103 



KEPORT 1869. 



" ' I shall first give the results of my analysis of the three samples of 

 metal : — 



" ' It will be obvious from a comparison of these results that the reaction 

 with the nitrate of soda has removed a large proportion of the carbon, silicon, 

 and phosphorus, as well as most of the sulphur. The quantity of phosphorus 

 (0-298 per cent.) retained by the sample of crude steel from the converter 

 which I analyzed is obviously not such as to injure the quality *. 



" ' The bar iron was in our presence subjected to many severe tests. It 

 was bent and hammered sharply round ■wdthoiit cracking. It was forged and 

 subjected to a similar trial, both at dull red and a cherry-red heat without 

 cracking ; it also welded satisfactorily. 



" ' The removal of the silicon is also a marked result of the action of the 

 nitrate. 



" ' It is obvious that the practical point to be attended to is to procure re- 

 sults which sJiall he uniform so as to give steel of uniform quality when 

 pig of similar composition is subjected to the process. The experiments of 

 Mr. Kirkaldy on the tensile strength of various specimens afford strong evi- 

 dence that such uniformity is attainable. 



" ' I have not thought it necessary to make a complete analysis of the slag, 

 but have determined the quantity of sand, silica, phosphoric and sulphuric 

 acid, as well as the amount of iron which it contains. It was less soluble in 

 water than I had been led to expect, and it has not deliquesced thoiigh left 

 in a paper parcel. 



" ' I found that out of 100 parts of the finely powdered slag, 11-9 were 

 soluble in water. The following was the result of my analysis : — 



Sand 47-3 



Snica, in combination 6-1 



Phosphoric acid 6-8 



Sulphuric acid 1-1 



Iron (a good deal of it as metal) 12-6 



Soda and lime f 26-1 



100-0 



* It is important to point out that, as no analysis of tlie finished steel tested by Mr. 

 lurkakly is given, it is not improbable that this small percentage of phosphorus might have 

 been still further reduced before it arrived at its final state of manufacture. 



t The use of lime was exceptional. Its use is now discontinued ; but its use on that 

 occasion no doubt accounted for the slag being less deliquescent and soluble than it is 

 usually found to be. 



