RUBBER’S IMPORTANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 964, 6 May 1930, Page 6

RUBBER’S IMPORTANCE

USE IN MOTOR CONSTRUCTION Though steel and wood are largely used in the construction of modern cars, rubber is gaining increasing prominence. About 450 pieces of rubber, weighing in all between 40 and 60 pounds—excluding the tyres—are used in every Chrysler car. A few years ago the average car had only about 15 pounds of rubber parts in it. While it is largely used to stop squeaks, rattles and vibration, rubber is much used in important parts. Among these are engines and spring mountings, impulse neutralisers, hydraulic brake parts, wire insulation, and body shims. The increased use of rubber in construction prompted the manufacturers of Chrysler cars to install and equip a rubber laboratory where a staff of trained men investigates and tests, not only tlm material itself, but the various parts composed of it. ELABORATE TESTS

The laboratory equipment ranges from ovens to refrigerators, and ineludes tensile machines and salt sprays. Every consideration is given to the length of service the finished part will give, since this is most important from the point of view of a motorist. The engineers have discovered a process by which rubber can be bonded to steel in such a way as to eliminate metal fastenings between engine and frame. In this form it is used for engine mountings, and is so strong that a Chrysler car may be lifted off the ground by its engine.