The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-26

COATING lRoS WITH GLAss.-From the great
tendency 10 oxidation, and consequent decay which
iron in every shape, of rolled wrought manufac-
ture, has inherent in its nature, II has ever been
the practice TO il with an artificial coat To
preserve it from the destructive effects of the Gle
nents; and within comparatively few years past,
many plans have been adopted for this purpose
Various paints and pigments, zinc, enamel for Gu
inary utensils, and numerous other appliances
have been laid before the public each perhaps good
IN its own way, but neither of them applicable
universal coating for iron under all circumstance
or which will be found sufficiently economical in
numerous cascs At the souec of the President of
the Institution of Civil Engineers last week some
specimens of iron manufacture were exhibited
coated With glass, from the smethwck Iron Works
Of Messrs Sclby & Johns, Birmin gham and
which would appear To be the very desiderafuul 30
long sought for. There we're three ornamental
dinner plates, three pieces of iron tube, frying
pan, piece of corrugated iron-roof all covered
with clear, transparent glass, and which were
viewed with much admiration by the visiters.
In the process Of coating plates, corrugated or
plain roofing, tiles, tubing of all kinds and dimen-
sions, frying pans, gridirons, saucepans, kettles
cauldrons or boilers, IN lieu Of coppcrs and ho-t
Of other implements, domestic, agricultural, and
manufacturing; the article is first thoroughly
clcansed in acid solution, to free il from every
particle Of grease, similar to the preparation for
timing, zincing, &c; II is then covered with n
glutinOus preparation over which il laid a coat Of
glass, ground to fine powder The article il then
introduced into a furnace OF peculiar construction
and sufficient temperature, in which the gass is
fused, and the intermediate glutinous matter being
evaporated, the glass fills the external pores of
the metal and becomes firmly united to il; and, in
answer To our inquiries informed that n.
the manipulation became facilitated by practice
IL was probable the cost of glass-co coated iron ma.
tcral, of these common kinds, would be but a mere
nominal trihc more than the plain articles them.
selves.
With respect to the ornamental articles they of
course involve some little moro complexity, but
bid fair 10 open field of design and novelty of
much Interest. We were shown some ornamental
dinner plates OF the same material each OF which
was four ounces lighter than carthenware plate
OF the best construction size for size. The foliage
and designs are IN relief, and executed by
kind of stenciling; one color being put on, Il is
transferred to the kiln and fixed when cold,
other color is added, again fixed, and Withdrawn
and so on until the design is complete. From the
inspection afforded Us, we have no doubt whatever
that, as by practice the colOrs become improved.
and full command over their application obtained,
this really elegant invention will be applied 10 nu-
merous purposes at present scarce thought OF.
To vashstands and toilette furniture II would be
most applicable also for sideboards chifIoniers
door plates, and panels, TIRE CRATE ornaments and
70 numerous other purposes in decorative building
and architecture. For plates for the names Of
streets IL would be almost indestructble and might
be brought into use with much effect for shop front
architecture. We were shown, among other speci-
mems, small door panel, with bunch of foliage in
the centre, surrounded with an arabesque border
% represent gold, which had very pleasing effect
The invention Is another step onward in the pro
gress OF art and science, and is Of much interest
Mining Journal