U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

BUREAU OF STANDARDS

ANNUAL REPORT OF DIRECTOR

OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS

TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

FOR THE

FISCAL TEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1931 MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATION No. 131

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

R. P. LAMONT, Secretary BUREAU OF STANDARDS

GEORGE K. BURGESS, Director

Miscellaneous Publication No. 131 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR

OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS

TO THE

SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

FOR THE

FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1931

UNITED STATES

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 1931

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. - - - Price 15 cents
CONTENTS

Page

General activities 1 Salaries 6 Equipment 11 General expenses 12 Improvement and care of grounds 12 Testing structural materials 12 Testing machines 16 Investigation of fire-resisting properties 17 Investigation of public utility standards 18 Testing miscellaneous materials 19 Radio research 19 Color standardization 20

Investigation of clay products 21 Standardizing mechanical appliances 23

Investigation of optical and other types of glass 24

Investigation of textiles, etc 24 Sugar standardization 26

Gage standardization 27

Investigation of railroad and mine scales and cars 28

Metallurgical research 29

High temperature investigation 30

Sound investigation . 31

Industrial research 31 Standardization of equipment.. 37 Standard materials 40

Investigation of radioactive substances and X rays 40

Utilization of waste products from the land I 41

Investigation of automotive engines 42

Investigation of dental materials 43

Transferred funds 43

Recommendations 4

ii

RESEARCH AMP TI

nt Director L.J.Brlggs

E.W.Washburn

215 Chem. 3

D

B3

| a

Ice, Bays

Paints, Varnish

, & Pitum. Mtrl

1 P. H. Walker

417 Chem.

Detergents,

Cement, Corro P slcn, etc.

F.W.Sraither 403 Chem.

Organic Cheml 3 C.E. Waters

303 Chem.

Metal & Ore Analysis

4- Standard Samj G.E.F.Lundell

317 Chem.

Reagents, Apparetus , & 5 Storeroom

E.Wiohers

102 Chem. 114

Electrochemisl r (Plating) O W.Blum

Gas Chemistry 7 E .R. Weaver

203 Chem.

H.D.Hubbaid

315 South 4

O.L.Britt

5 ower Plant

O.G.Ijam

106 North IZATION

une 30, 1931
BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Department of Commerce,

Bureau of Standards,

Washington, July 7, 1931.

The honorable the Secretary of Commerce.

Dear Mr. Secretary : I submit herewith a brief report on the work

of the Bureau of Standards during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1931. The various subjects are grouped under the appropriations

provided by the Congress.

GENERAL ACTIVITIES

Organization.—The present organization of the bureau is shown

by the chart opposite this page. Two additional sections, one dealing with testing and specifications and the other with waste-land

products, were set up in the organic and fibrous materials division,

and the staff engaged on the design and construction of the new hydraulic laboratory has been organized into a hydraulic laboratory

section in the division of mechanics and sound. A section dealing

with chemical and miscellaneous products has been added to the trade

standards division.

The regular staff at the close of the fiscal year numbered 1,066

employees. With miscellaneous assignments the grand total was

1,171 persons, an increase of 10 as compared with last year. The

turnover was 5 per cent, the lowest since the World War. In five of

the bureau's division there was no turnover. There were 531 promotions and reclassifications to higher grades, and the average salary

($2,505) increased by $55.

Cooperation.—It is of interest to note that in spite of reduced

industrial activities the number of research associates stationed at the bureau by trade and technical associations has not changed materially. As of June 30, there were 95 associates from 45 associations,

as compared with 96 from 41 associations last year. The bureau has

maintained the most cordial relations with all Government departments with which it deals as well as with hundreds of outside public

and private organizations interested in its work.

Finances.—The congressional appropriations for the fiscal year were $3,647,971, including $350,000 for the hydraulic laboratory,

$400,000 for land, $147,000 for two radio stations, $75,000 for remodeling the shop building, and $40,000 for a new track-scale test car

leaving $2,635,971 for operation, research, testing, and standardization, an increase of $129,225 over the previous year. There were

transferred from other Government units $474,015, including reimbursements. The testing, research, and consulting work for other

departments carried on bureau funds is very heavy and growing

rapidly. Every effort was made to operate economically, and

$102,000 was turned back to the Treasury.

Visiting committee.—The present personnel' of the committee is: Dr. S. W. Stratton, Gano Dunn, John R. Freeman, Charles F. Kettering, and Charles L. Reese. The committe held one formal meet1


2 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

ing and individually visited the bureau several times. (This committee, and its periodic visits of inspection to the bureau, was

provided for by the act creating the Bureau of Standards.)

Hydraulic laboratory.—The design of this laboratory was begun

in July, 1930, with the aid of an advisory committee, consisting of a number of prominent hydraulic engineers. The final design was

adopted in January, 1931, and construction started on April 23. It

is expected that the building will be completed about April 1, 1932.

The design provides for a building 285 feet long, 60 feet wide over

two-thirds of its length, and 92 feet wide over the remainder.

There will be three stories at one end and two stories at the other.

The building will contain two large concrete supply basins from

which water will be pumped through the flumes and other experimental apparatus to a concrete measuring basin from which it will

be returned through channels to the supply basins. A maximum

flow of 250 to 300 cubic feet per second will be possible in the main

flume, which is the dominating piece of equipment with a cross

section 12 feet square over a length of approximately 200 feet. A

description of this laboratory appears in Civil Engineering for July,

1931.

International relations.—The International Committee on Weights

and Measures met in April and approved, without change, the reso- lutions of its advisory committee recommending the adoption of

a " black-body " radiator as the primary standard of light, and

requested the national laboratories to give special study to the

bureau's standard which operates at the freezing point of platinum.

A resolution was adopted approving the use of 20° C. (68° F.) as the standard temperature for all industrial length-measuring in- struments, gages, etc. The international committee recommended that the national laboratories make observations with silver voltameters to determine anew the correct value for the international volt. To hasten agreement on this point, the bureau sent Doctor Vinal to Berlin to make

the measurements jointly with the representatives of the German

and British laboratories. Dr. F. Henning of the German laboratory

spent two months at the bureau, working on methods of temperature

measurement, and also devoting a great deal of attention to the new

primary standard of light and the melting points of platinum,

rhodium, and iridium. Doctors Dellinger, Dickinson, and Osborne

attended the plenary session of the International Electrotechnical

Commission at Stockholm, Doctor Dellinger as the official delegate of the Institute of Radio Engineers and Doctors Dickinson and

Osborne in connection with standardization of requirements for

prime movers in the generation of electric power. Doctor Wenner

reported to the International Geodetic and Geophysical Union, also

in Stockholm, on the development of seismometers and salinity

meters at the bureau. Doctor Briggs represented the bureau at the

International Congress of Applied Mechanics at Stockholm. Doctors Dellinger and Mcllwraith took part in the second meeting of

the International Technical Consulting Committee on Radio Communication at Copenhagen in May and June, 1931. Doctors Dellinger and Austin represented the bureau at the sessions of the In- ternational Scientific Radio Union which were held in Copenhagen

at the same time.
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 3

The bureau has cooperated with other national laboratories, and

particularly those of England, France, and Germany, in comparisons

of standards of resistance, capacitance, and candlepower. The interlaboratory comparison of the thermoelectric portion of the international temperature scale has been completed and work on the optical

part of the scale is under way.

Some correspondence has taken place on a proposed new unit of

heat, continuing the discussion mentioned in the report for last year. The bureau has suggested that before adopting any unit based on the

electrical units, there should be a definite understanding as to the

values of the units to be employed. No decision has yet been reached.

Visitors.—The bureau has been honored by many distinguished

visitors from all over the world, 25 countries being represented.

Weights and measures conference.—The twenty-fourth meeting of

the National Conference on Weights and Measures was held under

the auspices of the bureau on June 2 to 5, 1931. Important actions

of the conference included the adoption of a code of regulations for

penny-in-the-slot person-weighing scales; revision of the code of

regulations for lubricating-oil bottles; and the adoption of a code

for odometers. Subjects considered embraced testing equipment for

large capacity scales, scales for determining wheel loads on motor

trucks, inspection of postal scales, Federal regulation of baskets and

hampers, quality labeling of canned goods, and man}7 other matters. Conference of State Utility Commission Engineers.—The ninth

annual conference of State Utility Commission Engineers, held at the bureau on June 4 and 5, was attended by 25 engineers representing 16 States, the District of Columbia, and the Province of Ontario,

Canada.

Other conferences.—Many other important conferences were held,

including a two days' session, November 24 and 25, of chairmen of

simplified practice project committees, attended by representatives

of over 50 industries ; the metallurgical advisory committees on May

19 and 20 with over 60 in attendance ; several meetings of the underground pipe-corrosion group ; conferences relating to trade standards,

and many technical subjects.

Federal Fire Council.—This organization, with the Director of the

Bureau of Standards as chairman, made up of representatives of

Federal institutions and the District of Columbia, formed last year

to function in advisory and informative capacity on matters relating

to fire prevention and protection of Federal buildings, held four

meetings during the year. Committee reports outlining the fire hazards present and the needed structural changes and fire protection

equipment, were received and acted upon, covering the Senate side

of the Capitol and the Senate Office Building, the buildings of the

Smithsonian Institution, and those of the National Training School

for Boys. Through cooperation with the National Fire Protection

Association, surveys are being made by its engineers of Federal penal

institutions and reports have been completed on the Atlanta Penitentiary, the Chillicothe Reformatory, and the Industrial Institution for

Women at Alderson, W. Ya. Fire hazard and safety surveys of the

bureau's buildings and occupancy were made by local committees.

American Standards Association.—The bureau has continued its close cooperation with this association. The Director of the Bureau of Standards is a member of the board of directors, and two
4 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

members of the bureau's staff represent the Department of Commerce

on the standard's council. The bureau is sponsor for 14 standardization projects and is represented on 73 sectional committees.

National Screio Thread Commission.—The National Screw Thread

Commission, of which the director of the bureau is chairman, has

continued its work on the standardization of screw threads. Connecting threads for gas cylinders and valves have received particular

attention. In cooperation with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a survey was undertaken to determine the extent to which the commission's screw thread standards are being accepted

and followed by industry. About 7,000 samples of bolts and nuts

have been collected and are being measured at the bureau. Consideration has also been given to a possible revision of the class 4 fit (fine) in order to make this class of threaded work commercially

feasible with the threading tools and gages now available.

American Gage Design Committee.—A report of the American

Gage Design Committee, covering plain and thread plug and ring

limit gages up to 4% inches, was published in February. The committee has mapped out a standardization program for extending the

size range up to 12 inches, and for covering snap gages and length

snap gages over the same size range.

Federal Specifications Board.—This board, of which the Director

of the Bureau of Standards is ex officio chairman, has promulgated

its six hundred and ninety-sixth purchase specification, 208 this past

year, including 165 revisions. A large part of the research and ex- perimental work on which these specifications are based is performed

in the bureau's laboatories, and the chairmanships of several of the

board's technical committees are held by members of the bureau's

staff. Publicity, bureau reports, etc.—The number of papers published

in the Bureau of Standards Journal of Research was 146. In addition, the Technical News Bulletin and Commercial Standards

Monthly were issued each month. Forty-eight papers were published in the other series of the bureau, including simplified practice

recommendations, building and housing, commercial standards, cir- culars, handbooks, and miscellaneous publications. The total, in- cluding 12 numbers of each of the periodicals, 146 reprints, and 48

publications in other series was, therefore, 230.

Approximately 170 papers were published in outside journals.

Releases to the press totaled 299, including several feature articles. The fifth annual number of the Standards Yearbook was issued in

March. In commenting on the distribution of Government publications the Public Printer referred to this yearbook as one of his

" best sellers." Unusual demands have also been recorded in connection with the bureau's circular 383 on washing, cleaning, and polishing materials, building and housing publication No. 15 on care and

repair of the house, and several others.

Exhibits.—The bureau participated in the exhibit of colonial products at Paris, the industrial exposition at Liege, Belgium, the commercial exhibition at Washington, and in the exhibit of testing apparatus and machines held by the American Society for Testing

Materials at Chicago in June.

Medical officer.—The plan of stationing at the bureau a medical

officer of the United States Public Health Service has worked out
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 5

most satisfactorily. Not only have emergency cases been promptly

cared for, but the general health of the employees has been improved.

Testing.—Table 1 gives a summary of the bureau's test work for

the past year. The total number of tests completed was 212,717,

and the fee value $816,979.59. The corresponding figures for 1930

are 200,726 and $683,614.51.

Table 1. -Numbers of test items, determinations, and fee value for tests completed during the fiscal year ended June SO, 1931

Kind of instrument or material, class of test, or nature of service rendered

Electrical standards, instruments, and materials Electric batteries .. Electric lamps and lighting equipment

Length-measuring devices Gages and gage steels Hemacytometers, sieves, thermal expansion,

etc. Weights and balances

Scales Timepieces... Volumetric apparatus Hydrometers

Density determinations, etc Laboratory thermometers..

Clinical thermometers

Pyrometers, calorimeters, etc Insulating materials

Fire-resisting materials Fuels and lubricants Automotive equipment, etc Airplane engines

Optical instruments and materials Carbohydrates

Radioactive materials Engineering instruments and appliances, Aeronautic instruments Aerodynamic tests of models

Physical properties of engineering materials.

.

Sound producing and measuring instruments. Making of special castings Fusible boiler plugs Metallographic examinations

Miscellaneous metallurgical tests Pottery and chinaware

Glass

Refractories and heavy clay products. Cement, concreting materials, lime, etc Stone and sand-lime brick Miscellaneous ceramic materials Rubber

Textiles... Paper

Leather

Paint, varnish, and bituminous materials Chemical analysis of metals Chemical tests of miscellaneous materials Distribution of standard samples

Total 60,305

Number of test items for—

Public

811 192

146

1, 283

3, 538

3, 319

4 364

8, 872

801

Govern- ment

depart- ments and

State

institu- tions

Bureau

of Standards

1, 061

2, 371

3, 149 129

736

321 6,204

1,228

4

5, 512

617 2,744

27, 954

223

101

11 19410

606

1

2, 463

10187

1 52

9

22

18

164

9 332

1, 128

64, 3615356

47

1, 488

152

31 502

1, 918 236

12

2, 10730

41 397

955

1, 000

47

21 479

19, 950

77

5, 301 1,606

5, 900

1, 664

315 2,780

482

60

651

395 290

583

359

27 258

133

377

251

1 126

13

171

137, 644

146

117"

540

93850

57

125 745

18 712

10139 150

127

14

3

14, 768

Total number

of test items

2, 352

2,431

3, 992

281 2,414

4, 149 10,106 1,232

431

14, 743

1, 445

258 4,478

92, 315 409

157

58

2, 059 162

31

1, 359

1, 919

2, 700

1,447 999

13 2,30539

158 397

1, 053

1, 540

5659

529

20, 033 202

12, 046

1, 624

6, 834 2,783 355

2,936

613 909

6,506

212, 717

Number

of deter- minations

3, 803 4,924

4,129

1, 875 9,509

19, 857

21, 837

38, 060

4, 437

32, 116

3, 669 329

18, 318

411, 956

5, 754

13176 9,489

471 238

5, 352

2, 873

1, 064

1, 634

3, 480

13

5, 436

45 929

794 3,154 4,002

331

131

1, 591

89, 428

11, 440

15, 900

8, 299

1, 769

23, 375

2, 324

3,56390

Fee value

$18, 852. 60

12, 879. 50

i 26, 845. 59

2, 337. 25

2, 255. 00

3 805, 578

4,

2 221,

2, 38,

36,

34,

25,

138. 85

288. 65

778. 50

301. 50

151. 05

897. 00

447. 00

823. 60

006. 50

631. 50

080. 00

785. 00

687. 00

525. 00 500.00

200. 25

850. 00

115. 00

195. 00

084. 50

100. 00

059. 00

086. 00

390. 76

993. 50

946. 54

260. 90

418. 50

231. 00

935. 90

363. 75

659. 00

625. 90

931. 50

861. 50

528. 50

698. 50

413. 00

839. 50

547. 00

433. 50

3 816, 979.

1 Includes fee value of $7,918.59 for inspecting 2,971,048 incandescent lamps at various factories for other branches of the Government.

2 Includes fee value of $54,802 for sampling, testing, and shipping 6,610,000 barrels of Portland cement and

50,130 barrels of masonry cement.

3 Of these totals 235,062 determinations were for the public, fee value, $71,380.65; 534,257 determinations were for the Government departments and State institutions, fee value, $683,170.67; 36,259 determinations were for the bureau, fee value, $62,428.27. The number of test items and determinations necessary in connection. with the bureau's own work of research and standardization, with the resulting fee values, is not

included in these totals.
6 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

SALARIES ($710,000)

Maintenance and intercomparison of electrical units.—Three 1-ohm

resistance standards of a new type developed by the bureau, meas- ured in the national laboratories of Germany and England, showed

that the units of resistance in use in Germany and in England are, respectively, 10 parts per million and 27 parts per million greater

than the unit maintained by the bureau. An absolute method of re- sistance measurement has been under development in which the

regulation of the speed of the driving motor is one of the major

phases of* the problem. This ha,s been solved satisfactorily. Measurements of inductance on a porcelain-core inductance standard

showed that 1 international ohm (Bureau of Standards) =1.00051

absolute ohms.

