Overview:
The book delves into the detailed science behind the manufacture of glue and gelatine, emphasizing the importance of understanding the raw materials and their proper preparation. It covers the different sources of these materials, including animal skins, bones, and even fish bladders. The book details the intricacies of boiling and clarifying glue liquor, creating a variety of glue types for different applications. It then explores the production of animal charcoal and phosphorus from bones, highlighting the processes of extraction and distillation.
The second part of the book shifts focus to cements, pastes, and mucilages, providing a comprehensive guide to their classification and preparation. The author emphasizes the chemical nature of cements, explaining how different substances interact with each other to create effective adhesives. The book outlines various methods for preparing and using specific types of cements, pastes, and mucilages, catering to a variety of applications like joining wood, metal, glass, and porcelain.
Key Findings:
- Glue and gelatine are not found pre-formed in animals, but are produced through a series of transformations during processing.
- Glutin, the main component of glue, has a stronger adhesive power than chondrin, which is obtained from cartilages.
- The quality of glue is highly dependent on the age and type of animal from which the raw material originates.
- Animal charcoal, a valuable product, is produced by calcining bones in airtight vessels.
- Phosphorus is extracted from bones through a series of chemical reactions, including the decomposition of bone ash with sulphuric acid.
- The electrolytic production of phosphorus using electric current is a more cost-effective method than traditional methods.
- Cements rely on the chemical interactions between their components to achieve their bonding properties.
- The success of cementing depends heavily on proper application and preparation of the surfaces to be joined.
Learning:
- The science of glue and gelatine: The reader will learn about the chemical structure of glue and gelatine, and the key differences between them. They will understand how these substances are derived from animal tissues and the factors that influence their quality.
- The process of glue and gelatine manufacturing: The text will guide the reader through the steps involved in making glue and gelatine, including boiling, clarifying, and drying. It will highlight the importance of proper raw material preparation and the different methods used in large-scale production.
- Animal charcoal and phosphorus production: The reader will gain knowledge about the production of animal charcoal from bones and the different processes involved. They will also learn about the extraction and distillation of phosphorus from bone ash.
- Cement classification and preparation: The book provides a clear framework for understanding the different types of cements and their applications. It explores the unique properties of oil, resinous, rubber, glue, and lime-based cements, detailing their respective chemical compositions and uses.
- The importance of proper cement application: The reader will understand the key factors for successful cementing, including proper surface preparation, the role of heat, and the necessity of minimizing air and dirt.
Historical Context: This text was written in 1905, a time when the industrial revolution was rapidly transforming the manufacturing landscape. The book reflects the growing demand for glue and related products, driven by technological advancements in industries like furniture making, construction, and printing. The emergence of new production methods, such as the extraction of fats with benzine and the electrolytic production of phosphorus, highlights the ongoing scientific and technological progress.
Facts:
- Glue and gelatine are not found pre-formed in animals: They are produced through a series of transformations during processing.
- Glutin is the main component of glue: It has stronger adhesive properties than chondrin, which is derived from cartilages.
- Bones of older animals yield more solid glue than those of younger animals: This is because the glue-yielding substance in older animals has undergone more transformations.
- Calf skins are the preferred raw material for gelatine: They produce a superior quality due to their purity.
- Bones are less susceptible to putrefaction than skins: This is why they are not typically brought to the factory in a prepared state.
- Animal charcoal is produced by calcining bones in airtight vessels: This converts the glue-yielding tissue into carbon, which is distributed on the bone earth.
- Animal charcoal is a valuable product: Its worth is determined by its carbon content.
- Bones can be utilized for fat, bone meal, and glue: This requires a multi-step process involving steaming and acid extraction.
- Phosphorus is extracted from bones through a series of chemical reactions: The decomposition of bone ash with sulphuric acid is a key step.
- The electrolytic production of phosphorus using electric current is a more cost-effective method than traditional methods: It is also a cleaner process.
- Oil cements rely on the chemical interaction of drying oils with basic substances: This creates insoluble soaps, which form the foundation of the cement.
- Glaziers’ putty is a durable oil cement: It is used to secure window panes.
- Resinous cements are made from natural plant exudates called resins: These substances melt and solidify, forming strong adhesives.
- Rubber and gutta-percha are valuable materials for cements: They offer elasticity and resistance to chemical agents.
- Glue and starch pastes can be used in cement mixtures: They decrease brittleness but make the cement less water-resistant.
- Lime cements are typically made with burned lime and either egg albumen or casein: These substances create insoluble combinations.
- Water-glass (soluble glass) is a valuable ingredient in cements: It combines with lime to create durable, stone-like adhesives.
- Glycerine-based cements solidify quickly: They are particularly useful for underwater applications.
- The success of cementing depends on proper application and preparation of the surfaces: Heat, air displacement, and cleanliness are crucial factors.
- Alum enhances the adhesive power of paste: It forms a leather-like compound with glue, making the paste more resistant to decomposition.
Statistics:
- Tannery waste can yield 44 to 46% of glue: This highlights the potential for utilizing byproducts in the production of glue.
- Scraps of parchment and bullocks’ feet can yield up to 62% of their weight in glue: These materials are highly valuable to the glue boiler.
