-------------------------------+----------------------------+------------

Type | Impact strength[1] | Hardness[2]

| (foot pounds) |

-------------------------------+----------------------------+------------

| |

| |_Brinell No_

Synthetic resins: | |

Tar-acid—Formaldehyde: | |

Molded, wood flour filler | 0.10-0.28; I, N | 30-45

Molded, mineral filler | 0.11-0.36; I, N |

Molded, fabric filler | 0.4-2.4; I, N |

Laminated, paper base | 0.4-1.2; I, N | 24-40

Laminated, fabric base | 0.8-5.2; I, N | 30-45

Laminated, asbestos cloth | |

base | |

Cast | 0.1-1.5; I, N | 30-45

Tar-acid—Furfural: | |

Wood flour filler | 0.08-0.52; C, N | [3]35-40

Mineral filler | 0.08-0.48; C, N | [3]44-46

Fabric filler | 1.6-3.1; C, N | [3]30-35

Urea—Formaldehyde | 0.7-1.5; C, U | [4]48-54

Vinyl, unfilled | 0.3-0.6; I, N | 15-25

Vinyl, filled | 0.1-0.7; I, N | 15-25

Acrylate | 0.25-0.5; C, N | [4]18-20

Polystyrene | 0.16-0.25; I, N | 20-30

Other plastics: | |

Shellac compound | |

Cold molded | 0.4; C |

Nonrefractory | 0.4; C |

Refractory | |

Rubber compounds: | |

Chlorinated rubber | 3.0+; C, U |

Modified isomerized rubber | 2.6-6.2; I, N | [5]85-90

Hard rubber | 0.5; I | 31

Casein | 1.0; I | 23

Cellulose compounds: | |

Ethyl cellulose | 1-4; I, N (per in. sq.) |

Cellulose acetate sheet | 2-7; C, N (per in. sq.) | [6]6-11

Cellulose acetate molding | 3-12; C, N (per in. sq.) | [6]6-7.5

Cellulose nitrate | 3-12; C, N (per in. sq.) | [6]8-11

-------------------------------+----------------------------+------------

[1] ASTM D256-34T. C = Charpy; I = izod; N = notched; U =

unnotched.

[2] 2.5 mm ball; 25 kg. load unless otherwise noted.

[3] 50 kg. load.

[4] 10 mm. ball; 500 kg. load.

[5] Shore.

[6] 10 kg. load.

NOTE.—The values for the properties in this table are based upon

maximum and minimum figures submitted to Modern Plastics by a

number of manufacturers of each type of material. Differences in

test procedures and sizes of test specimens may lead to erroneous

conclusions in some cases if direct comparisons are attempted.

Special grades of materials are often available which excel in

one particular property.

Source: Modern Plastics, vol. 15, No. 2, opp. p. 120; October

1937.

