FIRE-PROOF CLOTH

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8355, 15 February 1913, Page 13

FIRE-PROOF CLOTH

Dr William H. Perkin, the English chemist, who has done much remarxuble worn on the synthesis of rubber, hus now found a metuod of making cotton clotn absolutely fireproof, so that it will notburn even wueu held in a gas flame, fit the same time it is softer and more beautiful than the cotton, cloth from which it is made, and, the inventor believes, free from the objections to fireproof cloth heretofore manufactured. Fireproof cotton cloth, aa formerly made, was harder than ordinary cloth, more expensive, and the fireproofing material (says “Popular Mechanics"! washed out the first time the cloth was sent to the laundry. The new cloth, on the other hand, is quite different Dr Perkin showed one garment made ol it which was unharmed by twenty wasoings, and another which had been won. for two years and washed every weefi. Neither could be burned, though tinlatter was worn almost to rags. This fireproof cloth costs about om penny a yard more than untreated cloth and this may at first limit its use, hm as soon as the public becomes acquaint ed with its remarkable properties, and also with tho fact that it really is as ohoap us ordinary cotton cloth since it wears one-fifth longer, it will, no doubt, find a ready market. Not only will this fireproofed material be found suitable for the manufacture of olothes for firemen, but it may also be used by women for the finest party dresses, the most delicately coloured fabrics being unharmed by the process and even given a softer appearance. For children's clothes it should be particularly desirable, since it is likely to prevent many accidents. . The now process is very simple, ana consists in soaking the ordinary cloth in a solution of sodium stannate (a combination of sodium and the acid of tin), and then drying it. Then it is put in a solution of sulphate of ammonia, dried, and heated to a moderately high temperature.