HIGH CLAIMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22260, 12 May 1934, Page 5

HIGH CLAIMS

NEW ZEALAND INVENTION RUBBER IN FABRICS. (Fbom Oub Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, May 5. Extraordinary claims are made for processes for treating wool, felt, thread, silk, frabrics and textiles with rubber latex, invented by Mr Ivan Baldwin, now of Melbourne. He says that he can render the materials nearly wearproof and seven times stronger, and it is remarkable that letters patent were granted to him last week on his twentyfirst birthday. Mr Baldwin was born, in New Zealand, and on leaving school he entered newspaper work, but continued with investigation in chemistry outside his journalistic hours. Eighteen months ago the idea first occurred to him of impregnating fabrics with rubber by a new and simple process, and when he went to Melbourne he established a small laboratory. Working rapidly he completed his process within 12 months, and is now engaged in making thorough tests of the material he has treated. It is stated that the results to date have been remarkable. Ballet girls were' co-opted for the stocking tests. Each girl wore a treated stocking on one leg and an untreated stocking on the other. The test, it is claimed, showed that the treated stocking outwore from four to seven of the untreated ones. Mr Baldwin says he can now show: — That tweeds treated by his process are proof against bagging, and are given new protection against seam bursts and creasing by 'the greater elasticity of the treated fabrics. That tweeds, worsteds, and all woven and knitted goods are strengthened and rendered more durable by treatment. That the lives of silk stockings treated at the toes and heels are increased seven times. That treatment is not affected fay washing, dyeing, or ironing. That treated fabrics are proof against attacks by moths and silyerfish. That the process lends itself also to the production of more durable felts and to the production of a new wool up-, holstery to meet the present demand for a car interior lining that will prove as durable and acceptable as leather. The commercial exploitation of- the Baldwin patent has been delayed because the young inventor wants to see it used exclusively in Australia. He believes that its adoption would give a new lease of life to the wool industry, and that a big Australian - industry could be established to produce threads and yarns having the same fineness as, but far greater strength than, any now being imported.