The San Francisco call., 1910-07-17
METAL Is LIKE
DAMASCUS Steel
Blades of Wonderful Toughness
Made From Cobalt and
Chromium
Chemists TO Visit Asti Vineyards
as Guests of Swiss
italian Colony

Has the secret Of the sword of Da-
lnascus been discovered at last? Is il
possible that in the near future there
will be manufactured razors that one
may shave with after cutting glass OF
peeling potatoes?
II was demonstrated that rapid
strides are being made toward that end
in the address of Elwood Haynes be-
fore the industrial section of the Amer
Scan chemical society at the last ses-
sion Of the convention yesterday in the
St. Francis hotel Haynes, who spoke
on alloys of nickel and cobalt with
chromium. is engaged in the automo-
bile business in TIokomo. Ind. but his
research work in the chemistry of met
ais. I'm which he has been interested
for many wears has earned him q. high
place among the men Of the chemical
society.
YEARS or WORK
After years Of experiment and pa
1ience Haynes has at last been able to
realize his dreams and make a fusion
of the elements. cobalt and chromium,
which rivals the finest quality of steel
in hardness and durability. AS yet his
discoveries have not been placed on the
market, although he has manufactured
many useful instruments and devices.
Dust 10 what. extent this cobalt-chrom-
sum metal will be used in manufactur-
Ing is q matter for the future to deter
mine. 1t is at present somewhat eX-
pensive to make. Haynes said yester-
day that he was confident that it would
eventually supersede steel in the max
lnents and delicate experimental ap-
I2aratUs.
In his address Haynes mentioned
something of the history of cobalt
chromium and nickel and the different
attempts that have been made at smelt-
ing and allOying them. He told of his
numerous endeaYors TO alloy cobalt
with chromium. In connection
with the explanation Of the ex-
ceptional qualities of his success
ful samples he exhibited a number of
specimens. One. Of significant bearing
on tile practical world. was a high
speed lathe tool which had been tried
out with some Of the best of the steel
variety. The steel tools were melted
about the points from the intense heat
caused by The friction, while the chro-
mium cobalt tool remained with an
edge as sharp as could be desired. Tests
with the highest speed lathes known
failed TO destroy its point.
KNIFE OF NEW METAL
Haynes also showed number of
pocket knives made Of the metal One
consisted OF an ordinary steel blade and
d cobalt blade. He plunged both blades
into lemon and in short while the
characteristic action of the acetic acid
became visible on the steel while the
cobalt remained as bright as mercury.
Another and perhaps the most severe
test Of ali was the inserting of piece
of the new metal into a test tube of
concentrated nitric acid. As the tube
was passed about for inspection the
fumes Of the acid made every one
choke. but the metal remained un-
affected.
Haynes made many other interesting
demonstrations OF the hardness and
luster of the metal. and was heartily
applauded 10y the appreciative scien-
lists number Of other papers were
read
Many interesting theories were dealt
with by the organic section and the
Inorganic and physical section. which
met ia tne other rooms Of the hotel
During the afternoon the visiting
chemists made a tour of the city re-
turning to the st. Francis for dinner in
the evening. Today the scientists will
visit the Asti vineyards as guests of
the ltalian-Swiss colony. They will
leave the city early in the morning on
a special train, viii have luncheon at
the vineyard and will return about Z
o'clock in the evening. Tomorrow the
majority VIII leave for the east. al
small excursions before returning home.