392 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



solid masses of iron. This had lately been done, however, 

 and proved completely successful. Reference was also made 

 to improved facilities for handling hot masses of iron, and for 

 affording more working space for the men ; also to the con- 

 struction of a hammer with a clear, unfettered fall. 5 A y Oc- 

 tober, 1870, 440. 



PARKES'S IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL 



AND IRON. 



Since the improvements made by Martin, Siemens, Besse- 

 mer, Heaton, and others in the methods of purification of iron 

 and the manufacture of steel, much ingenuity has been ex- 

 pended in perfecting the various processes, and among others 

 engaged in such experiments is Mr. Parkes, the discoverer of 

 the substance known as Parke sine. This gentleman has just 

 patented a process, the special object of which is to purify 

 iron from sulphur and phosphorus, which is accomplished by 

 injecting into it, when melted, compounds of chlorine or fluo- 

 rine. By melting the wrought iron with carbon, together 

 with some chlorides and alkalies, it is converted into steel. 

 It is stated that the method is one that promises valuable re- 

 sults in its application to use on a large scale. 15 A, March 

 25,374. 



CAUSE OF THE RUSTING OF IRON. 



It has usually been supposed that the rusting of iron de- 

 pends principally upon moisture and oxygen. It would ap- 

 pear, however, from Dr. Calvert's experiments, that carbonic 

 acid is the principal agent, and that without this the other 

 agencies have very little effect. Iron does not rust at all in 

 dry oxygen, and but little in moist oxygen, while it rusts 

 very rapidly in a mixture of moist carbonic acid and oxygen. 

 If a piece of bright iron be placed in water saturated with 

 oxygen, it rusts very little; but if carbonic acid be present, 

 oxidation goes on so fast that a dark precipitate is produced 

 in a very short time. It is said that bright iron placed in a 

 solution of caustic alkali does not rust at all. The inference 

 to be derived is that by the exclusion of moist carbonic acid 

 from contact with iron rust can be very readily prevented. 

 3 A, February 4, 1870, 94. 



