190 



KEPOET 1892. 



Mean of the Analytical Results. — If it be assumed that all the results 

 previously given are of equal value, and that the proportion of suljahur 

 returned as ' traces ' does not exceed '005 per cent., the following figures 

 give the composition of Standards 1, 2, 3, and 4 as deduced from the 

 analyses by the five chemists from whom reports have been received : — 



It is, however, probable that, as a doubtful result is included among 

 the carbon determinations in Standard No. 3, this mean value is about 

 •02 per cent, too high, and should be about •456 per cent. 



When it is remembered that each analyst employed the methods of 

 analysis which he individually preferred, it must be acknowledged that 

 the agreement in the results is closer than might have been anticipated, 

 as it is well known that certain methods for which one analyst has a 

 marked preference are distrusted by other experimenters. This appears 

 to show that methods which are unsatisfactory, or even incorrect, in the 

 hands of one analyst may, with slight modifications, give excellent results 

 with another operator. In such detei-minations we have to deal, not only 

 with the inherent accuracy or inaccuracy of the process itself, but also 

 with the manipulative and analytical skill of the operator, derived from 

 long experience in the use of the process he adopts. 



The proportion of sulphur present in the Standards Nos. 1, 2, and 3 is 

 very small, being less than 001 per cent. It is noticed that in many 

 cases the amount of sulphur present in American pig irons and steels is 

 less than is usually found in British samples, and it would be interesting, 

 if possible, to determine the cause of this difi'erence. 



All the samples were tested for chromium, but in no case was the 

 presence of this element detected. 



Standard No. 5 has been prepared during the past winter by Mr. 

 J. E. Stead at Middlesbrough, and the Committee desire to acknowledge 

 the importance of the assistance which Mr. Stead has thus rendered. 

 The American and British Committees have already been supplied with 

 their portions of the standard thus prepared, and the remaining portions 

 of the standard will be distributed as soon as possible. It is hoped that 

 the analyses will be completed, so as to allow of a final report at the next 

 meeting of the Association. 



The American Committee has nearly completed its work on Standards 

 1, 2, 3, and 4, and it is proposed to publish the results in a few months. 

 These results have not yet been revised for publication, but on the whole 

 it is believed that a close agreement will be noticed between the work of 

 the British and American Committees. 



The German Committee has devoted much attention to the study of 

 methods of analysis in connection with the international standards, but 

 the results are not yet ready for publication . No report has been received 

 at present from the French and Swedish Committees. 



