Review of Branch Meetings 1999-2000

Tuesday 28th September

Visit to ICI Saffil : Pilkington-Sullivan - Buffet kindly sponsored by ICI Saffil

First event of the year under the newly elected chairman Mr Martyn Barber, was a visit to "Saffil" manufacturers of Alumina Fibre based at Pikington Sullivan Site, Tanhouse Lane, Widnes, Cheshire.

The visit held on Tuesday 28^th September, 9 members and guests met approx. 5.30pm at the Saffil office.

A friendly welcome by Mr. Gary Davies High Temperature Insulation's Manager who introduced us to Saffil and his colleague Mr. Mike Smith Service Manager.

After coffee and a short introduction, Gary issued us with the appropriate safety equipment before commencing with the tour. First part of the tour was a visit to the very impressive laboratory where many tests are carried out on the fibres, size, strength, and shrinkage to meet the thermal and mechanical performance and to minimise the potentially harmful effects to personnel exposed to the product.

The dimensions of the fibre were specified to avoid fibres with a diameter of less than one micron, to minimise biological activity, and to minimise the level of fibres greater than 6 microns. Which can cause skin irritation.

After the laboratory we entered the building where the fibre is manufactured. To meet the thermal and mechanical performance targets a unique spinning process was developed. The process achieves a narrow diameter distribution around a median value of 3 – 3.5 microns. The chosen median value was found to offer the best combination of insulating / physical properties, whilst t maintaining a sufficiently large enough fibre diameter to minimise risk from inhalation.

The control of the spinning process produces an additional benefit in the level of non-fibre particles (shot) is kept to an absolute minimum. Reduction of shot levels and control of fibre diameter deliver a fibre with excellent insulating properties.

At certain temperature levels Saffil fibre in comparison to alumino silicate fibre, possesses nearly twice the insulating properties.

When the fibres have been spun they are collected and passed through a series of controlled heat treatments to develop the crystalline microstructure.

The presence of a small amount of silica 3 to 4% is effective in controlling the crystal growth allowing the gradual removal of porosity to optimise thermo – mechanical properties.

The flexibility of the process enables various grades to be produced each one tailored to meet the specific needs of its application. The result of the close process control, allied to the high alumina content, is a material, which is an outstanding insulator up to 1600c with excellent chemical resistance.

The branch assistant secretary David Baggaley proposed a vote of thanks to Gary and Mike for an excellent tour. The evening concluded with a delicious buffet sponsored by Saffil.

Dave Cooper

Tuesday 26th October 7.30 pm

"Where there's muck there's Brick " Talk on Environmental issues related to the brick industry.

by Penelope Reid and Lisa Wilding - Buffet kindly sponsored by Tilcon

The North Staffs branch met to hold its second meeting of the season at the North Staffs Medical Institute on Tuesday 26th October.

The evening was of an environmental theme. Chairman Mr. Martyn Barber welcomed the 15 members and guests who attended to hear Mrs. Penelope Reid and Miss Lisa Wilding, both researchers at Staffordshire University present a paper entitled "Where there's muck there's brick". After a formal introduction from the chairman, Mrs. Penelope Reid and Miss Lisa Wilding started the evenings talk by discussing environmental issues which effect the brick industry, as today the brick industry appears to be struggling to survive. Attacked on all sides :- cost, alternative construction materials, low housing starts, few municipal or government buildings schemes and the environmental arguments against using bricks. Can bricks survive and is it possible to reverse not just the trend but also the arguments?

Staffordshire University Researchers Mrs. Penelope Reid (left) and Miss Lisa Wilding

Fired bricks have been used for building for many years, at least since the Sumarian Empire in the late third millennium BC, and are very durable, aesthetically pleasing, versatile and structurally sound, Some Roman bricks still survive in Britain to this day.

Currently there is considerable concern about the effects that industry is having on the environment in which we live. This can be a local impact such as noise or dust from quarrying operations, or the wider impact, for example CO2 discharge to the atmosphere, increasing global warming. As a result of this concern governments are beginning to enforce higher standards on industry that will result in lowering the environmental impact that each production process will have.

The consumer likes to believe that they are choosing the most environmentally Sound option and can be encouraged to choose one product over another by perceived environmental impact.

To survive and prosper in the changing world where traditional processes are seen to produce unacceptable problems the brick industry needs an open mind and new approaches not just to finding answers but also to advertise them. The safe and economic disposal of waste is a growing problem that will need imaginative solutions as the environmental, financial and actual cost of doing so increases. The solutions that are most likely to be successful are those that replace the use of finite resources in an existing process at lower cost and with no detriment to the product. PFA could be used to lower fluorine content. It could also be used as grog in brick manufacturing, as might waterworks treatment sludge. Penelope and Lisa then gave a very interesting talk on the Incorporation of Incinerated Sewage Sludge Ash within Clay Products (ISSA). Investigation at Staffordshire University found that ISSA had a similar ceramic properties to clay when fired at temperatures above 1000C.

Further discovery revealed a glassy nature to this fired material which effectively contained leachable metals within its fired structure. Building on these findings this research investigates the feasibility of incorporating ISSA into commercial heavy clay products.

