Full text of "Platers' Guide, with which is incorporated Brass World"

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Jul. 14, 2025

Full text of "Platers' Guide, with which is incorporated Brass World"

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BRASS WORLD

AND

PLATERS' GVJIDE r

f;!AR 13

A JOURNAL ^^,, c"

DEVOTED TO THE '

ART OF REFINING,

ALLOYING, CASTING,

ROLLING, FOUNDING,

,^» ELECTROPLATING

OF ALL THE

N0N=FERR0U5

METALS

VoL X.

FOUNDED BY

ERWIN S. SPERRY

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE

Brass World Publishing Company

No. 260 JOHN STREET, BRIDGEPORT, CONN., U. S. A.

THE

BDA&S WORLD

PLATEK5' GUIDE

VOI^. X.

BR.IDGE;P0R.T. conn.. JANUARY, 1Q14.

No. 1

A MONTHLY JOURNAL DEVOTED TO
THE ART OF REFINING, ALLOYING,
CASTING, ROLLING, FOUNDING AND
ELECTRO-PLATING OF ALL THE NON-
FERROUS METALS AND THEIR ALLOYS.

PtTBLISHED BV THE)

BRASS ^VORLD PUBLISHING CO.

No. 360 John St. Bridgeport, Cokn., TJ. S. A..

ERVTIN S. SPERRY EDITOR

STJBSORrPTION PRICE

$1.00 PER TEAR . • • • • 10 CENTS A OOPY

Entered as Second Class Matter in the Post Office at

Bridgeport, Conn.

Issued on the Middle of the Month.

Advertising Forms Close on the 1st.

Contents for January.

Aluminum Alloy, Another 16

Annealing Brass, Use of Woocl for ^

Brass, Effect of Press Work on Season Cracking- of 17
Brass Solutions, Carbonate of Nickel as Brightener

for 22

Castings, Hard Yellow Brass 19

Cleaning Steel for Galvanizing, Process for ,.. 19

Crucibles, Recovering Graphite from Old 6

Cyanide, Iron Pots for Melting 21

Electrogalvanizing Pipes, Apparatus for 29

Electrogalvanizing Solution 5

Gold Cliloride, Making "

Lacquer from Chinese Wood Oil 26

Lacquering Bedstead Tubing, Appliance for 29

Low Brass, High Brass, Muntz-Metal etc 1

Manganese-Bronze, Suggestion in Casting 6

Nickel Plated Iron or Steel, Rust-Proof 2.'i

Nickel Salts, Double 1 •''

Pattern Plate Material, New l-j

Plater, The Jobbing 21

Platinum Chloride, Making ~

Platinum, Melting of 11

Rolling-Mill, New Form of 26

Rust-Proof Process for Iron or Steel, Black 24

Sand Bath, Use of the \

Silver Cyanide IS

Silver Cyanide in Making up Silver Solutions 2

Silver Piating, Is the Quick Dip Necessary in 22

Soldering Paste, Burnley's Kl

Table-Ware, New Method of Making 23

Tin-Cans in India, Reclaiming Old 28

Tinning of Iron and Steel, Hot 20

Vacuum-Cleaner in Factories, Use of 27

L-o^v Brass, Hig'H-Brass, Mtintz-
Metal, Etc.

Low-brass, high-brass, Muntz-metal, bronze
and gilding are the common brass mixtures
used in the trade, although there are a number
of others less extensively used.

High-brass is the most common variety and
is known as "common brass" and it contains
all the way from 61% to 70% of copper (the
remainder being zinc). Spinning-brass, cart-
ridge-brass, dipping-brass, drawing-brass and
screw-rod are all high-brass. Screw-rod con-
tains several per cent, of lead in order to
make the brass cut freely, but the other varie-
ties are free from it.

Low-brass is a softer variety than the high-
brass and is used where more stretch is re-
quired in drawing or spinning. It is also
used for brazing as it melts at a higher tem-
perature than brazing solder which is not the
case with the high brass mixtures. Low brass
contains from 75% to 80% copper and the re-
mainder zinc. If more copper is contained
in the mixture, the color begins to change to
an orange. The color of low brass is a green-
ish-yellow and it is the most beautiful of any
of the mixtures.

Muntz-metal is a brass mixture containing
60% of copper and 409c of zinc. It is used
because it will roll hot and is cheaper than
the other mixtures. It is far less used at the
present time than formerly when it was em-
ployed for sheathing wooden ships. It has
been found to disintegrate under such condi-
tions, however, and copper is now used in its
place. Any brass mixture that contains even
more zinc is also a Aluntz-metal mixture as
it will roll hot. The now well known extru-

TILE BRASS WORLD

sion-metal is an example of this kind and it
contains 557o of copper and 45% of zinc.

Gilding is a gold-colored mixture of copper
and zinc and consists of 907o of copper and
107o of zinc. It has a gold color, although
not as rich as pure gold or its alloys, of
course. It is used when an imitation of gold
is required and there are many instances in
which it employed such as, for example, in
the manufacture of cheap jewelry.

Bronze is a gilding mixture with the ad-
dition of a little tin and the favorite mixture
is 00% copper, 9% zinc and 1% tin. For the
majority of purposes, however, the straight
gilding answers equally as well and is general-
ly employed. A number of other mixtures of
bronze are used, of course, depending upon
the use to which they are to be put. Ordinary
bronze for rolling, however, is the mixture
previously given.

LJse of Silver Cyanide in MaK-

ine ^P Silver Plating

Solutions.

Silver cyanide is now used very extensive-
ly for making up silver plating solutions, even
more so than formerly, as the majority of
silver platers are beginning to appreciate its
advantages. The use, therefore, can be said
to be increasing.

There are three silver compounds that are
being employed in making a silver plating
solution in conjunction with potassium or
sodium cyanide.

1. Silver nitrate.

2. Silver chloride.
?>. Silver cyanide.

The use of silver nitrate has almost be-
come obsolete although there are a few platers
who still use it and obtain good results. It
was the first silver salt used that was recom-
mended. Its objection lies in the fact that,
when dissolved in cyanide, sodium or potas-
sium nitrate is formed by the reaction which
fills the solution with an inert compound. This
however, is apparently not directly objection-
able as it appears to have no deleterious ef-
fect, contrary to the usual opinion, upon tlie
deposit. The real disadvantage is in filling
the plating solution with the sddinni nr
potassium nitrate which acts as so much
foreign matter.

As far as the silver chloride is concerned,
this is still (luite extensively used and by

some of the largest manufacturers of silver
plated ware. One of the largest, if not the
largest has always used it and still employs it.
Their work is of the highest grade. The ob-
jection to it, however, is that it fills the solu-
tion with inert sodium or potassium chlorides
when it is dissolved in cyanide. The reason
why it has been and is still used, is that it is
much easier to make than the silver cyanide.
Any solution tliat contains silver and is acid
or neutral in reaction may be precipitated by
the addition of common salt or hydrochloric
acid and an excess of these precipitants will
not redissolve the silver chloride formed. It
may be understood, therefore, that silver
chloride is the easiest silver compound to pre-
pare. This is particularly true in the case of
the large silverware concerns which have
stripping solutions, etc., to which it is only
necessary to add salt or hydrochloric acid to
form the chloride of silver, and it is so easy
to make it is not surprising that it was early
used as the silver salt for making up a silver
plating solution.

The advantage of the silver cyanide lies in
the fact that, when dissolved in cyanide no in-
ert salt is formed but the double cyanide of
potassium or sodium and silver is produced.
This gives an ideal solution for silver plating
and one which is theoretically correct. The
solution may show a lower specific gravity
than other solutions made from the chloride
or the nitrate and still have more silver in it.
This fact means that the solution will remain
in good condition longer than the other solu-
tions and will stand "building up" better.

The objection to the use of the silver
cyanide has been one of making it. To pro-
duce the salt a neutral solution of silver ni-
trate is required and to it is added sodium or
potassium cyanide to precipitate the silver
cyanide. As the silver cyanide is soluble in
an excess of cyanide, no more should be
added than is actually required to precipitate
the silver. Beyond this, there is no dift'erence
between the use of the C3-anide and the other
silver compounds.

While a small amount of tin is obtained
from old tin cans by the detinning process, the
amount is exceedingly small compared with
the enormous number of cans that are daily
thrown away and from which the tin is
never ohtaiiied.

THK BRASS %VORIJ>

The Use of Wood for Annealing Brass in Brass

Rolling Mills.

Wood was the first fuel used. It has al-
ways been plenty but its cost is constantly
increasing particularly in the large manufac-
turing centers. This fact is caused by its
scarcity in the immediate vicinity of the mills
that could use it, necessitating, of course, a
comparatively long haul or freight charges
which renders it far more expensive, as far as
the annealing of brass is concerned, than coal
oil, or gas. The decline in the use of wood
for fuel is easily seen. It is not difificult to

cost, prohibiting its use on account of the
competition of those which use oil, coal or
gas.

Wood has always been used for annealing
brass and it was not until the year that
oil was first used for this purpose. Whether
coal had been employed previous to this time
is uncertain but probably not as it has never
been a favorite material for this purpose.
The sulphur in it has always been a detriment.
Up to the year , wood had, as previous-
ly mentioned, always been used as the fuel

Fig. 1. Wood Pile of the Bristol Brass Company, Bristol, Conn. Contains Approximately 5,000 Cords of
Wood. Wood is Used Exclusively by This Company for Annealing.

re:r.ember when many of the railroads used
wood as their fuel for the locomotives, but
now it is dititicult to locate any which employ
it, although now and then small, isolated rail-
roads can be found which still burn it. One
by one they have abandoned it and one by
one the brass rolling mills have gi-ven up the
use of wood for annealing, not because it
was not efficient, but because of its increase in

for annealing brass, but at this time oil had
been employed for melting and heating fur-
naces and it was tried for annealing. It was
not particularly successful at that time and
was used only on brass that had been broken
down and not for finished material. Wood
was employed for annealing brass after it had
been finished and was required soft for the
market.

THE BKASS WORLD

The early objection to the use of oil was
in the construction of the furnace and the
burners. High-pressure oil burners were used
and were placed in the annealing chamber on
each side so that the flames impinged upon
each other directly over the metal being an-
nealed. This resulted in an intense heat
directly upon the top of the pile of brass so
that the natural result followed. The top of
the brass was over-annealed, burnt or, per-
haps, actually melted, while the bottom was
not annealed at all. UoU breakages re-
sulted, and the other ci)nse(|ucnccs of imjier-
fectly annealed metal. It was not uncommon,
too, to find that a pile of metal had actually

a few are using both oil and wood, and there
is only one which uses wood exclusively. This
mill is the Bristol Brass Company of Bristol,
Conn. They have never used anything else
for the purpose since they were started as the
Bristol Brass & Clock Company in .
They undoubtedly have the largest wood pile
of any manufacturing company in the United
States and this may be seen in Fig. 1. In it
are nearly .'i.OOO cords of wood and as it is
worth from three to four dollars per cord,
the pile has a value of between fifteen and
twenty thou.sand dollars.

One might naturally wonder wdiy such a
quantity of wood is maintained liy this com-

Pig. 2. Annealing Muffle at the Bristol Brass Company, Bristol, Conn. Designed for Using Wood.

been melted so that it would have to be hauled
out in one piece on the pan. Experience,
however, soon demonstrated where the diffi-
culty lay and gradually it has been remedied
so that to-day annealing furnaces give results
of the most satisfactory character.

The brass mills of the United States vary
in the method of annealing their brass. Some
use oil exclusively, others oil and coal, while

pany. The reason is that a large quantity of
wood is daily consumed and a supply must be
maintained to take care of all emergencies.
The wood mufl'les used by the company and
one of which is shown in Fig. 2 are so con-
structed that only wood can be employed
as the fuel. Therefore, were there a shortage
of wood, it would greatly handicap the com-
pany. Then again, wood cannot always be

THE BRASS WORLX)

advantageously obtained and there are cer-
tain seasons of the year when it cannot be
carted, and in addition it is constantly season-
ing while in the pile. It is, accordingly, quite
a matter of good policy to keep a large stock-
on hand, particularly when no provision is
made for burning any other fuel.

The reader naturally inquires, What is the
advantage of wood for annealing? There are
two reasons :

1. It is a fuel absolutely free from sulphur.

2. It gives a low heat of even intensity.
The question of cost is an important one

and it is quite probable that were wood equal
to oil in cost, that is in the actual heat units
produced at the same price, it would be used.
The price, however, depends upon the loca-
tion and some of the brass rolling mills in the
Naugatuck Valley, which formerly used wood
exclusively and had no difficulty in obtaining
it, now have abandoned it partially and are
using both oil and wood. The wood is be-
coming costlier each year on account of the
supply being farther and farther away from
the mill. It is a material, of course, which
will not admit of much cartage or freight
charges.

The advantage of wood in annealing needs
no further comment and it is believed that
brass so annealed cannot be equalled by any
other method that is possible commercially In
quality, the brass so obtained is excellent and
is not subject to the difficulties experienced
when annealing with other fuels. It is only
a matter of time, of course, when it will be
necessary to abandon the use of wood on
account of its becoming scarcer and the cor-
responding high cost. The Bristol Brass
Company, however, have fortified themselves
for some time to come by the purchase of
large tracts of woodland from which the
wood is obtained. The country thereabouts
will be able to supply the fuel for some time
to come.

The muffle used for annealing with the
wood is shown in Fig. 2, and is what is known
as a "double ender", that is the brass is
charged in one end and taken out at the other.
The wood is used in the regular 4 foot lengths
known as "cord wood size" and no particular
attention is paid to the quality. Good size
wood is obtained, however, so that it will not
burn too rapidly. Chestnut, birch, hickory,
beech, and the other woods native to Connec-
ticut are used, although chestnut and birch
are usually nmre plentiful than the other

varieties.

The muffles are kept heated continuously
and are never allowed to cool for the reason
that the expansion and contraction of the fire-
brick, under such circumstances, injure the
muffle. It has, therefore, been found expe-
dient to keep the muffle hot during the night
and on Sunday.

The wood ash resulting from the burning of
the wood is, of course, valuable and is saved
and sold for use as fertilizer. A yearly con-
tract is made for the entire supply produced
at the mill.

A.notKer Tempered Copper
Process,

Still they come. Tempered copper cannot be
"downed". For a while it seems to lie dor-
mant when Presto ! some ingenious individual
"discovers" a new process for tempering the
metal. Some humorous individual has
facetiously made the remark:

"What good is the copper after it has been
tempered?"

This time the prize winner is James A.
IvIcLarty of Toronto, Canada and the patent
office has seen fit to grant him two patents on
the process (1,070,786 and 1,079,787). The
process is quite simple.

The copper, previously made into the de-
sired shape by casting, forging or otherwise,
is covered with sugar and then heated in a
closed muffle to °F. and then allowed to
cool without admission of the air. The car-
bonaceous material forms carbon monoxide
gas which is the material which hardens the
copper. The same eff'ect can be produced,
the inventor says, by heating the copper in a
muffle into which carbon monoxide is passed
while the heating is going on.

The inventor does not state how hard the
copper is, when treated in this manner.

Ne-w Electrog'alvanizing
Solution.

The following electrogalvanizing solution
has been used successfully in both still and
barrel work :

\\'ater 1 gallon

Zinc Sulphate li lbs.

Boracic Acid 4 oz.

■Magnesium Sulphate 4 oz.

The solution is used cold with a current of
from 3 to 4 volts.

THE BRASS >VORLE)

MetKod of Recovering GrapH-
ite from Old Crucibles.

A method of recovering graphite from old
graphite crucibles has been patented by Albert
Teichmann of Zeitz, Germany (U. S. Patent,
1,080,085, Dec. 2, ). He describes Iiis
process in the following manner :

"The valuable graphite contained in worn
out Ijroken crucibles has up to now gone to
waste, because no practical and economical
process to recover it w^as known. This use-
ful effect may now be attained by the method
which forms tlie subject matter of the present
invention and is carried out as follows :

The worn out crucibles are broken into
pieces having the size of, perhaps, a fist, and
these pieces are subjected from four to twelve
hours, to the action of sulphuric, nniria-
tic or nitric acid, or any other equivalent acid
as may be best suited to the composition of
matter of which the respective crucibles were
made, the object of this treatment being to
break the union between the graphite, Avhich
is one of the components of that composition
of matter and the other components of the
same. The treated pieces arc heated to
red heat in a suitable furnace, kiln, retort, or
tlie like, in order to evaporate the acid and
to render the pieces rather l^rittle and frialtle.
Thereafter the pieces are passed between the
rollers of a crushing mill for the purpose of
loosening the slack, which then is separated
from the crushed pieces liy a sieve or the
like.

It will l)e understood that where the word
"slack" is used in this specification and in the
claims comprised herein, that I mean to in-
clude in said word substances ordinarily used
in the manufacture of graphite crucibles such
as binding materials which are other than
graphite. The remaining pieces are suljjected
repeatedly and for as long a time as possible
to the action of a grinding mill and the pro-
duct obtained by each grinding operation is
sieved, tliis procedure being carried through
in such a manner that a plurality of sizes of
grain and of graphite dust, for instance six
sizes of grain and two sorts of dust are ob-
tained.

It is of great importance tliat the rollers
of the grinding mill rotate with absolutely
the same speed: even the very small difference
which is brought aliout b_\' one tooth more or
less of the cog wheels, ov ])\- unusual siiaccs

between the teeth of the cog wheels impairs
the quality of the product to a remarkable
degree. It is therefore preferable either to
employ cog wheels of exactly the same num-
ber of teeth, or to impart power only to one
of the rollers and to let this roller rotate tlie
other one merely by the friction produced by
the grinding action."

(At the present price of graphite, this pro-
cess would hardly appear economical, particu-
larly wdien it is taken into consideration that
the product would be of an inferior grade
of graphite. The treatment of the crucibles
with sulphuric acid would seem an expensive
and laborious process for such a material as
old crucibles, and the inferiority and cheap-
ness of the resulting product. — Editor.)

Correspondence.

Casting Mang'anese-Bronze in

an A.tinospKere of Carbon

Dioxide Gas.

Eilitor: —

The article in the September issue of
The Brass World on the "Causes of Failure
of Alanganese-Bronze Castings for Valves",
coincide with my experience with non-
ferrous castings containing aluminum : but I
iiave often wondered if the chances of ob-
taining castings would be increased if the
mold was filled with carbon dioxide gas and a
basin or plug used. It strikes me that it
w^ould, for with the dross on top of the metal
in the basin and no free oxygen in the mold,
it v.-ould seem an ideal way to get a sound
carting. What is your opinion?

Of course, I know that this would not be
practical in all cases, such as small castings,
but for large valves or similar castings
we-ghing 2-5 lbs. or more, it should not be
dit'ficult.

Joseph McGiiinis.
IWiUIhtiii, Mass.

While, as far as we know, that method has
never been tried or used, it would appear
v.'or'th investigation. A probable difficulty
would be the presence of air in the sand.
When the hot metal struck it, it would be
freed and the carbonic acid gas would then
be driven out. This, of course, would defeat
the end. — Editor.

THE BRASS >VORLD

MaKing Chloride of Gold or

Platinum and tKe Use of

tHe Sand BatH.

In making chloride of gold or chloride of
platinum, the pure metal is always used.
Some platers prefer to make the chlorides
and others prefer to purchase them. Other
platers use the fulminate of gold in making
up a plating solution, although in this case the
chloride, must also first be made.

In the case of gold, the so-called fiue gold
should be obtained. This is the pure gold and
contains nothing but traces of other metais.

of gold for the reason that the copper remains
with the gold. An exception is the case of
the fulminate where the gold chloride is pre-
cipitated with ammonia. The copper then
goes into solution, but in case of a large
amount, only partially, and some is apt to re-
main in the gold fulminate. Two precipita-
tions are required in such instances. With
fine gold,however, which contains only traces
of copper or silver, the ammonia, used for
precipitating the fulminate, will dissolve these
metals, leaving the fulminate pure.

It will be understood, accordingly, that to
make pure gold chloride, the gold used must

.Wethod of Lsing the Sand Bath for Evaporating Chloride of Gold.

The purer the gold is, the better it will be for
plating and a better color can be produced on
the deposit. A particularlly pure gold is made
by some gold refiners for plating and it is
extensively used. Coin gold cannot be used
as it contains a large amount of copper. The
gold coinage of the United States consists of
900 parts of gold and 100 parts of copper
which renders the gold 21.6 carat. The
British coins are 22 carat consisting of 916.G
parts of gold and 83.4 parts of copper. It will
readily be appreciated, therefore, that gold
coins are unsuited for making the chloride

be as pure as possible and nothing is to be
gained, either in price or otherwise in em-
ploying gold coins.

A\"hat has been said about the purity of gold
in making chloride of gold likewise applies to
platinum. The platinum of commerce is not
pure and almost invariably contains iridium,
added intentionally as a hardening metal.
Pure platinum is quite soft and is a trifle
harder than pure copper, and in this condition
it is unsuited for most commercial purposes.
It is, therefore, necessary to harden the plati-
num, and iridium is the usual hardening metal.

8 THE BRASS \VORLX)

Up to 10 per cent, of iridium is customarilv acid is good for platinum. As previously

used for hardening the platinum so that it will mentioned, however, these proportions need

readily be seen that the ordinary platinum of not be exact and equal parts of each acid or 3

commerce is an alloy of platinum and iridium. parts of hydrochloric acid ami l part ot

When commercial platinum is used for nitric acid are often used. It matters not just

making chloride of platinum, the iri 'i'^e dissolving of the gold or platinum

will dissolve with great difficulty. Even should always be carried out in a glass flask

though the platinum containing the iridium and not in an evaporating dish. Jf an evapo-

should dissolve easily and completely, there rating dish is used, spattering takes place

will have been obtained chloride of platinum when the gold or platinum is dissolving with

containing chloride of iridium which latter the acompanying loss. While the dish will

will, in the majority of instances, interfere bave to be used for the subsequent evapora-

with the proper use. It is well, in the case tion, the flask is required for the dissolving

of platinum, as it is with the gold, to obtain operation.

the pure metal. The flask will have to be adapted in size to

the amount of gold or platinum to be dis-

The Gold or the Platiintiii. solved and should not be filled more than

The gold or the platinum used for making half full (and less is better) on account of

the chloride should be in a comparatively the danger of boiling over. If the acid (try it

finely divided form so that dissolving will take "^ the flask before the dissolving takes place)

place readilv. Large pieces dissolve slowly. ^lls the flask more than half full, then use a

The usual form used for dissolving is the larger flask or take less gold or platinum.

sheet and this is not onlv the most convenient The following will give some idea as to

shape, but is that most easily obtained. The the am,.nnt of acid necessary for dissolving

thinner the sheet the more readily the dissolv- the gold :

ing will take place, but it is unnecessary to p^,,- Dissolving the Gold.

employ foil. Metal the thickness of paper is „ , ,

' -^ ^, . , . , , . , Liold 1 oz.

sufficient. The idea is to have thm sheet ^ . ... ... ,, .„ ■■,■.

,., , •, , Hydrochloric Acid i oz. (fluid)

which can readily be cut up with shears. , " • a -r -, i /n ■a\

Nitric Acid It oz. (fluid )

Before starting to dissolve the gold or the

platinum, cut it up into small shreds so that The acids must be strong and the amounts

it will dissolve more rapidly. This may be given are in fluid ounces,

easily done by means of an (,rdinary pair of j;^^^. jjissohviiu/ the Platinnu,.
shears. It is then ready for dissolving.

Platinum 1 oz.

DissoiZ'iiuj. Hydrochloric Acid ... 15 oz. (fluid)

„, , . r 1 ., 11 1 .• • Xitric .\cid 10 oz. (fluid)

The sohent for buth gold or i)latinuni \s

aqua-rcc/ia. This is a mixture of hydrochloric The reason that a larger excess of acid is

(muriatic) and nitric acids and is a Latin used in the case of the platinum is that it

name meaning "king of waters." This name dissolves very much slower than the gold and,

was given the mixture of acid by the al- as it requires heating all the time (the action

chemists i)f old fr)r the reason that it vv.is of the acid on the platinum in the cold is

found to be the only acid that would dissolve quite small ) and with the consequent loss

gold (the king of metals). of acid. Even with this amount of acid it

The proportion of acids need not be exaci, may lie necessary to add a fresh quantity after

but it has been found that one consisting of 1 the action ceases. Remember that there is not

part of nitric acid to 2 parts of hydrochloric any objection to an excess of acid otherwise

acid (l)y volume) is excellent for the gold than the necessity of subsequently evaporating

while ;! parts of nitric and .■. hydrochloric it off. The idea, of course is to use as little

THE BRASS WORU>

acid as may be required to dissolve the gold
or platinum for the reason that much less
time will then be required in the final evapor-
ation.

When the gold or platinum has been placed
in the glass flask and the acid poured on it,
there will be a slight action in the cold due to
the action between the two acids, but the
metals will be but very slightly acted upon.
In order to bring about the required action
it is, of course, necessary to heat the flask.

Heating the Flask.

Although a glass flask, if of good quality,
will stand the heat well, the safest method of
heating it is by means of a sand-bath, and
which is likewise the best method for the
evaporation. The sand bath gives a very even
heat and there is less danger with it of
breaking the flask. Breakage, of course,
means the loss of the solution in the flask
which is far more valuable than the flask it-
self. The use of the sand-bath is strongly ad-
liscd.

The flask is placed on the sand in the pan
and heated by any convenient means. A steady,
even heat can thus be obtained and the sand
does not conduct the heat with sufficient
rapidity to cause sudden changes in the dis-
solving action. Once adjusted it will go on
regularly for a long time. To be sure, it
is rather slow, compared with other methods
of heating, but the safety and regularity are
very much in its favor.

The Sand Bath.
A sand-bath is easily made. A gas or oil
stove is employed as the heating element. On
this is placed a tin or iron pan containing the
sand. On the sand is placed the flask or
evaporating dish. Too much sand will impede
the passage of the heat. About an inch or
two is all that is required. The method of
using may be understood by reference to the
illustration.

Ei'aporation.

When the gold or the platinum has dis-
solved, which may easily be ascertained by
examining the bottom of the flask to see if
any metal remains, there is obtained, in the
case of gold, a yellow solution, and with the
platinum a dark red one. In both cases, how-
ever, there is an excess of acid in the flask
and, before the chloride can be used this ex-
cess of acid must be removed. The method
of removing it is by evaporation as this pro-

cess will drive off the excess of acid and leave
the pure chlorides of gold or platinum. The
evaporation cannot be conducted in the flask,
however, as it would take place only very
slowly. A porcelain evaporating dish or a
porcelain casserole (an evaporating dish with
a handle) is necessary for the operation.

The contents of the flask are now poured
into the porcelain dish or casserole and then
rinsed out. A small dish may be used, if de-
sired, as it is unnecessary to pour all the
liquid in at once, but portions may be added
from time to time as the evaporation follows.
The dish should not be heated so that it ac-
tually boils, as some of the solution will then
be lost, but just short of actual ebullition.

The evaporation is now continued until it is
quite syrupy or thick like molasses. It will,
both in the case of the gold and platinum,
now be very dark red. The evaporation
should not by any means, be carried to actual
dryness, but left in the form of a thick syrup.
If actually dry, some of the gold will change
back to the metallic condition and the plati-
num is apt to do so as well although not so
pronounced as in the case of the gold. If left
syrupy, however, the liquid will become solid
when cold. This is the right condition.

When cold, the contents of the dish are dis-
solved in water (distilled or rain water should
be used) and the chloride of gold or the
chloride of platinum obtained. The gold solu-
tion will be bright yellow and the platinum
solution will have a reddish color. It is a fact
worthy of notice, that although nitric acid is
used in dissolving the gold or the platinum,
there is no nitrate formed as one would ex-
pect. This is explained by the fact that the
nitric acid reacts with the hydrochloric acid
and becomes decomposed, and also by the
strength of hydrochloric acid which, during
the evaporation, drives ofif any nitric acid.
Hydrochloric acid is the stronger acid.

When the chloride of gold is dissolved in
water, after it has been evaporated, there is
usually left a grayish flocculent residue. This
is chloride of silver formed by the presence of
the small quantity of silver in the gold.
Minute, bright particles are gold produced by
carrying the evaporation too far. The solu-
tion should be filtered through filter paper to
remove foreign matter.

The platinum is likewise dissolved in water
and filtered. It frequently will be found that
there are red crvstals left after dissolving.

THE BRASS WORLX)

These are an iridium compound and sliouM
be removed by filtration.

The solutions of chloride of gold and
chloride of platinum dissolved in water arc
now ready for use and can be employed for
making up a plating solution or other use.

Burnley's Soldering Paste.

A flux for use in soft soldering has been
sold on the market under this name for a
number of years and has given good satisfac-
tion. It is used in the same manner as
chloride of zinc flux, but is not supposed to
corrode the work upon which it is used. In
this respect it is superior to the usual liquid
chloride of zinc flux, but is not entirely free
from corrosion as it is believed that there is
nothing which is actually non-corrosive when
used as a flux, otherwise it would not act as
such.

The particular advantages of this flux are
in its portability ( tlicre is nothing to spill )
and the ease with which it can be used. It is
only used for soft soldering.

The manner i)f making it is to first make
a saturated solution of chloride of zinc of a
neutral character. These two requirements
are absolutely necessary, and are easily ac-
complished. To make the saturated chloride
of zinc solution, metallic zinc is dissolved in
strong muriatic acid. Any crystals which
form in the bottom of the dissolving vessel
are dissolved in just enough water to take
them up. By a saturated solution is meant all
the chloride of zinc that water will take up.
By the use of strong muriatic acid (hydro-
chloric I acid, this is accomplished. In other
words, the chloride of zinc solution is as
strong as it can be made.

The neutral condition of the solution is
produced by having an excess of the metallic
zinc in the liquid when it is being dissolved
in the muriatic acid. In other words, there
must be more than enough zinc used to take
up all the nuiriatic acid. When the acid
ceases to act, which may be known by the
cessation of gas bubbles from the zinc itself,
the action has stopped and no more zinc will
dissolve. At this point there should be more
or less zinc left in the bottom of the vessel
in which the dissolving has taken place. The
whole should be allowed to stand for an hour
or more in order to give the acid a chance

to dissolve all it will. The solution, then, will
be neutral, for the reason that the acid has
dissolved all it can, and if strong muriatic
acid is used, a saturated solution will have
been obtained. This solution, of course, is
the regular chloride of zinc soldering flux,
but it is made in the right manner. The com-
ninn error found in making it is to have too
nnich water present and a quantity of free
acid wdiich, of course, means muriatic acid
not used up on the zinc. This interferes with
the action in soldering. It also corrodes the
metal that is soldered.

There has been obtained, therefore, a
saturated and neutral solution of chloride of
zinc. This is the base for the manufacture oi
the paste and is the flux wdiich acts on it.

The chloride of zinc flux thus produced is
mixed with a grease and the paste is ready.
For the grease, the inventor recommends
"vaseline" or "petrolatum", both of which are
the same thing under a dilTerent name.
Petrolatum is the cheaper of the two. The
proportions of the grease and chloride of
zinc flux used are as follows :

Saturated Chloride of Zinc

Solution 2 oz. (fluid)

Petrolatum or Vaseline .... 1 lb.

These two ingredients are mixed by violent
stirring until the mixture begins to thicken
when it is poured into the receptacle in which
it is to be used. If any other grease is to be
used, the same proportion is to be employed.

This paste was originally patented by Wm.
Burnley of Miamisburg, Ohio and James A.
Burnley of . Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, and
the patent was granted on August 9th . It
has about a year longer to run before it
elapses.

The electrical conductivity of copper de-
pends upon the total amount of impurities and
not ui)on any one element. This is why the
conductivity test is so valuable in determining
the puritv of copper. The aggregate of all
impurities is shown and thus the purity of the
copper indicated. Amounts of impurities that
will defy detection, or would never be known
to exist by chemical analysis are found when
the electrical conductivity test is applied. It
can be considered one of the most valuable
tests known in metallurgy.

THE BRASS AVORLE)

The Melting of Platinum.

By C. Morrison HoKe,
A. B., B. S. A. M.*

These are the days of changes hi everything
—fashions, pohtics, art, industry, finance; and
our ideas regarding the metal, platinum, have
changed as completely as anything else.

Platinum is now the most talked of metal
in jewelry, and one of the most interesting in
industry. Gold, the age-old symbol of rich-
ness, of permanency, of beauty, has taken
second place.

Platinum used to be a rarity; unknown; a
thing forbidden importation into Spain,^"be-
cause it could be used to cheapen gold," — A
toy, and a problem for the wizard in the lab-
oratory.

of platinum in every electric light bulb; a
great deal in every automobile; immense
quantities are used in dentistry, and, conclu-
sive proof of its hold on our hearts, every
shop girl proudly wears a looks-like-platinum
brooch.

And how few of us had even heard of the
stuff twenty years ago!

HISTORY OF PLATINUM— Indeed, the
first mention of it by name was one Don
Antonio de Ulloa, in , a Spanish gentle-
man, who voyaged to Colombia to investigate
astronomical and other problems. He spoke
of "platina," which meant "little silver," and
he said that it could not be melted. Pliny, a
few centuries earlier, probably knew of it, for
he spoke of a "plumbum candidum," (literally

Fig. 1. Making a Large Melt of Platinu

And only the wizard could do anything with
platinum, it was so difficult to melt, and so
hard to work.

Now, — it is easier to melt than gold, and
useful in a score more ways. Milady is
having all her pearls and diamonds reset in
it, it sets them ofif so well ; laws are being
framed to stop its adulteration; there is a bit

^Consulting Chemist, Jewelers Technical
Advice Co.

m with the "Phoenix" Platinum Melter.

"v.-hite lead'") which very likely was platinum.

It was in , or thereabout, that the great
Ural fields were discovered, and platinum be-
came recognized as a metal of interest and
use.

Since then the interest and use have in-
creased by leaps and bounds, so that within
the last five years the price has increased
from $20 to $46 per ounce, and the United
States imports are now four or five million
dollars worth per year.

THK BRASS WORLD

USES OF PLATINUM— Til the old days
platinum was of little more use than the pro-
verbial extra tail to a cat ; but when its uses
in chemical work were discovered, the value-
less became invaluable. Licbii^' said, not many
years ago, that "without platinum, the compo-
sition of most minerals would have yet re-
mained unknown," — because the acids that
will dissolve the minerals will also dissolve
glass or porcelain, and the heat reciuired
would melt gold or silver. When the electric
light was discovered, tlie happy fact that
platinum and glass both expand at the same
rate when heated, was taken advantage of.

very strongly, driving out most of the arsenic,
and leaving a workable metal.

This yielded platinum very ditTercnt from
that in a modern piece of jewelry — but it
worked.

Then some one devised the scheme of using
the platinum sponge ; platinum ammonium
chloride, an orange colored salt, was heated
gently, until only the i)latinum was left. This
was in the form of a fine powder, the
"sponge," which was sifted through the hands,
and sieved through fine cloth, and then pressed
into a die. This, then, was heated carefully,
first gcntlv, then with a "Wind furnace," as

lEWElERS TECHUICAl ADVICE CO,

Fig. 2. The Blowpipe Used for Melting the Platinum.

Pyrometers, electrical and technical instru-
ments of all kinds, rushed into existence,
thanks to this metal "that did not melt and
did not rust." The great sulphuric acid in-
dustry, with its retorts costing a mere twenty
thousand to forty thousand dcillars a piece,
bought its tens of thousands of dollars wnrth
of platinum.

And Fashion, following the crowd, joined
in with her demand that she have a share of
the new metal for her adornment as jewelry.

New uses and new demands crop up, faster
than the journals can go to press — and the
Russian monopdly waxes richer and more ar-
rogant each passing hour.

OLD METHODS OF WORKING THE
METAL — Revolutionary as all this is, it is no
more revolutionary than are the changes in
the methods of working and melting the
metal. At first it was believed that platinum
could not be melted, since the gold ftirnace
had no effect upon it, and the laborious
method of hammering and rivetting was
patiently used. Achard, who made the first
crucible, used metallic arsenic — fused it and
the platinum together, and heated the mass

strongly as possible for 20 minutes, then re-
moved and worked up by hannnering. It is
said that some odd explosions occurred with
this method, and that it often led to brittle
metal,

It might be well to mention here the fact
that platinum behaves very differently under
different methods of working. The tremen-
dous variety of effects secured by tempering
iron is not found in the case of platinum, but
there is variety enough and to spare, as the
(lid melters found out, often to their sorrow.

The specific gravity varies widely, the color
slightly, and the ability to hold a polish varies
considerably with the dift'erent treatments.
]\roreover, the presence of some impurities is
particularly destructive, while the presence of
certain others, even in nuich larger quantities,
causes no trouble at all.

C/ontinuing to improve the methods of melt-
ing platinum, Moissan, that remarkable
Frenchman, devised a very eft'ective crucible
I if lime, — a large block, hollowed out, in the
cavern of which the scraps of platinum were
placed, and into which the oxy-hydrogen blow-
pipe was introduced. Modifications of this

THJE BRASS >VORXJD

principle are used to-day, though every detail
has been varied. IMoissan's crucible could
raFel}^ be used more than once, it was trouble-
some to make, and the arrangement was
adaptable to only a small range of work.

Great interest has been taken in the elec-
tric furnace, — on which this same Moissan did
so much valuable w^ork, — as a means of melt-
ing platinum. The great difficulty is, however,
that impurities are carried in with the cur-
rent, which contaminate the metal. The plati-
num undoubtedly melts with great ease, but it
is too brittle to use afterwards. The elimina-
tion of this contamination is expensive.

THE LARGE REFINER vs THE INDI-
VIDUAL MANUFACTURER:— The result
of these difficulties and uncertanties was that
that the first users of platinum no more
thought of doing- their own melting than of
mining their own gold. The work was all
in the hands of the large importers and re-
finers, who charged enormous prices.

But for many years efforts have been made
to produce a platinum melting apparatus that
would meet the requirements of the manufac-
turing jeweler. This means a machine that
will not only run down large lots of scrap
platinum, economically, but that will also take
care of the more frequent small lots.

The "Phoeni.x" Platinum iNIelter which is
here illustrated, is the result of the above
needs. Some years ago, when the first models
of the '"Phoenix" were placed before the lead-
ing manufacturing jewelers, they were ac-
corded a hearty reception — though rather
crude as compared with the present model.

The ilustration shows one way of melting-
platinum — one that is preferred by many in
making large melts — say a thousand or two
thousand pennyweights. A lump of French
lime is dug out to the required depth, and the
metal placed therein ; more scrap is added as
the first lot melts, until all is in a fluid state.
If so desired, this molten metal can be poured
into the square receptacle, as shown in the
illustration. The entire operation is very
rapid, and the work is done so quickly that
there is little discomfort from the excessive
heat.

KINDS OF GAS THAT MAY BE USED
— As is well known, all "authorities" on the
subject claim that only the purest hydrogen
gas must be used ; this has been repeated so
often that the average user of platinum simply

KXOW'S that nothing else is possible. But the
difficulties in securing pure hydrogen gas in
various sections put a limited sale on the
"Phoenix" and rendered further experimen-
tation necessary, in order to utilize ordinary
illuminating gas, natural gas, etc.

As claimed by the "authorities," above men-
tioned, it is a fact that certain impurities, even
in very small quantities, will render a large
lump of platinum brittle. And carbon is one
of the worst of those impurities.

These difficulties were overcome by certain
features of the torch itself, and by certain
manipulations of the metal while molten —
the only time in which it can absorb impuri-
ties. It is now practicable to get perfect plat-
inum with any kind of gas on the market.

SMALL ^lELTS— The time required to
bore out and prepare a lump of lime renders
that method too expensive when a few penny-
weights only are to be melted. In that case
a sand crucible is used. There are many
kinds of sand crucibles, and while practically
all kinds CAN be used, best results are se-
cured from only a very few makes. With
melts of from ten pennyweights to say two
hundred, the metal is placed in the crucible,
the torch is held in the hand, and the flame
turned on to the metal — which is usually
molten in a fev.- seconds.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY— This point was
touched upon above ; this is what secures for
platinum that 'asfiiig polish ; the lower the
specific gravity, the sooner the polish is gone
— the higher the specific gravity, the longer the
polish stays.

'Lender the best of conditions, platinum can
be brought to the density of 22.669 and the
weight of a cubic inch of the metal is .798 lbs.
practically four-fifths of a pound. This is the
kind of metal supplied by some few of the
best European refiners. This is one of the
reasons why some of the best manufacturers
of jewelry refuse metal from other sources.
Ordinary remelted platinum, done in the
average careless manner, and without proper
facilities, has a specific gravity of about 20 1-3,
and a cubic inch of this metal weighs .720
pounds, or considerably less than three-
quarters of a pound. This metal, while taking
a high polish, does not retain it as it should.
The proper density is brought about by pro-
per manipulation while it is still in an almost
molten state ; neglecting this matter a few

THE BRASS >\X)RLX>

seconds— while the metal loses a few hun-
dred degrees of heat, results in low density
metal.

NO WASTE OF METAL— With the
"Phoenix" Platinum Melter, there are no
loses of metal. This matter has been
thoroughly tested by many of the largest
jewelry factories, as well as by some big re-
finers.

MELTING SPONGE PLATINUM— This
is a very fine powder, and has caused much
trouble to the w^ould-be platinum melter, in
the past. This metal comes from platinum
chloride, and if it is properly compressed be-
fore being burned, it is in good condition for
the flame. If not, it can be easily compressed
in a die. In this condition there is no danger
of blowing away any of the minute particles.
In case it has to be melted in the loose
powdery state, a very gentle flame must be
used at the start, which soon fuses the top of
the mass together, allowing the full strength
of the flatne to be used.

HARDENING PLATINUM— Crude plati-
num, as it comes from the mines, almost
always contains other metals of the platinum
group, among them iridium; earlier workers
in the metal knew that some lots of platinum
were harder than others, but it is only recent-
ly that the metal has been carefully purified,
and systematically alloyed with iridium, to
various desired grades of hardness. Thus a
so-called 10-% platinum is 10 parts iridium
and no parts pure platinum. For all practical
purposes, 25%-platinum is about the limit for
metal used in manufacturing jewelry.

As iridium now costs nearly double what
platinum does — $85.00 per ounce, the desira-
bility of saving this metal when remelting
scrap and filings is apparent. And this is ac-
complished by the jeweler who does his own
remelting. The melter may also be used to
raise or lower the iridium content, to any de-
sired per-cent.

THE COST— The cost of melting platinum
varies according to the kind of gas used,
and also from other causes. The man who
has very large melts lowers the cost over
that one who runs down only a few penny-
weights. The maximum costs, with the
"Phoenix" will usually be in the vicinity of
10c an ounce — half a cent a pennyweight,
while the lowest cost I have any recoid of is
about one and a half cents an ounce.

CONVENIENCE— This utensil renders all
scrap, of every grade of hardness, instantly
available for actual use, and thus permits a
jeweler to carry smaller stocks of metal — as
one manufacturer recently expressed it, "We
get along now with a surplus of 500 penny-
weights, whereas in the past we required
three times that (|uantity."

A. New^ Pattern Plate Material.

Under the name of "Tlatonite" a new com-
position for making pattern plates is being
placed on the market by ^Murphy, Stedtnan &
Co., Ltd. ISO Gray's Inn Road, London, W. C.
England. The material is supplied in the
form of a powder accompanied by a li(iuid
for mixing with it, the liquid being neither
corrosive or imflammable.

When correctly proportioned, the material
sets in the course of a few. hours, into an ex-
cessively hard, .stone-like composition with an
excellent face. It is understood the correct
chemical composition is obtained only by using
the right proportion of liquid and water.

The materials, after mixing, are poured on
to the sand mold in the same way as pattern
plate metal. Before pouring, however, the
mold, which should be of very fine sand,
mixed with old machine oil and molasses,
should be sprayed with a solution of paraffine
in benzine or benzol (in tlie proportion of 1
to 9) and after the spray has evaporated it is
advantageous to powder the mold with talc or
soapstone. This gives a coating which will
prevent the sand from adhering to the result-
ing pattern plate.

The composition, it is stated, is unlike
cement in that it does not shrink or swell
upon setting. It gives a perfect delineation
of the pattern and if used as previously out-
lined, the plate will have a fine hard surface.
It is necessary to varnish it ,any molding sand
which adheres to it being brushed or scraped
ofl^.

]\Iercury is the only metal that is liquid at
ordinary temperatures. It becomes solid only
when the temperature reaches about 40 de-
grees F. below the freezing point (32°). At
this temperature it is malleable and ductile
and can be cut with a knife.

^rilE BRASS WORI-E)

CHemicals Used in Electro-
Plating.

Double NicKel Salts.

Double nickel salts are the standard salts
used for nickel plating and it was not until
Dr. Isaac Adams, the discoverer of nickel
plating, found that a good nickel deposit
could be produced by their use that nickel
began to be deposited in a commercial man-
ner. Tlie employment of double nickel salts
marks the beginning of the nickel plating in-
dustry.

chlorides and a very large number of other
double compounds.

The double nickel salts, composed of the
sulphate of nickel and the sulphate of am-
monia in the right proportions, are a green
material which crystallizes in large, transpar-
ent crystals that are quite beautiful when well
foriTied and of considerable size. The double
nickel salts are made from the single salts
by the addition of the necessary amount of
sulphate of ammonia, when dissolved in
v;ater, and the solution is then evaporated and
crystallized. The single nickel salts are made
by dissolving oxide of nickel in sulphuric acid

i^*

Double Nickel Salts ( Nickel Ammonium Sulphate.

Double nickel salts are a combination of
sulphate of nickel (called single salts) and
sulphate of ammonia. A large number of
double salts are known in chemistry and they
are composed of two single single salts which
combine in molecular proportion to form a
salt which is apparently, as far as appearance
is concerned, a single salt and cry^stallizes per-
fectly without any indication that there are
two salts present. The double nickel salts are
?. good example of this fact and there are also
many others. Iron forms a double sulphate
with sulphate of ammonia. There are double

and then evaporating to form crystals.

To make the double nickel salts from the
single salts, the following amounts of the
smgle salts (sulphate of nickel) and sul-
phate of ammonia should be used :

Sulphate of Nickel 2 lbs.

Sulphate of Ammonia 1 lb.

The two salts are dissolved in just enough
water to take them up and the solution is
then evaporated so that a thin pellicle forms
on the surface and allowed to cool. Crystals
of the double sulphate of nickel and ammonia
(double nickel salts) will form.

THE BRASS WORLD

111 nickel iilating, the object of the sulphate
of ammonia is to impart a sufficient electrical
conductivity to the solution. The single salt
(sulphate of nickel) is not a sufficiently good
corductor to allow nickel plating to be satis-
factorily done and hence the sulphate of am-
monia is used to increase it to the right
amount. The use of the double sulphate
of nickel and annnnnia was the basic claim in
the original patent of Dr. Isaac Adams.

The quantity of nickel contained in the
single and double nickel salts is as follows:
Nickel in Double Salts . . . 14.85% Nickel
Nickel in .Single Salts .. 20.887o Nickel
The old method of making the single nickel
salts, which were afterwards made into the
double salts, by the addition of sulphate of
ammonia, was by dissolving metallic nickel in
nitric acid and then evaporating with sul-
phuric acid, to drive off the nitric acid. This
is an unsatisfactory method for the reason
that several evaporations are required in
order to free the salts completely from the
nitric acid. Even a slight trace of nitric acid
in the plating solution will greatly affect the
deposit, and Dr. Isaac Adams laid great stress,
in his original patent, on the necessity of hav-
ing the nickel salts free from this acid. It
has been said that his patent was unique for
the reason that it was granted upon some-
thing that ought not -to be done (keeping the
nitric acid out of it). He regarded this the
essential feature of the patent and it was
stated that the presence of nitric acid in the

solution was the reason for the failure of
previous attempts at nickel plating.

The double and nickel salts are known by

several names. The double salts are known

by the following designations :

Double Nickel Salts.

Sulphate of Nickel and Annnonia.

Nickel and .Annnoninni Sulphate.

Do'.dile Sulphate of Nickel and Ammonia.
The names used to designate the single

sails are as follows :

Single Nickel Salts.

Sulphate of Nickel.

Nickel Sulphate.

The common trade names, however, are the

doiible and single nickel salts.

Correspondence.

Silver Cyanide and Copper
Cyanide.

Editor :

Please be advised that in connection with
the introduction of Trisalyt, we have decided
to manufacture silver cyanide and copper
cyanide and are now doing so on a conuuer-
cial scale.

Trisalyt is giving excellent satisfaction as its
growing consumption fully testifies, both for
new solutions and for replenishing old ones.
We have, however, had instances where,
under certain conditions, the bath made up
with silver Trisalyt worked very hard and de-
veloped an excess of free cyanide which would
not make further addition of Trisalyt ad-
visable on account of the fact that it already
contains a sufficient amount of free cyanide.

We have ,therefore, decided to put these
salts on the market for replenishing purposes
as they contain the highest possible metal con-
tent and a very low percentage of cyanogen.
Silver cyanide contains 80.5 per cent, of silver,
and copper cyanide contains 70 per cent, of
copper. They contain absolutely no inert ma-
terial, the balance of the salt, with the ex-
ception of the metal, being cyanogen. Thus
the Trisalyt solutions which, under these
conditions develop free cyanide previously
mentioned, can be brought to standard with
the use of these salts, after which Trisalyt is
again used.

Rocsslcr & Haasl'achcr Chemical Co.
Nczv York City By C. Dittiiiar.

December 2?,rd. .

AnotHer AlviminuTn Alloy.

Aluminum cannot be deposited from an
aqueous solution except at an extremely high
current density. The deposit thus obtained is
of no value.

Another aluminum alloy has been paten. ed
by \\'alter N. Naylor of lM)rest Hill, Dondor,
England and Stanley P. Button of Bechen-
ham, England. It is as follows:

Aluminum 93.89%

Magnesium 4.98%

5% Phosphor-Tin 0.73%

Phosphorus 0.49%

No mention is made of uses for this pe-
culiar alloy. The use of both phosphorus and
phosphor-tin is seemingly unnecessary and
would indicate a lack of understanding of the
principles of non-ferrous metallurgy.

TIEE BRASS WORLD

Effect of Press AVorK on the
Season-CracKing of Brass.

The season-cracking of brass is almost in-
variabh' found in instances where the brass
has been drawn or otherwise worked. It
does not appear to have been found in cast
or similar articles, and while it is now and
then located in annealed brass goods, such
cracks as may appear are usually a case of

Fig.

A Piece of " Season^Cracked " Brass Sheet.

crystallization and are liruught about by ex-
ternal influences such as compounds contain-
ing ammonia or similar agents. This, how-
ever, is comparatively rare and by far the
greater number of instances of the cracking
of brass is on drawn brass and are season-
cracks, pure and simple.

Season-cracks do not appear to be confined
to yellow brass alone, so that one cannot say,
therefore, that the brass itself is alone subject
to it, but other metals as well occasionally
show it. Soft metals, such as copper, soft
bronze, etc., are not subject to it but the hard
metals, which have been drawn will usually
crack under the right conditions. Aluminum-
bronze, which hardens rapidly when rolled or
drawn is subject to it and as this alloy is of
a different nature than brass, it is apparent
that zinc is not the cause of the cracking.

Season-cracks are caused by internal strains
in the brass. This fact is the reason why the
cracks appear in drawn brass goods. Those
which are annealed do not show it. Neither
do those which have been properly drawn.
With those which have been drawn in a press
in an imperfect manner, strains are set up
which finally result in actually pulling the
metal apart. Let the matter be analyzed more
thoroughly.

A thick seamless drawn brass tube is a good
example of an object in which strains can be
set up. When this is drawn through a die
in a manner so that only the outside layer is
worked, and it is drawn quite hard so that
there is left little elongation and reduction of
area, the inside is left comparatively soft and
the outside drawn hard so that there is al-
ways a tendency for the outside layer of metal
to pull away from the inside. If the tube is
now annealed, the strain will frequently
cause the tube to crack and open up at the
end like a flower, bending outwards. The
strain on the outside pulls the metal from
the inside causing an outward bending with
the flower-like appearance. On the other
hand if the tube is not annealed, but is left
in its hard-drawn condition, it will probably
crack in the same manner in time. How long
a time will depend upon the condition of
drawing, but if it does occur the end of the
tube may have the appearance identical witli
that of the tube which has been annealed.
Fire-cracks and season-cracks are, therefore,
produced by the same cause, viz. internal
strains in the brass.

Fig. 2. Illustrating What is Meant by Poor Drawing.

In the case of sheet brass that has been
drawn in the press, the effect is the same as
that of the previously mentioned tube. Strains
are set up in the brass which, under the in-
fluence of time, cause the metal to be pulled
apart. In Fig. 1 is shown a piece of a shell
of drawn brass which badly season-cracked.
This was of ordinarv vellow brass sheet and

THE BRASS >VORLI>

had cracked only after a lapse of a number of
years. It is illustrated to indicate the appear-
ance of a season-cracked article of brass and
how it will appear after a long time. At first,
there was no indication of cracking in the
•shell, but after about a year small cracks
•could be seen and finally became the size in-
dicated in I*"ig. 1.

Sheet metal is drawn in a press by means
of a punch and die. The die, of course, is the
shape of the outside of the shell while the
punch determines that of the inside. It seems
a very simple matter to form a shell like that
shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and so it is, but the
difference between good and poor press work
will determine whether the shell will season-
crack or not.

Fig. 3. Appearance of Good Drawing.

If the brass is simply formed into shape
"by the punch and die and the metal is not
worked or stretched in any way, it will be
pretty likely that it will season-crack as there
will be strains set up in the metal which will
cause an uneven tension to exist and that will
result in the ultimate tearing apart of the
shell. On the other hand, if the shell is
drawn so tliat the metal is actually stretched
even a slight amount, season cracking will be
prevented. In connection with this important
part of the drawing of brass shells, the fol-
lowing observations on the making of objects
■of brass by means of the press were published
in The Brass World, July , page 237, the
author of which was Edgar P. Webster, an
■expert in the drawing of metals. In connec-

tion with the season-cracking of drawn brass
shells, he said :

"A large quantity of drawn brass shells
were made from sheet in a drawing press.
The relative shape of tlie die and force was
such that the brass was not stretched in any
way. The shell was formed and that was all.
When the shells were finished, they had small
wrinkles or corrugations on the surface. Not
enough to be conspicuous, however, but never-
theless, suflicient to indicate that the metal had
not been stretched at all. They somewhat re-
sembled, though not as prominently, of course,
that of Fig. 2. (This is not an actual drawn
shell, but a piece of sheet metal made to il-
lustrate it.)

The shells were placed in barrels and set
one side, and within a short time all of them
had split open. After giving the matter much
consideration, it was decided to shrink the die
a small amount so that the metal in the shell
would actually be stretched a small amount
so that it would be drawn and not "formed".
This w^as done and the result was that all the
shells came out right and without the for-
mation of any season-cracks.

I shall not attempt to comment on the theory
of this method of preventing the season-
cracking of drawn brass shells, as it seems
difficult to explain. The fact remains, how-
ever, that if the sheet brass is drawn in a
press in such a manner that the metal is only
formed into shape and not stretched at all,
season-cracking will undoubtedly take place.
The method of preventing season-cracks is to
make the die so that the metal will be
stretched a small amount. If forming has
taken place and the metal has not been
stretclied the surface will usually have
wrinkles like those shown in Fig. 2. On the
other hand, if the metal has been stretched it
will have a smooth appearance resembling
Fig. 3. I do not know of any better ex-
pression than to say that the metal must be
"ironed-out". The object is to stretch the
brass to a slight degree."

Alercury is slightly volatile at ordinary tem-
peratures, and for this reason, it is considered
dangerous to spill it on a floor upon which it
will remain in the cracks and slowly volatilize,
becoming dangerous to health. This fact ma}'
be proved by suspending" a leaf of gold in a
vessel over mercury when it will become
coated with a white laver of mercury.

THE BRASS ^VORLD

Hard YelloAV Brass Castings.

Yellow brass castings which are to be ma-
chined must be sufficiently soft to admit of
free cutting at the necessary speed on the
lathe or other machine tool employed for the
purpose. If the castings are hard the out-
put is, necessarih-, decreased on account of
the need for running the machine slower than
would otherwise be required.

Hard Brass Casting.

A yellow brass casting may be soft as far
as the metallurgical term is concerned, and
yet be hard in the cutting sense. In tlie brass
finishing trade the tenu "hard" is applied to
metals which do not cut freel}' and is used
more frequently to de.'^ignate a tough metal.
"\ellow brass which does not contain enough
lead to render it free cutting is called hard,
yet the metal is soft. In other cases the metal
may actually be hard.

.■^ manufacturer of gas fixtures recently
foimd that his castings were coming hard, yet
the mixture seemed right in appearance and
had a true yellow color. The cocks particu-
larly, were the ones which showed this hard-
ness. The following analysis was made of a
sample of a hard casting:

Copper 65.427o

Zinc 29.257o

Lead 4.58%

Tin none

Iron .56^0

This analysis indicates that the mixture, as
far as the copper and zinc are concerned is
correct and were these two metals to de-
cide the matter, the brass should not be hard.
The lead is present in a sufficient quantity to
render the mixture very free turning. The
cause of the hardening is the iron and it is
present in an amount sufficient to produce a
noticeable hardening of the brass.

