The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1877-11-02
ASBESTOS.


tant article of commerce. On ac-
count of its peculiar qualities, being
indestructible in fire or by acids, fib-
rous, and capable of being woven
into cloth or made into paper, often
as fine as the finest fax or silk, or
like spun glass, although strictly
mineral product. In early antiquity
it was made the subject of curious
myths and strange tales bordering on
the fabulous. Practically, its sole
use then seems to have been for
winding sheets,i in which to burn dis
tinguished dead, or to be spun into
napkins which were used at excep-
tional feasts, and, to the astonish>
ment of the guests, afterwards thrown
into the flames, to come out intact,
white and purified, At least Pliny
mentions this and it would also APP
pear that Charles /. had tablecloths
made of il, which he was also ac>
customed to throw in the fire for the
same purpose. More recently stocks
ings and handkerchief were made
in Elba of asbestos, as gifts to Ma
poleon l., while living in exile.
From time immemorial the peasantry
where it is found, in various coun
tries, have turned it to economical
use as an incombustible lampwick,
for which purpose its power of cap
Hilary attraction admirably qualities
it. a
Common asbestos, more or less
Gbrous, but of powdery, brittle
quality, is abundant in most coun-
tries, and begins to find its way into
some of the industrial arts, but large
ly mixed with other materials. The
strong, long, fibrous sorts, varying in
color from pure white to dark brown,
thus far are only found in sufficient
quantity for commerce in the Italian
Alps, at elevations Of several tho u.s.
and feet, and often, for much of the
year, buried under the snow. They
occur in serpentine rocks in irregu-
lar veins, usually very narrow, and
requiring much heavy labor and
blasting to open. Sometimes, but
very rarely, masses are found in one
lump weighing several hundred
weight. More frequently the veins
prove very superficial, and give out
almost at once. Then, again, they
can be steadily worked for years, IS
they extend or penetrate into the
mountain. Although some of these
have been yielding as much fibre as
there was a demand for since they
were first opened in 1912, recent
ly the increased call has lead to the
discovery of new productive veins
of the very best quality, which will
increase the outcomes from few
scores of tons per annum to several
hundreds. But the price, heretofore
varying from ESQ to 9l00 a ton,
according to the quality and condi-
ton of the fibre, threatens to grow
frmer, wing to new uses now spring.
ing up for it,mostly based on patents,
whilst Italian capitalists themselves
begin to see the Importance of
mineral, of which Italy has as yet
virtual monopoly, and are preparing
to manufacture it on the spot where
it is found, into those goods which
already find a steady and increasing
demand.
These are, chiefly, steam packing
in the rope or loose form for piston
or pump rods, land stuffing boxes, and
mill boards for steam joints, gaskets,
man-hole plates, and species Of
telling to cover boilers and steam>
pipes. The ability of asbestos to
resist an elevated temperature, mois
ture, friction and fame itself, joined
to its lubricating quality, specially
recommends it for the above purpose.
The chief objection to the manufac-
turer is that, when properly applied,
it lasts too long. AS covering for
boilers and pipe, it saves twenty five
per cent. or more of the wasted
heat and in domestic uses in cellars,
to prevent loss of heat by radiation,
it is found to reduce the temperature
of the cellar fifteen degrees, while
raising that of the house above ten
degrees, i. e., it saves the furnace or
steam heat, and sends it where it is
most wanted.
Asbestos lining or sheathing paper,
especially for wooden houses, for
ceilings, floors and partitions, to pre-
vent the spread of flames and make
each room fre>proof, is now attract
ing attention in America, and must
recommend itself to builders gener-
ally, as rendering buildings not only
safer from fires, but cooler in sums
mer and warmer in winter, and free
from insects that harbor in common
papers. These papers are made 10
rolls of any thickness or length, and
can be colored or printed with any
desirable pattern. Fire-proof boxes
for shelves in shops can be made of
this substance, and scenery for thea~
ters, if fabricated of it, would be inn
pervious to flames.
The varieties of asbestos are quite
astonishing to those who have not
made a study Of this mineral. No
two fdcaIities seem TO Weld precisely