19192 IXDUSTEIAL ApPLICATIOXS OF ZlECOXIUM 159 



for the purpose. The properties of zireouinm seem to favor its use 

 as a substitute for tungsten should the difficulties in the way of its 

 commercial production be overcome, and its abundance and wide dis- 

 tribution would speedily make it replace the more costly metal. A 

 number of patents have been taken out bearing on the manufacture 

 of the filaments. The use of zirconium hydroxide has been patented 

 for the lining of shells, presumably as containers for gas-forming 

 liquids or solids which might be affected by contact with steel. Ac- 

 cording to Meyer, investigators who have succeeded in producing 

 malleable zirconium state that it has remarkable properties which 

 fit it for use in the chemical laboratory as a substitute for platinum. 

 So far nothing has been published on this subject. 



A patent has been granted for the use of ores con- 



EXTRACTION . / . . • a. ^- 111^- 1 



OF GOLD taming zirconium m extracting gold, platinum, and 



other noble metals from their ores. The suppo- 

 sition is that zirconium in the metallic state is the active agent. 



There is another patent for the use of zirconium, 



REDUCTION . nn .1 • 1 • V 1*1 



OF METALS ^^^ alloys With magnesium or aluminum, its carbide 



or phosphide as a means of reducing other metals 

 or forming alloys with them. The reaction is said to be exothermic, 

 and hence proceeds from its own heat after starting. 



\'arious alloys of zirconium have been formed. 

 The ferro and nickel alloys promise the greater 

 usefulness. Bronzes have also been made. Cobalt, aluminum and 

 magnesium alloys have been placed on the market. Ferro-zirconium 

 has been recommended in steel manufacture for removing oxygen 

 and nitrogen. It has been offered commercially, containing -iO to 90 

 per cent of zirconium. Small percentages of titanium have also l:»een 

 introduced. 



It is claimed that these alloys are not subject to oxidation and are 

 very resistant to chemical reagents. The alloys have a metallic lustre, 

 and some of them take a silvery steel-like polish. They are readily 

 malleable and may find a use as filaments for incandescent lamps. 

 Such filaments are claimed to have the power of selective radiations ; 

 in other words, emit more light than.corresponds to the temperature at 

 which thov are heativl In- the electric current. This implies a con- 



