434 



NA TURE 



[Sept. 20, 1877 



a large addition to the returns is insured. The know- 

 ledge, however, necessary for such improvements can 

 only be obtained through long experience, patient inves- 

 tigation, and the collection of data and information 

 furnished by many workers towards the same end but in 

 different paths. 



The questions of the proper application of the hot blast 

 and of the utilisation of waste heat are of the utmost 

 importance, and with regard to the former the knowledge 

 of the laws of radiant and specific heat has taught the 

 engineer that economy in blowing and other engines 

 can only be obtained by high piston speed, and that far 

 greater advantages are to be had from small engines 

 working at a high velocity than from engines of larger 

 capacity working slowly. 



No one has done more to advance the science of the 

 iron and steel manufacture than the distinguished presi- 

 dent of the Iron and Steel Institute, Dr. C. W. Siemens, 

 F.R.S. His regenerative gas furnace, which is now made 

 use of in so many industries in this country, in America, 

 and on the Continent, is at the same time one of the 

 most beautiful applications of science to industry that has 

 been made in this or any other age, and one of the most, 

 perfect economisers of fuel that has ever been invented. 

 Then again the process of steel manufacture worked out 

 by Dr. Siemens, and which bears his name, is the 

 only equal competitor with the Bessemer process over 

 which it possesses one great advantage, and that is 

 that the progress of the operation may be watched and 

 tested from commencement to conclusion, and may be 

 arrested at any moment. 



It is, of course, needless to point out the vital im- 

 portance to the steel manfacturer of a knowledge of the 

 chemistry of the blast, converting, and heating furnaces, and 

 of the chemical properties of various qualities of iron, of 

 various fuels, of spiegeleisen and ferro-manganese, and of 

 various "fe/t/iiigs" or furnace-linings. In connection 

 with this subject the Iron and Steel Institute has done 

 and is doing most valuable work, and the names of Mr. 

 Edward Riley, of Mr. Isaac Lowthian Bell, M.P., F.R.S., 

 of Dr. Percy, F.R.S., of Dr. Siemens, F.R.S., of Mr. 

 Mushet, of M. Gautier, of Mr. A. L. Holley, and others, 

 who have given to the Institute valuable communications 

 both in papers and in discussion, will always stand fore- 

 most in this branch of scientific labour. 



Again the construction of furnaces and the various 

 mechanical systems of puddling, manipulating, rolling, and 

 working the product in its various stages of manufacture, 

 all call for the aid of science, and the Iron and Steel 

 Institute is in no way deficient in recognising the im- 

 portance of science to this branch of the profession 

 many interesting papers having been read and valuable 

 discussions held in connection with this subject. 



One great result brought about by the Institute is the 

 establishment in nearly all the principal works of the 

 country of experimental work and laboratory practice. 

 It has, ever since its establishment eight years ago, been 

 dispelling the clouds of darkness and of the " rule of 

 thumb," and by allowing the light of science to illuminate 

 the road has spread far and wide a desire for accurate 

 scientific knowledge based upon practical experiment. 

 But there is mu~h yet to be done. There are still many 

 manufacturing firms turning out many tons of metal in 



the course of the year who have exceptional advantages 

 for the promotion of scientific knowledge, but who make 

 no use of it ; the advantages, however, which such an 

 institution as the Iron and Steel Institute brings to all 

 manufacturers must in time be recognised by all, and we 

 cannot but believe that with all the national resources 

 and with the advance of knowledge promoted by such 

 institutions, this country will still be able to hold her own 

 against foreign competition. 



Much has yet to be learnt about the behaviour of many 

 of the elements during the various processes of the iron 

 manufacture, whether in the form of alloys or merely as 

 substances present in the converter cr puddling furnace. 

 It would be well if the Iron and Steel Institute were to 

 appoint a committee composed of practical analytical 

 chemists and influential manufacturers of iron and steel, 

 for the purpose of investigating the effect of various 

 metallic alloys upon iron and steel as regards their ten- 

 sile or compression strength, malleability, brittleness, c&c. 

 We feel sure that very interesting results would be ob- 

 tained, and that the reports of this " Alloy Committee " 

 would be found of great practical value to manufacturers, 

 and would well repay the expenses incurred. It is well 

 known that the metals chromium and tungsten form 

 alloys with iron possessing valuable physical and mecha- 

 nical properties ; and the influence of carbon, silicon, 

 boron, phosphorous, sulphur, arsenic, aluminium, and 

 antimony, have been more or less examined ; but there is 

 very much yet to be learnt with regard to this subject. 



The value of spectroscopic research in connection with 

 the investigation of this subject can hardly be over- 

 estimated. It is, without exception, at once the most 

 infallible and the most delicate test that has ever been 

 placed in the hands of the chemist, and, when employed 

 in conjunction with quantitative chemical analyses and 

 with mechanical tests, cannot fail to clear away many of 

 the mists with which that most mysterious substance, or 

 compound of elements, which we know generally by the 

 name Iron, is enveloped. Spectroscopic research pre- 

 sents several collateral advantages to the iron and steel 

 manufacturer. There are many instances in which much 

 valuable information may be obtained by its means 

 without the progress of the various processes being dis- 

 turbed. Nearly all other systems of testing require the 

 taking of samples, and necessitate either the stopping of 

 an operation at a critical time or the waiting until the 

 process is perhaps too far advanced for the information 

 gained to be of practical utility. The spectroscope, on 

 the contrary, peering through the smallest crack, can 

 detect all that is going on which concerns itself, and 

 makes a report in unmistakable language, and before it 

 is too late to be taken advantage of. 



There is no better way; of obtaining reliable results 

 than by the systematic investigation by a committee 

 which should certainly include in its list of members the 

 names of Dr. Siemens, Mr. Riley, Dr. Percy, and Mr. 

 Lowthian Bell. 



There are so many important branches, both scientific 

 and technical, of the iron , and steel manufacture which 

 come under the legitimate cognisance of the Iron and 

 Steel Institute, the importance of which is every day 

 increasing, that we cannot help thinking that such sub- 

 jects as mining, mine ventilation, pumping and winding 