TABLE 20.—_Synthetic resins and other plastics: Heat properties_

-----------------------------------+--------------------+---------------

| Thermal | Specific

| conductivity | heat

+--------------------+---------------

Type | 10⁻⁴ calories |

| per second per |

| square centimeter | Calories per

| per 1°C. | °C. per gram

| per centimeter |

-----------------------------------+--------------------+---------------

Synthetic resins: | |

Tar-acid—Formaldehyde: | |

Molded, wood flour filler | 4-12.2 | 0.35-0.36

Molded, mineral filler | 8-20 | 0.25-0.35

Molded, fabric filler | 3-5 | 0.30-0.35

Laminated, paper base | 5-8 | 0.3 -0.4

Laminated, fabric base | 5-8 | 0.3 -0.4

Laminated, asbestos cloth base | |

Cast | 3-5 | 0.3- 0.4

Tar-acid—Furfural: | |

Wood flour filler | 3.5-5 | 0.3- 0.4

Mineral filler | 10-20 | 0.3- 0.4

Fabric filler | 5-8 | 0.3- 0.4

Urea—Formaldehyde | 7.13 |

Vinyl, unfilled | 4 | 0.244

Vinyl, filled | Varies | Varies

Acrylate | 4.3-6.8 | 0.45

Styrol | 1.9 | 0.324

Other plastics: | |

Shellac compound | |

Cold molded: | |

Nonrefractory | |

Refractory | |

Rubber compounds: | |

Chlorinated rubber | |

Modified isomerized rubber | 2.6-2.9 |

Hard rubber | 3.2 | 0.33

Casein | |

Cellulose compounds: | |

Ethyl cellulose | |

Cellulose acetate sheet | 5.4-8.7 | 0.3- 0.4

Cellulose acetate molding | 5.4-8.7 | 0.3- 0.45

Cellulose nitrate | 3.1-5.1 | 0.34-0.38

-----------------------------------+--------------------+---------------

-----------------------------------+-------------------+----------------

| Thermal | Resistance to

| expansion |continuous heat

+-------------------+----------------

Type | |

| |

| 10⁻⁶ per °C. | °F.

| |

| |

-----------------------------------+-------------------+----------------

Synthetic resins: | |

Tar-acid—Formaldehyde: | |

Molded, wood flour filler | 3.7-7.5 | 350

Molded, mineral filler | 2.5-4 | 450

Molded, fabric filler | 2-6 | 250-350

Laminated, paper base | 2 | 212-300

Laminated, fabric base | 3 | 212-350

Laminated, asbestos cloth base | 2 | 400-500

Cast | 2.8 | 160

Tar-acid—Furfural: | |

Wood flour filler | 3 | 280-400

Mineral filler | 2 | 350-500

Fabric filler | 4.5 | 280-350

Urea—Formaldehyde | 1.5 | 160

Vinyl, unfilled | 6.9 |

Vinyl, filled | Varies |

Acrylate | 8.5 |

Styrol | 10.2 |

Other plastics: | |

Shellac compound | | 150-190

Cold molded: | |

Nonrefractory | | 500

Refractory | | 1,300

Rubber compounds: | |

Chlorinated rubber | |

Modified isomerized rubber | 7-8 |

Hard rubber | 8.0 |

Casein | 8 |

Cellulose compounds: | |

Ethyl cellulose | |

Cellulose acetate sheet | 14-16 | 140-180

Cellulose acetate molding | 14-16 | 140-180

Cellulose nitrate | 12-16 | ca. 140

-----------------------------------+-------------------+----------------

-----------------------------------+-----------+------------+-----------

| Softening | Distortion |

| point | under heat |

+-----------+------------+

Type | | |

| | | Tendency

| °F. | °F. | to cold

| | | flow

| | |

-----------------------------------+-----------+------------+-----------

Synthetic resins: | | |

Tar-acid—Formaldehyde: | | |

Molded, wood flour filler | None | 240-285 | None.

Molded, mineral filler | do. | | Do.

Molded, fabric filler | do. | | Do.

Laminated, paper base | do. | 320 | Do.

Laminated, fabric base | do. | | Do.

Laminated, asbestos cloth base | do. | | Do.

Cast | | |

Tar-acid—Furfural: | | |

Wood flour filler | Chars 450 | 268-288 | Do.

Mineral filler | Chars 550 | 277-297 | Do.

Fabric filler | Chars 400 | | Do.

Urea—Formaldehyde | None | 260 | Do.

Vinyl, unfilled | 130-160 | 140-150 | Slight.

Vinyl, filled | 130-160 | 140-158 | Do.

Acrylate | 170-235 | 158 | Do.

Styrol | 110-200 | 185 | Do.

Other plastics: | | |

Shellac compound | 150 | | Do.

Cold molded: | | |

Nonrefractory | | |

Refractory | | |

Rubber compounds: | | |

Chlorinated rubber | 175-230 | 140 | Do.

Modified isomerized rubber | 165-220 | 167-221 | Do.

Hard rubber | 150-190 | | Do.

