ON THE ANALYSIS OF IRON AND STEEL. 



187 



These results aorree very fairly well with those of the other analysts, 

 ■with the exception of the carbon in Standard 3, which is 0'09 per cent, 

 higher than any of the other analysts returned. Unfortunately, Mr. 

 Jenkins, after a prolonged period of ill-healtli, died in May last, and hence 

 no check determination has been performed in this case. The Committee 

 desire to record their regret at the loss of an analyst who was so 

 courteous, so skilful, and so much respected. No account has been 

 received of the methods used by Mr. Jenkins, except references in a letter 

 to the Secretary, which indicate that the silicon was determined by the 

 sulphuric acid method, and checked by the use of nitric and sulphuric 

 acids — the sulphur by an evolution process, and the manganese by an 

 acetate separation and precipitation by bromine. The phosphorus was 

 weighed as phospho-molybdate. 



The results obtained by Mr. Packer were as follows : — • 



The methods employed by Mr. Packer were as follows : — 



Carbon. — 1. Ordinary colour test on O'l gram of steel. 



2. Separation of carbonaceous matter by ammonio-chloride of copper 

 and subsequent oxidation of the carbon by means of sulphuric and 

 chromic acids ; collecting and weighing the COo in potash bulbs in the 

 usual manner. 



Silicon. — Oxidation of the steel by nitric acid, evaporation to dryness, 

 and ignition ; redissolving in hydrochloric acid, filtering, and weighing 

 the insoluble silica. The purity of the silica was tested by evaporating 

 witb hydrofluoric acid ; any residue was weighed and suitable allowance 

 made. 



Sulphur. — The steel was dissolved in hydrochloric acid, and the 

 evolved gases passed into a solution of copper sulphate ; the precipitated 

 sulphide was filtered and weighed after ignition as oxide or sulphide (or 

 mixed oxide and sulphide) of copper. 



Phosphorus. — The filtrate from the determination of silicon was 

 evaporated to a small bulk and transferred to a flask, ammonia ■was then 

 added till a slight permanent precipitate was produced. Ten cubic centi- 

 metres of an aqueous 8 per cent, solution of ammonium molybdate was 

 added and nitric acid to decidedly acid reaction. The solution was 

 digested till clear, filtered, the precipitate washed with dilute nitric acid, 

 and finally with water ; it was then washed on to a weighed watch glass, 

 dried, and weighed. 



Manganese. — The steel was dissolved in nitric acid with the addition 

 of hydrochloric acid, and the iron precipitated by addition of acetate of 

 ammonia and boiling. The manganese was precipitated in the filtrate 

 by addition of bromine and ammonia and weighed after ignition as 

 Mn304. 



The report of Mr. Pattinson supplied the numbers which follow : — 



