The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-06
From the n. Y True Sun.
Galvanized Iron.

Galvanized Iron.
The many recent applications Of science to the practca
purposes of life have invested its pursuits with
interest We find that minds of the highest order are
now devoted to the discovery OF the effects which may
be produced by what called relations
and such men Brande and Faraday in England, and
Professors Morse and Henry of our own country are
constantly engaged in the investigation of the subject
Every year are presented with some results and
among the latest OF these, have what is called gal
vanzed lron which bids fair to effect complete revolu.
ton in the OF iron, where it is exposed to moisture
One OF the branches of inquiry is, the coToson of
metals and Mr. Adie an English civil engineer, has de-
eImned, by series of experiments, that il is greatest
where seawate is the AGENT next where fresh water
IN contact; and least OF ALL when produced by saturated
BRINE This at once demonstrates the fact, that the
seacoas and in the interior coroson proceeds at fixed
rate; and all have 10 do is avail ourselves OF the
proper means of prevention
Professor Brande has, with this view paid great at
tenton TO the subject, and we have now before an
elaborate paper read by him at late meeting of the Royal
institution which is entitled son tie Electro chemical
Protection of Metals" The chief object of the paper
was TO offer philosophical explanation of the protection
gwen to iron BY coating with zinc. The researches of
SIR Humphrey Davy, IN 1924 and 1928, gave new I'M
sheang OF vessels from decay, by fastening TO il pieces
of zinc, which he called protectors the effect of which
was to render the copper electro negative, and thus pre-
vent from attracting oxygen from the water from
substances IN solution The protectors became oXydiZed
and were gradually dissolved while the copper pre-
served.
very curious and unexpected consequences however,
followed The electro negative energy of the copper
powerfully attracted from the seawater its electro posi-
tive matter such lime, magnesia &c. and acquired
rough coating, TO which marine plants and animals fast
enGd themselves in such quantities Is to M very
however, only demonstrated the correctness of the prn
cple II showed among other things, according to Pro-
lessor Brande, that where two metals possessing
equal affinity for oxygen, are brought into metallic con-
tact in any medium containing oxygen, the electrical
current is produced; this current passes from the
oXydzabe to the less oxydzable metal and the latter is
protected by the former" Thus zinc becomes perfect
tD lrpn ,fc rfarn
The process OF linking iron has therefore been
fully considered and several patents have been taken
IN England and lae United States to secure the advan
tages of the principle. The roofs of the new houses of
Parliament, the buoys used by Trinity House, the wires
of the magnetic teegraphs and the pipes used by the
ter companies, have been galvanized in the former
try,
II is now proposed to introduce this principle among
ourselves, though to speak more correctly, it has already
been partially introduced We learn that the new Ex-
change in this city, and that elegant structure Grace
Church. have been covered with the galvanized iron plates
Some few stores have also been rooted with them, and
some sections OF our telegraph lines have adopted the
galvanized wire.
Without having the slightest interest in the manufac-
ure or sale OF the article we induced to recommend
it, we have always recommended and useful APP
picatlons OF science to the arts.
We have found from actual experience the necessity OF
having some enduring, and if possible, imperishabe
covering to dwellings, much more to those public
buildings which the repositories of valuable records,
objects of art paintings and statuary. 1t is time for
American architects to think something of postey, and
climate, where we have nearly the extremes of heat and
cold torrents OF rain and heavy layers of snow, where
the greatest contraction and expansion OF metals exposed
to the atmosphere are continually taking place. it has be-
come matter OF the greatest moment to have some means
of rendering these changes harmless in their effects
buildings We now have these means, and we may APP
ply them to countless varieties of forms One of these
recently witnessed, and with great satisfaction for
proved TO be confirmation of previous opinions.
highly respectable mercantile house In this city, de-
termined upon making experiment for themselves,
about year constructing the vault doors under
meath their store used the usual iron frames and bolts,
but adopted the galvanized sheets for the pannels. On
the iron we notice very heavy rust and apparently
large corroslon of the metal, while the linked plates
are bright as they were when first put up. Ii is
very easy to perceive that we may render our
store vaults dry and comfortable by lining them with
galvanized iron, any ordinary basement which
IS partly above ground One great objection to vaults
for the storage OF papers and books thus obvated
Indeed, we learn that the principle has already been
adopted by banking house in London. A well forty
feet deep has been sunk in the building, and this
cured from the effects of dampness by the OF gavan
lied iron. Over this is placed the safe containing the
money books and papers; and by very simple machinery
it is lowered down at night, and raised in the morning.
Entire safety from fire and robbery thus secured The
ntenses heat and the most daring burglars both deed
We hope the auson to this circumstance will induce
some OF moneyed institutions in Wall street to make
a similar disposition of their valuables
But galvanized iron is not merely important in the con-
things of general necessity The gates of canal locks,
the work OF bridges, and particularly OF suspension
BRIDGES chimney tops, cisens, locks keys and hinges,
cable chains, bars bolts and picks, and nuts, col
for chmneys boats and railroad tracks, may all be
galvanized In short, says Prot Brande, the applications
are as obvious as they are endless.
But must conclude our remarks, although we have
but scarcely introduced the subject OF the strength OF
galvanized iron cheapness and the economy of its use,
we have not time to say word at present