Casein | | 200 |

Cellulose compounds: | | |

Ethyl cellulose | | 210-266 |

Cellulose acetate sheet | 140-230 | 122-212 | Do.

Cellulose acetate molding | 145-260 | 122-212 | Do.

Cellulose nitrate | 160-195 | |

-----------------------------------+-----------+------------+-----------

NOTE.—The values for the properties in this table are based upon

maximum and minimum figures submitted to Modern Plastics by a

number of manufacturers of each type of material. Differences in

test procedures and sizes of test specimens may lead to erroneous

conclusions in some cases if direct comparisons are attempted.

Special grades of materials are often available which excel in

one particular property.

Source: Modern Plastics, vol. 15, No. 2, opp. p. 120. October 1937.

TABLE 21.—_Synthetic resins and other plastics: Electrical properties_

----------------------------------+-------------------+----------------

|Volume resistivity | Breakdown

| (50 percent | voltage, 60

Type |relative humidity) | cycles (volts

| (ohm = cms) | per mil

| |(instantaneous))

----------------------------------+-------------------+----------------

Synthetic resins: | |

Tar-acid—Formaldehyde: | |

Molded, wood flour filler |10¹⁰-10¹² |300-500

Molded, mineral filler |10⁹-10¹¹ |250-400

Molded, fabric filler |10⁹-10¹¹ |300-450

Laminated, paper base |10¹⁰-10¹³ |400-1,300

Laminated, fabric base |10¹⁰-10¹² |150-600

Laminated, asbestos cloth base| |90

Cast |10⁹-10¹⁴ |300-450

Tar-acid—Furfural: | |

Wood flour filler |10¹⁰-10¹² |400-600

Mineral filler |10⁹-10¹¹ |200-500

Fabric filler |0.4 × 10¹¹ |200-500

Urea—Formaldehyde |(2-2.8) × 10¹³ |650-720

Vinyl, unfilled |10¹⁴ |400-500

Vinyl, filled |10¹¹ |350-400

Acrylate |10¹⁵ |480

Polystyrene |10¹⁷-10¹⁸ |500-700

Other plastics: | |

Shellac compound | |100-400

Cold molded: | |

Nonrefractory |1.3 × 10¹² |85

Refractory | |

Rubber compounds: | |

Chlorinated rubber | |2,300

Modified isomerized rubber |(5-7) × 10¹⁶ |

Hard rubber |10¹²-10¹⁵ |250-900

Casein | |400-700

Cellulose compounds: | |

Ethyl cellulose | |1,500

Cellulose acetate sheet |(5-30) × 10¹² |800-2,500

Cellulose acetate molding |(4.2-6.2) × 10¹² |800-850

Cellulose nitrate |(2-30) × 10¹⁰ |600-1,200

----------------------------------+-------------------+----------------

----------------------------------+-------------------------------

| Dielectric constant

+---------+----------+----------

Type | | |

|60 cycles|10³ cycles|10⁶ cycles

| | |

----------------------------------+---------+----------+----------

Synthetic resins: | | |

Tar-acid—Formaldehyde: | | |

Molded, wood flour filler |5-12 |4-8 |4.5-8

Molded, mineral filler |5-20 |4.5-20 |4.5-20

Molded, fabric filler |5-10 |4.5-6 |4.5-6

Laminated, paper base | | |4-6

Laminated, fabric base | | |4.5-7

Laminated, asbestos cloth base| | |

Cast |5-10 | |5-7

Tar-acid—Furfural: | | |

Wood flour filler | |4-8 |6-7.5

Mineral filler | |4.5-20 |5-18