After a lengthy questions and answers on the use of ISSA and Environmental issues

The chairman Mr. Martyn Barber then asked Mr. frank Peake to give a vote of thanks on a excellent talk by both Mrs. Penelope Reid and Miss Lisa Wilding.

The evening concluded with the usual delicious buffet generously sponsored by Tilcon

Dave Cooper

Tuesday 30th November 7.30 pm

Fluxes and Bodies by Gordon Slinn - Buffet kindly sponsored by Castle Colours

A meeting of the branch took place at the North Staffs Medical Institute on 30th November.

17 members and guest were present tohear Martyn Barber, North Staffs chairman, open the proceedings. The preliminaries completed, Martyn then introduced the guest speaker for the evening Mr Gordon Slinn. Gordon is well known throughout the ceramic Industry for his technical knowledge and his expertise in process technology. Technical Director at Podmores, many years ago, who have  been purchased by L I G, Gordon is now involved in process Development for the Johnson Mathews Brothers, and is very active with various ceramic Association and Organisation. With the aid of slides Gordon gave us a very interesting talk on Bodies and Fluxes ,and gave us an insight in to the benefits that can be obtained from modified ceramic bodies comparison.

Mr Bernard Picken proposed a vote of thanks to Gordon which was heartily approved. The evening  concluded with the usual delicious buffet, generously  sponsored by Castle Colours.

Dave Cooper

Tuesday 14th December

Visit to Tilcon Minerals & Materials, Tripartite with Wrexham and West Midlands Branch

Buffet Provided Kindly sponsored by Tilcon

The North Staffs annual Tripartite meeting with our friends from Wrexham and West midlands Branches takes a different format from others years by combining the meeting with a tour of Tilcon Minerals and materials Duke Street, Fenton.

The meeting started at 7.00pm on Tuesday 14th December, 29 member and guest were

present.

North Staffs Chairman Martyn Barber opened the proceedings by welcoming everyone to the annual Tripartite meeting before handing us over to our host for the evening, Managing Director of Tilcon Minerals and materials Mr Kingsley Harding. Kingsley  introduced us to Tilcon South and there senior management team :-

Phil Simpson        Q.C  Manager

John Arrowsmith  Operation Manager

Jim Supples          Technical Manager

Mike Prescott      Development Manager

Martyn Barber     Commercial  Manager

Kingsley then gave us an introductory talk about Tilcon South previously owned by Cooksons.

Tilcon South is part of Anglo American PLC, which is a huge international mining and precious metal group, whose main operations are in South Africa, South America and Europe, employing world wide 425,000 people.

Tilcon South business is the minerals and materials operation within the industrial products Division of Tilcon South. Consisting of two sites, Duke Street and one at Talk. The Talk site is essentially a dry milling operation and produces large volumes of dry ground product. As for Duke Street site, it is a diverse site and has a lot more sophisticated processes. The site is complex in terms of the number of products in industry that Tilcon serve. Main markets are in glass, refractories, ceramics, foundry insulation, abrasives, aerospace and anti skid surfaces.

Then we went on to tour the site to see the numerous different complex processes through nine departments.

The evening concluded with Bernard Picken proposing a vote of thanks to Tilcon for an excellent tour and providing us with a delicious buffet. 

 Dave Cooper

Thursday 27th January 2000 

North Stafford Hotel: Stoke on Trent - Annual Dinner

North Staffs Branch annual Dinner took place on Thursday 27th January, a change of venue from previous years at the Stakis Hotel, Hanley, to the more spacious venue of the North Staffordshire Hotel, Stoke.

Excellent attendance of  198 members and associates enjoyed a meal of Tomato & Feta Cheese Salad, Roast beef, and ending with Hot Maple Syrup Sponge Pudding and Coffee.

The toast master for the evening, Mr Edward Whitfield then announced the top table and introduced the North Staffs Branch Chairman, Mr Martyn Barber. Martyn thanked the committee for all their hard work and commitment for the year, the toastmaster, and especially all the sponsors.

The Chairman’s appeal for this year was for the Donna Louise Trust Appeal for Staffordshire & South Cheshire. The aim of the trust is to provide respite care for children. Martyn invited Mrs. Enid Corker, a representative from the trust to speak. She gave a moving talk about the help the children need, and asked us to dig deep into pockets for this worthy cause.

Later in the proceedings the money kindly donated had been counted, and to our delight the money had exceeded any amount we have raised before, the grand sum of £1710. Enid tearfully thanked everyone for their donation. To help to raise the money various companies donated prizes. The star prize was a colour TV donated by Castle Colours, also Mr. Philip Taylor, 8 times World Darts Champion, and guest of Eternit Building Materials donated a set of darts, which were auctioned and raised £50.

The toast to the institute was proposed by Jim Edwards, National Chairman, with the response from Peter Ellam, National President with his wit and charm as always.

After welcoming his guests, the branch chairman took great pleasure in introducing the chief guest for the evening Chrissy Rock the first comedienne the ICT has had the pleasure of being entertained by.

