TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION B. 



597 



In connection with Mr. A. E. Jordan, the author has also examined the condi- 

 tion of silicon in cast iron, and concludes, with Snelus and others, that in the vast 

 majority of cases at least, silicon does not occur in the graphitic form. He believes 

 it to he present in the form of silicide. Recently Dr. Sorby has observed by means 

 of the microscope minute crystals in cast iron, which he believes to be silicon. The 

 author does not consider the evidence in support of this opinion to be conclusive as 

 yet, and contends that, even if these minute crystals should prove to be silicon, 

 in their chemical behaviour they more closely resemble that element in the amor- 

 phous than in the graphitic condition. 



6. The Influence of Silicon on tM Properties of Iron and Steel. 

 By Thomas Tuener. 



The following is a preliminary account of a series of experiments the completion 

 of which wiU probably occupy several years. The object in view is to determine 

 the influence of silicon on the mechanical properties of steel as used either for 

 castings or tools, and also on the purest kind of iron met with in commerce. 



For the present experiments, which were conducted at the works of the South 

 Staffordshire Steel and Ingot Iron Company, Bilston, iron was taken by means of a 

 small ladle from the Bessemer converter just after the blow was finished, and before 

 any addition of manganese had been made. It was therefore very nearly pure 

 iron, containing not more than one quarter of a per cent, of all substances other 

 than iron. This material was poured into a red-hot crucible of Stourbridge fire- 

 clay, and in which was placed a weighed quantity of silicon pig iron containing 

 10 per cent, of silicon. After being well mixed together the contents were allowed 

 to solidify in the pot and afterwards examined. 



The material was originally rather redshort owing to the absence of manganese, 

 but redshortness did not seem to be at all diminished by a small addition of silicon, 

 and before 02 per cent, was reached the metal went to pieces on attempting to roll 

 it red hot. The metal appears to weld equally well with all proportions of silicon 

 which are capable of being rolled, and is very tough when cold. A few hundredths 

 per cent, of silicon caused the metal to remain much quieter on pouring, while about 

 half a per cent, conferred the property of hardening in a remarkable manner. A 

 chisel prepared from this material was very tough cold, and retamed its cutting edge 

 very well indeed, and giving a fracture much resembling tool steel. It was how- 

 ever very difficult to work while hot. 



The author hopes to be able to give fuller details in a few months. 



7. On the Estimation of Carhon in Iron and Steele By Thomas Tueneb, 



The author dissolves from three to five grams of borings in ammonio-copper 

 chloride for the determination of total carbon, or in hydrochloric acid for estima- 

 tions of graphite. The carbon in the residue is estimated by combustion. The 



A. Potash Tube. 



B. Combustion Furnace. 



C. Drying Tube. 



D. Potash Bulbs. 



' Proceediiigs Birmingham Philosoj^hieal Society, vol. iv. Part II. p. 404. Cliem. 

 JNews, lii. p. 15. Iron, xxvi. p. 84. 



