310 



REPORT 1870. 



regulate the gradual pressure. The aimealiiig, if required, is effected in tubes of 

 fireclay heated externally. 



As metals sometimes heeome jagged through rolling, strips 7 millims. wide are 

 cut out of the middle of the samples after they have heeu rolled to nearly the re- 

 quired thiclmess, after which the rolling is continued until they have the standard 

 weight. 



The apparatus for bending the test-strips, which is termed a '' metallometer," 

 contains two essential points, — one or more vices a 

 for fixing the test-strips, m, and a guide, h, through 

 which the strips pass. The guide is capable of 

 oscillating upon two axles, c, c, which rest in bear- 

 ings fixed to the vice. The weights, d, d, which are 

 connected with the guide by means of rods, r, r, 

 always keep the guide in a vertical position when 

 an oscillating motion to the right or left is imparted 

 to the_ vice. Thus the guide forms an angle with 

 the vice at each to-and-fro movement, and the 

 test-strips, which are passed through the guide and 

 fixed by the vices, are also bent alternatively to the 

 right and left, by preference to an angle of "G7§ de- 

 grees to the vertical line, until they break, where- 

 upon the parts severed are caused to fall off by 

 means of the small weights ([/,[/) attached to them. 

 The motive power (by preference clock-work) 

 which actuates the metallometer has a dial-plate 

 with pointer which marks the number of to-and- 

 fro movements which the sample withstood before 

 breaking off. 



As no metal or alloy is quite homogeneous, it is 

 necessary to make a series of tests in order to ar- 

 rive at an average result. 



_ The metallometer which was exhibited had five 

 vices, each for two test-strips. Its working was 

 illusti-ated by testing copper. The test-mark (or 

 figure indicated on the dial of the clock-work) of 

 a sample of commercial copper, which had been 

 tested_ previously, was stated to be 51. A corre- 

 sponding sample of the same copper, which was tested in the presence of the Meet- 

 ing, gave on the average 52'0, showing that the scnuc quality is indicated by the 

 sume, or at least closely the same, test-mark. 



Next, a sample of the same copper as above, which, however, had been heated a 

 short time m a current of hydrogen, was tested. It is evident that the latter 

 treatment must impair the toughness. The test-mark obtained in this experiment, 

 being only about i- of that obtained in tlie former, proved how extremely sensitive 

 the metallometric indications are. 



Other samples of brass, steel, iron, tin, zinc, and lead, which had been prepared, 

 could not be tested for want of time. r tr } 



On Bowater's Patent for Mamifadunnrj Iia!hi<a)/-(uvles. 

 By Alfeed Eowatbr. 



A machine for manufacturing iron or steel bars at one operation into axles, 

 liiese axles will be of a superior quality, more uniform in size, and cheaper and 

 more quickly produced than those generally in use. 



Under the present system of manufacturing axles, a bar or billet of iron or 

 steel IS hrst heated at one end and then shaped under the forge-hammer, and aftei- 

 waj-ds snmlariy heated and sliaped at the other end, an operation of some time. 



Under the above patent a bar or billet of the desired length and quality, made 

 a tittle larger m diameter than the thickest portion of the finished axle, is heated 



i 