The brass was made entirely from scrap
and how many times it has been melted over
is unknown, but the fact remains that iron
was introduced in a quantity sufficient to
harden the castings so that it was quite
noticeable in the machining.

A New Process for Cleaning

Iron or Steel for Tinning

or Galvanizing'.

A novel process for cleaning iron or steel
for galvanizing has recently been patented by
J. A. Hatfield and Charles R. Yates of New-
port, England (U. S. Patent, 1,080,059). The-
process is as follows :

The iron or steel, with scale or rust on the
surface, is coated with a solution of water-
glass by means of brushing or by a suitable
pair of rolls. The strength of this solution
may vary from 75° to 175° Twaddell. The
plate or other article is then dried to evapo-
rate the water and then heated to a tempera-
ture of from 700° to 850° C. so that the water
glass will fuse and completely coat the iron or
steel surface.

The fused water glass is then removed by
bending, mangling or flattening the plate or
article. It may also be removed by hydro-
fluoric acid when it is then ready for galvaniz-
ing or tinning. The fused water glass re-
moves whatever oxide may be on tlie surface.

The inventors state that in some instances
the plate or article may be immersed in the
bath of molten metal after the water glass lias
fused on the surface and without removing
it. This method, however, apparently applies
to coating the iron or steel with a metal of a
high melting point such as copper.

No successful method has yet been found
for depositing silver in any solution which:
does not contain cvanide.

THE BRASS >VORJLX>

TKe Hot Tinning of Iron and
Steel.

THe PicKling.

Tinning is like plating, inasmuch as the sur-
face of the iron or steel to be tinned must be-
that it shall be free from oxide. The slightest
particle of scale or rust on the surface will
prevent the tin from adhering to this particu-
lar spot and there will result a black spot on
the surface of the tinned articles. To remove
the rust and scale from the surface of the
iron or steel to be tinned, pickling must be
resorted to.

The pickle that is the most satisfactory and
the cheapest is oil of vitriol (sulphuric acid).
This is used in the proportion of 9 parts of
water and 1 part of acid and makes what is
known as a dilute acid or pickle. Strong sul-
phuric acid will not act upon iron at all and it
is carried in iron tank cars. As soon as water
is added, however, it will attack it. The pro-
portion of 9 parts of water to 1 of acid has
been found excellent for ordinary pickling.

The articles to be pickled should be free
from grease or oil for the reason that the
acid will not attack a greasy surface. Resort
may be had to tumbling in sawdust, cleaning
in benzine, or in a hot potash or lye solution,
depending upon the character of the goods.
Some goods or those which are clean can be
pickled direct.

All work should be pickled, no matter
whether it may look clean or not. A bright
surface may have a bright appearance but still
have a him of rust on it that will prevent the
successful adherence of the tin. In this case,
however, a very short pickling only is re-
quired or just enough to allow the acid to
"bite" a little as this will insure a clean sur-
face.

The pickle is made up by adding the sul-
phuric acid to the water. If the water is added
to the sulphuric acid, the latter being so much
heavier, will not mix with it. but the water
will remain on the surface of the acid,
generating heat and finally result in the water,
with some of the acid being thrown out of
the vessel in which it is placed on account
of the boiling following. Always pour the
acid into the water and stir while it is being
poured. Heat is generated, of course, but this
will not harm anything. The pickle works
mnre rapidly when it is warm and if one de-

sires a pickle that will work to the best ad-
vantage and quickly, means should be had
for heating it up. A coil of lead pipe,
through which steam can be passed is the
best method of heating the pickle. A tem-
perature of from 120 to 150 degrees F. is suit-
able. The pickle may be held in a stone crock,
if a small quantity is used, but in large quanti-
ties a lead lined tank is the best, although
a wood tank unlined may be used. The lead
lining is preferable, however, and is easily
made. The lead should be of good thickness
in order to guard against puncture should ar-
ticles drop into the tank, and the seams should
be burned together and not soldered. Solder
soon becomes eaten away by the acid.

The pickling of the iron or steel articles is
effected by immersing them in the acid. The
pickle removes the scale or rust and only
slightly attacks the iron or steel base. The
length of time required for the pickling will
depend upon the amount of rust or scale
present. If a little rust only is present the
pickling may take but five or ten minutes, but
if scale is present, as it frequently is on metal
that has been heated, then longer time is re-
quired as it dissolves with more difficulty than
the rust.

When the rust or scale has been removed,
which can be ascertained by inspecting the ar-
ticles they should be removed from the pickle
so that no further action will take place to
roughen or pit the surface of the iron or steel.

To prevent rusting again of the articles be-
fore tinning, in case it cannot be done im-
mediately, they should be rinsed in cold
water thoroughly, to remove the acid which
adheres to them, and then, zcithottt drying,
immersed in a solution of sal-soda made by
dissolving 1 lb. of sal-soda in a gallon of
water. If the articles are kept immersed in
this, they will remain almost indefinitely, with
out further rusting. If they are allowed to
dry after pickling and rinsing, rusting will
immediately follow. It will also follow if hot
water is used for rinsing as it will dry off
from the surface almost immediately leaving
a dry surface. Dry surfaces, of course, al-
wavs rust if the metal is chemically clean.

According to Junge, bismuth does not ap-
preciably affect the rolling qualities of lead
and even 2 per-cent has no marked influence
on it as the lead can be rolled into sheet
easily and appears to have a malleability equal
to that of pure lead.

THE BRASS WORLD

TKe Jobbing Plater.

A. Rtistx Job.

A plumber brought a lot of rusty pipe fit-
tings into my shop and wanted them electro-
galvanized. He said they were part of a job
which, according to specifications, called for
galvanizing. He had a lot of these fittings
on hand, otherwise he would have bought the
fittings and pipe already galvanized.

It looked like a tough job, but as he was a
good customer of mine, on other kinds of
work, I did not want to turn him down with-
out seeing what I could do. In looking over

The Rusty Job.

the stuff, I came to the conclusion that it
would not pay at all to polish the fittings as
it would take too much time and cost too
much. I then tried pickling, but apparently
the rust was greasy in some places as the
pickle did not act on it. Grease probably ad-
hered to the work after it was rusted.

It occurred to me, of course, that the grease
must be removed for pickling as it would
have to be for plating. I had a solution of
strong hot potash for cleaning off japan from
iron work and I used this for removing the
grease. I left the work in the potash longer
than I intended to, but it seemed to do good.
The grease was, of course, removed and the

rust seemed to be softened so that the pickle
acted evenly and rapidly and left the surface
clean and bright. 1 used a pickle composed
of 1 part of oil of vitriol and 9 parts of water.
I would advise all platers, who have to
pickle rusty iron or steel, to first soften the
rust in a strong, hot potash solution. It
works to a charm and the rust can then be
removed evenly and rapidly and an excellent
surface is obtained for further treatment. If
not, the rust seems to come off in spots only.

The fittings, much to my astonishment,
were fairly smooth after pickling, and as
electrogalvanizing, of course, requires no
buffing, the zinc deposit could be put in direct.
I used the following solution which has al-
ways given me good results :

Water 1 gallon

Sulphate of Zinc 2 lbs.

Sulphate of Alumina 4 oz.

Sal-Ammoniac 2 oz.

I was lucky to come out as well as I did
with the job. ^ly customer was well satis-
fied with the job and the price. The softening
of the rust in hot potash, previous to pick-
ling, was apparently the solution of the pro-
blem. Had I polished the fitting all over, it
would have brought the cost so high that my
customer would have "kicked" badly and I
miaht have lost his other business.

Iron Pots for Melting Cyanide.

Large quantities of cyanide are now used
for case-hardening steel and it is used in the
molten condition. Iron pots have always
been used for this purpose and have been
found quite satisfactory. Tliey will, of
course, deteriorate in time. They have been
found as satisfactory as any material for this
purpose and are, of course, cheap.

Nickel stands molten alkalies better than
other common metals and potash or soda can
be melted in them without danger of the ves-
sel being attacked. It is possible, that cyanide
can be melted in a nickel kettle satisfactorily
and obtain a much longer life on it. As far as
known, this has not been tried.

Silver oxide is formed when a solution of
caustic potash, lime water, or baryta water are
added to a solution of a silver salt, such as
the nitrate. It is a brownish material which,
when dried, is a fine powder. When heated
red hot, oxygen escapes and pure silver is
left.

-Z'Z

THE BRASS >VORUD

Use of Carbonate of NicKel as

a BrigHtei\er for Brass

Solutions.

The common substance used for producin.^-
a bright surface on a brass deposit is arsenic,
but it is open to the objection that nuich care
is required in its use, otherwise it will pro
(luce a streaked or pale deposit. With the
exception of these objections, arsenic is sat-
isfactory.

A ver\- satisfactory l)rightener, and one
uliich is now used to quite an extent, is car-
bonate of nickel. This substance does not
ai)pear to be open to the objection of arsenic
and an excess does not injure the brass de-
posit. If a very large excess is used, the
deposit becomes pink.

The carbonate of nickel should be in the
plastic condition so that it will dissolve easily
and is made by precipitating or throwing
down a solution of sulphate of nickel by
means of sal-soda. The method is as follows :

Dissolve 8 oz. of sing-le nickel salts in 1
gullon of water and heat nearly to boiling.
Then add to it a strong solution of sal-soda
until no more precipitate forms. The sola
tion should be stirred while the precipitation
is taking place. A green precipitate is thrown
down which is the carbonate of nickel.

The carbonate of nickel thus formed should
be allowed to settle and the clear liquid
pnnred off. Fresh, hot water is then added
and the whole stirred and allowed to settle
again and the clear liquid poured off once
more. Now pour the carbonate of nickel on
a filter and drain off the liquid. Then wash
several times with clean, hot water and it is
ready for use.

The carbonate of nickel should not be
allowed to dry as it will then become hard
and lumpy and dissolve with difficulty. Init
in the plastic condition, it dissolves very
easily.

The addition of the carbonate of nickel ti>
the brass solution is easily done. Tlie pro-
portions used are as follows :

Brass Solution 100 gallons

Plastic Carbonate of Xickel 1 pint

If this is not enough, more can be added as
long as the color of the deposit is un-
changed. A large excess, as previously men-
tioned, will cause the deposit to have a pink
sliade.

The carbonate of nickel can be added direct
to the brass solution, although, theoretically.

it will change the amount of free cyanide in
it. The amount of carbonate of nickel is so
small, however, that little difficulty will be
experienced in this direction. The best meth-
od, of Course, is to dissolve the carbonate of
nickel in just enough cyanide solution to take
it up and add this to the brass solution.

Is tHe QuicK Dip Necessary- in
Silver Plating?

The quick or blue dip is used in silver plat-
ing to bind the silver to the base metal. At
least this is what the text books tell us. It
is supposed to be of value more particularly in
the silver plating of German-silver. The use
of the quick dip is quite old and dates back
to the very inception of the art of silver plat-
ing in the '40s. Roseleur, in hi.-? "Galvano-
plastic Manipulations" goes into its employ-
ment more or less extensively and recom-
mends its tise in the electrodeposition of gold,
but it is rarely used in this line of work to-
day.

The quick-dip consists of a weak solution
containing mercury into which the article to
be plated is dipped previous to the electro-
deposition of the silver. A slight film of
mercury is deposited by simple immersion
which, when of the right degree of thickness,
has a bluish color, hence the name "blue-dip."

Although used by the largest and best con-
cerns doing silver plating, the question has
recently come up, whether it is nnt super-
fluous? From some of the arguments set
forth, it would seem that it is. Ask a silver
plater if it is necessary ,and he will say that
it is a safeguard, and while silver plating can
be done without it, it is an insurance that the
silver deposit will hold better. This is all
right as far as it goes, but there are some ar-
guments on the other side that will offset this
belief.

Unless made up fresh, a quick-dip will leave
a brownish stain on the metal which, of
course, is the cause of the silver not adhering
in many instances. The formation of such a
brown color or stain on the work naturally in-
dicates that one is worse off than if he should
eliminate the quick-dip entirely. It is parti-
cularly apt to form when a (juick-dip is made
by dissolving a mercury salt in cyanide.

Another danger is that of using the solu-
tion too strong or leaving the work in too

THE BRASS WORLD

long, when a heavy deposit of mercury will
be formed on the work. This is apt to cause
season-cracks in the work, and particularly
on German-silver hollow-ware.

There are many platers, and those who have
done good work for years, who have never
used a quick dip at all, and yet their work
■compares equally with others who do use it.
An excellent argument against the quick-dip
on flat-ware was recently put forth by a
very experienced silver plater and one who
ranks among the highest in the United States.
He has stated that he has found in a number
of instances, quick dips that have been ex-
hausted and still were being used from day
to day. No difference was found in the quali-
ty of the work and the burnishers, who are
the barometers of the quality of the silver
deposit, made no complaint. This was not
alone in one instance, but in a number. The
employee who has charge of the quick-dip
had neglected to make it up fresh and the
mercury had all been exhausted while the
quality of the work did not appear to suffer.

It is believed that with the care now used
in cleaning work and the use of a satisfac-
tory strike, the quick-dip can be dispensed
with.

A New MetKod of Making
Table "W^are.

A new method of making table cutlery has
recently been patented by Charles F. Smith of
New Britain, Conn. The method used may
be understood by referring to the sketch here-
with shown:

In carrying out the invention, the handle
blank A is first cut out of sheet metal to the
form shown in Fig. 1. It is next shaped by
proper dies to the form shown in Fig. 2. It
is next bent up into approximately finished
shape as shown in Fig. 3, the abutting edges
of the handle being separated sufficiently to
permit of the insertion of the tang of the
blade. There is thus produced a handle hav-
ing formed integrally with it a bolster B con-
nected by the reduced neck C. The handle as
thus far completed is now thoroughly tinned
inside and out. The blade D has a tang E
with notches F F in its edges, the tang end
of the blade being tinned to about the point
indicated by the dotted lines X X. The tang
of the blade is now inserted in the handle

with its notches registering with the reduced
neck C. The handle is next closed down onto
the tang and its abutting edges set fimly to-
gether by a swaging operation causing the
sides of the reduced neck to bear upon the
sides of the tang and the edges interlock with
the notches in the edges of the tang, to se-
curely position the blade. The handle is
again immersed in a tinning bath which se-
curely solders the abutting edges of the handle
together and the bolster to the blade. The
small aperture A' which is necessary in order
to give the proper form to the reduced neck
portion is closed up in the setting and tinning
operations.

Ihff.l.

^iy.2

j'-i^.e.

C B

Method of Making the Handles.

The handle and the tang end of the blades
having been thoroughly tinned before as-
sembling the final tinning operation after the
parts are assembled effects a thorough and
complete soldering of the contacting edges
of the handle and the contacting surfaces of
the handle and the blade, strengthening the
completed article and effectually closing all
openings in the handle preventing the en-
trance of water or the accumulation of foreign
substances.

The purest lead of commerce is called "de-
silverized" and from which the silver and
other metals practically all have been removed.

THE BR^SS WORiJ)

A New Process for Producing

a BlacK, Rust-Proof Coating

on Iron and Steel.

A new method of producing a black, rust
proof coating on iron or steel has recently
been patented by William R. Swan of the
Bontempi Rust-Proofing Company of Bridge-
port, Conn. The method is an improved and
modified Bower-Barff process. The invention
is described by the inventor in the following
manner :

"The present invention relates to a new and
novel process for the treatment of sucli
metals as iron and steel to form a permanent
black finish thereon, the said black finish be-
ing rust resisting under various atmospheric
conditions and the ordinary conditions of use.

The object of the invention is to provide
a process of this character which produces a
durable and inexpensive finish upon the metal,

a muffle furnace, together with a quantity of
copper sulphate, sal-ammoniac or aluminum
chloride, tannin, and glucose. These chemi-
cals may be placed in the furnace in any man-
mer, as a mixture in a single tray, and any
suitable proportion of the chemicals may be
employed, although 1 have found by experi-
ment that the chemicals can be advantageously
used in an ordinary muffle furnace in the
following proportions :

Copper sulphate 5/6 part,

Sal-ammoniac 1/36 " ,

Tannin 1/18 " ,

Glucose 1/12 " ,

The iron or steel articles together with the
chemicals which have been placed in the
muffle furnace are heated to about ° Fahr.
and superheated steam injected into the fur-
nace for a period of about thirty minutes. The
steam for this purpose may be drawn from an
ordinary water steam boiler at about five

Sketch Illustrating the Method of Producing the Black Finish on Iron or Steel.

which does not require numerous and repeated
treatments of the metal, and which only re-
quires a few minutes of time, whereas those
processes now in common use require from
two to eight hours.

With this and other objects in view, the
process consists in treating the metal by suc-
cessive steps in a novel manner as will be
hereinafter described.

One form of apparatus for carrying out
the process is illustrated by the accompany-
ing drawing in which the figure is a vertical
sectional view through a muffle furnace and a
super-heater.

The iron or steel articles upon which it is
desired to produce the permanent black finish
are first placed in a suitable chamber such as

pounds pressure and superheated in any con-
ventional manner. After the iron and steel
articles have thus been heated in the muffle
furnace and subjected to the action of super-
heated steam in the presence of the chemicals
they are withdrawn from the furnace and per-
mitted to cool, after which they are sub-
merged in paraffin oil which has been heated
to a temperature of about 150° Fahr. The
articles which have thus been treated are per-
mitted to dry by exposure to the air, and a
dead black rust resisting coating is thereby
provided. The pores of the metal will be
opened up as it expands under the action of
the heat, and this dead black heat rust resist-
ing coating will penetrate into the metal as far
as this opening up of the pores will permit.

THE BRASS ^VOlil^D

The copper sulphate is a metallic salt and
apparently forms the base on the metal which
resists the rust, the other chemicals produc-
ing the finish which with the warmed parafiin
oil gives the dead black desired. Should a
heavier coating be desired, this can be ob-
tained by a repetition of the process, although
this is ordinarily not necessary.

It is not absolutely necessary to use tannin
as an ingredient of the compound, and the
tannin may be entirely omitted, if desired,
although it has been found that a somewhat
better finish is obtained where this ingredient
is used."

Rust-Proof NicKel Plated Steel
or Iron.

Rust proof nickel deposits on iron or steel
has always been a difficult job. Some platers
have always maintained that it is impossible
unless some intermediate deposit, such as
copper, is put on. This is true in the case of
small steel goods, such as buckles for sus-
penders and supporter trimmings that are sub-
jected, while in use to the corrosive perspira-
tion of the body. The use of a preliminary
deposit upon which the nickel is deposited is
practically out of the question. Much thought
has been given the subject of producing a rust
proof nickel deposit on small steel goods and
so far it has not been accomplished. The sim-
ple nickel coating does not seem to answer,
and manufacturers seem to agree that there
is no such thing as a rust proof nickel deposit,
as far as small steel goods are concerned.

Small steel goods, such as buckles, supporter
trimmings etc., are invariably nickel plated in
barrels. If they were wired or plated on
racks, the cost would be so high that they
could not be sold. The use of a preliminary
copper deposit on the buckle adds to the cost
and if only a cyanide copper is used, the cost
is doubled, at least, and the use of an acid
copper is practically out of the question, as
far as barrel plating is concerned for the
reason that it does not "throw" well in a plat-
ing barrel. A zinc deposit would be satisfac-
tory, of course, but it is difficult to nickel plate
over it so as to make a good job. The
acid copper, then, is really the only "salvation"
for the production of a really rust proof coat-
ing and this requires the following method to
be used :
1. The buckles or other metal goods must

first be given a deposit in a cyanide copper
solution, preferably hot.

2. An acid copper deposit must then be put
on. Upon this the rust proof quality of the
finished goods depends and, as previously men-
tioned, it cannot be done in a barrel satisfac-
torily, rack work will have to be done. In
addition, a heavy, or fairly heavy deposit will
have to be put on with the liability of a slight
roughness.

3. The goods will then have to be tumbled
with steel balls or similar treatment to pro-
duce a smooth surface on account of the
heavy acid copper deposit not being smooth.

4. The nickel deposit is now put on the acid
copper.

It will be appreciated, therefore, how ex-
pensive this treatment is and it is out of the
question for the treatment of small metal
goods. It would be cheaper, no doubt, to
make them of brass and nickel plate them.

For large iron or steel goods, which are
plated on racks, it will be found very satis-
factory to use an acid copper deposit previous
to nickel plating as it will give a rust proof
coating of a high grade. The method is as
follows :

Give the iron or steel a preliminary copper
deposit in a hot cyanide copper solution. By
this is meant one that is warm (say from 120
to 150 degrees F.) as it has great covering
power and produces a deposit of good color
and texture. It is less apt to blister and holds
more tenaciously. It is absolutely necessary
to have the iron or steel article well covered
with the preliminary copper deposit for the
reason that any spots not coated -will be acted
upon by the acid copper solution and an im-
perfect deposit then produced. As well
known, of course, iron or steel cannot be
plated direct in an acid copper solution, and
this is the reason why the preliminary cyan-
ide copper deposit is required.

The copper deposit from the acid copper so-
lution is now put on and it should be heavy
in order to obtain the necessary thickness for
a rust proof coating. One might naturally be-
lieve that the preliminary copper deposit from
the cyanide copper solution would be satis-
factory, if sufficiently heavy and that there
would be no need of an acid copper deposit.
The reason is that it is difficult to obtain a
heavy copper deposit from a cyanide solution,
but from an acid copper solution it is easy and
it will be soft and tough.

THE BRASS WORLD

Wlu'ii the necessary thickness of acid
copper has been put on (which will take
from 30 minutes to 1 hour) the surface of the
article is then buffed so as to obtain a smooth
finish for the nickel deposit. A heavy acid
copper of this kind will be slightly rough.

Then nickel plate in the usual manner and
there will be obtained a real!}- rust proof
nickel deposit.

A New Cold Rolling Mill.

A new type of cold rolling mill has recently
been brought out by the Standard .Machinery
Co.. 7 Beverly St., Providence, R. 1. The
mill is usually made with rolls .S inches in
diameter and 1(5 inch face, but other dimen-
sions may be supplied when desired.

The New Cold RoIling=Mill.

The rolls are driven liy a type HF Westing-
liouse motor and a special controller and
special resistance coils which are in circuit
underneath the bed of the rolls. The operator
can with these rolls, start with heavy stock
and vary his speed as desired.

The mill is equipped with roller bearings
which result in the decrease in the horse-
power required from 3o% to 65%. The motor
used on this rolling mill is a 20 H. P. machine.

but were the roller bearings not used, a 30 H.
P. motor would be required.

The rolls in the mill are made of chrome-
steel alloy with hardened journals and
hardened bodies, while the face of the rolls
is mirror lapped.

MaKing Lacquer from CHinese
M^ood-Oil.

A patent has recently been issued to Arthur
Cohn of Neukolln, near Berlin, Germany (U.
S. Patent 1,080,100) for treating Chinese
wood-oil for the manufacture of lacquers. The
inventor makes the following statement in re-
gard to the use of the wood-oil and its sub-
sequent employment for the manufacture of a
lacquer or varnish :

"Chinese wood oil dries more quickly and
produces a harder surface than other drying
oils, but it has not been possible hitherto to
utilize it as a satisfactory varnish or lacquer
whether tliickened or not and whether com-
bined with driers or not, because it is very
liable to dry with a dead or reticulated sur-
face, particularly noticeable, for instance,
under gas light. A mixture of wood oil with
ethereal oils such as rectified turpentine oil,
pine oil, etc., or with volatile substances of
inorganic nature such as benzol, benzin, etc.,
does not produce a reliable lustrous film. For
these reasons wood oil has been capable of use
hitherto only in combination with large quan-
tities of solid or solid fying substances such as
resins, fatty oils, oil acids. Wood oil lacquer
made with resins becomes brittle too soon,
while w'.od oil in combination with fatty oils
such as linseed oil dries nuich more slowly
and softer than pure wood oil. Thus these ad-
ditions do not allow the exceedingly good
qualities of wood oil to appear except to a
very limited degree.

The present invention is an improved
process whereby wood oil can be made into
lacquers or varnishes which dry quickly with
a lustrous surface and hard elastic texture,
irrespective of the climate, light or tempera-
ture, with the use of only a small percentage
of a suitable drier and without the necessity of
any addition to the wood oil of other fatty
oils, resins and the like, such as have hereto-
fore been used. Tliis object is eft'ected by
adding to the wood oil, in addition to any de-
sired driers, terpenes and terpene turpentine
oil, pine oil and the like, which are ordinarily

THE BRASS WORLD

used in the manufacture of lacquer and which
have an average boiling point of from 153°
to 162° C. but give little or no help in remedy-
ing satisfactorily the above stated drawback.
An entirely different product and an improved
effect are obtained by adding to the wood oil,
instead of the oils ordinarily used, terpenes,
such as terpene oil, terpineol, and the like,
preferably having a minimum boiling point of
about 170° C."

Use of tKe Vacuum Cleaner in
Factories.

The ordmary method of cleaning a factory
floor is by means of the customary broom.
In the household, where electricity is at hand,
the vacuum cleaner has made great headway
and is extensively used, and has been found
a very satisfactory means for cleaning both
floors and other portions of the house.

CkTiNTee

INTERIOR VIEV/

Fig. I. The Exhauster Used with the Vacuum
Cleaner.

In the factory, however, where power is al-
ways had, the electric cleaner does not appear
to have made the headway that it should,
and it is quite sparingly used. In such fac-
tories, where power is always present, the ex-
pensive motor-driven cleaning outfit is un-
necessary and a simple rotary vacuum pump
is all that is required. Such a pump is made
by Leiman Bros., 62 John St., New York
City, and is illustrated in Fig. 1. This particu-
lar vacuum pump may be used for blowing
as well as suction if operated in an opposite
direction and, therefore can be used for sand-
blasts, blowpipes, gas furnaces, ec.

In addition to this blower or exhaust fan,
a separator is required to catch the dirt. This
can easily be made from a 40 quart milk-can
and at the expense of a couple of dollars can
be adapted for the work. A round hole is
cut in the cover in the manner shown in Fig.
2 and a pipe attached. The pipe or cleaning
hose used for the cleaning is attached to this.

The connection to the exhaust fan is made in
the bottom of the can as shown in the illus-
tration. This can is to act as a screen and
prevent the dirt from entering the exhauster.
To prevent this a bag of cloth is placed over
the mouth of the can in such a manner that
it reaches down into the can about three-
fourths of the depth. The lid of the can will
hold it in place.

Fig. 2. Manner of Making the Dust Collector.

There is a great advantage of the vacuum
cleaner in factories as it entirely eliminates,
dust, thus avoiding injuring work and
machinery. In silversmiths and manufactur-
ing jewelry establishments the cleaner will be
found particularly advantageous as it will save
the fine dust containing precious metals which
would otherwise be lost.

Plating with two white metals, such as
silver and nickel or silver and cadmium,
while possible cannot be called a commercial
success although it has been attempted from
time to time. There is no method of ascer-
taining what proportion of the two metals is
depositing and the constantly changing solu-
tion will cause tlie proportion to vary. In
the case of two different colored metals, such
as copper and zinc or gold and silver, the
color of the deposit will indicate whether the-
proportion l)eing deposited is riglit.

THE BRASS WORLX)

GrowtK of tHe Niagara AlRali
Company.

The Niagara Alkali Company of Niagara
Falls, N. Y. succeeded the Roberts Chemical
Co. of that city and which started to make a
pure caustic potash in about the year .
Up to tliis time nothing but a "first-sorts"'
potash had been made in the United States on
a large scale. This is nothing but a carbonate
of potash and is made by leaching out wood
ashes.

Reclaiming Old Tin Cans in
India.

American empty kerosene oil tins are large-
ly used in India as receptacles and for ful-
filling many of the purposes for which iron
buckets and pails might be used. Handles are
often attached to these empty tins, which are
thus utilized for carrying water about in a
household, and in many cases they are filled
with sand and deposited in large Government
and private offices for emergency in case of

%*-t{i|

Plant of the Niagara Alkali Co., Niagara Falls, N. Y.

The Niagara Alkali Company make their
potash from potassium chloride imported
from Germany. An electrolytic process is
used so that potash is obtained at one pole
and chlorine at the other. The chlorine is
made into a pure muriatic acid. The potash
obtained by this process is very pure and of a
grade which approximates the chemically pure
article.

Potash is extensively used in the plating in-
dustry, in the manufacture of soaps, in wool
scouring, and in the manufacture of a large
variety of chemicals. The Niagara Alkali
Company have just completed an addition to
their plant which will increase their output
from 6,000,000 to 20,000,000 pounds per year.

Mercury boils at 680°F. (360°C) and dis-
tills easily. In fact distillation is the method
used for obtaining and purifying it. Iron re-
torts are used as mercury does not attack this
metal.

fires, when the sand may be easily flung on
the blazing fire and thus extinguish it. Empty
kerosene tins also have a wide use as con-
tainers of ghee (clarified butter used by the
natives), and they are also put to use as
flower pots ; often they are flattened out and
small holes pierced into them to serve as win-
dows or peepholes, through which the ladies
of zenanas or harems may look out of their
houses without any risk of being seen them-
selves. These flattened-out tins also are
much used as roofing for many of the poorer
houses of natives. Empty kerosene oil tins
sell for about 4 cents each. — Daily Consular
and Trade Report.

Silver is the most perfect conductor of
electricity. In this respect it surpasses copper,
generally supposed to be the best conductor.
According to Matthiesen, if silver be taken
at 100, the electrical conductivity of copper is
from 72 to 77 and that of gold is 73.

THE BRASS WORLX)

At\ Appliance for Lacctuering
BedsteadTubing.

An appliance for lacquering bedstead tubing-
has been patented by W. \V. Vincent of the
Simmons Manufacturing Company of Keno-
sha, Wis. This company is the largest manu-
facturer of- metal beds in the United States.

Fig. 1. The Lathe for Holding and Revolving
the Tube.

The bedstead tubing is held in a lathe be-
tween centers as shown in Fig. 1 so that it
can be rotated. The centers are of tapered
metal so that an even fit can be obtained and
also so that a current of electricity may be
passed through. The tube is heated by the
passage of the electricity through it and this
is regulated by means of a suitable rheostat.

Fig. 2. Manner of Holding the Tube.

The necessary insulation so that the current
will pass through the tube is, of course, pro-
vided. The tube is revolved by power and
the lacquer applied to the tube by a brush,
spray or other suitable means. The heating
of the tube is necessary for the reason that
the majority of brass bedsteads are lacquered
by means of the so-called "hot-process
lacquers." The cold process lacquers are not
employed for this purpose to any extent.

New Apparatus for Electro-
g'alvanizing' Iron Pipes.

The electrogalvanizing of iron pipes is now
extensively carried on and the operation re-
quires cheapness. A new form of apparatus

Fig. 1. Electrogalvanizing the Pipes by Means
of the Belt.

has recently been patented by D. H. Murphy
of the American Conduit Co., of Pittsburgh,
Pa., wdiich admits of the pipes being treated
in quantities and in a continuous manner.

'■^^wmmrn

Fig. 2. Oscillating Appliance for Electrogalvanizing
the Pipes.

The pipes are either fed into the solution
by means of a belt as shown in Fig. 1 or made
to reciprocate as shown in Fig. 2. This recip-
rocating motion is produced by a rocker arm
operated from the outside of the tank. The
method used can best be understood by refer-
ence to the ilkistration.

THE BRASS \VORLX)
Q\iestions and Ans-wers.

Question No. . In moving onr nickel
plating plant, we put part of our nickel solu-
tion in vinegar barrels and part in a galva-
nized iron tank. The solution now plates dark
while the work is the same and the djnarao
speed the same. What is the cause of the
dark nickel and how can it be overcome?

Anszver. The difficulty is not caused by the
introduction of the little vinegar that may
have entered the solution when it was put
into tlie barrel, but from the zinc that was
dissolved from the galvanized iron tank. Zinc
will cause nickel to turn dark and as the solu-
tion will remove considerable zinc from the
galvanized surface of the tank, it is the cause
of your trouble. You cannot remove it by
chemical means except at a large expense, but
it may work out if run for some time, al-
though you may find it necessary to throw it
away and make up a new solution.

Question No. . We are operating a
large electro-galvanizing plant in which we
electrogalvanize pipe, tubing castings, etc., that
are used in the manufacture of frames for
dooryards, gates and fences and zinc is the
best rust preventitive we have found so far.
We have been informed, however, that lead is
being deposited in the same manner as zinc
and it is a better coating for preventing rust.
We should like your opinion on the matter.

.'Inszi'cr. Lead is not electrodeposited like
zinc but is used for coating iron or steel by
a hot process. It is not as good a coating as
zinc for preventing rust although frequently
believed. So far, nothing has been found that
gives as rust proof coating as zinc.

Question No. . We are carrying on
galvanizing in a small way and have heard
that graphite galvanizing kettles are superior
to iron for this purpose. Is this so?

Anszver. They are not. At one time they
were believed to be so, but the test of time
proved them to be much more expensive than
iron kettles and they are not used at all at the
present time.

Question No. 141.1. Kindly inform us what
the composition of Rose-Metal is and whether
it could be used as a metal to be cast into dies
from which to make impressions. I want a
metal that will melt at about 300 degrees.

Aiis-ivcr. Rose-metal is composed of the fol-
lowing :

Lead 8 fbs.

Tin 3 lbs.

Bismuth 8 lbs.

It melts at about 203° F. and is about as
hard as hard lead. Without knowing much
about your requirements, we should say tliat
this alloy would answer your purpose. It does
not shrink on cooling but will expand.

Question Nn. . Please furnish us
with a good formula for white-metal pattern
castings to be cast in sand.

Anszver. An excellent fornuila for this
purpose is the following : —

Lead 7 lbs.

Tin 7 lbs.

Antimony 2 lbs.

As this mixture melts at a low temperature,
it should be poured at as low a heat as possi-
ble. The great difficulty experienced in casting
soft metal in sand is tliat it is poured too hot.
By no means pour it at a red heat. It will
run when just barely melted and sharply too.

Question No. . Can Alonel-metal be
electrodeposited in the same manner as nickel?
I understand that it is very non-corrosive and
in this respect it would be .superior to nickel.
If this is correct, I should like to use it in
place of nickel.

Anszver. We doubt whether you would be
successful at all in electrodepositing Money-
metal. It consists of about 66% nickel and
the balance copper with a small quantity of
iron. Two dissimilar metals do not deposit
well as the current density needed for each
is different. Brass is practically the only
solution containing two metals that can be
ner. Monel-metal is not more corrosive
deposited successfully in a commercial man-
than nickel, contrary to your belief and you
would have nothing to gain in this direction.
It is, however, cheaper, but the difficulty of
depositing it, if possible, would more than off-
set the reduction in cost.

Question No. . How can oxide of
cobalt be reduced to the metal ? The metal
sliould be free from carbon.

.inszver. You can reduce the oxide of co-
balt in the same manner that oxide of nickel
is reduced. The oxide is made into buttons,
culies or other forms with just enough car-
bonaceous matter, such as flour, to reduce the
oxide of cobalt. Tlie whole is then heated in
a graphite crucible at a temperature just short
of the melting point of cobalt for some time
or until the cobalt is in the metallic condition.
The cobalt can also be reduced by alumiminT
by the so-called alumino-thermic method.

Question No. . What kind of fur-
naces are used for melting platinum? Is
there an electric furnace made for this pur-
pose and what kind of a crucible is used?

Anszver. .\n oxy-hydrogen blowpipe is
used for melting platinum and the crucible
used is a block of lime. There is an electric
furnace made in (iermany for this purpose,
but, as far as we know it is not used at all
in the United States. It appears like a good
appliance and is w'orth looking into.

Question No. . We should like to ob-
tain some information in regard to the dura-
bility of the various non-ferrous allovs as
regards corrosion by the atmosphere. We are
making wire cloth and should like to olitain
something which would stand the atmosphere;

THE BRASS WORLX>

particularly at the seashore, better than
copper. Can you enlighten us on this point?

Answer. The metals or alloys which sug-
gest themselves for this purpose are IMonel-
metal or aluminum-bronze. They are both
more non-corrosive than copper and also
stronger. The IMonel-metal is composed of
practically 66 per-cent of nickel and the bal-
ance of' copper with a little iron. The
aluminum-bronze best suited for this purpose
is one consisting of 95 per-cent of copper and
5 per-cent of aluminum. A phosphor-bronze
•consisting of

Copper 97.95%

Tin 2.00%

Phosphorus 0.05%

would also answer well. A cupro-nickel,
composed of 90 per-cent copper and 10 per-
cent nickel would also be quite non-corrosive.
The disadvantage of all of these alloys is
that thev are more costly than copper and
more difficult to draw with the corresponding
increase in price.

Question No. . Can you inform us
bow cheese knives are tinned?

Ahszvci: These are tinned by a hot tinning
process by dipping in molten tin. The knives
are cleaned, then covered with a flux of chlo-
ride of zinc and then dipped into molten tin.
This will usually give a rough surface on
the tin, but if the whole surface of the knife
is coated with the tin, it is all that is re-
quired. To produce a smooth surface on the
tin, resort is had to what is called to the re-
tinning process, which is nothing more than
a second kettle of molten tin, the top of which
is covered with molten tallow. The knife is
-now dipped into it and then withdrawn and
it will be found that it will be very bright
and smooth. Tinned spoons are made in the
same manner.

Question No. . We have some small
steel articles from which we desire to remove
the nickel that has been plated on them. The
reason is that the surface has not been well
plated and the nickel deposit is rough and
burnt. The pieces are very cheaply made and
we cannot afford to spend much time or labor
on them. What we desire is some method
of stripping them in a solution so that they
can be plated over.

Ansivcr. The stripping of nickel from steel
is not a satisfactory operation and the best
method is to cut it off on a wheel or belt. In
your case, however, it would not pay and we
fear you will have to throw the articles away
as you will have to spend more on them in
stripping or removing the nickel than they
are worth.

Question No. . We are much inter-
ested in securing a black (clear through)
metal which will not rust. We desire to use
it in the form of ribbon or sheet from 10 to
20 gauge. We would appreciate any informa-
tion on the subject.

Anszver. There is no such metal. All
metals are of light color and have a metallic

lustre, otherwise they would not be metals.
The black metal, with which you are familiar,
has been colored so as to blacken it. There
are several methods of doing this coloring.
Black lacquering, depositing the so-called
black nickel on it, or oxidizing, are all used
for this purpose. Contrary to the popular
belief, however, there is no black metal. The
definition of a metal is that it is a substance
which has the quality known as "metallic
lustre."

Question No. . We are having trouble
with our yellow brass castings which are com-
ing full of small pits when they are polished.
The castings weigh about 10 lbs. apiece and
are afterwards nickel plated. The pits are
not pin-holes, but have the appearance of
small bits of dross. How can we avoid these?
They are not plentiful, but there is perhaps
one "or two on each casting which show after
nickel plated and spoil the appearance.

Answer. We doubt whether you will be
able to overcome this difficulty in your yel-
low brass castings. It is very difficult to
avoid in yellow brass. We think you will find
it better "to make the castings out of a good
composition as this mixture will cast far
better. The extra cost of the composition
mixture will probably be of little importance
when you take into consideration the less loss
from poor castings you will have.

Question No. . Is there much advan-
tage in a white-metal pattern? Our foundry
foreman says it is unsatisfactory and is only
a makeshift. What is your opinion?

Answer. We agree with your foundry fore-
man. ^A white metal pattern is unsatisfactory.
It dents easily and is easily broken from the
gate. A bronze pattern is the best and will
cause less trouble. A white metal pattern
mav do for limited or occasional use, but 't
was never intended for a permanent or con-
tinued emplovment.

Question No. . In the determination
of silver in a silver plating solution, and pre-
cipitation of it by means of a liver of sulphur
solution, would it not be better to warm this
solution after the liver of sulphur has been
added? We think it would coagulate the
silver sulphide formed. Is there any objec-
tion to it?

Anszver. \\'arming it slightly has no objec-
tion, but boiling it separates sulphur from the
liver of sulphur and which will interfere. The
silver sulphide usually settles well in the cold.

Question No. 142"n. What is the matter
with a rust-proof coating for steel as follows :
First electrogalvanize in the usual w-av and
then nickel plate over the zinc deposit?

Anszver. The difficulty with this method
is the nickel plating direct on the zinc. It is
not a satisfactory operation and the nickel
deposit is off color. The zinc can be covered
with a cyanide copper deposit, and the nickel
over this, but we do not know how this
stands, although we should say it would. The
cost would be much more than ordinary plat-
ing, of course, on account of the three oper-
ations.

THE BRASS WORLD
Patent Abstracts.

1,081,164, Dec. 9, 19i;!. SMELTING AND
REFINING METALS AND THE LIKE IN
CRUCIBLES. Henry G. Solomon of London,
England. This invention relates to electric
induction furnaces applicable for the smelting
and refining in crucibles. The furnace is ap-

plicable, the inventors say, more particularly
to steel. The essential feature of the furnace
is in the method of placing the crucibles and
transformer. The latter is rotated by a shaft
driven by a motor or other power.

1,081,.542, Dec. 16. . GLAZED RE-
FRACTORY ARTICLE. Arthur T. Malm of
Worcester, ]\Iass. Assignor to the Norton
Company of the same city. A glazed refrac-
tory article or material or an alumina base.
The patent is applied to the manufacture of
such articles as small crucibles to take the
place of porcelain ones and, the inventor
states, stand the heat better and are more
durable than porcelain crucibles.

1,081,290, Dec. 16, 191.3. ETCHING PRO-
CESS. Eugen Albert of Munich, Germany.
The process relates to the etching of half-tone
plates and the like. A special appliance, here-
with illustrated, is placed in the etching solu-
tion and through which compressed air is

forced. A second air current causes the liquid
to become converged towards the object to l^e
etched, washing away the used solution and
causing the etching to proceed more rapidly
and evenlv.

1,080,435, Dec. 2, . MACHINE FOR
FACILITATING THE PACKING OF
MAGNETIC OBJECTS OF OBLONG
SHAPE. Otto Camper of Zurich, Switzer-
land. The machine is intended for packing of
such material as nails. An electro-magnet
is used to guide the nails to the feed-
ing device so that they will be packed in

boxes. The magnets are arranged at a dis-
tance corresponding to the length of the ob-
jects. They form a groove between them.
The nails are then packed into boxes in a
lengthwise condition so that the minimum
space is consumed. '

1,081,263 ,Dec. 9, . HIGH SPEED
TOOL STEEL Reinhold Becker of Crefeld,
Germany. This steel is unique in that it con-
tains up to 15 per cent, of cobalt and also
chromium and tungsten. The use of cobalt
is the novelty of the patent.

1,081,535, Dec. 16, . CRUCIBLE.
George N. Jepson of Worcester, Mass. As-
signor to the Norton Company of the same
city. The crucible is intended for use in
chemical operations, such as the filtering, ex-

traction thimbles etc. The novelty lies in the
use of a special composition from which the
crucible is made. Part of the crucible is
glazed and part unglazcd. An artificial vit-
reous composition is used for the crucible.

THE BRASS \VORXJ>

alloy is not given.

1,081,088, Dec. 9, . PROCESS 01-
SOLDERING CHAIN. Charles A. Becker
of Newark, N. J. The process applies to the
soldering of chain links made from hollow-
wire with a hard solder core. It is claimed
that a perfect union can be obtained with the
formation of beads at the joint. A flux is
applied to the joint which is then heated
to a temperature sufficient to fuse the flux but
not the solder. The surplus flux is then
removed, and heat, sufficient to fuse the
solder, is then applied to the link.

1,081,618, Dec. 16, 191,3. PROCESS OP
PREPARING BILLETS OF REFRACT-
ORY MATERIALS. Harry D. Madden of
Bloomfield, N. J. Assignor to the Westing-
house Lamp Company. The patent relates to
a process for preparing high melting metals,

— ,.,,.. „,..,......fcr

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such as tungsten, molybdenum etc.. and mak-
ing wires from them for use in electric lamps.
The powdered metal is placed in a soft, metal
tube and then subjected to hydraulic pressure.

1,080,912, Dec. 9. . METHOD OF
ELECTRICALLY SMELTING VOLATILE
METALS. Woolsey McA. Johnson of Hart-
ford, Conn. The invention relates to the
smelting of zinc ores in a continuous manner
by means of the electric furnace. A slag is
formed by the use of suitable fluxes and the
zinc tapped off in the same manner that lead
or copper would be.

1,080,156, Dec. 2, . ALUMINUM AL-
LOY. Waler Northcote Naylor of Forest
Hill, London, England and Stanley Page
Hutton of Beckenham, ngland. The alloy
consists of aluminum 98.947c ; magnesium
0.11%; phosphor-tin (5%) 0.09%; metallic
sodium 0.02%. The use or advantage of the

1,080,344, Dec. 2, . PROCESS OF
SMELTING METALS. John D. Hilliard of
Albany, N. Y. Assignor to the New England
Metal and Machine Co. of Boston, Mass. The
invention relates particularly to the production
and regulation of heat in smelting furnaces.
It is applied more especially to the smelting of
iron ores. A regular heating furnace is used
with an auxiliary electric furnace. The
charge is fed gradually from one to the other,
the regular heating furnace supplying the pre-
liminarv heat.

1,080,113, Dec. 2, . HEATING MOLT-
EN ELECTROLYTES. Franz von Kiigelgen
of Holcombs Rock, Va., and George O.
Seward of East Orange, N. J. Assignors to
the Virginia Laboratory Company of New
York City. The process is applied to the

heating of molten baths that are subject to
electrolysis, such as the manufacture of alumi-
num etc. One of the electrodes in the bath
is hollow, as may be seen in the illustration,
and heat is applied to the interior by means of
a gas flame.

1,079,559, Nov. 25, . ENGRAVING
MACHINE. Charles Alison Ker of Glasgow,
Scotland. The invention relates to a machine
for engraving or etching metallic surfaces and
is especially adapted for use in the engraving
or etching of copper rolls employed for calico
or other textile printing. A design is first
engraved on a printing plate which is then
inked with a special ink. This is then trans-
ferred to the printing roll of copper after
which the latter is etched. The feature of the
invention lies in the appliances used for carry-
ing out the operation.

1,081,451, Dec. 16, . PROCESS OF
MAKING PLATINUM COVERED PINS.
Charles H. Kerk of Wayne, Pa. The patent
relates to platinum covered nickel pins for
use in dentistry. The object is to make a pin
that will be entirely covered so that it will
have all the advantages of a solid pin but at

I"^-^

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Txg.-lZ.

■^^•^- ^

a very much less cost. The core is first plated
or covered with platinum and then worked
down into the shape shown. The patent is
upon the „ method of making the pin so that
it will be completely covered with platinum.

TIEE BRASS WORLD
Trade Items.

The capital stock of the Regar Brass Com-
pany of Cleveland, Ohio, has been increased
from $40,000 to $100,000.

Alterations to the factory of the Mcsereau
Metallic Bed Company, on Johnson Ave.,
Jersey City, N. J., are to be made. The man-
ufacture of brass and iron beds is carried on.

The factory which is to be erected in
Keene, N. PL, by the Imperial Metal Products
Company is to be used foi the manufacture
of metal furniture.

The Beaton & Cadwell Mfg. Co., 1G9 Main
St., New Britain, Conn., are to build a new
four story factory during the coming spring
or sunnncr. Ceiling plates and steam special-
ties are manufactured.

.\ factory for the manufacture of valves
has been started by the Burke Valve Com-
pany of Cleveland Ohio. The plant is on
Windsor Ave., in the building formerly occu-
pied by the Raymond Piano Company.

A two story addition to the plant of the
Ansonia Brass & Copper Branch of the Amer-
ican Brass Company of Ansonia, Conn., is to
be made. The buildings will be located on
Factory Street and will be 60 x 440 feet.

The Leach & Miller Company of Attleboro,
I^Iass., manufacturers of jewelry, have moved
from the Robinson Building on Union St., to
the Leach & Garner Building on Pearl St.,
where more commodious quarters have been
obtained.

The Saxon Motor Car Company has been
organized in Detroit, Mich, with a capital
stock of $350,000 to manufacture automobiles.
The company is an outgrowth of the Chal-
mers Motor Co. of Detroit and all the officers
of the new company are those of the Chal-
mers Company.

The ?kIount Vernon Company Silversmiths,
Inc., has been incorporated in Mount Vernon,
N. Y., and has taken over the following con-
■cerns : The Roger Williams Silver Company
of Providence, R. I., the Mauser Mfg. Co., of
Mount Vernon, N. Y., H. A. Macfarland of
Mount Vernon, N. Y., and the IMount Vernon
Company of ]\Iount Vernon, N. Y. The man-
tifacture of sterling silver goods and silver
deposit ware will be carried on.

The Xational Jewelers' Board of Trade of
New York City have drawn up a bill to be
presented to the New York Legislature,
which will govern the marking of platinum
jewelry in that state. Under its provisions,
any manufacturer of jewelry wlm makes or
sell wares marked "platinum" will be guilty
of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine or im-
prisonment or both if the metal does not con-
tain 950 parts of pure platinum in parts.
At the present time there is no law, either
national or state which regulates the manu-
facture or sale of platinum w-ares, although
there are adequate laws for gold jewelry.

An addition to the plant of the Victor
Brass Company of Cleveland, Ohio has been
started. This addition is :'.0 x GO feet.

The Wallace Brass Works of Wallaceburg,
Ont. Canada, are to increase the size of their
plant and, it is stated, the manufacture of
electric irons will be carried on.

A. W. Wellman of Madison, Wis., manu-
facturer of wire goods, is to build a new fac-
tory at a cost of $7,500. It will be of brick
and concrete construction.

The market for aluminum cooking utensils
in (ireat Britain is somewhat limited owing
to their comparatively high cost. Enameled
utensils are used to a large extent.

The W. & W. Jewelry Company has been
started in Providence, R. I., by Wappman &
White and have started manufacturing at 9
Calender St. The manufacture of cheap jew-
elry will be carried on.

The plant of the Weber Dental Company
of Canton, Ohio is being enlarged by an ad-
dition two stories high and 33 x 60 feet. Other
additions are to be erected and one of which
will be used for an electroplating department.
A foundry is also to be erected.

The Apothecaries Hall Company of Water-
bury, Conn., the well known jobbers in mill
supplies and chemicals, desire to call the at-
tention of the trade to the fact that they are
importing catgut lathe bands for the user.
These bands are, ordinarily, difficult to ob-
tain, but a large stock is carried on hand for
immediate shipment.

A new booklet has been issued by the Elec-
tric Smelting & .Aluminum Company of Lock-
port, N. Y., on their "Mineral Cleaner" which
has already had such a large sale for cleaning
metal work for plating. This booklet con-
tains directions for use as well as much
other V pful information and will be sent to
those who ask for it.

The J. Tonkin Co., 55 North Seventh St.,
Philadelphia. Pa., electroplaters, have sent
out a circular to their creditors asking an
extension of time in the settlement of oliliga-
tions. The\- have sold their establishment to
Robert R. Daisey and Joseph Williams and
are attempting to avoid bankruptcy proceed-
ings and the creditors they say, would then
obtain nothing.

What are supposed to be the largest spin-
nings of sheet metal ever made, were recently
turned out by A\'. T. Clark & Co., 5 Green
Terrace. Roseberry Ave., London, E. C. Eng-
land. The spinnings were of .sheet aluminum.
16 guage in thickness. The sheets used were
5(i indies in diameter and the finished article
39 inches. It is claimed that these spun arti-
cles were the largest ever made in Great
Britain and probably in the world. It is be-
lieved, however, that larger ones have been
made in the United States.

TtlE BRASS ^VORI^D

85.

The Monitor Clock Works has been incor-
porated in Brockport, X. Y., with a capital
stock of $100,000.

A new, two stor\- plant, 40 x 50 feet is to
be erected b}' the Minerva Hardware Co., of
^linerva. 111., manufacturers of hardware.

The new brass and iron foundr\- of Foster,
]\Ierriam & Co., of Aleriden, Conn., manufac-
turers of cabinet hardware, is to be of brick
and steel construction and 50 x 150 feet.

A new plant is to be built by Rumse.v & Co.,
of Seneca Falls, X. Y., manufacturers of
pumps and a site has already been obtained.
The new factory will cost about $20,000.

A catalogue called the "Larter Gold
Buok" has recently been issued • by Larter
& Sons of Newark, X. J., the well known
manufacturing jewelers, which contains over
12,000 jewelry designs.

S. Brier & Co. have been organized at 2'J
Fountain St., Providence, R. I., and have pur-
chased the plant formerly owned by Alax
Deutz in this city. The manufacture of jew-
elry wull be carried on. Mr. Brier was for-
merly of the Brier Mfg. Co., of Providence.

The Shephard Plating Company has recent-
ly been organized in Racine, Wis., with a cap-
ital stock of $5,000 and a small plant will be
equipped. The organizers are William H.
Shephard and Peter Reutz. Jobbing plating
will be carried on.

The Chappell Brass Foundry has been
started at 281 Dyer St., Providence, R. I., by
Leon Chappell. The manufacture of brass,
bronze and aluminum castings will be car-
ried on. Mr. Chappell was formerly fore-
man of the brass foundry of the General Fire
Extinguisher Co., at Providence, R. L

The W. S. Rockwell Company, 50 Church
St., X'ew York City, furnace engineers, have
recently issued a new Bulletin X'o. 20 which is
called "Rockwell Furnace Service" and con-
tains a general list of the various furnaces
they manufacture with an illustration of each.
The bulletin will be sent to those directlv in-
terested and w'ill be found of much interest.

The Wirt Company, Armat St., corner of
Lena Sts., Philadelphia, Pa., makers of elec-
tric light appliances, have recently placed on
the market a line of drawn steel pipe insula-
tors. These fixtures are knowm to the trade
as 'Tnsulating Joints'', and w^ere originally
made of cast-iron, later of malleable iron or
brass, but now the Wirt Company make them
exclusively of sheet steel.

As a result of the investigation by Bureau
of ]Mines, it has been definitely shown that,
although the Austrian Government has con-
served its own resources of uranium and ra-
dium by purchasing the Joachimsthal mines
and by carefully supervising the pitchblend
production, the deposits of radium-bearing
minerals in the United States are being
rapidly being depleted by wasteful exploita-
tion, chiefly for the benefit of foreign
markets. The American uranium ores have
been purchased for their radium content.

The Crane Company of Chicago, 111., the
largest manufacturers of valves in the United
States, have taken out the permit for their
new plant whicli thev will shortlv erect. It
will cost $450,000.

The Barco Brass & Joint Company of Chi-
cago, 111., have purchased the property at 212-
West Illinois St., and will move their plant
to that location. The property was recently
improved by the addition of a four story
building.

The L. S. Starrett Company of Athol,
Mass., the well known manufacturers of fine-
tools, have recently issued a catalogue of the
hack saws they manufacture and which de-
scribes the uses of the different varieties^
They say "There is a Starrett Hack Saw for
Every Job.''

The Crescent ^Ifg. Co., of Fremont, Ohio,,
which has formerly been conducted as a
partnership, has now been incorporated and
the plant will be enlarged. H. S. Buckland
has retired from the concern. The manufac-
ture of safety razors and metal specialties is-
carried on.

The Byesville Foundry & Machine Com-
pany has been started in Byesville, Ohio and
will carry on a general foundry business..
Both iron and brass castings will be made
and a machine business carried on. The offi-
cers of the new company are : President, T.
W. Scott ; secretary, C. C. Cosgrove : treas-
urer, A. J. True : and manager Karl M.
Garner.

The Wood Products Company of Buffalo,.
X'. Y., has recently issued an interesting pam-
phlet called "The Truth About Wood Alco-
hol" and which contains much interesting-
information in regard to this useful sub-
stance. The pamphlet is intended to correct
some false impressions in regard to wood'
alcohol and reasons are given why, in many
instances, it is superior to grain alcohol and
very much superior to the denaturized"
product.

The United States Bureau of Standards of
Washington. D. C, has recently installed a
testing machine for testing columns, blocks,
beams, concrete and other large sectional ma-
• terial. It has a capacity of any length up to-
34 feet and is capable of exerting a pull of
1,150,000 lbs. in tension and 2,300.000 in com-
pression. Although the machine is of such
great capacity, it is claimed that it is so deli-
cate that the pressure of the finger on the
ram is registered.

A decree filed in the United States District
Court in the suit of the Government against-
the Keystone Watch Case Company of Phila-
delphia. Ja.. leave has been granted to the
defendants to take further testimony con-
cerning the so-called key to the list of cus-
tomers of the Illinois Watch Co. According
to the decree, tlie testimony must be taken
by the defendants before Feb. 1st. The
decree also gives the Government the oppor-
tunity to take testimony on the same subject-
before or after that date.

THJ5 BRASS VV^ORLJ3

The Attleboro J\lfg. Co., of Attleboro,
Mass., manufactures of jewelry, have begun
the addition to their factory.

The Stoughton Novelty Company lias been
incorporated in Stoughton, Wis., with a cap-
ital stock of $5,000 to manufacture metal
and wire novelties.

