The morning call., 1890-11-08
THE NEW METAL.
The Possibilities of Aluminium
in Mechanics and the Arts.

Aluminium, aside from its lightness and
strength, is malleable, ductile, does not
rust, is as beautiful as silver, and is much
more abundant in its native state than any
metal in use. Cryolite, or Iceland-spar, il
the mineral from which it has been mostly
obtained; but it is constituent of clay and
OF other earths, and prevails almost every
where. The statement has been made that
IT composes more than twentieth part of
the crust of the globe. The difficulty is to
secure 1t in pure state at moderate cost
Much has yet to be learned also
as to the methods Of using it, and
there remains some doubt as to its
adaptation to certain important uses. But
within the last half century its cost has been
reduced from over $50 pound to less than
So, and it is now being put to practical use
as an alloy. Recently a series OF tests 10 de-
termlne the virtues of aluminium bronze was
made by Government naval officers at the
Watert0wn CMass.) Arsenal. A tensile
strength of $4,000 pounds to the square
inch was shown, which is largely in excess
of anything before developed. The trans
verse strength of the composite metal was
found to be $500 pounds to the square Inch
a result that has been only equaled by the
finest quality of crucible steel.
There are busy brains and hands con-
stantly at work to reduce the expense OF
manufacturing the pure metal, says Har-
per's Weekly, and as the Incentive to success
is very powerful, their labors are not likely
to be discontinued. Its capabilities, sooner
or later, are very sure to be eXhauStively
tested. If they prove as satisfactory as
there is reason to hope they will, and the
laboratory processes give way TO mill pro-
duction at low cost, wonderful revolution
In works OF construction will have been en-
tered upon. How far in the future the de-
sired end may be there is no telling.
Remove two-thirds of its own weight,
without diminuti0n of strength, from the
vast structure that connects New York and
Brooklyn, and its effectiveness for service.
provided room were supplied, would be cor
respondingly increased. Bridges of alum
inum-supposing always its qualities are
truly represented-could be thrown across
streams and ravines to span which is now
impossible. The capacity Of steamships
would be similarly enlarged. Not only would
cargoes take the place of the lessened weight
OF the body of the vessels, but also of that
Of their machinery. Enough coal could be
stored TO indefinitely lengthen voyages with
out fresh supplies. The cost of transporta-
tion would be lowered in many ways, fore
seen and unforeseen. and speed and safety
increased as well. The calculations of
competent engineer as to the advantages to
be gained would produce showing difficult
OF belief at first. The Elffel Tower as a
constructive feat would sink into nsignifi-
cance The field for architectural advance
would be all but unlimited. Air navigation
would leap forward with bound-if feas-
ible at all-when its great desideratum, a
material combining strength and lightness
in degree never known before or even ap-
prOximated, had been secured. Street-cars,
wagons, carriages etc, would be improved
and save in draught power and wear
and tear. Machines and instruments would
partake in the benefits OF the change, and
new ones beinvented that are now unthought
OF. These are but suggestions which ex-
perts in each particular branch of mechanics
can seize the meaning Of and amplify.
Should the reasonable hopes of the alumi-
num-workers be realized mankind would
seem to have been emancipated from bur-
den of heavy material which it had been
wrestling with for ages, and posterty would
talk of the unspeakable Waste of human
energy that had been involved in the use OF
iron.
There is an esthetic side to the prospect
as well as material one. Aluminium not
only does not rust, either in the air or water,
but is easily polished. Transform in I'M
aginatian the elevated rOadways Of New
York, the ratings and balconies before the
houses, or even the houses themselves, the
lamp posts, the roofs, spires and dones, the
Brooklyn and other bridges, to FURNISHED sill
yer, and a glimpse may be had OF the coming
effect of aluminium in our cities indicated by
the qualities now claimed for it. The like
has not been pictured since st. John spoke
of the golden streets and the pearly gates Of
the Nav .IaruSalayu