Historical Articles

February, 1952 issue of Plating

 

Washington Orders

Copies of NPA orders and publications may be obtained from National Production Authority, Washington 25, D. C., or from any of its local offices.

Availability—Issue No. 4 of the List of Basic Materials and Alternates, which appeared on December 28, 1951, contains no changes in the listing of the metals of interest to platers. However, basic lead carbonate, red lead oxide, litharge and trichlorethylene have been added to Group I, in short supply; and plastic-type nylon has been moved from Group I to Group II, in approximate balance. Alternates suggested for nickel-chromium plate are bright-zinc plate, extrafine aluminum lining pigment, suitable synthetic enamel, aluminum-base baking enamel.

Cadmium.—Producers now have a 2 month supply on hand of this metal, and the Cadmium Producers and the Cadmium Distributors and Consumers Industry Advisory Committees have recommended that the controls in Order M-19 be relaxed. Of the 8,000,000-lb annual production, the military are likely to absorb only 30 per cent.

Copper.—The Brass Mill Products Distributors Industry Advisory Committee, on December 4, reported that the supply of copper bars and rods was extremely tight whereas copper sheet was in reasonably good supply.

Second-quarter, 1952, military copper requirements are said to be 81 million pounds in excess of fourth-quarter, 1951, requirements.

The electrolytic corrosion encountered at welded joints of copper and aluminum can be overcome by silver plating of the joint, according to members of the Fluorescent Lamp Ballast Industry Advisory Committee.

Hydrofluoric acid.—It has now been proposed to issue an order limiting most civilian uses to 100 per cent of 1950 consumption. The consumption was 78,000,000 lb in 1950, and is estimated at 88,000,000 and 105,000,000 lb in 1951 and 1952 respectively.

Inventories.—Amendment 1 to NPA Reg. 1, dated December 14, added aluminum sulfate, barium and lead chemicals to Table IA, Materials subject to Practical Minimum Working Inventory.

Lead.—The worsening shortage of lead had led to the issuance of an Order M-93 conserving the use of lead in storage batteries.

Operating supplies, installation.—According to CMP Reg. 5 as amended on December 20, expendable jigs and fixtures used on production equipment are included under operating supplies. A manufacturer may now obtain materials needed for installation of equipment, including
200 lb of copper per installation, on a priority basis.

Polyethylene.—A shortage will be felt in February because one of the two producers will shut down his plant while new equipment is being installed. The military took 20.3 per cent of the Dec allocations.

Rubber.—The restrictions on rubber materials were eased greatly by amendment of Order M-2 on December 14.

Selenium.—A new order M-91, dated December 10, 1951, put selenium under allocation, except that users of 1 lb or less per month may self-certify. Inventories are limited to 1-month supply. Selenium is used in rectifiers; in production of low-temperature enamels, paints, plastic and lacquer; and for other purposes.

Sulfur and sulfuric acid.—By amendment of Order M-69, on December 29, 1951, the use of sulfur for any purpose is restricted to 90 per cent by weight of the average monthly use for such purpose during the year 1950, but use of less than 20 short tons per month by any person is exempted from this provision.

According to Order M-94, issued on December 29, 1951, each producer must offer for sale each month a percentage of his scheduled monthly production of sulfuric acid equal to the percentage thereof which he sold in 1950. Schedule 3 to Order M-45 was revoked on the same date.