WHERE RESEARCH HELPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 245, 16 October 1929, Page 21

WHERE RESEARCH HELPS.

THE PRACTICAL RESULTS SHOWN. BENEFITS FARMERS AND FACTORIES. A very great deal of research work has been carried out in New Zealand during the past two years, and more is under way. Many of the results are yet incomplete, and farmers at times are apt to wonder whether they are-getting value for the money that is being spent so freely. Apart, from, the completion of involved research work, however, there are many ways in which assistance is being rendered the farming industry, one of the most useful of; which-'has been connected with work carried out by Dr. McDowell, of the Dairy Research? Institute, regarding the .use of different Masses of metals for dairy machinery. At first glance this suoject would be regarded as being of interest principally to factory managers, but actually it has a much wider application, and may easily affect every farmer. In addition, of course, most farmers are affected if the factory efficiency is improved, as the greater part of the industry works on the co-operative principle. This is the type of work which would not be carried out unless there were a specific organisation for research work, but which confers wide benefits through letting all factories know what materials are giving the best service throughout the world. ' - - ; ' Research Institute's Factoty. When the experimental factory was planned at the Dairy Research Institute, special attention was paid both: to the r machinery and the flooring. Various sizes and types of vats, coolers, etc., are in use, these being made of different metals, which are thus receiving a scientific test, under average factory conditions. ~ . '... - It is well known by all farmers that one of the Most difficult things to maintain in the factory is the floor, which corrodes under the influence-of the acids in milk, this being especially true of the cheese factory. Similarly trouble is often experienced with whey vats through the cement corroding /between i the tiles. Two new flooring materials have given satisfaction in other./ countries, &ad these are being subjected to extensive tests in New Zealand in the hope that they will prove equally suitable for our conditions. Tinned copper and tinned brass stand out as the two metals-which have been most satisfactory so far in New Zea-

j land factories, but various others have been tried out with greater or less success. It is well known that after a time the tin coating becomes worn, after which copper taints will find their way into the butter, seriously affecting its quality. Many of the complaints regarding fishy flavour are regarded as being due to the presence of small quantities of copper. • Chromium Steels. When glass-lined equipment was first placed on the market, it was considered that this would bs the best of all, as it would not corrode in any way. It has given splendid results, too, but a difficulty has cropped up in that the enamel is easily chipped, and once that occurs trouble definitely follows. , Similarly the stainless steels were expected to be better than anything that had gone before; but practical tests in many New Zealand factories showed that they were very variable; some were very unsatisfactory and many were hard to work up. As a result of the inquiries which were made by Dr. McDowell in a number of different countries, he formed the opinion that the chromium-nickel steels were the materials which gave the greatest promise for the future. These have now come into use fairly generally in America, and they have given excellent service. They do not corrode, and maintain their brightness, so that they are ideal for all sections of factory equipment-." Where the Farmer Benefits. Apart altogether from the benefits received by the factory, the farmer will benefit if he can secure more satisfactory materials for his milk and cream cans, his milking plant, pipes, etc. At present he has to rely on tinned steel cans, and after a time finds that the tinning wears off, and the can becomes rusty. Under our strict regulations he mugt then have his cans retinned, a fairly costly proceeding. Moreover, his cans have only a limited .life,, and any material which would last longer would be a definite ij&ving, which, Bpread over the whole industry, would amount to many thousands of pounds. It was thought for a time that alumi- r ' nium was to be. the farmer's friend, and provide cheaper and more efficient cans. From the viewpoint of lightness it is admirable, but it is too soft, and dents rapidly Chromium-nickel steel may eventually provide a strong, long-wear-iftg' can, as well as supplying better milking-machine plpee. The recommendations made in the report will influence manufacturers, and at least interest jthem in watching further tests. The work now .being, carried out at the Dairy. Research Institute will carry our knowledge a,stage further, and will allow exactly how the different metals stand up to the conditions of wear to which they -are imposed, here., It may well be that this side-line re- : search, as,, it might be termed, will benefit the; industry, substantially. 'I