The lieaumont Iron Works, 25th. and
Wharton Sts., Philadelphia, Pa., have let the
contract for a new building 100 x 105 feet, it
will lie used as a shcrardizing plant.

it is stated that the new casting shop of the
Coe Brass ]\lfg. Co., of Torrington, Conn.,
will be 350x500 feet. Only a portion of the
plant will be erected at hrst, however, and the
remainder at a later date.

The capital stock of the Matthews Mfg.
Co., 104 Gold St., Worcester, Mass., has been
increased from $10,000 to $50,000. The manu-
facture of stove trinnnings is carried on. A
new three story building was recently erected
by tiic company for manufacturing purposes.
An addition to the plant of Rice, Barton &
Fales of Worcester, Mass., is to be made.
This addition is to be 40 x 100 feet and will
be used principally as a machine shop. The
manufacture of paper mill machinery is car-
ried on and a large brass foundry is also
operated.

The Bureau of Mines of Washington,
D. C, lias issued a pamphlet called "A Pre-
liminarv Report on Uranium, Radium and
Vanadium" and which is of much interest.
The pamphlet contains 101 pages and the
authors are Richard B. Moore and Karl L.
Kithil.

The Bastian-Morley Company has been in-
corporated in South Bend, Ind., with a capital
stock of $100,000 to manufacture gas, gaso-
line and electric apparatus. The directors are
James P. Morley, John P. Hayes and J. Mor-
ley. The Chicago office of the company will
continue their present office.

Tn recognition of helpful suggestions made
during the past year, fifty employees of the
Automatic Electric Company of Chicago, 111.,
manufacturers of automatic appara-
tus, were presented with watch-fobs at a lian-
quet given bv the employees of the company
on Dec. 22nd'. .

Lucien E. Picnlet, cunsulting engineer, 19
South Ninth St.. Phihulelphia. Pa., is manu-
facturing a novel pocket slide rule which is
circular in shape and can be easily carried in
tiie pocket. He states that the scales are
identical with the ordinary slide rule_ and it
can lie used with the same ease. It is made
of celKiloid.

The Iveynolds Aluminum Company, a new
company, have completed their new plant in
New Washington, Ohio for the manufacture
of household utensils of aluminum. The
head of the company is Frank W. Rey-
nr)lds. The Reynolds Pattern Company of
Mansfield, Ohio has moved to New Washin^--
ton, where it will be operated as part of the
alumimun company.

The Brown Instrument Company of Phil-
adelphia, Pa., manufacturers of pyrometers
and recording instruments, are sending out to
their customers an attractive calendar.

The Bobra Spark Plug Company has been
incorporated in Dayton, Ohio with a capital
stock of $12,000 and will manufacture spark
plugs for gasoline and gas engines. A plant
will shortly be ecjuipped.

The Atlas Battery Company has been in-
corporated in Anderson, Ind., with a capital
stock of $25,000 to manufacture batteries.
Among the incorporators are M. L. Ash-
baugh, C. J. Murray and R. McCain.

The Waynesl)oro Metal & Foundry Co., of
Waynesboro, Pa., are erecting an addition
to the plant and later are to install a rever-
beratory furnace for smelting drosses and the
manufacture of ingot metal.

A new factory is being erected by the Nep-
tune Hardware Company of South Norwalk,
Conn. The location is at East NorwaJk,
Conn., and the factory is to be GO x 200 feet
and two stories high. The manufacture of
marine hardware and similar metal goods is
carried on.

The name of the Mebane Mfg. Co., of
Cleveland, Ohio, who formerly made the flux
called "Homogen" have changed their name
to the Case Hardening Service Company. A
line of case-hardening materials is manufac-
tured and the plant is located at Sweeny Ave.
A new plant is shortly to be established, how-
ever, at West lOth. St.

The Department of Water Supply, Gas and
Electricity of New York City, _ Henry S.
Thompson Commissioner, have just issued
the annual report. It is a volume of 9) pages
and contains much valuable data on the meth-
ods of keeping supplies at the various store-
houses of the company, and also the material
improvements that have been made in this
direction.

The criminal prosecutions against Albert B.
Glynes and Frank B. Pond of Bridgeport,
Conn., for theft of gold from Handy &
Harman, by whom they were formerly em-
ployed, have been disposed of by the Court.
Albert B. Glynes pleaded guilty and was
given 1 year in jail, but the sentence was sus-
pended and he was paroled. F. B. Pond for-
feited a bond of $500 and secured a nolle.

The sixth edition of tiie "Electrical Blue
Book" has just been issued by the Electrical
Review Publishing Company, 608 South
Dearborn St., Chicago, 111. It is a handsome
])(iok, 9x12 inches, bound in cloth and con-
taining 227 pages. The book contains many
hundreds of illustrations of the various ap-
pliances used in the electrical trades and the
names of the manufacturers of them. In ad-
dition it contains a vast amount of matter on
wiring and fitting, as well as Underwriters'
specifications. The book stands unique for
the reason that it is lioth a directory and
compendium of useful and vaUiable electri-
cal information.

THE BRASS WORUD

The Kitson Company of Philadelphia, Pa.,
manufacturers of plumbers' brass goods and
brass founders, have moved to their new
plant, 28th St. and Gray's Ferry Ave.

The South Bend Casket Hardware Com-
pany has been organized at South Bend, Ind.,
with a capital stock of $30,000 and will manu-
facture casket hardware. The incorporators
are J. H. Lane, H. E. Kelley and others.

The New England Xickel Plating Company,
157 Orange St., Providence, R. I., recently
suffered by fire to the extent of $1,000, most
of the damage being caused by water leak-
ing into the plating solutions.

A factory is being erected by the Gait
Knife Company, Ltd., of Gait, Ont. Canada
and which is to be 45 x 145 feet. The manu-
facture of knives and other cutlery is to be
carried on.

The Empire Smelting Company of Depew,
N. Y., have sent out a circular to the trade
announcing that W. ^L Corse, formerly of
The Lumen Bearing Co. of Buffalo, N. Y.,
has taken the position of general-manager of
the company.

The Mahoney Electric Company of Canada,
Ltd., has been organized at Windsor, Ont.,
with a capital stock of $250,000 for the manu-
facture of electrical apparatus and machinery.
Motors and dynamos will be the principal
product.

The plant of the Lafayette Stamping & En-
ameling Company of West Lafayette, Ohio,
manufacturers of metal signs, has been pur-
chased by the Ohio Valley Enameling Co.
The plant will be enlarged and used for the
manufacture of enameled kitchen utensils.

The August Schubert Wagon Company of
Oneida, N. Y.. manufacturers of wagons,
trucks and other kinds of vehicles, and also
wringers, are to install a hot galvanizing
plant at their works. They are now carry-
ing on electrogalvanizing in their wringer
department.

The Carbov Inclinator Co.. Broadway.
New York City, was awarded a Diploma of
Honorable Mention at the International Ex-
position of Safety and Sanitation, held at the
Grand Central Palace, New York City, De-
cember 11th. to 20th., . under the aus-
pices of the American IMuseum of Safety.

A site has been purchased by the Diez &
Roemer Brass Company of Baltimore, Md., at
Fallsway near Lexington St., on which a
four story brass foundry will be erected.
The site is 20 x 75 feet and the foundry will
be of fire-proof construction. The manufac-
ture of brass, bronze and aluminum castings
is carried on.

The New York Buff Company of New
York City, manufacturers of buffs, polishing
wheels, rouge, compositions and plating sup-
plies, have moved back to their old plant at
210-212 Canal St., New York City. Some
time ago fire damaged their plant at this lo-
cation and they were obliged to occupy other
quarters across the street.

The capital stock of the Waterbury Brass
Goods Corporation of Waterbury, Conn., has
been increased to $800,000.

The Roessler & Haaslacher Chemical Co.,
100 William St., New York City, have issued
a very attractive calendar for . The
calendar has the International Table of
Atomic W'eights on' it and which will be
found very useful for the laboratory.

The Sheffield Smelting Co., Ltd. of Shef-
field, England, one of the oldest smelters and
refiners of gold and silver in the world, hav-
ing been established in , recently sent
out an attractive Christmas souvenir to their
customers and friends. It was an_ illustra-
tion of the "Stanage Pole" of Sheffield.

Personal.

Harry Carpenter, general-manager of the
Taunton Crucible Company of Taunton,
Conn., has severed his connection with the
company and, it is said, he will again _ enter
the brass rolling mill business, with which he
was connected for many years previous to his
entering the crucible trade.

T. C. Flinn, general-superintendent of the
Kannedy Valve Co., of Elmira, N. Y., has
resigned his position with the company.

Reuben Hill, works-manager of the
Detroit Lubricator Co., of Detroit, :\Iich., has
returned from an extended tour in Norway,
Sweden and Denmark.

Obituary.

Henry C. Atwood, vice-president of the
Willianisville Buff Company of Danielson,
Conn., died on December 9th.

Daniel M. Barton, general purchasing agent
of the General Electric Company of Schenec-
tady, N. Y., died in that city on December
8thj after a short illness aged 70 years. He
was one of the oldest employes of the com-
pany. He was formerly production manager
of the old Thompson-Houston Electric Com-
pany of Lynn, ]\Iass., and which v,-as absorbed
by the General Electric Co.

Maurice B. Patch, superintendent of tlie
Buft'alo Smelting Works of Buft'alo, _N. Y.,
died on December 3rd. from paralysis. He
was 61 years of age and was born in Otisfield,
]Mass., and graduated from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. In he was en-
gaged as chemist for the Detroit & Lake
Superior Copper Company of Houghton,
Mich., and was afterwards made superinten-
dent of the smelting plant, built after his de-
sign at Lake Linden by the Calumet & Hecla
Company. In he removed to Buffalo,
N. Y., and assumed charge of the Buffalo
Smeltino- Company, owned by the Calumet il-
Hecla Company. ' ^Ir. Patch was one of the
foremost metalliurgists in the copper indus-
try.

THE BRASS \\X)RLD
Current Metal and Supply Prices.

These Prices are net and are tor moderate quantities. Smaller quantities command higher

prices. Prices subject to fluctuation.

Acetone, pure 98-99% «'• -22

Acid, Acetic, pure 30% '!>. .0(

Acid, Arseiiious (White .\iseiiic) 11). -10

Acid, Benzoic "'• -^^

Acid, Boracic (Boric), pure It). .12

Acid, Hvdrocliloric, see Acid, Muriatic.

Acid, Hydrofluoric, 30% ft- -04

Acid, Hydrofluoric, 50% ft- -10

Acid, Muriatic, 20° ft- .02

Acid, Muriatic, c. p., 20° ['. .07

Acid, Nitric, 38° '- -"5%

Acid, Nitric, 40° ft- -05%

Acid, Nitric, 42° ft- -06%

Acid, Nitric, c. p., ft- -OS

Acid, Sulphuric, 60° ft- -01 /*

Acid, Sulphuric, c. p ft- -06

Alcohol, Wood ga . .57

Alcohol, Denatured ga'- -^f

Alum ft- -04

Aluminum, Metallic, in Ingots ro. .iv

Amnioniuni Sulphate ft- -0'

Aqua-Fortis, see Acid, Nitric.

Ammonia Water (Aqua- Ammonia, 20° ...ft. .04%

Ammania Water (Aqua- Ammonia), 26°... ft. .O614

Ammonia Water, c. p ft- -08

Ammonium Carbonate, lump ft- -15

Ammonium Chloride ( Sal- Ammoniac) .... ft. -12

Ammoniimi Hydrosulphuret ft- .30

Ammonium Sulphate ft- -06

.\mmoMium Suphocyanate ft. -50

Amyl Acetate gal. 3.50

Antimony ft • -0 ' "/s

Arsenic, Metallic ft ■ -10

Arsenic, White (Acid Arsenious) ft. -10

Argols, White (Cream of Tartar) ft. -31

Asphaltum, Commercial ft- -05

Asphaltum, Egyptian (Bitumen) ft- -30

Benzine gal. .15

Benzol, Pure gal. .50

Bismuth, Metallic ft - 2.15

Bitumen, see .\sphaltum.
Blue-Vitrol, see Copper Sulphate.

Bora.v, Crystals or Powdered ft. .10

Borax Glass ft. .30

Cadm.ium, Metallic ft- -85

Carbon Bisulphide ft. .10

Calcium Carbonate (Precipitated Chalk)., lb. .10

Chrome-Green ft - -50

Copper, Lake (carload) ft. .15

Copper, Lake, (cask) ft. .15%

Copper, Electrolytic, (cask) ft. .14%

Copper, Electrolytic, (carload) ft. -HVz

Copper, Casting, (carload) ft. -14%

Copper, Casting, (cask) ft- -141/2

Copper Acetate (Verdigris) ft. -35

Copper Carbonate, dry ft. -16

Copper Sulphate (Blue-Stone) ft. .06

Corrosiye Sublimate, see Mercury Bichloride.
Cream-Tartar, see Potassimn Bitartarate.

Cryolite ft. -12

Cyanide, see Potassium Cyanide.

Dextrin ft- -10

Emery Flour ft. -04

Fmery, F F & F F F ft . .03

Flint, powered ft • .01

Flour-Spar ft ■ .01 V4

Fusel-Oil gal. 3.00

Gold Chloride oz. 11.75

Gold, Pure oz. 20.87

Gum Copal ft ■ -30

Gum Guiacum ft • .26

Gum Mastic ft • -80

Gum Sandarac ft- -35

(Jnm Shellac, brown ft . .50

Gum Shellac, white ft • .60

Iridium oz. 80.00

Iron Perchloride ft. .25

Iron Sulphate (Copperas) .ft .05

Lead Acetate (Sugar of Lead) ft. -li-

Lead, Pig Ih • -04 »4

Lead, Red ft - -12

Lead, Yellow Oxide (Litharge) ft. .12

Liver of Sulphur, see Potassium Sulphide.

Manganese, Ferro, 80% ft. -10

Manganese, Metallic, pure ft. -75

Magnesium, Metallic ft- 1-50

Mercury Bichloride (Corrosive Sublimate) lb. 1.12

Mercury, Metallic (Quicksilver) ft. .38

Mercury Nitrate ft - 1-50

Mercury Oxide, yellow ft- 1.80

Nickel and Ammonium Sulphate ( Double

Salts) ft. .081/2

Nickel Carbonate, dry ft. .60

Nickel Chloride ft . .50

Nickel Metallic ft. .45

Nickel Sulphate (Single Salts ft. .20

Nitre (saltpetre), see Potassium Nitrate.
Oil of Vitriol, see Acid, Sulphuric.

Paraffine ft- -15

Phosphorus, yellow ft. .40

Phosphorus, red ft. 1.10

Pitch ft. .05

Plaster of Paris, Dental bbl. 4.00

Platinum Chloride oz. 40.00

Platinum Metallic oz. 44.00

Potash-by-Alcohol, in sticks ft. .45

Potash, Caustic ft - -06

Potassium Bichromate ft .. -14

Potassium Bitartarate (Cream of Tartar)., lb. .31

Potassium Carbonate (Pearlash) ft. .10

Potassium Chlorate . ft- .15

Potassium Cyanide ft. .25

Potassium Iodide ft . 3.15

Potassium Nitrate (Nitre or Saltpetre) ..lb. .10

Potassium Permanganate ft. .17

Potassium, Red Prussiate ft. .55

Potassium, Yellow Prussiate lb. .35

Potassium Sulphide (Liver of Sulphur) ..lb. .15
Potassium Sulphuret, see Potassium Sulphide.

Potassium Sulphocyanate ft. .70

Pumice, Ground ft. .05

Quartz, Powdered ft . .01

Rosin, Yellow ft . .08

Sal- Ammoniac, see Ammonium Chloride.
Sal-Soda, see Sodium Carbonate.

Silver Chloride, dry oz. .75

Silver Cyanide . .". oz. 1.00

Silver, Fine oz. .57%

Silver Nitrate, crystals oz. .50

Soda- Ash ." -. ft . .05

Sodium Biborate, see Borax

Sodium Bisulphite ft. .15

Sodium Caibonate (Sal-Soda), crystals. ... ft. .02-

Sodium Hydrate (Caustic Soda) ft. .05

Sodium Hydrate (Caustic Soda) by .\lcohol

Cin sticks) ft. .45-

Sodium Hyposulphite ("Hypo") ft. .04

Sodium Metallic ft. .90'

Sodium Nitrate ft . .05

Sodium Phosphate ft. .09

Sodium Silicate (Water-Glass) ft. .04

Soot, Calcined ft. .15

Spelter, see Zinc,

Sugar of Lead, see Lead Acetate.

Sulphur (Brimstone), in lump ft. .05

Tin Chloride tti. [43

Tin, Metallic ft. ".36%,

Turpentine, Venice ft. .3.5

Verdisrns, see Copper .\cetate.

W?ter, Distilled gal. .15

Witer-Glass, see Sodium Silicate.

Wax, Beeswax, yellow ft . .45

Wax, Carnauba ft . .70

Whiting (Ground Chalk) ft! !o2

Zii>c, Carbonate, dry tti . .12

Zin'>, Chloride Jb. .12

Zinc. Sulphate tti. .06

Zinc, (spelter) tti . .05 14

THE

BD AS S WORLD

PLATERS' GUIDE

VOX«. X.

BR.IDGKPORT. CONN., FEBRUARY, IQI4.

No. 2

A MONTHLY JOURNAL DEVOTED TO
THE ART OF REFINING, ALLOYING,
CASTING, ROLLING, FOUNDING AND
ELECTRO-PLATING OF ALL THE NON-
FERROUS METALS AND THEIR ALLOYS.

PUBLISHED BV THB]

BRASS ^VORLD PUBLISHING CO.,

No. 2eo John St. Bhidghport, Cohn., TJ. S. A.

ERWIN S. SFERRy EDITOR

SUBSORrPTlON PRICE

»1.00 PER YEAR lO OBMTS A. COPV

Entered as Second Class Matter in the Post Office at

Bridgeport, Conn.

Issued on the Middle of the Month.

Advertising Forms Close on the 1st.

Contents for February.

Aluminum, Method of Soldering 50

Anodes, Surface vs. Weight, of .55

Bearings — Their Design and The Allovs

Used in Their Production, Railway.... -I?,

Books, New 42

Brass Foundry of The Future, The.....! 51

Bureau of Standards Analyzed Samples.. 54

Carboy Rocker, An Improved 63

Copper, New Process of Electrolytic Pro-
duction of 57

Crucible, A New 49

Die Castings, Electroplating Zinc Alloy.. 55

Gallium, A New Source of 40

Gold Solution, A Simple TV^ay to Make A

Two Gallon 40

Molder's Sand-Cutting Machine, A 62

Nickel or Cobalt, Making Finely Divided. . 4o

Patent Abstracts 70-71

Plated-Ware Industry, Foreign 42

Platinum Deposits in Germany- 64

Process of Extracting Zinc from Residues

in Reverberatory Furnaces, New 61

Questions and Answers 6S-69

Radium, The World's Supply of 60

Soldering Irons, An Improvement to 54

Specifications, For Non-Ferrous Metallic

Products, Writing 5 9

Tests for Galvanized Products 65

Tin Mined in U. S., Very Little 5 9

Trade Items 72-75

To Our Subscribers and A.d-
vertisers.

^^'e wish to announce that the Brass World
.\XD Pl.\ters' Guide, will be continued by
the associates of the late ]Mr. Sperry, upon
the foundation he has so solidly laid and
along progressive and conservative lines.

The new management solicits the kindly co-
operation of all the readers of the Br.ass
World .\xd Pl.aters' Guide, in the maintain-
ing of its present high-standard and progres-
sive evolution in the service of the industries
it so ably represents.

THE BRASS WORLD PUB. CO.

Notice to Advertisers and
Readers.

This is to give notice to our advertisers and
subscribers that J. H. Gallon, formerly adver-
tising representative for the Br.\ss World and
Platers' Guide has not been connected with
this journal in any capacity since January 31,
.

We herewith give notice that :Mr. Gallon
has no authority to act as our representative
in any capacity whatsoever.

THE BRASS WORLD PUB. CO.

Combinations or alloys of metal with mer-
cury are called "amalgams" and the mercury
can always be separated from such amalgams
by distillation. Gold and silver are thus
separated from it when an amalgam is ob-
tained in the so-called amalgamation process
of the mining of precious metals.

THE BRASS WORLD

A New Source of Galliti»«-

A Simple "Way to MaRe a Two
Gallon Gold Solution.

Two French chemists, Bardcl and Boulanger
have recently found that conuncrcial metallic
aluminum, presumal)ly the European product
contains 0.02 per cent, or 2 parts in 10,000, of
the very rare metal gallium. This is the
richest source of the metal thus far found.
Boisbaudran who discovered the element in
obtained only about 2 ounces of it from
between 4 and 5 tons of :;) that
it seems probable that a richer product might
l)e obtained by collecting separately the alu-
minum first produced after adding the oxide
to the cryolite bath in the Hall process.

So little gallium has been obtained that it
is not known wbether it would have any
practical uses or not. but there have been so
many applications of rare elements of late
years, such as tungsten, thorium, vanadium,
etc., that the possibility of practical applica-
tion is fascinating.

Gallium, as far as its properties are known,
is a curious metal, resemljling aluminum in
some respects, as for example in its color;
but it is heavier and it melts at about ordinary
room temperature. This last property would
prevent its use in a pure condition, but no one
knows what uses it might have when com-
bined with other metals in allo\s. It would
be very interesting if a sufficient supply of it
could be obtained for the purpose of experi-
ment.—f/. L. JV.

Silver is volatile at high temperatures and if
the heat is sufficiently high it volatilizes with
the formation of a green vapor.

The best solvent for silver is nitric acid, di-
luted with an eciual volume of water. Sul-
phuric acid dissolves it only when hot and con-
centrated. Hydrochloric acid attacks it only
superficially. Vegetable acids, such as acetic,
citric or tartaric, are practically without action
upon it.

Take a two gallon jar or enameled iron
vessel and nearly fill with water and place on
a gas plate. Heat to 140° F. If an earthen
jar be used a sheet iron pan partly filled with
sand should be placed under the jar to avoid
berakage from too rapid heating.

Dissolve in water enough potassium or
sodium cyanide to make solution stand 2°
Baume and add 2 grams sodium phosphate.
Connect up and hang i or.. 24k. gold from
positive pole. This should be rolled thin.
Break off a long clay pipe stem short from
the bowl and run a soft copper wire, as large
as possible through the stem until it comes
within one lialf inch of large end. Then plug
this end with a piece of soft pine wood. A
match stick will do.

Bend a hook on the free end of the wire so
as to suspend it from the work rod, leaving
the top of stem above solution and bring stem
as near to anode as possible to reduce re-
sistance.

In from two to three hours you will find
by weighing the anode that about 24 or 3 dwt.
have been drawn in and it is ready for use.
Reduce the current by running it through 15
feet of No. 26 copper wire.

This solution can be made at a cost of three
or four dollars and will be found to be very
satis factorv for small work.

MaKing Finely Divided NicRel
or Cobalt.

A new process for making finely divided
nickel or cobalt for use in the Edison storage
battery has been patented by Harry C. Bubbel
of Newark, N. J.

The process consists of electrodepositing a
nickel or cobalt solution in the usual manner
with a nickel or cobalt anode. Instead of the
usual cathode, a layer of metallic mercury in
the bottom of the plating vessel is employed.
As the nickel or cobalt is deposited, the mer-
cury dissolves it.

Some of the mercury may be removed by
squeezing it through chamois, but the remain-
der is subjected to distillation when there is
left a cake of finely divided nickel or cobalt
which is quite 'friable and may be easily
broken up and powdered.

ERWIN STARR SPERRY

DIED JANUARY 3IST,

It is with sincere regret that we announce to our numerous
readers the death of Erwin Starr Sperry, Editor and Publisher
of the Brass World and Platers' Guide, on January 31st, .
Air. Sperry succumbed to Bright's disease at his residence,
Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut. This concise state-
ment marks the termination of a life of usefulness and beneficial
activity, the fullness of which is difficult to express in our
limited human phraseology.

Mr. Sperry was born in Ansonia, Connecticut on February
2Sth, , and was the son of Hobart and ]Mary French Sperry.
He received his early education at the Ansonia and Derby High
Schools, graduating from the latter in . He subsequently
attended the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University from
which he was graduated in . His close application and marked
learning and proficiency in the subjects he undertook secured
for him the offer of a position of assistant instructor in Chemis-
try under Professor H. L. Wells, which he filled with highest
credit.

Early in , he accepted a position in Bridgeport as chemist
for the Aluminum Brass & Bronze Company and was afterwards
superintendent of the Waldo Foundry. He therefore acquired
a fundamental knowledge of the theory and practice of working
in metals and was eminently fitted for his next task, which was
the founding of the Brass World and Platers' Guide in .
His service as instructor in earlier days enabled him to produce
immediately a publication of such sterling basic worth that it
received generous and appreciative recognition from members
of the allied trades throughout the country. The Brass World
and Platers' Guide became from the commencement what it still
is today — a scientific guide for the operatives of the non-ferrous
industries.

Mr. Sperry was a member of the leading scientific societies
of this country and Europe and was a constant contributor to
their literature of valuable articles and formulas.

Since the press aimouncement of his death, many expressions
of regret have been received from those who appreciated his
scientific knowledge, his honesty of purpose and nobility of
character. Besides his wife, he leaves a sister, Mrs. Watson L.
Ward of Roslindale, Mass.. and a brother, Alfred Charles Sperry
of Shelton, Connecticut. The funeral took place from his home
on February 3d and was largely attended, interment being made
in Pine Grove Cemetery, Ansonia, Connecticut.

THE BRJ^SJS WORXX)

Foreign Plated-AVare Industry.

During the last quarter of a century the
price of the finished article in the electroplate
trade has been reduced by about one-half.
This is due to two factors : First, the intro-
duction and more extensive use of specific
machinery, steel dies, and the stamping pro-
cess, all of which greatly reduce the labor cost
of production over the old more or less hand-
wrought article; second, the altered public
taste in the direction of more simple designs.

ENGLAND.
There are in the city of Sheffield, England,
about 60 firms of importance engaged in the
manufacture of sterling-silver and electro-
plated ware, and scores more of small estab-
lishments of a dozen or so workmen each
where the trade is carried on. The aggregate
output of the Sheffield factories amounts to
about $2,433,250 per annum. They employ
in all something more than 7,000 workpeople,
about half of whom are women and girls.
There is further employed a class of silver
artisans known as out-workers, who are not
regularly enrolled by any particular firm but
accept employment from various concerns on
the piecework system. It is estimated that
in this city the number of silver workers of
this class is between 1,.500 and 2,000.

Of the male labor the best wages are paid to
what are known as the flat hammerers, who
receive on an average $14.00 per week; next
are pierce workers, who are paid $10.95, and
then some general workers of a lower class
at about $8.50. The average wage throughout
the male class is about $12.15 a week. Of the
female labor there are two general divisions
^burnishers at $4.85 per week and polishers
at $2.90, an average wage in the female class
of approximately $3.90 per week.

Among the silver masters of Sheffield it is
rather an established practice to encourage
the employment of families. It is more the
rule than otherwise that a father working in
the silver trade will apprentice his children
to that trade as they arrive at working age.
Thus the family income is brought up to a
figure considerably above the average through-
out the district.

"The Daily Consular & Trade Reports" in

describing our English cousins" methods says:

"In a general way it is stated that in the

electroplate trade the cost of production in

wages is about 25 per cent, and in materials

20 to 25 per cent, of the finished article, giving
a selling profit of 50 per cent. From this is
deducted the item known to the trade as
"warehouse charges," made up of running
expenses, marketing cost, interest, and depre-
ciation on plant and appliances, which in all
works out between 30 and 40 per cent, of the
value of the finished article, leaving for the
producer a net 10 to 20 per cent.

The trade here is organized under the head
of the Sheffield Silversmiths' Association, and
through this body indirectly there has been
established and is maintained a school for in-
struction in all branches of the silverware
and electroplating craft. It is the custom for
firms to pay the tuition of apprentices attend-
ing this school. The instruction given in the
night classes tends rather along commercial
than artistic lines, hence is more directly
beneficial to the trade. The manufacture of
jewelry is practically nonexistent in Sheffield."

New BooKs.

THE "]\IECHANICAL WORLD" POCKET
DIARY AND YEAR BOOK— For , con-
tains a collection of useful engineering notes,
rules, tables and data for tliose desiring in-
formation on mechanical means of transmit-
ting power, stcan-engines and boilers, gas and
oil engines. The publishers are Emmott &
Co., Ltd. London, England, and Norman,
Remington Co., Baltimore, Md. are exclusive
agents for this county. Tlie price is twenty-
five cents. - —

THE "MECHANICAL WORLD" ELEC-
TRICAL POCKET BOOK— For . A
very good book for those who are interested
in Electrical Engineering and Power trans-
mission. ]\Iany new features have been in-
troduced in the new issue of this very success-
ful publication. The publishers are Emmott
& Co. Ltd. London, England and Norman,
Remington Co., Baltimore. IMd., are exclusive
agents for this country. The price is twenty-
five cents.

Silver is never produced direct from an ore,
but may be called a by-product. It comes
principally from the smelting and refining of
lead ore or the electrolytic refining of copper.
These are the two principal sources of silver.

THE BRASS ^VORIJ>

RailAvay Bearing'— Their Design and tHe Alloys Used

in THeir Production.

By G. H. Clatner.

The total iirdduction of railway bearings in
the United States in a normal year of the
present time reaches the enormous tonnage of
over 100 million lbs. Probably three quarters
of this production is in privately owned
foundries and the balance in foundries
operated by the railroads. Tlie latest statis-
tics give the total number of cars in the
United States as 2,843,945 ; the bearings on
these cars will prol)ably average 150 lb. per
car. There are 72,669 locomotives. The

was no standard of any kind. With the inter-
change of cars on the railroads came great
confusion as the railroads were compelled to
carry a stock of all the kinds of bearings
which were used on the cars of foreign rail-
ways which operated over their road, in
order to be prepared to make a replacement
in the event of a failure of a bearing. The
^Master Car Builders' Association took the
subject in hand and as a result adopted the
hrst Master Car lUiilders' standard bearing in

Plate I. Miscellaneous Types of Brasses Used Prior to the Adoption of the MCB Standard.

average weight of bearing metal in each loco-
motive will probably be at least 11)S.,
making a grand total of 417,392,100 lbs. of
bearing metal at present in service on the rail •
v>-ays of the United States.

In there were many types of bearings
in use, chief among which was the saddle
back. The principal types then in use are
shown in plate 1. The Master Car Builders
Association had not before that time adopted
a standard bearing. The Master Mechanic
or Master Car Builder of each railroad had
his own ideas concerning the most desiralile
pattern and the car companies also had their
own standards. The result was that there

1S72. Tins bearing was of the same general
type of bearing as the present Master Car
Builders' (MCB) standard bearing, only minor
changes having been made since then. The
MCB bearing of was for a 32x7 journal
and was used on a car of 40,000 capacity.
From that time on the carrying capacity of
cars has been greatly increased until today,
the largest car produced is of 180,000 lb.
capacity. This car, shown on Plate 2, was
built in the shops of the Norfolk & Western
Railroad, and has twelve journals, 6x11 each.
This car is equipped with 432 lbs. of bearing-
metal as compared with S4 lbs. in a car of
40,000 lbs. capacity.

THE BRASS WORl-X>

The following tal)k' is interesting in sliow
ing the increase in carrying capacity, size of
bearings and the anionnt of bearing metal per
car since the adoption of the lirst 'SICV, l)ear-
ing :

C;irr\ iiig C;ip;icity

Size (if
Journal.

Wei-ht.if

Ucariim

lbs. '

■\Vci- ht of
r.cMrini;;^
ptr Car.

lbs.

40,000

3:!x7

10.5

60,000

41x8

i:;

104

80,000

5 x9

160

]()(), (100

.Six 10

24i

196

140,000

G xll

?>6

288

* 180,000

0 xll

432

*Twelve bearings per car.

In recent niodilications of the MCB bearings
a still greater proportion of the circumference
has been emljraced for the purpose of taking
])rake ])ressures, with a consequent lengthen-
ing (if the oil film, h'ar better results would
be bad l)y using separate side pieces.

•.I. It does not possess the maximum me-
chanical strength for tlie amount of metal in
it.

3. Exhibits too nuich rigidity in the box.
'i'lie MCB brass is nevertheless a practical
bearing on the whole, and the fact that it is a
standard, makes it almost impossible for the
railroads to consider any other type, notwith-
standing the fact that they might have points
of decided advantage.

Plate 2. The Largest Car in Service, 180,000 lb. Capacity, Built in the Norfolk & Western Railway Company

Shops at Roanoke, Va.

Plate :; illustrates the comparative sizes of
the various MCB bearings. The MCB bear-
ing, is defective in the following respects:

1. It emliraces too nnich of the journal,
which fre(|uently causes the breaking of the
oil film. It is claimed that it is necessary to
embrace the ammmt of the circumference of
the journal as is embodied in the MCB de-
sign to satisfactorily take the brake pressure.

Ever since the adoption of the AlCB brass,
inventors have been busily engaged trying to
improve upon it, the object of inventors being
to eliminate the objectionable features of the
MCB type and still make it conform to the
?iICl> wedge, so that it will be interchange-
able with the 3iICB Brass. Some of these
bearings have held considerable promise, and
although each of them apparently have pomts

THE BRASS WORLD

Plate 2a. One of the Largest Locomotives in Service.

of merit, as compared with the MCB type,
they are deficient in otlier respects, and with
a strong prejudice against them, they have
met only with indifferent success. ' In the
majority of these modified forms of bearings,
there has been presented as a main considera-
tion for their adoption, a diminution of
weight as compared with the AICB brass for
the same size journal. It is a fact that the
MCB brass will average at least 10% excess

capitalization of the railroads, is, nevertheless,
an illustration of how economies are to be
effected. Brandies has estimated a possible
saving in the operation of railroads by the
practice of the proper methods and economies
at a million dollars per day.

The first attempt to the writer's knowledge
to reduce the weight of the AICB brass was
made by Mr. Sanderson, at that time Superin-
tendent of ^lotive Power of the • Seaboard

Plate 3. Showing the Increase in Size of MCB Brasses from the Date of Adoption of the First Brass in

up to the Present. Smallest 3 3/4x7, largest 6x11.

weight over all requirements. Assuming that
75% of the brasses in service are the MCB
type, and this is 'conservative, approximately
oO million pounds of excess metal is in the
bearings at present in service of cars of the
United States Railways. This at the low es-
timate of 12c per pound is equivalent to $3,-
600,000, which is added to capital account,
representing an interest charge at 5% of $180,-
000 per annum. This in itself, although an
infinitesimal item, so to speak, in the total

Air Line., now Superintendent of the Eddy-
stone Works of the Baldwin Locomotive
\\'orks. Air. Sanderson's method of reducing
weight by reducing cross section of the brass,
is shown. Brass Xo. 2 on Plate 4. This re-
duction in weight, averaging 11%, accom-
plished b_v this simple means, still leaves the
brass with an abundant factor of safety to
meet all conditions. The reduction in weight
as accomplished by i\Ir. Sanderson is shown
in the following table :

THE BRASS WORLD

Size
of

[ournal.

4 xr

4:1x8
5 x9
SJxlO

Weight of MCI? Wcightof S. A. I-.
Brasses Brasses

lbs. lbs.

i:!

20
34i

9.53
12.00
18.04
20.75

Mr. Sanderson a few years afterwards be-
came Superintendent of :\[otive Power of the
Virginian Railway, and he then designed a
brass still lighter in weight, which is shown.
Brass No. 1, on Plate 4. This brass made an
average reduction, as compared with the ^ICP.
type of 12%, and if tlie brass is made in the
ordinary bearing alloy at present in use, this
represents about the limit to which the cross
section of the bearing can lie reduced with
safety. A bearing designed by the author and
Mr. Charles Hopkins and controlled l^y tlie
.-\jax Metal Company, represents the extreme
limit to which the MCB brass may lie cut if a
stronger alloy is used in the production of it
than that ordinarily used. Such a brass is
marketed by the Ajax Metal Company under
the name of "Perfecto Bearing," shown on
Plate 5.

The following tests illustrate its strength
under various strains, as compared witli the
full :\ICB brass made in Plastic Bronze:

Test No. 1. — r.rasses subjected to direct load
distributed over the back, bearings supported
on tlie under side.

MCB brass in Ajax Plastic Bronze broke at
101.(;no lbs.

Perfecto Brass in Ajax Perfecto Bronze
l)roke at 103.150 lbs.

Test No. 2 — Load applied over the entire
back, bearings supported on mandrel, same
diameter as lining of brass.

MCB and Perfecto Bearings both loaded t.-
100,000 lb. without distortion.

Test No. 3. — Transverse, supports 7" inches
between centers, bearings being supported on
under side.

MCB brass in Ajax Plastic Bronze. .:il,230 lbs
Perfecto Brass in Ajax Perfecto

Bronze 37.690 lbs.

These tests show that the deficiency in

strength, due to reduction in cross section,

has been compensated for by the increased
strength of the metal.

Having now discussed the design of car
journal bearings, I will now proceed to a dis-
cussion of the changes which have been
wrought in the alloys from which the back of
bearing proper is made, and finally, the lining
metal of the bearing, which today, has be-
come the most important part.

Bearing Metal Alloys.

In J\Ir. D. F. tlopkins took out a patent
on a lead-lined bearing. In accordance with
this patent, the bearings were first tinned on
their journal side and then a lining of lead
was firmly attached to the bearing by placing
it against a mandrel and pouring lead into the
intervening space between the surface of the
bearing and the mandrel. The bearing was
previously heated, and because of its tinned
surface, the lead attached itself very firmly
to the .bearing and became integral with it.
This invention marked a decided advance in
the operation of journal brasses and is univer-
sally used today in the manufacture of journal
bearings intended for steam railway equip-
ment. Previous to this invention, the journals
were operated on a bearing of hard metal. The
journals were frequently more or less worn
when new bearings were applied, with the re-
sult that a very poor fit resulted. By means
of the soft lead lining, a so-to-speak automatic
adjustment was made possible: because of the
soft yielding nature of the lead, the journal
soon seated itself in a ver\' satisfactory man-
ner. By reason of this automatic seat the
difticulties previously experienced in breaking
in a new bearing were almost entirely oxer-
come. Hopkins held this patent firmly until
its expiration. Both the Eastern Railways
Association and the Western Railways Asso-
ciation pronounced his patent \'alid, aiid he
practically had a monopoly of the railway
business of the country. Those railroads
which manufactured their own bearings.
either sent tliem to Hopkins to be lead-lined
or else tiiey lead-lined them in their own
shops under royalty.

During all of this period from until
. by reason of this control of the railway
bearing business, practically nothing but
copper and tin alloy was used. A small
amount of scrap mixtures had, however, al-
ready found their way upon the market.
Previous to the expiration of the Hopkins
patent, it was discovered by Dicks in England,
that the introduction of lead and phosphorous

THE BRASS WORLX)

into the copper and tin alloy added to its
efficiency as a bearing metal. The alloy pro-
duced by Dicks is the alloy still at present
largely in use known as Phosphor Bronze "S"
grade, the composition of which is :

Copper 78% to 80%

Tin 9% to 11%

Lead 8% to 11%

Phosphorous 7/10 to 1%

The value of lead in the bearing metal soon
became apparent, and first among those to
recognize the beneficial influence of lead ad-

excess of phosphorous is rather detrimental
than beneficial, not only from the foundry
standpoint, because it makes casting more
difficult, due to the narrow range of tempera-
ture at which it must be poured, but also from
a service standpoint, because it adds hardness
and brittleness. Phosphorous in the alloy
combines with the copper to form brittle phos-
phides, producing extremely brittle con-
stituents within the alloy, and also enters the
eutectic* With increasing brittleness of the
particles composing the alloy, the rate of wear
is increased as is also the liabilitv toward

Plate 4. Shows Modified Forms of Brasses Which Fit the MCB. Box.

dition was the Ajax ]\Ietal Company. They
produced as early as the alloy known as
Ajax Metal, which was practically the same as
the Dick's Alloy, except that it did not con-
tain phosphorous. This alloy came very
largely into use, and it is still a debated
question as to whether the phosphorous exist-
ing in Phosphor Bronze over and above that
required to effect oxidation, is of benefit to
the alloy, if not a decided detriment. I be-
lieve it is now quite universally conceded by
those who are in position to know, that the

heating. It is necessary to pour phosphor
bronze within a narrow range of temperature,
because if poured too hot, it eats into the sand
and produces a hard skin on the casting.

*A "Eutectic" is tlie last freezing point of
an alloy and corresponds to what tlae mother-
liquor of a saline solution would become if
such a solution, after tlie excess of saline mat-
ter was crystallized out, were finally com-
pletely frozen. It is the mother-liquor or
"bittern" frozen. Its composition is fixed re-
gardless of the varying proportions of metals
present though not in simple atomic propor-
tions. Its freezing point is constant.

48 THE BRASS WORLJ>

which is difficult to machine, and care must 3. Tendency to Ijeconie heated decreases

also he taken not to allow the temperature as the lead increases and the tin decreases, or

of the alloy to become too low, because it in other words, as the plasticity of the alloy

passes very ciuickly from a highly liquid con- is increased.

dition to the solid state without goins' through These facts having been ascertained, the

the plastic condition through which all other prol)leni whiih was presented to Dr. Dudley,

alloys go in cooling. was. how far he could go with the diminution

The writer some years ago performed tlie of tin and the increasing of lead and still

experiment of remelting some standard phos maintain a bearing of sufficient rigidity to

phor bronze ten times. The melting was per- withstand the service strains. The final alloy

formed under a layer of charcoal, so that ver\- decided upon was:
little oxidation occurred. After ten meltings ^ ^^

there was a loss of only about 1.5% of the topper 777o

Phosphorus which was originally present, but Tin 8%

the metal was extremely hard and brittle, Lead 15%

showing a decided depreciation in qualitv due , ,, . ,^, - , , t-i •

, . to which was added \% ot phosphorous. 1 his
to remelting. , ,, , , -r> i •

was the alloy known on the Pennsylvania

Railroad as EXB metal, and which continued
to be the standard of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road for some years for car bearings. Dr.
Dudley did not stop at the alloy of 8%- Tin.

Wf / 15%) Lead and 77% Copper, because he had

■»^***.^«^ ^^^ ™---i reached the limit of rigidity, but because he

^^k jBJ^'''*iWHI-^1 encountered foundry difficulties, namely, he

^^^fe- ^^ was una])le to produce alloys with higher lead

Ik ~~^^ content because of lead segregation. It is

^ .. r. . * » • now commonlv known, but first pointed out
Plate 5. Ajax Perfecto Bearing. - ' ^

by the writer, that he was unaoie to produce
higher lead content alloys because of the
The consumption of phosphor bronze is de- phosphorous which all his alloys contained,
cidedly on the decline, and it is probably only Phosphorous has the property, as before men-
owing to an improper understanding of the tioned, of keeping the alloy in a highly liquid
fact that, just a little phosphorous is decidedly condition, which condition persists for a con-
beneficial but a greater amount deleterious, siderable period after the metal enters the
which accounts for the continued consumption. mould, if it has been poured at the proper
Noting the beneficial effects of the addition temperature. The maintenance of this liquid
of 10% of lead in the copper and tin alloy, the condition allows the lead, because of its very
late Dr. C. B. Dudley, Chemist of the Penn- much higher specific gravity to segregate to
sylvania Railroad, carried on a systematic in- the bottom of the casting. Appreciating the
vestigation of the properties of a number of advantages to 'be derived from still further
copper, tin and lead alloys with increasing decreasing the tin and increasing the lead, as
lead content above 10% and decreasing tin compared with Dr. Dudley's EXB alloy, we
content below 10%. These tests were carried experimented along these lines and found that,
out in service and extended over a consider- l)y using pure raw materials or by restricting
able period, and covered the examination of the impurity content to a small amount and
many bearings of each of the alloys tried. leaving out phosphorous, it was possible to re-
Without going into the details of this investi- duce the tin content to 5 and increase the lead
gation, wdiich has been frequently published. content to 30, so producing without any spec-
the following general facts, which have now ial manipulation or process of any kind, a
become actual laws governing the composition highly satisfactory alloy without lead segrega-
of bearing metals, were discovered: tion, wdiich still maintained sufficient rigidity

1. That the rate of wear diminishes with for successful use as a car journal bearing,
tiie increase of lead. and as an alloy for locomotive driving brasses

2. That the rate of wear diminishes with and bearings of similar nature, which were
the diminution of tin. not subject to severe compression or pounding.

THE BRASS WORIJ>

-Ml the alloys made between the composition
of Dr. Dudley's EXB ^letal and this alloy,
which is marketed by the Ajax Metal Com-
pany under the designation of Ajax Plastic
Bronze "A" grade, were found by tests on a
Carpenter friction-testing machine to conform
to the laws governing copper, tin and lead
alloys as established by Dr. Dudley, the rate
of wear under precisely the same conditions
was decidedly slower and the tendency to be-
come heated was decidedly less. These facts
were also proved by many service tests, with
the result that up to the present time there
has been marketed by the Ajax Metal Co.
about 75 million pounds of this alloy.

The foregoing discussion covers alloys con-
taining from 5% to 10% of tin and from
10% to 30% of lead. There has also been
used during all that period from until the
present day, alloys containing not only these
three metals, but increasing amounts of zinc,
which is considered a detrimental impurity,
and rightfully so, because zinc increases the
rate of wear. Zinc has found its way into
bearing metal alloys by reason of scrap
which is used in making them, but with an in-
crease in the amount of zinc present, there
must be a corresponding decrease in the lead
content, otherwise segregation will result. An
enormous tonnage of bearings is at present on
the market containing up to 10% of Zinc,
lip to 20% of Lead, up to 7% of Tin, and the
balance Copper. Such bearings give good ser-
vice, because the lead, as a rule, is sufficient-
ly high to counteract in a great measure the
detremental influence of the zinc. The follow-
ing table gives some of the standard specifi-
cations of American Railways at present in
use :

A. Ne^v Crucible.

The following illustration will show a new
crucible which has been evolved by Henry
Weisbrodt, an employee of the Joseph Dixon
Crucible Compan\-, to be used by melters of
precious metals. It has been designed to do
away with skimming, and also the possible
chance of charcoal or molten fluxes getting in-
to the ingot or casting.

This crucible has a bridge at the top. which
on pouring the metal, holds back the charcoal
and foreign matter, and so delivers clean
metal.

This new design does not in any way reduce
the holding capacity of the crucible and the
metal can be stirred satisfactorily as in a
regular crucible.

Metallic mercury is not poisonous itself
and has been taken internally in a large quan-
tity without ill effects. The salts, however,
are among the most poisonous compounds
known.

A\Tme Tin Lead Co/^pcr

Atlantic Coast Line 9 13 73

Baltimore & Ohio 9-n 10-13 78-80 _

Boston & :\Iaine 7-9 9-11 77-80

Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg not below 9 10-lG 72-80

Chicago & Eastern 111 not below 6 10-1.5 not below 75

Chicago & Alton 7-10 10-14 75-80

Canadian Pacific Min. 7 Max. 20 balance

Grand Trunk Railway Min. 7 15-20 not less 72

Isthmian Canal Commission Min. G 10-15 not less 75

:\Iissouri Pacific 7*-ll 10-18 75-80

Northern Pacific Min. 9 10-16 72-80

(To be continued.)

not

and //;;/'.
over ?,

not

over o
■■ 1

THE BRASS WORLD

MetKod of Soldering Alum-
inum.

By C. H. Poland.

"Can you sive nic any information in re-
gard to tlie use of aluniiiuun solder. I have
tried to solder with it on several occasions;
but find it impossible to make it take?"'

How often have I heard this, and similar
complaints in regard to the soldering of alumi-
num. The complaint is justified if one regards
the term "Soldering Aluminum" in the ordi-
nary acceptance of the term as applied to the
soldering of any of the other metals that are
readily soldered in the usual way. The usual
process comprises the following" — first cleaning'
the surface of the article where it is to be
soldered so that is is perfectly clean from grease
and dirt and then covering witli a du.x or sol-
dering fluid as it is sometimes called : lint the
base of which is almost invariabl\- cliloride nf
zinc. Then a copper soldering iron or a torcli
is used to flow the ordinary soft solder which
is composed of 50% tin and 50% lead and
known to the trade as "Half and Half" solder.
Proceeding along these lines to carry out
the operation of soldering aluminum, there
can be nothing but failure t(D reward any one
for their time and trouble as this metal is so
easily corroded that it will not stand a flux
of any kind ; but will immediately turn black
as soon as any heat is applied to it and, of
course, nothing will adhere to it.

Now my advice to any one wishing to sol-
der aluminum is to forget the term "Solder-
ing Aluminum"' entirely and treat it as a
brazing proposition as that is really what it
is.

The first thing to do is to get a special
alumimnn solder composed of tlie following:

Tin 2 fts.

Spelter s ozs.

Aluminum 1 oz.

Phosphor Tin 1 oz.

In making tliis aluniiiuun solder, put the
spelter and aluminum in a crucible and melt
and when melted add the tin and stir well.
Then pull the crucible from the fire and add
the phosphor tin and pour into thin strips.
It is then ready to use.

The melting point of this solder is so low
that it can be used on sheet aluminum as well
as on any of the alloys of zinc and aluminum.
It is one of the best solders for brazing"
aluminum known.

There is no reason why anyone cannot do
a satisfactory job as it is not counted as any-
thing but an ordinary piece of factory prac-
tice in shops, where they have it to do as
l^art of a days work.

There are several ways to go about this
brazing operation, depending on the character
of the piece to mend. Some small work can
be held in a vice, while other larger pieces,
such as a cracked or l)roken automobile crank-
case must be done on the floor or bench.

The thing that must be provided for in lay-
ing out the job is some way to clamp the
broken parts firmly together when the solder
liegins to flow ; otherwise the pieces will not
stick together.

To carry out the operation as it is being
done daily in one of the large autouKjbile tac-
tories. proceed as follows :

First, scrape free from dirt the edges or
surface of the piece to be brazed, then heat
with a torch or blow pipe, holding the stick
of solder close to the flame so that some of
the solder will be melted on to the edges or
surface of each piece to l>e lirazed. This
solder will not flow evenly over the surface
like ordinary soft solder : but will be in a
plastic state and w^ill cling together in lumps
on the surface of the work. Now, while
it is hot, take a steel scraper or any kind
of a worn-out three-square file, (ground to
a point makes a very good tool for this work)
and scrape thoroughly the edge or surface
of each piece. You will then find on wiping
ofl: the excess of solder, that you have a per-
fectly tinned surface. Then clamp the pieces
to be brazed together and heat them hot
enough to flow the brazing solder that you
have tinned the edges with and when hot
screw up on the clamps until you get a tight
joint, and then let cool. When cool the edges
may be ground or filed down to a finish so
that it will be almost impossible to tell where
the piece was mended.

Antimonial or hard lead is a by-product in
the smelting and refining of silver from lead
ores. The antimony occurs in the lead ore
and is thus saved. At one time it was difficult
to dispose of, then it became used for babbitt-
metal and commanded only a less price than
soft lead, but now it sells for a greater price
than the pure metal. Type-metal, habliitt-
metal, soft-metal novelties, etc. consume near-
ly all of the hard lead thus produced.

THE BRASS WORLD

THe Brass Foundry of tKe
Fvitixre.'

By C. P. Karr.t

The brass foundry of the future can not be
foretold with a;,y degree of certainty without
considering the status of the foundry as it is
to-day and of making comparisons that are
more or less indictments of present-day prac-
tices. In every large foundry where from
one or more gates of similar patterns many
castings are made, the tendency is to repro-
duce the product on a large scale. ]^Iatch
flasks, plastic molds and various other de\ices
are made use of to economize in the cost of
labor, to expedite the production, to insure
avoidance of waste and to lessen unnecessary
duplication ; to this end. cranes and trolley
:racks are installed in order to lift heavy
charges and convey them quickly over great
floor areas to their pouring destination; to
promote their handling at the furnace month,
lifting cranes, hoists, counterweighted furnace
covers and various other devices are used to
save time, to avoid loss in cooling and to
lessen the hardships endured over hot fires
and to eliminate close contact of the melter
with his molten metal. Forced blast is em-
ployed to save time in melting and to increase
the product per heat per man ; to prepare the
castings for their journey to the finishing shop,
tumbling barrels, sand-blast apparatus, gate
cutters or circular saws are used to effect a fur-
ther saving of time and a reduction in the labor
cost. Everywhere machinery and more machin-
ery of the most ingenious and expensive kind
is installed to effect economies of cost and uni-
formity of production. In some shops every-
thing is standardized but quality, quantity is
supreme. Even the pattern shop in some
cases is run on a semi-classified scientific
basis to insure uncertainty of selection and
procrastination of action. Patterns that for
ages have become shrouded with cobwebs
and no longer fit even for a decent burial,
are religiously preserved in some forgotten
corner of the old style pattern shop : today
they may be of some use ; tomorrow they will
be relegates to the junk heap. Today the

*Read at Chicago Convention of American
Institute of Metals.

^Associate Physicist, Bureau of Standards,
Pittsburgh, Pa.

whereabouts of a certain pattern, one it may
be of 10,000, is known only to the mysterious
memory of one man in custody of them, but
tomorrow every pattern will be numbered,
classified according to its usage or function,
have its proper place in the thousand or
more pigeon holes or cupboards or racks, be
card indexed so that even the core-boy in the
shop can instantly place his finger on any
pattern that is wanted, especially if it be
wanted in a hurry.

In the core-room the work is often done in
a haphazard way, but tomorrow we shall find
that the work has become highly specialized.
Some simple cores that are to be duplicated in-
definitely are turned out in great quantities by
suitable machines. In the molding department
the old-fashioned bench molder who used to
lord it over us all with his mysterious
wrinkles, kinks and ultra-wise shakes of his
owlish head, is fast becoming an interesting
figure of the past, even a memory and nothing
more. His importance has dwindled to a pitiful
insignificance, for the tendency of the day
is to adapt every pattern possible to the man-
ipulations of the ubiquitous molding machine.
Looking at the progressive foundry of today
it would seem as though nothing more could
be done by machinery to increase the efficiency
of the output, its quality or its productive
amount, but even in such a direction the
future may have for us many a surprise in
store, the development may take the shape of
greater automatic action and simplicity. When
we have reached such a parting of the ways,
where are we to look for further improvement
and higher efiiciency with better quality of
product and lessened cost of production.

The one element of this economical problem
which has been studied the least of all in our
constant endeavor to advance the art and the
science of the foundry to its highest estate is
in the one variable human unit of all foundry
production, viz : the man behind all this in-
tricate machinery, the dispenser of all these
resources. It is difficult to say where we
should begin such a consideration of tliis
human unit ; perhaps the simplest and most
logical procedure would be to begin with the
first operation of the molder himself and his
choice of materials. First is his sand which
oft'ers a wide field of research and needs im-
provement. We have been accustomed to
get the best natural molding sand offered in
the open market and let it go at that. Few of

THE BRASS WORLD

us liave taken the pains to question its
quality or adaptability to tlio ends we had in
view. We look at the pattern, ascertain its pur-
pose and judging — some of us hy intuitions,
others by a rough rule of thunrb — we direct
the casting to be done in green sand, dry sand
or loam, maybe, and pass it up to the molder.
Then when failure comes we are surprised or
claim that we are: if we have a sand that
feels too loamy to our touch we may o])en it
up with a mixture of jnire (piartz sand and
give the confined gases a chance to escajje,
but how nnich shall we use. when shall we
use it, how may we ])est disseminate the quart/
sand through the loam, what is its tempera-
ture of vitrification? Few of us know. Ex-
periment and investigation alone will answer
such important questions, but if we are to
avoid unsuccessful castings and consequent
loss of time and labor, such questions must lie
answered right: the future fouiulr\man will
luake it his economical business to answer
them. Is his sand too dry or too wet, or has
it been properly screened and tempered ? At
the present time the mighty but easy rule of
thumb method prevails: in the future the ex-
pert founder will have somebody devise for
him a simple cubic measure and balance to in-
form him as to these things : he will have at
his beck and call some simple test which shall
tell him at once whether he can go success-
fully ahead.

