80 On the Alloys of Steel [1822. 



It is a curious fact, that when pure iron is substituted for 

 steel, the alloys so formed are much less subject to oxidation. 

 3 per cent, of iridium and osmium, fused with some pure iron, 

 gave a button, which, when forged and polished, was exposed, 

 with many other pieces of iron, steel, and alloys, to a moist 

 atmosphere : it was the last of all showing any rust. The 

 colour of this compound was distinctly blue ; it had the pro- 

 perty of becoming harder when heated to redness, and 

 quenched in a cold fluid. On observing this steel-like cha- 

 racter, we suspected the presence of carbon : none, however, 

 was found, although carefully looked for. It is not improbable 

 that there may be other bodies, besides charcoal, capable of 

 giving to iron the properties of steel ; and though we cannot 

 agree with M. Boussingault*, when he would replace carbon 

 in steel by silica or its base, we think his experiments very in- 

 teresting on this point, which is worthy further examination. 



We are not informed as to what extent these alloys, or any 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 well as that of platinum, 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 

 Continent, 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 essen- 

 tial ; 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 to be attended to with equal care ; 

 the metal must on no account be overheated ; and this is more 

 particularly to be attended to when the alloying metal is fusible 

 * Annales de Chimie, xvi. 10. 