Fabric filler | |4.5-6 |5-7.5

Urea—Formaldehyde |6.6 | |6

Vinyl, unfilled | | |4

Vinyl, filled | |4.7 |4

Acrylate |4-6 | |2.8

Polystyrene |2.6 |2.65 |2.7

Other plastics: | | |

Shellac compound | | |

Cold molded: | | |

Nonrefractory |15 | |6

Refractory | | |

Rubber compounds: | | |

Chlorinated rubber |ca. 3 | |

Modified isomerized rubber |2.7 |2.68 |

Hard rubber |2.8 | |3

Casein | | |6.15-6.8

Cellulose compounds: | | |

Ethyl cellulose | |3.72 |

Cellulose acetate sheet |5.1-7.5 | |4.2-5.3

Cellulose acetate molding |5.8-6.0 | |4.4-4.6

Cellulose nitrate |6.7-7.3 | |6.15

----------------------------------+---------+----------+----------

----------------------------------+----------------------------------

| Power factor

+-----------+----------+-----------

Type | | |

| 60 cycles |10³ cycles|10⁶ cycles

| | |

----------------------------------+-----------+----------+-----------

Synthetic resins: | | |

Tar-acid—Formaldehyde: | | |

Molded, wood flour filler |0.04-0.30 |0.04-0.15 |0.035-0.1

Molded, mineral filler |0.10-0.30 |0.10-0.15 |0.005-0.1

Molded, fabric filler |0.08-0.30 |0.08-0.20 |0.04-0.1

Laminated, paper base | | |0.02-0.05

Laminated, fabric base | | |0.02-0.08

Laminated, asbestos cloth base| | |

Cast |0.025-0.20 |0.005-0.08|0.01-0.045

Tar-acid—Furfural: | | |

Wood flour filler | |0.04-0.15 |0.035-0.1

Mineral filler | |0.1-0.15 |0.04-0.1

Fabric filler | |0.08-0.20 |0.035-0.1

Urea—Formaldehyde |0.034 | |0.01-0.03

Vinyl, unfilled | |0.0143 |0.0175

Vinyl, filled | |0.02-0.15 |0.02-0.065

Acrylate |0.06-0.08 | |0.02

Polystyrene |0.0003 |0.0001 |0.0001

Other plastics: | | |

Shellac compound | | |

Cold molded: | | |

Nonrefractory |0.20 | |0.07

Refractory | | |

Rubber compounds: | | |

Chlorinated rubber |0.003 | |

Modified isomerized rubber |0.006 | |0.0016

Hard rubber | | |0.003-0.008

Casein | | |0.052

Cellulose compounds: | | |

Ethyl cellulose | |0.011 |

Cellulose acetate sheet |0.025-0.07 | |0.038-0.091

Cellulose acetate molding |0.042-0.058| |0.038-0.042

Cellulose nitrate |0.062-0.144| |0.074-0.097

----------------------------------+-----------+----------+-----------

NOTE.—The values for the properties in this table are based upon

maximum and minimum figures submitted to Modern Plastics by a

number of manufacturers of each type of material. Differences in

test procedures and sizes of test specimens may lead to erroneous

conclusions in some cases if direct comparisons are attempted.

Special grades of materials are often available which excel in

one particular property.

Source: Modern Plastics, vol. 15, No. 2, opp. p. 120. October 1937.

TABLE 22.—_Synthetic resins and other plastics: Specific gravity,

specific volume, and resistance to other substances_

------------------------------+---------+--------------+-----------

| | |Water

Type |Specific | Specific |absorption,

| gravity | volume |immersion

| | |24 hours[1]

