Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-11-21
Electrically Produced Steel.


At the Lindenberg electric works
high grade steel is produced from
the most ordinary scrap iron rub
hish of the cheapest kind and quail
ity, and its condition is quite imma-
terial, as by the process all damag.
Ing substances, such as sulphur and
phosphorus are practically eliminated
being reduced to one one-hundredth
of per cent. The cost of this scrap
iron varies from 45 marks (s1o.71I
ito 60 marks (s14.2S) for 1000
kilos (2200 poundsl. and the loss OF
material in Stag and refuse varies be-
tween 6 and per cent.
This rubbish Is first melted In a
4 fitting furnace or oven, constructed
similarly to those ordinarily used in
our American smelling works. After
being thoroughly reduced to fluid
state 1t is poured and conveyed In
a retort by travelling crane to the
Heroult patent electric oven, which
has a capacity OF from one and a
half TO two tons. In this oven the
necessary quantities OF carbon, man
ganese. chrome. silicum. nickle, tung-
state, arseniCal iron. etc, are added
to produce any kind or quality OF
steel desired. The whole process OF
production takes from two to two
and half hours.
The developing bath Is heated by
an electric current OF 100-volt ten
sion, which Is brought into connec.
tion with the oven by means OF n
coal electrode and carried back to
the current by second coal cleo
trode, both of these electrodes being
suspended perpendlcularly through
the top OF the oven, and adjustable
so as 20 nearly but not quite. come
in contact with the melted mass. The
current leaps from the electrode IN
a wide, mighty voltaic arc. and
passes through the mass TO the sec
ond electrode. thus producing the re-
qulslte degree OF heat sufficient for
the purifying and finishing process.
The casting molds for the electric
steel are the same as are used In
any other factory. The cost OF pro-
ductlon depends upon many points
which will become clearer after fur
ther experience with the new pro-
cess. Raw material. fuel. electric
current, wages. etc, depends largely
upon the locality. etc. and the Inn
proyements in the process that may
be made make II difficult TO quote re.
liable figures; but II is safe TO say
that an average quality OF steel. a'
heretofore produced by the crucibl'
process can be made by the electrl,
process for from 9O66 marks ($23l
to 100 marks (S2D per ton.
The electric steel produced at the
Lindenberg works surpasses greatly
that of any crucible steel ever made
both in quality and chemical purity
BY this process the steel ls freed and
kept clear OF all gas and bubbles
which has never been possible by
the old methods. This advantage oi
the electric steel over the steel man
ufactured by the old system Is be
cause OF It's superior purity. and per
mits the introduction OF from 90 e
80 per cent more carbon than IN th'
eruclble steel. Il can be forged
easier. Is not easily affected. like tho
orucible steel. by the damaging In
fiuence OF oyerheating; n Il stronger
and more firm. and offers muci
greater resistance wear and tear
The new system also gives added In
dependence on account OF the yer,
ordinary material used for produclnl
1.-THE steel Such advantages have
never been reached by any other sys
tenn and Il has only recently beer
given 20 the public. This Is account
ed for by the fact that the inventol
has kept the success secret until
he was enabled TO demonstrate q
the public complete. successful
working plant.--consul Eager o
Barmen.
A minister OF the gospel Is In th'