The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-09-08
USES OF ALUMINIUM,
Facts About a Substance Which Has Been
Called the Metal of the Future.

Aluminium, the commonest, the
hardest, the lightest and the most
durable of metals, is yet of recent dis
covery. comparatively speaking, and
but little used. Thousands of dollars
have been spent in the metallurgy of
this metal, without, apparently, any
very satisfactory results; and though
vast strides have been made within the
past few years. the use of aluminium is
still in its infancy.
Aluminium, the metallic base of
alumina, and 1.-The metal of the future"
as it has been called. is a whitish
metal much resembling silver. Very
little OF 1t is made in this country, the
largest quantities being made in En-
gland, Germany and France. The
pure metal is very difficult to work,
and can not be soldered, consequently
1t can only be used to a limited extent
where it can be riveted, or employed
in solid pieces, and this renders it only
suitable for making certain pieces of
Jewelry and articles for table use or for
ornament. When chased or made to
look dull or frosted it quickly soils,
but a watch case simply polished will
wear for twenty years without change
or tarnish, even if touched by acid. A
Broadway jeweler shows some very
pretty rings in this metal set with
diamonds. A set of after-dinner coffee
spoons has repousse design on the
handles and gilded bowls. They are
very handsome and are much lighter
than silver spoons of the same size,
which is certainly a recommendation.
Bangles are also very effective. when
made of this metal. Mr.. GeorgeLoril-
lard, approaching the Hghtness OF
aluminium, had shoes made for one OF
his favorite horses. 1t is used for
making cigarette cases and frames OF
opera glasses. Bookbinders use it, and
the lettering on lead pencils is fire.
quently made of it. 1t also makes very
excellent pens, and will not corrode in
any ink.
The pure metal may be purchased in
this city at Sl5 pound, and the alloy
at 8, but it is expected that the price
will be even lower before long.
But the chief uses of aluminium are
in the forms of a1ioy, which seem des-
tined to take the place of steel, iron
and other metals where they are ex-
posed to heavy work, its tensile strength
being far greater than that of steel.
The chief alloys are copper and anti
mony, but alleged with brass it gives
out clear, ringing sound when struck
and makes an excellent metal for bells.
Aluminium bronze is used in making
propeller screws, it not being affected
by water, and neither does it corrode.
Aluminium iron holds its color, gives
finer grain and prevents sand holes in
the casting. Alloyed with zinc, cop
per and nickel it has pale, yellow
tint, while with per cent. aluminium
and the rest copper it takes a rich yell
used for harness, or wherever a yellow
metal is desired They are rapidly
taking the place of brass, being far
less apt to tarnish and much more
easily cleaned. The new steamers now
being made in England are being fitted
with this metal in preference to any
other. There would also seem to be a
large field for it in the manufacture o.
musical instruments that are now made
of brass.
The alloys are also used in small
household articles. Agents for an En-
glish firm show samples of almost every
article necessary for table use-castors,
cups, spoons, knives, forks, nut-crack-
ers, tea-pots and candlesticks-in an
alloy that closely resembles silver.
The advantages that it boasts over
silver are that it is cheaper, and does
not tarnish easily nor corrode, and the
advantage over plated silver is that it
is the same metal all the way through,
there being no outside plate to wear
off. And it has been suggested that
cooking utensils be made of one of the
alloys, as it is not acted upon by acids.
An attempt is to be made to introduce
it into the manufacture of the fancy
braids and dress trimmings now so
much the fashion, as it can be drawn
out into a fine, thin wire and does not
tarnish.
In fact, it seem as if it might be used
wherever metal is required, in what
evermanner, whether for beauty, light
ness, strength or durability.-N Y.
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