The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-06
THE NEW METAL.

For ten years the scientific world has been
engaged III searching for process by which
metallic aluminium can be extracted from
clay at a moderate cost. 1t would be diff
cult to exaggerate the profit that would fall
to the lot Of the fortunate discoverer of the
process or the uses to which the metal could
be put If it were cheap enough. 1t is far
more tensile and elastic than steel, with one
third its weight. 1t will bear a much heavier
strain. 1t viii not rust 1t is eight times
more coHductible to the galvanic current
than iron. 1t will not corrcde. 1t is thus
an ideal metal for uses where strength COM
biDed with lightness and elasticity are
needed, us in ship-building, Geographic pur-
poses. bridge-Dul lding and railroad ma
chinery. The trouble is that, thus far, the
cost of extracting the metal from the clay in
which il is found mas been far too great to
admit OF its being used except as an alloy.
l. has been worth from 81 to $40 pound.
1t is now used to some extent as an alloy
for bronze, and likewise for steel. Some
eight years ago factory for its production
was established at Hollywood in England {;
the experiment did not prove success.
An other factory was established at Saln-
dres, in France. and a small quantity was
turned out yearly for use in the arts. The
establishment is probably still in existence.
The process employed by these works was to
separate the aluminium from the alumina by
fusing the latter with sodium, and this was
so expensive that the new metal could only
be used as an alloy. Five years ago Mr..
Eugene Cowles of L0ckport, n. Y, invented
an electrical dynamo which he claimed
would enable him to make aluminium at a
reduced cost. He used dynamo of extra
ordinary power, and he did succeed so far
as 10 reduce the cost of the new metal but
not to a sufficient degree to enable it to come
into general use. He now announces that
he has made a new discovery which will
revolutionize the business of producing
aluminium; that he will make it directly
from the clay at a cost not 10 succeed 500
per ton, or 10 cents pound. If he can do
this, the invention is one of the scientific
tfiumphs of the century.
Alone among the metals aluminium is the
main constituent of substance which is
exhaustless. 1t is possible to exhaust the
worlds supply of coal and of iron. The sup
ply of copper is limited; any large increase
in consumption would put it up to such a
price that it would be used in the arts eX-
clusiyely. But common clay is found every
where, and can defy any possible demand
from consumers. In association with silicon
and fragments OF stfa,ifed rock it consti
tutes the surface of the earth, and may be
followed beneath that surface until the
primary formations are encountered.
1t possesses, as above stated, properties
which make it preferable TO any other metal
for an infinite number of uses in industry,
commerce and architecture. Should Mr..
Cowles' prediction be fulfilled teIegraphic
wires will all he made of aluminium. 1t will
supersede steel beams in house and bridge
building. Ii is Just the metal for screw pro-
pellers. And as the new discovery-if it be
confrmed-is realized the production of the
metal will increase to such proportions that,
In a few years, its price will probably fall
to such figure that houses and ships will
be built of aluminium. 1t will not be the
least important result of the new discovery
always assuming that 1t proves a real dis.
coyery-that it will solve the problem of
aerial navigation, and render the dirigable
balloon possibility. 1t is impossible to set
limit 20 the uses to which metal combin
ing such strength with such lightness may
6a,