The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1858-11-13

MEssRs. EDIToRs--Thls substance,
which is slicate of soda, was discover
ed in 1925 by Professor Fuches, of Nun
ich, Bavaria, and it created considerable
sensation at the time. Its power of re-
sisting the action of fire was carly de-
monstrated, in the presence Of the King,
and several eminent scientific gentlemen.
A small hut was prepared, having its
boards saturated with the silicate, and it
resisted all attempts to destroy it by fire.
1t vas not, however, until within few
years past that its merits as protective
coating, and as vehicle in the painting,
aud coloring arts, came to be generally
appreciated. Liebig was really the frst
chemist who successfully directed public
attention to its versatile qualities, and
since then its use has been extending.
AT the Paris Exhibition of Industry,
kuhinlan, distinguished French chem.
ist, exhibited its application as substi-
tute forlinsecd Oil in the mixing Of paints,
and as transparent surface varnish for
wood, brick, stone, and metals. As a
substitute for linsced oil, it is ground up
with the paints, has no offensive smell,
soon dries, is more durable aud purer in
color, and at the same time is not above
half the price. Chalk, whitening, barry
ia, lampbiack, ultramarine, indian red,
terra sienna, and various other pigments
mix readily with the soluble glass, as does
blanc JiIe-a precipated sulphur Of barry
ta, a iavorite brilliant white pigment now
used in Europe. Frcsco aud storeo- chro
mic painting are now executed IN soluble
glass as a vehicle, and the effect is bril-
liant. 1t is now employed for mixing
with some colors as Il substitute for gum
and starch, and as detergent in place of
ammoniaeal Substances; also for washing,
as substitute for soap. 1t is employed
for this purpose in the state prison at
! Spandau, in Prussia 1t has also been
used for mixing with the pigments or
colors in eil-cloth printing, and for white
military belts, when combined with Paris
white. 1t is also a good varnish for
paintings, and such documents as are de-
signed for long preservation; also for all
kinds of metals, to preserve their polish,
and to prevent them from oxydizing
| The writer of this communication coated
several thousand cannon balls with it in
the Brooklyn Navy Yard, in 1882, and
they remained for several years unaffected
by the atmosphere. by coating the
walls of cellars or underground apart
ments with it, they are preserved from
dampness; and it protects rails, bridges
and soft sandstone surfaces from being
destroyed by the action o. rains and tht
atmosphere When mixed with marble
dust aud Stacked lime it forms hard ce
ment, aud with ground fuorspar it vii
make blocks nearly as hard as iron. \
cement composed Of equal parts Of solu
bic glass, white clay iii powder, pumie'
stone, and ten parts of sand, becomes We
ry hard, and can scarcely be surpassed TO
making roofing.
As ii protective against fires, solubl
glass, perhaps, holds the most importan
position, especially in our country, wher
We have so many wooden structures, AM
because VIC suffer such immense losse
annually by fire. On Tuesday the l2tl
ut., the railroad bridge at Hamilton, c
W, vas destroyed by fire from spark 0
the locomotive Had il been coated wit
soluble glass, at an expense OF only te'
dollars (tifty cents per gallon for the III
uid) it would have been standing yet
In Vol XII, page l65, Scientific amer
lean, some experiments are described l
the Woolwieh marshes, England, on
wooden hut, in order to test its fire pre-
ventivc properties; these were very SUE
cessfull. The surface of the timber wa
merely washed with a thin coating Of th
silieate, yet although the planks wer
submitted to very high heat, in fac
roasting temperature, they did not blaa
they merely signed away, and when tn
FIRE was out they presented charred al
pearance. As fire preventive fe
steamers and all wooden structures
which it may be applied as coatin4-
it certainly would insure greater safety
life and property. +.
| TThe above communication, from
practical chemist, showing forth the va
liable properties Of soluble glass, will
found very instructive, and no doubt
will attract attention - Scientific Amer
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