Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1876-05-10

Scr'ngU or syringe TO both gum and
tree.
1t is not only exported in various
moulded forms, but method has
been devised for shipping it in air
tight vessels OF tin or glass, thus
preserving the juice as it comes from
the tree. The pure caoutchouc has
specific gravity of only 0.925.-
Alcohol does not dissolve it; tur-
pentine, naptha, and benzole are its
best solvents. Weak acids and
alkaline solutions have no effect up
on it.
At the temperature of 24So Far.
it melts and remains in a sticky
condition unless long exposed to
the air in thin layers. 1t readily
inAames and burns with much
smoke. Its elasticity is remarkable
when piece of it is stretched,
heat and electricity are evolved.
If the piece is kept distended for
two or three weeks, its elasticity is
lost; exposure to temperature q,
low as 400 produces the same ef-
feet but the application Of gentle
heat restores it. Thus in making
elastic textile fabrics, they are wo-
ven Of elastic threads, which are
afterwards made elastic by heat.
At GO0o it is partially volatilized,
and the vapor when condensed is
the oily substance called caout-
choucine, which is good solvent
of caoutchouc.
According to Prof. Farady the
gum is hydrocarbon, consisting
of s equivalents of carbon and 7
Of hydrogen. The pure juice gave
in 100 parts:
Water containing little free acid 5ss7
Caoutchouo sl5O
Albumen l90
Wax trace
A nitrogenized body soluble in water us
A substance insolube in water as0
1t was long known before its val
liable qualities were appreciated.
In 111O its principal use was for
rubbing out lead pencil marks and
sold for 3 shillings sterling for a
cubical piece of one-half inch. 1t
was afterwards used in the prepa-
ration of varnishes, and later TO rem
der cloths waterproof. AS its prep
arations and those of its com
pounds were better understood, as
it was found to be adapted to a
of uses. Its elasticity
and flexibility are qualities requir-
ed in nearly every branch of manu-
facture. Scarcely anything can be
in which it is not used
in some form or other at the pres
ent time-from the band on pock-
ct book TO that which drives the
saw mill clothing, furniture, cloth
ing, hose chemical and surgical
appliances, car springs, etc. /; even
the entrance to Windsor Castle is
paved with it.
1t makes with other ingredients,
4 cement, called marine glue, which
IS rot affected by moisture and is
lnequalled for adhesiveness when
applied to wood.
New uses are constantly discov-
cred for Caoutchouc, and new prop
,rties are developed in the various
nodes Of treating it. Machines are {
low used by which one pound can
,e drawn out into thread $4,000 s
,ards in length. I
Vulcanized caoutchouc, which is
! combination of this substance
With sulphur, was first prepared by S
Charles Goodyear, of New York, to !
whom patent was granted in 1889 {
The compound possesses a higher
legree of elasticity, retains it below
he freezing point, does not lose it $
" frequent stretchings,Spd bears {
high degree of heat. The supe- {
'ior reputation of our goods, even '
Q the English market, shows that I
he highest success has been at {
aimed in the American establish /
nents.
Heretofore much difficulty has '
'een experienced in getting the {
he most common articles of rub .
Der clothing repaired when torn, !
cut or otherwise injured. $
But n cement is now made which
ioes not require heat in its appli- 8
'ation and in connection with rub {
'cr cloth, patching and soleing, I
enables every person to mend these
FOODS perfectly in a few minutes.
The operation is as simple and Of |
ectual as the common methods of Z