Started as a 'stand-up' comedienne in the late 80's, mainly for fun, Crissy soon realised that she had a talent for making people laugh, a talent that was also spotted by BOB MONKHOUSE, when Crissy appeared nation-wide on the BBC Television show "Bob Says Opportunity Knocks".

Regaled her audience for the best part of an hour with a stream of jokes and wisecracks.

All-in-all a very, very pleasant evening.

Dave Cooper

Tuesday 22nd February 2000

Talk by Jim Hendry Multi-Spray, Buffet kindly sponsored by Multi-Spray

February Meeting.

On the evening of Tuesday 22nd February 7.30pm, the North Staffs Branch met at the North Staffs Medical Institute Hartsill to hear a talk by Mr Jim Hendry,of Multi-Spray,

but unfortunately, the talk was cancelled at the last minute. Dr Stuart Barlow of Diamond Gibson was asked if he would kindly stand in and give us a talk, Mr Barlow agreed and gave a talk on the Application of Thermal Analysis to Commercial Firing Processes.

The evening started with the Chairman, Mr Martyn Barber opening the proceedings by thanking members and guest for attending, After all the preliminaries were over, Martyn invited Dr Barlow to give his talk. With the aid of slides Stuart gave us a fascinating insight into what goes into brick making and the benefits of Thermal Analysis, where output can be increased dramatically with just a small increase in temperature a fascinating Theory.

The Chairman, Martyn Barber then asked Mr Mike Atkins to give a vote of thanks on an excellent talk by Dr Barlow.

The evening concluded with usual delicious buffet generously sponsored by the Branch.

D. Cooper

Tuesday 28th March

Ceram Research, Tripartite Meeting with Refractory Engineers and Pottery Managers

Talk by Tilcon on Minerals and Materials, buffet provided

Our March event is a first for the North Staffs Branch. It is our first tripartite event with the

Institute Refractory Engineers and the Pottery Managers Association, and also a change of venue, to the Ceram Research at Queens Road Hartsill. An excellent turnout of 46 Members and guests attended On the evening of Tuesday 28th February at 7.30pm.

Mr David Woodhead Chairman of the Institute Refractory Engineers opened the proceedings by commenting on the excellent turnout for this first of many tripartite meetings. David then introduced the guest speakers for the evening, Mr. Jim Supples, Technical Manager, Tilcon South, Duke Street, Fenton, and Mr. Bryan Brightmore, Commercial Manager, Tilcon South, Talk. to give us a presentation on Minerals and Materials.

Bryan started the presentation with the aid of the computer display, and went through the history of how Tilcon was formed, and the milling operations at Talk. Jim then took over to give us a talk on the technical side to the business, and the sophisticated processes at the Fenton Site.

All in all an excellent presentation by Tilcon South.

The evening concluded with Mr David Woodhead proposing a vote of thanks and providing us with a delicious buffet.

D.J.Cooper

Tuesday 18th April

Microwave Technology By E A Technology

On the evening of Tuesday 18th April 7.30pm, The North Staffs Branch met at the North Staffs Medical Institute Hartsill to hear Mr. Mike Bond, Manager of Rapid Ceramic processing at E.R.C, Electricity Research Centre,  based at Chester.

Although a very poor turnout of 8 members and guests, Mike gave an excellent talk, with the aid of slides, on Microwave Technology. The Company have been involved with Microwave Technology for some 35 years. Mike then went into depth on how Microwaves can assist conventional Kilns immensely by reducing fuel costs and increasing the firing speed, interesting theory. Mike commented on the use of using microwaves for drying which is impractical and very costly.

Bernard Picken proposed a vote of thanks to Mike Bond which was heartily approved The evening concluded with usual delicious buffet kindly sponsored by E.R.C.

David Cooper

Press Officer

Tuesday 23rd May

Talk on Ceramics used in Reconstructive Surgery By Steve Morry

Buffet kindly sponsored by Ibstock

AGM - May Meeting

The North Staffs A.G.M. was held on Tuesday 23rd May at the North Staffs Medical Institute Hartsill  7.30pm.  The meeting was to precede a talk on Ceramics used in Constructive surgery, but unfortunately Mr. Steve Morry was unable to give his talk due to illness. The Chairman Mr. Martyn Barber apologised on behalf of Mr. Steve Morry and continued with his report by thanking all members for their support and also to all the companies that had helped the branch during the year.

Following the chairman’s report branch treasurer Mr. Edward Whitfield presented his accounts and report. That left the handing over of the chain of office from Martyn to the newly elected chairman Mr. Paul Mc Cormack, and to elect the officers for the forth-coming year.

Branch Officers 

Committee     

                  The evening concluded with usual delicious buffet kindly sponsored by the branch.For information about the north Staffordshire branch please visit our website

www.ict-ns.com, which is regularly updated.

  David Cooper

Press Officer

Monday 19th June 2000, 6pm Whitchurch Cricket Club

North Staffs  vs. Wrexham at Whitchurch C. C.

Wrexham Branch - Won the match with 130 runs in 20 overs.

A very good evening was had by all.

We would like to thank Dennis Ruabon for sponsoring this event.

David Baggaley

Assistant Secretary

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