The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-17
NEW USES FOR ALUMINIUM.
Taking Its Place with Iron and Steel as the
Most Uaeful or Metnls.

From the Philadelphia Times.
Aluminium bids fair to become. within the
next half century, one OF the most useful of
metals. Scarcely a week goes by that some new
field of usefulness for it is not discovered. From
u strong possibility Of becoming the metal
which enters most largely into the subsidiary
coins OF the United States Government to the
newest OF shoes for the feet of horses. 1t runs
through a catalogue OF uses that is marvellous
in its extent. Iron and steel have long been
known as the two most useful metals. Alum
mum must now be given an equal place with
either of them.
The odd uses to which this metal is put are al
most innumcrable. The gruesome metallic cas-
ket Of copper and steel that is used to hide away
forever the mortal tenements Of humanity is
gradually being replaced by the lighter alum
mum affair. which answers the purpose moro
satisfactorily, and at the same time may be her
metically sealed.
Almost a revolution has been created by
aluminium among tho photographers. The
chances are that nine persons out of ten sup
pose the old stone process, as it is called, is still
in vogue. This consisted OF tracing on a slab OF
stone. known as photographers stone. whatever
1t was desired to take a Autograph OF. To print
these Autographs under the old ystem described
necessitated the use OF a fiat press. and this
meant slowness of speed. With the up.todate
aluminium photographic plate IL Is different.
The aluminium plate NAV be bent so that it will
fit upon the cylinder Of a fast press. making tho
speed fully 100 per cent. greater. and thus say.
ing expense on the basis of the fact that time is
money.
So far as Uncle Sam and aluminium are con.
cerned there is much to think OF. Should alum.
mum, as seems very probable now. succeed
copper MS the metal in use at the. Mint. every
person who utilities the penny will he affected.
When that day comes. each cent Will he light
weight and a thousand times more convenient
to carry about. For this use aluminium is also
preferable, It is said. from a hygienic standpoint.
us copper affords a resting place for the microbes
of various diseases. which aluminium certainly
Some months ago a series OF experiments with
aluminium were carried on al the United States
Mint at Philadelphia, aud. although not as OK
tensiye MS they might have been. were sum.
GENTLY so 10 prove that the substitution OF alum
The matter was reported upon by the Congress
si0nal Committee upon Coinage, Weights, and
likely that some action in the matter Will be
taken nj the next regular session OF Congress.
Speaking of hygicnic purposes OF aluminium. it
is said 10 be AS excellent u purifier of water as
there is. Tho salts OF aluminium are insoluble In
water. Consequently, II Is plain that when
and the impurities removed from II. Perhaps
the most popular method of publication of water
trough method. The trough is composed Of
plates OF aluminium and zinc or iron six or eight
One end OF tho tank affords an entrance for tho
volume of water which passes over tho top OF
one plate and thence under the plate next to it,
this being accomplished by tho fact that the
elevation OF the plates Is different. In connec-
tion with this tank or trough there is u
moderate-siZed electrical generator. Aluminium
will not form the negative pole OF a current. but
the other plates used will. 1t is always the case
that when an electric current comes In contact
with water, in this fashion il decomposes a
certain portion OF the fluid, as II We're.
The re sult of this decomposition is that ozone
Is formed and oxygen freed. This means abso'
lute extinction TO any microbes or organic mat
ter which the water might contain. leaving it,
J after meeting the publication the salts of alum
mum occasion, as clear and hcnlthful as the
water which flows from the purest spring.
There are other methods of purifying water By
the use OF aluminium. hut they ARE not adopted
| to any extent, the trough or tank system always
having nOen productive of the best results.
Possibly one or the greatest claims OF alumni
mum to preference Is thai It is cheaper, for, al
though the demand for II has tremendously in
creased. there has been no notable increase in
price. II costs much less than zinc or copper.
for instance, and 1t is replacing them in many
Instances, such MS IN the manufacture of paper
and CClluloid ENcn some Of the most popular
musical instruments are made of aluminium.
The mandolin, the guitar, the banjo are. all con
strlctod Of the metal occasionally. Even tho
violin has harn made of aluminium, and very
successfully.