MANUFACTURE OF MUNITIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16537, 10 November 1915, Page 10

MANUFACTURE OF MUNITIONS.

■» — ACTIVITY IN AUSTRALIA. LITHGOW RIFLE STEEL. Another test of Lithgow-made steel for the manufacture of rifle barrels was made at the- steel works of G. and C. Hoskins (Ltd.), at the end of last month, and submitted to the authorities at the Commonwealth Small Arms Factory. Between 50 and 100 barrels were made, and each passed through the test with most satisfactory resulte. A report furnished states that the steel was forged into barrels in the usual way. These were then annealed, hardened in oil at 800deg C. Two barrels were then tested for physical properties, and the results were as follows:—Yield point: No. 1, 68,8401b; No. 2, 66,6801b. Tensile strength: No. 1, 104,9201b; No. 2, 102,4401b. Elongation: No. 1, 24 per cent.; No. 2, 29 per cent. Reduction of jarea: No. 1, 53 per cent.; No. 2, 58 per cent. Scleroscope reading: No. 1, 32; No. 2, 30. The War Office specifications call for not less than 47.040 yield point, 85,440 tensile strength, 15 per cent, elongation, and 35 per cont. reduction area. The chemical analysis shows as follows: — Carbon, .52; manganese, .61; phosphorus, .017; sulphur, .029; silicon, .093. The War Office specification calls for: —Carbon, .47 to .57; manganese, .50 to .70: phosphorus (maximum), .050; sulphur (maximum), .030; silicon (maximum). .25. The acting manager states that, as far as the barrels had progressed through the shop, the result of manufacturing them had been most satisfactory, while the foreman of tho barrel department states that the barrels mado from Lithgow stpel were some of tho best he had ever drilled, while in the reaming operation the finished surfaces of the boro were as good as any he had ever done. Although official confirmation is not yet forthcoming, it is confidently stated that ! the machinery now on order from America for the duplication of the small arms factory plant, or for the establishment of the factory ' at Canberra, will be housed temporarily at 1 Lithgow; also, that in all probability, portion of the machinery wiii be put into operation at the present factory. It is quite certain that the first and second consignments will be installed here. It is gathered that the Minister hopes to have the Canberra buildings erected before tho final shipment reachee Australia. —in about 18 months' time. Temporary structures are to bo erected at Lithgow for the earlier shipments. , Meanwhile, ths Government is feverishly proceeding with the Canberra building scheme. The first consignment of machinery is expected to roach Lithgow in about six. months. ; Tho workshops of tho Broken Hill Munitions Company Pty., which are on the Zinc j Corporation's ioase, are well on the way to completion, and are expected to bo turning } shell bodies before the end of Novem 5 ber. The tool shop is already in operation, ' and three machines are in position in the f shell shop, which will eventually be equipped 5 with 12 lathes and two drilling machines. I Some of the plant which ie on its way from J'; America is said to be very efficient, and J five of the machines are expected to 4>rove equal to a dozen Australian lathes, and are ' specially designed for munition work. Tho j capacity of the first section of the plant will I bo 400 shells weekly, working one shift, or ' 1200 with three' shifts,_ but with the arrival of the American machines the efficiency will 1 be doubled, should the labour supply bo r , equal to requirements. Tho company is re- ' presented at Broken Hill by Messrs Wain- ' wright, Hebbard, Weir, Hylton, Emery, and ? Meredith, with Mr Ralnh Lewis as manager. Instruction in bomb-throwing is now a • part of the military training at the various camps," the Law-Adams grenade, recently ' presented to the Defence Department by v its inventors, Major It. Law and Captain * W. A. Adams, being used for the purpose. I This grenade is tho size and shape of a ' cricket ball, with the fuse oap projecting. ? It docs not explode on impact, but by tho T burning of a time fuse. The soldier re- ' moves tho cap and ignites the fuse by rubs bine the exposed- end against a brassard on 3 his left forearm.