1820.] On the Alloys of Steel. 67 



against its introduction to any great extent. It is to Dr. Wol- 

 laston we are indebted, not only for suggesting the trial of 

 rhodium, but also for a liberal supply of the metal, as well as 

 much valuable information relative to fuel, crucibles, &c. ; this 

 liberality enables us to continue our experiments on this alloy ; 

 these, with whatever else may be worth communicating, will be 

 given in a future Number of this Journal. The proportions we 

 have used are from 1 to 2 per cent. The valuable properties 

 of the rhodium alloys are hardness, with sufficient tenacity to 

 prevent cracking either in forging or in hardening. This su- 

 perior hardness is so remarkable, that in tempering a few cut- 

 ting articles made from the alloy, they required to be heated 

 full 30 F. higher than the best wootz, wootz itself requiring to 

 be heated full 40 above the best English cast steel. Thenno- 

 metrical degrees are named, that being the only accurate 

 method of tempering steel. 



Gold forms a good alloy with steel. Experience does not 

 yet enable us to speak of its properties. It certainly does not 

 promise to be of the same value as the alloys of silver, platinum, 

 and rhodium. 



Steel with 2 per cent, of copper forms an alloy. Steel also 

 alloys with tin. Of the value of these we have doubts. If, on 

 further trial, they, together with other combinations, requiring 

 more time than we have been able to bestow on them, should 

 prove at all likely to be interesting and useful, the results will 

 be frankly communicated. 



Our experiments have hitherto been confined to small quanti- 

 ties of the metals, seldom exceeding 2000 grains in weight, and 

 we are aware that the operations of the laboratory are not 

 always successful when practised on a large scale. There does 

 not, however, appear to be any good reason why equal success 

 may not attend the working on larger masses of the metals, 

 provided the same diligence and means are employed. 



From the facility of obtaining silver, it is probable that its 

 alloy with steel is the most valuable of those we have made. 

 To enumerate its applications would be to name almost every 

 edge-tool. It is also probable that it will prove valuable for 

 making dies, especially when combined with the best Indian 

 steel. Trial will soon be made with the silver in the large way, 

 and the result, whatever it may be, will be candidly stated. 