Improvements and refinements have been made in the measure- ment and control of the temperature of the oil baths for the standard cells. Comparisons with several foreign national laboratories

indicate that the bureau's value of the international volt i,s 20 microvolts below that of England and 60 microvolts above that of Germany. Experiments with the silver voltameter in which the bureau

is cooperating through a representative now in Berlin, were begun

in Germany in May and will be continued in England and France

in the effort to reduce these discrepancies. Measurements with the

Kosa-Dorsey-Miller current balance showed that 1 international

ampere (Bureau of Standards) =0.99997 absolute ampere.

Waidner-Bwgess standard of light.—A proposal was submitted

to the advisory committee on electricity of the International Committee on Weights and Measures that the reproducible light standard, developed last year at the bureau, be adopted as an international

standard. Final action, however, was not taken at the 1931 meeting, as the other national laboratories had not yet had time to give

the proposal sufficient study.

Freezing point of iridiwm and its use for light standard.—The

freezing point of pure iridium has been determined by the crucible

method in an electric induction furnace, resulting in a figure of

2,452° C, ±3°.

Preliminary observations of the brightness of a black body at the

freezing point of iridium, following the same technique as that for

the Waidner-Burgess light standard using platinum, have shown

that the iridium freezing point can be so used, but with much more

difficulty. However, it can be used conveniently for stepping up

from carbon filament to tungsten filament lamps. The preliminary

figure obtained for brightness of this standard is 1,250 candles per

square centimeter in terms of the bureau's derived tungsten

standards.

Maintenance of unit of candlepow\er.—Carbon-filament incandescent lamps were sent to the laboratories in five foreign countries and

remeasured after their return. The units of candlepower as maintained in the United States and Great Britain are in close agree- ment, but the French unit seems to be about 1 per cent larger, and

the unit, derived from measurements in Hefner candles, maintained

in Germany, smaller by more than 1 per cent than the unit maintained at the bureau.
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 7

Magnetic testing and research.—A method for standardizing magnetic permeameters at high values of magnetizing force was developed. Investigations were carried out on the relation between

magnetic properties and torsional strength of tool steel. Data to aid in the interpretation of the results of thermomagnetic analysis,

with special reference to the effects of carbide particle size and the

tempering of quenched steel, were obtained.

Ruling of line scales by interference methods.—Two meter scales and several shorter ones have been ruled, using light wave lengths

to step off the intervals. One of the meter scales was subdivided into

centimeters, the other into decimeters. The smaller scales were subdivided down as low as one-thousandth of an inch. All were free

of any error requiring the use of a correction chart.

Recalibration of tape bench.—A check on the 5-meter intervals of

the bureau's 50-meter bench standard, used in testing steel tapes,

shows no change in excess of 0.1 millimeter from the result of the

previous calibration made in 1922, the average change being less than

0.04 millimeter.

Graduation and calibration of precision circles.—The graduation

and calibration of precision circles has shown that while the bureau's

equipment is capable of graduating circles to an accuracy of two sec- onds or better, extreme care must be exercised in the mechanical and

heat treatment of the circles, both before and after graduation, in

order to maintain this accuracy.

Effects of wire diameter and of large openings of sieves upon siev- ing values.—Detailed measurements of large numbers of sieves have

been made in connection with work on standard samples of abrasives.

Nickel-chromium alloy for weights.—The accuracy and behavior

of high-precision weights made of an alloy of 80 per cent nickel and

20 per cent chromium, have been studied under a variety of conditions to which standards may be subjected in practice. Thus far

the material seems to be of satisfactory constancy.

Variation of electroplated weights with humidity.—This investigation has been completed and the results are being prepared for

publication.

Precision clock.—The precision free-pendulum clock mentioned in

last year's report, especially adapted to use with the photoelectric

cell, has been constructed and installed in the constant temperature

clock room. It has been found to give seconds signals of a higher

accuracy than those obtained from the Kiefler clock. Effect of temperature changes on rates of watches.—Preliminary

results of a cooperative research indicate that watches equipped with

uncut, monometallic balance and elinvar hairspring can be more

accurately adjusted to compensate for temperature changes than can

the ordinary watch equipped with cut, bimetallic balance and steel hairspring.

Cooperation with Serological Institute.—Cooperation with the

Horological Institute of America in its efforts to improve the qualitv

of service rendered by watch repairmen has continued.

Density of creosote oils.—In cooperation with the preservatives

committee of the American Wood Preservers Association, volume

correction tables have been prepared for creosote oils and creosote

coal-tar solutions.

77824—31 2
8 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

Density of chromic acid solutions.—The work on density of chromic

acid solutions has been completed and the results published in the

Journal of Kesearch.

Ethyl alcohol tables.—A new series of ethyl alcohol density tables on the basis of percentage by volume was prepared at the request of

the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists for publication in their " Methods of Analysis."

Orifice meter tests.—Data on several research projects involving

orifice discharge coefficients and large capacity gas meters have been

reviewed and correlated. Pulsating flows are now under consideration and the work done in this field is now being reviewed, preparatory to outlining the scope of the research which will be undertaken.

Absolute determination of gravity at Washington.—Work has

been continued, but is not yet completed. One of three silica pendulums under construction is ready for preliminary work, and a Shortt

clock has been installed and operated continuously for some months.

Spectroscopic investigations.—The arc and spark spectra and the

Zeeman effect of zirconium, leading to a complete analysis of its spectral regularities, were obtained. Chlorine and bromine were

specially excited by the electrodeless discharge to obtain the spectra

of the singly and doubly ionized atoms. The hyperfine structure of

certain lines of krypton and xenon was investigated by both the

Fabry-Perot interferometer and the Lummer-Gehrcke Plate.

Laboratory intercomparison of methods for measuring ultra-violet

radiation.—With the use of ultra-violet radiation for health purposes

the demand for a reliable method of measuring this very difficult quantity has arisen. The bureau has cooperated with several other

laboratories in measuring the ultra-violet output of the same samples

of a specific type of lamrj. Differences in the measurement by these

laboratories appear to arise both from the inconstancy of the lamps

and the inaccuracy of the measuring methods.

Photographic sensitometry.—The relation between photographic

sensitivity and development time for several different types of emulsions has been investigated by using the three most common methods

of measuring sensitivity. It is found that there is an optimum

development time for obtaining maximum sensitivity.

Liquefaction of helium.—Helium was liquefied on April 3 for the

first time in the United States, and with it a temperature of —271.3°

C. (-456° F.) was attained, which is only 1.9° C.(3.4° F.) above the

absolute zero of temperature.

Liquid nitrogen.—The construction of a new nitrogen liquefier was

practically completed. The liquid nitrogen will be used for lowtemperature work with flammable hydrocarbons, which would be

dangerous if liquid air were used, because of the possibility of

explosions.

Prepatation of pure ovsygen for use in international comparison of

loio-temperature thermometers.—This project required the design

and construction of elaborate apparatus, and approximately two

months of working time in its operation.

Specific heats at low temperatures.—In cooperation with the fixed

nitrogen research laboratory of the Department of Agriculture, a

project was undertaken for the determination of the specific heats of

nitrogen organic compounds down to solid hydrogen temperatures,
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 9

and for the calculation of the entropies and free energies of the

compounds from their specific heats. The construction of the

apparatus was completed and the determination of the specific heat

of primary amyl ammonium chloride is under way.

Oiliness of lubricating oils.—The frictional characteristics of a

series of representative lubricating oils have been determined on the

Grooved Specimen, Herschel, Kingsbury, and Timken oiliness machines. The results indicate that quantitative values obtained on

each machine depend to a great extent upon the particular design and

mode of operation. They indicate also that a more certain control

of factors involved in oiliness tests is needed. This work was done

in cooperation with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Detelimination of the formula of a hydrocarbon.—A critical dis- cussion of the measurements and calculations required in order to determine the molecular formula of any hydrocarbon containing not more than 100 carbon atoms has been published.

Standards of criteria for purity of hydrocarbons obtained from

petroleum.—Satisfactory criteria for the purity and identification of

hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum have been established.

Hydrocarbons from petroleum.—In cooperation with the American

Petroleum Institute the investigation dealing with the determination

of the composition of petroleum has been continued. The following

hydrocarbons have been isolated and the quantities of each present

in the petroleum have been determined: Ethane, propane, butane,

cyclopentane, pentanes (2), benzene, methylcyclopentane. cyclohexane, n-hexane, 2, 3-dimethylbutane, 2-dimethylpentane, 3-methylpentane, toluene, methylcyclohexane, ?i-heptane, 2, 2-dimethylpentane,

xylenes (mixture), w-octane, n-nonane.

Variation of transference number with concentration.—A new moving boundary method has been developed by means of which it is possible to measure the change in the transference number of a given

electrolyte with its concentration in aqueous solution.

Chemical nature of rubber.—The investigation of pure rubber hydrocarbon has been continued in order to obtain photographic evidence of crystallinity, to make combustion analyses of extreme accu- racy so as to detect any possible slight differences in composition, and

to determine the molecular weight.

Painting plaster.—Information was collected and made available

concerning the failure of paint on plaster, with suggestions as to possible causes of such failure and precautions necessary to reduce

the probability of failure of the decorative coating.

Accelerated tests of asphalts.—In cooperation with the Asphalt

Shingle and Koofing Institute, asphalt materials have been exposed

to an accelerated cycle resembling that used on paint. The results obtained are similar to those produced by outdoor weathering.

Analytical reagent chemicals.—Sixty-three individual methods for

the determination of various impurities in 18 reagent chemicals were

critically studied, as the bureau's share in the preparation of specifications for reagent chemicals by the American Chemical Society.

As a contribution to the study of the quality of analytical chemicals

a report was prepared on the results of tests of all reagents bought

by the bureau during a 2%-year period ended December, 1930.

Platinum metals.—Progress has been made in the second phase

of the research on analytical methods for the metals of the platinum
10 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

group—methods of separation. Work on the separation of osmium

was completed and published, together with the method for the determination of osmium, completed last year. A method for the

strictly quantitative separation of iridium and rhodium from each

other has been nearly completed.

Pure metals.—The physical properties of nickel of the highest at- tainable purity, 99.94 per cent with not over 0.001 per cent oxygen,

have been determined and a report published. As part of the bureau's cooperation with the alloys-of-iron research committee of

Engineering Foundation, the literature on pure iron has been criti- cally reviewed and a monograph on the subject is in preparation.

Laboratory work for preparing pure iron by precipitation and reduction methods is under way.

Thermal conductivity of metals.-—A relatively simple comparison

method for the determination of thermal conductivity of metals at elevated temperatures for commercial purposes has been developed.

The thermal conductivity of pure metals and simple steels decreases

with increase of temperature in the range from 50° to 550° C. ; for

high alloy steels, it increases. Transformation points in metals,

as in nickel, can be readily located by thermal conductivity curves. Magnetic change in iron.—The electronic changes underlying the

magnetic change or A2 transformation in iron are being studied by means of the /3-ray spectrograph.

Elastic hysteresis research.—Theoretical study has been made and

published of the vibration of elongated and short U-bars with special reference to their use in determining elastic hysteresis. In the

experiments now in progress the results from tuning forks, U-bars,

and straight bars have been compared, and show that the use of the

elongated U-bar will be satisfactory, thus dispensing with the use of the expensive tuning fork.

Information circular on zinc.—A comprehensive review of the

literature on zinc and its alloys has been completed. The results will

form the basis of a circular similar to previous ones on copper, nickel,

and aluminum.

Revision of Federal specification for industrial thermometers.—

Federal Specifications Board Specification 4T2A was revised according to suggestions from the committee on thermometers and in co- operation with the Navy Department.

Federal specifications for rubber, textiles, paper, and leather.—

During the year the committee on rubber products and packing materials, whose chairman is a member of the bureau, has prepared 46

specifications, and the bureau has assisted in the preparation of 40

specifications for textiles, 14 for paper, and 2 for leather. Operation and maintenance of buildings.—The employees engaged

in the maintenance and operation of the plant are divided into three

groups, viz, power plant, guard, and janitorial groups. The duties

of these groups, which include the operation and maintenance of the

heat and power plant, the policing of the bureau's property, and

the routine cleaning in the various buildings, were carried out, as heretofore.

Miscellaneous repairs and alterations.—This work included in addition to repairs to buildings, such interior alterations as were neces- sary to facilitate the work of the various laboratories. Extensive
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 11

alterations have been necessary in many buildings as a result of

shifting all shops to the north building. Interior painting was

continued and the excavation and fitting out of laboratory for optical

work in the basement of the south building was completed.

Construction of instruments and apparatus.—The bureau's shops

constructed most of the special instruments and apparatus, including

blown-glass apparatus, required by the laboratories. In addition,

cabinetwork, and the repair of furniture and woodwork required in

the upkeep of buildings was taken care of, as heretofore. The neces- sary shop work was performed on specimens submitted for test, and

standard steel and alloy samples were prepared. The alteration of

the north building was completed in March, and most of the shops

moved into this building, with a great increase in efficiency. Several new machine tools were installed and machines formerly belt driven were equipped with individual motor drives.

Additional research.—Of the 138 projects carried by this fund, only

about 40 have been briefly described. A few others, which may be

mentioned by title, are : Development of seismometers, electrical timedistribution systems, dimensional stability of invar, effect of temperature on rate of watches, fluidity of oils at low temperatures, establishment of color-temperature scale, methods of ultra-violet radiometry,

microscope objectives, physical properties of paints, efficiency of gas

ranges and water heaters, permeability of airship fabrics, and rubber

core binders for foundry sand.

EQUIPMENT ($163,000)

Alteration and addition to north building.—A new third story was

added to the north building, and many interior changes were made

to accommodate the various instrument and machine shops which

will be concentrated in this building.

Important purchases.—Important additions to the bureau's plant

and laboratory facilities have been purchased under this fund.

These include

A new dead-weight testing machine for the engineering mechanics

section, with a capacity of 10,000 pounds in increments of 100 pounds.

An interchangeable quartz prism spectrograph of high resolving

power to be used by the spectroscopy section in the analysis and de- scription of spectra in the ultra-violet.

A gas-fired steam boiler for supplying steam on a 24-hour basis to chemical baths.

Harmonic analyzer to be used in the analysis of radio waves in

connection with experimental work on radio aids to air navigation.

A high-frequency radiotelephone set to be used in experiments

involving communication between airplanes and the ground.

An improved saccharimeter for the polarimetry section to be used

in determining the sugar content of solutions, especially in check

analyses for the Customs Service.

A set of electrical filters is being constructed for the sound section

and will be used in the analysis of noises. These were ordered during

the fiscal year but will not be delivered for several months.

Two large metallographic microscopes have been added to the

equipment of the section of optical metallurgy.
12 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

GENERAL EXPENSES ($64,000)

Maintenance of mechanical plant.—The usual maintenance work,

such as replacement of piping, valves, and fittings has been carried

on. Extensive piping changes have been made in the north building

in converting it for the exclusive use of the shops.

Electrical construction and repair.—In addition to maintenance

work, extensive new electrical installations have been made as a re- sult of shifting some of the shops and laboratories.

Plumbing and pipe work.—Routine work on existing piping sys- tems was performed, as well as much new work, made necessary by

the many shifts in laboratories and in the refitting of the north

building.

Library books.—The net number of volumes accessioned was 1,184,

making the total number of accessioned volumes 36,403. Scientific

and technical periodicals received number 1,275.

IMPROVEMENT AND CARE OF GROUNDS ($19,400)

Improvement of grounds.—Good progress has been maintained in

the improvement of the grounds by grading, seeding, sodding, and

the planting of trees and shrubs. The valley in the grounds fronting on Connecticut Avenue has been filled, preparatory to putting in a temporary road to the hydraulic laboratory. A new piece of permanent road and walk was completed between the chemistry and wind

tunnel buildings. A storm and waste water sewer has been constructed along Van Ness Street. TESTING STRUCTURAL MATERIALS ($320,000)

City planning and zoning.—Reports based on surveys of city planning and zoning in the United States have been issued and show

widespread progress in the use of the recommendations of the advisory committee on this subject. The study of subdivision regulations has been continued. A pamphlet on the preparation of zoning

ordinances, designed especially to aid smaller municipalities, has

been completed and is being printed.

Home financing.—A detailed study of the experience of more than

5,000 purchasers of homes was completed, and the information obtained on the financing problems of these buyers is being studied in

relation to data previously secured for issuance in a report.

Care and repair of the house.—A guide for householders who

wish to keep their property in good condition was printed; 15,000

copies have been sold, and to meet new demands, 50,000 additional

copies are being printed. The book has attracted much interest from

the press, local merchandising houses, national trade associations,

and educational institutions.

