SYNTHETIC RUBBER.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1916, Page 8

SYNTHETIC RUBBER.

SYDNEY INVENTOR'S CLAIM. BIG PROBLEM MAY BE SOLVED. (Sydney Sun). For years chemists all over the world have been experimenting with a view to discovering a substitute for rulber. Mr. John Flint, of Rushcutters Bay, claims to have solved the problem, ami samples of the compound produced by his method are at present being shown by Mr. A. Forsaith, of Stephen's Court, Elizabeth street. An uninspired paragiaph in. the Melbourne Age was the means of bringing the inventor before the notice of the public, and questions were asked in the Legislative Assembly of Victoria which may possibly have a big bearing on the future of the invention. Mr. Prendergast asked if steps would be taken to prevent the monopoly of this article falling into the hands of the rubber ring. Mr. Forsaith. when seen recently, told the story of the discovery of the compound. "Mr. Flint," he said, "has been experimenting for years with a view to discovering synthetic rubber. He is an expert in rubber, and ,is known as the inventor of rubber cements and-filling. The discovery was an accident. He had ' been working for years on a substance which, whilst it possessed many of the qualifications of rubber, was lacking in some, quality which prevented it being used as a substitute. He made a mistake in mixing a compound; but found that the mistake had enabled him to vulcanise tlu article he had previously produced. The result was that lie experimented still further with a view to producing a commercial article, and the results have exceeded his anticipations. "This discovery wjis made five months ago," continued Mr. Forsaith. "Following up the first experiment, Mr. Flint decided to put the compound to a severe test, and for this purpose made a motorear tyre one half of which was made of rubber, .and the other half of the compound which he has invented. That tyre has been running on the roads between Sydney arid Blackheath during the past four months, and has travelled 1500 miles. It is still running. Mr. Flint admits that —viewing it from an expert point of view—the compound shows a little more depreciation than that of the rubber itself. But it is doubtful .whether the ordinary observer would notice any difference. Mr. Flint has improved the compound since then. This compound has been patented through-* out the world. "Th* inventive genius of Mr. Flint has certainly opened up a vast field of industry," Mr. Forsaith added. "At present he is getting out a series of tiles which will interlock, and will be laid down in pleasing designs, and will make floors pleasant to walk en. Architects state that it is a perfect it dilator and an excellent roofing mater'A It can be made to any degree of sof ".i or-hard-ness. One great advantagi about it is that it will not ignite, and after being treated will not melt. It is not claimed to be rubber, but the invent r says that it can be used in lieu of i • bbcr for whatever purpose rubber can iie used. The great thing about it is the cost of production. We claim that we fan produce it at from 5d to <sd per pound. Rubber in a ran- state costs approximately .'is to 4j 2d a pound. It will be necessary to make machinery for the production of this compound; but it has already been produced in fair commercial quantities." Mr. Forsaith showed samples of the compound, one a soft, velvety sheet, other pieces were specimens of interlocking tiles, and many pieces cu{ in shapes. The compound did not ignite or melt when a light was applied to it. The samples, however, arc not being disturbed, and are being guarded until such times as the inventor is prepared to deal with the compound on a commercial basis.