Report on the Suitability of Rubatex and Chlorinated Rubber as a Flotation Material

Studies have been conducted on two forms of gasified rubber to determine: (a) Water absorption, (b) compressibility, (c) Corrosion Activity. The purpose of the studies was to obtain information bearing on the suitability of these compositions as floatation materials. It has been determined that Rubatex provided with a hard unpunctured skin is relatively impervious to water absorption, is fairly resistant to compressive loads and does not appear to promote corrosion. I the protective coating of this material is broken or removed, the water absorption is considerable; the material is permanently deformed by compressive loads, but corrosion is not accelerated. By comparative tests it was determined that the chlorinated rubber material was less resistant to water absorption, that it had less compression resistance, was fragile and required considerable care in handling. Insufficient material was available for corrosion tests but it was determined that hydrogen chloride gas was only evolved at elevated temperatures.