------------------------------+---------+--------------+-----------

Synthetic resins: | |_Cubic inches |

Tar-acid—Formaldehyde: | | per pound_ |

Molded, wood flour filler |1.34-1.52| 20.7-18.2 |0.2-0.6

Molded, mineral filler |1.70-2.09| 16.4-13.3 |0.01-0.3

Molded, fabric filler |1.37-1.40| 20.2-19.8 |1.0-1.3

Laminated, paper base |1.34-1.55| 20.7-17.8 |0.5-9.0

Laminated, fabric base |1.34-1.55| 20.7-17.8 |0.5-9.0

Laminated, asbestos cloth |1.6-1.65 | 17.3-16.8 |0.5

base | | |

Cast |1.27-1.32| 21.8-20.0 |0.01-0.5

Tar-acid—Furfural: | | |

Wood flour filler |1.3-1.4 | 21.3-19.8 |0.2-0.6

Mineral filler |1.6-2.0 | 17.3-13.9 |0.01-0.15

Fabric filler |1.3-1.4 | 21.3-19.8 |0.8-1.4

Urea—Formaldehyde |1.48-1.50| 18.7-16.5 |1-2

Vinyl, unfilled |1.34-1.36| 20.7-20.4 |0.05-0.15

Vinyl, filled |1.35-2.5 | 20.5-11.1 |0.2-4.0

Acrylate |1.18 | 23.3 |0.3

Polystyrene |1.05-1.07| 26.3-25.8 |0

Other plastics: | | |

Shellac compound |1.1-2.7 | 25.2-10.3 |

Cold molded: | | |

Nonrefractory |1.98-2.0 | 14.0-13.9 |1.5

Refractory |2.2 | 12.6 |0.5-15

Rubber compounds: | | |

Chlorinated rubber |1.5 | 18.5 |0.1-0.3

Modified isomerized rubber|1.06 | 26.1 |0.02

Hard rubber |1.12-1.8 | 24.7-15.4 |0.02

Casein |1.35 | 20.5 |3-7

Cellulose compounds: | | |

Ethyl cellulose |1.14 | 24.3 |[6]1.25

Cellulose acetate sheet |1.27-1.37| 21.8-20.2 |1.5-3.0

Cellulose acetate molding |1.27-1.63| 21.8-17.0 |1.4-2.8

Cellulose nitrate |1.35-1.60| 20.5-17.3 |1.0-3.0

------------------------------+---------+--------------+-----------

------------------------------+---------------+------------------

| |

Type |Effect of weak | Effect of strong

| acids | acids

| |

------------------------------+---------------+------------------

Synthetic resins: | |

Tar-acid—Formaldehyde: | |

Molded, wood flour filler |None to slight.|Varies[2]

Molded, mineral filler | do | do[2]

Molded, fabric filler | do | do[2]

Laminated, paper base | do | do[2]

Laminated, fabric base | do | do[2]

Laminated, asbestos cloth | do | do[2]

base | |

Cast | do |

Tar-acid—Furfural: | |

Wood flour filler | do | do[2]

Mineral filler | do | do[2]

Fabric filler | do | do[2]

Urea—Formaldehyde | do |Decomposed or

| |surface attacked

Vinyl, unfilled |Resistant |Resistant

Vinyl, filled |Dependent on |Dependent on

| filler. |filler.

Acrylate |None |Oxidizing acids

| |attack surface.

Polystyrene | do |None

Other plastics: | |

Shellac compound |Deteriorates |Deteriorates

Cold molded: | |

Nonrefractory |Slight |Decomposes

Refractory |Decomposes | do

Rubber compounds: | |

Chlorinated rubber |Resistant |Resistant

Modified isomerized rubber| do | do

Hard rubber | do |Attacked by

| |oxidizing acids

Casein | do |Decomposes

Cellulose compounds: | |

Ethyl cellulose |Slight |Decomposes

Cellulose acetate sheet | do | do

Cellulose acetate molding | do | do

Cellulose nitrate | do | do

------------------------------+---------------+------------------

------------------------------+------------+------------+---------------

| | |

Type | Effect of | Effect of | Effect of

| weak | strong | organic

| alkalies | alkalies | solvents

------------------------------+------------+------------+---------------

Synthetic resins: | | |

Tar-acid—Formaldehyde: | | |

Molded, wood flour filler | Slight to |Decomposes |None.[3]

| marked | |

Molded, mineral filler | do | do | do[3]

Molded, fabric filler | do | do | do[3]

Laminated, paper base | do | do | do[3]

Laminated, fabric base | do | do | do[3]

Laminated, asbestos cloth | do | do | do[3]

base | | |

Cast | do | do | do

Tar-acid—Furfural: | | |

Wood flour filler | do | do | do

Mineral filler | do | do | do

Fabric filler | do | do | do

Urea—Formaldehyde | do | do | do

| | |

Vinyl, unfilled |Resistant |Resistant |([4]).

