43^ Nezv Method of making Steel 



containing the carbonaceous principle, and then fiifing the 

 ITiixture as before directed. When I wilh lo produce qualities 

 of fteel fofter than is ufually manufaftured by the common 

 proct'iH-s, I rtnd it bed to ule a fmall proportion of charcoal, 

 fometimes fo little as a two hundredth part of the weight of 

 the iron. Steel produced with any proportion of charcoal, 

 •not exceeding a hundredth, will generally be found to 

 pofiefs every property necelTary to its being caft into thofe 

 ihapes which require great elafticity, (Irongth, and folidity. It 

 will alfo be found gener|lly capable of fuftaining a white 

 heat, and of being welded like malleable iron ; and, indeed, 

 as the proportion of charcoal or other carbonaceous matter is 

 reduced, the qualities of the iteel will be found to approach 

 nearer to thofe of common malleable iron. 



*# By further purfuing the principle of mv new invention, 

 I fufe down malleable bar or fcrap-iron in a crucible or 

 emcibles, without any viiible addition of carbonaceous mat- 

 ter, a4id ruff it into bar, ingot, or other moulds. In this 

 ilate the metal is nearly of the fame quality as when put in, 

 only altered by the combination of a fmall portion of 

 carbonaceous matter, which the iron by its chemical 

 afiinity attracts from the ignited fuel, or from theignitcd 

 carbonic gas of the furnace, and which enters by the mouthy 

 or through the pores of the crucible or crucibles, probably 

 difl'olved in caloric at a very high temperature. But whether 

 fo dillblved or not, the fa£t is, that a. portion of the carbon 

 pafl'es from the fire into union with the iron, and thereby 

 converts it into an extremelyjoft fteel. 



" Befides the different modes of operation above fpecificd, 

 I further reduce iron-ore, bar-iron, or fcrap-iron, by the 

 addition of lime or chalk, or other carbonats, or of carburets, . 

 with clay, glafs, and other fluxes, in various proportions^ 

 and form all the various qualities of Heel formerly enunxe- 

 rated. 



" If the various kinds arid qualities of Heel obtained by 

 the procefs or procefles above nu'ntioned be introduced into 

 the common converting or other fteel furnaces, in conta6?fc 

 with carbonaceous matter, or with earths, arid heated for 

 ^st days, or more or !efd,- according to the thicknefs of the 



bars 



