GB365350A - Improved manufacture of gas cell fabric - Google Patents

Abstract

365,350. Fabric for gas cells of aircraft. GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO., 1144, East Market Street, Akron, Ohio, U.S.A.-(Assignees of Calvert, W. C. ; 2150, 4th Street, Cuyahoga Falls, Akron, Ohio, U.S.A.) Feb. 6, 1931, No. 3834. Convention date, Aug. 8, 1930. [Class 140.] Fabric for gas-cells of balloons and airships is prepared by applying to a base of light fabric inner and outer coatings consisting essentially of rubber, and an intermediate coating comprising polyglycerol and a medium highly resistant to permeation by hydrogen and helium, such as gelatine, casein, agar agar or hµmoglobin. Preferably the inner and outer coatings are blended in progressively decreasing proportions into the intermediate coatings by applying a number of layers of differing composition. In practice, a suitable fabric is spread with a light coating of rubber, preferably on both sides. This is followed by a coat of self-curing rubber cement containing zinc oxide, sulphur, mercaptobenzothiazole, and diethylamine. The third coating consists of rubber latex, and the following coatings consist of mixtures of latex with the medium resistant to permeation by gas, for instance gelatine and polyglycerol. The proportion of gelatine and polyglycerol is increased and the proportion of latex decreased in each succeeding coat until a. number of coats of gelatine and polyglycerol only are applied. Successive coats containing increasing proportions of latex and decreasing proportions of gelatine and polyglycerol are then applied, finishing with a number of coats of latex only. An outer dressing of varnish, lacquer, or rubber may be given, to which paraffin may be applied. Each coat is allowed to dry before applying the next, and the fabric is kept under tension during the coating operation.