The Aircraft Industry and Chemical Engineering

Abstract

THE value of research in chemical engineering formed the substance of the first Hinchley memorial lecture delivered before the Institution of Chemical Engineers by Mr. H. T. Tizard on October 28. At first sight the aircraft industry seems very remote from the chemical industry, but developments in aeronautics have already been of great value to the chemical industry. Perhaps the most striking example of this may be found in the development of cellulose paints. The possible uses of solutions of nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate were explored on a small scale before the War, but they were first used on the large scale for the protection of the fabric of aeroplanes and balloons. During the War scientific knowledge of cellulose esters accumulated rapidly, and the manufacture of cellulose acetate was begun. The shortage of the usual solvents forced upon us the necessity of trying substitutes, so enlarging our knowledge of cellulosed solutions and preparing the way for the economic production of modern cellulose finishes. The manufacture of cellulose esters and solvents is now one of the most important branches of chemical industry.