Vinyl, filled |Dependent on|Dependent on|([4]).

| filler. | filler. |

Acrylate |None |Slight |([5]).

| | |

Polystyrene | do |None |Widely soluble.

Other plastics: | | |

Shellac compound |Deteriorates|Deteriorates|Attacked by

| | | some.

Cold molded: | | |

Nonrefractory |Decomposes |Decomposes | do

Refractory |None |None |None.

Rubber compounds: | | |

Chlorinated rubber |Resistant |Resistant |Soluble in

| | | aromatic

| | | hydrocarbons.

Modified isomerized rubber| do | do |Attacked by

| | | some.

Hard rubber | do | do | do

| | |

Casein |Softens |Decomposes |Resistant.

Cellulose compounds: | | |

Ethyl cellulose |None |None. |Widely soluble.

Cellulose acetate sheet |Slight |Decomposes |([7]).

Cellulose acetate molding | do | do |([7]).

Cellulose nitrate | do | do |([7]).

------------------------------+------------+------------+---------------

[1] ASTM D48-33.

[2] Decomposed by oxidizing acids; reducing and organic acids no

effect.

[3] On bleed-proof materials.

[4] Resists alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and oils. Soluble

in ketones and esters; swells in aromatic hydrocarbons.

[5] Soluble in ketones, esters, and aromatic hydrocarbons.

[6] 48 hours.

[7] Soluble in ketones and esters; softened by alcohols; little

affected by hydrocarbons.

NOTE.—The values for the properties in this table are based upon

maximum and minimum figures submitted to Modern Plastics by a

number of manufacturers of each type of material. Differences in

test procedure and sizes of test specimens may lead to erroneous

conclusions in some cases if direct comparisons are attempted.

Special grades of materials are often available which excel in

one particular property.

Source: Modern Plastics, vol. 15, No. 2, opp. p. 120. October

1937.

15. SYNTHETIC RESINS IN OTHER COUNTRIES

Large-scale production of synthetic resins is confined principally to

the United States, Germany, and Great Britain. There is small production

in many other countries, of which the most important are France, Italy,

Czechoslovakia, Canada, and Japan.

In 1934 the world output was estimated at 135 million pounds, of which

the United States produced about 44 percent, Germany 26 percent, and

Great Britain 24 percent. In 1937 world output was estimated at 360

million pounds, the United States’ share of the total being almost

50 percent, followed by 27 percent for Germany, 20 percent for Great

Britain, and the remaining 3 percent scattered.

European estimates indicate that about 40 percent of the output goes into

surface coatings and that 60 percent of the surface-coating resins are

tar-acid and 40 percent alkyds. The Tariff Commission found that in 1937

50 percent of the United States production of all synthetic resins went

into surface coatings, 27 percent into molded articles, and the remaining

23 percent into laminating and miscellaneous uses. Approximately

three-fourths of the surface-coating resins were alkyds and one-fourth

tar-acid resins.

GERMANY

Production.

In recent years Germany’s production of synthetic resins has increased

rapidly, each succeeding year registering the attainment of a new record.

In 1933 production totaled 17,500,000 pounds and by 1935 had increased to

55,000,000 pounds. A further expansion of about 30 percent to 70,000,000

pounds in 1936 and present production trends indicate a gain of about 40

percent more in 1937, to an estimated total of 100,000,000 pounds.