In drying his molds, today, the lower part
of his drying stove has a red hot zone all the
way around the lowest section and abo\e, the
iron shell is moderately hot, his drying tem-
peratures throughout the vertical sections of
his flasks being of variable degrees. As a re-
sult his molds are not uniformly dried out,
what kind of castings has he a right to ex|)ect
from such a means of drying? In the future he
will have a drying oven maintained at a regu-
lar moderate temperature, a muffle oven if you
will, provided with a self-recording pyrometer,
a time clock to regulate the time of exposure
and ensure a dry-skin over the entire face if
the mold, or an electric oven heated to a con-
stant temperature. In ])ench molding every
motion of the molder is governed by the
amount of personal skill he possesses. Some of
these men have a marvelous delicacy of toncli
and certainty of action and confidence of con-
trol : in the future greater skill may not be
attained, only a more uniform result. Ke
will become more adept in the use of his

sand and perhaps more skillful in his use of
cores. If he has to pour his own molds as
today he generally does, the future will bring
many changes. His judgment of the pouring
heat as now generally practiced will be taken
from him because the pyrometer will give
him his last pouring heat without dispute,
llis judgment as to how fast or slow, or uni-
form a charge must be poured will have to
be a matter of personal skill and decision
based upon past experience just as it is today
but the molder of the future will necessarily
be a man of trained mind, ripened by study
and observation, and his decision as to any
course of procedure will be of more value to
his employer than that of his fellow workman
of today. He will also be a man of good
personal habits, of clean living, well balanced
thinking and vigorous health, liecause he will
realize they are the necessary adjuncts to skill-
ful molding. If such a man be a machine
molder, he will make himself personally fa-
miliar with every lever, nut, bolt, screw,
spring, cam and mechanical device of his
machine, so that he can see at a glance
whether his machine is working up to its best
condition. Even his ear will be trained to de-
tect a discordant sound in the smoothly glid-
ing noises which his machine might utter if
something be awry, and in addition to this will
have sufticient natural mechanical skill to take
the entire complex mechanism apart and put
it together again, if necessary, without the aid
of the master machinist of the works. This
suggestion may seem like stretching the point
of departure from present-day practice a little
too far, yet if any one will recall from his
own personal experience what he knows of
the vast amount of cheap and inexperienced
labor that today is operating machines for
molding in almost every shop in the land and
then look at the product of such labor and
count the vast losses thus entailed, the con-
clusion arrived at may not be so exaggerated
as it seems.

In the future the premium system applied
to the number of good castings produced by
the machine molder will establish the point
thus made. If the current practice of the
shop is to have each molder pour his own
work, then in addition to the mechanical quali-
fications thus stated, the successful molder of
the future must in every sense of the word be
a man, a man unafraid of personal danger, for
every time a man pours a pot of metal into

THE BRASS WORl^

a mold he takes his own hfe and the lives of
the men in his immediate vicinity into his own
hands. Many of us have witnessed instances
of personal heroism that would make the
wildest romancer pale with envy, because the
genius had not been vouchsafed to him to con-
ceive of anything so noble and glorious. Sec-
ond, the furnace man. As all of us know,
the work of the modern foundry has become a
matter of specialization to a startling degree.
For example, the furnace man is second to
the molder only in the order of his connection
-with the production of a casting, not second to
him in order of importance ; in fact it is hard
to draw a line between them. Why should
we? They co-ordinate each other so as to
produce the curve of efficiency, if we may
■draw an illustration from the art of the
metallographer.

Today, as a rule, the furnace man is simply
a melter of scraps, a compounder of junk and
any old metal that is wheeled up to him. He
may have charge of a number of furnaces :
these may be fired in various ways — all these
furnaces and their devices look alike to him —
his one task is to get his charge into the pots
.as fast as he can and run them down quickly.
As tlie last gate disappears, off comes the
lid, up comes the pot, whisked onto the trolley
and rushed to the molder who is waiting to
fill his molds, and quite frequently, as some
of us know, the pot-full of metal is sent in-
dignantly back to him, too cold to pour, too
thick, or something wrong about it. In it
goes again to be soaked, oxidized by the gases
of combustion, burned maybe, and out it
■comes again smoking hot and then it is
poured. The amount of bad castings pro-
duced tells a story that needs no explanation.

The furnace man of the future will know
about every mechanical appliance of his fur-
nace as well as if not better than its manufac-
turer, and he will be quick to detect and avert
■every faulty working. He will know how to
regulate his air pressure to his oil or gas
supply so that his furnace will at every
moment be working at its utmost efficiency;
he will know how to hi>ld his heat at almost
a constant temperature when such a proceed-
ing becomes necessary. He will become ac-
quainted with the use of various pyrometers,
be able to adjust and read them and interpret
their results to aid him in the production of a
superior metal. He will necessarily have had
some chemical education and laboratory prac-
tice so that he may lie .able to flux his metal

intelligently. He will also have a practical
working knowledge of physical chemistry,
know the difference between alpha and beta
copper, so that the microstructure of a metal
will not be a blank to him; he will have a
knowledge of the gases of combustion, know-
how to determine them so that he may the
more skillfully operate his furnace during
the melting process, li he works in a very
large foundry it will be incumbent on his em-
ployer to place him in the way of obtaining
such information either by encouraging him
to attend a night school where he may study
the higher art of good foundry practice or
conduct a school within the works for those
who wish to attend.

To the furnace man of the future the
metallurgy of the metals he uses will be
neither a sealed book nor a lost art. Thy sub-'
ject will possess for him a boundless fascina-
tion, the witchery of a tale that is never fully
told, because the new art will never become
trite for him, and the old will never lose its
eternal charm.

In the core roc>m of the future th;re will
be, of course, embodied in its chief a fuller
knowledge of core sands, a better kn.mvledge
of binders, a more complete comprehension
of the absorption of gases, tlie retention of
moisture by various sands, the ratio of voids
to solids, the variation of specific gravities, a
greater knowledge of plasticity, all tending
to expand the coremaker's grasp of means to
an end. virtually an applied science as well as
a versatile art.

And last, but not least, the successful brass
foundry of the future will be operated and
controlled by a man versed in every correlated
department of metallurgy applied to his field
of endeavor, for metallurgists then as now
will remain a highly specialized class of men.
each working to the best of his ability to read
the mysterious laws of nature and apply them
the most profitably. Metallography, which
now to many is nothing more than a myster-
ious confusion of lines, scratches and crystals,
will in the future fall into lines of grace, im-
prints of a wider science and refulgent with a
white light of knowledge. Great work for the
foundry man has been done by the metallogra-
pher of today, but greater yet is to be done.

The foundry foreman of the future will
not arrive at his final conclusions respecting
the failure of his castings or be guided in his
means of correction solely by tensile, com-
pressive or hardness tests as we now know

THE BRASS WORLD

them , but will demand a series of metallogra-
phic tests, or perhaps make use of the spectro-
scope, dissociation and electrical tests of
various sorts before there can be indicated to
him the royal road to success. In that future
day he will study not only the individual pro-
perties of each metal with which he is w^ork-
ing, but more completely than we do now, he
will ascertain what is their correlative action
upon each other in varying proportions and
submitted to various temperatures and pres-
sures, and melted perhaps under inert atmos-
pheres. He will investigate their chemical
action upon one another, also their intcr-phase
action, their crystalliing forces and catalytic
transformations. All of such and kindred
studies lead us rapidly and bewilderingly into
the domain of the unknown.

He may then be able to solve some of the
greatest problems which have baffled the most
learned metallurgists of our day, viz : those of
liquation and segregation. He may be putting
together metals of varying degrees of liqua-
tion and segregation with different powers of
solvency in such a way that both chemical
and physical equilibrium may be restored and
that these proportions may be reciprocally
varied at will, and in connection with proper
heat treatment — all internal stresses may be
balanced and uniformity of molecular struc-
ture be obtained.

The success of the brass foundry of the
future will depend more upon the training of
the man in physical and metallurgical science
and his ability to apply his knowledge than
upon the machinery employed, desirable
though it may be as an accessory to facilitate
the production of his castings. In other
words, the greatest possible factor for success
lies in the development of the man himself.

A.n Improvexnent to Soldering
Irons.

Bureau of Standards A.nalyzed
Samples.

The Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.
C, is prepared to issue a sheet brass of the
following composition, approximately :

Tin 1.07o

Lead 1.0%

Copper 70.3%

Zinc 27.0%

Iron 0.3%

Nickel 0.5%

The fee, payable in advance, is $3.00 per
sample of about 150 grams weight.

In many trades, a soldering iron is counted
as an important factor in the shop equipment.
The forms of the irons are varied, their sizes
numerous and coal, coke, charcoal, gas, gaso-
line and electricity arc fuels applied in divers
and ingenious ways for their heating. Most
recent improvements have been in combining
the heating device and iron in one body. The
illustration shows another projected improve-
ment in the form of an attachment which is
designed to facilitate the feeding of the solder
to the job.

Fig. 1 sliows the attachment applied in
linear top view and Fig. 2 presents the man-
ner of attachment by longitudinal section.
Fig. 3 is a cross-section of line 3-3 in Fig. 2.
A slight study of the illustration will show
that the attachment proper is fastened to the
shank of the soldering iron by the two clamp-
ing members at 4 and 12. These clamps are
to be made in various sizes to tit all standard
irons. The attachment so clamped comprises
a frame, operated by the lever 15, a solder-
holder, locks to hold the solder in position and
actuating springs. In operation along general
lines of work, the depression of the lever
raises the end of the pivoted frame, thus
bringing the solder (as shown by dotted lines)
into contact with the iron, the flow of solder
being continuous as long as desired. There
are several adaptations to specific needs. The
inventor of the device is Carl Hermann,
Chicago, 111.

THE BRASS WORLD

Stirface vs. "Weight of Anodes.

In nickel plating it is the surface rather
than the weight which is to be considered.
The surface is but slightly diminished as the
anodes dissolve. There are two reasons for
this.

1. The surface of a cylinder or elliptical
cylinder does not decrease as rapidly as its
volume or weight. If the weight of the anode
is decreased from 100 pounds to 25 pounds,
its surface will he one-half as great. This
may be simply proved by rolling a piece of
paper 3 inch wide into the form of a cylinder
which will have a diameter of nearly one inch.
If now, a similar cylinder having one-half the
surface be made, four such will be obtained in
the original cylinder. If our anode were 20
inches long and 3 inches in diameter, its
curved surface would be 20x9.42=188.40 sq.
inches. If its diameter were 2 inches and its
length the same, its curved surface would be
20x6.28=125.60 sq. inches.

Volume of 3 inch cylinder.
7.x20=141.37 Cubic inches.

Volume of 2 inch cylinder.
3.x20=62.83 Cubic inches.

2. The anodes become so roughened and
pitted in use that on this account their surface
may be greatly increased.

We believe that approximately the same
surface is maintained, because of the two
reasons mentioned above, till two-thirds of
the weis^ht of the anode have been dissolved.

Electroplating Zinc Alloy Die
Casting's.

The advent of die or pressure castings into
the commercial world is one of the most im-
portant additions to the metal industry in sev-
eral decades. Many small parts that were pre-
viously made from iron, brass or bronze and
cast in sand are now made from alloys of zinc
and varying proportions of copper, tin and
aluminum. These alloys give a strong homo-
geneous and compact metal and come from the
dies as perfect machined castings, requiring
very little labor to assem-ble.

]\Iany electro-platers who have had no ex-
perience in plating zinc alloy die castings look
upon them as a difficult problem to contend
with. This is not the case, as they are not
more difficult to electro-plate than iron or

steel, according to the National Lead Co., Ill
Broadway, N. Y., who have recently issued a
booklet on "Electroplating Zinc Alloy Die
Castings"; the following of which we reprint
for the benefit of our readers:—
Cleansing a)id Polishing
"Die castings that are to have a polished
surface should be cut down whh the usual buff
wheels and tripoli composition. The finishing
should be accomplished with white composi-
tions of Vienna lime. After the articles have
been polished the excess of polishing material
should be removed by the aid of benzine or
gasoline and afterwards dried out in maple
sawdust. If the benzine or gasoline is dis-
pensed with then hot alkaline solutions should
be used for cleansing. The strong alkalies of
caustic soda or potassium should never be used
in cleansing zinc, as they have a reducing ac-
tion upon the metal and produce oxides; thus
destroying the polished surface.

The cleaner shrmld be maintained at a tem-
perature of 100 to 180 degrees Fahr. Soda ash
may also be used for the purpose. In such an
event one pound of the material and quarter
of an ounce of cyanide of potassium should be
used per gallon of water.

The article should remain in the cleansing
bath for a few minutes and then the excess of
the polishing material brushed away, using an
oval painter's sash brush for the purpose. The
rubber set variety is the most economical.
After cleansing immerse in clean, cold water
and then into a cyanide dip. This dip should
consist of 6 ounces of cyanide of potassium
or sodium to each gallon of water and should
be used cold. After re-washing the articles in
clean, cold water they are ready for the plat-
ing bath.

Articles to be unfinished are cleansed in the
same manner if somewhat corroded due to the
formation of oxide of zinc upon the surface
caused by the contact with moisture. Immerse
for a few seconds in a pickle consisting of one
part of hydrochloric acid and four parts of
water. This will dissolve the oxide. Then
rinse the die castings in cold water, immerse
in the cleaning solution for a few seconds,
re-wash in cold water and then scratch-brush
to bring up the color of the metal. Repeat the
cleaning operations using only the cleaning
solution and the cyanide dip and the casting is
ready for plating. If the articles are to be
a polished finish then the scratch-brushing
may be dispensed with.

THE BRASS WORtX)

Copper Plating Die Castings

The solution for copper plating should con-
sist of the following proportions :

Water 1 gallon

Cyanide of Copper '.> ounces

Carbonate of potash 1 ounce

Cyanide of potassium or sodium . . 4 ounces

To prepare the solution the potash and cop-
per should be dissolved in half the amount of
hot water, the cyanide in the balance of luke-
warm water; then mix thoroughly together.
Use the solutinn at a temperature of 150
degrees Fahr. and at 2 to 2^2 volts pressure.
Cast copper anodes give the test results, but
the electrolytic variety may be used.

Brass Plating Die Castings

Prepare a solution exactly the same as the
copper bath. Then dissolve equal parts of
cyanide of zinc and cyanide of potassium in
warm water. An addition of 1 ounce of the
zinc carbonate and the same proportion of
cyanide should be added to the copper bath
per gallon: then add ]/> ounce of sal annnoniac
per gallon of solution. If the color should be
too deep a jellow a little more zinc should be
added to the bath to obtain the requisite shade.
This bath should be run at a temperature of
120 degrees Fahr. and at a 2 to 3 volts pres-
sure. The cleansing of the articles should be
as previously stated.

Xiekel Plating Die Castings

Much trouble has been experienced in nickel
plating die castings with the ordinary solution
due to black streaks appearing in the deposit
caused by local action of the ordinary solution
upon the metal. The following fornuilas will
give satisfactory results without the difficulties
mentioned.

Nickel sulphate IOI2 ounces

Potassium citrate 1 ounces

Annnonium chloride 10^2 ounces

^\'''iter 25/. gallons

To prepare this bath dissolve the nickel sul-
phate and ammonium chloride in half the
amount of hot water prescribed; then dissolve
the potassium chlorate in the balance of the
water and mix thoroughly. The voltage should
be 2K' to 3 volts. This bath should always be
kept neutral to avoid black streaks. For this
purpose pure caustic potash should be used
dissolved in water and added to the bath so
that the sohition is neutral to the test of red

or blue litmus paper. The following bath is
used extensively in plating articles made from
zinc and gives excellent results.

Double nickel salts 8 ounces

Chloride of sodium 1 ounce

Magnesium sulphate.. 2 to 4 ounces

^^'ater 1 gallon

To prepare the bath dissolve the nickel salts
in half of the water at a temperature of 180
degrees and dissolve the other salts in the bal-
ance of cold water ; then mix thoroughly to-
gether. Use this solution cold and an.odes of
cast nickel should be used. The voltage should
be 2^ to 3^ volts. The articles to be nickel
plated ma}- be plated direct or previously
lightly coated in the copper or brass l:)aths.
The time of immersion in either of the nickel
baths should be according to the thickness of
deposit required, although thirty minutes gives
a fairly good deposit in either case.

Silver Plating Die Castings

Cyanide of silver 3 ounces

Cyanide of potassium 4 ounces

Water 1 gallon

Use anodes of pure silver at about 1 volt
pressure. Die castings for silver plating should
be previously copper plated for a short time
then amalgamated in a mercury dip consisting
of the following proportions :

Water 1 gallon

Oxide of mercury ^2 ounce

Cyanide of potassium .• G ounces

After copper plating and washing in water
the articles are immersed in the dip for a
second or two or until uniformly coated with
mercury. They should then be re-washed and
immersed in the silver bath. Or the articles
may be nickel plated in one or the other of
the nickel baths and quickly coated in the
silver striking solution and then directly im-
mersed into the silver bath without rinsing
in water.

The silver strike should consist of the fol-
lowing ;

Cyanide of silver J/, ounce

Cyanide of potassium 0 ounces

Water 1 gallon

Use silver anodes with 3 to 4 volts pres-
sure. The nickel surface must be immediately
coated over for successful silver deposits.

Gilding Die Castings
In gilding die castings the articles must be
previously coated with brass or copper and
a bright lustre maintained upon the articles.

THE BRASB WORJLJ)

The following formula will give excellent
results :

Phosphate of soda 8 ounces

Sulphate of soda 1^^ ounces

Cyanide of sodium 6 pennyweights

Chloride of gold G pennyweights

Water 1 gallon

To prepare the solution dissolve the cyanide
and chloride of gold in part of the hot water
and the sodium salts in the balance ; then mix
together thoroughly. Anodes of gold, platinum
or carbon may be used and the bath should
be kept at a temperature of ISO degrees Fahr.
at 2 volts pressure. If the articles are previ-
ously coated in the copper bath they should
afterwards be flashed in the brass bath to
save an excess of gold.

The usual lacquers should be aiiplied to
brass, copper, silver or gold finishes. The vari-
ous antique finishes may be applied to the
articles after plating in the requisite solutions
for the various finishes in vogue by using the
various agents which most platers are familiar
with.

In plating die castings or articles of zinc it
is a distinct advantage to use as little free
cj-anide as possible. If this is reduced to a
minimum very little difiiculty will be ex-
perienced in the blistering of the deposit.

In nickel plating the baths should be main-
tained at the neutral point, as previously
noted."

Ne^v Process of Electrolytic
Production of Copper.

In processes where copper is produced di-
rect from ores by leaching and electrolysis
there is generall\' present in the electrolyte
large quantities of iron, which make the elec-
trolytic deposition of the copper impossible.
The trouble shows itself by dissolving the de-
posited copper at the top of the cathode i)late
while some deposition is going on at the bot-
tom part of the same cathode. The cathode
plate is finally entirely dissolved or eaten
away at the upper part, and the remainder
falls to the bottom of the tank. Theoretically
this is explained by the fact that the ferric
sudphate in the electrolyte acts upon the cop-
per at the cathode to form ferrous sulphate
which is oxidized at the anode to the ferric
form and again passes to the cathode to dis-
solve more copper.

In processes heretofore used it is sj^ecified
that the presence of ferric compounds at the
cathode should be avoided, and this has been
accomplished by reducing the solution with
ore to such an extent, as the nature of the-
ore permits, and then completing the reduc-
tion with sulfuric acid gas before passing the
solution to the cathode. In connection here-
with the cell in which the plating has taken
place for the same reason has been con-
structed with a very tight diaphragm so as to
prevent the ferric salts formed at the anode
from entering the cathode compartment. The
above practice resulted in the production of
sulfuric acid from the SO,, and the too
strongly acid solution dissolved undue pro-
portions of iron and other impurities, which
made it necessary to frequently renew the
electrolvte.

N. V. Hj'binette, Christiana, Norway, in-
discussing these processes, calls attention to
a process recently patented by him, involving
the application of a new theory whereby the
process may be carried out in a more advan-
tageous manner.

When copper is electrolytically deposited
from a solution containing copper and iron
salts with the aid of an insoluble anode, the
iron salts are oxidized at the anode. This
oxidizing not only causes the formation of
ferric salts, but also higher oxidation com-
pounds of iron, which, however, are easily
decomposed by the ferrous salts present in
excess of the electrolysis. Supposing^ novr

THE BRASS WORLD

that these higlier oxidized compounds have
the formula FeX\. the composition of the so-
lution at the anode may he indicated by the
formula :
Fe A, ( SO3) 3+Fe,0, ( SC)3) 3+FeO.S03.

The first and the last of these compounds
will in a short time react with the other so
as to form FeA(S03)3, as follows:—

Fe,0, ( SO3) .+4FeO.SO.+2H,SO.=

3(FeA.3S03)-f2HO.

If now tlie solution circulates in such a
way that it becomes possible for some of the
solution at the anode to reach the cathode
before sufficient time has elapsed to allow
the higher compounds to be reduced by the
ferrous salts present in excess in the elec-
trolyte, then metallic copper is dissolved, and
this explains the fact that the same cathode
can be dissolved at its upper portion and have
copper deposited simultaneously on its bot-
tom portion.

The main feature of the process consists
therefore, in that the cathode is separated
from the anode by a very porous diaphragm
or filter, and in causing tlie solution coming
from the leaching tanks and containing con-
siderable quantities of ferric salts to enter the
cell at the catliude, and thereupon be allowed
to filter through said diaphragm into the
anode compartment. By this method the fer-
ric salts in the anode compartment are pre-
vented from returning to the cathodes. In
this way it is possible to avoid the reduction
of the cathode solution by the necessity of
sulfurous acid, as well as the drawbacks re-
sulting from such reduction, and at the same
time it is possible to obtain better results in
the w^ay of more complete extraction when a
higher percentage of ferric salts is present in
the solution.

Experience seems to show that the process
may be carried out with a solution going to
the cathode cell containing, per liter, 20-30
grams of iron in the form of ferric salts
(Fe^Os). When ferric salts are present at the
cathode there is a reduction of the amount of
copper deposited, but this reduction is not so
great as to make the process uneconomical,
and as the deposition takes place evenly all
over the surface of the cathode, there is no
practical hindrance in carrying out the pro-
cess. The reduction of ferric salts to ferrous
salts, which it is necessary to accomplish be-
fore the coi)i)er will be deposited upon the

cathode is, therefore, in the process under con-
sideration effected by the electric current, and
a certain amount of electric energy is con-
sumed for the purpose, but only so much re-
duction is effected as is necessary, thus avoid-
ing the complete reduction and the introduc-
tion of sulphuric acid, which has proven itself
so harmful in other processes.

Jt has heretofore been supposed, that no
copper will be deposited before all ferric salts
are reduced, but it is claimed by the patentee
that 10 to 15 grams of iron can easily be
present in tlie ferric state without materially
affecting the efficiency as regards the amount
of copper plated, provided, however that care
is taken, that fresh solution from the anode
is not allowed to pass to the cathode.

The inventor uses a diaphragm especially
adapted for this process, which diaphragm
consists of a very porous material such as
loose cotton or asbestos held in place or
strengthened by means of a metallic (leaden)
skeleton. By the use of a filtering partition,
instead of a diaphragm in the usual meaning
of the word, there is claimed less resistance,
and therefore also less power consumption.
The disadvantage of having a mechanically
weak diaphragm has been overcome by the
use of the said lead construction, which sup-
ports the soft fibrotis material of the dia-
jihragm.

The accompanying drawing shows a ver-
tical section through an electrolytic cell con-
sisting of a tank A in which tlic anodes B
are suspended on each side of the cathode
chamber built up of a framework K and filter-
ing partitions D, between which is placed the
cathode C. The solution enters at H, passes
through the partitions D and out at G. It is
evident that not the whole of the solution need
circulate through tlie filter or diaphragm, and
that there may be supplied only enough solu-
tion into the cathode compartment to keep up
the desired concentration of copper, and there
is nothing to prevent another quantity of solu-
tion from being circulated in the anode com-
partment only, for the purpose of oxidizing
the iron prior to leaching fresh quantities of
ore. By such circulation, there may be ob-
tained a better oxidizing efficiency at the anode
than if the circulations were limited to the
small amount filtering through the dia
phragms.

By means of this process it is claimed poor
copper ores with a large content of iron may
also with advantage be treated electrolvticallv.

THE BRASS >VORJLX)

Owing to the fact that no sulphurous acid is
used, the solution can be maintained at a
comparatively low degree of acidity, and this
makes it possible to carry out the leaching
operation with solutions after being depleted
of copper without dissolving too large quanti-
ties of iron. A solution such as that em-
ployed in this process has also the advantage
of having a great dissolving power, not only
upon copper compounds that are soluble in
sulphuric acid, but also upon copper in other
forms, such as sulfid of copper and metallic
copper.

The employment of a filter-like diaphragm
constructed as above described facilitates the
working of the process, as the diaphragm may
be easily cleansed, and also easily and in an
inexpensive manner renewed. The employ-
ment of leaden structures has proved to be
connected with no drawbacks. The utiliza-
tion of this property of lead is one of the im-
portant features of this invention.

Very Little Tin Mined in \J. S.

The production of tin in the United States
is insignificant compared with that of the
great tin mining regions, such as the Federa-
ted Malay States, Bolivia, and Australia, but a
small output amounting to an equivalent of
about fifty short tons of metallic tin was
made from five localities during , accord-
ing to information received by the United
States Geological Survey.

Three oi the producing localities were in
Alaska and one each in South Dakota and
South Carolina. In Alaska the York
Dredging Company, working on Buck creek,
about fifteen miles east of- Cape Prince of
Wales, produced sixty-five tons of stream tin
carrying approximately 68 per cent, of tin.
The dredge ran only about six weeks, a dry
season preventing longer operation. Thirty-
five tons of stream tin produced in and
left on the beach at York was also shipped
during .

On Lost river, Alaska, twenty miles south
of Buck creek, the Jamme Syndicate, in order
to test the ores from the lodes at that place,
put up an experimental concentrating plant, in
which forty-nine tons of ore gave 5,000
pounds of concentrates carrying 62.5 per cent.
of tin and 11.1 per cent, of tungsten. The
company is said to have developed a consider-
able quantity of similar ore and to have
larger plans for future work.

On Brooks mountain, a few miles east of
Lost river, prospecting was done during the
year, but no tin was produced.

It is reported that on Sullivan creek, near
Hot Springs, on the south side of lower
Tanana river, Alaska, about two tons of
stream tin was taken out during the summer.
Of course, nothing can be done on shallow-
placers either at this place or on Buck creek,
except during about four months in the
warmest part of the year.

A little more than a ton of concentrates
was shipped from the vicinity of Tinton, S. D.

The Cherokee Tin ^^lining Company took
5,700 pounds of cassiterite out of residual
placers at Gaffney, S. C. ; the product carried
71.5 per cent, of tin and was sold for 34 cents
a pound of concentrates. The company did
some prospecting by drilling and expects to
work the lode. The old gneisses forming the
country rock in which pegmatites carrying
cassiterite have been intruded are so disin-
tegrated that they can be worked by pick and
shovel for many feet in depth.

In Xorth Carolina the Piedmont Tin :\Iining
Company did some development and pros-
pecting work at Lincolnton but made no pro-
duction.

"Writing Specifications for

Non-Ferrotxs Metallic

Products.

The practice of purchasing materials to
specifications now so generally employed by
large consumers has called attention to the
difticulties surrounding the writing of specifi-
cations for wrought non-ferrous metallic pro-
ducts, such as brass and copper tubes, sheet,
rod, w-ire, etc.

The purpose of a specification is to ac-
curately define the exact characteristics,
physical and chemical, which it is requisite that
the material should possess, the limits of de-
parture from these characteristics which can
be tolerated, and the tests to be employed in
determining them.

It is natural in drawing such specifications
that the precedents established by the specifi-
cations for structural steel in similar forms
should be followed, but a careful considera-
tion of the problem indicates that there are
such very important differences between the
two classes of material that the analogy does
not hold. In connection with the use of
structural steel, the ability to withstand stress

THE BRASS WORLD

without defrirniatioii is tlic quality of prime
importance. Extensive, minute and compre-
hensive investigations have determined the
cliemical composition best suited for each of
various specific requirements, the range of
variation needed to meet tlie limitations of
mill practice, and the physical properties as
measured by standard tests corresponding to
such compositions.

Considerations other than al)ility to with-
stand stress, however, generally determine the
value of wrought non-ferrous metals and al-
loys. In the case of copper, its high degree
of electrical conductivity is for obvious uses,
the factor of prime importance. In other em-
ployments, its resistance to the corrosive
action of various agencies is controlling,
while strength or toughness may be vahialilc
contributing qualities. \\"itli the brasses and
bronzes the requirements of a wide range of
usage determine the qualities of dominating
importance. Seandess tubes for condensers
employing sea water as a cooling agent de-
mand primarily ability to withstand the cor-
rosive and disintegrating action of that liquid,
while other considerations are largely subor-
dinate. Similarly, sheet brass in addition to
its non-corrodible qualities derives its value
from its ability to withstand without rupture
the distortion and strain incident to its fabri-
cation into articles and wares of various sorts.

It will be seen therefore from the above
considerations that the framing of adequate
and rational specifications for these materials
is a problem requiring for its solution a vast
amount of knowledge of the requirements of
various specific uses, the physical and chemi-
cal properties whicli will satisfy those uses in
the highest degree, together with conclusive
tests by which these properties may be
measured. In addition, the limitations im-
posed by markets or by the requirements of
mill methods, practice and equipment must be
quantitatively understood. No paralleling of
specifications of material thought to be
analagous can do other than produce in-
adequate and confusing results.

THe "World's Supply of Radium.

Brass, copper, bronze and German-silver
will season-crack when they are amalgamated
with mercury. ^Mercury compounds also act
in the same manner and a recent instance of
tliis kind was a drawn, brass tube used for
holding a mercurial salve. This season-
cracked badlv after several months.

Lecturing on radium before the Society of
Civil Engineers, in Paris, last w^eek, M. Paul
■Blesson stated, according to the N. Y. Sun,
that the latest statistics on the quantity of salts
of radium existing at the present moment in
the ditYercnt scientific and medical laborator-
ies pnivc that there are not more than G to 7
grams of metallic radium in the whole world.
From the creation of the radium industry in
under the impetus of Professor Curie up
to , only 2 to 3 grams of radium were ex-
tracted from 13 tons of pitchblende residues,
and these 2 to 3 grams were supplied to the
laboratory of M. and Mme. Curie.

Then the Austrian government prohibited
the exportation of radioactive ore from
Joachimsthal and radium had to be extracted
in France from much poorer ore, containing
0.5 to 2 mg. of raditim to the ton, such as
autunites from Portugal and carnotites from
Colorado, whereas pitchblende residues con-
tain from 100 to 200 mg. of radium to the
ton.

In recent years Austria has not treated more
than 3 to 4 tons of pitchblende annually, yield-
ing less than one gram annually. America
and England do not yet produce salts of
radium. The command of the production and
the market are held in France. The price of
a gram of hydrated radium bromide is about
$80,000, wdiich makes the gram of pure metallic
radium worth about $156,000.

The chief holder of radium is jNIme. Curie,
with about 2.G to 3 grams. After her comes
Sir Ernest Cassel.

(There is a good deal of uncertainty respec-
ting the supply of radium. While the above
report appears to come from a good source,
we are inclined to think, in view of the con-
siderable shipments of ore containing radium,
that are regularly being made from Colorado,
that the actual supply of radium must be
greater than M. Blesson states. It is worth
while to report that the U. S. Bureau of Mines
is taking steps to produce radium at Denver,
Colo., wnth the cooperation of Dr. James
Douglas, who is greatly interested in this sub-
ject.— Editor.) — Engineering and .Mining
Journal.

Silver is the whitest known metal and is
second only to gold in malleability and ductili-
ty.

THE BRA.S6 WORLD

Ne^v Suggested Process of Ex-
tracting Zinc from Residues
Containing' Zinc, Especially
Slags, in Reverberatory
, Furnaces.

The processes for extracting zinc from
residues containing zinc, especially slags from
zinc and copper blast furnaces, depend mainly
on the fact that the finely powdered material
is mixed with reducing agents, such as bodies
containing carbon, metallic iron or iron alloys,
and then formed into briquets and that these
briquets were then, either alone or mixed
with pieces of zinc containing materials, re-
duced with coke in a furnace, especially a blast
furnace, whereby the zinc escapes in the form
of vapor and by the admission of air is
oxidized and the mass from which zinc has
been extracted fuses and flows continually
from the furnace. This process in con-
sequence of the necessity of forming the ma-
terial into briquets is very expensive and per-
mits only of the employment of cold and solid
material.

I-'or the purpose of reducing the cost of
forming the briquets it has been proposed to
enijjloy slags in the molten condition, that is
in the condition in which they come directly
from the blast furnace, and these are passed
through a column of live coke for the purpose
of effecting the extraction of the zinc. This
process, however, has not led to any favorable
results.

.\ novel process for extracting zinc forms
the object of the invention of A. H. Desgraz,
a Swiss engineer residing in Hanover, Ger-
many. His argument for the merits of his
process presented in excerpts here, will be of
general interest to workers of non-ferrous
metals and is designed to obviate the forma-
tion of briquets from cold slags, as also to
treat the slag in the molten condition coming
directly from the blast furnace in a reverbera-
tory furnace by the employment of its own
heat.

"It has been ascertained that the extraction
of zinc from such slags by reducing agents
alone is not wholh' satisfactory and thus even
with an excess of reducing agents a more or
less large content of zinc remains in the final
product according to the composition of the
slag. This is due to the fact that the dura-
tion of the action of the reducing agents, on

the material to be smelted in shaft furnaces,
is very slight in consequence of the automatic
sinking of the charge, and further that a
chemical equilibrium of the ferro-zinc-silicates
contained in the slag is gradually produced,
in which state the reducing agents even when
in contact with the molten charge for con-
siderable time will no longer have any effect.''
"The property of the ferro-silicates, of
combining w'ith zinc oxid, is known in
metallurgy and it is employed in working off
complex lead-copper-zinc ores in blast fur-
naces. In these cases when charging the ores
it is endeavored by the addition of slags rich
in iron, iron ores, etc., to form a slag which.
in consequence of its content of ferro-silicates,
has the capacity of combining with zinc oxid
and to form this into slag and, even in the
presence of large quantities of coke as the
reducing agent, to retain it in the blast fur-
nace. Numerous researches have proved that
zinc can easily be extracted from such a ferro-
silicate in the molten condition by the addition
of a strong base. A base acting in this man-
ner is, for example, calcium oxid, which in
the form of lime or limestone is the cheapest
and most eff'ective base."

"It is known that, on working oft' the above-
mentioned complex ores, the content of lime
in the slag counteracts the slagging of the
zinc oxid and the formation of zinc-ferro-
silicates. and if it is sufficiently high, these
are impossible."

"Our researches have shown that calcium
oxid has the capacity of decomposing a ferro-
zinc-silicate which has already been formed
in such manner, that CaO replaces ZnO and.
as ZnO becomes volatile at high temperatures,
this latter is driven off. This gives us a means
of extracting zinc from such slags with a
more favorable result, to obviate the forma-
tion of briquets and to directly treat slags
which are already in a molten condition when
they come from the blast furnace."

"The new process is carried out in a re-
verberatory furnace and not as most others
in a blast furnace."

"The slags are either smelted in the rever-
beratory furnace itself, or, if it is desired to
treat them, directly they come from the blast
furnace, they are admitted in the molten con-
dition into the reverberatory furnace. When
the molten mass is thoroughly in the molten
condition the zinc-extracting agents are added.

THE BRASS WORLD

These zinc-extracting agents consist of bodies
containing carbon, sucli as coal, coke, etc., and
metallic iron or iron alloys as reducing agents
and of basic bodies, such as lime or limestone
as reaction agents. The reducing agents can
be added first and then the lime or limestone
can be employed or the reducing agents and
the reaction agents can be mixed together and
employed simultaneously. The quantity of
CaO which is added depends upon the content
of zinc and lime of the slag, and it has
proved favorable for carrying out the process
to so choose the quantity of the matter added
that the final product, that is the slag from
which the zinc has been extracted, contains
from 23 to 33% CaO."

"\\'hen the addition has been made and
fused, the reactions take place, that is, the
generation of zinc vapors, which in the at-
nidsphere of the furnace are formed into zinc
oxid. and volatile zinc oxid. The zinc is ex-
tracted fairly rapidly but can be greatly ac-
celerated by stirring and moving tlie charge.
If the charge contains other metals which can
easih" be reduced such for example as lead.
and so on, these are siiuultaneously reduced
and extracted."

The feature of the invention therefore con-
sists in that, for the purpose of accelerating
and completeh' extracting the zinc from the
charge, which is in the molten condition, re-
action agents in the form of strong bases are
added exclusively besides the normal reducing
agents, which reaction agents drive off the
zinc oxid as such from the complex silicates.
This process can also be employed for treat-
ing other residues containing zinc ores of a
poor quality, etc., if these are smelted with
such additional substance that an easily fusible
zinc ferro-silicate is produced and then treat-
ing these in the same manner with the zinc ex-
tracting agents. Tlie zinc oxid is collected in
the usual manner."

A Molder's Sand-Cutting
MacHine.

The sand used for molding in foundries be-
comes strewn over the floor, and it is custo-
mary to gather it in a pile from which it is
taken for use by hand shoveling. This is a
laborious and expensive operation and the

consistency of the pile varies in accordance
with the intelligence and diligence of the
shovelers.

R. G. Kissel, Dc Kalb, 111., has devised a
molder's sand-cutting machine, the object of
which is to provide for the mechanical
gathering or "cutting" of the sand. The il-
lustrations show a top plan view of the

machine, the chief points of interest being the
gathering blades, marked 2.3. These are set
as will be noted at varying angles, the outer
blades gathering the sand from the sides to-
wards the center and the inner blades follow-
ing up the work and completing the pile under
the center of the machine.

The machine is pulled over the molding
floor by means of the tongue 28. In operation
the gears at the sides turn the crank axles
and by bar connections the blades are brought
to the floor level for their gathering work.
When not in operation the blades or shovels
are kept from the floor by a pin adjustment.

THE BRASS WORUD

An Improved Carboy RocKer.

The improved Carboy Rocker manufactured
by the j\Iunning-Loeb Co., of Matawan, New-
Jersey, combines the advantages of the hand
truck and carboy rocker. This device is of
great utiHty in the handhng and pouring of
acids and other chemicals or liquids fron
carbovs.

Attaching Rocker to Carboy.

The rocker is built of wood, and equipped
with caster wdieels. With this rocker one
man can easily load and move a full carboy

to any desired place and entirely empty it
from the first to the last jugful without
spattering a drop on his hands, face, clothes
or floor. The caster wheels make it easy
to move the heavy carboys around the plant
without lifting them on or off handtrucks,
with attendant danger of breaking. The

The Last Jug Full.

rocker can be attached to a carboy or changed
from one carboy to another in less than half
a minute. A vent tube used in connection with
the rocker makes the flow of liquid from the
carboy uniform and free from bubbles and
spattering.

The rocker weighs 11 pounds, and is fully
described in Bulletin No. 400, which will be
mailed on request.

Lead containing a few per-cent of antimony
or tin is much more non-corrosive than the
pure metal. Lead pipe made from scrap,
therefore, resists corrosion better than pure
lead. Specifications for lead cable frequent-
ly demand that the lead coating of the insulat-
ed wire shall contain three per-cent of tin.

The First Jug Full.

Lead coated sheet steel and wire are now
commercial articles. Contrary to the popular
belief, such materials do not stand the atmos-
phere as well as zinc coated metals, but there
are some instances, in which the air is filled
with sulphurous gases, that the lead coated
steel is preferable. Roofs for locomotive
round-houses are an example of this kind and
lead coated sheet has given good results
when used for the roofs of such buildings.

THE BRASS WORU>

Platinum Deposit in Germany.

One of the most serious problems connected
with the expansion of electrical illumination
ami certain branches of technical chemistry is
based upon the limited occurrence of the
metal platinum. Hitherto Russia has been
practically the only source of supply. In
several localities of the Ural Mountains,
notably in the neighborhood of Xizhni Tagilsk
in the Perm Government and about Mount
Blgodat, the metal is found in sufficient
amount to allow of systematic mining oi)era-
tions. Very small quantities of platinum have
been found in Borneo, Sumatra, Brazil,
Colombia, Australia, and California, but the
contril)Utions from all these regions to the
world's demands form a small fraction of the
Russian supply — 5 per cent or less. The total
productit)n is now about 13,250 pounds an-
nually.

Every effort has been made in Russia to
locate new deposits of the metal, but without
success. The annual quantity tends to de-
crease, and an exhaustion of the deposits
at no very remote date seems almost a cer-
tainty. At tlie same time, the demand for
platinum has far out-stripped the supply, and
has naturally caused an enormous increase in
the price. In platinum cost $89 per troy
pound, about one-third as much as gold. Four
years ago the price had risen to $338 per
troy pound, and at present (October, ),
it is $488 per troy pnnnd.

In some chemical industries, such as in the
manufacture of sulphuric acid, it has been
found possible to replace platinum in the
construction of evaporating vessels. For other
purposes, such as catalytic operations, it is
indispensable, and this is likewise the case in
the construction of bulbs for electrical in-
candescent illuminatiiin and in dentistry. In
both cases the value of platinum depends upon
the fact that the coefficient of expansion of
the metal is identical with that of glass and
of the materials used by dentists for artificial
teeth. One-third of the world's supply of
platinum is required in dentistry and another
third in electrotechnical work. All platinurn
used for these two purposes is practically lost
to the world.

Under these circumstances a large group of
industries will welcome the discovery in Ger-
many of extensi\"e deposits of ])latimun.

susceptible of easy exploitation. The location
of these deposits is at Wenden, in West-
phalia, in a section where iron, lead, copper
and zinc mines are abundant. While pros-
pecting by drill in the neighborhood of Wen-
den, metallurgical chemists unexpectedly dis-
covered appreciable amounts of platinum in
the layers of rock covering tlie ores of the
common metals. Over 100 analyses of dif-
ferent borings were made and all showed the
presence of the costly metal in sufficient
amount to guarantee profitable extraction.
The amount of platinum present in the rock
varies from 0.9 to 1.9 troy ounces per cubic
yard, which is very rich compared with the
Russian deposits. Thus far a territory of
500 acres has been examined and the borings
from nine dift'erent drill holes give on
analysis the results cited. This tract alone
will assure profitable extraction for many
years. The depth to which the platiniferous
rock reaches has not been announced.

Steps have already been taken to begin
the regular metallurgical extraction of plati-
num at Wenden on a large scale. It is
thought that careful prospecting will reveal
the presence of other extensive fields in the
\\'estphalian ore region, where geological
formations similar to those at Wenden are
widespread.

Surprise may be expressed that in a country
where chemical investigation is so highly de-
veloped, the existence of easily accessible
platiniferous rock deposits should have re-
mained so long unsuspected. The reason is
as follows : In the usual analytical methods,
gold and platinum, as well as most of the
rarer metals allied to platinum, are separated
from the ordinary metals — iron, copper, sil-
ver, etc. — by treatment with nitric acid, in
which the latter are soluble. Metallic gold
and platinum remain behind as an insoluble
residue after such treatment. They can be
brought into solution by the aid of aqua regia.
and be separated from one another, or the
gold can be extracted by means of mercurv.
It happens, however, that platinum when al-
loyed with siher can be dissolved by treat-
ment with strong nitric acid. As thus far
platinum has been found in nature almost ex-
clusively in the elementary form, no attempt
has been made in ordinary ore analyses to
test for the presence of the rare metal in the
nitric-acid solutions obtained as iust described.

THE BRASS WORXJ>

It seems, however, that in the Westphalian
deposits platinum is present in the form of
an alloy, and in the customary course of
analysis entered into solution in the form of a
nitrate. A chemist decided to test the solu-
tion of nitrates obtained in the normal course
of an analysis for the possible presence of
platinum, and this led to the unexpected dis-
covery. There is every possibility that not
only in Germany, but in all other countries,
rock analyses will promptly be submitted to
revision, and the greatest care be taken to
ascertain whether platinum is present. De-
posits containing much less platinum than
occurs at Wenden can still be worked most
advantageously.

It would appear eminently desirable to
carry on promptly investigations in the
United States for possible sources of the

metal, utilizing data gained at Wenden. There
may be large tracts of unsuspected wealth
capable of detection by the revised analytical
process. Attention should be directed particu-
larly to those sections where platinum has
already been detected to a limited extent.

Of considerable economic interest is the
prospective influence of this new German
source on the platinum market. At present
the production is controlled very largely by
the two great rival companies, the French
Societe Industrielle du Platine and the Rus-
sian Demidoff Co. For the time being they
appear to act in concert and have united
during the past two years in raising rates to
the existing high figures. Among the smaller
mine owners in the Ural region there is nq
attempt at unity of action. — Daily Consular
and Trade Reports.

Tests for Galvanized Pro-
ducts.

The outward appearance of any galvanized
article is not necessarily an indication of its
excellence. This statement may be taken as a
general rule applying to articles coated by
either of the galvanizing processes mentioned
herein.

For over forty years prior lo the hot
galvanizing process, which was practically the
only galvanizing process in commercial use
prior to that time, was believed to produce
uniform results. It was, therefore, not
deemed necessary to test such coatings by any
other means than that of durability under
actual weather cimditions. Observations
made by Sir W. H. Preece, Chief of the
British Post Office Teelgraphs, led him to see
the necessity of a test for zinc coatings on
telegraph wires.

Preece, or Copper Sulphate Test

Between 18S() and 1S90 Preece devised
what is kniiwn as the "copper sulphate test"
for galvanized articles, and this test has until
recently been accepted as the final word re-
garding the quality of any galvanized product.
This test has been modified and standardized
in the United States, notably by the chief

*From the "History and Development of the
'Galvanizing- Industry" by The Mealcer Co.,
Chicago, 111.

engineer of the Western Union Telegraph Co.,
and has been quite generally adopted by pro-
ducers and consumers of galvanized products,
such as wire, sheets, line material, etc.

The original Preece test consisted in the
immersion of the galvanized article in a
saturated solution of copper sulphate for a
period of one minute, removing, rinsing in
water, wiping and again immersing in the cop-
per sulphate solution. The number of im-
mersions wdiich the article could withstand
before showing bright copper on the under-
lying steel or iron was taken as an indication
of the excellence of the zinc coating.

As at present standardized careful prepara-
tion of the copper sulphate solution is neces-
sary. The soltition is brought to a density of
1.186 specific gravity at a temperature of 6.5°
Fahrenheit. This solution is usually treated
with a small portion of cupric oxide to neu-
tralize any free acid which might exist in the
copper sulphate crystals. Galvanized articles
are first to be cleaned of dirt and grease by
immersion in gasoline or benzine, then rinsed
in water and wiped dry.

After this preparatory treatment the articles
are given successive one-minute immersions
in the standard copper sulphate liquor, held
at a temperature of from 65 to 70° Fahrenheit,
rinsed thoroughly in water and wiped dry
after each immersion. The samples are to be
carefully scrutinized after each immersion and
if spots of a clear copper color are observed,
the coating is said to have failed. The num-

THE BRAJSS WORtX)

ber of successive imniersions wliicli tlie article
will withstand without showing indications of
clear copper color is taken as an indication of
the quality of the coating. A new portion of
solution is to be taken for testing each article.
It will be noted tiiat the Precce, or copper
sulphate test, determines onl\- the thickness of
the zinc coating at its thinest portion. It is,
therefore, not in any sense a determination of
how much or how little zinc is deposited on
the article under test. It is well known that
the copper sulphate test is unsuitable for test-
ing Sherardized articles and it is a fact, how-
ever not generally know'n, that the copper sul-
phate does not attack zinc coatings deposited
electrically and by hot galvanizing methods at
equal rates. It has been further demonstrated
that the dilTerent temperatures of the multen
bath and different methods of cooling articles
galvanized in molten zinc Show entirely un-
reliable results when subjected to the copper
sulphate test. From these remarks it will be
seen that it is unfair to test competitively, zinc
coatings applied, by Sherardizing. hot gal-
vanizing and electro-galvanizing methods.

Lead -Icctatc Test

Owing to the unsatisfactory results secured
by means of the copper sulphate test, in a
measure pointed out in the preceding para-
graphs, an accurate quantitative test for gal-
vanized products has been devised. The lead
acetate test, as it is known, was recently
originated by Prof. W. H. \\'alker of the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
Boston.

The test is designed to show the weight of
actual coating covering products galvanized by
an}' of the well known methods. It takes into
consideration the impurities residing in the
coating and the main impurity usually found,
;'. c, iron may be determined if desired. In
practice, however, it is seldom carried out to
this extent. The solution employed removes
from the articles both the zinc and zinc-iron
alloys present. The accurate weight before
and after testing furnishes the basis for com-
puting the quantitative value of the coating.
It is unnecessary to take the time of sample
innnersion accurately, in which respect the
lead acetate test differs from tlie copper sul-
phate test ; however, the weighings, which
must be accurate to one milligram, require
considerable time and care. The lead acetate
solution is prepared as follows:

Dissolve .'i lbs. of connncrcial lead acetate
crystals (Pb. (CH,0, )? + SH^O) in one gal-
lon of distilled water and add 1 oz. litharge
(PbO). After complete solution of the lead
acetate, the mixture should be stirred vigor-
ously any any undissolved residue allowed to
settle. The clear liquor is then poured of¥
and the solution is ready for use. It is un-
necessary to maintain any accurate, tempera-
ture of solution as is ro(|uired in tiie copper
sulphate test and the Sdlution may be used for
several tests without renewal, until such time
as the action becomes too slow.

Samples of galvanized product arc first to
be thoughly cleaned of oil and dirt by rinsing
in benzine or in cotton waste. The samples
should next be weighed to an accuracy of one
milligram, and the weight noted. The sample
ts then ready for immersion in the lead acetate
solution.

The length of time during which the sample
is under treatment is usually about three
minutes, although it may be left in for a
longer period without affecting the result.
These immersions should be repeated until all
of the coating has been removed and the
sample exhibits the clean steel underneath. A
short experience will enable the operator to
tell with certainty wdien all of the coating has
been removed. After each immersion in the
lead acetate solution, the Hocculent or loose
coating of spongy lead which is deposited,
must be carefully removed ; for this purpose
it is usual to employ a small, soft bristle
brush, care being taken that no lead is "bur-
nished" over the zinc coating. If any spots
of lead are noted, which the solution does not
remove, the careful use of a sharp knife is
necessary. When the coating is all removed,
the sample is then dried by immersion in
alcohol and ignition or by placing over a small
steam coil. Final weight of the sample is then
taken and noted.

If it is desired to estimate the amount of
iron in the coating, the samples must be rinsed
in clean water contained in a beaker, care
being taken that all lead acetate and solution
washings are saved. The lead acetate and the
wash solutions may be put together and filter-
ed and slightly acidified with sulphuric acid;
a few particles of granulated zinc should then
l)c added, when the amount of iron is ascer-
tained by titrating the solution with a standard

THE BRASS WORLX)

solution of potassiuni-pc'inianganate. The lead
may be balled and squt-ezed witli the lingers
and saved if desired.

The lead may be weighed and the amount
of zinc coating removed may be calculated
from the weight of the lead, the preferable
manner of determining the amount of coating
on the sample under test is as follows : De-
duct the final weight of sample after treat-
ment in the lead acetate solution from the
original weight of the galvanized piece. Di-
vide the net weight of coating so obtained by
the weight of the bare or uncoated sample,
whence the per cent, of loss in weight is as-
certained nearly enough for all practical pur-
poses. Apply the per cent, loss figure to
lbs. representing a ton of the articles in ques-
tion. This will give the pounds of coating
per ton of product.

Next, ascertain by close measurement or es-
timation how many sq. ft. of surface there
are in a ton of 2,000 lbs. of the articles under
examination, reducing the lbs. coating per ton
found by the application of the percentage
figure, to ounces by multiplying by 16. Having
the ounces of coating per ton and the number
of sq. ft. of surface per ton, divide the former
figure by the latter and find the ounces per sq.
ft. ; this is usually a decimal figure. The
ounces of coating per sq. ft. gives a unit
which may be used for the purpose of com-
paring the values of coating on different
styles and kinds of galvanized product.

Samples of galvanized articles which are to
be given the lead acetate test must be above
all things smoothly galvanized, without adher-
ing dumps or drops of spelter, since these im-
perfections would lead to erroneous conclu-
sions by adding to the net weight of coating,
particles of metal not evenly distributed,
wherefore, the resultant ounces per sq. ft.
would be too high ; it should be carefully ob-
served that all portions of the galvanized arti-
cle are coated, unless the uncoated areas are
left out of the area figure per ton.

Caustic Soda Test

Prof. \\'alker has rendered further ser\ice
to those interested in testing galvanized mate-
rials by supplying a test which will show the
presence or absence of pores or cracks in zinc
coatings.

A strong solution of caustic soda in water
is heated to a temperature of about 210° Fah-
renheit and the galvanized article suspended
in this solution by a string, or other non-

metallic suspension. If pin holes or cracks
exist in the coating, bubbles or hydrogen will
be observed to come from the surface of the
article at these points, while if there are no
pores or cracks in the coating, no action will
be observed. The caustic soda test will show
whether or not the coating has cracked when
the galvanized article is bent after galvaniz-
ing.

In General

The copper sulphate and the lead acetate
tests for galvanizied material require care and
accuracy in carrying out the details if com-
parative results are to be expected.

For the thorough testing of galvanized
products it would seem advisable to employ
the copper sulphate test for the^ purpose of
indicating the uniformity of the coating or
the thickness of zinc at its thinnest point, the
lead acetate test being used to find the amount
of zinc deposited per unit area of surface,
while the caustic soda test gives evidence of
the continuity of the coating and furnishes
also an indication of how the galvanized
product stands the bending test. It is only
b}- employing all of these tests for galvanized
products that an intelligent idea of the com-
parative values of zinc coatings may be ob-
tained and defects made evident.

Hot galvanized articles will usually show-
poorly distributed coatings, unnecessarily
heavy and therefore wasteful deposits of zinc
in spots, by means of the copper sulphate and
lead acetate tests; and poor results after
bending will be disclosed by the caustic soda
test.

Sherardized coatings show, as a rule, copper
spots deposited over the coating when tested
in copper sulphate and no reliance can be
placed on the results of this test. Tested in
the lead acetate solution, the Sherardized
coating shows large quantities of impurities,
and when the article is subjected to the caustic
soda test, pin holes and cracks leading down
to the iron surface are very apparent.

Electro-galvanized coatings applied by
means of the !^Ieaker Self-Sustaining, Hydro-
gen-free Solution withstand the copper sul-
phate, lead acetate, bending and caustic soda
tests with equal facility, showing that the de-
posit of zinc is uniform, heavy, pure, non-
porous and continuous after bending. It rep-
resents perfection in galvanizing wherever it
can be applied.

THE BRASS WORXX>
Q\iestions and AnsMrers.

Question No. . Our steam-metal
valves are shrinking badly. Sometimes, a de-
pression will take place on the top side of the
hexes. There seems to be no cracks in the
castaings, but a simple shrink which does not
take place all over evenly but locally. We arc
using" ingot composition which we purchase
from dealers. Is it the scrap which does it?

Answer. Your difficulty is that there is
too little tin in your steam-metal mixture.
The presence of tin will prevent the local
shrinking you mention. There should not be
less than 3% of tin in the mixture and more
is better. You will probably find upon anal-
ysis that there is less than 3% of tin. Add
more tin and your difficulty will disappear.

Question No. 142G. How high percentage
of nickel is used in German-silver and what
are the uses of the mixtures?

.■luszi'cr. Ordinarily 25% nickel is as high
as used for German-silver, but occasionally
30% is employed. It is made containing 40%
nickel although very rarely. Containing these
high percentages of nickel, the German-
silver becomes quite refractory in working.
The 25% mixture is used quite extensively
for flat-ware that is not silver plated.

Question No. . Kindly publish two
good formulas for cast brass used for orna-
mental mechanical devices which are ma-
chined, polished and finished, some parts of
which must have bearing qualities, others to
resist bending stress and some to stand both
tensile and compressive strains.

Aiiszccr. The following formulas will an-
swer your purpose :

Hard Onutiucutal Bronze

Copper 88%

Tin 7%

Spelter '^%

Lead 2%

Soft Ornanu-ntal Bronze

Copper 85%

Tin y/o

Spelter 9%

Lead 3%

Hard Ornanicnlal Brass

Copper ()8%

Spelter 28%

Tin 2%

Lead 2%

Soft Ornamental Brass

Copper 66%

Spelter 32%

Lead 2%

Question No. . Kindly give me a good
formula for Verdi Green on copper and
brass?

Answer. There are a large number of solu-
tions which are used for producing the Verdi-
Antique finish. One of the best formulas
is the following :

Water 1 gallon

Sulphate of Copper 8 ozs.

Sal Ammoniac 8 ozs.

Common Salt 4 ozs.

Acetic Acid 28° 2 ozs.

Chloride of Zinc 1 oz.

Glycerine 1 oz.

Question No. . When I copper plate
polished steel and then nickel plate over the
top, the nickel strips from the copper. Can
you tell me the cause of my trouble?

Answer. In depositing nickel on copper or
any other metal the first thing to do is to
have your article perfectly clean. It may be
in your case that in taking work from the
copper solution it is exposed too long in the
the air before getting it into the nickel solu-
tion and a slight tarnish will form on your
copper, which your nickel will not adhere to.

Question No. . Will you kindly give me
a good formula for a gun-metal finish on
copper or bronze?

Anszver. Prepare your work in the usual
manner, then strike in a regular nickel solu-
tion for about five minutes, take out and rinse
carefully, then immediately put into a black
nickel solution. Let work run in this solution
from one to two hours with a current density
of 2 to 1 volt. Then take out, rinse carefully
again and dip into a solution composed of the
following :

Water 1 gallon

Perchloride of iron 12 oz,

Muriatic Acid 1 oz.

