1823.] the Alloys of Steel. 209 



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 anv 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 

 Avell as that of platina, 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 Conti- 

 nent ; 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 with equal care to be attended to ; the metal must 

 on no account be overheated ; and this is more particularly to 

 be attended to when the alloying metal is fusible at a low tem- 

 perature, as silver. The same care is to be observed in harden- 

 ing : the article is to be brought to a cherry-red colour, and then 

 instantly quenched in the cold fluid. 



In tempering, which is best performed in a metallic bath pro- 

 perly constructed, the bath will require to be heated for the 

 respective alloys, from about 70° to 100° of Fahrenheit above 

 the point of temperature requited for the best cast steel. We 

 would further recommend, that this act of tempering be performed 

 twice ; that is, at the usual time before grinding, and again just 

 before the last polish is given to the blade. This second tem- 

 pering may, perhaps, appear superfluous; but upon trial its 

 utility will be readily admitted. We were led to adopt the prac- 

 tice by analogy, when considering the process of making and 

 tempering watch springs. 



New Series, vol. v. 



