The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-07
SEARCHING TESTS
OF MOTOR STEELS
Peerless Company Works Out
Much Data in Metallur-
gical Department.

II Is very obvious says {. T. silver.
that there is an overwhelming demand
upon the steel producers for their
products. The increasing needs OF the
automobile industry normally tax the
steel producers to the limit. but what
about the condition brought about by the
intensified strain TO meet the require
ments Of the warning countries? There
Is grave danger OF the lowering OF the
standard governing the steel that goes
into an automobile"
Mr.. Silver lays particular stress on the
position occupied by the Peerless Auto
mohll Company mctallurgtcal depart
ment. At the time the new Peerless
eight is making lis debut In New York
these data are particularly interesting.
At the outset great numbers Of steels
were made In answer to the demand Of
the motor car Industry and the science
OF heat treatment was in Its infancy.
These conditions caused the Peerless TO
equip laboratories most thoroughly. not
only to make commercial determinations,
but also for the purpose Of scientific in
vcsttgations Into the properties and treat
ments OF steel in order that the best
materials could be selected and the
maximum heneit from their use secured.
The Peerless company began 30 buy
samples OF every Known kind of mod ern
steel. A anvas was made OF the steel
manufacturers of Europe as well as OF
America and n bar OF every type was
purchased, with the result that more
than $40 different steels were received
and tested.
The exact temperatures at which
changes in the steel structure a place
are spoken OF as critical points Criti-
cal point determinations were made of
zach steel. with the result that six dis
tinct temperatures were obtained TO an
accuracy Of 2Ls degrees. This necee-
STATED the examination of approx
mately 10000 specimens under n micro
scope capable OF magnifying 100000
areas.
After the preliminary Investigations
were completed twenty-five test pieces
were taken f'om esc bar OF steel and
each piece was given heat treatment IN
"A different way. depending upon its
critical temperatures. and intended TO
bring out the different physical properties
in the steel. For example. n piece OF
each was treated to produce the maximum
strength. another the greatest possible
touGhness. another hardness. and six
others to determine the effect OF using
various temperatures, higher or lower
than tho one determined as theoretically
correct.
After thesa pieces we're heat treated
they were turned dow to standard test
bars and physical tests made with "a
variety OF testing machines. The net
result OF the work is that records OF ap-
proximateiy 22o deterrent physical
III characteristics have been obtained on
each steel. A total OF about 76. 900 de-
Examinations have been made on all Of
the steel.
The materials used for Peerless parts
are believed 10 be those best fitted for tho
peculiar requirements OF the particular
part. as the selection Of materials for
Peerless parts Is ba sed upon the results
Of the company's own researches as de-
scrihed. The parts are heat treated 10
| produce the maximum properties which
can he developed In the particular steel
for the specific purpose for which the
| part IN intended.