Use this solution warm after the articles
have been allowed to remain in the dip a
sufficient length of time to give them the
deep black color. Then remove the articles
and rinse carefully and dry in the regular
manner. Then lacquer with a fairly heavy
lacquer.

Question No. . Please give me what in-
formation you can on Platinum Plating.

Anszver. Platinum plating is not a difficult
operation, if carried out on a small scale. The
solution used is an acid one, and for this rea-
son you must use a porcelain or glass tank.
Take 1 oz. of fine platinum and dissolve it
in aqua regia made of 15 ozs. pure muriatic
acid and 10 ozs. pure nitric acid. Heat slowly
until all the platinum is dissolved and reduced
to a thick syrupy condition, which is called
platinum chloride. Dissolve this platinum
chloride in 3 quarts of water, then add 15
fluid ozs. of 50% phosphoric acid. Next add
ammonia until a yellow precipitate forms. Do
not filter this. Now dissolve 50 ozs. phosphate
of soda in three quarts of water, then pour it.

THE BRASS WORiX)

^vitll constant stirring into the platinum solu-
tion containing tlie ammonia. Then boil until
solution, tested with blue litmus paper turns
red. Then add water to make li gallons of
solution. Heat to 150° to 180° F. Use
platinum or carbon anode, with a density of 5
or 6 volts.

Question No. . Will you kindly give me
an arsenic green formula?

Answer. In regard to the arsenic green I
presume you mean a green gold solution
which contains arsenic. In order to get a dark
green gold deposit make your green gold
solution to the following formula :

Water 1 gallon

Cyanide of Potash :^« ozs.

Gold ^ ozs.

Silver 4 oz.

Use hot, with a gold anode, composed of
three parts gold and one part silver. This
will give you a green gold deposit.

Now in order to get the dark green make
aip a solution of

Water 1 gallon

Caustic Potash 1 oz.

White arsenic i oz.

Boil together, then add a few drops at a time
to the green gold solution to get the desired
color.

Question No. 14?)3. What causes a cyanide
copper solution to work into a condition to
plate dark?

Ansiver. When a copper solution works
dark and uneven, it lacks conductivity. I
would suggest adding hyposulphite of soda
about one pound to every 200 gallons. This
will make your solution deposit a clear even
copper.

Question No. . Will you kindly advise
us how to make a dip that will enable us to
get a light brown finish on brass?

Answer. By using the following formula
you will be able to get the color desired.

Water 1 gallon

Copper Sulphate .'! ozs.

Nickel Sulphate 1 oz.

It should be used very liot. Copper plate
article in acid copper solution one hour, take
out, rinse in clean water and put directly into
the above dip for a period of from three to
five minutes. Dry in clean hot sawdust then
scratch brush very lightly with a dry fine wire
brass scratch brush and put directly into the
"hot dip. This last dip will give you the final
color.

Question . Will you kindly give us
some information how to produce a gun metal
finish on steel?

Ansivcr. The best method of producing this
finish is by a heat process which requires a
very expensive outfit and is more or less a
trade secret. It would be cheaper for you to
send your work to a firm who makes a

specialty of steel clothing buckles or buttons
to be finished in gun metal.

The black nickel finish described in The
Brass World, August, , page 281, is a
good black and if lacquered with gun metal
lacquer is quite durable. The smooth or matt
effect will have to be obtained on the goods
before coloring in either finish.

Question No. . Do you know or can
you put us on track of any nickel or nickel
preparation that is not as hard as that com-
monly used.

Answer. Reduce the voltage on this work
as low as possible and just before taking the
work out of the solution increase the voltage
enough to whiten the nickel. Cleaning the
work thoroughly and striking it in a hot
cyanide solution to cover it will help. A soft
deposit is obtained with the following for-
mula :

Single nickel salts I2 lbs.

Glaubers salts 8 ozs.

Boracic acid 4 ozs.

Water 1 gal.

Question No. . Will you kindly give
us a formula for stripping nickel from
various metals such as brass, copper, iron,
etc?

Answer. We have never heard of this
formula you describe so cannot help you in
that way.

Aqua fortis is sometimes used hat for
stripping nickel from iron or steel. Brass or
copper can be stripped without getting rough
by adding to the aqua fortis all the zinc sul-
phate it will take up. Then add equal parts of
oil of vitriol and heat very slowly. The fumes
from both these dips are very corrosive and
they must be used connected with a good fan.

Question No. . Is there a tin dip used
in the tinning of steel pins?

Anszcer. Steel pins are first tumljled with
sawdust and then lirass plated. After polish-
ing, again by tumbling, they are tinned by
immersion in a boiling saturated solution of
cream of tartar with a little chloride of tin
added to start it working. A cupper kettle
is used and the work is placed in thin layers
between perforated block tin plates. Solution
enough to cover the work is added and it is
boiled for about 2 or 3 hours. After draw-
ing off the solution, they are dried out by
tumbling a short time in sawdust.

Question No. . ^^'e are using red brass
for dash rail posts and would like to get a
cheaper mixture of yellow brass. Can you
give us one?'

Ansivcr. The following mixture will answer
your purpose :

Copper G6%

Spelter 30%

Tin 2%

Lead 2%

THE BRASS WOItLD
Patent Abstracts.

1,078,119, Nov. 11, . PROCESS OF
ROLLING INGOTS. James E. York, Brook-
I311, N. Y. This invention relates to tlie roll-
ing of iron or steel shapes from the ingot to
produce a product the body of which is either
in tlie original condition left by casting the
ingot, or is redued by longitudinal rolling (so
that it lias a longitudinal grain-, such body
having a lateral flange or flanges produced by
transverse rolling, so that the grain thereof is

tranverse. The above drawing is a vertical
section in the plane of the travel of tlie bed,
showing a rolling mill adapted to the practice
of the present invention and showing the steel
in successive stages of the process of rolling.
1,078,619, Nov. IS. . ELECTRIC FUR-
NACE, Albert E. Greene, Chicago, 111. This
invention relates to electric furnaces in which
heat is generated by electric current induced

in an electrical resistor. ' Referring to the
above drawing. 1 is the main chamber form-
ing the junction of the smaller annular cham-
bers 3,3. The primary coils 3,3 are embedded
in the refractory lining 4, and the secondaries
7.7 are preferably located in the bottom of
the chambers, 1 and 2 and covered with a re-
fractory lining G.

1,081,536, Dec. 16, . REFRACTORY
COMPOSITION. George N. Jeppson of
Worcester ,]\Iass. Assignor to the Norton
Company of the same city. The invention re-
lates to the manufacture of a refractory com-
position for use in furnaces. The material is
made by the use of crushed bauxite, purified
alumina or other forms of the same substance.

Plastic clay is used to bind the particles to-
gether, and the whole is then fused in an
electric furnace or otherwise. A mass of
alumina fitted together, is then obtained which
is, it is claimed of a very refractory and use-
ful character.

1,079,066, Nov. 18,. ELECTRIC SOL-
DERING IRON. Merrit H. Rice, New
Rochelle, N. Y. The invention comprises a
containing casting preferably of the same
diameter throughout its length and perforated
toward the handle end, in order that it may

act as a radiator for the heat which might be
transmitted from the other end, a handle
suitably secured to the perforated end of the
containing casing, a heating unit comprising a
suitable heating element and insulating means,
and a soldering tip adapted to secure and lo-
cate the heating unit in the containing casing.

1,077,92.5. Nov. 4, . APPARATUS FOR
TREATING MOLTEN METALS, ALLOYS
AND STEELS. Louis Marie Victor Hippolyte
Baraduc-MuUer, Paris, France. This appara-
tus is for removing gases from steel and the
like, comprising in combination a vertical
vacuum chamber having an open bottom, a re-
movable receptacle for the molten metal
adapted to make an air-tight joint with the
bottom of said vacuum chamber, means for
pressing said receptacle upwardly against the
under side of said vacuum chamber, means
for evacuating said vacuum chamber, and
means for rapidly and extensively cooling tha
air and gases evacuated from said chamber
prior to reaching said evacuating means.

1,077,013. Oct. 28, . PROCESS AND
APPARATUS FOR CROSS - ROLLING
AND EXPANDING TUBES. Ralph Charles
Stiefcl. Ellwood City, Pa. The invention is
particularly designed and intended for ex-
panding and elongating tubes or tubular
billets in the heated state in the manufacture
of seamless steel and other tubes. The prin-
cipal object of the invention in its most pre-
ferred form is to accomplish by a cross roll-
ing of the metal of the tube progressively and
simultaneously a rapid and easy expansion
and elongation and reduction of wall thick-
ness.

THE BRASS WORLD

1,081,251. Dec. 9, . MOLDING-FLASK.
Abram C. Mott, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa. This
invention relates to certain improvements in
flasks made in two or more parts. The main
object of the invention is to provide means
for retaining the sand in the flask, w^hile the
flask is being manipulated so that the flask
can be turned without discharging the sand ;
yet allowing the flask to be removed from the
sand mold when completed.

1,078,485. Nov. 11, 191.3. APPARATUS
FOR COILING STEEL AND OTHER
WIRE OR METAL. Sydney Charles Caddy,
Avondale, Keynsham, Bristol, England. Ac-
cording to my invention I employ a pair of

longitudinally grooved dies through which the
wire is fed and that are adjustably held in a
sliding carrier and adapted to bear on the
wire or metal being coiled to press it tightly
on to a central mandrel upon which it is
wound.

1,077,982. Nov. 11, . APPAR.\TUS
FOR APPLYING ABRASIVES TO
GRINDING-MACHINES. Halbert K. Hitch-
cock, Tarentum, Pa. This invention relates to
an apparatus for grading and applying finely
divided material mixed with w'ater, and es-
pecially for grading sand or other abrading
material for us with grinding maclnnes. In
the grinding and smoothing of material re-
quiring a fine surface, such as plate glass,
marble and granite, it is desirable that after
the abrasive has passed between the material
to be ground and the runners or rubbing bed,
the finer particles are separated from the
coarser ones and saved to be used in the finish-
ing operation and that the coarser particles be
regraded and returned to the grinding
mechanism to assist in the roughing operation.

1,079,071, Nov. 18, . MACHINE FOR
COILING METAL STRIPS. David Long
Summey of Waterbury, Conn. Assignor to
the Chase Rolling Mill of the same city. A
device for coiling sheet metal after it issues
from a pair of rolls. The device is so con-
structed that the coil may be easily removed
after the rolling operation has been completed.

1,076,887. Oct. 28, . ELECTRIC MELT-
ING FURNACE. Leslie E. Howard, La
Grange, 111. This invention relates to electric
melting furnaces of what is known as the in-
duction type, and is especially adapted for the
melting and refining of metals of the bronze
and white metal types, such as copper, brass
mixtures, babbitt metals, aluminum, etc. ; but
may also be used for the melting and refining
of iron and steel.

1,078,225, Nov. 11, . ELECTRICAL
WELDING OF SHEET METAL. Elihu
Thompson, Swampscott, Mass. My invention
consists in the provision of a string or chain
of metal pieces each of which is adapted to
localize the electric heating and area of each
spot weld, while the connections between said
pieces are adapted to predetermine the spac-

ing and relative location of the spots. The
above drawings show in plan two sheets or
plates of metal and a string or chain of
pieces of metal adapted for use in welding
said plates or sheets together by the spot weld-
ing process aforesaid.

1.079,777, Nov. 25, . MANUFACTURE
OF INCANDESCENT BODIES OF ME-
TALLIC TUNGSTEN OR MOLYBDENUM
FOR ELECTRIC INCANDESCENT
LAMPS. Anton Lederer of Atzgerdorf,
near Vienna, Austria-Hungary. The powdered
metal of tungsten or molybdenum, obtained by
the reduction of the oxide by hydrogen, is
mixed with sulphur, the mixture kneaded into
a pasty mass and then forming the filaments,
after which they are heated in a reducing gas
and finally pass an electric current through
wliile in a vacuum.

1,077,712, Nov. 4, . MANUFACTURE
OF BORON NITRIDE. Richard Heyder of
New York City, Assignor to The General
Electric Co. Boracic acid is mixed with mag-
nesium and sal-ammoniac and heated in a
crucible to a dull red heat. The magnesium
oxide, magnesium chloride and magnesium
borate are removed by washing with dilute
sulphuric acid and the boron nitrate remains
as a white mass.

THE BRASS WORLD
Trade Items.

The Iloinei" Motors Co., Los Angeles, Calif.,
arc planning to erect a new fonndry.

The capital stock of The Shoe Hardware
Co., Waterbury, Comi. has been increased
from $25,000 to ftOO.OOO.

A. H. Anderson, P'ulton St., Chicago,
111. is planning to bnild a brass foundry 25 x
130 feet.

The Acorn Brass Mfg. Co., Aurora, 111. ex-
pect to be able to readjust its affairs under
the receivership of J. C. Ruth.

A neat calendar has been issued by George
S. Youngs, Bridgeport, Conn., manufacturer of
ini^ot metal.

The American Electric Smelting Co., St.
Louis, Mo., have changed their name to
Greene Process Metal Company.

The Falcon Alotorcycle Company recently
organized in Cleveland, Ohio, are planning to
establish a plant in Staunton, Va.

Coates, Clipper Mfg. Co., Worcester, Mass.,
are sending out to their customers a very at-
tractive calendar.

A voluntary petition in bankruptcy has been
filed by The Wolverine Screw Co., Detroit,
Mich. Clare L. Christie lias been appointed re-
ceiver.

The Wheeling Alold & b^jundry di., \\'heel-
ing, W. Va., have just completed the erection
of their new roll foundrv.

The National Foundry Co., have been in-
corporated at Milwaukee, Wis. with a capital
of $10,000. The incorporators are John
Flatz, Leo C. Flatz and John G. Harwig.

The new foundry of The Wisconsin Alumi-
num Foundry Co. IManitowoc. Wis. is now
ready for occupancy. The equipment will be
entirciv new throughout.

The Racine Foundry Co., of Racine, Wis.
are about to occupy their new pattern shop
on \\ a^hington Avenue. The company specia-
lizes in automobile engine work.

The Central Machine & Foundry Co., has
been purchased by the Marion Machine &
Foundry Co., of Marion, Indiana. A new
cupola will be installed.

The Dayton Cycle Car Co. has been or-
ganized by W. O. Dayton at Joliet, 111. and
they are seeking a plant for manufacturing
purposes. They will Ijuild a car to sell for
$:i75.00.

The Railways Watch Co., has been started
in Wick BIdg., Voungstown, Ohio and will
manufacture watches.

The Rockwell Silver Co., Alcriden, Conn,
have increased their capital stock from $20,-
000 ti) $:iO,ooo.

Ground will be broken shortly for the erec-
tion of a new foundry for the J. Davenport
Co., Stamford, Conn., manufacturers of piano
plates.

The Williams Silver Co. are planning to re-
move their factory from Providence, R. I. to
Mount Vernon, N. Y. where a factory is in
process of erection.

The plant of the L^nitcd States Brass &
Iron Foundry Co., Flint, ]\Iich., was damaged
to the extent of $30,000 by fire on December
27th.. It is understood they are to rebuild.

The Fenton Engineering Company has been
organized at Fenton, Alich. to manufacture
cvcle cars. The capital stock of the companv
is $100,000.

The Electric Steel Foundry Co., Portland,
Oregon, are about td install a new electric
melting furnace in their new foundry at 24th.
and York Streets.

The Henry Fire Apparatus Co., has been
incorporated" at Tampa, Fla., for $2,000,000
and are to build three buildings 85 x 200 feet
estimated to cost $75,000. Foundry equipment
and lathe machinerv will be installed.

The Ford Motor Co. are about to start
manufacturing automobiles in the new plant
on ^ilarsh Road, St. John, Xew Brunswick.
This ]>lant will supply the maritime provinces.

The American Brass Foundry Co., ^lil-
waukee. Wis., manufacturers of aluminum
castings and bearing bro^izes for motorcycles
have increased their capital from $5,000 to
$12,000 to purchase additional equipment.

A new motor truck company has been or-
ganized with the name of The Stegeman
Motor Truck Co., Chicago, 111. Motor trucks
will be manufactured. The company has been
incorporated with a capital of $10,000 bv D.
H. Burkland, E. E. Burkland and R. C.
Flodin.

The Bigas Co., Elmira, X. Y. has been in-
corporated with a capital of $10,000. The
manufacture of a flux for treating Copper,
Brass, Bronze, Aluminum and non-ferrous
metals will be carried on. The offices are
located at Elmira. N. Y. and the laboratory
and plant are at Bridgeport, Conn.

THE BRASS \\X)R1JD

The Frenier Automobile Co., Rutland, Vt.
are about to erect a new addition, 50x80 ft.

A new assembling plant is now being built
by the Briscoe [Motor Car Co. of Jackson,
^lich.

A new factory building, 50 x 180 feet, is
about to be erected by The W'aterbury Clock
Co., Waterbury, Conn.

Th Ansonia Brass & Copper Co., Ansonia,
Conn., are erecting a new factory building,
60x440 feet, of brick and steel.

The J. C. Root Co., Bristol, Conn., have
increased their capital by the issue of $33,000
in common stock.

The Hatheway ^Ifg. Co., Bridgeport, Conn,
are planning to start a branch factory in
Hoboken, N. J. The company manufactures
sheet metal and wire goods. .

The Adelphi Silver Co., 67 Prospect St.,
Brooklyn, N. Y., have retired from business
and the entire stock and fixtures have been
sold.

The i\Ieter Valve Carburetor Co., Dayton,
Ohio, has been incorporated with a capital
stock 'of $20,000. The manufacvture of auto-
mobile accessories will be carried on.

The De La Vergne [Machine Co., 138th. St.,
& Locust Ave., New York City, have awarded
the contracts for a new foundry building,
90 X 126 feet.

The Victor Auto Parts Co., Cincinnati,
Ohio, manufacturers of automobile lamps,
are to erect a new factory building having
50,000 sq. ft. of floor space. The new build-
ing will be on \\'inton Place.

Handy & Harman of Bridgeport, Conn.,
have sent out to their customers a neat
souvenir in the form of a memorandum book.
It is bound in leather covers and contains con-
siderable information for ready reference.

The Mesta Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.
have mailed an interesting postcard calling
attention to their new booklet which contains
useful information on gears and rolling mill
pinions. This booklet will be sent upon re-
quest.

The Abbott Ball Co., Hartford, Conn., are
building a large addition to the factory. This
new factory will be devoted to the manu-
facture of ball bearings, which The Abbott
Ball Company planned to manufacture when
they first organized ; but on account of their
increasing ball burnishing business, were una-
ble to develop. The size of the new building
will be 50 x 120 feet and will be of steel,
brick and concrete construction.

The Sherardizing Co., of Philadelphia, Pa.,
are erecting a new sherardizing plant, 100x105
feet.

The Franklin Electric [Mfg. Co., Hartford,
Conn, will add another story to their building,
34 r 62 feet, to provic'e space for their in-
creasing business.

The Ford [Motor Car Co., Detroit, [Mich.,
are planning the erection of a new power
plant which will, together with the equipment,
represent an investment of $1,000,000. Some
of the contracts have alreadv been awarded.

American Institute of Alining Engineers
will hold its 107th, meeting at the headquar-
ters of the Institute, 29 West 39th. St., New
York City, February 17th. to 20th. From
present indications it will be a very active and
important meeting.

The John C. Wiarda & Co., 263 Green St.,
Brooklyn, N. Y., have increased the nickel
anode plant and are now in a position to fill
their orders promptly. They are also manu-
facturers of chemicals and platers' supplies.

The Smith, Richardson Co., Attleboro,
[Mass., are now settled in their new factory,
which comprises a floor space of 200x40 feet.
The chain machines and toolroom occupy the
westerly side of the building, while the offices
are located on the Dunham Street end.

Harris Whittemore and John P. Elton, re-
ceivers for the New England Watch Co.,
Waterbury, Conn., have advertised the plant
and machinery for sale. This action is in
accordance with the instructions from the
court. -"

All purchases for the Remington Type-
writer Works, Ilion, N. Y., Smith Premier
W'orks, [Monarch Typewriter \^'orks, Syra-
cuse, N. Y., and the Yost Typewriter Works,
Bridgeport, Conn., from now on will be
made at the buyer's office, 114 Gift'ord St.,
Syracuse, N. Y.

The Continental Brass & Foundries Co., St.
Louis, [Mo., have incorporated with a capital
stock of $25,000. The incorporators are Fer-
dinand [Messmer, of St. Louis, G. D. Klemme,
of Belleville, 111., and Joseph [Messmer, of
Kirkwood, [Mo. They will manufacture brass
and other metal goods.

The Detroit Foundrymen's Association,
Detroit, Mich., have been very fortunate in
securing for their meeting of February 14th.,
Dr. G. K. Burgess. Chief of Division of [Met-
allurgy, Bureau of Standards, Washington,
D. C. Dr. Burgess will give a paper on
Standard Bronzes, their structure, pouring
temperatures, etc. The association extends
a cordial invitation to everyone interested in
this subject to visit them at this meeting.

THK BRASS WORLJ3

A. Schrader's Son, Inc. manufacturers of
tire valves for bicycles and automobiles have
moved from 28-32 Rose St., New York City,
to 783-791 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.

The Locke Steele Belt Co., Bridgeport,
Conn., are about to build a one story building,
60x240 feet, on Bishop Ave., for the manu-
facture of sprocket chains.

The Union Hardware Co., Torrington,
Conn., have purchased a piece of ground and
will erect a new factory fur tlie manufacture
of steel fishing rods.

A new plating shop lias been started at 215
W. Exchange St., Attleboro, Mass., by Gussie
Rosen f eld and Wm. T. Sheehan. The name
of the new company is The Attleboro Plating-
Company.

The Bailery Dental Specialty Co., Wil-
liamston, N. C, have incorporated with a capi-
tal stock of ^25,000 for the manufacture of
dental specialties.

The American Buft & Wheel Co., 41S West
27th St., New York City, are manufacturing
all kinds of buffs and wheels. They also
manufacture a full line of polishing and buff-
ing compositions.

The Connecticut Electrical ^Ifg. Co., Con-
necticut Ave., and Florence St., Bridgeport,
Conn., manufacturers of electrical supplies,
have increased their capital stock from $25,000
to $200,000.

The Maplewood Chemical Company, Bing-
hampton, N. Y., has been incorporated by R.
W. Wright, Binghampton, N. Y., and M. J. &
M. Corbett of Corbettsville, N. Y., for the
manufacture of chemicals.

The Huxley Bronze Casting Co., has been
incorporated at Wilmington, Deleware, with a
capital stock of $50,000. They plan to equip
and operate factories for smelting ores, and
metals. N. S. Huxley, J. W. Huxley, Jr.,
and M. P. Huxley are the incorporators.

John J. Jackson Co., of Newark, N. J., man-
ufacturers of sterling silver anodes, silver
wire, silver solder, etc., have moved from 91
Mechanic St., to 15G-158 Astor St., where
more connnodious quarters have been
obtained.

A. C. Dallas & Son Inc., 22:i-231 North
Jefferson St., Chicago, 111. have been appointed
general sales agents in the middle west for
the Buft'alo Copper & Brass Rolling Mill,
Buft'alo, N. Y. They handle all of the pro-
ducts of The Buft'alo Copper & Brass Rolling
Mill, such as Sheet Copper, Copper in Rolls,
Copper Flats and Bottoms, Copper Anodes,
Sheet Brass, Brass Rod and Wire, and carry
a stock in Chicago.

The Cuml)orland Foundry & Mfg. Co. Nash-
ville, Tenn., have established a machine shop
in connection with its foundry. A plating-
plant lias also been equipped.

The Wheeling Wheel & Mfg. Co., Glendale,
W. Va., are to erect a new addition to their
plant which will be used in the manufacture
of galvanized shingles.

The Schnell Bronze Bearing Co., Buffalo,
N. Y. has been incorporated by Frederick and
Allen Schnell, William Mittling and C. L.
BuUymore. A plant for casting and finishing
will be equipped.

The Standard Machinery Co., have just
completed moving their Providence, R. I.
plant into their new buildings at Auburn, R.
I. They manufacture presses of all kinds,
drop hammers, rolling mills, wire drawing
machinery, rotary swaging machines, dies and
special tools, roller and ball bearings.

Andrew Steen of Brooklyn, N. Y, has been
appointed temporary receiver of The United
Foundry & Machine Co. of Bridgeport, Conn.
The company manufactures bronze and alumi-
num castings and has been doing business
since April . Its capital stock is $250,-
000.

The Dart Cyclecar Co., Ltd., Toronto, Ont.,
Canada, has been incorporated with a capital
of $100,000 to manufacture cyclecars and
other power-driven vehicles. The incorpora-
tors are Harry B. Smith, Frank M. Lorsch of
Toronto and others.

Lein-ian Brothers, 62 John St., New York
City, make special sand blasts for a variety of
work and which are in use in a large number
of establishments. Brass founders, silver-
smiths, electroplaters, glass manufacturers
and many other manufacturers employ them
as regular equipment.

^ The Haas Mfg. Co., Marbridge Bldg., 34th.
Street and Broadway, New York City, are
making a line of rouges and compositions
under tlieir own formulas and the same are
being put up into collapsible tubes patented
by them and making it especially adaptable to
apply the rouge direct to the wheel without
any loss. Samples will be supplied to those
interested upon request.

A demonstration of Trisalyt was given
before the Rochester Branch of the American
Electro Platers' Society, at the University of
Rochester, on January 14, , by ' the
Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Co.. 100
William Street, New York City. The same
was very satisfactory and Mr. Wm. Schneider
demonstrated the use of Trisalyt in copper,
silver, gold and brass solutions, while Dr.
Weber answered the technical questions
which were propounded.

THE BRASS WORLO

The Griffin Mfg. Co., of Erie, Pa., manu-
facturers of builders' hardware, are to make
some additions to their plant.

Giles & Nielsen Nickel Works, have moved
from Sixth Ave., Troy, N. Y. and are
now^ located in new quarters on Front St.

Joseph Rosenthals' Sons, Inc., brass
founders, Philadelphia, Pa. have built a new
office at their plant on 190 Burks Street.

The Goldsmidt Thermit Co., 90 West St.,
New York City, manufacturers of pure metals
and alloys, are sending out to the trade a ven,'
attractive calendar.

The Pullman Car Co., of Wilmington, Del.
has completed plans and proposes to erect an
addition to their plant which is estimated will
cost $30,000.

The plant of the Tipp Mfg. Co. of Tippe-
canoe, Ohio, which was recently destroyed by
fire, is to be rebuilt. Mechanical toys are
manufactured.

The Moller & Schumann Co., Brooklyn,
N. Y., manufacturers of varnishes and japans,
have added the services of Mr. George Gates
to their staff in Chicago, 111.

The Manhattan Brass & Electrical Co., of
New York City, have been incorporated with
a capital stock' of $14,000. The incorporators
are Harry Hilfman, Samuel and Hy. Dene-
mark, 147 McKibbin St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

The Automatic Lamp Control Company of
Dayton, Ohio have increased their capital
stock from $30,000 to $100,000 and expect to
make extensive additions to their plant on East
First St.

The George Zucker Co., 202 Emmett St.,
Newark, N. J. have just issued a pamphlet
covering their entire line of rouges and com-
positions which is of interest to users. It
contains valuable information covering their
entire line.

A large plant is being built in Detroit, ^lich..
by the Detroit Seamless Steel Tubes Company.
R. S. Stiefel of EUwood City, Pa. is the in-
ventor of the process that will be used. It
is stated that the mill will be the most mod-
ern in the United States for the manufacture
of steel tubing.

"The History and Development of the
Galvanizing Industrv" is the title of a booklet
which The Meaker Co., - Fulton St.,
Chicago, 111. are mailing to the trade. This
booklet contains valuable information for the
Galvanizing Industry and should be in the
hands of all interested parties. The booklet
can be obtained by addressing The Meaker
Co.

The General Screw Machine Products Com-
pany has been organized in Detroit, Mich.,
with a capital stock of $1,000 to manufacture
a general line of screw machine products.

The 5th. Annual Banquet of the American
Electro Platers' Association was held at the
Marlborough-Blenheim Hotel, Broadway and
34th. Street, New York City on February 21st.

Many prominent speakers were heard and
there were various iinishes exhibited by the
members.

The capital stock of the Wolverine Brass
Works, of Grand Rapids, Mich., manufac-
turers of plumbers' brass goods has been in-
creased from $500,000 to $700,000. The in-
crease of stock has been made to take care
of the increasing business of the company.
A large increase has l^een made in the plant
during the past year.

Personal.

H. V. Kelley has been elected secretary of
the Falcon Bronze Companv, Youngstown,
Ohio.

Mr. Charles Wirt, President of the Wirt
Company, Philadelphia, Pa., is now in Naples.
He will be absent for about two months on
Inisiness of European sales.

Clarence A. Earl has severed his connection
as vice-president and general manager of the
Corbin Screw Corporation, New Britain,
Conn, to become second vice-president and
ass't. general manager of the Hendee ^Ifg.
Co., Springfield, Mass.

Mr. Chas. J. Caley, General Superintendent,
Canadian Yale and Towne, Ltd., St. Cather-
ines, Ontario, Canada, has resigned his posi-
tion to take effect March 1st. Mr. Caley
states he has no definite plans for the future.
His address after March 1st will be 65 Olive
St., New Haven, Conn.

Dr. Richard Moldenke, who for many
years was secretary of The American
Foundrymen's Association has resigned. Dr.
Moldenke's resignation was tendered partly
owing to his desire to be relieved of duties
which have been an increasing burden to him
and partly because of a change in the policy
of the association regarding meetings wdiich
he believes is impending and with which he
is not altogether in accord. It is expected
he will act in an advisory capacity in connec-
tion with certain of the society's activities.

Obituary*

Mr. H. C. Meinholtz of the Heine Safety
Boiler Co., St. Louis, Mo. died December 24,
.

TITK BRASS WORLD
Ctirrent Metal and Supply Prices,

Tliese Prices arc net and are for moderate quantities. Smaller cjuantities command liigher

prices. Prices subject to fluctuation.

Acetone, pure 98-99% tb. .22

Acid, Acetic, pure 307c II' • -07

Acid, Arsenious (White .Vrstiiic) It). .lU

Acid, Benzoic Iti. .OT)

Aciii, Boracic (Boric), pure lli. .12

Acid, llydrocliloric, see Acid, .Muriatic.

Acid, llydrotiuoric, 30% \h. .04

Acid, Hydrofluoric, 50% lb. .10

Acid, Muriatic, 20° lb . ,02

Acid, Muriatic, c. p., 20° 11>. .07

Acid, Nitric, 38° It.. .05%

Acid, Nitric, 40° lb. .05%

Acid, Nitric, 42° lb. .O614

Acid, Nitric, e. p Iti . .08

Acid, Sulphuric, 66° II). .01%

Acid, Sulphuric, c. p lb . .06

Alcohol, Wood tfai. .57

Alcohol, Denatured Sal- -02

Alum lb. .04

Aluminum, Metallic, in Ingots Iti. .19

Amuioniuin Sulphate lb . .07

Aqua- Fort is, see Acid, Nitric.

Ammonia Water (.\qua-.\mmoiiia, 20° ...lb. .04%

Animania Water (Aqua-Ammonia), 26°... lb. .06^,4

Ammonia Water, c. p lb. .08

Ammonium Carbonate, lump lb. .15

Ammonium Chloride (Sal-.-\mmoniac) . . . . lb. .12

Ammonium H3'drosulphuret lb. .30

Ammonium Sidphato tip . .06

Ammonium Suphocyanate lb. .50

Amyl .\cetate gal. 3.50

Antimony lb. .07 vs

Arsenic, Metallic It). .10

Arsenic, White (Acid .\rsenious) lb. .10

Argols, W'hite (Cream of Tartar) lb. .31

Asphaltum, Commercial tb. .05

Asphaltum, Egyptian (Bitumen) It). .30

Benzine gal. .15

Benzol, Pure gal. .50

Bismuth, Metallic lb. 2.15

Bitumen, see Asphaltum.
Blue-Yitrol, see Copper Sulpliate.

Borax, Crystals or Powdered lb. .10

Bora.x Glass It). .30

Cadmium, Metallic Ifi . .85

Carbon Bisulphide lb . .10

CJalcium Carbonate (Precipitated Chalk).. It). .10

Chrome-Orcen lb . .50

Copper, Lake (carload) lb . .15

Copper, Lake, (cask) If,. .151,4

Copper, Electrolytic, (cask) }b. .14%

Copper, Electrolytic, (carload) lb. .14'-.

Copper, Casting, (carload) lb. .14%

Copper, Casting, (cask) lb . .14 ^t;

Copper .\cetate (Verdigris) lb. .35

Copper Carbonate, dry ' lb. .16

Copper Sulphate (Blue-Stone) It). .06

Corrosive Sublimate, see Mercury Bichloride.
Cream-Tartar, see Potassium Bitartarate.

Cryolite It,. .12

Cyanide, see Potassium Cyanide.

Dextrin It, . .10

Emerv Flour lb. .04

Emery, F F &, !•' F I'" II, . .03

Flint, powered tt,. .01

Flour-Spar tb . .01 '4

Fusel-Oil gal. 3.00

Oold Chloride .oz. 11.75

Gold, Pure oz. 20.87

Gum Copal tb . .30

Gum Guiacum tb. .26

Gum Mastic lb. .80

(!um Sandarac tb. .35

Gum Shellac, brown lb. .50

Gum Shellac, white lb. .GO

Iridium oz. 80.00

Iron Perchloridc Iti. .25

Iron Sulphate (Copperas) 11, .05

Lead .\cetate CSiigar of Lead) lb. .11

Lead, Pig lb. .04 Vs

Lead, Uid lb. .12

Lead, Vellow Oxide (Litharge) lb. .12

Jjivcr of Sulphur, see Potassium Sulphide.

Manganese, Ferro, 80% lb. .10

Manganese, Metallic, pure lb. .75

Magnesium, .Metallic lb. 1.50

Mercury Bichloride (Corrosive Sublimate) lb. 1.12

Mercury, Metallic (Quicksilver) lb. .38

Mercury Nitrate lb . I.50

Mercury Oxide, yellow lb. 1.80

Nickel and .Ammonium Sulphate (Double

Salts) tb. .081/2

Nickel Carbonate, dry tb . .60

Nickel Chloride . . . ." tt, . .50

Nickel Metallic lb. .45

Nickel Sulphate (Single Salts lb. .20

Nitre (saltpetre), see Potassium Nitrate.
Oil of Vitriol, see Acid, Suliihuiic.

Paratfine tt,. .15

Phosphorus, yellow lb . .40

Phosphorus, red lb . l.io

Pitch tt,. .05

Plaster of Paris, Dental bbl. 4.00

Platinum Chloride oz. 46.00

Platinum Metallic oz. 44.00

Potash-by- Alcohol, in sticks tb. .45

Potash, Caustic lb . .06

Potassium Bichromate lb .. .14

Potassium Bitartarate (Cream of Tartar)., lb. .31

Potassium Carbonate (Pearlash) tb. .10

Potassium Chlorate lb . .15

Potassium Cyanide lb . .25

Potassium Iodide lb . 3.15

Potassium Nitrate (Nitre or Salti)etrc) ..lb. .10

Potassium Permanganate lb. .17

Potassium, Red Prussiate lb. .55

Potassium, Yellow Prussiate lb. .35

Potassium Sulphide (Liver of Sulphur) . . It, . .15
Potassium Sulphuret, see Potassium Sulphide.

Potassium Sulijhocyanate lb. .70

Pumice, Ground lb. .05

Quartz, Powdered lb . .01

Rosin, Yellow tb . .08

Sal-.\mmoniac, see Anmionium Chloride.
Sal-Soda, see Sodium Carbonati'.

Silver Chloride, dry oz. .75

Silver Cyanide oz. 1.00

Silver, Fine oz. .57%

Silver Nitrate, crystals oz. .50

Soda-Ash ." tb. .05

Sodium Biborate, see Borax

Sodium Bisulphite fb. .15

Sodium Carbonate (Sal-Soda), crystals. ... tb. !o2

Sodium Hydrate (Caustic Soda) " lb. .05

Sodium Hydrate (Caustic Soda) by Alcohol

(in sticks) ] tb. .45

Sodium Hyposulphite ("Hypo") It,. .04

Sodium Metallic tt, . .90

Sodium Nitrate tti. .05

Sodium Phosphate tb. .09

Sodium Silicate (Water-Glass) tt,. .04

Soot, Calcined tt, . .15

Spelter, see Zinc,

Sugar of Lead, see Lead .\cetate.

Sulphur (Brimstone), in lump H,. .05

Tin Chloride tb. 43

Tin, Metallic .' tb .' ^sijs^

Turpentine, Venice tb. .35

Verdigris, see Copper .\cctate.

Water, Distilled gal. .15

Wftter-Glass, see Sodium Silicate.

Wax, Beeswax, yellow ib. .45

Wax, Carnauba lb . "70

Whiting (Ground Chalk) tb. .02

Zipc. Carbonate, dr.v tt, . .12

Zinc. Chloride tt, . .12

Zinc. Sulphate fb. !o6

Zinc, (-spelter) lb' .'oo^

THE

BRASS WORLD

PLATERS' GUIDE

VOl^. X.

BRIDGE^PORT, CONN.. MARCH, 1Q14.

No. 3

A Monthly Journal Devoted to the

Art of Refining, Alloying, Casting, Rolling, Founding and Electro
Plating of all the Non-Ferrous Metals and their Alloys.

Published by the Brass W^orld Publishing Co.,
260 John Street, Bridgeport, Conn.

FOUNDER,
MANAGING EDITOR,

ERWIN S. SPERRY
H. de JOANNIS

Subscribtion Price $i oo Per Year. lo Cents a Copy.
Entered as Second Class Matter in the Post Office at Bridgeport, Conn.

CONTENTS FOR MARCH.

Babbitt Replaced by "Vulcan" Fibre 105

Brass Company Reaps Benefits from Recent Storm 107

Chart Recording histrument, A New Continuous 97

Copper Alleys, Approximate Melting Points of . . . ._ 98

Convention, Xew York and Xewark Electroplaters' 79

Core Building for Aluminum Casting 89

Derihon Port:able Hardness-Testing Machine 106

Electro-Plating— Is it a Trade or Profession? ■••••■• 11-t

Exhibitors and Representatives of ^Manufacturing Concerns 81

Experiments on the Use of the Electric Furnace 116

Gold, Deposition of Cyanide of 110

Handling Heavy Material Without a Crane 101

}^Ieans for Filling Moving Flasks S3

Motor Lathe, Careful Use of a 95

Xon-Ferrous Alloys, Nomenclature of the 90

Place and Value of a Trade Paper 119

Plating Costs, A Side-Light on 94

Railwav Bearings 85

Sad But True 96

Season-Cracking on Brass 84

Using the Mails to Best Advantage 7S

.March

USING THE MAILS TO BEST ADVANTAGE.

We exercise a great deal of faith in Uncle
Sam wlien we drop our mail into the letter-
box and trust that our plans for business-
getting, sales-consummating or business ex-
tension will be safely carried out. Consider-
ing the volume of correspondence handled by
our post-offices, it is a marvellous thing that
our machinery of conmiunication runs with
such a small percentage of break-downs. We
are however a wasteful natirm in many of our
conunercial methods and in our handling of
the mails to best advantage and with highest
efficiency we have yet nnich lo learn.

For instance, one automobile concern in
Chicago put into the post-office between tlie
hours of 5 and 6 p. m., 400,000 letters. It is
not difficult to imagine what congestion this
caused. Other mail of vital importance was
delayed for hours. If the earlier hours of
the day had been utilized for the delivery of
this great number of letters, hours wdien time
and men were available, little, if any, interrup-
tion would have been experienced. This is
an exceptional and extravagant case and it is
only cited to stimulate interest in mail elii-
ciency along minor channels of correspun-
dential endeavor.

How many of us keep on our desks a list of
all train departuies carrying mail to our cor-
respondents from east, west, south and north?
How many of us get rid of our daily mail in
such a manner as to take advantage of these
mail departures? Yet there is money for us
in the consideration of this very thing. For
instance, we know that a mail train for the
west leaves at 2 :45 p. m. We have thirty
letters to answer in the miirning's mail, none
of which seems to be more important than
the other. We dictate the answers therefore
as the letters come to us in the heap. The
girl handles them in the same way and the
3:45 p. m. leaves that day without our mes-
sages for its territory. Of course, we have
also a knowdedge that other trains leave for
the west at night and the regular evening-
mails will make their cnnnections but do we
ever stop to think that these later trains de-
liver our letters at such times that they miss
the last delivery in their destination points
and in the mind of our correspondents we arc
.'I day late in replying. \ few minutes' sort-

ing would have altered this faulty delivery.
It is well to be constantly conscious that your
correspondent's letter is very important to
him even tliough on your desk his letter is
only one out of thirty. We spend thousands
of dollars perfecting our plants so as to be
able to deliver the goods when called for and
yet we are prone to be lax in the meth.ods
by means of which we hope to arouse or sus-
tain his interest and capture his business. The
best sales letter we ever wrote loses 50 per
cent of its value if it gets to the man we
intend it for 24 hours after our competitor
has placed his proposition and literature be-
fore him. If we are sending salesmen to our
customers on a ground-floor tip we study con-
nections of trains and trolleys till our heads
ache in an endeavor to be first in the field.
Our mail for the most part has to take its
train-departure and train-connection chances.

If you are advertising in the "Brass World",
especially in large towns or cities, see that
your advertisement carries your full address.
In Chicago, the other day, out of 404,000
letters received, over 250,000 had to be held
and sent to the directory department for final
addresses. This meant delay of from five
hours to a day. John Smith, Pullman Build-
ing. Cliicago, may be a very important man.
Several of the elevator boys may know him
and also the bar-tender round the corner. He
may even be a good business man but if he
wants to be reached quickly by mail, his room
number should be on his correspondence. The
mail man that usually delivers his mail may be
sick or away on vacation and the new man
never heard of him. Few of us realize that
a large office building has a daily population
of from 5,000 to 10,000 people. A number of
a room in such case is as important as a street
address in a town of similar magnitude.

AliDUt 10 per cent, of the regular staff of
any post-office of size is absent most of the
time by reason of sickness or vacation leave.
Whether writing to advertisers or soliciting
inquiries through advertising, care in the ad-
dress is all-important. The closer in touch you
keep with your correspondent, the better
chance you have to get and hold his business.
Attontinn to the mailing of letters is a Inisi-
ness asset.

IMarch

NEW YORK AND NEWARK ELECTRO - PLATERS CON-
VENE, FEB. 21, , AT NEW YORK CITY.

The fifth annual banquet of the New York
and Newark branches of the American
Electro-Platers" Society was held at the
]\[arlborough-Blenheim Hotel, Broadway and
36th St., New York City, Feb. 21, .

The day was spent by earl\- arrivals in
greeting- old friends and making new ones.
The exhibit room was the center of interest
and the unwrapping of each contribution to
the display was fresh stimulus to discussion
of processes and results and "the is-es, the
was-es and the might-have-beens of electro-
plating." There Vvas a genuine joy in the
greetings and a frank and unrestricted ex-
change of ideas among the members revealing
to even the casual observer the basic cause of
the strength and growth of the American
Electro-Platers' Society and its branches.

The banquet commenced at 8 p. m. and the
arrival of coffee and cigars was the signal for
the commencement of speech-making.

C. H. Proctor, Arlington, N. J., pioneer of
the associational strength of the industry,
highly esteemed in the eyes of his fellow-
craftsmen, quickly and enthusiastically out-
lined the progress of the national organiza-
tion. New branches have been ad led during
the past year, he stated, and at a recent visit
to a meeting of the St. Louis branch. 100
members and interested workers were in at-
tendance. The need and benefits of associa-
tion and concerted striving for the greatest
development of the industry are being increas-
ingly realized by the electro-platers of the
country.

Horace Smith, Belleville, N. Y., commented
on the changes in the electroplating industry
during recent years. Each change has made
for the improvement of the status of the in-
dividuals engaged in this line of effort.
National organization has proved a notable
blessing and a membership of 600 foremen
platers is a tribute to the wisdom of those
who had the vision to effect the primary or-
ganization.

Dr. A. A. Jones. New York City, referred
to the fact that in holding this gathering in
the Marlborough, the members were coming
back home to the place of their first gathering
together. The success of the organization
has demonstrated that its fundamental princi-

ples are right. Its work has proved profitable
to the employer and the plater alike.

Geo. P>. Hogaboom, New Britain, Conn.,
Supreme President, inspiringly told the story
of the birth and growth of the Association
during the past five years. There are now
more branches than there were men at the
first meeting for organization. Four new
branches have been added during the year
and over 200 members. The rapid
growth of the movement, Mr. Hogaboom em-
phasised, was due to the fact that the associa-
tion's guiding motive is educational and its
goal the development of the industrial and
professional efiiw-iency of the membership. The
motive has established a common bond of
fellowship of inestimable value. The develop-
ment of efiiciency wil' determine a progressive
increase in the earning power of the member-
ship.

President Hogaboom silhouetted the early
phases of electroplating from and onward
under the influence of such masters as Watts
and Roseleur. They and those that succeeded
them triumphed because of their determina-
tion to know "THE REASON WHY" of the
results obtained in their research and practice.
The American Electro Platers' Society is in
existence to enable its members to achieve
mastery of their work in similar manner.

Emphasis was then given to the mutual
benefits to be derived from the cooperation of
the electrocbemist and the electroplater. Each
can contribute daily to the development of the
other by interchange of ideas and data. At-
tention was called to weak points in general
electroplating practice and accurate and
methodical analysis of solutions offered as
salvation from many of the platers troubles.
Mr. Hogaboom cited an instance of the fail-
ure of the Beaume scale as an absolute
means of determining the character of a solu-
tion. With a reading of 32 deg. Beaume in-
dicating a solution high in metal and chemical
salts, analysis revealed only half an ounce of
metal to the gallon while the electrical cur-
rent records revealed a burglary of 10 volts
and amperes. The entire message of
President Hogaboom centered on the neces-
sity of the fraternization of all workers in
metallurgical, chemical and electrical fields

THE BRASS WORUD

March I'JU

in order that tlie c-ffDrls of tlif workers in
each field of activity' may he crowned with
success and proht.

Prof. W illiaiii Wiener, Xewark, X. J., is an
lionorary nieniher of the X'ewark Ijraneh, and
the prime (le\eioper of liij^li-school efficiency
ill that citv. lie touelied on his early ex-
periences in ,L;dld and silver plating and ex-
pressed his s^ratilication in heing associated
with the eleetroplaters at tlie present time. He

pected that future records will show material
g.'iin to electro-plating knowledge.

J. 11. S. Strannnel, New York City, read an
interesting ])aper, detailing progress made as
a resuh of the unsell"ish efforts of the present
leaders in the work of the society and its
hranches. The outlook for the future, he
predicted, was full of promise.

Chas. II. Proctor then paid trihute to Erwin
S. Sperry, editor and ])roprietor of the "Brass

Electro-Piaters' Banquetting Array at New York.

took iiride most justiliahly in his transforma-
tion of the "puhlic school" to the "puhlic's
school" and cited examples of the services
tliat are heing rendered hy the working of
the "puhlic's school" idea, in which the school
Ix'came a center of public research, a nucleus
of experimental dcvelo])ment and a clearing-
house for ideas. In such an atmosphere, the
children will indubitably receive the stimulus
to do better and greater things than their
fathers. .\t the Xewark Central High School,
through the generosity of one of the manu-
facturers, a $ pkiling plant and research
laboratorv, have been installed and it is ex-

W orld and I'laters' Guide", who tlied on Jan.
ol, r.)14. Mr. Proctor referred feelingly to
the faithful service of ^Ir. Sperry to the trade
and his call for a puljlic experssion of sym-
pathy by rising vote was unanimously re-
sponded to.

W. J. Schneider, Xew ^drk City, gave a
strong talk on the possil)ility of obtaining
higher efticiency in the electro-plating depart-
ment. The formation of societies of this
character and the regular meeting together of
the liest men in the industry is steadily raising
the status of the trade. Too many times the
reconmiendations of the foremen platers are

March

THE BRASS WOR1J3

ignored by the manufacturers they are en-
deavoring to serve, the result necessarily
being loss of efficiency and leakage in profit.
Mr. Schneider urged the members of the in-
dustry to acquaint themselves fundamentally
with the character and composition of the ma-
terials they used and emphasized the advan-
tages to be gained by a consideration of their
purity as of prime importance to efficiency and
reliability of operation.

Joseph Walters, Richmond, Va., had for his
subject "Electro-Plating — A Trade or Profes-
sion?" He succinctly outlined the evolution
of the industry from the early days when
Rule o' Thumb and Happenchance were too
often dominators of operative effort. While
England was the mother of electroplating,
America was the parent of the dynamo and
the advent of the latter has wrought magic
and wonderful changes. Air. Walters pointed
out the many inconsistencies in plating prac-
tice shown by the variations in solutions, volt-
age and amperage on the same classes of
work. A basic knowledge of chemistry and
electricity is to be desired and its possession
will determine in the future the distinction
between those who conduct electro-plating as
a trade or a profession.

A most enjoyable and profitable evening
was brought to a close by an order for ad-
journment sine die shortly after midnight.

EXHIBITORS AND REPRESENTA-
TIVES OF MANUFACTURING
CONCERNS.

Joseph Walters, C. P., representing the
Southern Stove Works, Richmond, Va., made
an excellent exhibit of nickel plating, consist-

The Richmond Exhibit.

ing of an oven shelf and bracket, a hinged
plate for high closet range and a panel. The
quality of work and its brilliancy received
manv favorable comments.

J. Hartnett, of the Wright I^Ifg. Co.,
Newark, X. J., displayed attractively a
variety of products in various finishes, chief
of which were: 24 medallions, several Wright
automatic lighters, and Wright ash tray with
ivorv' finish on silver. Several excellent ef-
fects were shown in polished gold, matt gold,
rose gold, and black nickel.

H. Smith of the Tiffany Co., Belleville. N.
v., exhibited handsome examples of silver
deposition on copper.

John J. Moriarty, St. Johnsbury, Vt..
showed examples of deposits of black nickel
on aluminum.

W. E. Syniondi, of the Lampson Co.,
Lowell, ]\Iass. contributed aluminum carriers,
plated with bronze and nickel.

H. Gleichmann of the Steffens-Amberg Co.,
showed examples of nickel plating upon cast
iron and gray iron.

\\ illiam J. Schneider, New York City, dis-
played cast iron clocks and picture frames
plated with gold Trysalyt and a steel chain
brass plated with zinc and copper Trisalyt.

Ehvin Root Co., Bristol, Conn., contributed
examples of brass plating of steel push but-
tons and iron hardware and zinc hinges.

The Premier Etching Co., New York,
through Mr. Rogge, furnished a clock dial
etched and silver plated with silver *Trysalyt.
This was peculiarly attractive.

The N. Barstow Co., Providence, R. I., ex-
hibited a mesh bag and vanity cases plated
with silver Trysalyt.

J. \\'. De Alars, American Writing Machine
Co., Nevvark, N. J. displayed black nickel de-
posits on brass in the form of marginal bars
and card liolders.

Examples of brass, nickel and gold de-
posited on lead base were shown by H. Wirg,
in the form of sprinkler tops.

An exceedingly heavy deposit of copper on
steel cylinder was shown in section by the
Boissier Electric Co., 480 Pearl St., New York
City as a product of the company's mechani-
cal plating apparatus. Tine company was
represented by A. Merks, who explained the
method of operation and distributed litera-
ture to all inquirers.

The Eureka Pneumatic Spray Co., Spring
St., New i^ork, was represented by S. M.
Olsen and H. Swarz. Their e'xb'bit com-
prised of several models of the comppny's

THE BRASS WORLD

March

regular "Eureka" sprayers, a pistol sprayer, a
saw-dust blower and artists brush spray
(suitable for artificial flowers and post cards)
reducing gages and valves and air filters. All
of these articles are adapted to specific types
of work and were interestingly described by
the representatives.

The John Hassall Co., Brooklyn, X. Y.
through Alfred Martin, contributed escutcheon
pins, special wire nails, washers and rivets,
tinned and galvanized.

C. O. Fields, of the A. F. Meisclbach Co.,
of Newark, N. J. made an interesting display
of fishing reels, black nickel on brass, phono-
graph arms and sound boxes with oxidized
copper and Roman gold on brass finishes.

The Maas & Waldstein Co., Xew York City,
represented by C. Frey and O. P. Scher, was
the donator of the badges to the conven-
tioners.

The Roesslcr & Hasslacher Chemical Co..
New York City, sent to the fray a quintet of
active champions of the company's products —
Dr. N. G. \Veber. Carl Dittniar, Wm. J.
Schneider, Chas. H. Proctor and J. H. Stitt.

ROSTER OF ATTENDANCE.

New Briinswick — C. Lunbordo, .Ta.s. Puritan.

Roselle Park — Edw. W. T. Faint.

Newark — Jolin Harnett, C. O. Field, Philip
RieveriiiK, H. A. Gleicliman. J. Gleichnian.
Thos. B. Haddow, John I>. Merisold, Jo.s. F.
Smith. B. Ackerman, C. R. Rier.stead, B. J.
Owens, D. B. Smith. S. Smith, A. PI. Duljie,
.John Oriffln, F. Pislie, C. Piske, Emil Troxler,
John DeMar, Profes.sor Weiner, C. J. Schroe-
der, T. Kreuder, G. Carlson. W. Brudick, J.
TTallmann, Max Ruleman, H. "W. Young, C.
Knrfess, Cha.s. Sclieider, G. E. Osborne.

West Caldwell —J. S. Phelps.

West New York — Geo. J. Weigand.

West Orangre — S. V. Williams, John Luns-
man.

NEW YORK.

Brooklyn — E. McGuirk, S. Friedman, K.
Quimby, L. Le Roff, N. Connell, H. C. Bernard,
Stanley Shul)ert, James Ijeahy, Chas. Ammann,
Harry' \Vohl, August J. Frey, John Painter,
H. Keppler. W. H. Betz, C. G. Keppler. S.
Jacobs, C. J. Jacobs. J. A. Stremel, Wm. Voss,
F. Massicotte, Frank Duffy, John J. Fannon,
D. Bush, M. T^ewontin. Joseph Godfrey.

CoUeg-e Point — T. J. Fay, E. Bintncr.

Flatl)\isli — Wm. B. Wells.

Glendale, L. I. — E. Millwater. H. Millwater,
Clias. ("oriiier.

Iiong Island City — W. Stremel.

New York City — J. E. Sterling, Wm. Fisher,
W II. Mintie, 1». Sclioonmaker, J. A. Straub,
C Habel. J. L. Souza. A. W. Kantack, P. W.
Jerram, Jos. A. Straub, Jr., A. H. Kempe, H.
A. Achorn, W^ Shanks, G. A. Sturtevant, T.
Aitken, R. M. Viniella.

PENNSYLVANIA.

Philadelphia — George S. Knecht.

VIRGINIA.

Richmond — Jns. Walters.

CALIFORNIA.

Los Ang'eles — B. E. Holten.

CONNECTICUT.

Bridgeport — 'J'hcis. Brosnian. J. ^I. Dunn.
Stephen Masek, N. Barnard.

Bristol — ^Y. S. Elwin.

Glastonbury — Chas. E. Dunn.

Merideu — George E. Thomas, Clias. Skidgell.
Jos. :\IcCarthv. J. F. Meinke. Thos. F. Jordan.
Edw. r. Pdwell, H. C. Meinke.

New Britain — George B. Hogaboom.

Walling-ford — Frank R. Gaines, Henry Nor-
ton. .)r.

New Haven — G. Cartlidge, J. J. Courtney.

MASSACHUSETTS.

Hinsdale — C. H. Bucluman.

Lowell — H. W. Harvey, W. E. Symnnds.

MICHIGAN.

Wyandotte — A. J. MacDtrmott, A. C. Peter-
sen.

NEW JERSEY

Arling-ton — E. L. Proctor.

Belleville — Jos. Gormley, Geo." Giildner.
Chas. Drake, T. N. Lalley, Horace H. Smitli,
C. C. Mace. F. F. Pertseh.

Bloomfield — Geo. Roberts.

East Orange — Hugh Baxter.

Elizabeth — .\dolph Leimbacker.

Forrest Hill — F. G. Zingrely.

Irvington — O. J. Spelvoe. Roy Stout.

Jersey City — Royal F. Clark. I>. O'Dnnnell.
.7. Garaventa.

MANUFACTURERS AND REPRESENTA-
TIVES.

Boissier Electric Co., New York City — A. A.
Merz.

"Brass World & Platers Guide", Bridgeport,
Conn. — H. de Joannis.

Celluloid Zapon Co., New York City — E. E.
Sturtevant. l'\ P. Davis. A. « '. Plant. Dr. W. A.
Jones. E. M. Stephansrm. lOrnst Ballin, H. C.
Flannigan.

Egyptian Lacquer Co., New York City — B.
Piil)]M r, i;'. DeBaun. P.ernard Fahe>'.

Eureka Pneumatic Spray Co., New York City

1 1. .\. Swarz. S. ( )lsfn.

Handy & Harman, Bridgeport, Conn. — J.
Gunther, G. H. Xiemeyei'.