Cooperation with other agencies on building and housing problems.—Full or part time services of several members of the staff have

been devoted to cooperative studies with the President's Conference on Home Building and Home Ownership, which finds it most helpful to have the assistance of members of the bureau's staff experienced

in the study of problems of home ownership, construction, finance,

city planning and zoning, and related subjects.
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 13

Absorption coefficients of acoustic materials.—Measurements have

been made of the sound absorption coefficients of acoustic tile, acoustic plaster, and other materials designed to reduce the reverberation

time of large rooms, Development of acoustic correctives has been

so active that frequent revision of the tables showing the absorption

coefficients has been necessary. These are now issued as letter cir- culars, three having been released during the year. Protection for heating appliances.—Experiments on methods of

preventing fires from household heating and cooking appliances were

completed.

Tests of corrugated roofing.—Strength, absorption, heat, shock,

and fire-spread tests were made, at the request of the Navy Department, of corrugated cement-asbestos and asphalt-covered steel boards.

Durability of concrete aggregates.—The average resistance of the

commonly used concrete aggregates to the boiling and drying, freez- ing and thawing, sodium sulphate and sodium chloride tests was in

the following order : Granite, trap, gravel, slag, limestone, and sandstone. Individual samples, however, varied greatly from this order, one sample of limestone being as resistant as the average granite.

The absorption and porosity measurements were found to be of little value as criteria for judging the ability of the aggregate to withstand disintegration.

Cast stone.—Freezing and thawing tests on cast stone samples have

been continued until the samples showed signs of disintegration.

The resistance to freezing and thawing ranged from complete fail- ure in 25 cycles to specimens that showed the first small signs of

failure at 1,450 cycles. The average resistance to freezing of the

samples made by the wet-cast process was equal to the average resist- ance of the specimens made by the dry-tamp process. The specimens

formed by vibrating showed greater than the average resistance to freezing. A proposed Federal specification for cast stone has been

drawn up and submitted to the industry for comment.

Waterproofing compounds.—The incorporation of 50 different

waterproofing compounds in 1:3:6 concrete showed 16 per cent of

the compounds to be effective in reducing the permeability of the

concrete when it was subjected to a continuous water pressure of 20

pounds per square inch.

Fifty surface waterproofing materials coated on 1:2:4 concrete were less absorbent than uncoated concrete for the first few hours'

immersion in water. The most efficient coatings after one year's immersion were asphalt emulsions and asphalt paints. Linseed oil, China wood oil, and varnish were the most efficient transparent

coatings.

Aggregates for cinder concrete building units.—In cooperation

with the National Building Units Corporation, samples of cinder

aggregates from 60 plants are being tested to determine their grading, hardness, soundness, and concrete-making qualities.

Survey of the properties of common brick.—In cooperation with

the Common Brick Manufacturers Association samples of bricks

from 220 plants are being tested to determine their physical1 properties. Specification tests have been made on about 70 per cent of

the samples.
14 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

Moisture penetration through brick and mortar.—Water under a head of from to 8 inches penetrated more rapidly through bricks or mortar separately than through brick masonry specimens of the same size, a marked reduction in the rate of penetration occurring

as the moisture passed from one material into the other. Tests of Arlington Memorial Bridge.—Tests of one of the arch

spans of the Arlington Memorial Bridge at Washington, D. C, have

shown that the average temperature of the arch barrel has varied

during two years from 28° to 85° F. The corresponding vertical crown movement was 1% inches and the coefficient of expansion of

the arch barrel was approximately 0.0000065 per degree Fahrenheit.

Durability and strength of bond betvjeen mortar and brick.—

Masonry specimens of brick and mortar were subjected first to 50

freezings and thawings while saturated with water, and then to drying. The durability of the bond of the mortar to the bricks depended chiefly on the pressure on the mortar joints during exposure,

the type of mortar used, and the moisure content of the bricks when

set in the mortar.

Clay admixtures in concrete.—For concrete mixtures of the same

consistency as determined by a penetration test, the substitution of

clay either for 10 per cent of the volume of the cement or for 7y2 per cent of the volume of the sand, in concretes containing about 5 cubic feet of cement per cubic yard of concrete, caused a slight in- crease in strength and a small decrease in the water permeability

of the concrete. Cement.—(1) It was found that the solubility of a cement in sugar

solution was not a .satisfactory index of its disintegration in sul- phate solutions. (2) It has been found that CaO and 2CaO.Si02 catalyze the decomposition of 3CaO.Si02 into these products, and

that the rate of decomposition is a maximum at 1,175° C. (3) The

composition and melting points of the various anhydrous calcium

borates have been determined. (4) A study of the reaction of water on the anhydrous calcium silicates ha.s shown that 3CaO.Si02 and

beta 2CaO.Si02 which have hydraulic properties give metastable so- lutions which subsequently precipitate out hydrated calcium silicates on approaching equilibrium. (5) The fields in which hydrated

alumina hydrated tricalcium aluminate, hydrated tricalcium aluminate, and hydrated tetracalcium aluminate, respectively, are the

solid phases in the system CaO.Al2 3 ~H2 0, have been determined.

Lime.—(1) Particle size distribution of hydrated lime: To cali- brate the .sedimentation apparatus, glass spherules have been sepa- rated into fractions wherein most of the material is within 2 microns

of the average diameter. With this fractionated material check,

sedimentation curves have been obtained with the automatic recording balance. (2) Soundness of finishing lime : The autoclave method

of testing the soundness of lime has been found to be in agreement

with correlating tests of the lime in plastered panels. (3) Federal

specification^ have been revised for quicklime and hydrated lime for

structural purposes.

Gypsum.—(1) Volumetric changes of gypsum fiber concrete: It was found that the expansions of specimens of neat gypsum at the

end of the fourteenth cycle of alternate drying and wetting ranged

from 0.03 to 0.12 per cent of the original dry length, and 0.15 to 0.31
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 15

per cent for those specimens containing 12.5 per cent of wood chips.

Specimens of the same materials .showed much smaller changes when

exposed alternately to air of low and high relative humidity. (2)

Federal specifications have been revised for calcined gypsum, gyp- sum plaster, gypsum wall board, and gypsum plaster board.

Sand-lime brick.—It was found that both modulus of rupture and

compressive strength are more indicative of the resistance of sandlime brick to freezing and thawing than is total absorption. As a

rule, sand-lime brick which had a rapid rate of absorption and high

strength withstood freezing and thawing relatively satisfactorily.

This statement is without reference to total absorption.

Building stone.—Forty-three samples of stone, most of which

were limestone, were tested during the year in connection with the

study o,f building stones. Weathering tests are in progress on 74

limestones, 21 sandstones, and 16 granites. Considerable attention

has been given to studying the underlying causes involved in the

destructive weathering of various types of stone. Slate.—The investigation of the physical properties of slate from

the important producing districts and the study of slate weathering

are practically completed. This work has covered about 350 samples

of new and old weathered slate. A test procedure for determining

weathering characteristics has been developed which affords a means

for selecting durable slate. In cooperation with the Federal Specifications Board a specification for roofing slate has been prepared.

Masonry cements.—An investigation of all the masonry cements on

the market is under way. Workability, water-retaining capacity,

strength, volume change, and specific gravity of the pastes and mortars are among the properties being studied.

Elastic cements.—Apparatus has been developed and a procedure

established for the physical testing of pointing materials and slater's cements. During the year 153 samples have been tested for various

departments of the Government. This has afforded a more satis- factory basis of acceptance for such materials as well as a means of

enabling manufacturers to control their products,

Effects of variations in composition on vitreous enamels.—The

fusibility of typical first-coat vitreous enamels is influenced more

readily by changes in the boric oxide-sodium oxide ratio than by

changes in the flint-feldspar ratio. The data obtained, when pre- sented graphically, give a symmetrical figure. The fusibility

has been measured in the following four ways, and the same

general relationship to composition holds in all four cases: (a)

Coarse deformation tests; (h) "fusion block" flow tests; (c)

slumping temperature tests (by interferometer method) ; and (d)

" button " tests (observing dimensions of the resulting " buttons " when cylinders of enamel powder are heated under standard conditions). Equipment has been assembled, and special means of pre- paring satisfactory specimens developed for measuring modulus of

elasticity, coefficient of expansion, and tensile strength. Over 10,000

specimens have been prepared for these tests, and the measurements

of expansivity with the interferometer have been nearly completed.

Cement reference laboratory.—The cement reference laboratory, a cooperative project of the Bureau of Standards and the American

77824—31 3
16 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

Society for Testing Materials, continued its efforts to secure greater

uniformity and improvement in cement testing. The field inspection

of laboratories formed the greater part of the year's work, 122 laboratories having been visited. Bequests for inspections during the

second tour of the inspectors have been received from 196

laboratories.

Branch laboratories and inspection of cement.—The bureau's

branch laboratories, maintained at Northampton, Pa., for the testing

and inspection of cement; Denver, Colo., for the testing of cement

and concreting materials; San Francisco, Calif., for testing cement

and miscellaneous materials, together with the cement testing laboratory in Washington, have been engaged in testing service for

Government purchasing agencies. During the year 2,311,000 barrels

of cement, an increase of 42 per cent over last year, were sampled,

and 1,830,000 barrels were shipped.

A 4,000,000-pound precision hydraulic compression machine, for

testing concrete cylinders up to 3 feet in diameter, was installed at the Denver laboratory, and equipment for testing textiles, rubber,

and leather was added to the branch in San Francisco.

Number of projects provided for.—In all, 43 research projects were

authorized under this fund during the fiscal year. The general

character of the work has been indicated in the preceding paragraphs.

TESTING MACHINES ($41,000)

Strength of welded joints in tubular members for aircraft.—In co- operation with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and

the Aeronautics Branch of the Department of Commerce, this investigation has been continued, using (1) a type of gusset-reinforced joint

shown by previous tests to be most efficient, (2) joints heat-treated

after welding, and (3) joints made from thin-walled tubing.

Fatigue of alclad.—Flexural fatigue tests were made on two groups

$f alclad sheets (approximately 0.1 inch thick) having core material

of 1TST and 17ST special aluminum alloy. The maximum fiber stress (based on the total thickness of the sheet) for which longitudinal specimens withstood 100,000,000 cycles of stress without failure, was approximately 10,500 pounds per square inch for the alclad 17ST

and 16,000 pounds per square inch for the 17ST core material. For

the alclad 17ST special, the maximum fiber stress was about 12,800

pounds per square inch and 20,500 pounds per square inch for the

core material. The tests on alclad specimens which had been subjected to 6, 12, and 18 months' exposure to salt spray, gave results

which corresponded approximately to those on unexposed specimens.

The tests on the core material, exposed for the same time, gave results corresponding to those obtained for alclad specimens.

Airship girders.—In cooperation with the Bureau of Aeronautics,

Navy Department, an investigation is in progress on factors affecting

the strength and rigidity of airship girders. Results of a series of

compression tests show that the strength of the girders is dependent

almost entirely upon the different types of critical instability. This,

for some sizes and kinds of girders in the chord members, is torsion.

In compression tests of short lengths of girders in which the twisting of the chord members al'one was restrained, the strength of the

girder was increased over 40 per cent. If practicable designs are
BUREAU OF STANDAKDS 17

found for longitudinal members having high torsional rigidity, the

strength of rigid airships can be considerably increased without

increasing the weight.

Fixation of airplane struts.—In cooperation with the National

Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and the Navy Department, a

series of chrome-molybdenum steel tubular struts of different lengths

has been tested in compression. The weight of aircraft structures may be reduced as a result, since the action of elastically restrained

ends is now known more definitely.

Methods of locking screw threads.—Forty-one devices, representing

all manufacturers who cared to participate, were tested, including

nonproprietary devices, such as standard nuts, jam nuts, and slotted nuts with cotter pins.

Only about 22 per cent of the devices showed appreciable differ- ence in static torque-tension characteristics from that of the coarse thread standard nut. In only one device was the screwing-off torque

greater than the screwing-on torque at all stresses. Federal specification for wire rope.—The specification, for wire

rope, No. 297, promulgated by the Federal Specifications Board in

1925, is now being revised to include some additional types of wire

rope required by Government departments, and to bring the tables

for strength into agreement with the values adopted recently by most

manufacturers. Information on the care and use of wire rope will

be included as a guide to users in obtaining satisfactory service from

this important engineering product.

Other investigations.—Seven research projects were conducted under this fund, including studies of heat-treated bridge wire, measure- ments of hardness, and development of special devices to be used in

testing machines.

INVESTIGATION OF FIRE-RESISTING- PROPERTIES ($30,000)

Spontaneous heating and ignition of materials.—The research on

susceptibility of jute to spontaneous heating and ignition, conducted

in cooperation with the Bureau of Chemistry and Soils of the Department of Agriculture and a committee of the Marine Underwriters, was completed. As tested under a considerable range of

conditions, no heating from microbial action in excess of 59° C. was

obtained. Oxidizing oils, such as linseed oil and menhaden oil, applied to jute and to cotton fiber, induced heating culminating in

ignition starting from initial temperatures in the range 30° to 50° C. No significant difference was noted between the results obtained with

jute and with cotton. Fire prevention and protection.—Activities in this field have been

conducted mainly in conjunction with those of the Federal Fire

Council and the National Fire Protection Association. Assistance was given in fire-hazard surveys .of several Federal building groups

and in the preparation of a committee report on protection of records

from fire. Fire tests of partitions.—Experimental work was initiated on a

series of fire tests of interior partitions. Sixteen fire endurance or

fire and water tests were made, the types tested including partitions

built of magnesite-wood fiber blocks, fire-retardant treated wood, and

of wood supports faced with gypsum plaster on plaster board.
18 REPOKT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

Fire tests of welded steel floor construction.—Equipment for fire tests of a welded steel floor construction, conducted in cooperation

with the American Institute of Steel Construction, was completed.

This provides means for applying fire exposure from above as well

as below on floor panels 13% by 18 feet. Additional research work.—Of the 15 research projects conducted

under this fund, only 4 have been briefly described. Among the

others were: Fire tests of brick walls, fire-protection devices, exit

requirements, theater curtains, and standardization of fire-test procedure.

INVESTIGATION OF PUBLIC UTILITY STANDARDS ($107,290)

Electrical codes.—Manuscript was prepared for a new edition of

the National Electrical Safety Code, containing revised tables of

fiber stresses in wood poles as adopted by the American Standards

Association. A report on low-voltage electrical accidents was pre- pared for the National Safety Council and printed in its transactions.

Measurement of high voltages and large currents.—Measurements

made at about 100,000 volts with the large absolute electrometer indicated an agreement within 0.1 per cent with measurements made by means of a voltage transformer and an electrodynamic voltmeter.

Refinements in the current-transformer testing equipment have materially increased the reliability and speed of this work. The upper

limit for alternating-current tests now is 6,500 amperes at 60 cycles

and 8,000 amperes at 25 cycles.

Surveys of telephone service in Government huildings.—Recommendations as to the telephone service in Federal buildings in 17

cities have been made in cooperation with the Office of the Supervising Architect, Treasury Department. Recommendations for tele- phone service have been made for the new buildings for the Department of Commerce, the Department of Agriculture, Public Health

Service, and Federal Warehouse.

Standardization of gas service.—The bureau's representatives have

served on six technical committees of the American Gas Association

dealing with methods of test and performance of certain types of

appliances, on the corrosion of materials used in the construction of

gas appliances, and on other technical subjects. Assistance has been

given in connection with the proposed revision of the gas-fitting

regulations of the District of Columbia and the revision of the

National Fire Protection Association relating to the same subject.

Testing and analysis of fuel gases.—Improvements have been made

in the apparatus and methods employed for the analysis of gases and

these have been incorporated into complete analytical units of superior accuracy and convenience which are now to be produced commercially. Commercial apparatus for the determination of carbon

monoxide has been examined and tested, and a series of analyses of

city gas was made for the Public Utilities Commission of the District

of Columbia during the change from manufactured to mixtures of

manufactured and natural gas. Study of service standards for city gas supplies.—Existing State regulations for gas utilities have been completely summarized. Abstracting of the local service standards, both voluntary and required,

of several hundred gas companies and municipalities has been par-
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 19

tially completed. A partial study has been made of the economics

of the practice of " reforming " gases of high heating values to re- duce their heating value before delivery. The improvement of

existing standards for the control of heating value, meter testing,

pressure control, the uniformity of the gas supplied, and service

extensions have also received attention.

Corrosion of ferrous pipe materials.—About 1,000 specimens of

ferrous pipe material's exposed to soil action for eight years have

been examined and a report on the results prepared. Little differ- ence in the rates of corrosion of the various materials is apparent,

but the rates of corrosion differ greatly in different soils. Corrosion of nonferrous pipe materials and coatings.—Results of

the examination of about 2,000 specimens of nonferrous pipe materials exposed to soils four to six years indicate that copper and alloys

high in copper resist the action of nearly all soils very well. Zinc

coatings offer considerable resistance to soil action if sufficiently

heavy and properly applied.