- The moisture, dirt, and salt in dry, uncured or salted glue stock should not exceed 10%: This indicates the importance of quality control in raw materials.
- Green salted glue stock should have no excess of salt and moisture and salt should not exceed 40%: This demonstrates the need for careful handling and preservation of the stock.
- Bones can yield 12 to 13% of fat in the head, ribs, and shoulder blades: The thigh and leg bones have a higher yield, ranging from 18 to 19%.
- Steamed bones can yield 4 to 5% of fat: This is a lower yield than extraction with solvents.
- Bones honeycombed by putrefaction are of little value to the glue boiler: This emphasizes the importance of selecting fresh and high-quality raw materials.
- The bones should be thoroughly freed from acid after treatment with hydrochloric acid: Even a small amount of acid can affect the quality of the finished glue.
- A good quality of animal charcoal contains 10 to 12% of absorbed sulphurous acid: This reflects the material’s ability to absorb gases.
- The bones of young animals contain more cartilage than those of older animals: This influences their suitability for gelatine production.
- The actual yield of phosphorus is between 8 and 11%: This highlights the loss of phosphorus during the extraction process.
- The ammoniacal liquor produced in making animal charcoal contains on average 10% of ammonia: This demonstrates the potential for recovering valuable byproducts from the process.
- 2000 lbs. of raw bone yield about 1180 to 1220 lbs. of animal charcoal, 178 to 180 lbs. of ammoniacal liquor, and 222 to 248 cubic yards of gas: This showcases the scale of animal charcoal production.
- The gas produced from animal charcoal yields 2.7 times more light than good coal gas: This highlights its importance as a fuel source.
- Solid and compact bones yield on average 15% of dry glue: Porous bones rich in cartilage can yield from 20 to 25% of dry glue.
- The basic calcium phosphate precipitate obtained from the liquor from bone extraction contains 65% calcium phosphate, up to 20% water, and 10 to 15% calcium carbonate, quicklime, and impurities: This indicates the composition of a valuable fertilizer.
- 100 parts by weight of fresh bones yield 55 parts by weight of bone ash: This demonstrates the significant mineral content of bones.
- The crude phosphorus obtained by distillation contains about 4 to 6% water: This emphasizes the need for proper drying techniques.
- The strength of the gelatinized glue varies between 12 grammes (185.18 grains) and 64 grammes (987.67 grains) for a 10% solution: This highlights the wide range of strengths in different types of glue.
- A serviceable glue must stand at least an average load of 70 kilograms in the “Artillery Werkstätte” breaking test: This demonstrates the importance of measuring the strength of glue for specific applications.
Terms:
- Glutin: A protein found in animal tissues, it is the main component of glue and gives it adhesive properties.
- Chondrin: A protein found in cartilage, it has less adhesive power than glutin and is typically separated from glue-yielding materials.
- Ossein: The organic matter of bones, it is composed mainly of collagen.
- Collagen: A fibrous protein that is a primary component of connective tissues, including skin, tendons, and bones.
- Casein: A protein found in milk, it is used in making cements and other adhesives.
- Arabine: A carbohydrate found in gum arabic, it is water-soluble and forms a sticky solution.
- Dextrine: A carbohydrate derived from starch, it is used as a substitute for gum arabic and is a common ingredient in pastes and mucilages.
- Tragacanth: A natural gum that swells in water, forming a viscous solution.
- Water-glass: A soluble silicate of soda or potassium, also known as soluble glass. It is used in cements and other adhesives.
- Formaldehyde: A colorless gas with strong antiseptic properties. It is used in the production of formo-gelatine and as a preservative in glue and gelatine solutions.
Examples:
- Calves’ heads: These are a highly valued glue stock, especially for gelatine, as they yield a superior quality due to their purity.
- Scraps of parchment: These are an excellent glue stock, often yielding up to 62% of their weight in glue.
- Waste bones from the preparation of tinned provisions: These bones, if not overheated, can be a good source of glue.
- Old shoes, straps, and harness: These leather scraps can be used for glue production after a process to remove the tannins.
- Fish bladders: These are the source of isinglass, a valuable product used for culinary and medicinal purposes.
- Fish scales: These can be used to make fish glue after extracting the bone earth with hydrochloric acid.
- Gilder’s glue: This high-quality glue is prepared from selected scraps of hide and skin and bleached with chloride of lime.
- Russian glue: This glue is typically opaque and white due to the addition of white lead or other mineral substances.
- Hectograph mass: This gelatine-based mixture is used for making hectograph copies.
- Gelatine veneers: These thin, colorful sheets are used in various applications, from imitation marble to mother-of-pearl.
Conclusion: This 1905 text provides a detailed and fascinating look into the production of glue, gelatine, animal charcoal, phosphorus, cements, pastes, and mucilages. It offers invaluable insights into the processes, the chemical interactions of materials, and the importance of proper preparation and application. The reader gains a deep understanding of these materials and their diverse uses, from woodworking and construction to medicine and photography. While the technological landscape has changed since 1905, this book remains a testament to the ingenuity and practicality of industrial chemistry and its vital role in shaping modern life.