Philadelphia Paper - Tin Fusible Boiler-plug Manufacture and Testing (with Discussion)

In the course of the examination, at the BureLu of Standards, of fusible tin boiler plugs for the Steamboat Inspection Service, it became evident that an investigation should be undcrtaken to determine the precautions necessary in the manufacture of acceptable plugs. The results of the tests of these plugs show that their manufacture has improved, though at present not all of the plugs tested are, satisfactory. Table 1 gives the result of tests of some 1500 plugs from about 100 makers. Records of the tests show that several of the makers were able to produce satisfactory plugs with every pouring. The Steamboat Inspection Service has the following specifications for fusible plugs: "Fusible plugs for use in boilers of steam vessels under the jurisdiction of the Steamboat Inspection Service shall be made of bronze casing with the bore tapering continuously and openly from end to end, and filled from end to end with tin not less than 99.7 per cent. pure and to contain not more than 0.1 per cent. of lead and not more than 0.1 per cent. of zinc. The small end of the bore may be countersunk not more than 1/32 in. in depth and width, but no recess, thread, or cavity other than this countersink shall be allowed." Table 1.—Thirty-"five-mdh Testing Record of Fusible Plugs Causes of Rejection Inspection Period June-November, 1916.................. 311 32.8 47.2 3.8 11.5 15. 1 10.9 1 1.9 4.5 December, 1916-May, 1917............. 318 71.4 28.6 2.2 4.4 12.8 5.9 i ... 2.8 June-November, 1917.................. 228 73.0 27.01 ... 9.6, 5.2 9.6' ... 0.8 December, 1917-May. 1918............. 214 72.028.0 0.9 0.4 11.6 7.0 ... 7.9 June-November, 1918...............250 70.7 29.3 ... 2.0 20.0 5.2 ....2.8 December, 1918-April. 1919............ 23378.121.9 7.2 1.2 1 4.7 3.0 ... 6.0 Total 35 months....................1544.69.7 30.3 2.3 4.8 11 0 6.9 0.3 4.1