TESTING MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS ($46,400) Tests for Government departments.—An unusually large number

of tests were made for Government departments on paints, varnishes,

bituminous roofing and waterproofing materials, rubber goods, packings, inks, typewriter ribbons, carbon paper, textiles, boiler waters

and compounds, detergents, chemicals, dental gold alloys, etc. Miscellaneous materials were tested to determine their fire hazard to guide the Steamboat Inspection Service in making rulings on the

transportation of commodities on passenger vessels. A large quantity of mercury was purified for the use of the bureau's laboratories

in research work.

Research.—Although this fund provides mainly for the testing of

supplies purchased by the Government, four research projects were

also carried on. These dealt with the turbidity method for determination of sulphur trioxide in Portland cement, paint and varnish

test methods, varnish resins, and preparation of isoprene.

RADIO RESEARCH ($85,700)

Primary frequency standard.—The reliability of the equipment was increased. Checks made against the Arlington time signals,

the Riefler and Shortt clocks of the bureau, and a quartz oscillator

standard of the Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York by means

of a wire transmission of an audio frequency, showed the standard

to be reliable in continuous service to better than a part in a million. Improvement of secondary frequency standards.—The performance of several temperature-controlled piezo oscillators was studied.

They were found very satisfactory for controlling a transmitting set of exceptionally constant frequency. An improved piezo oscillator was constructed. Studies of the elasticity and vibration patterns of

piezoelectric quartz were continued.

Standard frequency dissemination.—The bureau extended and improved its standard frequency service. The regular transmission of

eight frequencies per month was continued. Beginning on Janu-
20 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OE COMMERCE

ary 6, these transmissions were augmented by highly accurate trans- missions on 5,000 kilocycles, two hours in the afternoon and two

hours at night on three days a month. These transmissions were controlled by a secondary standard piezo oscillator and maintained with an accuracy better than a part in a million. This work is a part of a program for eventually providing one or more frequencies con- tinuously for check and control purposes.

Measurements of radio field intensity.—Field intensity measure- ments were made between Washington and Chicago on the 5,000-

kilocycle standard frequency transmitter. Daytime field intensity

measurements made on broadcast and airways phone transmissions

indicated that existing formulas for field intensity are not reliable

for overland paths at broadcast frequencies.

Improvements in radio measurement methods.—Improved methods of measuring the frequencies of transmitted radio waves with

great precision were developed. New equipment for calibrating condensers, and an improved audio frequency oscillator incorporating

a piezo oscillator have been designed and built. Character and cause of variations of radio wave intensity and

direction.—The technique of automatic recording of field intensities was developed and applied to observing the synchronized transmissions of certain broadcasting stations. The fading records taken on

the Byrd Antarctic expedition were analyzed and prepared for publication. They showed that for frequencies of about 9,000 kilocycles

per second over long paths the field intensity increased with the

increase of darkness over the path; as the frequency increased to about 16,000 kilocycles per second the field intensity at first increased

with increase of darkness until the path was about half dark and then

decreased as the darkness increased.

Measurement of the height of the Kennelly-Heaviside layer.—

Using the echo method, the height of the Kennelly-Heaviside layer was regularly recorded on frequencies from 590 to 10,000 kilocycles

per second. Beginning in June, 1931, Kennelly-Heaviside layer height

data were furnished to Science Service for publication in the Ursigrams each week. Transmitting and receiving apparatus for this

work was developed so that pulses one ten-thousandth second in

length can be transmitted and recorded. Plans for an automatic

continuous recorder of Kennelly-Heaviside layer heights were

developed.

Miscellaneous.—Eighteen projects were provided for under this

fund. Among those not included in the preceding paragraphs may

be mentioned: Improvement of radio standards of capacity, study

of short waves, characteristics of receiving sets, and power factor of

mica.

COLOR STANDARDIZATION ($15,800)

Transformation of color mixture data.—Methods for the determination of trilinear coordinates of color by visual photometric

measurements have been improved ; also methods of computing dominant wave length and colorimetric purity. Experimental data by

Wright on equivalent color stimuli have been transformed so as to be more readily comparable with previous data. Methods of ex- pressing tolerances in color specifications have been worked out.
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 21

Standardization of Lovibond glasses.—Methods of measurement

have been improved, and 240 red glasses (making a total of 1,696

since January 1, 1928) were calibrated for use with 35 yellow, as in

the vegetable-oil industry. Attention is now being given to standardization of the glasses in other connections urgently demanded.

Standard glass -filters for testing spectrophotometers.—The rapidly

increasing industrial use of spectrophotometers makes the establishment of this service a matter of urgent importance. Preparations

have been made to issue filters of certified spectral transmission,

which may be used in testing the performance of spectrophotometers.

Standards for railway signal glasses.—Although the bureau has

made spectrophotometric tests of railway signal glasses for many

years, the standard glasses established by the American Railway

Association have heretofore been in private custody. These are now

being transferred to the bureau.

Miscellaneous.—Fifteen research projects were conducted under

this fund. In addition to those mentioned, the following may be

listed : Life tests of lamps used for color-temperature determinations,

measurement of diffuse reflection, color of daylight, spectral reflection

of colored silk, and cooperation on new absolute standard of light.

INVESTIGATION OF CLAY PRODUCTS ($49,000)

Factors affecting the crazing of earthenware.—This investigation

has been extended to include individual ceramic raw materials and a study of the effect of particle size. Data obtained indicate particle

size to be an important factor, and the relative reaction of the various

materials is shown by the following values : Feldspar, 2.5 ; lepidolite,

1.6; Cornwall stone, 1.4; clay, 0.4; flint, 0.05. Since it would be

impracticable to replace feldspar entirely with one or more other

fluxes, and since data on commercial ware show a fairly direct relation

between porosity and moisture expansion, it would seem logical to correct susceptibility of earthenware to crazing by lowering the

absorption.

Special low-fire, white-ivare bodies.—With the development of means for heating electrically, the attention of the ceramic industry

has been directed to this source of heat, and a study was undertaken

to determine the possibilities of maturing white ware at, or below,

1,000° C. Wall tile, dry press plates, and cast ware were successfully

matured and glazed at 950° C. The specimens produced withstood

the autoclave test for resistance to crazing.

Feldspar and its effect on pottery bodies.—The final report has

been published in the Journal of the American Ceramic Society.

Cutlery marking of chinaware.—A final report is in course of publication and will contain data of sufficient significance to justify the

careful control, or elimination, of sulphur in decorating kiln at- mospheres, thus aiding in the production of glazed ware which will

not be susceptible to metal marking.

Changes in clay at high temperatures.—High temperature constitutional changes of clay, determined petrographically and by X rays, include complete dissociation of the clay molecule into silica and

alumina at temperatures below 900° C. These combine in part at temperatures as low as 1,050° C. to form mullite.
22 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

Study of refractories.—Preliminary data obtained at 1,250° C. on

17 different brands of fire-clay brick show the modulus of elasticity to range from 70,000 to 300,000 pounds per square inch, and the

modulus of rupture from 50 to 670 pounds per square inch. Bricks

having either a very high alumina or silica content show much lower

plastic deflections than do bricks having an approximately equal mixture. X-ray diffraction patterns established that the high rate of

thermal expansion occurring in most fired clays between 100° and

200° C. is governed by the percentage of cristobalite present. For

comparative purposes 23 brands of fire-clay brick were tested for

resistance to thermal spalling according to the requirements of the

two present standard methods and four modifications of these. Resistance of metals to the abrasive action of plastic clay.—Tests have been made on 19 metals and alloys to determine their wear

values. Also, the following fundamental factors have been determined : Relation between abrasion loss y and extrusion pressure x;

relation between water content w< of the clay and extrusion pressure

and relation between diameter d of the cylindrical orifice of the die

and the extrusion pressure. These equations are, respectively:

^——g; wxr =h; and d

2x=e. In the order from highest to lowest re- x ' ' &

sistance to abrasion the different types of metals and alloys tested are as follows: (1) Chrome-cobalt-tungsten compositions; (2) car- bon-cobalt-chrome molybdenum steels; (3) vanadium steels; (4)

high carbon steels; (5) cast irons; (6) rustless steels; (7) copper;

(8) soft brass. Problems relating to saggers.—Data obtained on the thermal ex- pansion, moduli of elasticity and rupture, porosity, computed outer

fiber strain, and plastic flow of specimen bars and small saggers prepared from each of 45 different sagger bodies fired at from one to three different temperatures indicate that it is very important to analyze the conditions of service under which saggers are to be used,

because in most cases it is impossible to prepare from the usual run

of clays sagger bodies which have properties ideally suited for longevity in all types of service.

Thermal dilation of special refractories from 20° to 1,800° C.—

The linear thermal expansion was measured before and after heating

to 1,700° C. or higher of California magnesite, silica brick, and

Khodesian, African, Grecian, and Indian chrome ores. Properties of architectural terra cotta.—The investigation of terra

cotta was continued in cooperation with the National Terra Cotta

Society. Several buildings were inspected to determine what defects are developing in terra cotta in service. Laboratory research has

continued for improving the quality by better manufacturing methods and to improve methods of setting the material in the building.

Standard tests were developed and tentative specifications for terra

cotta were prepared. It was found that certain glazes expand, be- cause of the action of water, in a manner similar to bodies.

Columhus laboratory

.

—A study of the glassy bond present in fired ceramic materials has been started by preparing glasses likely to be

formed by the constituents present and determining certain properties. Continued work on the properties of the colloidal separates of

both English china clay and Ohio shales shows some general corre-
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 23

iations, but certain exceptions made necessary a study of the replaceable bases present in the clays, with promising results. In the temperature range 0° to 1,200° C. a number of commercially ground

feldspars were found to give off relatively large volumes of water

vapor, acid, and other gases. A number of new points were located

in the multiple component system involved in the interaction of the

slags and cIslj refractories of boiler settings.

Additional projects.—A total of 10 research projects were provided

for by this fund. In addition to those mentioned, progress was made

on the following: Physical properties of commercial English china

clays, causes of failure of boiler refractories, and energy changes

accompanying heating of clay materials.

STANDARDIZING MECHANICAL APPLIANCES ($51,321)

Testing of engineering instruments.—Approximately 1,300 instruments were calibrated, an increase of about 25 per cent over the previous year. In cooperation with the United States Geological' Survey some experiments were made on meter equipment.

Postage metering and stamp vending devices.—The investigation

and testing of mail metering and similar automatic devices for the

Post Office Department have continued. There has been a rapid ex- pansion in the development of machines of this nature, and the

volume of work has shown a marked increase.

Fire extinguishing appliances and equipment.—Fire extinguishing

appliances and systems have been tested for the Steamboat Inspection Service. Technical data on their effectiveness and reliability

have been supplied. This work showed a marked increase in the

past fiscal j^ear.

Heating appliances for Government buildings.—A series of per- formance tests of radiator room temperature control valves for the new Commerce Department Building were made for the Office of

the Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department. Performance tests of several types of radiator return line traps were also

made for the same office. Elevator safety interlocking devices.—Performance tests of ele- vator interlocking devices for compliance with the recently adopted

"American Standard," have been extended to include additional devices. Results of these tests are used as the basis of approval by

Government departments, certain State governments, and a group of

casualty insurance companies.

Investigation of propeller fans.—A study was made of the effect of

certain entrance conditions on the performance of 2-blade propeller

fans and of the effect of increasing the number of blades from two to

four. The results are described in the March, 1931, issue of the Journal of Research.

Plumbing investigations.—Investigations, partly financed by the

plumbing industry, combining an experimental study of flow in pipes

with field observations and measurements on plumbing systems in ac- tual use, are in progress. A tower 100 feet high, surmounted by a

3,000-gallon tank and equipped with pumps and supply pipes delivering about 600 gallons per minute, has been erected and will provide

equipment for measurements of capacity flow in sloping drains up to 77824—31 4
24 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

6-inch diameters. A revision of those sections of the plumbing code

relating to drainpipe sizes was completed in May, and the revised

sections are being printed as a supplement to the report of the subcommittee, pending the completion of the present investigations.

INVESTIGATION OF OPTICAL AND OTHER TYPES OF GLASS ($27,300)

Production.—Thirty pots of optical glass, embracing five different

kinds of glass, were melted. From these melts 37,955 blanks for

optical elements, weighing 3,001 pounds, were made for the Navy

Department.

Viscosity.—Viscosity measurements on six ordinary kinds of optical

glass have been completed. Results show that the viscosity between

1,000° and 1,400° C. increases in the following order: Dense flint, medium flint, borosilicate crown, light barium crown, barium flint, ordinary crown. Composition and physical properties of glass.—Relations between

composition of certain soda-lime-silica glasses and their refractivities

{N-l) can be more accurately expressed by simple equations than

by exponential equations. The best solution obtained is {N-l) =

aA + bB + cC, in which A, B, and G are the percentages of silica,

soda, and lime, respectively, in the glass and and c have the

following values in the indicated silica ranges

Silica range a b c

60 to 59.5 per cent 0. 004836

. 004785

. 004584

0. 005491

. 005568

. 006127

0. 007521

. 007598

. 007977

59.5 to 73.75 per cent

73.75 to 100 per cent

Specific volumes (V) of these glasses can be computed from

V=aL A + b x B + c1 C Jra\C2

, A, B, and G having the same significance as above and the values of the constants are

Silica range bi Cl

50 to 59. 4 per cent. . ... 0. 0042520

. 0043028

. 0043922

. 0045400

0. 0035370

. 0034628

. 0032872

. 0023460

0. 0025567

. 0025000

. 0023190

. 0017900

0. 0000061 .0000040

. 0000025 .0000194

59. 4 to 66. 3 per cent

66. 3 to 74. 9 per cent

74. 9 to 100 per cent Additional research.—In addition to the two research projects

described in the preceding paragraph, eight other researches were

conducted under this fund, including: Properties of special glasses,

chemical analysis of glass, molding and annealing, and methods of

hardening glass.

INVESTIGATION OF TEXTILES, ETC. ($60,900)

Fastness to light of dyed textiles.—In cooperation with the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists a series of standards was selected for the different degrees of fastness. The relative

fastness to light of 1,197 cotton, wool, silk, and weighted silk dyings,
BUREAU OP STANDARDS 25

representing 366 dyestuffs, when exposed to sunlight in the standard

" sun test " of the association, were tabulated and classified into 7 fastness classes. Weighted silk.—An accelerated aging test for weighted silk was

developed. There is good agreement between the effects of exposure

of silk to a carbon arc light for a few hours under certain conditions

of temperature and humidity and those of exposure to a north light

for several months.

Standardization of knit underwear.—As the result of a general

conference of manufacturers, distributors, and users, the standards

for undergarments developed in cooperation with the Associated

Knit Underwear Manufacturers of America were approved as a commercial standard. The consumer should now be able to purchase

underwear of proper size and fit regardless of where it was made or the price paid for it. Properties of knit fabrics.—To obtain basic information on the

effect of variables on such properties of fabrics as air permeability,

thermal transmission, coefficient of friction (slipperiness), and moisture permeability, comparative samples of knit underwear fabrics of

about 100 different constructions were tested. The results are now

being summarized and collated. Special textile test methods.—A study of new apparatus for measuring the thermal transmission of fabrics shows that it is much simpler to construct and to operate than the earlier apparatus, requires a smaller sample for test, gives results more rapidly, and is compact

and portable. The values agree with those obtained at other laboratories. An instrument was constructed by which thickness can be

read directly for any pressure on the fabric from zero to a given

maximum.

Cotton fabric for parachutes.—Parachutes made from cotton cloth woven at the bureau and tested at Lakehurst by the Bureau of Aeronautics of the Navy Department, functioned nearly as well as silk parachutes. Two 75-yard lengths of cotton parachute cloth have

been woven in the bureau's mill and will be submitted to the Bureau

of Aeronautics for further trial. A report on the work has been

published by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.

MerceHzation of cotton for aeronautical purposes.—A mercerizing

machine for studies under strictly controlled conditions was built. An experimental procedure was developed for studying the factors

of tension during mercerization, time, temperature, and concentration

of caustic.

Government papers.—In cooperative research on paper currency

with the Bureau of Efficiency and Bureau of Engraving and Printing, papers were made from highly-purified wood fibers which complied with the currency paper specifications and which had satisfactory printing qualities. Paper-making trials of pulp from redeemed

paper currency show that satisfactory paper pulp can be made from

this material. The addition of phosphoric acid to the gum of postage

stamps was found to improve the adhesion of stamps to the more

resistant types of envelope papers.

Paper-testing methods.—Methods of measuring grease, water,

and air resistance, and acidity of paper have been standardized for

the Technical Industry. The
26 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

American Society for Testing Materials was assisted in the establishment of a standard procedure for determining the folding en- durance of insulating papers. Progress was made in the study of

hygrometry as related to paper testing.

Standardization of commercial paper products.—The printing

quality of lithographic papers is being studied in cooperation with

the Lithographic Technical Foundation. As misregister is the most

important problem, the work has been confined mainly to plant and

laboratory studies of effect of variable humidity and tension. Paper

towels, insulating boards, and binders boards were also studied.

