1822.1 On the Alloys of Steel. 73 



experiments ; and further, may enable every one to detect any 

 attempt at imposition. It would be very desirable at present 

 to possess a test as simple, by which we could distinguish the 

 wootz, or steel of India, from that of Europe ; but this, unfor- 

 tunately, requires a much more difficult process of analysis. 



To ascertain if platinum is in combination with steel, a small 

 portion of the metal, or some filings taken from the bar, is to 

 be put into dilute sulphuric acid ; there will be rapid action 5 

 the iron will be dissolved, and a black sediment left, which 

 will contain carbon, hydrogen, iron, and platinum ; the carbon 

 and hydrogen are to be burnt off, the small portion of iron 

 separated by muriatic acid, and the residuum dissolved in a 

 drop or two of nitromuriatic acid, If a piece of glass be 

 moistened with this solution, and then heated by a spirit-lamp 

 and the blowpipe, the platinum is reduced, and forms a metallic 

 coating on the glass. ^ 



In analysing the alloy of steel and silver, it is to be acted 

 on by dilute sulphuric acid, and the powder boiled in the acid ; 

 the silver will remain in such a minute state of division that 

 it will require some time to deposit. The powder is then to 

 be boiled in a small portion of strong muriatic acid * ; this will 

 dissolve the iron and silver, and the latter will fall down as a 

 chloride of silver on dilution with water ; or the powder may 

 be dissolved in pure nitric acid, and tested by muriatic acid 

 and ammonia. 



The alloy of steel and palladium, acted on by dilute sulphuric 

 acid, and boiled in that acid, left a powder, which, when the 

 charcoal was burnt from it, and the iron partly separated by 

 cold muriatic acid, gave on solution in hot muriatic acid, or in 

 nitromuriatic acid, a muriate of palladium ; the solution, when 

 precipitated by prussiate of mercury, gave prussiate of palla- 

 dium ; and a glass plate moistened with it and heated to red- 

 ness, became coated with metallic palladium. 



The residuum of the rhodium alloy obtained by boiling in 

 diluted sulphuric acid, had the combustible matter burnt off, 

 and the powder digested in hot muriatic acid : this removed the 

 iron ; and by long digestion in nitromuriatic acid, a muriate 



* Although it is a generally received opinion that muriatic acid does not 

 act on silver, yet that is not the case ; pure muriatic acid dissolves a small 

 portion of silver very readily. 



