PROTECTION OF IRON AND OTHER METAL WORK. 183 
ON THE PROTHCTION OF IRON AND OTHER 
METAL WORK. 
By WILLIAM M. HAMLET, F.I.c., F.C.S., Government Analyst. 
[ Read before the Royal Society of N. S. Wales, August 5, 1903. ] 
THE practical applications of chemistry are being extended 
in every direction, invading even the domain of the 
engineer, the architect, and the builder, so that whosoever 
will come into line with modern requirement must first 
think somewhat of the nature and possibilities of his 
materials; for not only do the sciences of chemistry and 
physics underlie the origin, production, and manufacture 
of all kinds of material used in building construction, but 
there logically follows, with the advance of knowledge, the 
elucidation of the proper means and precautions which 
must be taken to ensure and maintain their stability and 
permanence, for at least a certain number of years. 
Neglected and left to themselves, an engine, a ship, a 
house, a bridge, or a church will dissolve away molecule 
by molecule, atom by atom, linking themselves back again 
to the original forms which constitute the great majority. 
The tendency of matter is to conform to the laws of 
chemical equilibrium, in obedience to which, the finest and 
proudest structure is doomed to decay, and any of man’s 
works, whether it be the most gorgeous of temples or the 
bravest machine that ever did battle with wind and weather 
on land or water, will pass away and disappear, under con- 
ditions that are said to be the ravages of time, but which 
is really the play of chemical energy: hence it comes to 
pass that in all our business undertakings we make due 
allowance for ‘ wear and tear.’ 