Paper-making materials and processes.—Coating tests of domestic

caseins were made to assist the Bureau of Dairy Industry of the

Department of Agriculture in finding more suitable grading standards. Assistance was also given the American Newspaper Publishers

Association and the Government Printing Office in correlating the

printing qualities of newsprints with their components.

Preservation of records.—An accelerated test, using heat, for determining permanence of Government writing papers classifies them

in the same way as sunlight. In paper-making experiments with

highly purified wood fibers, papers were produced which compared

favorably in stability and strength with the Government permanent

record and currency papers. Data were obtained on the relation

of sizing materials and fiber beating treatment to the stability

of the papers. A survey of documents in public libraries shows the

chief external deteriorating influences to be acid pollution of the

atmosphere, high temperature, variations in atmospheric humidity,

light, and dust. Laboratory studies of effect of acid-polluted air and

of light are in progress. Tests of old publications stored in libraries

revealed the importance of purity of paper fibers if papers are to

resist deteriorating influences. T*he support of these studies by the

Carnegie Corporation and the Brown Co. was continued.

Scope of the work.—This fund provided for a total of 20 research

projects. The field covered is indicated in the preceding paragraphs, the examples selected being typical.

SUGAR STANDARDIZATION ($95,000)

Preparation of crystalline ribose.—This sugar is of great importance in the study of the physiological processes of the human body,

but its cost is so high that but little attention has been paid to it. The

bureau has undertaken a study of ribose to reduce its cost and to obtain information on its physical and chemical behavior and its relation to other sugars. A quantity of pure sugar has been obtained and an improved method of preparation developed which

has resulted in a materially lowered cost. Oxidation of sugars.—A new process has been developed for the

manufacture of sugar acids and their salts. When it is desired to produce a salt the sugar is electrolytically oxidized in the presence

of a bromide and a base. The bromide is continuously regenerated

hence a small amount will facilitate the oxidation of a large quantity of sugar. Since the raw materials are cheap, the new process

has considerable commercial possibility for the manufacture of cal- cium gluconate and similar products.

Tariff act of 1930.—Much time was devoted to the investigations

requested by the Congress during the drafting of the tariff act of
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 27

1930. In this act a radical change was made in the method of as- sessing duty upon molasses. The component of chief value is the

total amount of sugar, and the new act orders the collection of the revenue on the total number of pounds of such sugar. This procedure necessitates changes in methods employed. These methods

have been perfected, and in collaboration with the Bureau of Customs the necessary revision of the customs regulations has been made.

Method of levulose manufacture.—Gratifying results have been obtained in experiments with the semifactory-scale plant for the production of hard refined levulose. Portions of the plant were operated on a considerable scale and data secured to redesign unsatisfactory equipment. Among the more important new pieces now completed and in operation are : Converter temperature control, automatic

defecator control, calcium levulate costal grower, carbonator, and

filter assembly. A carload of artichoke tubers was furnished gratuitously to the bureau by the Alabama Power Co., Birmingham, Ala.,

and transported free of charge by the Southern Railway.

Other work.—Eighteen pieces of research were provided for under

this fund, including, in addition to those already described, oxidation of sugars by bromine water, optical constants of sugar, de* termination of density of molasses, lime precipitation of levulose,

and optical identification of sugars. GAGE STANDARDIZATION ($50,000)

Certification of master gages.—The American Petroleum Institute's grand and regional1 master cable tool joint gages have been

remeasured. Many of the ring gages were found to be outside of tol- erances on lead of thread, and the American Petroleum Institute

arranged for correction of the gages by the gage maker. Complete

sets for two sizes of joints have been corrected and remeasured. The

remaining nine sets will be corrected and recertified during the sum- mer and fall. Gages for interchangeable grovmd-glass joints.—The manufacturers of ground-glass joints replaced the original master plain taper

gages with more accurate gages made in this country. These were

checked and found to be satisfactory.

Cooperation with the National Physical Laboratory and the Physikalisch-Technische Reichsanstalt.—Foreign manufacturers of oil- field equipment are using A. P. I. standards to a large extent, and

the American Petroleum Institute has appointed both the National

Physical Laboratory of England and the Physikalisch-Technische

Eeichsanstalt of Germany as official testing agencies for A. P. I. gages made in Europe. This has led to considerable correspondence

between the bureau and these laboratories with regard to interpretation of A. P. I. gage specifications and standardization of methods

of test. New facilities.—Equipment added includes 31 internal micrometers

for measuring plain-ring gages, attachment for measuring tapers on

pitch diameter of ring gages, and comparators for determining variations in roundness and straightness and for comparing gage blocks

and plug gages with an error of only two or three millionths of an

inch.
28 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

INVESTIGATION OF RAILROAD AND MINE SCALES AND CARS

($102,300)

Master track scale calibrations.—Eighteen of the nineteen master

scales in service were visited and calibrated by direct application of

standard test loads. Minor modifications or adjustments were made

on 10 scales and all were left accurate within an " adjustment toler- ance " corresponding to an allowable error limit of 0.01 per cent. Railroad track scales.—A total of 1,030 scales were tested, the

greatest number ever covered in one year. Of these 75.9 per cent were correct within the bureau's tolerance which allows a mean maximum weighing error equivalent to 0.20 per cent of the applied test- load values. The average maximum weighing error was 0.21 per

cent or but 0.01 per cent more than the allowable error limit. These

values, in comparison with the results for the preceding year, indi- cate a higher proportion of correct scales but a slightly greater

average weighing error. Track scales for weighing grain.—Tests were made of 97 track

scales utilized at grain elevators and mills for weighing carload con- signments of grain. Slightly more than half were correct within

the special tolerance of 0.10 per cent. A survey has shown that approximately half these scales are incapable of continuous maintenance

within the tolerance recommended for them by the Interstate Commerce Commission. (I. C. C. Docket 9009.) Test-car calibrations.—At the master scale depot, Clearing Station,

Chicago, railroad track-scale test-weight car calibrations were made

for 13 different owning systems on 28 different cars. The total number of calibrations was 57. In addition, 23 track-scale test-weight

cars owned by railroads and industries which do not have access

to master scales were calibrated by direct comparison with standard

weight test loads in the field. Paint coatings for test weights.—A study of the durability and

protective characteristics of various paints recommended for application to 50-pound test weights is under way. Results thus far in- dicate that the constancy of test-weight values is dependent more upon

conditions of handling and transportation than upon the nature of

the paint coating. Loss of weight usually results from abrasion and

chipping of the metal.

Contacts with technical bodies.—The bureau cooperated with the

National Scale Men's Association and the American Railway Association in drafting a code of specifications for track-scale test-weight

cars. Two new projects on which the bureau will cooperate with the

first-named organization are : Preparation of a code of rules for operation and maintenance of track-scale test-weight cars, and definition

of what constitutes a proper test of a railroad track scale. Mine scales.—Tests^ were made of 140 scales in the coal-mining

sections of West Virginia, Maryland, Indiana, and Ohio. About 48

per cent were found correct within the allowable tolerance of 8

pounds per ton of applied test load. A conspicuous increase in the

proportion of correct scales is indicated. Improvement is most pronounced in the States of Maryland and West Virginia.

Improvements in field equipment.—Testing outfit No. 1, in use since

1913, will be replaced by new equipment, strictly modern in all re-
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 29

spects and containing improved facilities for handling and mainte- nance of weight standards. Testing outfit No. 3, which for some

time has been in poor mechanical condition, has been shopped for

replacement of journal bearings. This is expected to improve its transportability and eliminate it as a real or apparent transportation

hazard. The outfit has been in steady service since 1918.

Postal scales and weighing.—At the request of the Post Office Department, laboratory studies were made of the speed and accuracy of

weighing postal matter, and numerous samples of scales intended for

postal weighings were tested. Assistance was also given the Post

Office Department in the development of purchase specifications for

postal scales and in the training of a field personnel which will con- duct acceptance tests on new scales and routine service tests on scales in use in post offices throughout the United States. Cooperation with Government departments.—Frequent consultations have been held with representatives of Federal departments on

weighing and measuring problems and equipment, and numerous

weighing and measuring devices have been tested or examined for

these agencies, both in Washington and at Clearing Station, Chicago.

Cooperation with the States.—Formal State conferences were at- tended in Illinois, Indiana (two), Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The preparation of a

digest of weights and measures court decisions was continued.

METALLURGICAL RESEARCH ($61,000)

Aeration and submerged corrosion.—With low oxygen contents the

rate of initial corrosion of iron increases as the oxygen increases.

With a high oxygen content a reversal occurs, and the rate of corro- sion decreases with increase of oxygen. The pH of the water affects the form of the curve. Slight but consistent differences were observed with different compositions of iron and steel. Copper roofing materials.—In cooperation with the Copper and

Brass Kesearch Association a study of these materials is in progress.

Emphasis has been placed on corrosion failures, such as soldered seams and pitting.

Copper-base ingot metals.—A study of typical copper-base casting

alloys is being conducted in cooperation with the Non-Ferrous Ingot

Metal Institute, with the object of classifying such alloys on the

basis of properties and thus simplifying specifications. The method

of pouring specimens is being studied.

Fluidity of liquid metals.—A method has been developed for determining in the foundry the fluidity of any molten metal when cast into a mold. The length of the spiral casting made under carefully

controlled foundry conditions has been found to be the most practicable test and to give very valuable information on the effect of

different casting variables such as pouring temperature, sand

" temper," etc. Shrinkage of molten metals.—A method has been developed for

measuring the shrinkage of metals in casting, and in cooperation

with the American Foundrymen's Association it has been applied to measurements of cast iron.
30 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

Fatigue of metals—effect of inclusions.—A comparative study of

two methods for determining the endurance of metals—the rotary

beam and the axial-loading methods—has been made. The results indicate that the latter is a more " searching " test for determining

the true endurance properties of material, such as rail steel, which

contains inclusions.

Bridge wire.—Laboratory tests of specimens of heat-treated car- bon steel wire from failed bridge cables did not reveal any characteristics to arouse suspicion, either in structure or properties. A method

has been developed for testing the entire wire in fatigue. The results of fatigue and other tests on the entire wire indicate that the surface

characteristics contributed greatly to the " spontaneous " failure of

the wire under load. Long-time tension tests to demonstrate this are under way. The effect of possible changes in the wire by aging

after heat treatment is being studied by thermomagnetic analysis.

Fatigue of metals.—In studying the effect of surface conditions on the endurance properties of bridge wire it has been found that

galvanizing by hot dipping consistently lowers the endurance limit

of annealed or heat-treated carbon steel, while zinc coating by electro- plating has the opposite effect. Rail steel.—Transverse fissures appear to be an outgrowth of sec- ondary brittleness. By retarding cooling of a rail, after rolling,

secondary brittleness can be minimized. Impact tests at high temperatures have shown a parallelism between secondary brittleness

and low impact strength.

Spark testing of steel.—A chart showing the spark characteristics

of steels has been prepared.

Machinability of metals.—A report has been issued on the relation

between composition, heat treatment, and the machinability of steel forgings.

Additional projects.—Sixteen pieces o,f research were conducted

under this fund. Ones not mentioned above, include: Study of

Preece test for zinc-coated wire, corrosion of nonferrous metals,

durability of screen wire cloth, effect of excessive cold working of

metals, and properties of platinum metals.

HIGH TEMPERATURE INVESTIGATION ($10,200)

Melting and pouring temperatures of gray iron impact speci- mens.—The pouring of 380 test bars in 14 foundries was supervised,

and pouring temperatures measured in cooperation with the American Society for Testing Materials.

Effect of elevated temperatures on micas.—The effect of temperature on the properties of 19 different kinds of mica, 12 of foreign and

7 of domestic origin, was determined.

Thermoelectric properties of platinum-rhodium alloys.—The study

of the thermoelectric properties of the platinum-rhodium alloys has

been completed. Miscellaneous.—Work was also done on the effect of atmosphere on

the freezing point of silver and on the establishment of a scale of

color temperature, based on the color of black bodies.
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 3i

SOUND INVESTIGATION ($11,260)

Ultrasonic waves.—A research on the speed of transmission of

ultra-sonic waves through various solutions and suspensions has been

carried out. A report of this investigation, which is in a rather new

field, will be published in the Journal of Kesearch.

Sound-proof partitions.—The investigation of wall and floor struc- tures designed to prevent or minimize the passage of sound has been

continued. Noises resulting from direct impact with the partition,

such as the impact of uncushioned heels on a bare floor, are trans- mitted more readily than air-borne sounds, and a special study has

been made of floor structures designed to minimize such sounds.

Other projects.—Six projects are carried by this fund. In addition to the two mentioned are: Acoustical properties of materials,

acoustics of auditoriums, standardization of tuning forks and bars,

and the photographic recording of sound.

INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ($225,000)

Storage battery construction and operation.—Paste mixtures from

special .samples of oxides having coarse particle sizes have been

studied. Bismuth as an alloy in the construction of grids for storagebattery plates has not been found satisfactory. Automatic testing

equipment has been installed for testing storage batteries.

Bituminous pipe coatings.—Approximately 90 varieties of bituminous pipe coatings are under observation. Methods of measure- ment which are independent of the observer have been developed,

Examinations of specimens indicate that a large percentage of the

coatings as applied contain pinholes, absorb moisture, and have low

electrical resistivity after a year's exposure to moist soil. Gable design.—In cooperation with the United States Coast Guard,

a special submarine cable using rubber of low dielectric constant was

designed. Over the armor of the cable there is a rubber jacket having properties similar to the tread of automobile tires. About 10

miles of this cable has been constructed and laid from Miami to a neighboring lighthouse.

Properties of electrical insulating materials.—A series of IT com- pounds containing sulphur from to 32 per cent in steps of 2 per

cent, with pure rubber hydrocarbon, has been studied. The dielectric constant and power factor were measured at temperatures ranging from -80° to +260° C. at six frequencies between 60 and

1,000,000 cycles per second.

Wind pressure on structures.—Papers on wind pressure on circular cylinders and chimneys, and on measurements on a model of a

mill building have been published. A contract has been placed

for the construction of a model of one of the tall buildings recently

completed in New York City.

Orifice meter research.—The work of analyzing experimental data

has been continued and two papers have been prepared. The first deals with the difference of behavior between liquids and gases, and

the second with experiments on the metering of large volumes of air=
32 EEPOET TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

Lag of aircraft thermometers.—The experimental determination

of the thermometric lag of the various types of thermometers now

used for measuring air temperature in aircraft was completed. With

proper allowance for design limitations the electric resistance thermometer has a smaller lag than the bimetal and liquid-filled types.

Transfer of heat by convection.—A fundamental study of the phe- nomenon of transfer of heat by convection was initiated, attention

thus far having been directed toward measurements of temperature

distribution in fluids in the immediate neighborhood of heated bodies.

An optical interference method, which utilizes the change of index

of refraction of fluids with temperature, is employed. Measurements

have been made of the temperature distribution in air surrounding

flat plates and heated cylinders of various sizes. Thermal conductivity of insulating materials at ordinary temperature.—Investigation of the mechanism of heat flow in fibrous materials was completed and published in the Journal of Research. (R. P. 243.) Useful data on the effect of arrangement of fibers and

density of packing on the thermal conductivity are presented in the

paper.

Pressure-volume-temperature relation of oil-gas mixtures.—In co- operation with the American Petroleum Institute measurements have

been made of the volume and density of the liquid phases and the

density of the gas phases of three crude oil-gas mixtures at various

pressures and temperatures. The pressure range covered was 1 to 200 atmospheres and the temperature range 30° to 90° C.

Compressibility and thermal expansion of petroleum oils.—The re- sults of this investigation, which was conducted in cooperation with

the American Petroleum Institute, were published in the November,

1930, issue of the Bureau of Standards Journal of Research.

Thermal properties of oils.—This investigation has been carried on in cooperation with the American Petroleum Institute. Values

have been obtained for the specific heats of (1) gasolines from 30°

to 120° C, (2) gas oils from 30° to 180° C, and (3) lubricating oils from 30° to 200° C, which substantiate equation 5, page 26, Miscellaneous Publication No. 97, and the equation for specific heat on page 151, International Critical Tables, Volume II. Vapor pressure of carbon dioxide.—Previous measurements at temperatures down to —50° C. have been made at this bureau. The

range of observations has been extended to —78° C. Observations

below this temperature are not considered necessary since sufficiently accurate measurements have been made at other laboratories. All

available data are being correlated.

Properties of wganic liquids.—Using the methods and apparatus

previously developed for measurements of thermal properties of

water and steam, values were obtained for the heat content and lat- ent heat of vaporization of methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and benzene,

in the range 40° to 110° C. The results have been published in the

Journal of Research.

