Kerite

Description

[Kerite Co] Trademark for a hard rubber-like material developed in 1867 to insulate wires. Kerite was composed of tar vulcanized with Sulfur and compounded with oxidized Linseed oil. It was used for electric wire insulation and as a substitute for rubber.

Additional Information

Kerite: History

Authority

• Thomas Gregory, The Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Reinhold Publishing, New York, 3rd ed., 1942

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 675; developed 1867

• Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996 Comment: used before 1920

• Product Information Comment: M.Cook, M.Ferro, "Electric Lighting and Wiring in Historic American Buildings" Technology & Conservation, 1/83, p. 28-48.