Hanson & Van Winkle Co., Newark, N. J. —
J. 1'. ( )rlicn, J. V. I >\\ fus.

John Hassall, Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y. — A.
Martin. J. linhder. E. Md'luskey.

Maas & Waldstein Co., New York City— C.
Frc\-, O. I*. Si h.'i-.

Miinning-Loeb Co., Matawan, N. J. — P. R.
FisluT.

"The Metal Industry", New York City — T.
A. Trumbour, D. ,1. Kroni, G. ^V. Cooper, David
Goinmiill.

Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Co., New
York City — Dr. X. G. Weber, ("arl Dittniar
Wm, J. Schneider, Clias. H. Proctor. J. H.
Stitt.

H. S. Wyckoff Co., Newark, N. J. — Wm. Carr,
H. S. WyckdtT. 'I'. J. Dnuiing.

:March

THE BRASS >VORLr>

MEANS FOR FILLING MOVING
FLASKS.

Ernest F. Thiemann, ^lihvaukee, Wis., has
attempted to solve the "Mountain to ]\Ia-
homet" problem of tlie foundry by the in-
vention of an apparatus to fill moving flasks.
The illustration shows the device in solid
lines, the dotted lines at the base representing
a conveyor in motion from left to right bear-
ing the flasks to be filled. The ladle at the
left receives the molten metal from the fur-
nace at 11 and in turn feeds the metal as de-
sired to the ladle at the right. After it has
fed a certain number of flasks, the ladle 20,
is suspended from the main frame by a swing-

jgL

CON very o^ '" '^

ing arm IS, and a hanger 19. The spring in
the cylinder at the junction of hanger and arm
is so proportioned that after ladle 20 has been
emptied of a certain quantity of metal, it re-
leases the dog at 21 by means of the lug 2-t.
The ladle 20 then swings toward the charging
vessel 12 and by the inverse motion shown at
15, the refilling of the ladle is accomplished.

The flasks in motion engage the ladle lug,
tilting the ladle. Assistance is rendered by
the operator when necessary by a tilting arm
at ?>'^. A continuous molding operation is an-
ticipated by this device.

NEW TYPE METAL PROVES A
SUCCESS.

The necessity of using three dift'erent metal
alloys in printing establishments — one for the
linotype machines, another for the monotypes
and a third for the stereotyping — seems to be
obviated by a new alloy invented by George
R. Wagner, chief linotype machinist of the
Xew York \\'orld.

This alloy works equally well for casting
whole lines of type in the linotype machines,
for casting single letters in the monotype
machines and for casting page plates in the
stereotyping process, and is composed as fol-
f ows :

Lead 82%

Antimony 13%

Tin 5%

The advantages claimed for the new alloy
are that it gives to the slug or type a rigidity
in excess of the metal formerly used and at
much less cost of material, besides obviating
the necessity of separating the pigs of metal
that were to be employed for the three pro-
cesses.

The largest single use for silver, outside of
the manufacture of silver plated ware, is in
the manufacture of photographic plates, films
and paper. The manufacture of films for
moving picture use has now become an enor-
mous business and it is probable that in the
future this will become the largest con-
sumption of silver. The silver is used in
photography for making the light-sensitive
emulsion and which is principally the bromide
of silver.

When in the molten condition, silver posses-
ses the power of absorbing o.xygen from the
air to the extent of 22 times its own volume,
and produces the well known phenomenon of
"spitting." This occurs only when the silver
is pure and the presence of small quantities
of other metals in the silver will prevent it.
This spitting may also be prevented by cover-
ing the molten silver with charcoal while cool-
ing takes place.

.March 1<.)14

SEASON - CRACKING ON BRASS. ■

Aly Dear ^Ir. Spcrry : — Your article in the
Brass World, page 17, January, on the effect
of press work on the season cracking of
hrass is of tlic greatest interest to me. It
reminds me of some unpleasant experiences in
brass and other metal working.

Years ago I had the problem frequently be-
fore me of making a minimum thickness of
sheet metal have a maximum strength, per-
manency and smoothness. Among other things
it occurred to mc that there might be worked
out a scheme of calculation whereby for the
various ductile metals we could promptly get
a positive means of accurately ascertaining
the practical reduction permissible at each or
any stage of the drawing to size, no matter
whether the job was on press or drawbench.

Obviously the reduction nnist for economy
of time be by fewest number of operations,
since every step in the process uses up tlie
minutes and they all count in the mimcrous
manipulations of the metal in ordinary work.
But on the other hand a big reduction at any
stage (if the stock when it is squeezed to size
is likely to bring about rupture. Particularly
is this to be feared and guarded against in
cases where a thin coat of any precious metal
is overlaying a backing of some less valuable
base or foundation, as is frequently the con-
dition in branches of the jewelry trade.

However, I did not find any more scientific
formula than that which is sometimes men-
tioned sarcastically as a rule of thumb, the
modus being to get up the tools in such shapes
and sizcfs as the eye and experience of the
mechanic would approve and then try. fit,
polish, etc., until the desired end was reached.

So'mehow I catne to one conclusion. That
was this: season cracking is to some extent
a "matter of temperature. Granted that the
reduction causes just enougli heat at the point
of contact with the tools to modify the con-
dition of the crystals when they are forced
into their new positions under pressure and
there will be no trouble from season crack-

*Ec]itorial note — The aliove letter was the
last received by Mi'. .Sperry and set aside by
him for publication in the "Brass World and
Platers' Guide." Apart from this sentimental
interest, the contents are of value as the
opinions expressed by a recognized authority
in the field. Robt. I. Cle.gg-. "Castings" Cleve-
land, O., was a personal friend of Mr. Sperry
for many years and the letter is published as a
valuable contribution on this subject and as
a trilinte to the man lie esteemed.

ing. \\ here the metal is foruicd but not
Jrazi'ii 1 daresay the heat of tool friction is
not sufficient to give this requisite annealing
and then the unequal pressures existing
through that thin substance appears to mc to
result in a fiaky or strata sort of material —
"segregated" may be the appropriate defini-
tion— that even under ordinary changes in the
atmosphere can slide upon one another, or
having lengthy areas of weakness can pull
apart, and thus will in time show disfiguring
checks (U- cracks.

A curious phase of this sheet metal work-
ing practice is that the contact area of the
tool doing the work should be small. How
small it is hard to say. Here is another case
where the rule of thumb is the main stand-
by. Anyway a rule of thumb is all right if
the man using it has a good thnml).

In draw bench work I not only found that
the hole in plate was the more easily kept in
sliape when well relieved at back and having
a very short "approach" in front liut it
seemed to draw the more readily. This I
could but ascribe to the higher temperature
occasioned by the drawing and with that pe-
culiar form of die concentrated in a short dis-
tance, relatively speaking as the metal passed
through plate.

From which I conclude that the reduction
or "squeeze" must be sufficient in amount to
give a uniform change throughout the sub-
stance of the metal and that this condition
requires more than a foniiing to shape and is
also assisted materially by the heat caused by
the thorough alteration of all the crystals.

This letter may probably be of no use to
}-ou but it does afford me the opportunity of
sending along a little evidence of my con-
tinued interest in an old friend and to wish
you good luck in all you undertake. Cordial-
ly yours,

ROBT. I. CLFXiG.

Lead and aluminum do not alloy, and if the
two metals are melted together they separate
upon coi'ling. At the bottom will be found the
lead which will contain a trace of aluminum,
and at the top the aluminum will be obtained
and which will contain a very small amount
of lead. T!ie two metals, however, will ad-
here ti> one another when they have cooled,
but with a distinct line of separation.

March l'.»14

RAILWAY BEARINGS.

Their Desig;n and the Alloys Used in Their Production.

BY G. H. CLAMER.

(Concluded from Page 49,Tebruary I9H.)

Alloys Used For Lining.
As before stated, the lining of car journal
bearings was invented by Mr. D. F. Hopkins
in . Hopkins during the life of his patent
used only pure lead for the lining material.
Lead was used to carrv out the idea of the in-

ing feature, the bearings operated <'or a
great mileage before the lining was actually
worn through. Gradually, however, after the
Hopkins patent expired, there was a tendency
to increase the thickness of the lining, owing
to the econoni}- which was effected thereby,

Car Brasses Used On Collarless Journals.

ventor. namely, to give the bearing an auto-
matic seat upon the journal. Lead accom
plished this re.^ult better than any other metal
or alloy, because of its soft, unctuous nature.
Furthermore, Hopkins used the thinnest lining
which it was possible to cast : he even went
to the extreme of using a thin sheet of lead
which was sweated to the bearing. Although
it was the intention of the lining in the Hop-
kins bearing to merely give it the self-seat-

and with the increasing thickness of the lining,
it soon became apparent that it was necessary
to harden the lead because it distorted or
rolled out under the pressure imposed upon it.
W'itli increasing weights of equipment it be-
came necessary to increase the hardness of
the lining metal alloy. This general tendency
to increase the thickness of the linings, al-
though first conceived as a matter of economy
in production, has now been turned to advan-

TIIK BRASS >VORJLI3

March

tage by a great many of the large railroads as
a matter of efficiency also. It was found in
operating the heavy equipment of the past five
or ten years, that bearings frequently became
heated when the lining was worn through and
the operation of the brass transferred to the
back. To overcome this, the thickness of the

not proved by experience to be satisfactory.
The ]MCli brass is not a design which allows
of division into two or more parts. The two
part (bronze and lining metal) or the three
part (iron, bronze and lining metal) bearings
which have Ijeen repeatedly tried out in ser-
vice have failed because of insufficient me-

Showing M. C. B. Brasses with Quarter Section Cut Out of Them to Show the Lining. No. 1 is a Heavy Lined
Brass and No. 2 a Thin Lined Brass. These Linings Have Been Attached by the Regular Tinning Method.

lining has been increased, and on quite a num-
ber of the largest roads to 5/lG of an inch so
that practically the entire operation of the
bearing is on the lining metal only.

Before the expiration of the Hopkins patent,
several manufacturers sought to avoid the

chanical strength. Eliminating, therefore, the
filled or pocketed type of bearing from this
discussion, I will return to the discussion of
the alloys which are used in what the trade
knows as a solid bearing, and which is de-
fined in the railroad interchange regulations,

Showing M. C. B. Brasses on Which the Quarter Section Has Been Cut Out to Exhibit Linings Which Are Held in
Place Not Only by Tinning but by a Groove. Pattern No. 1 Makes Its Own Core and Pattern No. 2 is Cored.

l>atent liy producing liearings of what is known
as the filled type, namely, bearing with a thin
pocketed shell which is filled with soft white
<">lloy. These filled bearings of MCB type have

as a l)earing having a lining of 5/lG of an inch
or under. With a bearing having a lining of
from :>/l() to 5/16 inches in thickness, prac-
tically tl'.e entire operation of the bearing is

Marcli \'.i\\

THE BRASS WORLD

upon the lining-, because such a bearing will
seldom show sufficient wear on the journal
surface to go through the lining before it be-
comes necessary to scrap it, due to longitudi-
nal wear. As the operation is practically all
on the lining metal, the lining metal alloy is
deserving of most careful consideration.
Nevertheless, it is still looked upon as a side
issue in specifications governing journal bear-
ings, and often not mentioned at all. The
term lead lined is still used. It is a relic of
the old days which railroad men still cling to
and pass down to the younger generation, be-
cause they have not awakened to a realization
that the lining metal is now of the utmost
importance. It is only necessary to have the
back made of alloy which is sufficiently strong
to resist the service strains and thrusts, and
with good wearing qualities to resist the col-
lar wear. But the lining metal should have
as low a coefficient of friction as possible con-
sistent with the requisite plasticity to conform
to the irregularities of service without undue
heating", should exhibit a slow rate of wear
and should be sufficiently rigid to sustain the
loads without distortion. The following are
a few of the specifications governing lining
metal alloys :

ical to use without regard to its composi-
tion or quality. The result is that, probably
the bearings squeeze out or else are so hard
that heating results.

It is, as I have pointed out, highly desirable
that the proper lining metal should be used.
By proper lining metal is meant one that not
only has the correct composition, but one
which has been subjected to the proper heat
treatment to give the maximum physical
properties. Mr. T. J. Lynch before the last
meeting of the Society for Testing Materials,
read a most interesting and instructive paper
on the "Effect of Heat Treatment on Babbitt
Metals." He showed that the same composi-
tion could have widely different properties, de-
pending upon the treatment to which it had
been subjected. The service performances of
these babbitts followed the indications of the
physical tests, namely, those alloys which be-
haved badly under tests behaved badly in
service. This vital question is, therefore, one
which deserves the most careful consideration.
The discussion of this most important mat-
ter would be too lengthy for this article. The
committee appointed by the American Associa-
tion for Testing Materials, of which the
writer is chairman, has the matter under con-

Atlantic Coast Line RR. . . .
Bessemer &- Lake Erie . . . .

Baltimore &• Ohio RR

Baltimore & Ohio RR

Chicago & Eastern 111. R. R.
Chesapeake & Ohio RR . . .
Penna. R. R

Lead Tin Antimony

85 15

no " 10 .

,• - For thin linings.
94-96 A-lJ 3-5

For heavy linings.

86 3-5 10-13
Minimum

S4-S5 2 12-14

9lJ li 7

87 13

Impurities

There is nothing in any of the specifications
relative to physical properties of the alloys.

The situation concerning the alloys used for
lining purposes today is as follows :

Some few railroads specify certain alloys
and enforce their specifications. These speci-
fications, however, cover only the weight or
thickness of the lining and its composition. A
large majority specify only "lead lining" with
a stipulation probably governing the thickness.
Manufacturers without a specification govern-
ing the composition of the alloy, generally use
most any soft alloy which they find it econonv

sideration, and it is hoped, that, before long
physical tests can be recommended which will
indicate positively the service performance
which can be expected of a given white metal
alloy. The following facts governing the
composition of white metal alloys are fairly
well established :

1. The harder the alloy the greater the
liability toward abnormal heating.

2. The harder the alloy the greater the rate
of wear.

3. The harder the allov the lower the co-

THK BRASS WORLD

March l!iM

cflK-icnt (if friitioii wIkmi working under nnr
null iHMKlitions.

4. The harder the alloy the less ils ahrasion
n])on ihe axle.

"). The harder the alloy the less its ten-
dency to hecome distorted under load.

it is dcsirahle to increase the hardness of
the alloy, therefore, to reduce the coefficient
of friction and ix'duce the rate of wear upon
llu' axle.

It is desirable to reduce the coelticient oi
friction because this reduces the tractive force
necessary to ])ull the train.

hundreds of pounds, but costing only a few
cents per pound originally, must be scrapped
when only a small amount of metal is worn
(jff on the journal ends. Il is tmwise, liow-
t'\er, to increase to such a degree the hard-
ness of the alloy that heating results.

The first requisite in the operation of roll-
ing t'(|uipnient, is the elimination as far as
])ossible, of that annoying, expensive and
sometimes the disastrous so-called "hot-box."
It is also unwise to increase the hardness to
sncli a degree that the rate of wear of the
lininu metal is rapid. It would scx-m that the

Car Brass Lining Equipment as Used in ttie Reading Foundry of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company.

Pots No. 2 and 4 Contain the Lining Metal and Pot No. 3 Contains Tin ; No. 1 and No. 5 Show

the Mandrel Against Which the Brass is Held in Place by Means of Compressed

Air. This Picture Shows a Very Efficient Device and Lay-out.

It is desirable to reduce the rate of wear
U|)on the .ioiu"nal l)ecause it has been figured
by an eminent authority that, the loss of
weight of one pound on the j(_)urnal ends is
equi\alent to approximately a dtdlar a pound.
This can readih^ be understood wdicn we
come to realize that the whole a.xle weighing

safe rule to go by is to have the alloy as soft
as possible to withstand, without distortion,
the loads which it is called upon to carry.
With increasing thickness of the lining the
hardness must be increased in proportion to
prevent distortion. Whereas the lining alloy
having a composition of :

-March

THE BRASS >VX>RLJ>

Tin li%

Antimony 3i%

Lead 95%

may be sufficiently hard for a .'V^S inch lining,
it is necessary when using a 5/16 inch lining
to have

Tin from 3% to 5%

Antimony from 10% to 20%

CORE BUILDING FOR ALUMINUM
CASTING.

This Picture Shows the Lining Device in Detail, with

Journal Brass in Position Ready to be Lined,

also Compressed Air Attachment for

Operating Clamping Device.

Two alloys of i)recisely the same composi-
tion may \ary widely in hardness and resist-
ance to compression, depending upon their heat
treatment. The heat treatment should be cor-
rect,, i. e., the melting and casting should be
performed under correct temperature con-
ditions for tlie particular alloy used.

The black slime wliich forms on silver
anodes during the plating operation in a cya-
nide bath is caused by the impurities in the
silver which are insoluble in the cyanide. Lead,
antimony, tellurium, selenium, iron, arsenic,
are all found in this slitue. A black coating is
also produced when too high a current density
is used, but this immediately redissolves again
when the density is lowered. It is the peroxide
of silver.

The sudden shrinkage of an aluminum
casting when it starts to solidify or "freeze"'
in the mold often causes a rupture, especially
when the casting is thin and surrounds a
large core. The "American Machinist" re-
cently gave an interesting method of over-
coming the difficulty in casting an aluminum
crank-case that may offer a way out of
similar difficulty in abnormal conditions en-
countered

"A casting of the proportions required was
no slight undertaking and the expense of pat-
tern and core boxes made it a costly experi-
ment. A medium-sized but well equipped
brass fotmdry undertook the contract to pro-
duce this case, but after several attempts, fail-
ed to turn ont a sound casting.

"The sudden slirinkage of the metal around
the non-resisting core would result in a crack
eacli time. A smaller concern located near at
hand in charge of a real ma.ster mechanic, bifl
for a trial. This presiding genius had the
idea of making good and his idea proved prac-
tical at the first trial. He reasoned that when
the point of sudden shrink was reached in the
cooling metal, there nnist be a corresponding
"give" in the internal core and, with this idea
uppermost lie built the core.

The core box was lined with an inch or so
of regular core sand mixed with a small
(juantitN- of molasses. \\'ires of just enough
strength to carry the weight of the baked core
in handling were placed. Instead of filling
the remaining space in the core with black
sand and cinders, as is the usual rule, it was
filled with wet, white or "parting" sand. After
the core oame from the oven, the vent hole
enlarged and the dried "parting" sand poured
from the internal cavity, this cavity was
then stuffed with raveled grass rope.

"The casting made with this core came
from the sand as sound as a bell, for when
the shrinking pressure was brought to bear
upon the core it cracked and "gave" in pro-
portion to the shrink. It was a novel experi-
ment at that time, but proved its worth in a
number of instances later."

March

NOMENCLATURE OF THE NON-FERROUS ALLOYS."

Part I.

BY C. P. KARR.;

Jn his work on MctaUic Alloys, Braiint
states that there is such a confusion of terms
that many whose interest it is to have un ac-
curate knowledge (jf alloys do not know what
bronze actually is. in corresponding with a
large number of lirms whose principal busi-
ness is to produce and sell non-ferrous metals,
there is a unanimity of opinion that this con-
fusion of terms is increasing, instead of dimin-
ishing, and some system of classification that
at the same time is simple, scientilic and
lU'xibk' shnuld l)e undertaken to make it uni-
versally acceptaljlc. It is also believed that
the various engineering and mctalluigical
■ societies, will co-operate with the leading
manufacturers and consumers to make its
adoption general.

Bronze was originally understood to be an
alloy formed wholly or chiefly of copper and
tin in variable proportions. This enviable
prominence, and established tradition pro-
duced imitations that were far inferior in
physical properties to the original alloys.

The etymological derivation of the term is
in some doubt; by some authorities it is sup-
posed to be derived from the same root as the
word "brown," but according to Berthelot it
is a place name, coming from Aes Bnindisiuui.
A Greek Ms. of the 11th century contains the
name "Bonlcsion," and gives the composition
of the alloy as 1 lb. of copper to 3 oz. of tin.
The bronze Cir. Kalchos, Latin, Acs of
classical anli(|uity, consisted chiefly of copper
alloyed with one or more metals, such as
zinc, tin, lead and silver, in proportions that
varied as times changed or according to the
purpose for which the alloy was required.

The earliest authentic mention of bronze is
made in the 4th chapter of Genesis, period of
about B. C. It is there designated as
brass, but it is now believed by most author-
ities that it was an alloy of copper and tin,
and not of copper and zinc, as zinc was then
an unknown element, but l)y other auihori-
ties, that the v.'ord brass as used in the Old

*From the Transactions of American In-
stitute of Metals, .

tAssociated Pliysicist Bureau of Standards,
Pittsburgh, Pa.

Testament, referred to the clement of copper
and not to one of its alloys.

Mr. Wm. (Rowland states that the honor of
making the earliest authenticated artistic
bronze casting belongs to Egypt; that objects
are in existence that were made as early as
;!000 B. C.

Bronze, poniards, daggers and a.xes buill
ui bronze and bone, hilts of ivory and horn
are shown in the British Museum; also in
Mr. Greenwcll's collection at Durham, Eng-
land, which were found in an Egyptian tomb
of the date of B. C. They contained
about 88 parts of copper to 12 parts of tin.
Bronzes arc shown in European museums
wdiich bear the name of Thoutmos III, a king
of the 18th Dynasty in Egypt; he lived during
the first half of the 17th Century, B. C. Tlu'
Bronze Age in Europe, by most authorities is
fixed at between to B. C, but
some archeologists have denied that there ever
was a distinct bronze age. The implements
of the bronze age include swords, poniards,
awls, knives, gouges, hammers, daggers, arrow
heads and amulets. Drinking and cooking
vessels were made of bronze in China in the
Shang Dynasty, some B. C. Other
bronze ol)jects are known to have been made
in China to B. C. In Homer men-
tion is made of bronze articles; period of
about or earlier than 8G0 B. C. Bronze objects
of various sorts were found by Layard ;il
Ninevieh which must have been made prior
to 800 B. C. The five colossal bells at Pekin,
China, were cast in the reign of the Emperor
Yung Lo, A. D.. -24. Some authorities
aver that the oldest bronze found in Germany
dates from to B. C. ; others claim
that the earliest jieriod is nearer 800 to 900
B. C.

Brass is an alloy consisting mainly if not
exclusively of copper and zinc. In its earliest
use the name was applied to alloys of copper
and tin. The brass of the Bible was probably
Ijronze. The Latin word acs was called either
pure copper or bronze, not brass. The
Romans designated an alloy of copper and
zinc as Orichalcum or Aurichalcum, which.
Pliny states was made by a union of copper
and cadmia (an ore of zinc).

March

THE BR^SS WORLD

The earliest specimen of a brass that has
been noticed in England was found at Stoke
Daberron, Surrey, which consists of a memor-
ial to Sir John d'Aubernoun, who died in
. In England there is evidence of the
manufacture of brass at the close of the IGtli
Century.

Fine copper is first mentioned in the Book
of Ezra, O. T., 457 B. C. Tin is first men-
tioned in the Bible in the first chapter of
Isaiah, 25th verse, 750 B. C. Zinc was un-
known in Europe until about the 16th cen-
tury. The type of alloys which we know of
today as composition was formed intentionally
about 20 to 14 B. C, found in the coins of
Augustus Caesar.

The manufacture of brass in Germany was
introduced in by Erasmus Ebener, an
artist of Niirnberg, who prepared it by fusing
copper with the so-called tutia foruaccni, or
furnace cadmia. First made in England in
by James Emerson according to one
authority, but according to another, it is
stated that Queen Elizabeth granted a patent
to William Humphrey to search and mine for
calamine for making all sorts of battery
wares, cast works and wire of latten, in .

Sheet copper was first made in America at
Canton, Mass., in ISOl, by Colonel Revere.
The first founder who worked in ])rass in
America was Joseph Jenks, who made brass
and iron at Lynn, Mass., in 1(346. In
silver coins were cast in Massachusetts.

The first refined spelter was made at
Bethlehem, Pa., in 185(). The manufacture of
gilt buttons was begun in Connecticut by Abel
Porter and Co. To obtain brass for this pur-
pose the mixture was cast into ingots at
Waterbury, Conn., where there was an iron
mill, driven by water power, in . The
first rolling mill built in this country was es-
tablished at Wolcottville, now Torrington,
Conn., in .

In , Pittsburgh, Pa., contained a brass
foundry, a bell maker, five watch and clock
makers and a silversmith. Brass gun-mount-
ings were made in Philadelphia, Pa., by Lewis
Prahle in . Brass founding was carried
on in Front Street, near Market Street, Phila-
delphia, Pa., by Joseph Hyatt in . Among
the tradesmen admitted to the freedom of the
City of Philadelphia were James Everet and
Simon Edgell, pewterers, Peter Steel and
James Winstanly, braziers, in and .

The first copper rolling mill established in
America was built at Soho, New Jersey, by
the Hendricks Brothers in , and their mill
is still in successful operation. The origin of
many well known alloys is involved in ob-
scurity, especially as to the earliest date of
their usage in the arts. It is claimed that
Britannia metal was first made in England, by
Hancock and Jessop, in , and about the
same time German silver was first made in
Europe. Pakfong was introduced into Europe
from China in the 18th century and was ana-
lyzed by Engstrom in . .A similar alloy
was prepared about that time from Suhler
white copper; the new silver fabrication, how-
ever, was begun in 1.S24 by Hemiiger in
Berlin, and by Geitncr in Schneeberg. German
silver was originally made at Hildberghausen,
Germany, and had a composition of 40.4%
copper, 31.0'"'? nickel, 25.4% zinc and 2.0%
iron. I'ut the date of its beginning is involved
in uncertainty. It is known that pewter was
made in China two thonsand years ag'). In
France it was made as early as , ar.d in
England some time prior to . T\>\vtcr
was made in America at a very early date,
long anterior to the Re^'olutionary war. It
is uncertain at just what date German silver
was made in America, but it is believed by
Mr. Sperry to have been begun sometime be-
tween and in the Naugatuck \alley,
Connecticut. The Mcneeley Bell Foundrv was
established at West Troy, N. Y., in , bnt
the first church bells were cast at Patuxct
River, Rhode Island, by Samuel Walds in
. Letters were addressed to a number of
the principal manufacturers of non-ferrous
alloys in reference to their practice in naming
their various alloys and as to their views
concerning the relevancy of the various
names used : there was a consensus of
opinion that not only was there a con-
fusion of names in vogue, but they also
agreed that there was a confusion of ideas as
to the correctness of these names as conmion-
ly applied, but that it was now time that
something should be done to simplify such
names to promote a standard of practice.
Many of the manufacturers make a great
variety of alloys to which they attach numbers
for shop identification, but which have no
significance to the consumer. Many apply
names of their own coinage which serve to
connect them only with their own technical
use. Many assign trade names which mean

THK BRASS WORLD

March 191-1

nothing to the consumer because their com-
position is unknown to him, but which facili-
tate the filling of orders. Some of them de-
fine bronze as a copper-tin alloy with or witli-
out lead because of a similar crystal forma-
tion in either case. One manufacturer sugges-
ted the terms "leaded broncc" and "leaded
l>rass" to di.'^tinguish similar allows that con-
tain no lead. One manufacturer stated that
tlie present nomenclature had grown up to its
present state thrnugh years of use; he might
ha\e added also, through carelessness or abuse
or both. Many names like "High Brass" and
"Low lirass" have no meaning to the average
founilryman. but are applied solelx' to r'jlled
metals. Some admit that the strength of an
alloy has some signilicance in determining thv
use of the term "IVonze" in engineering prac-
tice. It is also alleged that engineers seem
to prefer class names, such as "high brass" or
"low jjrass," and to specify the conii)osition of
the same. ( )tliers agree that a bronze is a
two-conipoiient alloy and includes tlie more
complete mixtures in wiiicl the pmiierties of
the alloy arc modiricne manufacturer states that there
is no rational nomenclature in connnon use.
some call a bronze any copper alloy that in
slrtngtb. stillness and C(]lor is comparable to
tlu' old bron/es used for bells, arms, statuary,
etc., and that any alio)- h;iving cop])er as a
base, but \, iiicb lacked the strength and stiff
ness of a true bronze, would not be a bronze,
no matter what its constituents were.

To illustrate the confusion of ideas we cite
the prai'tice of one m.ann :'actnrer who claims
(bat if an alloy lias a light yellow color he
would call it a br;iss, no matter what it'; com-
l)ositiim nnght be, thus an alloy of ahnnin.um
10, copper 9(1, altliough of a light >-ellow color,
he would call it a brass, or if it contained
7()'A cr)])per, i:;9f tin. and I'v, alunnnnm, which
is of a litibl \ellow color, he would call it a
brass, and yet this same m.anufacturer beliexes
that a rational classification should be made
.\notlier illustration may be cited from anotliei
letter of a manufacturer in which he state^
that a bronze is an alloy containing nine parts
of copper to one part of zinc, and that in
their foundry i)ractice the alloys of co])per
and tin that contain less than lO'/f zinc, carry
the general designation of bronze.

One manufacturer states that bronze is .sup-
posed to be a mi.xture of copper, zinc and tin
with a sufficient amount of lead for turning

in machinery, and no matter in wdiat propor-
tion this is mixed, it is still termed a bronze,
commonly known as low bronze, medium
bronze and high bronze. The word "composi-
tion" is distinguished from this, in that the
latter possesses no tin. .\nother manufac-
turer states that composition is an alloy of
copper, tin and zinc, and mav also contain
other metals, usuall_\- lead.

.Ml agree that in the art of metal founding,
there are now used a number of terms that
are misnomers, some of which have so good
a reason for the names they bear, and h.ave
been so long established, that it would be
difficult to dislod,ge them from their present
position. .\mong these misnomers may be
placed such alloys as: Nickel Silver, Argentan,
White Copper, \Veissku])fer, New-silver,
Silveroid, Silverite, Argirode and the general
term (icrman Silver, wdiich applies to all of
the alloys of this class; they do not contain
silver, although they have a silver-like lustre
and color, and a more appropriate name would
be a Cupro-nickel alloy or composition. One
manufacturer would call such an alloy a
nickel brass.

Platinoid is an alloy possessing no platinum.
It contains (>i)' < copper, 14% nickel, 241^ zinc
and 2'a tungsten and ])ossesses some of the
]iroperties of a platinum alloy. It doe; not
contain snfticient tungsten to aftect its iiomc'U-
cl.atnre. A cupro-niekel composition would be
a better designation.

Manganese firouze is rerdly a m.anganesc
brass, as it contains no tin and its characteris-
fir proi)ertics are conferreil by the addition of
inimite quantities of mang.anese in the process
of melting. .\ better name for it would be a
manganese brass composition. St'veral m.anu-
factiu'crs arc in accord with this design.ation.

Aluminum bronze is an alloy of copi)er .and
iLlumimnn, the Latter metal may amount to as
much .as Ifr and still be a serviceable alloy,
hut it contains no tin, and is therefore not a
true brotize : this nnich, hriwever may lie said
in extenuation of its name: Aluminum acts
as a substitute for tin and imparts to the alloy
properties similar to those produced by the
presence of tin, also the term is established
by long consistent usage. Furthermore no
confusion with the true bronzes is likely to
arise because it is an alloy in which tin is
seldom used and has distinctive properties of
its own. There is some justification in the re-
tention of the name.

March

THE E^RASS WORLXI

Tobin bronze is an alloy of copper 55.22%,
zinc :!9.48% and tin 2.::07o (Thurston) ; this
allo\- is really a brass composition and a better
name for it wimld be: Tobin-brass com-
position.

Fontaine-moreau's Bronzes contain no tin
whatever, and are really white metal alloys.
They vary from 01 to 99% zinc with 8 to 1%
copper: one of them contains 90% zinc, 8%
copper, 1% iron. 1% lead. The first might be
called white metal alloys, the latter white
metal composition.

^Nforin's imitation Chinese Bronze contains
83% copper, 10% lead. 5% tin and 2% zinc.
It is therefore a cupro-Iead composition.

The so-called Japanese Bronzes, analyzed
by Kalischer (Dingler's Polyt. Jour. Vol.
CCXV. p. 93) contain copper 75.53 to 7(>.f34%,
lead 11.88 to 12.2% ; zinc 6.53 to 6.587^, tin
4.4.S to 4.36%, iron 0.47 to 0.33 and are prac-
tically cupro-lead compositions. Some
Japanese Bronzes analyzed by Manmcne
( Conipt. rend. Vol. LXXX, p. contain
from 80.91 to 92.07% copper. 1.04 to 7.55%
tin, 1.61 to 0% of antimony, 0 to 5.68% lead,
2.65 to 3.26% zinc. 0.69 to 3.64%^ iron, 0.4 to
0.10% silicon, and 0.21 to 0.56% undetermined
matter, all of the latter so-called Japanese
bronzes but two might be called cupro-lead
composition, one nf the two, a bronze compo-
sition and the other one a cupro- ferrous com-
position. Xot one of them is a true bronze.
The so-called Chinese and art bronzes, called
technically: Shakado and Shibuiclii are not in
any sense bronzes. The first is a cupro-gold
alloy and the latter a cupro-silver alloy. Most
of the Chinese and Japanese bronzes are
cupro-lead compositions. Talmi gold contains
86.4% copper, 12.2% zinc. It is merely a brass,
^losaic gold is another 'alloy of the same type.
Birmingham Platinum and Platinum-lead are
distinctly mishts as to names. Thev contain
neither platinum nor lead, but have a variable
constituency of copper, zinc and tin. Some
of them contain no tin. Without tin they are
brasses; with tin they become brass compo-
sitions, as the amnnnt of tin employed is very
small.

There are a number of alloys that are desig-
nated by special names such as Delta. ^Nlonel.
Speculum. Muntz, Pinchbeck, Tombac. Balibit.
Type, Bell, Britannia, Pewter and the general
family of solders, are all names that offer no
conflict with the bronzes, brasses and compo-
sitions and therefore serve their purpose.

There are a ninnber of trade-marked alloys
which from the nature of their, usage main-
tain practically a constant composition and do
not conflict with the brasses nor bronzes. They
sim])l\ increase the number of names but add
no element of confusion to a rational system
of nomenclature.

SILVER PRODUCTION BREAKS
ALL RECORDS.

The ])rcliminary estimates of the United
States geological survey and bureau of
the mint indicate a domestic silver produc-
tion in of 67,601,111 fine ounces, valued
at $40,864,871. This was the greatest output
(though not the greatest value) since
domestic silver production began, according
to H. D. McCaskey. of the United States
geological survey. It was the greatest value
of domestic silver since . The final figures
for (63,766,800 tine ounces of silver,
valued at $39,197,500) show^ed the output of
that year to be the greatest in quantity up to
that time, but the yield for gives an in-
crease of 3,834,311 ounces over that of .
The liighest market value of the domestic sil-
ver produced in any one year was reached in
. v.hen it was $57,6-;;0,000 for .58,330,000
ounces, the average market price being, there-
fore. 98.8 cents a fine ounce. In the
average price was 61.5 cents an ounce, and in
it was 60.5 cents.

Red-lead, litharge, and white lead are all
compounds of lead. Litharge and red-lead
are oxides of lead except that the red-lead
contains more oxvgen than the litharge. A
still higher oxide of lead called the peroxide
is brown. White lead is a basic carbonate of
lead. It will be appreciated, therefore, that
the compounds of lead are quite varied in
color.

The principal ore of lead is the lead sul-
phate and is called "galena."

The tarnishing of silver is brought about by
gases or liquids containing sulphur as either
moist or dry air has no action upon it.

Silver is harder than gold but softer than
copper and is one of the most' ductile and
malleable of metals.

March

A SIDE-LIGHT ON PLATING COSTS.

BY C. S. BARBOUR, JR.

()f the iiianv jiroblems confronting the
metal iiianufacturcr of today that of an ade-
(|natc cost system seems one of the liardest
to solve. He manages to get a very good
idea of his cost relating to foundry, press
room, polishing, etc., but when he strikes the
plating room. Ids real trouble commences. As
an exaniiile, lie will put through a certain line
iif w(irk accompanied by a cost ticket and will
find thai he is charged with possibly three
hdurs' time in preparing this bunch of work
f(ir i)lating. A week or two later, he puts
through the same number of pieces and finds
that the time cliarged is possibly one-half the
first anmunt. < )n inquiring the reason of this,
the cost clerk is infumied that there was some
other w(irk going thniugh at the same time,
conse(pient]\- Init one-lialf the time was
charged to this one job. This forces the cost
clerk to do considerable juggling with his
figures, resulting in a price per unit which is
at best a guess and usually a very pour guess,
at that.

The writer lia-^ used a system for a num-
ber of years which has proved very satisfac-
tory: first, ascertain the price per pound of
nickel deposited : this can be done as follows :

In the old-fashioned solution composed of
:? lb. (hiuble salts to the gallon and using a
!)29r nickel anode, careful weighing of the
anode will show that approximately only S%
to 1(V; of the nickel deposited actually comes
from the anode, much of the anode being
wasted in tiie form of iron and carbon, this
licing removed at intervals from the bottom
of the tank in the form of a yellow mud.

Xow the double salts, while supposed to
contain 14-94% nickel, seldom if ever, do con-
tain over 94 to 10%, so allowing 10% for the
weight of nickel from anode at 49c per lb.
(927c costing 45c, ]00%o costing 49c and 90%?
from the salts at SOc, saltings costing 9c per
lb. and containing 10% nickel), we have the
following:

10%r from anodes (r? .49 049

90% from salts @ .80 72

Cost per lb. of nickel 769

Now for a term of one to three months,
keep track of all nickel deposited as well as

all other expenses of the plating-room, such
as labor, potash, brushes, pumice-stone, mater-
ials for copper Itath if work is coppered before
nickeling, etc. ; tliis sum must be added to the
cost of nickel and divided by the number of
grains of nickel deposited, there being gr.
to tlie lb. This gives you a cost per grain.

Now to get the actual cost : we will say
you have one tank wdiich you nni at 30 am-
peres for 30 minutes which would give you
252 gr. ; if a batch consisted of twenty-five
pieces, this would give you 10.08 gr, to each
article wdiich added to your price per grain,
would give you the cost of the article. Xow
with a mixed liatch consisting of ten large
articles and twenty small articles, of the large
articles, twenty would make a full batch, while
it would take forty of the small articles to
make a coniidete batch liy tliemselves; ten of
the large articles, then would l)e ecjual to 120
gr., or 12.7 gr. each, of the small articles,
twenty would eipial 120 gr. or 6.3 gr. each, or
252 gr. to the thirty assorted articles.

Xow wliile this is true of the old-fashioned
solutions, the writer has had to change his
cost considerably relative to the high efficiency
salts, the following data being gained from
the lirand known as the ■T\o_\al" nickel salts.
As this salt contains IS'r nickel, the actual
cost of tlie nickel at 36c per lb. for the salt
would be $2. per II). but as we take but 15%c
of the nickel deposited from the salt and 85%
from the anodes, we get the following:

85% from anodes @ .49

13%- from salt rn' 2 30

which as compared to the old-fashioned solu-
tion sho\vs.

Cost per lb. old-fashioned 769

Cost per lb. Royal

saving per lb. over old-fashioned method. In
addition to this saving, the salts of higher
efiiciency allow the use of a 98% nickel anode
which, if properly made, not only feeds the
solution well, but eliminates all trouble from
settlings, etc., which always accompanies the

^Jarch

THE BRASS WORLD

anode of low metallic content. Owing to the
density of the solution (it stands from 16 to
17 Be.), three times the amount of amperage
can be used, which results in depositing the
same amount of nickel in one-third the time.
Moreover, the work coming out bright saves
considerable time in buffing, the loss of nickel
in buffing on the average work being 92%,
while from the "Royal" solution on the same
class of work, the loss was but 3i%.

In attempting in this way to systematize
costs and reduce expenditures of labor, time
and cash, the plater should use discrimination
in selection of his materials. For instance, the
writer was furnished with a formula sup-
posedly based on an analysis of a well-known
and satisfactory product. After a fair trial of
the solution, the writer was forcibly reminded
of the old saying that a chemical analysis
would show no difference between beef-tea
and normal urine.

CAREFUL USE OF A MOTOR
LATHE.

The misuse of a machine is fatal to its
efficiency record. The best horse in the
world will lose the race if it has a careless or
incompetent jockey. The manufacturer wlio
spends his money on a first-class machine
equipment should be equally careful in his
selection of operators for the machines pur-
chased. The higher the grade of the machine,
the greater the care needed in this choice.

In the use of the motor lathe, this is espec-
ially true. The polisher and buffer should
have more than a general knowledge of 'the
method of operation and the care required in
the daily use of the motor lathe. Inasmuch
as there are many polishers who have not
acquired specific instruction in this regard, a
few hints which may prove of help are here-
with offered. .

The fault with most buffers is in starting
the machine, especially where the operator
is working piece work. They usually throw
tlie starting lever so fast that the brushes
spark at the commutator and then in time
roughen it to such extent that it has to be
turned oft".

The speed of the motor lathe is mucli
greater than that of the ordinary motor and,
usually with a wheel on each end of the
spindle, which acts as a fly wlieel, it is neces-
sary to give the motor a chance to liuild up

its speed. A circuit-breaker could be placed
in circuit w-ith the machine but objections to
this are made on the score of increased cost
and bulk.

]\Iotor lathes should be kept perfectly clean,
as a little emery from the polishing wheel will
ruin the bearings as w^ell as the commutator.
Consideration of the condition of the bearings
is very important as a long bearing, whether
of cast iron, bronze or babbitt will heat and
in turn heat the armature. Where the
babbitted or cast-iron bearings are used, the
polisher or buffer should not run the latlie if
the bearings are loose or worn, as the arma-
ture will strike the pole pieces and thus en-
danger the armature.

It is essential where grease is used in ball
bearings that it should contain no acid, as a
little acid in the grease will in time ruin the
bearings. The neutral grease is the best to
use. The advantage of a motor lathe is that
it can be placed in any position regardless of
line shaft or in a shop where the ceiling will
not permit of a countershaft for a belt-driven
lathe. The illustration shows a well-known
type of motor lathe, known as the "Reliance"'.
It is equipped with ball bearings, eliminating
the usual annoyance of heated bearings and
also decreasing the power cost of operation.

The manufacture of lead pipe is practical-
ly identical with the extrusion process of mak-
ing brass rods. The pipe is forced out of
an orifice by means of hydraulic pressure and
the brass rod is made in the same manner ex-
cept that the lead pipe is forced out cold
and the brass rod is made while hot.

.Marcli l'.»14

SAD BUT TRUE.

BY J. C. DAVENPORT.*
In Which We Hear a Voice from the Sales Department of Plating.

Some people arc so l)usy, or at least they
think they are, that they have no time to read
advertisements, to give an audience to a
travelling salesman or liardly to he civil to
prospective customers. 1 f you would only
stop and think about this just a moment, you
would soon come to realize that you are
losing the biggest opportunity of your whole
business. Xow the writer has nothing to sell
and never expects to get a job from you, but
if my experience will help you, I shall feel
well repaid.

What is your uliject in business? Why, to
get business, of course 1 You cannot make a
cent if you drm't have business, can you?
Xow when it comes right down to brass
tacks, what do you know about that end of
the game? You are a plater, (so am It : all
our training has been to do that line of work,
to figure cost ; but did you ever take a lesson
on how to get that Imsiness? Sure not; you
have been too busy making ends meet. I
don't use tlie term "making money", (for you
don't do that) so if my experience will help
you to make money, here it is.

After working, digging, striving, worrying
and just barely pulling through, I gave up
some few "thank-you" jobs, and devoted a
little of my time to studying how people in
other businesses were able to afford an auto-
mobile and other luxuries. They had just as
much competition as I had. They did not
seem to work nearly as hard. I could notice
differences in clothes and other things, but
what I saw at last was this : they knew how
to get business, how to "advance a talk" that
was able to .get Ijusiness at a good price, and
not a talk about how cheap they could buy or
sell. Eventually I sought the acquaintance of
some of the successfid, an

to the ordinary reader and consequently do
not get business. On the other hand, the
salesman with the smile, who tells in a
pleasant way how and why the new things are
better, always speaking a good word for the
other fellow, never knocking but letting you
known all the time that his goods are a little
better, is the man who gets the business. It is
true he has to "deliver,"' but this he can afford
to do, for he has got his price, and that price
bears a profit.

Would you keep a workman that barely
paid his owm wages, when the man on the
next lathe made you a profit? Would you
not look into it and find out the reason? You
would find out that one knew how to get re-
sults, while the other did not. Apply this
same principle to \ourself and you will be
able to get what we all want, namely more
worldly wealth.

A NEW CONTINUOUS CHART
RECORDING INSTRUMENT.

The Brown Instrument Co. and the Key-
stone Electrical Instrument Co., Philadelphia,
Pa. are placing on the market a new ty[)e of
continuous recording instrument for use as an
electrical pyrometer for recording tempera-
tures, and also as a recording voltmeter or

Fig. 1. Complete Instrument.

ammeter. Great efforts have been made to
produce an instrument as simple in construc-
tion as possible and of the most compact form.
The case of the instrument is onl}^ 15 in. high
X S in. wide, and projects from the switch-

board or wall 7 in. The space occupied by
the instrument has been largely reduced by
placing the clock mechanism behind the
record chart instead of to one side, and the
record chart is the only part shown on the
face of the instrument.

Fig. 2. Interior Construction.

A two-months' roll of record paper is used,
which can be supplied with an ink ribbon to
make a dotted-ink record, or the record can
be made on coated paper which does away
with the use of ink or ribbon entirely. It is
only necessary to wind the clock once a week
and change the roll of record paper once every
two months. We show in Fig. 1 the complete
instrument with 10-hours' record on the re-
cording" chart. One scale is placed above tlie
record so that the indications are clearly
visible at all times, and the paper has the
scale printed on it for direct reading.

In Fig. 2 we shoW' the instrument with door
open and the interior construction can be
clearly seen. This case need only be opened
once every two months to renew- the roll of
paper.

This new continuous recording instrument
will prove particularly advantageous for use
as an electric pyrometer in conjunction with
thermo-couples, for resistance thermometers,
for measuring low temperatures, or for re-
cording volts or amperes. As the d'Arsonval
type of direct-current instrument is used of
the frictionless type to prevent lag in the
readings, a particularly sensitive and accurate
instrument is secured. Information regard-
ing this new instrument can be secured from
the manufacturers.

March 191-1

APPROXIMATE MELTING POINTS OF COPPER ALLOYS.^

This interesting^ paper by H. W. Gillett and A. B. Norton is the result of the

gathering: together and summing-up of the data obtained by an

investigation to ascertain the melting temperatures of

some commercial mixtures, with details of test.

In the course of investigations of brass
melting furnaces it was necessary to determine
the approximate melting points of a few of
the common Ijrasses and bronzes. The binary
systems of copper-tin and copper-zinc alloys
have been thoroughly worked out not only as
to melting points, but as to the full phase rule
relationships, showing the different phases
present in the solid alloys at dift'erent tempera-
tures, and also as to tensile strength. The
United States alloys research board, under
Thurston, studied the mechanical properties
of the ternary systems of copper-zinc-tin al-
loys in detail, Imt as pyrometers were not per-
fected at the time of that investigation the
temperature measurements w^ere confined to
very crude ones on the pouring temperatures
of the two binary, copper-tin and copper-zinc,
systems, made by pouring tlie molten alloy
into water, measuring the rise in temperatare
of the water and figuring the pouring tempera-
ture from the assumed specific heat of the al-
loy. The method, though the only one avail-
able at the time was so crude and subject to
so many errors that tlie figures are of little or
no value. Experiments on the copper-zinc-tin
system from the phase rule point of view are
in progress at Cornell University, but no
melting-point determinations have yet been
made.

Thus, while tlie melting points of the two
binary systems are well known, tliose of the
connnercial casting alloys containing copper,
zinc, tin and lead, or copper with two of the
other components, have had little or no study.

Lack of Data on Melting Points

Very few figures on the melting points of
ternary and quarteriiary alloys can be found
in the literature on alloys. Primrose men-
tions pouring gun-metal consisting of 88 parts
copper, 10 parts tin and 2 parts zinc, at 950
degrees Cent. (1,740) degrees Fahr.), this
temperature being far too cold and giving a
very poor casting of very low tensile strength.

'Presented at the Chicag-o meeting of the
American Institute of Metal.s.

hence evidently not far above the melting
point.

This figure is probably not correct, as an al-
loy consisting of 90 parts copper to 10 of tin
has a melting point of about 1,00.5 degrees
Cent. (1,840 Fahr.) and 2 parts of zinc would
probably not lower the melting point to such
a degree.

Primrose in a later paper shows a cooling
curve for gun-metal containing 88 per cent,
of copper, 10 of tin and 2 of zinc, with less
than 0.2 per cent, of lead (exact analysis not
given), which shows the melting point
(liquidus) at 1,010 degrees Cent., or slightly
above that for a corresponding zinc -free
bronze, although some lowering nf the melting
point by the zinc might be expected.

Longmuir also poured some alloys at a tem-
perature at which the metal would just flow,
and so cold that in all cases the castings were
poor and the tensile strength very low. The
results obtained by Longmuir were as follows:

Degrees, Degrees,
Alloys. Cent. Fahr.

Gun metal 965 1,770

Yellow brass 850 1.5()0

Red brass 1,058 1,935

Muntz metal 94.". l,7r.O

These figures also are probably not accurate.
The remark made on the earlier figure In-
Primrose for gun metal applies here. Tlie
composition of the alloys was not given. If it
be assumed that the names given have their
normal significance the yellow brass would
be about 65 parts copper and 35 parts zinc, an
alloy which melts at about 915 degrees Cent.
(1,680 Fahr.), and the INIuntz metal would
contain 60 parts copper and 40 parts zinc, an
alloy which melts at about 890 degrees Cent.
(1,635 Fahr.). Muntz metal has a lower melt-
ing point than yellow brass, not higher, as
shown by these figures. Similarly, red brass
of the common composition, which is about 85
parts copper, 5 tin, 5 zinc and 5 lead, has a
lower melting point than gun metal (taken as
88 parts copper, 10 of tin and 3 of zinc).

March

THE BRASS WORLD

Karr used a radiation pyrometer in deter-
mining the meUing points and pouring tem-
peratures of some copper alloys. For an alloy
of 68.8 parts copper, 0.2 of lead and 31 of
zinc, he gives 1,640 degrees Fahr. (895 Cent.)
which is considerably lower than the true
melting point, evidently because of the well
known deviation from black-body conditions
of molten copper or its alloys. He gives
1.650 degrees Fahr. ("900 Cent.) as the melting
point of one alloy containing 84 per cent cop-
per, 1,735 degrees Fahr. (945 Cent.) for that
of another of the same copper content, and
1,850 degrees Fahr. (1,010 Cent.) for another
said to correspond to gun metal, but contain-
ing no zinc.

The carborundum tubes which are described
in detail by Gillett were about 4.5 cm. inside
diameter and had about 8 mm. walls. They
were cut to about 15 cm. long and an artificial
graphite plug was fitted at one end to forn>
the bottom, luting it into place with alundum
cement. Considering the cost of machining
out a crucible from a graphite rod, as well as-
that of the graphite itself, these were much
cheaper than artificial graphite crucibles,
especially as they do not burn away anywhere
near as fast as graphite. Tlieir life was as
long as that of the ordinary crucibles of fire
clay and graphite mixtures. The temperatures
were measured by a platinum, platinum-
rhodium thermocouple used with a single pivot
galvanometer.

u
q:
O

UJ
D

920

910

9 00

890

880

870

860
850
840
830
820

—

<— LIQUIDS

■\^^

V,^

2 4 6 8 lO 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26

TIME QUARTER MINUTES

Melting Point Curves for Naval Brass Consisting of 61.7 Per Cent Copper, 36.9 Per Cent

Zinc and 1.4 Per Cent Tin.

Since the literature on the subject was
found to be so meager, it was decided to ob-
tain figures on the melting points of a few
typical commercial alloys with sufficient ac-
curacy for the purpose in hand.

The alloys were melted in a gas furnace.
Instead of using the ordinary shape of crucible
which exposes too large a surface to volatili-
zation and oxidation, crucibles were made
from some bonded carborundum tubes which
were in stock from a previous investigation.

The couple was calibrated against one
which in turn had been checked against one
calibrated by the bureau of standards, the sec-
ondary standard being read on a potentio-
meter, and the scale found to be correct within
the limits of error of reading. The calibra-
tion was also checked up by reading the melt-
ing points of copper, of common salt and of
a bronze of 90 parts copper and 10 parts tin.
The scale was correct within the error of
reading at these points.

100

the: brass world

March 19 It

The thermocouple wires were insulated by
Marquardt tubing of 1 mm. bore and 2 mm.
in outside diameter, and the hot junction was
slipped into a ]\Iar(|uardt tube 30 cm. long
and 9 mm. outside diameter and 5 nun. inside
diameter closed at one end. The open end of
this tube was fastened into an open-ended
porcelain tube :>.") cm. long, 10 mm. inside
diameter, 14 mm. outside diameter by alundum
cement. This arrangement served to protect
the couple from zinc fumes or reducing gases.

The end of the protecting tube was in turn
protected from the molten metal by an arti-
ficial graphite boot, 9 cm. long and with 3
mm. walls.

Tiiiic Lag in Reading

Tliere is a considerable time lag in the pyro-
meter reading when a cold protecting tube
and boot is plunged into molten metal, but
after the tube is once hot the lag is small. As
the melting points were not determined by
noting when the metal solidified, but by plot-

When the alloy was fully melted and mixed,
the pyrometer was inserted and so clamped
that the graphite boot did not touch the bot-
tom or sides of the crucible. The gas flame
was lowered and the temperature read every
15 seconds, stirring between each reading.
When the alloy had frozen the gas was turned
up and a heating curve taken. This was re-
peated several times. Zinc was continually
volatilized from the melts containing zinc,
but not in sufiicient quantity to exert appreci-
able influence on the melting point, as dupli-
cate runs agreed within 5 degrees Cent, in all
cases. After the runs were completed, the
melt was poured in most cases into an ingot
mold, sampled and analyzed. As the analyses
agreed well with the composition aimed at
on the samples analyzed, the melts not con-
taining zinc were not analyzed. Duplicate
analyses of the same sample agreed within
0.1 per cent.

Table I.

Results of Melting Point Determinations of 10 Alloys.

No. of Melting
Composition Composition by duplicate point

Aimed at Analysis. determin- (Liquidus).

., Percent. ations.

_ Alloys. Copper. Zinc. Tin. Lead. Cop'r. Zinc. Tin. Lead. Cent. Fahr.

Gun metal 88 2 10 4 995 1 82.'5

Leaded gun meta! 8S>^ 2 914 3 85.4 1.9' 9.7 3.0 6 980 L795

Red brass 85 5 5 5 » • 8 970 1,780

Low grade red brass. 82 10 3 5 81.5 10.4 3.1 5.0 4 980 1,795

Leaded bronze 80 .. .. 10 3 945 1,735

Bronze with zinc 85 5 10 . 84.6 5.0 10.4 ... 4 980 L795

Half yellow, half red. 75 20 2 3 75.0 20.0 2.0 3.0 3 920 1,690

Cast yellow brass 67 31 .. 2 66.9 30.8 ... 2.3 4 895 1.645

Xaval brass 61 ^^ 37 1^ . 61.7 36.9 1.4 ... 5 885 1,570

Manganese bronze 6 870 1,600

*(2 samples)

ting temperatures against time, the proper
temperatures for the heat evolution on freez-
ing or lieat absorption on melting should be
shown even if there was some lag.

About 600 grams of metal was used in mak-
ing the tests, the metals were weighed out in
the proper portions to form the alloy desired,
a slight excess of zinc, increasing with tlie
increasing zinc content, being allowed to com-
pensate for volatilization. Electrolytic cop-
per. Bertha zinc and chemically pure lead and
tin were used. The copper was melted first
and covered WMth granular carbon and a liltle
salt. When the copper was melted, the ti.i,
the lead and lastly tlie zinc were added, and
alloy well stirred \\ilh a graphite rod.

All the melts were made up from virgin
metals except the sample of manganese
bronze, which was in the form of test bar
ends from a previous investigation. It had
tested 76,000 to 77,000 pounds per square inch
tensile strength and 24 to 35 per cent elonga-
tion in the standard brick-form test bar. The
bronze had approximately the following com-
position : Copper, 56 per cent : zinc. 41 per
cent; iron, 1.5 per cent: tin. 0.9 per cent;
aluminum, 0.45 per cent, and manganese, 0.15
per cent.

As it was first cast into an ingot, then re-
melted and cast into test bars and these again
remelted for melting-point determination, the

March l'Jl-1

THE BRASS WORI-D

101

zinc content was probably nearer 40 than 41
per cent and the copper nearer 57 than 56 per
cent when the melting points were taken.
This sample was not analyzed.

The melting point given is the liquidus, or
point given where freezing begins on cooling
and ends on heating. This is more strongly
marked than the solidus, or point where freez-
ing ends on cooling or begins on heating. Tiie
accompanying illustration shows one set of
curves and the characteristic break at the
melting point. These curves are typical of all
melting point determinations.

The data obtained in the determination of
the melting points of several alloys are given
in Table I.

