Analysis of rubber compounds

It is a well recognized fact that the art of analyzing rubber compounds has not reached the state of perfection which the commercial importance of rubber products seems to warrant. Various chemists have developed methods of analysis possessing more or less merit, but at the present time these methods cannot be relied upon to give concordant results. Users of rubber insulated wire are particularly interested in the analysis of rubber compounds owing to the recent practice of inserting chemical clauses into specifications. The manufacturers are equally interested because in the present state of the art, they are likely to have insulation refused by their customers, not because it is defective, but because some unforeseen method of chemical analysis indicates that the specifications have not been complied with. Chemists are interested not only in the scientific aspects of the problem, but also in its commercial aspects, because the chemical specification for rubber, with all it implies in its relation to chemists, will drop out of use unless the chemists are able to stand back of it with an analysis that cannot be controverted. Realizing these conditions, Mr. E. B. Katte, Chief Engineer of Electric Traction of the New York Central Railroad, invited a number of prominent manufacturers, consumers and chemists, to a conference at which the subject of rubber specifications could be discussed and steps taken to secure the desired uniformity in rubber analysis.