294 ON COATING METALS WITH PLAT^lNU 



Bymr-ansof |[. Another kind of platlning, which appears particular- 

 ly adapted to similar works of po! shed steel or iron, to pre- 

 vent their rustinjy, is that which results from the applicatiorj 

 pf platina to their surface by means of ether. 



It is well known, that, if a solution of gold in nitro- 

 muriatic aridv be covered with sulphuric ether, and the two 

 liquids shaken together, the ether will take the gold from 

 the acid, acquire a yellow colour, and become capable of 

 producing a true gilding, when applied to the surface of 

 another metal. 



The celebrated Lewis said, that platina would not form 

 thvs union. Mr. Stodavt supposes, that, if he did not effect 

 the decomposition of muriate of platina by means of ether, 

 it was probably because his pUuina was impure ; and he has 

 published in Nicholson's Journal* the process that suc^ 

 cetded in his hands, 



***** 



Coating with 

 platina. 



Tried with 

 success on 

 copper 16 

 years ago. 



Of plating or casing with platina. 



From what has been said it appears, that the art of pla- 

 tining is not more difficult than gilding, and that it will 

 have nearly the same advantage of preserving from rust 

 those metals that are most liable to it. But at the same 

 time it cannot be denied, that so thin a covering is. far from 

 promising the same durability, as that which is termed 

 platirig; particularly with respect to vessels and instru- 

 ments continually exposed to the action of fire, or to being 

 frequently rubbed. 



I do not know, that plating with platina has yet been 

 attempted in the large way : but there is every appearance 

 that it would succeed a§ well as plating with gold or silver, 

 and by the same well known processes. As a proof of this 

 1 have a small vessel in the shape of the bowl of a spoon, 

 which was given me fifteen years ago by Professor Cha- 

 baneau, on his return from Spain, where he first introduced 

 the principles of modern chemistry in his lecturesf* 



♦ Vol XI, p 282. [What follows in the text is omitted for tliesame 

 reason a« in the preceding instance. C.J 



\ Elemeuloa de Ciencias naturales, Ac. Madrid, 1700. 



This, 