Although tar-acid resins comprise the bulk of the German output,

considerable gains are shown for other types, notably injection molding

resins of the polystyrene and vinyl types. The development of completely

automatic injection molding machinery has given an impetus to these

types. While technical progress, including improvement of molding

equipment, has contributed to the expanded production, the use of

synthetic resins in Germany has had a strong stimulus because they are

made almost wholly of domestic materials. Under the “Four-Year Plan” for

the greatest possible national economic independence, synthetic resins

are replacing imported materials, such as the heavier nonferrous metals,

iron, hardwoods, cork, and natural gums and resins in many uses. This

displacement of materials has also affected such domestic products as

glass and porcelain, which caused the Government to intervene and impose

restrictions upon the use of resins for purposes adequately served by

other materials of German origin.

Germany’s expanding production of synthetic resin has also been aided by

a sharp increase in exports, which have increased well over 100 percent

since 1932.

_Tar-acid resins._—German output of tar-acid resins has been estimated

at 35 million pounds in 1934, at 49 million pounds in 1935, and at 63

million pounds in 1936. Such resins comprise the bulk of the German

production of molding resins.

There are at least seven producers of tar-acid resins in Germany and nine

producers of molding powders and pellets. Tar-acid resins for surface

coatings are produced by a number of these concerns. Among the important

makers in Germany are The Bakelite Gesellschaft (organized in 1910 to

operate under the Baekeland patents); the explosives and munitions firm

of Dynamit A.G.; Dr. Kurt Albert G.m.b.H.; the I.G. Farbenindustrie;

Beckacite Kunstharzfabrik G.m.b.H.; and Rohm & Haas A.G. The Beckacite

firm has associates in the United States and in the United Kingdom, and

Rohm & Haas, an associate in the United States.

_Alkyd resins._—The manufacture of alkyd resins has developed in

Germany in the past few years. Demand for these resins has been given a

marked impetus by the development of a new standardized substitute for

linseed-oil varnish known as El Varnish, the use of which is required by

the Control Board for Industrial Fats for certain interior and exterior

painting.

There are five makers of resins for paints, varnishes, and lacquers.

The output of alkyd resins has increased sharply since 1934, probably

reaching 10 million pounds in 1936.

_Urea resins._—The output of urea resins in Germany is relatively small;

two of the more important types are known as Locron and Pollopas.

_Polystyrene and vinyl resins._—In 1936 Germany’s production of

thermoplastic resins exceeded 1 million pounds, principally of the

polystyrene and vinyl types. Among the vinyl resins are Acronal and

Mowilith, both of which are manufactured by the I.G. Farbenindustrie.

This combine also produces several types of polystyrene resins known as

Mollit and Metastyrol. Dynamit A.G. produces a polystyrene resin known as

Trolitul.

Uses of synthetic resins.

The original and most important use of synthetic resins in Germany was

for electrical insulation. This use was so extensive that the industry

was organized in 1924 into an association known as non-rubber insulation

materials industry. Materials were standardized and classified into 14

types, of which 5 were tar-acid resins and 1 was a urea resin. Every

type must meet certain specifications in order to be recognized by the

Reich Testing Institute. More than 100 firms produce insulating materials

meeting the institute’s specifications.

Radio panels of the popular sets sponsored by the Government are made of

synthetic resins. Consumption in the automobile industry is increasing

for such parts as instrument panels, electrical equipment, steering

wheels, gear-shift knobs, and numerous others. The latest airplanes show

increased use of synthetic resins, where they contribute light weight,

great strength, and resistance to corrosion.

In cameras and moving-picture equipment, wood and metal have been in part

replaced by synthetic resins. Other applications of resins in Germany

include bearings for rolling mills, goggles and spectacles (including the

lens), and perfume and medicine bottles.

Resins for surface coatings are undergoing rapid development in Germany,

owing to the shortage of linseed oil. Alkyd resins in coatings are being

promoted by the Government, which prohibits or limits the use of the

older oil-type coatings for certain uses so as to decrease the use of

linseed oil and other paint oils that must be imported and hence require

outlays of foreign exchange. Penalties have been imposed for violating

the regulations.[13]

Organization.