National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-01-25
ALUMINUM.
A Valuable Metal Found Everywhere I'm
Large Quantities, Yet Little Known.
Uosgon ldpsfJiesr


Boston Advertiser.
Aluminium, with one exception is the most
abundant of all the metals. 1t is white
metal like silver and might be taken for it
were IL not so much lighter bulk for bulk.
Tho clay, or alumins, from which IL is made,
is not found in any particular spot or coun-
try. 1t exist everywhere. More than half
century has passed since that eminent
chemist, the late Frederick Wohler, who for
fifty years was professor of medicine and
director Of the Chemical institute at Got
tngen, discovered then noble metal alu.
minum, and that it could be produced from
common clay and also from alum, and yet it
is among the least familiar Of metals. Its
usual price is $50 pound and until the last
year IL has only been known as aluminium
gold"
After many experiments, extending over a.
series of years, its production was abandoned,
except in one instance, TO tho French, who
only produced IL in inconsiderable quantities.
After more than thirty years, and at cost of
over $250,000, the celebrated English chemist
and metallurgist, JAMES Webster, has disCov-
cred a method of making aluminium by burn
ing or roasting alum, instead of making it by
the old way-by precipitation. by the old
process IL took six months to do what is now
200 pounds of aluminium per week for more
than year. valued at $1,000, or S20S,0O per
annum-tho result of which has boon that at
the present time factory which covers moro
than half an aero il kept busy night aud day,
with orders ahead for fifteen months. Tho
output at the present writing is twenty tons
of aluminium metal week.
From tina success already obtained by the
aluminium bronze mandatory NEAR Bir-
mingham) 1t is plainly evident that in very
short time this almost new and peculiar
metal, which never oxidizes, furnishes or
changes under any circumstances, TO which
can be given the color of gold, silver, purple,
or bronze, and which differs from all other
metals in that IL is never produced direct
from ore, but instead only by long and
elaborate process, must become an important
factor in the manufacture of jewelry; and not
only this, but that almost every article made
from metals from the pOnderous screw pro-
peller, anchor, or cable of the largest oce n
steamship down to the tiniest needle. must DO
made from it or its bronzes.
The chief value of aluminium at present is
in tempering, or giving strength nexibility,
toughness. and body and surface to alloys
| bron2es, or metals, SO as to combine strength
with lightness, and so that they will not cor
rode. Thus far in its use only enough of it
is present, even in the bronze Q-170O). so as
to soften or mollify the brittle or hard ma
|
posed. To copper, tin, or zinc it gives such
properties as can be obtained by no other
means, softening their nature, while increas-
ing their real hardness and strength, and en-
abling them to Withstand all the tests applied
to gold or silver, preserving the alloys from
corrosion, and rendering them more ductile
and refined, giving them body and surface
that will withstand the chemical action of the
elements.
As one result of this new process Of making
aluminium, all plated goods must give way tc
those made Of solid aluminium or bismutt
bronzes. Pianoforte wires made from il
vibrate ten seconds longer than the best nov
in use, The tensile strength of these bronze
the two being the same except in the bis
muth bronze 1-ls00 part of bismuth is added
has been proved by the repeated tests to bea
a strain of forty-two tons to the square inch
or fourteen tons more than gun metal, ant
twelve tons more than the best Besseme
steel. Whenever and wherever there is neet
of metal that cannot corrode under an.
circumstances, one that combines grea
strength and hexibility, it is plain that alu
minum must BIO used. In the tests mad
with propeller screws, blades, and heavy ar
tillery, made from aluminium or bismutl
bronze, as against those made from the bes
gun metal, tho steamship builders decided a
once in favor Of the former, as the strengt
was SO much greater and the weight SO muct
less, being only one-quarter rs great. Tn
same metal or bronze for piano and tele
graph wires has no equal on account of II
tensile strength, toughness and weight. Fo
table, stove, or kitchen ware, and utensils i
is superior to all other metals, Us it is Away
bright, is very hard and durable, polishe
well and easily, always retaining its brillian
luster.
Aluminium bronze has been made into an
tried in pots, kettles, dish and pot covers
teapots, jugs, crucibles mortars. watch cases
cups saucers, plates, spoons, knives and'forkt
milk and strip pitchers, soap Dishes was
, basins spittoons, brush trays, dressing case
and other toilet articles, gun and pistol bar
rels, handles and trimmings, harness, car
rage, saddle, and bride trimmings and orna
ments, and many other articles made {
nickle, brass, silver, gold, bronze, iron, @
steel, and proved success in all. Octant
sextants, chronometers, compasses, and othe
instruments used for marine observations an
service are made of aluminium bronze. an
stand the tests of sea air and water as n
other metal does.
Monier, the French chemist and metallur
gist, once said that he would yet produc
aluminium for cents per pound. Anothe
well known metallurgist says he can produc
it for ii cents per pound. The public will
wait with interest to SEQ them do SO. Th
exact cost of a ton by Mr.. Websters process
is not given, nor the number of tons of aluI
required to make one ton of aluminium.