As the results all checked with 5 degrees
Cent., an allowance of 10 degrees Cent., or

Table II.

Melting

Points of

Three Bin-.^ry

Alloys.

Copper-Tin Alloy

Parts by

Weight

Melting

Point.

Copper.

Tin.

Cent.

Fahr.

1,050

1,920

1,005

1,840

960

1,760

890

1,635

Copper

-Zinc Alloy

Copper.

Zinc.

Cent.

Fahr.

1.070

1,960

1,055

1,930

1,025

1,880

1,000

1,830

980

1,795

940

1,725

915

1,660

890

1,635

Copper-

Lead Alloys

Copper.

Lead.

Cent.

Fahr.

1,065

1,950

1,050

1,920

1,035

1,895

± 20 degrees Fahr. is probably ample to
cover all errors of reading and of calibration
and use of the pyrometer.

Meltings Points of Binary Mctais
For comparison the melting point (liquidusj
figures for binary systems of copper-tin, cop-
per-zinc and copper-lead alloys for the range
covering the common industrial alloys are
given in Table II. These are scaled off from
curves in the references given. As the curves
are small, the figures are only accurate to
within about ± 10 degrees Cent, of ± 20 de-
grees Fahr.

Although melting point determinations were
made on only 11 alloys, those chosen represent
a large proportion of the non-ferrous alloys

in use in the ordinary foundry. Many of the
other common alloys are near enough in com-
position to these or to the binary alloys, whose
melting points are given, to allow obtaining
the melting point by interpolation close
enough for most technical purposes.

HANDLING HEAVY MATERIAL
WITHOUT A CRANE.

In plants where heavy material must be
handled from one point to another outside
of the buildings where there is no crane ser-
vice, a heavy capacity platform car is the
best means for doing this work if the plat-
form is built strong enough and with the cor-
rect height of coupler so that it will couple
with the ordinary standard railway equipment
and locomotive.

Heavy Capacity Platform Car.

The Watertown Arsenal has recently pur-
chased a number of cars of this type from the
Orenstein-Arthur Koppel Company, Koppel,
Pa.

These cars are of 30 ton capacity all steel
and have full size couplers and draft gear,
but are only single truck cars with a length
of 16 feet, hence are comparatively light as
compared with standard gauge double truck
car and therefore, can be moved easily bv
punches, bar or a horse when no locomotive
is available.

A\'hen melted, silver does not oxidize like
other metals, but the surface remains clear. If
there is a film of oxide on the molten metal it
indicates the presence of impurities.

102

March

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

DEADENING POLISH ON IRON CHAIN.
I have a large quantity of iron chain that
has been polished in a tumbler and I should
like to know what sort of a pickle to use to
deaden the polish without roughening the
chain.

I suggest your using a pickle composed of
one ounce of muriatic acid to the gallon of
water and use it warm. — K.

BLACK FINISH FOR GOLD INITIALS.

We are manufacturers of gold initials used
in the hat trade for marking hats. They are
made by dipping thin brass metal in an acid.
They are then lacquered and punched out.

For the straw hats worn in summer, the
trade want a black initial. Last year we got
one out by lacquering the brass with a black
lacquer, but found that the brass chips off
when the initials are being punched out, and
the heat causes the black to rub off.

We have tried one or two solutions for
giving a gun-metal finish, but find that they
simply form an oxide which pulls away from
the metal ver\- easily. Is there any solution
you could recommend, that would give a good
gun-metal finish, and would not pull away
froin the metal?

A good black for this class of work may
be obtained by using the Ammonia Black,
made up as follows : —

W'ater 2 quarts

Aqua Ammonia 26% 2 quarts

Carbonate of Soda 4 oz.

Saturate this with as much copper carbo-
nate as it will take up, so that on stirring a
small quantity remains undissolved at the
bottom of the jar. Use this dip warm at
about 120° F. Have the work perfectly clean
before dipping. Leave it in from 4 to 1 min-
ute, rinse oft' in clean water, then dry and
lacquer. — K.

NICKEL SOLUTION IN MACHINE OIL
BARRELS.
W'here I am employed as plater, the foundry
was closed for some time. While I was away,
one of the large nickel tanks sprang a leak.
During the relining of the tank, they placed
the solution in machine-oil barrels which had
not been washed out. Can anything be done
to make the solution work again? The super-
intendent thinks it can be saved, but I do not
think it will ever be worth anything.

1 agree with your superintendent that the
solution can be saved and used again. Let it
stand for a day or two, then filter through a
heavy canton flannel cloth. Add water to
make up the required amount of solution, then
connect and run in the usual manner. — K.

DARK DEPOSITS ON WARE AFTER
REMOV.\L FROM CYANIDE BATH.

\\ e iiave a cyanide silver bath in use at
present which gives a dark deposit and as the
goods are taken out the surface looks as if
there were grease spots all over it and where
the spots are the coating is very thin. The
goods after burnishing o.xides in a very
short time after they have gone home. Please
give the remedv for this.

Answer. Your trouble is probably due to the
presence of too much free cyanide and to the
use of too strong a current. Try adding
about one to two ounces of cyanide of silver
to every gallon and reducing the current. — K.

WANTED— A BRASS SOLUTION.

Kindly tell me how I can make up a good
solution; also if any brass pieces will act as
anodes.

A good brass solution can be made up as
follows : First, make up a copper solution
composed of

Water 50 gal.

Carbonate of Copper 9 lb.

Carbonate of soda 10 lb.

Bisulphate of soda 9 lb.

Cyanide of Potassium 12 lb.

Dissolve the cyanide in half the water and
the sodas in the remaining half. Add the
copper carbonate to the soda solution. The
two solutions are then mi.xed and boiled for
about one hour. Let cool to about 75 deg. F.
Connect up tank and run for one or two
hours or until you get a good deposit of cop-
per. Then this solution can be changed into
a brass solution as follows:

In a jar dissolve five pounds of cyanide. To
this add all the carbonate of zinc it will take
up, or in other words, make a saturated
solution of zinc. Then add this zinc solution
to the copper solution with about half a gal-
lon of aqua ammonia. By adding the zinc
solution carefully any color of brass may be
obtained. Use copper, anodes and from time
to time add zinc carbonate. — K.

A GOOD GUN-METAL BLACK FOR
WATCH CASES.

\\ ill you kindly send me a recipe for mak-
ing a black finish on iron watch cases? Is it
possible to deposit aluminum on iron by
electroplating?

A good gun-metal black finish can be made
in the following manner : —

Clean work in the usual way. then strike in
a good nickel solution for about 15 minutes.
Take out and plate in a black nickel solution,
made up as follows :

March

THE BRASS WORLD

103

Double nickel salts 8 oz.

Sulphocyanate 2 oz.

Zinc sulphate 1 oz.

Water 1 gal.

Plate work in this solution from 1 to 2
hours at a current density of i to 1 volt. Then
take out, rinse carefully, and dip in a solu-
tion composed of the following:

Water 1 gal.

Perchloride of iron 12 oz.

Aluriatic acid 1 oz.

Use this solution warm. This dip will give
a deep black color. Dry out and lacquer.

Aluminum, to my knowledge, cannot be suc-
cessfully deposited, although it has been tried
with but poor results.-

CRYSTALLIZING OF SPIRAL SPRINGS
OX BEING NICKEL PLATED.

We have some trouble in plating spiral
springs, G foot in length, h in. diameter, made
from about No. 14 gauge wire. The trouble
we have in nickel plating these springs, is
that they crystallize and break. Can you give
us a remedv to overcome this trouble?

You are not alone in having trouble over
plating spring wire. 1 would suggest that you
should use a very weak current, and leave
goods in the bath no longer than is necessary
to get a fair deposit. The current is the chief
factor in producing the crystallization, and
careful regulation of the current is the
remedy.

A GOOD COPPER SOLUTION FOR
PLATING BRASS.

I have great difficulty in blackening com-
mon bronze wire, when drawn down to fine
sizes. The color is not uniform, some of it
being red and some a pale brass color. My
trouble is with the latter. On August 24th,
, you advised me to use liver of sulphur
and caustic potash. This gave satisfactory
results. At the same time you advised me to
copperplate the bronze and then oxidize in the
liver of suphur. Would you kindly advise me
how to mix up a good copper solution to plate
brass ?

A good copper solution can be made in the
following manner :

Carbonate of copper 9 lb.

Carbonate of soda 10 lb.

Bisulphate of soda 9 lb.

Cyanide of potassium 12 lb.

Water .50 gal.

The cyanide is dissolved in half the water,
and the soda in the other half. Add the car-
bonate of copper to the soda solution. The
two solutions are then mixed and boiled for
1 hour, then allowed to cool to 120° F. Con-
nect up tank and use a current densitv of 2
to ?, volts.

PICKLING .METAL GOODS TO REMOVE
FIRE SCALE.
I should feel obliged if you could send me
details of the electric current method of pick-
ling metal goods in large quantities to remove
the fire scale.

We do not know and have never heard of,
any such electric method of pickling metal
goods. Sand blasting, and the scaling dip
composed of 1 part nitric acid to 2 parts water
used warm are the only methods we know of
being economically and successfully practised.

ALLOY FOR TROLLEY WHEELS.

Kindly give alloy used for making trolley
wheels. I understand it is a special alloy that
wears well.

The formula for standard trolley wheel
mixture is as follows:

Copper 92%

Tin 6%

Zinc 2%

No lead is used, for if lead were put in the
mixture, the constant arcing of the wheel and
the ware would burn out the lead, render the
wheel rough and wear out both the trolley
wheel and the wire.

ALUMINU^I CASTINGS TO SPECIFI-
CATIONS.
We have been requested to manufacture
aluminum castings to the following specifica-
tions :
A — Chemical Requirement.

Aluminum 99.54

Silicon 0.25

Iron 0.14

Sodium 0.07

B. — Physical Requirements.

Elastic limit per sq. inch not less
than lbs.

Tensile strength per sq. inch not

less than lbs.

Reduction of area per sq. inch
not less than 15% and it is fur-
ther stated that these castings
should be annealed.

It is our impression that an aluminum mix
containing approximately 92% aluminum and
8% copper, or a mixture containing about the
same percentage of aluminum and zinc, would
insure sounder castings. Please let us have
your criticisms on the above specifications.

We think you will have trouble with the
metal made to the specifications furnished.
We would prefer to try it with 66 2-3% of
aluminum and 3.1 1-3% of zinc, or the mix-
ture of aluminum and copper which a'ou men-
tion, viz. 92% of aluminum and 8% of copper.

104

THE BRASS W^ORXJ)

March

GERMAN SILVER CASTINGS.

The castings of German silver which we

Iiave recently made, have come out of the

sand very black, and with considerable sand

sticking to them. Can you suggest a remedy?

You probably poured the metal altogether
too hot. At best German silver is a difficult
metal to cast, on account of the high melting
point of the nickel. It is so much higher than
that of the other metals in the mixture, that
they burn as soon as they are added to the
molten nickel. Put the copper in the pot with
the nickel, and let them come down together.
^^'llen melted, stir and then add the zinc-

ALUMINUM WATER-JACKET AROUND
CAST-IRON FRA^IE.

T am securing patents on an internal com-
bustion engine, and the lirst two engines I
had the cylinder cast in alumiiunu. After a
time I found that the aluminum cylinder had
crystallized from the heat. Is it possible to
cast an aluminum water jacket around a cast
iron inner frame? .Aly idea was to tin this
inner casting, place it in a niDnld and cast
some aluminum alloy around it. Is there any
aluminum alloy that will stand the heat with-
out crystallizing?

W'c do not think it possible to cast alumi-
num around the cast iron frame as you sug-
gest, and have it water tight, as the melting
point of aluminum is so low that it would
chill on striking the cast iron cylinder, and
draw awav from it.-

FRACTURES AND PITS IN CASTINGS.

We are mailing you a sample of a broken
hinge post, which onr customers think has
been burned, either in our foundry, or by the
man who made the ingots. It was made of
yellow ingots, claimed to contain about 67%
of copper and 31-^% of zinc, and the balance
of lead. Please give us your opinion of it.

We are also mailing a sample of a straight
flat hinge in the rough, made from metal of
about 32 lbs. of red ingot brass and 118 lbs.
of yellow ingot brass. Analysis of the red
ingot is about 82 copper, 5 each of lead, tin
and zinc. The metal for this hinge had about
2 ozs. of phosphor tin. and 2h ozs. of sheet
aluminum added just before it was poured.
You will notice this hinge shows a number
of pits on the drag side. What is the cause
of these pits and how can we overcome them?
They do not appear on every casting on the
gate. With all care possible, we seem to be
unable to entirely overcome this difficulty.

._ 1. The metal was not burnt. The fault is
in the gating. Your casting shows a distinct
draw in the fracture. You are probably gat-
ing these castings on the end. Put the gate
close to where the fracture is, and you will
have no trouble in getting sound castings. The
trouble is caused bv the fact that when the

heavy part of the casting cools, there is no
hot metal to feed the "shrink", so it draws
away from the part already cooled, and
causes the coarse fracture.

3. The trouble with the hinge is not in the
metal. Your sand is too heavy. In making
castings with aluminum in the mixture, the
sand should be only wet enough to hold to-
gether. L^sc a I riddle and eliminate the
phosphor tin. There is no need to waste
phosphor tin as the aluminum serves the
same purpose, viz. to deoxidize the metal.-

A GOOD GALVANIZING SOLUTION.
Kindly advise me if there is any special
solution needed for electrogalvanizing or
what is known as the cold process of galvaniz-
ing.

Electrogalvanizing by the cold process can
be accomplished as follows. It all depends on
the class of work you intend to galvanize and
whether you use a still or mechanical plating
barrell. You will probably get good results
from the following:

Water 1 .gal.

Zinc sulphate crystals 4 lb.

Sal-ammoniac 2 oz.

Aluminum sulphate 4 oz.

This solution can be used with a low volt-
age, from 1-2 to 2 volts. L^se at about 80° to
90° F. with pure zinc anodes.

METHODS OF REMOVING SPOTS
AFTER PLATING.

We are plating architectural iron work,
which is made of cast iron and wrought iron
and runs from ordinary small size pieces to
pieces 20 feet long. This work is copper
plated, after which it is bronze plated and
oxidized in the usual manner. We have been
laying this work aside for a number of days
after it is oxidized, to allow the spots to ap-
pear, and then rubbing the work down again
and lacquering it.

In some kinds rif weather this method is
satisfactory, but in damp weather we find it
continues to spot, even after being rubbed a
second time. The room taken up by having:
the pieces standing aronnd is also objection-
able to this method.

We have before us two propositions; one is
to have a hot chamber in which we can bake
our work to a comparativelv high heat, say
300° E.

The other method proposed is to construct
a room lined with steam coils, which would
raise the temperature say to 150° E., or as hot
as a man could stand to go in and get the
pieces, allowing the pieces to remain in 24
Iiours.

Does either of these plans appear a practi-
cal solution nf the problem? Do you know
of anyone whn is plating the work with zinc.
before it is bronze-plated, to prevent the
spots ?

Both of these methods appear practical to
us, and we know of an art metal firm which
uses one of these methods to prevent spotting-

.March

THE BRASS ^VORLD

105

out on brass-plated goods, with good results.
We also have record of a hardware concern,
where they let the work stand a week or two
before finishing. We would suggest that you
nickel-plate the work first. We know of this
being done, but have never heard of zinc
plating before bronze-plating.

BABBITT REPLACED BY
FIBRE.

"VULCAX"

SOLUTION FOR ELECTRO-GALVAXIZ-
ING PLATING BARREL.
We are considering the installation of an
electro-galvanizing plating barrel. During the
last year or so you have published several
different galvanizing solutions, differing from
each other in ingredients, quantities and vol-
tage required. We tried some time ago a
zinc sulphate solution using a six volt 250
ampere machine, cast zinc anodes and a
wooden tumbler, and while we could plate in
the tank could not even strike a color in the
barrel. Could you suggest a formula and let
us know if our dynamo has a sufficient vol-
tage.

I would suggest that you use the formula
published in our February issue, under the
heading of Electro-galvanizing in our question
and answer colum. Use the solution warm
with barrel turning from 9 to 14 revolutions
per minute. Do not put too much work in
the barrel at one time and I think your
present dynamo of 6 volts, 2.')0 amperes will
be sufficient.-

WHITISH STREAKS ON 14k GOLD.

I am connected with a large jewelry manu-
facturing company that uses large quantities
of 14k green gold highly polished. We are
having a great deal of trouble in this alloy
with the appearance of whitish colored
streaks, resembling platinum, which appear on
the surface when highly polished. This sub-
stance cannot be platinum or iridium, as we
use nothing but pure metal in the following
proportions :

Gold 14

Silver 7i

Copper 2i

This gives a good green, not too soft, whicli
we wish to continue to produce. Please ad-
vise us how to eliminate the trouble.

The spots are doubtless oxide of copper or
silver, produced by the metals absorbing gases
from the fire in melting. Keep the metal well
covered while melting is going on, and do
not overheat or let stay in the fire and soak,
after it has been melted. These precautions
will prevent the formation of the streaks.-

Every plater should know that a hot solu-
tion works better than a cold one. Many of
the difficulties encountered after the apparatus
has been out of operation for a day or so.
are due to the cooling of the solution, which
is otherwise in perfect condition for plating.

Transn.iission bearings have up to the
present time been largely made of babbitt and
other compositions, of which babbitt has been
found to be the best. Although many efforts
have been made to find a substitute to take
the place of this rather high-price material,
little progress has been made.

An inventor in Germany has at last pro-
duced a bearing made from "Sheet Vulcan
Fibre" which can be produced at an extreme-
ly low price. It is claimed to outlast babbitt
many times and to be without a doubt super-
ior to the best babbitt bearing. Economy in
lubrication is another extremely important
factor and on this point the fibre bearing is
considered as far superior to the babbitt bear-
ing.

The invention has been thoroughly tried out
abroad and has l^een in practical use for some
time in several factories. It is now on the
market either for the sale of the patent or for
the purpose of forming a company in the
United States for its manufacture and sale.
All particulars in regard to it can be obtained
from R. F. Lang. 8-10 Bridge St., New York,
N. Y.

JOTTINGS.

Magnesium is used in the manufacture of
sound copper castings, because of its ability
to decompose the gases formed by the copper
in melting. The principal gas thus formed,
carbon monoxide, is attacked by the mag-
nesium, forming the two solids, carbon and
magnesium oxide. By the use of magnesium,
therefore, in small amounts, the production of
blow-holes in the casting, is eliminated.

Fire or mercury gilding is the oldest known
plating process. Shortly after the discovery
of mercury, the alchemists found that the
solution of gold in mercury would adhere to
other metals like silver, and that by heating
the article thus treated, the mercury was
driven oft", leaving the gold behind on the
article. This method was used for centuries,
until the method of electro-deposition began
to replace it. At the present time, the new
way has practically supplanted the old, except
in certain cases where a heavy lasting deposit
is required.

lOG

THE BI^AS» WORLJD

March 191-i

THE DERIHON PORTABLE HARD-
NESS TESTING MACHINE.

This machine is for testing the hardness of
metals accorcUng to the Brinell method,
(making an impression with a 10 nnn. hall
under a pressure of liOOO kg.)

Fig. 1. Machine Ready for Test.

Fig. 1 shows the macliine ready for the test
with the lever raised and resting on the shaft.
The piece t(_i he tested is placed on the tahle
of the machine, wiiich is then raised until the
piece is in contact with tlie ball. This done,
the lever i; pulled slowly over so as to give
a progressive pressure, (th.e pressure is regis-
tered l)y a small manometer) until COOO kg.
are applied. When this figure is reached tlie
lever is slowly returned to its former position
and the test is completed. Under normal con-
ditions it is usually sufficient to move the
lever through an angle of 45 deg. to obtain
the required pressure of :iOOO kg.

With eacli machine is furnished a small
piece of steel in which a standard impression
has been made, the size of the diameter being-
stamped thereon. This standard piece is of
BND steeh an air-hardened cliromc-nickcl

steel. The accuracy of the machine can be
easily controlled by making an impression
alongside the standard impression. The con-
struction of the machine is based on the prin-
ciple of elasticity of the frame, which for tliis
purpose has been given the shape of a horse-
shoe.

The power produced by the pressure of the
ball on the test piece has a tendency to open
the frame to a certain degree in proportion to
this power. The shape of the frame has,
therefore, been specially considered in order
to have it as elastic as possible.

The pressure exerted of kg. does not at
all change the resistance or elasticity of the
frame seeing that it is made of BND steel,

Fig. 2. Showing Arrangement of Gears.

having an elastic limit of 242.000 11). per sq.
in., and that a pressure of , or
kg. does not work it above 10 kg. per sq. mm.
( lb. per sq. in.) Under these conditions
repeated tests e\en in large numbers do not
alter at all the calibration of the machine.

The deflection of the frame being relative-
ly weak, (1 to 1.5 mm.) a register, the con-
struction of which resembles a metal mano-
meter, is installed in the hol!owed-out iiart

March l'.U4

THE BRASS WORLD

107

of the frame. By means of a needle and a
graduated dial, the deflection and, therefore,
the pressure exerted on making the test can
be quickly and easily read. To adjust the
machine all that is neces.sary is to open the
case enclosing the mechanism above the
frame.

TRADE NEWS.

Fig. 3. Machine Packed Portably.

Should the machine ever get out of adjust-
ment, a comparison sliould be made on the
standard piece, and when an impression of
the same diameter has been made, the needle
is brought over the figure by means
of a small adjusting screw. This adjustment,
however, would only be necessary thrnugli
some accidental cause independent of the
operation of the macliine under
usage.

Fig. 2 shows the arrangement
gears at the rear of the machine,
shows the machine packed in its portable
case. This machine is placed on the market
by H. A. Elliott. 507 iNIajestic Bldg., Detroit,
Mich.

nornuil

of tiie
Fig. ?,

While phosphorus is an excellent ingredient
in bronzes if used properly, it can likewise
become harmful if not employed in the right
manner. Too nnich phosphorus in tlie copper
and tin bronzes (without zinc in them) will
cause the tin to separate in hard "tin-spots."
When zinc is present in the bronzes, a very
small amount of phosphorus only can be
employed. A large amount causes blowholes.
The amount of phosphorus to use is as
follows : When no zinc is present, about 0.25
per-cent. When zinc is present, from 0 01 to
0.02 per-cent.

The Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Co.,
100 A\ illiam St., Xew ^'ork City, is recom-
mending to electroplaters of zinc alloy die
castings its silver and copper cyanides as
especially desirable for this class of work in
view of the fact that they require a compara-
tively high metal content with a minimum of
free cyanide. These metallic cyanides are
most highly concentrated. The copper cyanide
contains 70% metallic copper, while the sil-
ver cyanide contains SO.5% metallic silver. The
high degree of purity is claimed to make them
ideal replenishers as in this way the intro-
duction of all kinds of impurities is avoided.
The company further contends that with the
use of metallic cyanides in place of carbonate
and chloride, there is a saving in the initial
cost of installing the solution of appro.ximate-
ly 20% exclusive of the saving effected in
labor and electrical energy. Special informa-
tinn on this and kindred subjects may be ob-
tained from the company's "^Manufacturers'
Research Laboratory".

This company is sending out to inquirers
special leaflets describing its copper and sil-
ver replenishers. The R. & H. silver
cyanides have 80.5% metallic silver, the
balance being cyanogen. Write for a copy and
mention "Brass \\'orld" in doing so.

BRASS COMPAXY REAPS BEXEFITS
FRO.M RECEXT STORM.

As a result of the recent blizzard in X^ew
York City, the American Brass Co., Ansonia,
Conn., has been able to dispose of its large
stock of brass wire. This has been quickly
shipped into the metropolis to replace the
many miles of and telegraph wires
which were mown down by the storm. Large
freight cars have been loaded and sent off,
within twenty-four hours of being received
the utmost dispatch being exercised.

The gun metal finish of today is not the
finish that is applied to guns nor has it ever
been. The name seems to have originated
from the fact that souvenirs obtained from
captured or exploded guns were finished with
it. The craze for articles of this finish began
after the Spanish-American war, with the ab-
normal demand for mementos; for which the
makers originated the gun-metal finish.

108

March

PATENT ABSTRACTS.

1,086,035. Feb. .3, . MOLDING FLASK.
John C. Dupler. Tliis invention relates to an
improved apparatus for clumping- sand out of
the molding flask after the molded pattern has
been removed therefrom, the object of the in-
vention being to provide a simple and dur-
able device of the above character wherein
the sand in the molding flask may be quickly
and readily dumped therefrom after the
molded pattern has been removed from the
sand.

1,086,098, Feb. 10, . BUFFING
MACHINE. Anthony J. Baulig. This inven-
tion relates to a machine for producing on
brass bedsteads what is known as a "Velvet"
finish which has heretofore been produced
only by hand. In that finish there is on the
surface of the brass a slight trace of lines
running circumiferentiallv around the tube

and while it can be produced on a straight
length of tube by putting the tube in a lathe
and applying an abrading such as emery
cloth to it as it rotates, yet in brass bedsteads
the tube must be bent, previously to its being
polished or finished, into the yoke form re-
quired for the end frame nf the bedstead, and
after being so bent or shaped it can not be
swung in a lathe, hence this particular finish
has always been produced by hand.

1,086,486. Feb. 10, . SELF-REGULAT-
ING DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINE.
Charles Anthony Vandervell and Albert
Henr_v Midgley. The invention relates to a
variable speed and self-regulating dynamo
electric machine in which the out-put and
voltage is maintained practically constant
within very narrow limits through a wide
range of speed. The invention is particularly
applicable to dynamo electric machines used
for the purpose of train lighting and car light-
ing in conjunction with a battery or accumula-
tors.

1.085,744. Feb. .'5, . ELECTROPLAT-
IXG-RACK. Clarence Edward Leti'el and
John David LefYel. The object of tlve inven-
tion is to provide a simple form of plating
rack for carrying or supporting in the electrc>

lyte solution the articles to be plated, and
wherein a large number of articles can be sus-
pended out of contact with each other from
the same rack, thereby securing a good plat-
ing action.

1,087,142. Feb. 17, . APPARATUS
FOR TREATING METAL ARTICLES.
James C. Russel. An apparatus for treating
metal articles such as ingots and other simi-
lar bodies to prevent blow-holes, segregation
and the injurious action of the pipe formed

therein comprising rolls for receiving and ro-
tating such ingot between the same about its
liingitudinal axis, and means for engaging
with the ends of such ingot to hold the molten
metal therein and the ingot in position be-
tween the rolls.

1,085,768. Feb. 3, . PROCESS OF PRE-
VENTING OXIDATION OF METALS
DURING ANNEALING. John F. Thompson
and Edward E. Seelve. This invention relates

March

THE BRASS >VORLD

109

to the annealing of metals and is especially
directed to the prevention or elimination of
oxidation on the surface of metals during the
annealing operation. It has been discovered
that when a fusible halogen salt of an alkaline
or an alkaline-earth metal is mixed with a
base and spread on the article to be annealed,
that during the annealing operation the ar-
ticle will not oxidize, and, moreover, not only
is oxidation prevented; but such halogen salt
will act as a solvent to remove any oxide on '
the surface of the metal when it is heated for
annealing.

1,086,494. Feb. 10, . METALLURGI-
CAL FURNACE. Utley Wedge. This inven-
tion relates to the class of metallurgical fur-
naces which have a plurality of treating

chambers, the object of my invention being to
make effective use of the electric current as
a means of maintaining or aiding in the main-
tenance of the heat of said furnace.

1.085,933. Feb.' ?,. . PROCESS OF
POLISHING PLATED FLAT-WARE.
Pierrepont B. Xoyes. This invention relates
especially to processes for polishing plated
flatware such as knives, forks, spoons and
the like, which have been electroplated with
silver for example, so as to produce the usual
ornamental and protective coating. By
strongly pressing the electroplated flatware
articles in planished dies the granular or
frosted electroplated layer is pressed down or
condensed or possibly flowed so as to pro-
duce a smooth, polished surface.

1,086.921. Feb. 10, . PROCESS OF DE-
TIXNING. Franz von Kugelgen and George
O. Seward. This invention relates to the de-
tinning of tin scrap or other tin bearing

material by treating it in a closed tank with
dry chlorin gas, the operation being conducted
at a temperature sufficiently low to prevent
the iron of the scrap being attacked by the
chlorin.

1.086.824. Feb. 10, . MOLDING AP-
PARATUS. :>.Iaddra Jackson, Hewlett &
Hemy L. Demmler. This invention to a
machine in which sand or analogous material
is forced into a flask and packed around or

S6SSjiJi1 oi -j "= <>5

into a pattern b\- compressed air or other
fluid, and in which further packing of the
sand or analogous material is effected by jar-
ring the flask by intermittently raising the
flask and contents and allowing the same to
drop and solidify by gravity coupled with the
shock it receives on being arrested.

1,086,117. February 3, . IMOLDING-
MACHINE. Abraham M. Zimmerman. This
invention relates to improvements in molding

machines, one object of the invention being
to so construct the machine that a presser
table can be maintained in a horizontal posi-
tion during all of its movements.

110

THE BR^SS WORLD

March

TROUBLES IN
THE PLATING -ROOM.

BY PHENIX.

In going over some of my past experiences
with regard to the deposition of gold on
varidus metals and also on brass-plated goods,
I thuught these might be of interest and value
to some of our readers. It has been a rough
road, beset with difficulties and trials.

One of my vexing problems was in regard
to a condition of my bath running to a deep
red gold color. To remedy this condition I
added chloride of gold, but produced no bet-
ter result. Cyanide tried in the bath also
failed to give the cure, in fact it made mat-
ters worse. What other remedies I might
ad(ipt I did not know at that time. The goods
were brass-plated, and I thought perhaps the
fault was in the brass, so I changed the brass
strike a little. This seemed to assist matters
to some extent, so I made a more complete
change in the solution.

Xow I found I was still in trouble, as the
gold would not take on the work at all. I
almost gave up at this point, yet I knew that
1 nuist keep on attempting to master the dif-
ficult}- as the work was needed in a hurry. So
1 brought back my brass to its former con-
dition, which was a deep yellow color, neces-
sary to get a quick deposition of gold of the
correct deep yellow color. T then took out my
gold bath to filter it. and on doing so. dis-
covered the secret of my tr(iul)les.

I had been using an iron tank which liad
been enamelled on tlie inside. Some nf tliis
enamel had chipped otT the bottom, and the
c_\anide in my solution Iiad taken up some of
the iron of the tank.

Accordingly, 1 substituted a stone crock
for the enamelled tank. Then I filtered my
solution again and added small quantities of
hyposulphite of soda, v.-liich put my liath into
good shape once more.

I should like to say that anyone who is try-
ing to get a deposition of gold on such work
as photo or mirror frames, whether iron or
brass-plated, is very likely to encounter the
same difficulties as 1 had, unless they are sure
that the iron is entirely covered in the brass
solution. With regard to the stone crock in
which the hot gold solution is kept, care
should be taken to see that the glazing on the
inside is in good condition. If this is not

perfect, there is likely to be trouble through
the entrance of water from the outside, or
the loss of gold solution from the inside. The
crock should be examined at least once a week
for possible defects in the glazing.

The temperature of the solutions should be
noted, viz. 1G0° for the hot, and 80° for the
cold.

NEWS OF ASSOCIATIONS.

THE NEWARK BRANCH MAKING
PROGRESS.

At the meeting of the Newark branch of
the American Electro-Platers' Society held on
March Gth. a committee was appointed to se-
cure a room to be used as a laboratory and
meeting room, to wdiich members might have
access at any and all times for the purpose of
experiments. It was also agreed to have an
instructor to give lessons on chemistry in re-
lation to electro-plating.

CONNECTICUT VALLEY SECTION
MEETS AT SPRINGFIELD.

The twenty-third reuular meeting of the
Connecticut Valley Section of the American
Chemical Society was held in Springfield.
Mass. ?^Iarch 7, . A special trolley car
conveyed the arriving members to the U. S.
Armory Shops whe,re guides provided by the
Commanding Officer enabled them to make a
most interesting inspection of tlie varions
shops. At the conclusion of the trip, the mem-
bers gathered at the Highland Hotel and din-
ner was served at G:0() p. m. The regular
meeting followed the program. Chairman H.
C. Emerson of Springfield presided. The fol-
lowing topics were considered.

Appointment of Nominating Ci)nnuittee.
"Progress in our Knowledge of the Atom" by
Dr. E. \\'. ]\lorley. Discussion on "Corrosion
of Metal by Water." Discussion on "Use of
Electrical Apparatus in the Laboratory." The
meeting was well attended and resulted in
profitable discussion of things vital to the in-
dustry. Prof. Bradley of We.sleyan, Prof.
Peters and Prof. Hopkins of Amherst took
part in the discussion.

:\larcii l'.M4

TRADE ITEMS.

EMPLOYEES TAKE STOCK.

The employees of tlie International Xickcl
Co., took advantage of a recently made stock
ofifer. Practically all of the shares of
common stock offered for subscription to em-
ployees and officers at $110 has been sul)-
scribed for. Of the persons on the pay
roll, about 40 per cent, subscribed for their
allotment of shares. The minimum subscrip-
tion was one share to any employee under hve
\^ears' service and receiving up to $825 yearly,
while the maximum subscription was 10
shares to any one receiving over $4,000 yearly
and who has been in the employ of the com-
pany for over 10 years. This stock will be
paid for in monthly installments and the em-
ployees will receive dividends as soon as the
first installment is paid. An additional bonus
equal to 5 per cent, on the stock so paid for,
will be disbursed annually to such employees
as retain their stock and remain in the em-
ploy of the company. The success of this in-
novation has been gratif\-ing to the Inter-
national Nickel Co. which controls the
Canadian Copper Co.

JOTTINGS FROM THE TRADE AT
LARGE.

The Aluminum Castings Co., Cleveland, O.,
has announced $l.'],333.:j:3 of the capital stock
of $800,000 is to be represented in Indiana.

The Interstate Motor Co., Aluncie, Ind., has
been reorganized with a capital stock of $300,-
000. Automobiles will be manufactured. The
directors are E. B. Ball, F. C. Ball and B. W.
Twvman.

The Svirsky Metal Co., New Haven, Conn.
has filed its certificate of organization, and
will begin business with $5,000 with the fol-
lowing officers : President, Louis Levine ; sec-
retary and treasurer, Jacob Svirskv.

SOCIETY OF COXXECTICUT ELECTRO-

■ PLATF,RS FORMED.

Connecticut has always had a source of re-
proach in that while possessing more, better
and larger electroplating plants than any other
state in the country, it has been without an
association of electro-platers. This defect
w^as remedied on ]^tarch 16th, . At the
call of W. G. Stratton, Charles Phillips, and
B. F. Kusterer, twenty-two of Bridgeport's
electro-platers met at the Hotel Stratfield at
8 :0() p. m. Charles Phillips was appointed
chairman of the meeting and H. de Toannis,
secretary pro tem.

Mr. Phillips congratulated the meeting on
its size and representative character, and
called upon Mr. Joannis to state the main ob-
ject, of the call. This was done and the
necessary motions were passed to bring about
the formation of an electro-platers" associa-
tion and its subsequent affiliation of the
American Electro-Platers' Society. Balloting
for officers then took place with the follow-
ing results : President, \\". G. Stratton ; vice-
president, B. F. Kusterer ; secretary-treasurer,
Xelson Barnard; librarian, J. AI. Dunn; board
of managers, C. H. Poland, T. F. Slattery and
H. De Joannis.

The meeting was of the most enthusiastic
character and there is every prospect of the
building up of a powerful Connecticut
branch of electro-platers. The next meeting
is to be held in the office of "The Brass World
and Platers' Guide," 260 John St., Bridgeport,
on Monday, r^Iarch 23rd, when definite steps
will be taken to secure the temporary charter
and Supreme President George B. Hogaboom
will be on hand to attend to the final details
of the launching of the new enterprise. It is
expected that the "live-wire" electro-platers
in X'ew Haven, Hartford, Waterbury and ad-
joining towns will take advantage of this new
opportunity for getting together.

The output of the subsidiaries of the Copper
Range in February, according to a Boston re-
port, amounted to 3,318,000 pounds of mineral,
compared with 3,276,000 in January and 4,-
828,000 in February, .

The Dow Mfg. Co., Salem, O., was visited
by a fire on February 11th. which partly
destroyed their factory building and finished
stock. The company manufactures gasoline
lighting systems, oxidized copper hat and
coat racks and hall-trees.

112

THE BRASS WORLD

March

The Bureau of Standards is one of the least
known departments of the government, yet its
work is witliout question highly important.
It is this department that fixes the standards
of weights and measures and millions of dol-
lars are expended to prevent the slightest
deviation from the fixed standard. The bar
representing one foot in length is composed
of two metals joined together in a most in-
genious manner and the extreme of tempera-
ture will not cause this standard to expand or
contract one-millionth part of one inch.

The plant of the Rivet & Alachine Co., Kent,
O., is offered for sale by Charles McCuskey,
trustee of the creditors. The sale has been
authorized by the Federal Court in Cleveland.

The Stutz Alotor Co., Indianapolis, Ind., is
to build a new factory adjoining the factory
of the Stutz Auto Parts Co. The new build-
ing will be 80x204 ft., four stories high and
will be made of concrete and brick.

The Pope Tin Works, Wheeling, W. Va.,
has resumed work again after a strike of six
months.

The capital stock of the Payne Die Casting
Co., Indianapolis, Ind., has been increased
$20,000.

The Aluminum Casting & Brass Mfg. Co.,
Detroit, ]\Iich., is about to build a two-story
brick foundry on St. Aubin St. between
Boulevard and Clav Sts.

The directors of the Landers, Frary &
Clark Co., Xew Britain, Conn., at a meeting
held on February 19th. voted to increase the
capital stock from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000.
One share of stock to be issued to each
holder of the old stock. The issue is desig-
nated as a stock dividend and will make tlie
total shares 160,000. The regular dividend
will be reduced from four to two per cent,
quarterl}'.

The Monarch IMetal Corporation, Albany,
N. Y. has been incorporated with a capital
stock of $125,000. B. R. Hawley, A. J. and G.
F. Black Jr., 239 Uearl St., Brooklyn, N. Y.
are the incorporators.

The annual meeting of the stockholders of
the Bristol Brass Co. was held at the office of
the company in East Bristol on February 27th.
The following officers were elected for the
ensuing year. President, A. F. Rockwell ;
vice-president, Pierce Welch, of New Haven;
secretary and treasurer, Julian R. Holley. The
annual report for the year ending January 1,
, which included the American Silver Co.,
which is practically a part of the brass com-
pany, was read as follows. The total assets
are $],463,.3!i;3.22, liabilities $lo6,GS:5.17 and
profit for the year $159,15.'5.66. Dividends
amounting to $51,307.25 were declared and the
balance was placed to the surplus account. The
accounts of the American Silver Co., showed
total assets of $519,040.58 and liabilities of
$215,086.44 with profit for the year of
$24,819.20.

NEW INCORPORATIONS.

The ^Michigan Lubricator Co., Detroit,
Mich., has been incorporated, with a capital
stock of $200,000. The incorporators are
John Coyne, Edwin C. Nagel and John B,
Corliss.

The stockholders of the Wheeling Metal
Mfg. Co. held a special meeting recently at
the offices of the plant at Plainfield above
Moundsville, Va. at which time a resolution
was passed authorizing the capital stock of
the company to be raised from $300,000 to
$1,000,000. With the increasing of the
capital stock the company will be able to ex-
pand its business to a much larger scale. A
new addition to the plant is in inunediate con-
templation. The officers are J. P. Gibbs, presi-
dent; O. E. Reed, vice-president; F. Harris^
secretary; J. J. Beiter, treasurer.

The Detroit-:\Iarvel Brass Mfg. Co., De-
troit. Mich., has been incorporated with a
capital stock of $10,000 to manufacture brass
goods. The incorporators are Victor D'Hondt
Peter D. Hay and Vincent J. Quinn.

The New York Jewelry Co., Chicago, 111.,
has been incorporated with a capital stock of
$2,500 and will deal in gold and platinum
works and jewelry. Robert Edison, Joseph H.
Landes and Pearl Van Arsdale are the incor-
porators.

March

THE BRASS WORLD

113

The National Silver Co., Richmond. Va.,
has incorporated with a capital stock of $50,-
000. J. H. Lawrence, president, Washington,
D. C. ; G. B. Lorraine, secretary, Richmond,
Va-

The Kokomo \\'elding Co., has been incor-
porated at Kokomo, Ind., with a capital stock
of $1,000. \\'elding of metals will be carried
on. The directors are J. ^l. Klein, Rnde
Brown, and ^^'. A. Ulrich.

The Bead Chain Co., has been incorporated
at Bridgeport, Conn., by Waldo C. Bryant,
Gilbert W. Goodridge and David S. Day.
Authorized capital stock $50,000, paid in

$10,000. ■

PERSONALS.

Chas. A. Bennett, formerly president of
The Bennett, ^lerwin Silver Co., has sold out
his entire interest and has severed his connec-
tion with that company. Mr. Bennett will
take a well-earned rest, before entering upon
his new duties which will be confined to the
production of high grade sterling and german-
silver ware.

^laurice R. Bissel. ]\Iassillon, O., has been
elected a director and general manager of
the American Stamping & Enameling Co.,
which is to move its plant from Bellaire to
Columbia Heights, Massillon.

E. F. Lake, consulting metallurgist, Detroit,
Mich., whose plant was completely burned out
a few weeks ago. states that he is now locat-
ed in new quarters at 412 Pennsylvania Ave.,
and is readv for business.

Albert E. Cooley, who has been connected
with the Hooker Electrichemical Co., Niagara
Falls, N. Y., for some time, has accepted a
position with the Aluminum Company of
America at Tilassena, N. Y. He will have
charge of the outside construction work.

NEWS FRO^r THE TRADE.

The International Smokeless Powder &
Chemical Co., Wilmington, Del., has sent out
to the trade a reproduction of the last im-
portant painting by the celebrated artist, the
late Howard Pyle, entitled "Du Pont Powder
Wagon Carrying Powder to Lake Erie for
Commodore Perry." ,It is a work of art
having a tapestry effect and beautifully
colored.

The Hachmeister-Lind Chemical Co.,
Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa., manufacturers
and importers of chemicals, has sent out to
the trade a very attractive and useful tele-
directory. You can get a copy of the
"Halico" Phonist if you mention Br.\ss
World" and write quickly.

TERMINATION OF SUCCESSFUL
RECEIVERSHIP.

The option for the purchase of the Pratt
& Cady Co., obtained last August by Bishop
White, New York, has been taken up. Edwin
L. King, receiver of the corporation since
September , has transferred the proper-
ty and business to the Pratt & Cady Co., Inc.,
New York. It is capitalized at $600,000 and
will manufacture brass, iron and steel valves,
cocks and hydrants, retaining the present fac-
tory and sales force. The new corporation
has elected W. B. Lashar, Bridgeport, presi-
dent; W. F. W hitmore, Hartford, vice-presi-
dent and general manager ; and B. White,
secretary and treasurer. As soon as Mr.
King is discharged from the receivership,
which is a matter of but a few formalities
now, he will become secretary of the new
company.

At a surprise dinner given at the Hotel
Bond, Hartford, Conn., on Saturday even-
ing, Feb, 14th, Edwin Loomis King, receiver
for the Pratt & Cady Co., was the recipient
of a loving cup presented to him by the em-
ployes of the company as an expression of
their appreciation of his good work during
the past eighteen months in the management
of the company's affairs, which has brought
the company out of its difficulties. Here's one
authentic case, where we are not requested
to "hang up the receiver."

CHANGES IN LOCATION BESPEAKING
BIGGER BUSINESS.

The Ohio ^letal Co., Columbus, Oo., smelt-
ers, refiners and dealers in metals have
changed their address from 502-50G W^est
Kimball St.. to - North Fourth St.

A. C. Dallas & Son, Inc.. Chicago, 111.,
moved into their new building at 223-231
North Jefferson St., where they will carry
a complete stock of brass and copper sheet,
rod. wire and tubing, and Avill also extend
their manufacturing department.

114

March

^•- ELECTRO - PLATING.

Is It a Trade or a Profession ?
BY JOSEPH WALTERS, C. P.

In the besiniiing of its art philin.n was ac-
coniphslicd hy liand-work and heat alone.
Thin sheets of a superior metal were soldered
to an inferior metal, which was called 'close-
platin.i;', and. while to luigland belont^s the
credit of heinti' the mother of plating and of
plating' dynamos, it remained for America and
Americans to bring the art and science of
electro-plating to its present standard of ef-
ficiency and world-wide importance conmier-
ciallv.

Joseph Walters, C. P.

1 deem it unnecessary to enter into a dis-
cussion of the early history of plating. I will
merely say that with the advent of the dyna-
mo— electro-plating — a new industry, was
born — electricity in comhiiiation with chemi-
cals taking place of the liand-work.

Here too. I will forego the details, trials
and troubles, yet wonderful achievement of
tlie modern plater. But the question presents
itself— \\H AT IS A PLATER? We hear so
much said about the plating-room, its needs
and requirements, its proper arrangement, etc.
We hear so much of late regarding the im-
portance of the voltmeter and the ammeter in
the plating-room, of electricity and chemicals
used by he plater, but what about the
PLATER? The man behind the gun, so to

*Read before New York and Newark
branches of the American Electro-Platers'
Socletv in convention at New York, Feb. 21,
.

Speak. Yes — What is a plater? Is he a
laborer? A mechanic? In other words is
plating a Trade or a Profession?

If I were to analyze a plater, I would at-
tach him to one of the poles of a dynamo, im-
merse him in a solution prepared for that pur-
pose, and the result would be :

2'//o Electricity.
75% Chemistry.

To find out if jjlating is a trade or profes-
sion let us examine tlie utensils, tools and
instruments the plater makes use of. First:
The dynamo, rheostat, volt-meter and ammeter
of the electrical family. Second: The hydro-
meter, graduating glass, retort, litmus paper ;
sulphuric, hydrochloric and nitric acids ;
cyanides, sulphates and potassium — instru-
ments and substances of the chemical family.
Are these tools for work by a man with a
trade, or are they instruments and composi-
tions used by a man with a profession? Here
permit me to protest against the term 'trade'
as applied to the plater. Plating was a trade
at its birth only, when it was done by hand-
work. Perfected as it is today, with im-
proved appliances ; with an exact knowledge
of electricity and chemistry, the plater of to-
day is master of a Science.

Plating a Trade? And I speak with all due
regard and respect for the man with a trade
— the man who earns an honest living by 'the
.sweat of his brow.' The man with the
shovel, the pick and the ax is just as im-
portant and necessary to the progress of the
liuman race as the greatest lawyer, doctor or
any other professional or business man the
world ever saw. You have heard the fable.
"For the want of a shoe, a horse was lost;
for the want of a horse, a soldier was lost;
for the want of a soldier, the war was lost."
Was it not just as important for the success
of the army to have the blacksmith shoe the
horse, as it was necessary for a soldier and
general to lead tlie army? And I have yet
to learn which is the most important to civili-
zation : Labor or Capital ; the Mechanic or
Professional ; the Priest or Layman." The
world is a stage, and all men therein a part
play." By the Laws of Cod; as citizens of

March

THE BRASS WORLD

115

this grand and glorious country of ours: dv
the Constitution of these United States, all
men are equal. It is not degrading, and I do
not belittle the man with a trade, but let us
call things by their proper names.

Plating is a profession, and until it shall be
so recognized, first, by the platers themselves,
then by the employers of platers; then, and
not until then, can we hope to receive com-
pensation for services adequate and conmien-
surate with other professions — for after all,
it's the dollars and cents we are after.

Having established the fact that plating is
a profession, I want to impress upon your
minds the importance and necessity of special-
izing. I have long ago realized the futility of
mastering all the stored knowledge of every
branch of the plating industry. This is an
age of specialization. Medicine, for in-
stance, though old as the hills, made little or
no progress until physicians became organized
and began to specialize. As a result, today
we have the eye, ear, nose and what-not
specialist, and what is true of the doctor is
equally true of the other professions and
businesses, and when plating shall be practised
as a profession, each branch of electro-plating
will become a specialty, and with specializa-
tion the standardizing of solutions will
naturally follow.

Last year while on a trip through several
states, I visited sixteen stove factories em-
ploying nickel platers. Of the sixteen, no two
were maintaining their solutions alike; no
two were using the same voltage and amper-
age, and solutions registered anywhere from
5i to 12 Be. The waste of materials and im-
practical methods pursued by others, convin-
ced me more than ever before the necessity of
specialization and of standardizing the dif-
ferent solutions used by platers.

Having defined what a plater is, that he
makes use of two sciences — electricity and
chemistry — the proper question would now be,
"What is electricity?" This most wonderful
of all the forces of nature was one of the
carefully guarded secrets of the ancients, and
that it is not a modern invention or discovery
can be proven by the fact that Thales of
Miletus, six hundred years before the
Christian Era, refers in his writings to the
fact that amber, when rubbed, attracts light
and dry bodies. The science of electricity
dates properly from the year , when Dr.
Gilbert of Colchester, England, published a

book on it, and he is the inventor of the
word "electricity" which he derived from the
Greek w^ord beaning amber.

Otto Von Guerick of Magdeburg in
invented the first electric machine ever made,
which consisted of a globe of sulphur turned
by a handle and rubbed by a cloth pressed
against it by the hand.

Muschenbrock, of Leyden, in , invented
the leyden jar, which is a glass jar with a
coating of tin within and without, closed with
a wooden stopper through which passes the
stalk of a brass knob; and this instrument is
used extensively today in connection with
static maohines as applied to medicine and sur-
gery. But this science like all others, the
American genius has brought to its prese.it
efficiency and greatness, eclipsing all other
forces of nature in the hands of man. Our
own Benjamin Franklin, in , proved the
identity of lightning and electricity by his
famous kite experiment.

Many were the inventors and scientists in
different parts of the world who studied the
invisible force called electricity, and I take
pride that none measured up to the greatness
of our own American discoveries ("Yankee in-
genuity, if you please) for the and
telegraph, the electric motor and generator
and tlie incandescent lamp represent the most
wonderful of all human achievements.

\\'e hardly realize the extent of the science
or the many uses to which this mysterious
force is put. Tliere is scarcely anything which
has to be done which is not done electrically
— lighting, heating, cooling, lifting, pulling —
all are done electrically, and electro-plating-
can only be dijne by a proper understanding
of electricity. Are you using it like the
laborer his tools, or are you making a study
of its application in the science of electro-
plating?

Now we come to chemistry. What is a
chemist? Chemistry, as is true of all other
businesses and professions, has become in re-
cent years divided into a number of branches
— chemistry, metallurgy, assaying and elec-
tro-chemistry.

All of the technical lines having to do with
manufactured or natural products demand an
extensive chemical knowledge. The mechani-
cal engineer, for example, studies applied
chemistry with other things he must of neces-
,sity understand. The doctor, dentist and
pharmacist must understand at least its funda-

116

THE BRASS WORJLX)

March 191-t

mentals. The niaiiulacturer of medicine and
medical preparations and food products must
have a thorough knowledge of the subject.
The gold, silver and copper miner and manu-
facturer of metal goods is equally dependent
upon the metallurgist. What is chemistry?
It has done more and earned more than any
other of the.scientihc pursuits. It has reduced
animal culture and agriculture to an exact
science, it has secured cures for diseases un-
heard of lo years ago. It has made fortunes
from natural and wasted products, and it has
done more for the efficiency of mankind
through regulation of foods and food-values
than all the sciences, laws and physicians com-
bined. You have heard the expression, "What
a noble calling this or that profession is," but
I say that the noblest work of God is a com-
petent chemist.

And to be masters of your profession you
must know the chemistry of plating. I want
to congratulate those branches of our society
and the members individually who have taken
up the study of chemistry. This is an age of
progress, and the electro-plater who would
achieve the highest rung of the ladder of suc-
cess must keep up with the times. I want to
congratulate the society of American i)laters
as a whole for the great good it has done
and is doing its members. I know of no or-
ganization which has accomplished so much
in so short a time. Its growth has lieen won-
derful, and benefits to its members great, but
let us not rest on glory already gained — the
battle is but begun — a number of improve-
ments need yet to be made.

First: We need .a journal of our own — a
mouthy, or weekly, if possible. A steno-
graphic report should be made of every paper
presented and discussed by every branch and
published in full, so that members of other
branches and the isolated plater, wlio, because
of distance cannot attend, will be able to keep
up with the progress and results or conclus-
ions reached by the society. As it is now,
one branch does not know what the other is
doing. Tell me please, of what benefit it is
to read in our bulletin, or quarterly for that
matter, that branch so and so held an en-
thusiastic meeting, and a paper on "Spotting
in Silver-plating" was read and enjoyed by
all, or on "Cyanide in Copper-Plating," ex-
cept to the members of the particular branches
who were present when the discussions took
place.

I believe the society is now strong enough
and financially able to publish a journal of its
own, or if not permit the trade journals to
publish the society's literature.

Second : Every branch should endeavor by
every possible means to establish classes in
chemistry, for the knowledge this science is
essential to good electro-plating.

I want to congratulate and thank the gentle-
man who was instrumental in bringing the
progressive platers together into an organiza-
tion. After all success is not to be measured
by dollars and cents, but the good we do our
fellow-men, and I am sure that every mem-
ber of our society joins me in the prayer to
God to give our past president and father of
our society many more years of usefulness, of
health and prosperity, and when he shall cross
that valley from whence no traveller returns,
we will add to the list of our immortals the
name of Charles H. Proctor.

EXPERIMENTS ON THE USE OF
THE ELECTRIC FURNACE

At the Pittsburgh experimental station of
the National Bureau of INIines, one of the
problems recently investigated has been the
possibility of using the electric furnace in the
smelting of copper ores, especially sulphides.

Work has been done on the following:

1. The smelting of copper concentrates, to
determine what loss of copper could be
lessened by smelting in an electric furnace.

2. The use of the electric furnace in the
smelting of non-ferrous ores, especially low-
grade ores not amenable to treatment by wet
methods.

The jHirpose of this work, which is being
done by R. M. Keeney under the direction of
D. A. Lyon, is not to show that the electric
furnace should replace other furnaces, but
that it may in certain cases be advantageously
substituted for them.

Lead is easily corroded and moist atmos-
phere is far more energetic in this direction
than dry air. Moisture produces a white coat-
ing upon lead and this substance is the well-
known white-lead of commerce. The purer
the lead the more easilv it is corroded.

Lead is not as malleable as tin and cannot
be rolled into as thin sheets.

March

THE BRA.SS WORUD

117

FOREIGN PLATED-WARE
INDUSTRY.

GERM AX Y.

Plated ware is not so important an article
of commerce in Germany as in either England
or the United States. A solid 'low percentage
gold alloy from 8 to 10 carats fine (the com-
mercially pure gold of Germany is 14 carats
fine) has proved a popular substitute for gold
plate at home, and the business of the gold-
plate factories is largely export. Silver-
plated ware is replaced to a great extent on
the one hand by articles made of composition
metal, and on the other hand by articles of
solid silver. The commercial silver of Ger-
many is 'but 0.800 fine, compared with the
English and American standard of 0.925 fine.
Solid silver articles are correspondingly
cheaper, and with the decline in the price of
silver metal during recent years have come
within the reach of an enlarging circle of
purchasers.

Articles of Composition Metah.

While solid-silver articles have thus been
making inroads on the demand for plated
ware on the part of the better to do, pur-
chasers of more limited means find a com-
paratively cheap substitute in the composition
metals. The contributor to the '"Daily Con-
sular and Trade Reports" was shown a platter
of solid 0.800-fine silver priced at $60. The
same thing in composition, the dealer said,
might be purchased for as low as $10, while
plated it would probably cost $.35. Even aside
from considerations of price, composition
articles are often preferred, because being of
one material throughout, they retai-^ \\-. all
stages of wear much the same outward ap-
pearance. A few years ago an English firm
opened a store in Berlin stocked w^ith silver-
plated ware. Although the store was central-
ly located, contained attractive displays and
was properly advertised, it was closed within
12 months as a failure.

The composition metals referred to are
known in English as white metal and Ger-
man silver, and in German as Neusilber or
new silver. Each factory holds the exact
character of its compositions secret. The
general formula is 50 to 60 per cent, copper,
19 to 31 per cent, zinc or tin. and 13 to l.^i per
cent, nickel.

Germany's exports of composition-metal
wares of all kinds, so far as the classification

of the statistics allows them to be dis-
tinguished, were valued at $1,421,000 in ,
and at $1,502,000 in ; imports during the
same years were valued at $825,000 and $1,-
019,000, respectively. The Empire's exports
of gilded and gold-plated wares of all kinds
were valued at $2,385,000 in and $2,640.-
000 in , while the imports were valued at
$884,000 and $819,000, respectively. The ex-
ports of silvered and silver-plated ware of all
kinds were valued at $2,517,000 in and
$2,940,000 in : the imports were valued
at $803,000 in and $773,000 in .

INDIA.

There is increasing competition in India in
the sale of electroplated silverware. The im-
portance of the market, especially in respect
to demand from army officials, is apparently
well recognized in England, and commercial
travelers are now sent out to push the trade
and get in touch with the chief individual
customers.

