SYNTHETIC RESINS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 199, 20 May 1936, Page 11

SYNTHETIC RESINS

Transparent Fountain-pen Thanks to new synthetic resins which roused much interest when exhibited at the British Industries Fair, a transparent fountain-pen, complete with an iridium-tipped platignum nib, is now being marketed at 1/6, states a correspondent of "The Times. This is an example of the way a new material, introduced as a result of the chemist’s work in the laboratory, may give a great stimulus even to a longestablished trade. The fountain-pen market was considered to be approaching saturation, but the novelty and cheapness of the new pen, which allows the user to see clearly how much ink is in it, has altered the outlook. One factory is now. for the first time in its history, working night as well as day. Those who want the finest quality in their pens, and are prepared to pay for it. will still favour the existing models; but the new development should bring a pen, thoroughly trustworthy for all ordinary uses, into the hands of great masses who cannot now afford one. There have been three stages in the history of the fountain-pen. In the first stage, gold was the only known substance which would provide a noncorrodible nib. The second stage Bas marked by the introduction of the alloy platignum. Tlie development of the transparent pen, with its novelty value, is considered to mark a third stage, and has certainly given a new lease of life to the industry. This is only one example of the many uses to which the new transparent iesins are being put. The fact that they are one-third of the weight of glass and unsplinterable makes them highly suitable for use in aircraft. In the new Fairey Battle bomber the crew is encased in a superstructure of the material, which gives a complete allround field of vision. In this and other new types of aeroplanes the inspection covers, instrument boards and wing-tip lights are macle of this material. In the electrical field transparent wireless cabinets are beginning to be made of this material and minor applications include battery boxes, where its resistance to acids adds to its value, and cable joints. It is being widely used, both in its water-white and in its tinted forms, for spectacle frames, and boxes and jars for beauty preparations, ointments, etc.

It is expected that transparency may not prove to be the greatest advantage of the new resins. They are not distorted by climatic changes, and so are highly suitable for such objects as telephone instruments, for use in centrally heated buildings or in climates liable to great variations in temperature. Since they are quite transparent in their natural state, they can be dyed any colour, and a big export trade with tropical countries is predicted for them.