The evening times., 1900-05-17
WATERPROOF MATERIAL.
A Description OF Its Manufacture by
Consul LiefcId.

Consul LiefcId-
Consul Lieteld. at FTeiburg, Germany.
writing Of the manufacture OF water proof
material in Germany. says:
"Under date OF January 4. 1 sent re-
port ID freproof material in Germany.
| the invention OF a firm in Freiburg. and
incidentally made mention Of the fact that
the firm had been in existence for several
years as msnufacturers Of waterproof ar
ticles. such as horse blankets. ten,i-g
etc. AS numerous enquiries have been re-
ceived from the United States. irdica: ing
an active interest in this subject. 1 havs
Investigated this other branch Of indusjry
and present the following report:
Until quite recently. 10 process o. Ten-
dering woven fahric- canvas. etc. water
proof was known In Germany, except the
use OF fatty substances. such as wax. soap.
2arafin, etc A system had be-n invented
IN England Of inpregnation with a copper
solution. but this did not prove entirely
satisfactory; and. besiees, as the rr5c s.
was kept a close secret. the raw material
had to be shipped to England for tr at
ment. which, OF course. increased The
price OF the waterproof finished product
considerably, and proved a great draw
back Experiments we're then made in
Germany, and preparation Of eopper-am-
monium-oZice Vas used b. some firms: but
this firm at Freiburg makes use cf 2 So
luton containing zinc. copper, and amm3-
mum hydrate which has been Uatented in
many countries, and goods treated with
this preparation seem to have special ad-
yantages in respect to quality and co'or.
The copper in the solution. it seems
gives beautiful blue-g green color with Jut
The use of any dyestuffs whatsoever. the
various shades being due to the differing
qualities Of the goods Unbleached white
eotons receive a bluish-green color. while
the heavy canvas. which contains tax or
hemp. becomes intensely green
During impregnation. there is a che-ui
cal compound formed between the fibre OF
TIE fabric and the solution, so il is cesr
that the rev properties must bec-me firm
L. fixed II viii also be evident from this
fact that there can be no cIogging cf IN.
fabric with various salts; and, what is cf
stli more importance, the weight remains
almost unchanged
The copper in the solution. it is claim
ed. viii prevent the growth of destructive
germs. and the material itself becomes in
corTupdble and very serviceable for all
kinds OF weather. Goods which nave Ieen
buried or kept underground for long
time are unaffected. while the correspond
Ing raw material. or that treated with a
on-metallic solution if kept underground
the same length of time. would show signs
Of decay and decomposition and lose he
power Of resistance
AS no fatty substances are contained in
this solution, the fabric treated is not
liable 10 be attacked By insects and worms.
"On account of the advantages of light
weight, resistance TO decomposition, pro-
lection against iLsects,c etc, the material
is well adapted for tenting. especially IN
tropical regions; and understand that the
German Army administration is making
free use of these goods for field hospitals.
horse blankets, awnings. etc
By dyeing the material before impreg-
nation. other colors can be obtained, as
Give green. brown, and black. AMI in ey-
cry case the qualities remain good.
Thin cotton goods are used fOr the
manufacture Of waterproof garments for
hunters, physicians, and coachmsn, who
have to be out in all kinds of weather, and
also for gossamers and bicycle garments.
Not only are these substances very
light. hIt they have athe great advantage
OF c'leapneSs. are 'OdOTless. do not break
or become sticky. and are preferable 10 ar
ticles made of rubber, as they do not pre-
vent tte free circulation Of the air.