Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-08-18
ALUMINIUM AND IT'S USES.
Plain Facts About a Plain Metal Which
Has Variety of Shapes.


Has a Variety OF Shapes.
Aluminium, the commonest, the hardest,
the lightest and most durable of metals,
is yet of recent discovery, comparatively
speaking, and but little used. Thousands
of dollars have been spent in the metal
lurgy 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 "the metal of the future"
as it has been called, is whitish metal
much resembling silver. Very little of it
is made in this country, the largest guam
titles being made in England, Germany
and France. The pure metal is very diff
cult to work, and cannot be soldered, con-
sequently 1t can only be used to a limited
extent where it may be riveted, or en-
ployed 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 watch
case simply polished will wear for twenty
years without change or tarnish, even if
touched with acid. A Broadway jeweler
shows some very pretty rings in this metal
set with diamonds. 4 set of after-dinner
coiiee-spoons has repousse design on the
handle and gilded bowls They are very
handsome and 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..
George LOrillard, approaching the light
ness of aluminium, had shoes made for one
of his favorite horses. 1t is used for max
ing cigarette cases and frames of opera
glasses. Bookbinders use it and the letter
ing on lead pencils is frequently 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 for Sl5 a pound, and the alloy at
SIS, but it is expected that the price will
be even lower before long
AS AN ALLOY.
But the chief uses of aluminium are in
the forms of alloy, which seem destined to
take the place of steel, iron and other
metals where they are exposed to heavy
work, its tensile strength being far
greater than that of steel. The chief
alloys are copper and anthony, but
alloyed with brass it gives cut a clear,
ringing sound when struck and
makes an excellent metal for bells.
Aluminium bronze is used in making
propeller screws, it not being af-
fected by water, and neither does
it corrode. Aluminium iron holds Its
color, gives finer grain, and pre-
vents sand holes in the casting. A!loyed
Ia nj, = 1 /
yellow tint, while with ) per cent. alumni
ium and the rest copper it takes a rich yell
low similar to brass. These alloys are 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
White Star 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 of musical in
strumentS that are now made of brass.
TABLE WARE.
The alloys are also used IN small house
hold articles. Agents for an English firm
show samples of almost every article neces-
sary for table use-casters, cups, spoons,
knives, forks, nut-crackers, teapots and
| candlesticks-in an alloy that closely
resembles silver. The advantages
that it boasts over silver are that
1t 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
of. And it has been suggested that cook
ing 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 hraids
and dress trimmings now 50 much the
fashion, as it can be drawn out into fine,
thin wire and does not tarnish.
In fact, it seems as if it might be used
wherever metal is required, in whatever
manner, whether for beauty, lightness.
strength or durability.-N Y Mail and
Express.