Heat of combustion of methyl alcohol.—With an improved type of

calorimeter the heat of combustion of liquid methyl alcohol at 25° C. has been found to be 726.34 ± 0.20 int. kilojoules per mole. This new value is about iy2 per cent higher than the highest previously

reported result and completely removes certain discrepancies occur-
BUEEAU OF STANDARDS 33

ring in the thermodynamic data in connection with the process of

synthesis of methyl alcohol. Heat of ionization of water.—This has recently been recalculated

and the best value on the basis of existing data is 57,370 absolute

joules per mole at 18° C. Gryoscopic constant of camphor.—Discordant values for this constant have been reported in the literature. A new calorimetric determination of this quantity from the latent heat of fusion of pure cam- phor has therefore been carried out. Heat content of phosphorus pentoxide.—As a contribution to the

thermal data required in connection with industrial processes for the

manufacture of fertilizer from phosphate rock, a determination of

the heat content of phosphorus pentoxide between room temperature

and 800° C. has been carried out. Phase equilibrium diagram for the system Cr2 Os-Al2 3

. —This diagram has been determined and is characterized by complete miscibility of the two components in the crystalline state. Acid in leather.—Leather tanned with quebracho-wood extract was

found more resistant to deterioration by sulphuric acid than leather

tanned with chestnut-wood extract. The influence of the degree of

tannage was slight. No significant difference was found in leathers

containing sulphuric acid, and to which 0, 10, and 20 per cent of cod

oil and tallow had been added after the acid treatment. The rate of deterioration is greater with higher relative humidity. Commercial leathers tanned chiefly with a blend of chestnut and quebracho

gave results between those obtained for leathers tanned with each of

the materials alone. Chemical methods for determining the hydrolysis of the hide substance by sulphuric acid in these leathers gave

results which parallel the deterioration of the leather on aging.

Preliminary experiments show that the addition of salts to leather

containing sulphuric acid decreases the rate of deterioration, and

the addition of saturated oxalic acid solutions causes slight deterioration after six months' aging.

Salt for curing skins.—Analyses of 30 samples of typical rock and

evaporated salts used for curing hides and skins show the salts to have a high degree of purity. The data have been presented for

reference use in problems of damaging stains on hides and skins.

Fur-seal shins.—The thickness, tensile strength, stretch, and tear

resistance of fur-seal skins were determined to aid in developing

standards of quality.

Stress-strain recorder for rubber.—A simple and effective apparatus has been constructed for recording the stress-strain curves of

rubber both on extension and on retraction. The behavior of rubber

may be followed through any desired number of cycles of stress at any desired speed or elongation.

Repeated stressing of rubber.—The manner in which the stress- strain curve of rubber changes under various circumstances of stress- ing and the mode and extent of recovery on resting have been

measured.

Photoelastic analysis of stresses in rubber.—The photoelastic ef- fect in rubber has been shown to be proportional to stress, as is known

to be the case for more rigid materials. Stress distribution around

models of pigment particles in transparent rubber is being investigated.
34 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

Thermal conductivity of metals.—A comparatively simple yet ac- curate method and apparatus for measuring thermal conductivity

of metals up to 600° C. has been developed. Measurements have been

made on a few pure metals and on a number of steels and other

alloys, mostly of the heat-resisting type.

Thermal expansion of heat-resisting alloys.—The research on heatresisting alloys has been completed, and forms a valuable contribution to the literature on these alloys which are now being used extensively where resistance to tarnish and weathering is demanded.

Heat-resisting alloys.—Cooperation with the joint research committee, American Society for Testing Materials, and American Society of Mechanical Engineers has been continued with emphasis on

the structural changes at high temperatures. Embrittlement by car- bide precipitation at high temperatures has been studied with ref- erence to the magnitude of the stresses to which the materials are

subjected.

High -temperature properties of metals.—As a basis of all commercial alloys for high-temperature service the " creep " characteristics of the Cr-Fe-Ni series have been studied. The effect of various

alloying elements for stabilizing austenitic steels has been studied

in cooperation with a manufacturer of such materials.

" Gas content " of metals.—Two reports were issued, one summarizing in detail the analytical method. In the experimental work emphasis has been placed on the determination of " gases " in steel deoxidized in a special manner and on " abnormal " steels for

carburizing.

Solubility of gases in metals.—A report on the carbon-oxygen solubility product in liquid steel has been issued. The value, 0.0025, has

been found for this product, and 0.011 for the carbon-ferrous oxide

product. The lower results reported by another research laboratory

have been shown to be in error. Quenching of steel.—As quenching media for steels, intermediate

between water and oil, sodium silicate solutions appear much superior to glycerin and other solutions used commercially.

Wear resistance of metals—-The behavior of heat-treated carbon

steels under abrasive wear by sand and under combined sliding and

rolling metal-to-metal wear has been studied. The effect of grain

size of the metal on its wear resistance and the influence of the

atmosphere surrounding the specimens are also being studied.

Wear resistance of chromium-plated gages.—The advantages of

chromium plating on gages of a simple shape have been clearly

shown by tests in a special gaging machine.

Bearing bronzes.—In cooperation with a manufacturer, the rela- tion of the wear resistance of bearing bronzes to the temperature at which they were cast has been studied ; likewise, the effect of iron as an impurity in such bronzes. The most detrimental of the common

impurities appears to be antimony.

Journal-bearing performance.—In cooperation with the American

Society of Mechanical Engineers, the distribution of hydrostatic

pressure in the oil film of a journal bearing has been determined.

Nine tests were made covering a fairly wide range of typical conditions of operation.

Efficiency of gears—In cooperation with the American Electric

Railway Engineering Association, the friction losses under various
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 35

conditions of operation have been determined for three types of

street-car reduction gearing. These include a single reduction, double reduction, and worm gear. Anodic treatment of aluminum.—A rapid method for determining

the quality of the coating, produced on duralumin by the anodic

process of oxidation has been developed. The usefulness of this

treatment as a preliminary before painting or varnishing has been

established.

Analysis of silver-plating solutions.—Detailed methods for the

analysis of silver-plating baths, including the determination of impurities and of their effects on the methods for other constituents,

have been developed.

Dimensional changes in the manufacture of electrotypes.—In

cooperation with the International Association of Electrotypers, the

conditions for producing electrotype plates of uniform dimensions were defined. This information is especially useful in color printing,

where the corresponding plates must register accurately.

Crystallography of organic compounds.—The optical properties

of crystalline organic compounds have been determined for use in

later identifications by optical methods. A photomicrographic tech- nique was developed for use, especially, at very low temperature,

Chemical microscopical examinations of special materials were car- ried out. The optical constants, densities, solubilities, and inversion

temperatures of the formates of the metals in Group II were

determined.

Spectrochemical analysis.—Several hundred samples of materials were analyzed, a large part of which were iridium and rhodium

sponges prepared by the bureau in an attempt to obtain these metals

in a higher state of purity than ever before accomplished. The ef- fectiveness of the various chemical methods used was tested by

spectrographs analysis, leading to final products of almost spectroscopicalry pure metals. Entirely new descriptions of the emission

spectra, both arc and spark, of krypton, lutecium, ytterbium, columbium, and rhenium were obtained; that of rhenium being entirely new and serving, through the spectral regularities found, to deduce

the structure of this last element to be discovered.

Optical instruments.—By combining the principles of the military

range finder and the microscope, an optical depth gage has been designed and constructed by which lengths in the direction of sight

may be measured with high precision. A sample instrument following the same design has been built by an optical manufacturer for

use in assembling the sound reproducing mechanism of a motionpicture projector.

Photographic emulsions.—In the investigation of the principal in- dependent variables of "after ripening" (ripening after washing),

the effects of temperature, bromide, and hydrogen ion concentrations were tested on emulsions made by neutral and ammonia formulas,

with varying gelatin and iodide content at varying stages of ripening. Emulsions made with normal gelatin were compared with those

made with deactivated gelatin and known nuclear sensitizers. The

results support the chemical-reaction theory of ripening.

Atomic structure investigations.—It has been found that metals

bombarded by electrons even at potentials as low as one or two volts
36 EEPOET TO THE SECRETAKY OF COMMERCE

emit a continuous spectrum extending through the visible and ultra- violet region. Most metals give a nearly identical' spectrum which

is evidently analogous to the continuous X-ray spectrum. Silver

gives in addition a selective band of radiation corresponding per- haps to characteristic X radiation. These results fill a conspicuous

gap in our knowledge of radiation processes and the atomic structure of metals.

Identifications.—Unusually heavy demands for testing and advisory

service in this work have delayed the research on standardization.

The bureau has made 22 official tests and was able to dispose of 16

additional requests by preliminary examination. In a single case in which a defendant pleaded guilty to a charge of fraud in connection with a claim for refund on income taxes the Federal Government was saved over $150,000 in principal and interest, and thousands of dollars additional by avoiding the expense of trial of the

defendant. The plea of guilty was a direct result of identification

established by the bureau. Lectures were given before each of the

five groups of students trained by the Department of Justice as special agents.

Research associates.—The following table gives the names of as- sociations and manufacturers cooperating with the bureau under the

research associate plan, together with the number of associates and

the problems on which they are engaged

Table 2.

Research associates at the Bureau of Standards

Assigned by- Number Specific project

Aluminum Co. of America, New Kensington,

Pa. American Association of Textile Chemists and

Colorists, Lowell, Mass. American Bureau of Welding, New York, N. Y.

American Electric Railway Engineering Association (Capital Traction Co., Washington,

B.C.). American Electroplaters Society, Chicago, EU_. American Face Brick Association, Chicago,

111. American Foundrymen's Association, Chicago, 111. American Gas Association, New York, N. Y_. American Institute of Steel Construction, New York, N. Y. American Petroleum Institute, New York, N. Y. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York, N. Y. American Society for Testing Materials, Philadelphia, Pa. Asphalt Shingle and Roofing Institute, New York, N. Y.

Associated Knit Underwear Manufactures of America, Utica, N. Y.

Atlas Lumnite Cement Co., New York, N. Y. Brown Co., Berlin, N. H

C. F. Brush Estate, Cleveland, Ohio The Bunting Brass & Bronze Co., Toledo,

Ohio. Carbide & Carbon Chemical Co., New York, N. Y.

Cast Iron Pipe Research Association, Chicago,

111.

1 Fatigue of alclad. 2 Action of light on silk; determination of iso-electric point of wool; standards for fastness of dyed textiles; tests of waterproofed fabrics.

1 Strength of welded joints.

1 Lubrication and efficiency of transmission gears.

Protective coatings. Face brick absorption and transverse compression,

efflorescence. Shrinkage in metals in casting. Gas burner design; tests of proprietary pipe-line coatings and methods of identifying corrosive

soils. Formed sheet steel floors; fire tests of welded steel floor construction. Engineering principles in pipe-line protection and

tests of protective coatings; thermodynamic

properties of petroleum hydrocarbons; chemical

constituents of petroleum. Thermal properties of water; lubrication research. Research in cement; testing. Durability of felt fibers. Standardization of underwear sizes; development of specifications; properties of knit underwear

fabrics.

1 Research in cement; testing, etc. 2 Quality of purified wood fiber.

1 Spontaneous generation of heat.

1 Properties of bearing bronzes. Thermal properties of liquids.

1 Strength of corrosion products of cast iron, location

of corrosive soils, and statistical study of corrosion

I data.
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 37

Table 2.Research associates at the Bureau of Standards—Continued

Assigned byClock Manufacturers Association of America,

Philadelphia, Pa. Committee of Marine Underwriters, New

York, N. Y. Common Brick Manufacturers Association, Cleveland, Ohio. Commonwealth Fund Fellowship, New York, N. Y. Copper and Brass Research Association, New

New York, N. Y.

Cooper, Hugh L., Co. (Inc.), New York, N. Y. Dardelet Threadlock Corporation, New York, N. Y. Gypsum Association (in cooperation with

Federal Fire Council, United States Gvp- sum Co., Henry Klein & Co., and N. W.

Magnesite Co.), Chicago, 111. Indiana Limestone Association, Bedford, Ind. Johns Manville (Inc.), Manville, N. J The Midvale Co., Philadelphia, Pa

National Association of Dyers and Cleaners,

Silver Spring, Md.

National Association of Hosiery and Underwear Manufacturers, New York, N. Y.

National Building Units Association, Philadelphia, Pa. National Research Council, Washington, D. C. National Terra Cotta Society, New York, N. Y.

Non-Ferrous Ingot Metal Institute, Chicago,

111. Portland Cement Association, Chicago, 111 Port of New York Authority, New York, N. Y.

Radiological Research Institute, St. Louis, Mo.

Society of Automotive Engineers, New York, N. Y. (in cooperation with National Automobile Chamber of Commerce and American Petroleum Institute)

E. R. Squibb & Sons, New Brunswick, N. J„

Subcommittee on Research, Recommendations, and Interpretations for the Elevator

Safety Code, New York, N. Y.

Utilities Research Commission, Chicago, 111... Vacuum Oil Co., New York, N. Y.

Num

ber Specific project

Lubrication of fine mechanisms.

Spontaneous heating and ignition of jute. Strength of brick masonry; moisture transmission

of brick walls. Combustion in engine cylinder. Corrosion of copper roofing materials. Use of clays in concrete mixtures. Methods of locking screw threads. Fire prevention and protection.

Study of physical properties of Bedford limestone. Heat transfer between solids and fluids. Properties of steels at high temperatures.

Properties of dry cleaning solvents; absorption of liquids by fibrous materials. Cause and prevention of defects in hosiery; develop- ment of specifications; analysis of hosiery manufacturers' problems. Concrete building units. Absorption coefficients of acoustic materials; pres- ervation of records. Investigation of architectural terra cotta. Properties of nonferrous ingot metals. Constitution and hardening of Portland cement.

Strength of bridge towers. X-ray investigations. Cooperative fuel research.

Properties of gaseous mixtures. Elevator safeties and buffers.

Alternating current properties of insulating liquids; direct current properties of insulating liquids; preparation of pure hydrocarbons.

Properties of volatile liquid fuels. Note.—In several cases one individual represented two or more supporting organizations. The total number of research associates stationed at the bureau on June 30, 1931, was 95. Other research projects.—A total of 103 projects were carried by

this fund. Only a few of the most important have been described.

Thermal expansion measurements have been made on a great variety of materials, steam turbine and internal combustion engine oils have been studied, the efficiency of steam and hot water radiators has

been measured, and many investigations, not mentioned, have been

made on rubber, leather, and other industrial materials.

STANDARDIZATION OF EQUIPMENT ($235,000)

Facilitating the use of specifications.—Lists of sources of supply

of commodities guaranteed to comply with the requirements of Federal specifications have been compiled for the use of agencies making purchases out of Federal, State, county, and municipal tax

moneys. During the year the number of lists has been increased
38 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

from 271 to 335, the number of requests for listings from 8,175 to 13,267, and the number of firms registered on the lists from 2,892

to 5,161. Eleven lists of willing-to-certify manufacturers of commodities guaranteed to comply with certain commercial standards

have also been compiled. The number of these lists has been in- creased from 10 to 21, the number of willing-to-certify firms from

199 to 628, and the number of requests for listing from 233 to 689. The total number of requests for listings is 13,956, received from

5,789 firms.

Facilitating the marketing of specification-made goods.—Increas- ing interest has been shown by organized producers and consumers, and by individual manufacturers and purchasers, in the application

of the self-identifying quality-guaranteeing labeling system. Manufacturers are now using or planning to use quality-guaranteeing

labels, or their equivalent, for brooms, dental alloys, dry cells, fire- proof safes, gypsum, ink (writing, colored, and indelible), library

paste, lime, linoleum, lumber, paint, paper (correspondence, carbon,

blue-print, and brown-print), pipe, Portland cement, rope, soap, textiles, and wall board.

Labels, many of them underwritten by trade associations, are also being used in connection with commodities complying with commercial standards for aromatic red-cedar closet linings; diamond core

drill fittings ; brass, steel, and wrought iron pipe nipples ; feldspar

men's pajamas; plate-glass mirrors; red-cedar shingles; staple porcelain and vitreous plumbing fixtures, Stoddard solvent; and wall

paper.

Labels are now in use to identify commodities complying with simplified practice recommendations for : Abrasives, binder's board, composition books, hard-fiber and soft-fiber twine, lumber, kraft sealing

tape, metal lath, paper grocers' bags, school furniture colors, tileT tissue paper, and woven wire fencing.

Nearly 100 trade associations and similar groups are using labels to identify or guarantee commodities complying with their specifications, which are often identical or in complete harmony with Federal specifications, commercial standards, or simplified practice

recommendations.

Encyclopedia of specifications.—The second volume in the encyclopedia of specifications series was published under the title Standards

and Specifications for Nonmetallic Minerals and Their Products.

It contains all nationally recognized standards, specifications, and

simplifications within its scope, presented either in full or by means

of abstracts, tabulations, or cross references. Methods of testing,

incidental to the formulation of commodity specifications, are in- cluded and form an important part of the work.

Simplified practice recommendations.—Twenty new simplified

practice recommendations were developed by general conferences,

thus raising the total to 149, exclusive of one regional recommendation

and one limitation of variety recommendation. Both of the latter, and

117 of the 149 simplified practice recommendations, have been approved and accepted lay the industries affected. Twenty-five recom- mendations are in process of acceptance. Recommendations covering

115 commodities have been issued in printed form.

