumable electrode in conjunction with a highdensity arc. High-speed photography slows the action on the screen and shows clearly the characteristics of the arc and droplet-metal transfer. Comparison is made of the use of argon and nitrogen as shielding gases, and examples of the new process being used on aluminium, stainless steel, copper and mild steel are depicted.
Available in 16-mm. Kodachrome, the film, which runs for 26 min., can be obtained on loan from the company.
A Giant Refreshed
A REPAIR to a giant tyre, just completed by the HaIlamshire Tyre and Motor Co., Ltd., Broad Lane, Sheffield, is thought to be the first of its kind in the country. Owned by Sir Robert McAlpine and Sons, Ltd., this huge tyre is 2400.32/33 36-ply 7-ft. diameter, weighing 1,541 lb. and worth £606. It is one of the largest of its type used in this country for American earth-moving equipment. The bead was in bad condition and, after four different firms had been approached unsuccessfully it was thought that this could not be repaired and the tyre would have to be scrapped. However, Mr. George Marriott, under-forerrtan at the Sheffield works, and Mr. DeLek Sirnmonds, foreman of the vulcanizing team, spent three weeks in making good the damage.
An Evening Chez Trico
H1GHLIGHT of the social evening held by TricoFolberth, Ltd., Great West Road, Brentford, for their many friends, was a colour film of the 1953 Le Mans race.
This annual extension of the company's hospitality, known to the less temperate as "the Trico binge," was further enlivened this year by a competition in which awards included such useful prizes as a bottle of whisky, a 20-yd. length of chicken wire, a stepladder, a bowl of goldfish, and sundry items of female attire. Altogether a function at which one could escape for a few hours from the preoccupations of business.