It is a curious fact, that when pure iron is substituted for steel, the alloys so formed are much less subject to oxidation. 3 per cent. of iridium and osmium, fused with some pure iron, gave a button, which, when forged and polished, was exposed, with many other pieces of iron, steel, and alloys, to a moist atmosphere: it was the last of all showing any rust. The colour of this compound was distinctly blue; it had the property of becoming harder when heated to redness, and quenched in a cold fluid. On observing this steel-like character, we suspected the presence of carbon: none, however, was found, although carefully looked for. It is not improbable that there may be other bodies, besides charcoal, capable of giving to iron the properties of steel; and though we cannot agree with M. Boussingault[1], when he would replace carbon in steel by silica or its base, we think his experiments very interesting on this point, which is worthy further examination. We are not informed as to what extent these alloys, or any of them, have been made at home, or to what uses they have been applied; their more general introduction in the manufacture of cutlery would assuredly add to the value, and consequently to the extension of that branch of trade. There are various other important uses to which the alloys of steel may advantageously be applied. If our information be correct, the alloy of silver, as well as that of platinum, has been to some considerable extent in use at His Majesty's Mint. We do know, that several of the alloys have been diligently and successfully made on the Continent, very good specimens of some of them having been handed to us; and we are proud of these testimonies of the utility of our endeavours.
To succeed in making and extending the application of these new compounds, a considerable degree of faithful and diligent attention will be required on the part of the operators. The purity of the metals intended to form the compound is essential; the perfect and complete fusion of both must in every case be ascertained: it is further requisite that the metals be kept for some considerable time in the state of thin fusion: after casting, the forging is to be attended to with equal care; the metal must on no account be overheated; and this is more particularly to be attended to when the alloying metal is fusible
- ↑ Annales de Chimie, xvi. 10.