Revision and reaffirmation conference.—Their respective standing

committees reviewed 38 existing simplified practice recommendations..
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 39

Of these, 32, or 81.2 per cent, were reaffirmed without change, and

6 were revised. During the previous year, 34 recommendations of

the 39 reviewed, or 85.3 per cent, were reaffirmed.

Adherence to simplified practice recommendations.—Surveys were made of adherence in the production, distribution, and use of 13

simplified commodities. The acceptors reporting indicated that approximately 90 per cent of their volume conformed to the recommendations. Similar surveys in 1930 showed that the percentage of

adherence for 25 commodities averaged approximately 87 per cent. Preliminary conferences and variety surveys.—Twenty-nine pre- liminary conferences were held for 21 different industries. Surveys

of existing diversification of product have been conducted by simplified practice committees appointed by 11 of these industries, and

plans were started for similar activity by the other 10 groups.

Commercial standards.—There were 62 active projects in this field at the close of the fiscal year. Eleven general conferences were held

covering: Cotton fabric tents; tarpaulins and covers; mopsticks;

seats for water-closet bowls; colors for sanitary ware; red-cedar

shingles; knit underwear (exclusive of rayon); circular flat-knit

rayon underwear ; bag, case, and strap leather ; plywood ; Fourdrinier

wire cloth; and steel-bone plates. Announcements that the following 11 projects had received a satisfactory majority of acceptances were issued: Plate-glass mirrors; mopsticks; aromatic red-cedar

closet lining; boys' blouses, waists, shirts, and junior shirts; wroughtiron pipe nipples (first revision) ; cotton fabric tents, tarpaulins, and

covers ; .staple seats for water-closet bowls ; colors for sanitary ware

cotton goods for rubber and pyroxylin coated automotive fabrics;

red-cedar shingles; and knit underwear (exclusive of rayon).

Twelve commercial standards were issued in printed form following a satisfactory acceptance by the industry: Interchangeable

ground-glass joints; staple vitreous china plumbing fixtures; standard screw threads ; special screw threads ; feldspar ; plain and thread

plug and ring gage blanks; builders' hardware (nontemplate) ; aro- matic red-cedar closet lining; mopsticks; plate-glass mirrors; boys'

blouses, waists, shirts, and junior shirts; and wrought-iron pipe

nipples (first revision).

Safety codes.—Members of the staff have participated in the work

of the safety code correlating committee and other committees of

national scope. Revision of the safety code for elevators, dumbwaiters, and escalators was completed, and text prepared for an ele- vator inspector's handbook. Codes for mechanical refrigeration,

window washing, and floor and wall openings were completed. A

revision was undertaken of the code for lighting school buildings and

the code for automobile brakes and brake testing. Work was con- tinued on codes dealing with walkway surfaces ; conveyors and con- veying machinery; mechanical power transmission; and cranes,

derricks, and hoists. Assistance was given State and city officials in the preparation of local regulations.

Building codes.—The report, Recommended Minimum Requirements for Fire Resistance in Buildings, involving research in a highly complex field, was completed and published. Revised working stresses for brick masonry, based largely on experimental work

at the bureau, were issued. Work was continued on the proposed
40 REPOET TO THE SECRETARY OP COMMERCE

recommendations for exit requirements, involving studies of flow of

people on stairways, ramps, and in other locations.

Plumbing codes.—New recommendations for sizes of horizontal

branches, house drains, and house sewers were prepared. They are expected to result, as they become incorporated in State and local codes, in substantial economies to owners of buildings. Additional

work is under way.

Designing of optical systems.—New formulas and standardized

methods are being developed for the designing of optical systems.

This work includes the derivation of algebraic formulas for the

geometric aberrations of the first, seventh, ninth, and eleventh orders,

and direct algebraic methods by which the phase differences at the

image point corresponding to the geometric aberrations, may be

determined.

Number of projects.—Twenty-four distinct lines of work are financed from this appropriation. Several of these, such as simplified practice and commercial standards, are made up of a large number of projects, reference to which has been made in the preceding

paragraphs. Other work covers specifications for dry cells, standardization of storage batteries, minimum requirements for lighting of

buildings, etc.

Distribution of standard samples.—During the year 6,506 samples were distributed, having a sales value of approximately $14,433.50,

and approximately $10,200 worth of standard samples were added

to the salable samples on hand. These included ores, ceramic, and

metallurgical products, and pure chemicals. The number of samples on hand at the close of the year was approximately 89,000, and their

value was $222,412, representing 95 different materials.

INVESTIGATION OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES AND X RAYS

($31,500)

X-ray protection.—An X-ray safety code was formulated and

published as Handbook No. 15. It deals with X-ray insulation of

operating rooms; X-ray and electrical insulation of X-ray equipment; protective devices for patients and operatives; fire precautions, especially in the storage of, and types of photographic films

used; periodical tests; resuscitation from electric shock; and general precautions as to personnel working conditions.

International X-ray standards.—The portable secondary standard

X-ray ionization equipment was improved in design, thoroughly

tested in the bureau's laboratory and then in another laboratory in this country, preparatory to a comparison with the national standway. It is anticipated that for the first time like values of the

Eontgen may be obtained by this equipment in the various countries,

and that it may be adopted as standard equipment at the International X-ray Conference in Paris.

Radium testing.—Twenty-four hundred preparations of radium—

more than double the number reported last year—totaling over

20,000 milligrams of the element, and fixing the sales value of about

$1,500,000, were tested.

STANDARD MATERIALS ($10,600)

France, which is now under
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 41

Other investigations.—This fund provided for nine investigations.

In addition to those referred to in the preceding paragraphs, the

following may be mentioned : Photographic registration of alpha-ray

tracks; X-ray study of the iron atom; application of the Geiger

counter to cosmic rays; X-ray emission from thin targets; X-ray

scattering by materials similar to the human body; performance of

X-ray equipment used for radiological purposes ; and electrical con- duction in gases, UTILIZATION 01? WASTE PRODUCTS FROM THE LAND ($52,700)

Paper from wheat straw.—The efforts on this project have been

continued, but the results are not yet wholly satisfactory. Many

different methods of cooking straw to make paper pulp have been

tried, but it seems that either the reaction is not sufficiently severe, so that the pulp does not have the required degree of whiteness, or else

it is too severe, so that the yield of pulp is below the economic limit,

Insulating hoard from cornstalks.—This project has passed the

experimental stage and is now in commercial use. Semicommercial

work is being continued to improve the method of production and

to make the product more resistant to fire and water. A new type

of forming machine has been designed and placed in operation.

Pressed hoard from cornstalks.—If the mat of fibers used in making insulating board is subjected to heavy pressure, the product is hard, dense, and strong, and can be used as a substitute for lumber.

Laboratory studies to find the optimum pressure, time, and temperature, are nearing completion, and equipment for semicommercial production is being designed.

Maizolith from cornstalks.—Further experiments are under way to improve the method of manufacture, and particularly to find a better

way to dry the maizolith.

Xylose from cottonseed hull hran.—After several tons of xylose were produced, the factory at Anniston, Ala., was closed. Samples

of xylose were sent to many medical laboratories to ascertain its effect on the human system, but it will be at least a year before an}^

definite recommendations can be made. The industrial utilization of

xylose is being investigated, the first step being the production of

xylonic and trioxygiutaric acids for use in tanning and dyeing.

Starch from sweetpotatoes.—A new station was opened at Alabama

Polytechnic Institute, Auburn, Ala., in July, 1930, to investigate the

sweet potato as a source of starch for the southern textile industry.

However, there is no definite information on the kind of starch

needed. The uses of starch in various textile mills have been studied,

and laboratory tests developed to determine the suitability of the

material.

Kraft paper from southern pine.—Another station was opened at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, in September, 1930. Improvement in the efficiency of the process of manufacturing kraft

paper from southern woods is the main object of the work. Analytical methods are being developed for identifying and measuring the

amounts of sulphur compounds present in the various wastes. Refining cottonseed oil.—A cheap yet effective method has been

developed for refining cottonseed oil, which is so simple and inexpensive that it seems feasible for the small oil press, or even for the
42 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

home. The oil produced is edible, and some soap is formed as a by-product. An investigation of the extraction of oil from seeds

has also been started. Analytical methods.—The analytical methods used for routine

purposes are not adequate for the type of research conducted under

this fund. Better methods have, therefore, been developed. A quantitative method for estimating xylose in the presence of glucose

has been published. Eefinements of the usual methods of pH

measurement for estimating xylonic acid in the presence of trioxyglutaric acid have also been worked out and published.

Additional projects.—This fund was used for 14 projects. While

only a portion of them have been described, the general character of

the work is indicated.

INVESTIGATION OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINES ($50,000)

Vapor lock.—Temperature measurements in airplane fuel systems

show that many airplanes now in service require gasoline with low

vapor pressure to insure freedom from vapor lock. Results of lab- oratory experiments suggest improvements in fuel system design

which would permit the use of better fuels. Similar work with

automobiles points to improper design of fuel systems as the major

cause of vapor lock. As a result of this investigation, extensive

changes are being made in forthcoming models, which will go far to minimize vapor-lock troubles.

Antiknock characteristics of fuels.—The octane number detonation scale has been adopted as recommended practice by the Society

of Automotive Engineers. Approval of the test engine, developed

by the cooperative fuel-research steering committee, is expected to follow completion of final tests now in progress. Definite procedure for testing motor fuels has been tentatively adopted and will soon be given final form. The objectionable feature of automobile

engine detonation is noise; that of aircraft engines is overheating

and mechanical shock. Recognizing this difference, ' the bureau

initiated cooperative research on methods of measuring detonation

of aviation fuels. The first symposium on this subject indicated

need for such research, the results obtained by different methods

being quite diverse.

Combustion in an engine cylinder.—Theoretical and experimental

studies of gaseous explosions in constant volume bombs have been

made to aid in interpreting recent stroboscopic observations of flame

movement and pressure development in an engine cylinder. Preliminary measurements indicate that the progress and character of

the explosion in the engine may also be investigated by analysis of

the infra-red radiation through fluorite windows in the cylinder head.

Phenomena of combustion.—Using the soap bubble as a constant- pressure bomb, the relation between explosion temperature and rate of transformation in homogeneous mixtures of explosive gases at con- stant pressure is being studied in cooperation with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.

Gumnning characteristics of gasoline.—An investigation is in progress to develop significant test methods for determining the gum con- tent of gasolines and its tendency to increase under storage conditions.
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 43

Automobile brakes and brake testing.—The safety code for brakes

and brake testing, for which the bureau and the American Automobile Association were joint sponsors, is to be revised in view of the

widespread use of 4-wheel brakes. The personnel of the revised sec- tional committee for this project was approved June 4 by the council of the American Standards Association.

Additional projects.—Only a few of the 17 projects under this fund

have been touched upon. Others include : Measurement or ro,ad per- formance of automobile engines, oxidation of carbon monoxide in the

exhaust, automobile spring suspension systems, causes of vibration of

motor vehicles, and improvement of headlights.

INVESTIGATION OF DENTAL MATERIALS ($10,000)

Cooperation with American Dental Association.—The research as- sociates of the American Dental Association and members of the bu- reau have made personal contacts with about 3,000 members of the

dental profession through lectures, conferences, etc., in 19 cities well

distributed over the United States. Tests of material for the Government have been more satisfactory than in any previous year,

less than 10 per cent of the material supplied having been rejected, as compared with 50 per cent last year. No change has been made

in the specifications. Many dental schools are inaugurating programs for investigating the properties of alloys, etc., supplied for

their use. Some of these schools have arranged for their teachers

to visit the bureau, thus insuring the fullest utilization of data on methods of test, selection of materials, and other benefits. TRANSFERRED FUNDS ($468,283)

Organizations and projects.—During the year funds were trans- ferred from the following departments and independent establishments of the Federal Government, covering the projects listed

Bureau of Engraving and Printing : Electrodeposition ; currency paper and

stamps.

Department of Commerce: Promotion of use of specifications; aids to air navigation; aeronautical engineering problems; aircraft engine testing; engineering research. Department of the Interior : Concrete testing for Colorado River Dam.

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics : Aerodynamics ; aircraft power

plants ; mercerization of cotton ; embrittlement of duralumin and steel tubing

identification of steels. Navy Department : Airship girders ; aircraft instruments ; gas-cell fabrics

identification of steels ; embrittlement of duralumin ; aircraft engine ignition

effects of humidity on engine operation ; storage batteries ; optical glass. Post Office Department: Characteristics of automotive vehicles for postal

service. Smithsonian Institution : Safeguarding dome of Museum of Natural History.

Treasury Department : Radio receiving sets for the Coast Guard.

War Department: Gumming of gasoline; geared superchargers; substitute

for shellac ; substitute for sole leather ; nontin bearing metal ; development of machine guns ; radio receiving sets ; experimental gages ; bomb ballistics. Many of these projects were supported partly by bureau and

partly by transferred funds. The more important of these have al- ready been described under the appropriate bureau funds. The in-
44 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

vestigations supported wholly by transferred funds resulted in the

following developments : Air navigation facilities—radio.—In this field the bureau's atten- tion was devoted particularly to radiobeacon systems, means for

blind landing, and aircraft direction finders. Mention may be made

of a transmitter for the simultaneous transmission of radiotelephone

messages and visual type radiobeacon signals on the same radio fre- quency; refinements in the design and calibration of the vibrating

reed indicator ; a new course indicator which gives the beacon course

indications on a zero-center, pointer-type instrument ; a deviometer

which permits a pilot to follow any chosen course within 15° on

either side of the fixed beacon courses. Improvements in the system

of blind-landing aids include: A combined instrument which indi- cates both lateral and vertical positions of the airplane as it lands; an improved marker beacon for defining the landing field boundary : a dual-control airplane equipped for blind flights on the system; a simplified aircraft direction finder giving visual indications ; a symmetrical longitudinal T antenna for aircraft, having better mechanical and aerodynamic properties than the pole antenna. Work was

begun on a radio system to aid in preventing collisions when flying

under adverse visibility conditions.

Aviation lighting.—Photometric measurements and visibility tests have been made on 24 and 36 inch airway beacons, code beacons,

boundary lights, traffic-control projectors, and flying lights. Tentative specifications for red and green glasses for use in beacons,

boundary lights, and flying lights have been prepared. A traffic- control projector and a reflector, giving a desired light distribution

for flying lights on airplanes, have been designed and constructed.

Experiments on beacons flashing Morse code signals, and visibility tests on colors for aviation use are in progress.

Control surfaces of airplanes.—A wind-tunnel study of the hinge

moments of ailerons at large angles of attack was completed with

the cooperation of the Aeronautics Branch of the Department of

Commerce and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.

The results are described in N. A. C. A. Technical Eeport No. 370. Measurements were also made of the yawing moments produced

by several rudders at large angles of attack.

Measurement of turbulence.—In cooperation with the National

Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, a .study has been made of

methods of reducing turbulence in wind tunnels, and the results published in N. A. C. A. Technical Eeport No. 392. The apparatus

for measuring turbulence has been further improved by extending

the frequency range, for which the response is uniform, to 4,000

cycles per second.

Reduction of noise in airplanes.—In cooperation with the Aeronautics Branch of the Department of Commerce, a set-up has been

provided for the .study of mufflers for airplane engines.

Crash-resistant tanks.—In cooperation with the Aeronautics

Branch various methods for making airplane fuel tanks less sus- ceptible to failure in accidents are being studied. A new, elastic,

synthetic material for lining tanks offers some promise of success. Type testing of commercial airplane engines.—Eleven radial engines, including 1 Diesel, 8 inverted in-line, 4 horizontal-opposed,
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 45

and 4 V-type engines, including a 12-cylinder inverted V, were

tested at the Arlington laboratory for the Aeronautics Branch.

Of the 27 engines received, 14 passed, 11 failed, aud 2 were withdrawn. Eight of the engines which failed were of new types, and

three had received one previous test each.

Effect of air humidity on engine performance.—Tests made for

the Bureau of Aeronautics of the Navy Department show that power

always decreases with increase in air humidity. Injection of water

spray into the combustion chamber gives high antiknock action

without loss of power when optimum timing of injection and spark

advance is employed. Further research at high compression ratios

is essential. Aircraft instrument developments.—An improved fuel flow meter, an electric resistance thermometer, four cartridge-type maximum

indicating accelerometers, two suspended head air-speed meters, an

angle of attack indicator, an aircraft course protractor, and a supercharger pressure gauge were constructed for the Bureau of Aeronautics of the Navy Department. The construction and installation of the mooring force indicator for the airship Los Angeles was completed. An investigation of damping liquids for aircraft

instruments was conducted for the National Advisory Committee

for Aeronautics.

Accelerometer for study of earthquakes.—In cooperation with the

Coast and Geodetic Survey an accelerometer i,s under development.

It is intended, primarily, for obtaining records of ground movements from which the forces on buildings, located within an earthquake area, may be calculated.

Radio receiving sets for Coast Guard.—Six receiving sets submitted as bid samples to the Coast Guard were tested. Specifications were prepared for new, improved apparatus for determining

precisely the electrical sensitivity, fidelity, and overload characteristics of receiving sets. Corrosion of storage-battery plates.—A procedure for determining

the acetic acid content of storage-battery electrolytes has been developed. Apparatus has been assembled for measuring the electrical

resistance of storage-battery separators, and a series of measurements

made. Apparatus has been developed for estimating the rate of cor- rosion by measuring the changes in electrical1 resistance of lead- antimony wires immersed in separator extract solutions.

High-frequency fatigue testing.—The series of high-frequency fa- tigue tests being made on light aluminum alloys, in cooperation with

the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, is nearly completed. The results agree very well with those obtained by slower

methods.

Prevention of embrittlement of sheet duralumin by atmospheric

corrosion, and deterioration of magnesium alloys by corrosion.—The

fourth year of the 5 -year program of outdoor-exposure tests under

three widely diiferent climatic conditions has been completed. The

bad effect of improper heat treatment on sheet duralumin and the

relatively short life of most coatings have been established. Tests

of the materials which so far appear to be satisfactory will be continued. Magnesium alloys exposed to the weather at the bureau still show good tensile properties after two years, although the coatings
46 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

soon lose their adherence. Tests in the typical marine atmosphere

proved to be too severe for magnesium.

Distinguishing airplane steel tubing of different compositions.—

report was issued on several nondestructive tests for this purpose.

The spark test was of very great value in the case of only two compositions. Attempts to develop a simple chemical "spot" test were

fruitless, although a much more reliable and quicker analytical

method for molybdenum than that now in use was developed.

Gas-cell fabrics for airships.—Several wholly synthetic materials

have shown promise as possible substitutes for goldbeater's skin, but

have not yet advanced to the production stage. Materials submitted

by manufacturers were examined and technical advice given.

Bearing alloys.—A cooperative study with the War Department

on bearing alloys containing little, if any, tin is in progress. The

properties at elevated temperatures of the important lead-base bearing alloys have been determined, and observations are now being

made on sample bearings in Army trucks. In the study of leaded

bronzes particular emphasis is being placed on the use of addition

elements for improving the dispersion of the lead in bronzes con- taining up to 50 per cent lead. /Substitute for shellac in food containers.—An investigation for the

War Department, and in cooperation with manufacturers of tin cans used as food containers, developed the fact that shellac is not an important or necessary component of the so-called " lacquers " and

" enamels " used on the inside of tin cans. RECOMMENDATIONS

Patent policy.—There is need for the establishment of a uniform

patent policy for the Government with respect toi patents developed

in the service. The patent policy of this bureau has always been

that patentable devices developed by employees paid out of public

funds belong to the public. The visiting committee, during the past

three years, has given most careful consideration to this subject and

strongly indorses the bureau's policy of public ownership of such

patents. If this is thought by the administration to be desirable as a general policy, I believe this end can be attained by the President

setting up through Executive order, as a condition of employment,

such regulations as may be deemed necessary. Increasing demands.—Although the past year has been one of

lessened business activity, the demands for the bureau's services, both

from the public and from the Government departments, have in- creased. This is reflected particularly in requests for tests of in- struments and materials, which have been greater than in any pre- vious year. It is to be expected, with returning prosperity, that these

demands will increase at an accelerated rate; therefore it seems

but reasonable to make the necessary provisions in personnel, facilities, and space that will be needed.

Building program.—As stated in previous reports, the most urgent

need is a new administration building, at a cost or about $400,000.

This would relieve about 40,000 square feet of space in laboratory

buildings, badly needed for testing and experimental work, and would

also make provision for adequately housing the nonlaboratory functions of the bureau, now scattered through the other buildings.
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 47

The second need is for a high-voltage laboratory of a size and

type and with the equipment to take care of an increasingly important field of standardization, testing, and research, in which this

Government is in arrears as compared with Great Britain, France,

German}^, and Japan.

Other building needs, which have been presented under a 5- year program, include an enlarged low-temperature laboratory, a fire- resistance laboratory, and new buildings for mechanical engineering

and for high-precision testing in Weights and measures. AlthougTi some provision has been made for increased space in

the branch laboratories at San Francisco, and Denver, to take care of

Government testing, it is anticipated that increased demands from the

Pacific coast for near-by service will render it desirable to provide

facilities at San Francisco for public testing.

Very truly yours, George K. Burgess,

Director, Bureau of Standards.
APPENDIX

GENERAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT

During the fiscal year 1931 the bureau expended and accounted for funds aggregating $4,121,986.35, including $474,015.35 received by transfer and reim- bursement from other departments for special researches. The amounts and objects of each appropriation for the past fiscal year and two previous fiscal years, together with disbursements, liabilities, and balance

for each appropriation, are shown in the following tables

Table 3.

Disbursements, liabilities, etc., 1931, 1930, and 1929 appropriations

Appropriation Total appropriation 2

1931 Equipment

General expenses - Improvement and care of grounds

Testing structural materials Testing machines

Metallurgical research Investigation of optical glass Standard materials Investigation of textiles Sugar standardization Gauge standardization High-temperature investigation Testing railroad-track, mine, and other scales Investigation of fire-resisting properties Testing miscellaneous materials Investigation of public-utility standards Radio research Industrial research Sound investigation Investigation of clay products

Color standardization

Investigation of radioactive substances and X-rays.

Standardizing mechanical appliances Standardization of equipment

Investigation of automotive engines

Utilization of waste products from the land

Investigation of dental materials

j Additional land Hydraulic laboratory

Facilities for radio research 1931-32

1 Appropriations transferred from other departments which are available for the current year: Aircraft in commerce

Air navigation facilities --- Incidental expenses of Army

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.

Salaries and expenses, Bureau of Engraving and

Printing Air Corps, Army

Signal Service of Army

Aviation, Navy

Export industries, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce

Gages, dies, and jigs for manufacture Ordnance service and supplies, Army

General expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey... Engineering, Bureau of Engineering Contingent expenses, Coast Guard. — Colorado River Dam fund

' Construction and repair, Navy

Contingent expenses, Steamboat Inspection

j Service i Party expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey

Appropriations transferred from other departments which are available for a period of two years: Ord- nance and ordnance stores

500. 00

500. 00

21,000.00

$719, 540. 00

163, 000. 00

3 64, 620. 68

19, 400. 00

320, 000. 00

41, 000. 00

61, 000. 00

27, 300. 00

10, 600. 00

60, 900. 00

4 100, 000. 00

50, 000. 00

10, 200. 00

102, 300. 00

30, 000. 00

46,400.00

5 107, 401. 00

85, 700. 00

227, 860. 00

11, 260. 00

49, 000. 00

15, 800. 00

31, 500. 00

51, 321. 00

237, 900. 00

6 60, 000. 00

52, 700. 00

10, 000. 00

400, 000. 00

350, 000. 00

147, 000. 00

81, 600. 00

111, 600. 00

29, 042. 00

51, 000. 00

15, 000. 00

5, 946. 67

1, 800. 00

99, 000. 00

2, 640. 00

2, 900. 00

2, 555. 00

200. 00

4, 000. 00

3, 000. 00

25, 000. 00

1, 000. 00

Disburse- ments

$704, 646. 51 146,407. 07

53, 728. 38

18, 039. 89

302, 826. 02

33, 169. 91

58, 299. 84

24, 892. 09

10,437. 74

58, 473. 34

85, 817. 62

48, 014. 72

10, 182. 20

67, 148. 10

28, 575. 46

45, 133. 79

102, 419. 67

80, 394. 96

207, 980. 37

11, 095. 53 47,438. 40

15, 260. 64

29,478. 76

46, 468. 21

201, 727. 73

56, 056. 92

47, 862. 78

8,470. 73

400, 000. 00

25, 881. 05

Liabilities Balance

$16, 179. 28

10, 805. 97

1, 243. 71

3, 237. 21

6, 800. 00

779. 06

186. 55 53.68

327. 89

6, 890. 70

418. 17

74, 845. 18

105, 077. 19

27, 835. 08

49, 543. 23

14, 225. 67

3, 817. 68

1, 542. 31

92, 277. 59

2, 532. 71

2, 583. 57

1, 894. 52

174. 29

3, 327. 49

2, 783. 21

23, 281. 20

672. 30 108.64

455. 50

14, 947. 38

32, 740. 96 202.54

197. 17

945. 75

824. 68

5, 020. 53

34. 10

488. 67

354. 48

933. 78

3, 724. 84

15, 546. 25

1, 184. 63

17. 71

1, 342. 84

324, 113. 45

5, 257. 72

5, 435. 16

709. 51

790. 06

485. 42

1, 424. 19

220. 67

6, 292. 32

250. 00

650. 00

17. 58

483. 42

205. 81

602. 68 100.00

385. 73

30. 66

Potal 4, 121, 986. 35 | 3, 398, 253. 17 457, 935. 53 265, 797. 65 (Footnotes at end of table.) 48
BUREAU OF STANDARDS 49

Table 3.

Disbursements, liabilities, etc., 1931, 1930, and 1929 appropriations—

Continued

Appropriation Total appropriation 2 Disburse- ments Liabilities Balance

1930

Salaries Equipment...

General expenses Improvement and care of grounds

Testing structural materials Testing machines

Metallurgical research Investigation of optical glass Standard materials

Investigation of textiles Sugar standardization Gage standardization High temperature investigation Testing railroad scales Investigation of fire-resisting properties Testing miscellaneous materials

Investigation of public-utility standards Radio research

Industrial research Sound investigation Investigation of clay products

Color standardization

Investigation of radioactive substances and X rays. Standardizing mechanical appliances

Investigation of mine scales and cars Standardization of equipment

Investigation of automotive engines

Utilization of waste products from the land

Investigation of dental materials Power plant equipment

Appropriations transferred from other departments which are available for the current year: Aircraft in commerce

Air navigation facilities Incidental expenses of Army

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.. Materials and miscellaneous expenses, Bureau

of Engraving and Printing Air Corps, Army

Signal Service of Army

Aviation, Navy

Export industries, Bureau of Foreign and

Domestic Commerce

Gages, dies, and jigs for manufacture Ordnance service and supplies, Army

General expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey...

Engineering, Bureau of Engineering Contingent expenses, Coast Guard

Cooperative construction of rural post roads Contingent expenses, Steamboat Inspection

Service Appropriations transferred from other departments which are available for a period of two years: Ordnance and ordnance stores Total.

1929

Salaries Equipment

General expenses Improvement and care of grounds

Testing structural materials Testing machines

Metallurgical research Investigation of optical glass Standard materials

Investigation of textiles Sugar standardization Gage standardization High temperature investigation Testing railroad scales Investigation of fire-resisting properties- Testing miscellaneous materials

Investigation of public-utility standards. Radio research.

$686, 146. 00

88, 000. 00

i 65, 790. 49

14, 400. 00

8 272, 407. 96

41, 000. 00

» 51, 059. 56

27, 300. 00

10, 600. 00

53, 900. 00

io 78, 900. 00

40, 000. 00

10, 200. 00

48, 900. 00

30, 000. 00

46, 400. 00

11 107, 554. 49

85, 700. 00

12 207, 000. 00 ! 11, 260. 00

49, 000. 00

15, 800. 00

31, 500. 00

29, 300. 00

13, 400. 00

13 220, 015. 00

26, 500. 00

52, 700. 00

5, 300. 00

100, 000. 00

101, 600. 00

97, 450. 00

29, 042. 00

46, 000. 00

15, 000. 00

14, 950. 00

1, 800. 00

78, 200. 00

2, 640. 00 2,800.00

2, 555. 00

100. 00

4, 000. 00

2, 000. 00

4, 500. 00

1, 000. 00

15, 000. 00

$685, 353. 02

87, 488. 00

65, 359. 57

14, 351. 56

272,312. 26

40. 985. 32

50, 997. 24

27, 289. 75

10, 575. 04 53,871.84

78, 894. 10

39, 958. 34

10, 171. 20

48, 788. 93

29, 901. 21

46, 357. 89

107, 373. 46

85, 630. 56

206, 124. 66

11, 206. 10

48, 864. 28

15, 784. 44

31, 352. 52

29, 221. 56

13, 107. 67

219, 222. 12

26,438. 83

52, 608. 02

5, 240. 00

99, 582. 77

101, 229. 62

97, 100. 96

29, 033. 48

45, 971. 56

14, 975. 62

14, 909. 81

1, 790. 53

78, 093. 93

2, 622. 62

2, 786. 89

2, 531. 63

45. 15

3, 950. 18

1, 981. 05

4, 462. 63

$327. 08

752.00

rso. 00

250.00

907.'

670.50 2,931,802.20 1 2,079.

213. 00

125. 00

715. 19

; 429. 03 Industrial research 20 205, 679. 78 (Footnotes at end of table.)

648,

i* 88,

15 71,

14,

18 268,

41,

51, 27,

10,

54, "61,

40,

10, 49,

30,

47,

is 107, " 56,

146. 00

014. 11

761. 60

431. 00

653. 68

003. 00 I 614. 00

420. 00

824. 00

144. 00 027.00

713. 00

401. 00

$792. 98

184. 92

430. 92

48. 44

95.70

14.68

62. 32

10.25 24.96

28. 16

5. 90

41.66

28. 80

111. 07

98. 79

42. 11 181.03 69.44

123. 34 53.90

135. 72

15. 56

147. 48 78.44

292. 33 42.88

61. 17

91. 98 60.00

417. 23

120.38 349.04

8. 52 28.44

24. 38 40.19

9.47

106. 07

17. 38

13. 11

23. 37 54.85

49. 82

18. 95

37. 37

92. 52

3.20

, 789. 22

643,732.38 i ! 4,413.62

87,803.23 I : 210.88

70.821.45 ' 940. 15 14,397.60! ! 33.40 261,982.99 1

| 6,670.69

40,288.99 I 714.01 49,213.14 : ! 2,400.86

27,067.00 i

I 353.00

10,657.41 I ! 166.59

54, 101. 98 ! 42. 02 60,729.79 1 297.21 39,998.06! I 714.94

9,321. 28 \ 1,079. 72 48,687.84 | ! 397. 16 29.628.46 ;

I 584.54

46,987.53 ! 137.47

106,256.31 I I 1,458.88

56,328.52 100.51

204,080.23 I ! 1,599.55
50 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

Table 3.

Disbursements, liabilities, etc., 1931, 1930, and 1929 appropriationsContinued

Appropriation Total appropriation 2 Disburse- ments Liabilities

1929 Sound investigation Investigation of clay products

Color standardization

Investigation of radioactive substances and X rays.. Standardizing mechanical appliances

Investigation of mine scales and cars Standardization of equipment

Investigation of automotive engines

Utilization of waste products from the land—.

Investigation of dental materials Power plant equipment

Testing structural materials, 1929-30 Appropriations transferred from other departments which are available for the current year: Aircraft in commerce

Party expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey

Incidental expenses of Army

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.. Air Corps, Army

Signal Service of Army

Materials and miscellaneous expenses, Bureau of Engraving and Printing Aviation, Navy

Export industries, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce

General expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey... Air navigation facilities Appropriations transferred from other departments which are available for a period of two years: Gages, dies, and jigs for manufacture Ordnance stores, ammunition, 1929-30 Ordnance and ordnance stores Safeguarding dome of rotunda, 1929-30 Automatic rifles, 1929-30 Total

$11, 469. 00

49, 370. 00

10, 950. 00

31, 741. 00

29, 677. 00

13, 688. 00

21 192, 584. 51

26, 833. 00

53, 148. 00

5, 421. 00

100, 000. 00

12, 500. 00

22 140, 360. 00

2, 000. 00

10, 000. 00

43, 372. 15

11, 500. 00

1, 800. 00

15, 000. 00

66, 140. 00

2, 640. 00

200. 00

15, 700. 00

2, 750. 00

1, 000. 00

12, 000. 00

3, 000. 00

2, 555. 00

$11, 297. 45

46, 632. 72

10, 930. 39

31,581. 59

29, 274. 24

13, 472. 39

187, 838. 12

26, 437. 47

49, 299. 72

5, 257. 77

99, 959. 00

12, 423. 59

140, 290. 36

1, 927. 73

9, 970. 13

43, 189. 91

11, 487. 22

1, 781. 94

14, 853. 15

66, 031. 51

2, 615. 26

200. 00

15, 681. 46

2, 526. 67

996. 66

11, 994. 00

2, 990. 03

2, 330. 62

2, 751, 798. 05 2, 715, 355. 29

$61.

61. 63

1 Includes $1,000 transferred to the Personnel Classification Board.

2 Includes reimbursements and transfers received from other departments as shown under footnotes

3 to 22, as follows:

3 $620.68. 8$4; 257.96. "$15. ^ $418.19.

4 $5,000. 9 $59.56. "$14.11. $857.03.

5 $111. 10 $3,900. 15 $1,906.60. 2° $2,052.78.

e $10,000. ii $264.49. « $1,595.68. 21 $461.51.

7 $1,790.49. 12 $3,000. "$2,800. 22 $350. O

I