It has been found to be an unsatisfactory
policy in India, generally speaking (although
there may be exceptions), to intrust any one
native firm with an exclusive agency for
India, or even for a particular Province, as
such firms seldom exert themselves to 'ver-
tise or otherwise push business, and unless the
demand is independently worked up for them
in some way their sales, as a rule, never show
any tendency to increase. For this reason it
is desirable, in the case of an article like elec-
troplated silverware, to make use of traveling
men independent of native firms, although
there are some leading English mercantile
houses, with headquarters at Bombay. Cal-
cutta, ^Madras, and Colombo, and branches in
many smaller cities, which are in a position
to undertake the sale of American ware, pro-
vided they do not already have conflicting
lines in stock.

A recent writer in "Consular and Trade
Reports" states : "I may mention that while I
have heard no complaint against American
silverware, except sometimes that it is "too
soft," yet it is obvious that English ware
holds easily the first place here, partly be-
cause of conservative prejudices in its favor
and partly because English firms have given
the Indian market more careful attention "

Detiiand Constant and Substantial.

"On the train from Hyderabad to Bombay
one day I met a commercial traveler who.

118

THE BRASS WORI-L>

March

among other hues, was haiuHing electroprateil
silver goods for an Enghsh house. He told
me that he was meeting with very good suc-
cess in selling such articles, especially to the
many clubs, military messes, etc., throughout
India. He approaches these clubs and messes
directly through tlieir secretaries and solicits
their business ; and as the regiments are
changed about every three \ears new orders
usually come for silver service at these trien-
nial periods, as the new mess always has a
liew service, the old being sold second hand.
A great deal, however, usually disappears
through pilfering by servants in the employ
of the mess, and the balance has usually de-
teriorated so much through rough methods
of cleaning that it is only natural that new-
messes coming out wish to buy fresh sets of
silverware, and that the demand from the
clubs, hotels, and for individual homes al-
ways seems to be substantial and constant."

"It is customary for each mess or club to
have its own special monogram or cres: on
each piece of silver, and travelers who repre-
sent such lines always carry a book of mcnc-
grams from which selections may be made and
sent in with the orders. The hardest sort of
plate is usually preferred in India in rirdcr to
insure reasonable duraljility. This applies, of
course, especially to articles intended for
really active use, which niust stand consider-
able wear and not for more or less ornamen-
tal purposes. The chief demand for imported
silverware, both plated and sterling, comes
chiefly from the English population and from
a few Indian princes and other wealthy
natives. It must be remembered that India
itself is a very important producer of artistic
silver goods, and many beautiful and riu-ious
pieces, hand wrought, are to be found in the
bazaars."

Retail Prices in Madras.

Silverware, botli sterling and electroplateo,
is dealt in not only at jewelry shops, but al.so
in the stores of nearlx- all leading general
merchants. .Althougli it is not a rapidl_\ mrjv-
ing class of trade, like dry goods and pro-
visions, yet the profits are said to be quite
large. Such ware meets with frequent pur-
chase for holiday and wedding gifts, prizes,
and tokens of honor and esteem, as well as
for ordinary hf)Usehold. club, hotel, and other
necessities.

I-"rom a catalogue of a leading English firm
in Madras some of the articles sold ?nd ap-
proximate retail prices are quoted as follows :

Ladies' sterling silver waist buckles, 5i
inches long, about $7.25 ; sterling silver sugar
tongs, $3 to $4 : sterling silver candlesticks and
ink pot, $8.50; silver photo frames, $3;
cabinet size, plain sterling silver cardcases to
fit pocket, $5,25 ; sterling silver sauce boats,
$11; sterling silver toast racks (very much
used here), $10; teddy bear baby rattles, $3
to $4 ; gentlemen's cardcases, $6 ; solid silver
tea sets, $40 to $50 ; manicure sets, $10 to $20 ;
.sterling silver christening mugs, $10 to $15 ;
silver mounted cologne bottles, $4; child's
silver cup, $5.50; silver hand mirrors, $8 to
$10; electroplate on nickel-silver afternoon
tea sets, $35; toast racks, $5 to $0; cake or
biscuit dishes, $8.50 ; round, 3-section, vege-
table di.shes (much used), $17 to $20; electro-
plated cake baskets, $10; fruit stands, $8.50.

MERCURY NOTES.

Mercury is rarely used at the present time
f(ir silvering glass and the use of pure silver
lias supplanted it. The old method consisted
(jf pressing an amalgam oi nu-rcury and tin-
fdil on the' glass ami the excess of mercury
became squeezed nut leaving an amalgam of
tin and mercury on the glass. This process
is expensive and dangerous and the silver
process has replaced it. This method con-
sists in flowing a silver solution over the
glass, and allowing it to stand a short tiiue
when the silver will depusit on the glass. The
amount of silver used is so small that the
process is not expensive.

.Ak-rcury forms an amalgam (an alloy of
mercury with another metal) with many
metals but does not amalgamate, under ordi-
nary conditions with iron or platinum.

Mercury is now used to a large extent for
amalgamating battery zincs and renders them
capable of acting more uniformly and readily.
The mercury is either allowed to spread over
the surface by simjile amalgamation, or is
mixed with the molten zinc when it is melted.
The latter is the best and principal method
and about 3 per-cent of mercury is mixed with,
the zinc when it is melted.

[March

119

PLACE AND VALUE OF THE TRADE PAPERS,

BY R. R. SHUMAN,

( Address delivered by Mr. Shuman, the Trade Paper Specialist, Westminster
Building-, Chicag:o, at the fifth annual convention of the Associated Adver-
tising Clubs at Omaha, July 19, marking: the first instance in which
this important feature of the advertising world received so
much as a mention before that g-reat body. — Editor.)

Eloquent speakers who have preceded me
have told of the greatness of our American
industries, and have rightly given to adver-
tising a large measure of credit for our in-
dustrial and comemrcial supremacy.

They have spoken of the daily and weekly
newspapers, the agricultural press, the mag-
azines, the billboards, the street cars, and even
advertising novelties, as the forces that have
played an important part in this wonderful
upbuilding, but they have wholly missed the
greatest force of them all — the trade and
technical press of the country.

It is the trade press — using the term in the
broad sense to include both technical and com-
mercial— it is the trade press that taught and
is teaching our manufacturers the new and
better ways — the short cuts to supremacy —
the new machines and methods that are the
basic secrets of our ability, in spite of high
cost of labor, to compete in all the markets
of the world.

It is the trade press that has placed our
wholesale and retail merchandising methods
so far ahead of those used in an_v other
country on the globe.

It is the trade press that keeps both manu-
facturer and merchant fully posted as to the
supply, demand, movement and market value
of the raw and finished materials they buy and
sell. It is the trade press that is the real fire
under a half million commercial and industrial
boilers.

The information that the trade press gives
alone permits the small manufacturer and
the small merchant to compete on almost
equal terms with the giants who might other-
wise squeeze them out of existence ; and be
it remembered, it is the small merchant and
the small manufacturer — the piled up thou-
sands of them in the aggregate — who furnish
the bulk of the advertising revenue that sup-
ports us all.

$25,000,000 a Year.

I am here as the self-appointed repre-
sentative of 900 trade and technical publica-

tions printed in the United States and circu-
lated wherever the English language is
spoken. How important they are in their re-
lation to advertising may be understood wdien
I tell you that they carry, in the aggregate,
advertising to the amount of at least $25,000,-
000 a year — one eighth of all the advertising
money that is spent for all forms of publicity
in the country — and that these advertisers
"stick" year after year because it pays them
to stick. (Applause.)

A Gold Mine Unworked.

I have bought, sold and written all kinds of
advertising — pasted and printed, indoor and
outdoor, consumer and dealer, technical and
commercial, and I have reached the con-
clusion that there is more real gold as yet un-
mined in the trade press field than in any
other field of advertising endeavor.

Something Like Water Power.

We hear a good deal about the water power
nowadays and "view with alarm" the reported
capture of this hitherto undeveloped force by
some of the financial and industrial giants of
the country.

Yet w^ater power was one of the first powers
used by men, and has been used in a small
way by all nations for various industries since
the dream days before written history began.

Its use, however, has been so sporadic, so
localized, and, in the main, so unskillful that
in more recent times one factory after an-
other abandoned it because they concluded
that "coal was cheaper."

Now, however, when the giants are har-
nessing a well connected series of water
powers to storage batteries and long-distance
transmission the real value of this force is be-
ginning to dawn on the very people who
flouted it.

There is a striking parallel between the
latent power of the advertising pages of the
quite generally neglected trade and technical
press and the story of water power develop-
ment.

To be Continued.

120

March

Ctirrent Metal and Supply Prices.

These Prices are net and are for moderate quantities. Smaller quantities command higher

prices. I'rices subject to fluctuation.

Acetone, pure 98-99% H). .22

Acid, Acetic, pure 30% rb. .(»7

Acid, Arsenious (White Arsenic) .lb. .10

Acid, Benzoic Hd. .•'>!>

Acid, Boracic (Boric), pure lb. .12.

Acid, Hydrochloric, .see Acid, Muriatic.

Acid, Hydrofluoric, 30% n>. .04

Acid, Hvdrolluoric, 50% Ih. .10

Acid, Muriatic, 20° n>. .02

Acid, Muriatic, c. p., 20° Hj. .07

Acid, Nitric, 38° lb. .05%

Acid, Nitric, 40° lb. .05T8

Acid, Nitric, 42° lb. .0GV4

Acid, Nitric, c. p n>. .08

Acid, Sulphuric, 66° lb. .01%

Acid, Sulphuric, c. p 11). .06

Alcohol, Wood gal. .57

Alcohol, Denatured gal. .62

Alum Hi. .04

Aluminum, :Metallic. in Ingots .... IT). .10

Ammonium Sulphate It). .07

Aqua-Fortis. .see Acid. Nitric.
Ammonia Water ( A(iua-Ammonia,

20° Hj. .i>1%

Ammania Water (Aqua-Ammonia),

26° ITj. .O614

Ammonia Water, c. p n>. .oS

Ammonium Carbonate, lump 11). .15

Ammonium Chloride (Sal-Ammoniac )

lb. .12

Ammonium Hydro.sulphuret H). .30

Ammonium Sulphate lb. .06

Ammonium Supliocyanate H). .50

Amyl Acetate gal. 3.50

Antimony Hj. .07 %

Arsenic, Metallic tb- -lo

Arsenic. White (Acid Arsenious) . .Hj. .H>

Argols. White (Cream of Tartar).. m. .31

Asphaltum, Commercial H). .05

Asphaltum, Egyptian (Bitumen . . .W). .30

Benzine .gal. .15

Benzol, Pure gal. .50

Bismuth, Metallic H'. 2.15

Bitumen, see A.splialtum.
Blue-Vitrol, see Copper Sulphate.

Borax, Crystals or Powdered lb. .10

Borax Glass lb. .30

Cadmium. Metallic It). .85

Carbon Bisulphide lb. .10

Calcium Carbonate (Precipitated Chalk)

It). .10

Chrome-Green tb. .50

Copper, Electrolytic lb. 14 14

Copper, Casting IT). 14 Vs

Copper. Sheet It). .20

Copper Wire nom. base Hd. .15 li

Copper Acetate (Verdigris) n>. .3.5

Copper Carbonate, dry lb. .16

Copper Sulphate (Blue-Stone) ....It). .06
Corrosive Sulilimate, see Mercury Bi-
chloride.
Cream-Tartar, see Potassium Bitartarate.

Cryolite It). .12

Cyanide, see Potassium Cyanide.

Dextrin lb. .10

Emery Flour n*. .04

Emery, FF&FFF n>. .03

Flint, powdered tlj. .01

Flour-Spar It). .01 U

Fusel-Oil gal. 3.00

Gold Chloride oz. 11.75

Gold. Pure oz. 20.87

Gum Copal n>. .30

(5um Guiacum tt). .26

Gum Mastic It). .SO

Gum Sandarac lb. .35

Gum .Shellac, brown lb. .50

Gum Shellac, white lb. .60

Iridium oz. 80.00

Iron Perchloride lb. .25

Iron Sulphate (Copperas) lb. .05

Lead Acetate (Sugar of Lead) ....lb. .15

Lead, Pig lb. .04 V^

Lead, Red H). .12

I..ea(l, Yellow Oxide ( Litharge) ... .n>. .12
Liver of Sulphur, see Potassium Sulphide.

Manganese, Ferro, 80% Hd. .10

Manganese, Metallic, pure Tb. .75

Magnesium, Metallic lb. 1.50

Mercury Bichloride (Corrosive Sub-
limate) lb. 1.12

Mercury, Metallic (Quicksilver) .. .lb. .38

Mercury Nitrate lb. 1.50

Mercury Oxide, yellow lb. 1.80

Nickel and Ammonium Sulphate

(r:)ouble Salts) lb. .08^/^

Nickel Carbonate, dry H). .60

Nickel Chloride H). .50

Nickel Metallic m. .45

Nickel Sulphate (Single Salts) lb. .20

Nitre (saltpetre), see Potassium Nitrate.
Oil of Vitriol, see Acid, Sulphuric.

Parafflne lb. .15

Phosphorus, yellow lb. .40

Phosphorus, i-ed lb. 1.10

Pitch lb. .05

Plaster of Paris, Dental .bbl. 4.00

Platinum, soft oz. 43.00 to 44.00

Platinum, hard, 10% oz. 46.00 to 47.50

Platinum, hard, 20% oz. 49.00 to 51.50

Potash-by-AIcohol, in sticks lb. .45

Potash. Caustic lb. .it6

Potassium Bichromate lb. .14

Potassium Bitartarate (Cream of

Tartar) m. .31

Potassium Cyanide Tb. .25

Potassium Iodide lb. 3.15

Potassium Nitrate (Nitre or Salt-
petre) lb. .10

Potassium Permanganate lb. .17

Potassium, Red Prussiate lb. .55

Potassium, Yellow Prussiate Hj. .35

Potassium Sulphide (Liver of Sul-
phur) rt:). .15

Potassium Sulphuret, see Potassium
Sulphide.

Potassium Sulphoc.vanate lb. .lO

Pumice, Ground tb. .05

Quartz, Powdered Vb. .01

Rosin. Yellow Tlj. .08

Sal-Ammoniac, see Ammonium Chloride.
Sal-Soda, see Sodium Carbonate.

Silver Chloride, dry oz. .75

Silver Cyanide oz. 1.00

Silver, Fine oz. .57%

Silver Nitrate, crystals oz. .50

Soda- Ash lb. .05

Sodium Biborate, see Borax

Sodium Bisulphate tli. .15

Sodium Carbonate (Sal-Soda),

crvstals Tb. .02

Sodium Hydrate (Caustic Soda) ..lb. .05
Sodium Hydrate (Caustic Soda) by

Alcohol (in sticks) tb. .45

Sodium Hyposulphite ("Hypo") ..lb. .04

Sodium Metallic lb. .90

Sodium Nitrate lb. .05

Sodium Phosphate lb. .09

Sodium Silicate (Water-Glass) . . . .Tb. .04

Soot. Calcined It). .15

Spelter, see Zinc.

Sugar of Lead, see T..ead Acetate.

Sulphur (Brimstone), in lump Tb. .05

Tin Chloride lb. .43

Tin, Metallic VI)- -35%

Turpentine. Venice Vb. .35

Verdigris, s^e Copper Acetate.

Water, Distilled gal. .15

Water-Glass. see Sodium Silicate.

Wax, Beeswax, yellow lb. .45

Wax. Carnauba Tb. .70

Whiting ((jround Chalk) lb. .02

Zinc, (^arbonate, dry Tb. .12

Zinc, Chloride Vb. .12

■Zinc, Sulphate Tb. .06

Zinc, (spelter) Tb. .

BDA5S WORLD

PLATERS' GUIDE

V01«. X. BR.IDGKPOR.T, CONN., APRIL. . No. 4

A Monthly Journal Devoted to the
Art of Refining, Alloying, Casting, Rolling, Founding and Electro
Plating of all the Non-Ferrous Metals and their Alloys.

Published by the Brass World Publishing Co.,
260 John Street, Bridgeport, Conn.

FOUNDER, ..... ERWIN S. SPERRY

MANAGING EDITOR, . . . . . H. de JOANNIS

Subscription Price $1.00 Per Year. 10 Cents a Copy.
Entered as Second Class Matter in the Post Office at Bridgeport, Conn.

CONTENTS FOR APRIL.

American Chemical Society. Connecticut Valley Section I\Ieets lol

Belt Lacing 128

Better Galvanizing 136

Connecticut Electroplaters, Second Meeting of 129

Copper Mining Industry of Butte. Mont 138

Deposition of Cyanide of Gold on Soft Metal 152

Discussion on Plating Costs 137

Equipment and Maintenance of Plating Establis-hments 130

Gyrating Flame Crucible Burner. The Kroescl»ell-Sch\var/. 159

Iron in Brass 142

Keel Plate of the "Lawley Cup Defender" 132

Milk Shakes Vs. Spelter Shakes 125

News of Our Neighbors 151

Xon-Ferrous .Alloys, Nomenclature of the 133

Personal 14.3

Phosphorus Tin, Preparation of 150

Pickling Machine. The ^vlesta Improved 120

Place and Value of the Trade Papers 163

Pouring IMolten Aletals, Apparatus for 145

Process of Detinning 140

Questions and Answers 146

Recovering Tin, A Xew Method of 1 25

Standardization of Cyanide Solutions 144

Substitute for Clay in Rebabbitting Polishing & Buffing Lathes 145

Tin in Bronze & Compositions. The Determination of 127

Toronto Electroplaters" Exhil)ition 122

Uniting ^letals, Xew ^lethod of 156

Wolverine Brass \\'orks. The Modern Plant of the 123

132

THE BRASB WORLX>

April :

TORONTO ELECTRO - PLATERS' EXHIBITION.

The members of the Toronto brancli, Ameri-
can Electro-Platers' Society, conducted a
social event on Thursday evening, March 2Gth.
, in Occident Hall, Toronto, which was
in every detail a credit to the society and the
craft. The entertainment was preceded by an
exhibition of some very beautiful and skilful
work done by the members and of supplies
used in the various branches of the art. Some
of the principal exhibitors were :

Mr. Emit Nordblom, foreman plater for the
Standard Silverware Co., Toronto. ^Ir.
Nordblom's display consisted of splendid ex-
amples of silver deposit work on glass, also
specimens of metallized non-metallic articles
such as roses, insects, a turkey's foot and lace,
copper electrotypes of beautiful designs and
finish, and relief work from both wax and
plaster mold.

Mr. Robert Dermody, foreman plater for
Roden Bros., silversmiths, Toronto, showed
some wonderful specimens of galvanoplastic
reproduction from wax molds. There were
trophy shields in the various stages of com-
pletion and the master mold bronzed.

Mr. Don Sutherland of 39 Duchess St.,
Toronto, exhibited some very dainty and ar-
tistic panels in relief and finished in lioth
copper and silver.

Mr. John INlagill, foreman plater for the
Standard Sanitary Co.. Toronto, displayed a
line of plumbers' supplies of the latest design
beautifully finished in nickel.

Mr. John Young, foreman plater for the
Fletcher Mfg. Co., Toronto, exhibited several
soda fountain fixtures of rather unusual type,
beautifully finished in silver and nickel with
onyx trimmings. Some of IMr. Young's ar-
ticles consisted of fi.xtures composed of
several metals assembled to form one unit and
plated together at the same time.

An exhibit which attracted great interest
was that of Mr. Robert Anderson, foreman
plater for the Canada h'oundry Co. It con-
sisted of a metallized baby's boot, also an egg
and an apple processed in like manner and a
large panel reproduction of Guido Reni's
"Ascension of Christ", beautifully finished in
antique copper. This piece is truly a study and
an excellent copy. He also showed a small
panel of St. Paul's Cathedral at Rome, and a

coi)per reproduction of the home of his boy-
hood.

Mr. John .\chison showed specimens of
comparative nickel deposits, obtained from
solutions made according to Dr. Adams'
formula and from modern rapid nickel salts,
also samples of the various salts and speci-
mens of barrel plating and ball burnishing.

]\Ir. Ernest Coles, foreman for the Carton
Plating Co., Toronto, exhibited several speci-
mens of electrical fixtures finished in various
attractive and artistic colors.

Through the kindness of Prof. W. Lash
Miller of Toronto University, Mr. J. T. Burt-
Gerrans and ?\Ir. Morrison, who liave acted
as instructors to the A. E. S. class at the
technical school during the past season, were
permitted to exhibit the complete apparatus
used in the laboratory. Furnaces, multi-volt-
meters, shunts, retorts, miniature plating
baths, chemical glassware, analytical balances,
etc., v,-ere seen as in actual use. This exhibit
was a perfect enlightenment to many who were
sceptical as to the possibilities of technical
education for the plater and the result of the
demonstration is sure to bring about beneficial
interest and increased attendance during
future sessions.

Mr. \\ . W. Wells of Toronto exhibited an
exceptioliall^• full line of platers' supplies,
buffs, rlieostats, copper anodes and nickel
anodes which had been bent, twisted, ham-
mered and otlierwise alnised to show their
malleability and freedom from gross im-
purities as well as proving correct casting
conditions. Mr. Wells' exhibit also included
, specimens finished with Celluloid Zapon
lacquer and others liy the Rojas process. The
exhibit was arranged by ~Slr. W. W. Wells, Jr.

The Canadian Hanson & Van Winkle Co..
had a very large and complete exhibit of
plating supplies including nndtipolar dynamos,
mechanical plating apparatus, polishing lathe
hoods, rheostats, volt meters, ammeters,
brushes, polishing compounds, etc. The ex-
hibit was arranged l)y and in charge of ]\Ir.
Rupert C. Bruce, manager of the company.

The space allotted the several exhibits
liroved to be much too small, but everyone
present managed to obtain a view of the
various displavs and hear the explanatory lec-
tures delivered by the respective exhibitors.

^P"' THE BRASS WORUD 123

THE MODERN PLANT OF THE WOLVERINE BRASS
WORKS, ITS HUMAN AND INDUSTRIAL SIDES.

Fresh air and efficiency, light and hygiene
are characteristic of. and identified with the
new, large plant of the Wolverine Brass
Works, Grand Rapids, Mich. The square
deal basis associated with this company's
tradings has been applied to their employees
since their beginning as a small and com-
paratively unknown concern fifteen or sixteen
years ago. With the building of the new
plant it has been possible to develop and bring
to fruition ideas and policies tending to the
betterment and welfare of their servants,
which have been in embryo for a long time,

The entire fifth floor of the building is de-
voted to means for social enjoyment and
recreation : a large hall with a splendid floor
being the scene of frequent dances that are
attended by the "Wolverines", their families
and friends. Indoor baseball has many
votaries and some exciting games are played
in the same hall by picked teams from the
various departments. A gymnasium, parlors,
showers, etc., are also found on this floor.

The means for giving health and pleasure
to the employees received as much attention

General View of the Brass Foundry.

waiting the opportunity to be established.

The value of the personal equation is
recognized at its full by Messrs. L. A. and H.
C. Cornelius, respectively President and
Secretary-Treasurer of this institution, under
whose auspices it has reached its present
growth and recognition as one of the fore-
most manufactories of plumbers' brass goods
in the countrv.

and personal supervision as the huilding of
any part of the factory or machinery, and this
statement means considerable, for in no detail
in connection with either the structure or its
equipment has expense or effort been spared
to produce efficiency, insure safety and
modernize methods to the latest accepted and
recognized standards of excellence and in-
dustrial economics.

124

THE BRASS WORI^

April

The buildings are of solid reinforced con-
crete construction, free from vibration ; steel
sash occupying- the entire space between the
columns secures the maximum amount of
light, and the plant is served by three auto-
matic electric push-button control elevators.
The 500-h. p. boilers are fired by automatic
stokers; coal being furnished by electric self
dumping buckets, handling 1,000 pounds each.
Automatic regulators control the water supply
to boilers, insuring a constant water level
while bucket conveyors dispose of the ashes.
Everything in the power plant is in duplicate
to insure constant operation.

furnaces deliver as many tons of metal per
day as may be required, and next to the fur-
nace room we find the metal room, which is
supplied with hydraulic briquetting machines,
operating up to 4,000 pounds pressure, and
which are used to form copper clippings and
wire into crucible shape. In a corner of l*ie
metal room is the laboratory where samples
of each heat are tested to check mixtures.
The overhead trolley system handles all metal.
Castings are cleaned with sand-blast tumbling
barrels, and all the sweepings and refuse are
turned over to the connecting reclaiming de-
partment. The work is so routed that it

A Portion of the Copper Float Department.

The float department is equipped with
double-action presses, with automatic roll
feed, and set-back counting devices for re-
cording the numlier of pieces operated upon.
The machines in tlic turret lathe department
are equipped with air chucks and the latest
type of under-cut and over-shot forming tools.
On this floor will be found the inspection and
testing departments, where castings are tested
before and after machining.

In the foundry good ventilation is secured
by steel truss roof construction, allowing of
high ceilings, and by the installation of a large
number of -iS-in. ventilators. Two forced-
draft coke furnaces and six oil-fuel crucible

passes in a constant stream in one direction
until delivered in the stock rooms adjoining
the shipping department, which has its own
private elevator, from which goods are loaded
directly on the trucks without rehandling.

The private office of the factory manager is
at the left of the entrance on the main floor,
and in close proximity are the city sales, cost
keeping, time-keeping and drafting depart-
ments. The latter is equipped with electric
blue-printing machines. On this same floor,
and Cduvenient to the superintendent's office are
the designing department and tool room, which
occupy .T.OOO square feet of floor space.

April

THE BRASS \VORl-J3

135

The entire fourth floor is devoted to the
polishing, buffing and plating departments.
Each section of shafting is driven by a
separate motor. The current for the plating
tanks is supplied by directly connected motor-
generating sets of six and twelve volts, — the
high voltage being used for the large number
of mechanical plating machines. This depart-
ment handles the work supplied by over one
hundred polishers and buffers, and also ball-
burnishing machines.

The general offices on the second floor con-
tain the tw^o connecting private offices of the
president and secretary, and the glass-incased
offices of the department heads. Modern
time-and-labor saving office equipment is in-
stalled and both specifically and generally
everything possible has been done in this de-
partment to make the surroundings pleasant
and conducive to accuracy and efficiency.

The national and foreign demand for the
products of the Wolverine Brass Works keeps
the plant at high pressure, and forty-six sales-
men are employed in the United States and
Canada. The policy of manufacturing nothing
but high grade and guaranteed merchandise
has deservedly won the universal recognition
enjoyed by this concern, and it is a measure
of gratification to its officers to. know that al-
ready the}- own real estate contiguous to their
present buildings.

A NEW METHOD OF
RECOVERING TIN.

MILK SHAKES VS. SPELTER
SHAKES.

Enoch J. White, foreman of the Elm City
Brass & Rivet Co., Plainville, Conn., and
known to the brass casting fraternity as
"Jack" White, is positive that sweet milk is a
sure preventative of spelter shakes. Mr.
White is 46 years old and has been employed
in brass foundries for 30 years, casting yellow
brass most of the time. When he finds the
slightest sign of spelter shakes coming on,
his practice is to take a glass of sweef milk,
and he always finds instant relief. As far as
we know the idea is original, the remedy
available from every neighbor's cow, and is
worthy of being given a trial by all brass
casters who may suffer from spelter-shake
troubles.

The limited output of tin has led to nu-
merous inventions for the recovery of tin
from more or less oxidized tin and tin alloys.
In the winning of the commercial metal from
tin-plate scrap, a mixture of tin oxide and
finely divided tin is produced, which it is
difficult to convert into marketable tin.

In an improved method of recovering tin
invented by William Hoskins of Chicago, a
furnace is used consisting of an upright
chamber equipped with tuyeres at dift'erent
levels, these tuyeres having valves for regulat-
ing the supply of air at the various levels.

The furnace is charged with carbon to a
level above the uppermost tuyeres. By means
of the valves the air supply is so regulated
that although the carbon is kept incandescent
throughout, the temperature increases with
the height of the level. The metal and oxide
fed into the top of the furnace are first re-
duced in the upper hottest zone and melted,
the molten metal running down through zones
gradually diminishing in temperature, which
keep it in a liquid condition, without causing
oxidation. The metal thus formed escapes
through an opening in the lower end of the
furnace and is collected in a basin or float.

The purest form of nickel is produced by
depositing nickel electrolytically. It contains
no carbon, and is used for making the high-
est grades of German silver, where purity and
malleability are essential.

126

THE BRASS >VORiX>

Al)ril

THE MESTA IMPROVED
PICKLING MACHINE.

B}' pickling- is meant the removal of scale
from the surface of metals by treatment with
acid. To obtain a unifcu'm action over the
whole surface, the acid or the metal must be
kept in constant motion. This agitation,
which was formerly secured by hand, is in
most modern plants performed by machinery.
The standard machine in America for this
purpose is the i\lesta pickling machine, made

Efficient Pickling with Mechanical Agitation.

by the Mesta Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.,
who have lately effected improvements in their
machine leading to greater economy and
efficiency.

The macliine. as will lie seen from the il-
lustrations, consists of a number nf arms ra-
diating from a central plunger, and carrying
sus])ended acid-proof crates. Steam pressure
is used to lift the plunger, and it descends by
gravity. To obtain best results with pickling
machines, it has been found necessary to
move the tiiaterial tlir(iugh the acid with a
pre-determined velocity and a slight jar at the
end of each downstroke. the latter movement
separating the sheets of metal so as to allow
the acid to penetrate thoroughly. In the
fiesta machine, this is secured by a valve
mechanism which controls the velocity of the
downward stroke and the degree of sudden-
ness of the jar at the end. These adjust-
ments made, no further attention to the valves
is needed during the remainder i.f the ripera-
tiiin, and skilled labor lieconies unnecessar\-.

To raise the crates from the va.s, a lever is
depressed, admitting steam into the cylinder,
and lifting the crates out of the acid ready
for turning into a new position. .Another
move of the lever exhausts the steam, lower-
ing the crates again into the vats, and pickling
is resumed.

In the new type of machine, no foundation
bolts are used, the cylinder being imbedded in
concrete. This is an advantage, as the nuts
and bolts are soon attacked by acid, causing
instability to the machine. A large surface is
presented to the concrete for adhesion, as-
sisted by several ribs radiating from the
cylinder. The piston rod is also afforded pro-
tection by this construction of the cylinder.

Economy in the operation of these machines
has been eftectcd by a reduction of the steam
consumption. By filling the bottom cyinder
and the interior of the piston rod with com-
pressed ;dr, most of the dead weight of the
machine can be balanced, so that a much
smaller quantity of steam is required for lift-
ing the load in the crates. Given the quantity
of material to be pickled, the steam consump-
tion per hour can be calculated.

Ill operation the sheets of metal are
thoroutihl}- cleaned by the condjined action of
the acid and the loosened scale. The con-
stant agitation of the acid prevents the for-

Sectional ^Elevation Showing Base Casting in Concrete,

niation of acid layers of different densities,
which cause unevenness in the cleaning of the
metal. It will also be readily understood that
one crateful of material may be washed while
another is being pickled, and in the case of a
four arm machine, using three vats, thrc-
sinndtaneous operations may lie carried on.

y\pril

127

THE DETERMINATION OF TIN IN BRONZE AND

COMPOSITIONS.

BY RANDOLPH ROLLING.

Although the results obtained by older
methods are perhaps sufficiently near the
truth for some purposes, it is always desira-
ble to adopt new methods of chemical analy-
sis which are accurate, if at the same time
greater accuracy can be secured with an ex-
penditure of less time on the analysis.

In the analysis of copper-tin alloys the
usual course of procedure is to dissolve the
alloy in nitric acid and evaporate to pastiness
or dryness on a water bath or hot plate. The
mass is extracted with warm dilute nitric
acid, and the oxide of tin filtered off. This is
well washed with dilute nitric acid and hot
water to remove the copper, zinc, lead. etc.
The tin oxide is ignited and weighed. In
using this old method in the estimation of tin
in commercial alloys, the writer has never
been able to obtain a precipitate which was
white after ignition. All the ignited precip-
itates varied from yellow to yellowish red,
whatever precautions were taken in the evap-
oration of the solution of the alloy in nitric
acid. The method of evaporation to dryness
on the hot plate gave worse results in this
respect than the water bath evaporation.

The color is due to iron and copper oxides
ivhich persistently cling to the tin oxide even
after the most careful washing of the precipi-
tate with warm dilute nitric acid and hot
•water, which has been recommended for years
past in standard textbooks. The nitric acid
fails to free the precipitate from all of the
copper and iron, and herein lies the grave
defect of this old method, as no amount of
conscientious washing will get them out.
Kence the copper and iron may be reported
too low and the tin too high, inasmuch as
a proportion of the iron present is classed as
tin.

Ibbotson and Aitchison report a new
method.! which they state overcomes this
grave defect in the old method. They made
use of the work of Jannasch and Biedmann*
who showed that copper could be precipitated
quantitatively in the metallic form by hydra-
zine sulphate or hydrochloride, while tin in
the stannic condition remains in solution

i-Chemical News. Vol. lOT. No. 2TS0.
*Ber., . p. 631.

under similar treatment. Their method was
to proceed as follows :

0..i gram of the drillings is dissolved in 10
to l.j cubic centimetres of aqua regia, and the
solution diluted with an equal volume of
water. A solution of sodium hydrate is added
until most of the free acid is neutralized
without the formation of a precipitate, and
the mixture is then heated to boiling. In a
large flask 20 grams of sodium hydrate are
dissolved in about 300 cubic centimetres of
water, and this solution is also heated to boil-
ing, whereupon 2 to 3 grams of hydrazine
hydrochloride are added to it. The mixture
of copper and stannic chlorides is now slowly
dropped into the large flask, care being exer-
cised to shake well after every little addition,
and the solution is kept vigorously boiling all
the while.

The copper is precipitated as the metal, with
previous but momentary fijrmation of cu-
prous oxide. The mixture is digested for
about 15 minutes and after the vigorous evo-
lution of gas subsides, the copper is filtered
oft', and washed well with hot water. The fil-
trate containing the tin in solution is next
subjected to a rapid stream of hydrogen sul-
phide gas to precipitate the tin as stannic sul-
phide and this is then ignited to oxide and
weighed as usual. The use of hydrazine salts
to make this separation is decidedly new and
the method is very rapid of execution.

On trying this method out against standard-
ized samples, however, not much gain in ac-
curacy was noted, as the trouble of low cop-
per and high tin results still obtained, so that
although a new reagent was used the results
were scarcely more accurate than with the
older method.

Later an entirely new method introducing
a most decided improvement was proposed by
\V. Gemmell.J who took advantage of the fact
that tin oxide is soluble in nitro-sulphuric
acid. On this important discovery an ex-
tremely accurate method is presented and one
which has been found to give extremely ac-
curate results in the determination of tin. In
fact it is the only method that will give the

tJournal of the Society of Chemical Industry,
No. 11, Vol. XXXII.

128

THE BRASH WORLD

April

tin oxide entirely free from contamination
with copper and iron. The method is as fol-
lows : —

For analysis, 2 grams of the alloy is dis-
solved in a mixtnre of 10 cubic centimetres
of nitric acid, sp. gr. 1.42, and 10 cubic centi-
metres of sulphuric acid, sp. gr. 1.84 and 30
cubic centimetres of distilled water. This at-
tacks the alloy with vigor, the copper and tin
being completeh- dissolved.

Tlie solution is then boiled to expel oxides
of nitrogen, and after cooling, is diluted with
50 cubic centimetres of cold distilled water,
and electrolyzed.

For this, I use a Xo. 3 beaker of the usual
form with pouring lip. a platinum gauze cyl-
inder for cathode, and a coiled Xo. 12 plati-
num wire for anode. A small glass tube is
used to bubble a constant stream of air
through the solution during electrolysis.
which proceeds in about 50 minutes using 4
amperes at about 4 volts. With 8 amperes
the copper is removed in 30 minutes. When
the copper is all deposited, washing with
water must be avoided and the following
method adopted. The electrodes are lifted
from the electrolytic beaker witli the current
on, and then plunged into another X'o. 3
beaker of usual form containing 2 per cent,
sulphuric acid. The circuit is now broken,
the cathode removed and washed with water,
alcohol and ether, dried at 212 deg. F. and
weighed.

The tin in the electrolytic solution remain-
ing after removing the copper is next to be
determined. The colorless solution, contain-
ing the tin, is now transferred together with
the electrode washings to a X'o. 6 Grififin
beaker, diluted to a bulk of 500 cubic centi-
metres with hot water and the solution boiled
vigorously for 30 minutes. The tin oxide is
allowed to settle before being filtered. The
precipitate obtained is usually in a fine state
of division, and requires to be filtered
through a double Swedish filter paper. The
precipitate is washed upon the filter with a 1
per cent, solution of nitric or sulphuric acid,
and dried and ignited in a porcelain crucible
with the usual precautions.

The filtrate may now be used for the deter-
mination of iron and other metals which may
be present.

The tin oxides obtained by ignition by this
method were snow white, and never in any
case was a sign of color noticed even when

as high as O.s per cent, of iron was present.

I can recommend this method after trying
it out against standardized alloys, and I have
used it in routine work for about a year with
perfect success.

BELT LACING.

A good deal of expense and trouble is
caused in polishing and buffing departments,
through the breaking of belts, and especially
the main belt leading from the motor to the
main shaft. Frequently the entire department
is shut down until the break is repaired.

The illustration shows a rather unusual
style of belt lacing. Although it appears
odd, it is very serviceable and durable. This
lacing should only be used on belts 8 inches
or more in width as it is too elaborate for

A
B

small belts. However, after lacing a few
joints, it will be found possible to make this
belt joint about as rapidly as the ordinary
types. The unique feature of this lacing lies
in its being the same on both sides of the
belt. Since it contains angles and triangles,
some v.'ill claim that it is useless and that
all lacing should be straight on the pulley
side. I made the same remark and thought it
would not be practicable, but I have found
that I was wrong and have never seen one
that has not given satisfaction. I have
adopted it on an air compressor belt that has
proved successful where other styles have
given trouble.

There are five holes at the back and only
tour at the front edge, which is directly op-
posite to the usual practice. The lacing is
started at the center (see illustration) and
finished at F on each side. Holes, A, B, C, D,
and E are laced once more, then if all the
other holes are double-laced the holes men-
tioned are laced two or three ply. It is said
tliat when well hammered with a wooden
mallet, the joint will run smoothly and out-
wear anv straight-laced styles.

April

129

SECOND MEETING OF CONNECTICUT ELECTROPLATERS.

The electroplaters of Connecticut are en-
thusiastic in their adoption of the spirit of
association. Tiiis was shown at the second
meeting of the newly formed Society of
Connecticut Electro-platers, held on March
23rd., at the ''Brass World" office, 260 John
St., Bridgeport, Conn. At about 8 p. m., when
the president, W. G. Stratton, called tlie meet-
ing to order, there was an attendance of
thirty, and there were a few late arrivals.
After the secretary, Nelson Barnard, had
read the minutes of the last meeting, the
president called on Geo. B. Hogaboom, of
New Britain, Conn., supreme president of the
American Electro-platers' Society, to address
the gathering.

Mr. Hogaboom commenced by congratulat-
ing those present on their enterprise in form-
ing such a large and representative associa-
tion. He gave the chief object of their society
as being to help the individual by free ex-
change of views, and showed how it differed
from most trade organizations in absolutely
prohibiting the discussion of such questions as
wages and hours of labor.

The speaker then told of the history of
the society. It was founded at Astor House,
New York, on April 1st., , under the
title of the National Electro-Platers' Associa-
tion. Shortly afterwards they were approach-
ed by the American Federation of Labor, and
urged to affiliate with them. This they re-
fused to do, not from any sense of hostility
to that body, but because they felt that the
spirit and purpose of the society were more in
harmony with those of the various scientific
societies. As an instance of the benefits de-
rived from membership, INIr. Hogaboom men-
tioned that in the early days of the society a
plater who had been working for tw^o months
to get a certain finish, finally obtained it freely
through the society, from a member who had
exhibited it at one of the meetings.

The speaker showed what was being done
by the various branches in the direction of
evolving scientific methods in electroplating,
and particularly instanced Toronto as being
most progressive, with a $2,000 laboratory and
technical school. Other branches were or-
ganizing chemical classes, and keeping in
close touch with many of the greatest scientists
in the country. He mentioned that a cordial

invitation had been extended to electroplaters
to attend the sessions of the American Elec-
tro-Chemical Society's convention, at New
York, from April 16 to 18 w^hen several elec-
troplating matters are to be discussed and as-
sured the meeting of the benefits to be ob-
tained b\' attending.

^Ir. Hogaboom thoroughly explained the
condition of membership of the American
Electro-platers' Society, and explained how
the high tone of the society was being upheld
by the restriction of membership to foreman
platers, chemists connected with electroplat-
ing, and representatives for two years at least,
of plating supply houses. He stated that the
society now has 700 members, and that if
they formed a Bridgeport branch, it would be
the fourteenth branch of the organization.

For his interesting and helpful speech, Mr.
Hogaboom was accorded a rising vote of
thanks. The meeting was then thrown open
for discussion. Questions were answered
which cleared the subject of membership
qualifications. Mr. Hogaboom giving forth
the dictum "Once a foreman plater, always a
foreman plater, for membership purposes."

It was agreed to apply to the American
Electro-platers' Society for a temporarj- char-
ter and a petition to that effect was drawn up,
and signed by the majority of those present.

While this was being done, several questions
of interest to platers were discussed, the sec-
retary. Nelson Barnard, opening with an ac-
count of how he had overcome the difficulty
of spotting-out, by means of a hot dip. Mr.
Hogaboom followed by showing how pitting
in nickel solutions may be prevented by having
the solution only sufficiently acid to deposit
the metal. He also gave the cause of the
deposition of iron in nickel baths as being air
in the solution, introduced through motion of
the latter.

At 9 :.30, ^Ir. Hogaboom left for his train,
and the society discussed the time and place
of the next meeting. It was agreed to meet
at the "Brass World" office, at a time to be
arranged after the issuing of the temporary
charter. A rising vote of thanks was given
to Mr. de Joannis for his courtesy in allowing
the use of the room, and the meeting then ad-
journed.

130

April

EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF PLATING

ESTABLISHMENTS,^^

BY WM. J. SCHNEIDER. NEW YORK CITY.

Despite tlic growing sentiment against after
dinner talks in favor of cabarets and tango
exhibitions, I cannot but feel that at functions
of this character, where the interests of each
and everyone of us are so closely connected,
that a few words from different members
apropos of their special Hues, are not at all
amiss. I am grateful, therefore, to the chairman,
for affording me an opportunity of expressing
my individual views, and will make the best of
it, by calling to }our altentiim a matter wliich
I am sure is of deep concern to all of us. I
refer to the equipment and maintenance of the
plating establishiiients in the different fac-
tories throughcHit the territory. My business
for the past few years has given me an excel-
lent opportunity to sec for m\self the con-
ditions under wliicli many n\ our fellow-
workmen are obliged to l.'ilmr.

Tt is rather liard to understand wiiy the
average manufacturer, no matter how pro
gressive he may be, does not give the plating;
department the attention this very imoortant
branch requires. You all know that the
average manufacturer will not hesitate for a
moment to throw out his entire coniplemen!
of machinery to substitute new'cr and more
u])-to-date types which will cut down the cost
of the manufacture of his product, in this
line he is entirely satisfied to overlook the
first cost as long as he has satisfied himself.
in his own mind, that this additional e.^:-
pense will be justified in ultimately decreasing
the cost of production rir increasing the out-
put.

The same is true of raw material. Tlie
founder specifies certain grades of metal, and
he gets it — iie specifies the use of alloys which
will im])rove the texture of the castings and
reduce rejections to a minimum. Only the
plating department has been neglected. You
all know of plants, or you may have even ex-
perienced this yourself, in which recommenda-
tinns from the plating department are ignored.
In the last two years. I have had occasion to
visit some of tlie largest plating plants in the

*Reacl before the Xew York and Newark
branches of tlie American Electro-Platers'
Association in convention at New York Cit>-.
Feb. 21. . 'Sir. Schneider Ijeing chairman
of the banciuet committee.

country and ha\e been impressed with this
woful neglect. I know of one instance where
the i)later has at least a dozen times re-
(juisitioned that a rheostat be installed, and
the request has ju.st as often been refused,
but still tliis manufacturer expected 100%
efliciency from his plating department.

The same is true of the chemicals which
are put at the disposal of the plater. He is
expected to obtain results with inferior ma-
terial, mitwithstanding his protests, but the
time has now arri\ed when the plater and
the department in his charge nnist come into
their uwn.

The first step in this direction was taken
last spring" at the meeting of the American
Electro-Chemical Society, at Atlantic City,
at which time a number of our members were
in joint session with that society. Electro-
plating was discussed to the exclusion of all
other matters. This is the first time that the
engineer and the chemist recognized the
plater as a professional man. and it is only to
I>e hoped that this feeling of cooperation will
continue to grow. But to come back to my
iiriginal theme — the fact that the plater has
been ignored is, in a w-ay, his own fault. He
has not been as progressive as he might have
been and he lias not looked with favor upon
products which have been put on the market
for his use. He has been willing to go along
in a rut until this rut has worn so deeply that
it threatened to engulf him, and it was not
until this society was formed that the plater
was made to realize that he occupied an im-
])ortant place in the Narimis industries of to-
day.

Take, for instance, in the chemical line
all inc. he has for _\ears been satisfied to work
with m;iterials the ingredients of which he did
not kniiw. and often did not care to know. I
am indeed sorry to say that this condition has
caused the unscrupulous dealer in chemicals
to take ad\;intage of the plater by adulterat-
ing and mislabelling the various chemicals as
i)ut on the market. I need hardly say, a
tlKM-oughly reliable and responsible concern
woidd not stoop to such methods, but that it
h;is been done, only proves once more that
the plater nuist take a more active interest in

April

THE BRASS W^ORLD

131

what he buys and where he buys. In buying
he must consider quality and purity rather
than price. It is easy to understand that
adulterated articles can be sold cheaper than
the standard product conforming to the
United States Pharmacopia requirements and
labelled accordingly. More and more the ef-
ficient engineer is looking into the plating
problems from a technical standpoint, making
recommendations whicj-; the plater should
not ignore. Of course, a purely technical
man may make suggestions which you and I
as practical men know will not be entirely
feasible in actual practice. I do not, for one
instant, wish to state that the technical man
can displace us, but I wish to impress upon
each of you the necessity of being good
listeners. We must not shrug our shoulders
and talk disparagingly of what the technical
man has to say ; we should absorb these .sug-
gestions and either prove or disprove them
in actual practice. In this way there will be
a more harmonious relationship between us
and the theorist, and the practical man will
come in for his share of consideration.

Our company, anticipating the evoluti(jn of
the i)lating art, has installed and main-
tains a research laboratory which has given
a good share of its time to the study of
the plating industry and its needs, and has
adopted the slogan, 'Tnrity First", and this
should be the maxim of every plater and
every manufacturer of chemical products. It
is to be hoped that this movement will grow
from year to year so that the plating industry
may be put on a firmer and sounder basis.
Thi.s, primarily, has been the aim of the
American Electro-Platers' Society, and that
it has met with the approval of the practical
man, is best shown by the constant growth
of our organization.

CONNECTICUT VALLEY SECTION

OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL

SOCIETY MEETS-

The Connecticut Valley section of the
American Chemical Society held its monthly
meeting on April 4th at 8 p. m., in the
Rathskeller of the Hotel Heublein, Hartford.
Conn. A profitable hour was spent in pre-
liminary greeting and chemical chats, and sup-
per was served at 7 p. m.

The meeting commenced with a reading of
the minutes of the last meeting by Secretary'

Gilligan. These were approved. The appli-
cation of one new active member and three
new associate members was announced. The
report. of the Nominating Committee was pre-
sented by Air. Farrell. The names listed by
this committee will be voted upon at the May
meeting. A rising voting of thanks was ten-
dered to Secretary Gilligan for his faithful
and conscientious service during the past
three years.

It was announced that the May meeting
would be honored by the presence of Secretary
Parsons of the American Chemical Society. It
is expected that this meeting on May 9th, will
ensure a good attendance for the successful
crowning of a year's work. The place of
meeting will be announced at a later date.

Dr. H. C. Emerson, the president of the
Connecticut Valley branch, then called upon
George B. Hogaboom, the supreme president
of the Ameriean Electro-platers' Society, to
give a talk on "The Products of '-Silver De-
posit Work". This was exceeding iistructive
and basic in presentment, and was made ad-
ditionally valuable by the exhibition of nu-
merous samples. These portrayed in an effec-
tive way the evolution of the art of silver
deposition from its infancy. Mr. Hogaboom
thoughtfully presented examples of faulty
deposition and explained the basic causes. A
special vote of thanks was given to Mr.
Hogaboom for his instructive contribution to
the societ}''s knowledge. -

A carefully prepared paper on a most vital
topic was then presented by James A. New-
lands, Hartford, Comi., his subject being
"Pollution of Inland and Tidal Waters". The
removal of human wastes has become a pro-
blem of first importance owing to the conges-
tion obtaining through the rapid growtii of
our towns and cities. It is only by the ex-
treme vigilahce of plumbing inspectors, sani-
tary engineers and boards of health that dis-
astrous epidemics are avoided. Mr. New-
lands' paper outlined existing methods of pre-
vention of water contamination and suggested
lines of progress in the future. A vote of
thanks having been given to him for his ex-
cellent address, the meeting adjourned.

The Austin Co. has been incorporated to
manufacture jewelry and novelties. The
capitalization is $10,000. The incorporators
are Edward H. Ziegler, Frank Steere and
Washington R. Prescott.

y^o April

THE KEEL PLATE OF THE ''LAWLEY CUP DEFENDER."

The accompanying photograpli shows the
keel plate of the "Lawley Cup Defender"
which was recently cast in tlic foundry of the

through shrinkage. This dilticulty was over-
come, however, and a perfect casting was the

result.

Large Casting by the Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation, Quincy, Mass.

h'ore River Sliipl)uil(lin,s4 dirporatioii. A cas-
ual glance at the picture hardly gives one an
idea of the actual size of this casting. In
reality it is thirty feet long, and about thirty
inches wide, the thickness varying from y» in.

A specialty ^

to 1 in. It is cast of manganese bronze, in a
green sand mold and weighs about lb.
While the mold was under construction it was
predicted by many, that on account of its
unusual length, the casting would be lost

In the rolling of refractory metals such as
tungsten, if great care is not exercised, and if
the operation is not slowly performed longi-
tudinal cracks appear on the metal.

Marcello von Pirani, Wilmersdorf, Ger-
many, in a recent invention, overcomes this
defect by heating the material at the point
where the crack occurred, immediately after
its appearance, to such a temperature that it
sinters producing a uniform surface and be-
having like new unrolled metal. The heat-
ing takes place in an atmosphere of hydrogen,
and is effected by the electric current, the
metal serving as one electrode and another
electrode being moved over the place to be
melted.

April 133

NOMENCLATURE OF THE NON-FERROUS ALLOYS.'-

Part II.

BY C. P. KARR. f

J 11 order to arrive at a better understanding
of the matter and to simplify the suggestions
to be olifered for a rational classification, it is
necessary to furnisli a few definitions which
will explain the scope of the proposed tenta-
tive system of nomenclature.

Bronze may be defined as a two-component
alloy, consisting of copper and tin in variable
proportions, but in which copper is the chief
component with a suggested toleration of one
per cent of other metals.

Brass may be defined as a two-component
alloy consisting of copper and zinc in variable
proportions, but in which copper is the chief
component with a suggested tolerance of one
per cent of other metals.

Composition is an alloy of copper with two
or more other metals in variable proportions,
but in which copper is the chief component.
The chief minor constituent ser\'es to give
tlie titular and qualifying name to the compo-
sition. Where two of the metals are of equal
percentage composition, the element which
adds the most valuable property to the alloy
will serve to give the combination its qualify-
ing title. Thus, an alloy of 7G% copper, 12%
tin and 12% zinc might be called a bronze
composition, or an alloy of 80% copper, 10%
lead" and 10% aluminum might be called an
aluminum composition. It is certainly neither
a bronze nor a brass.

There are a number of terms which make
a logical classification difficult because such
names have acquired a certain permanency by
reason of established usage, but almost all of
them may be assigned to their places in the
above tentative scheme, if \ve accept" the sug-
gestion offered by Dr. Rosenhain to the In-
stitute of Metals of Great Britain in January
. If we regard alloys fundamentally as
binary alloys the matter of arrangement is
simplified. To make his suggestion adaotable

*From the Transactions of American In-
stitute of Metals, .

tAssociated Physicist Bureau of Standards,
Pittsburgh, Pa.

to a large field of alloys, it would be feasible
to consider the two chief components of any
alloy as the binary unit and consider the
other components subservient to them as in
reality they would be in the majority of po.s-
sible combinations. The word cupro, is dis-
tinctive and might be applied where most ap-
l)ropriate, especially where it may seem neces-
sary to be more precise or definitive.

Even the much abused term "aluminum-
bronze" is a case in point. -Xs used, of
course, it is a misnomer, but there could be
no confusion in calling any of the aluminum
copper compounds, cupro aluminum alloys or
compositions, it being understood in such a
connection that the word "alloy" implies a
binary compound, just as we refer to cupro-
silicon, cupro-vanadium, cupro-titanium al-
loys and others. The same suggestion is off-
ered for the binary metalloid combinations
such as phosphor-copper, etc. Phosphor-
bronze is a term that is an exception to the
proposed classification. In this case the minor
constituent dominates and establishes the
name. A conventional system of numbering
if universally adopted would be highly advan-
tageous to both consumer and maker, especial-
h' in the phosphorus and silicon compoinids.

In the so-called white metals we have a
term that is almost generic in its application
and may be made general by bearing in n:ind
certain fundamental distinctions. If we de-
fine a white metal alloy as a binary alloy of
white metals which are the chief components,
to which other metals may be added in vari-
able proportions, we shall produce an alloy
whose dominating color is white or nearly so,
a distinctive property. We may embrace in
such a classification almost every known v/hite
metal alloy or combination excepting the
cupro-nickel alloys, but by our definition they
would be excluded because the two chief
components of the nickel silver compositions
are not white metals. Generally speaking a
white metal alloy would be a binary combi-
nation of two white metals, a white metal
composition would be a combination in v.'hich
tin, zinc, aluminum, lead or antimony, or any
two of them is the chief component, when

134

THE BRASS WORLD

April 191-1

three or more elements are united together.
In the class of white metal alloys and com-
positions there may be further subdivisions
which arc likewise recognized as Britannia
metal, pcwlors, fusible metals, solders and
amalgams.

Britannia metal is an alloy cliielly ui tin
and antimon\' with some lead and sonu-liines
minor additions of other metals. Pewter is
chiefly an alloy of tin and lead with other
metals sometimes added in small quantities.
Fusible metals arc distinguished from other
white metals by their own chief characteris-
tic, viz: fusibility. Soft solders are alloys of
tin, lead and other metals. Hard solders are
not necessarily white metals and as a rule take
the suffix of the alloy to which they are ap-
plied, such as brass-solder, aluminum solder,
etc. The noble metals follow the same
binary arrangement, any two of the noble
metals alloyed together would be called alloys,
any three would place them in the composition
class, according to their chief minor com-
ponent. The trade-marked alloys might be
maintained as they arc now used, provided
the names of brass or bronze were not tacked
on to them for such a procedure would fur-
nish a misleading designation. Special names
might be preserved such as Delta Metal.
Muntz Metal, Pinchbeck, etc., so long as no
other distinctive metal term is subjoined to
give them a spurious significance. Amalgams
form a class by themselves and are known to
be liquid alloys or plastic combinatioiis of
one or more metals with mercury. It would
simplify the meaning of such terms if the
metal combined with the mercury were to be
named first, such as sodium-amalgam, etc.,
in order to give the consumer a distinct under-
standing of what he is using.

The tentative scheme of classification sug-
gested may be summarized as follows :

Bronze — A copper-tin binary alloy with
copper as the chief component.

Brass — A copper-zinc binary alloy with cop-
per as the chief component.

Composition — An alloy of two or more
metals with copper as the chief component.
Sub-divisions :

Bronze composition, a binary alloy of cop-
per and tin with one or more other vari-
able components but in which tin is the
chief minor component, or furnishes the
compound with its most important physi-
cal property.

Brass composition, a binary alloy of copper
and zinc, combined with one or more
other variable components, but in which
zinc is the chief minor com]i(incnt.

Lead composition, and aluiiiinuni and other
compositions follow the same general
suggestion.

\\ bite metal alloys — A binary combination
of any two white metals.

While metal compt)sitif)n — A binary alloy
of two white metals, combined with one
or more other variable minor components,
such as Britannia, Pewters, Fusible metals
and soft solders.

Antifriction and Hearing-metals.

May be divided inlo two or three classes,
according to their composition. The
white bearing or aiUi friction metals arc
all cither while metal alloys or composi-
tions, all others are either brasses or
bronzes or their corresponding con)posi-
tions.

Noble Metal Alloys — I'inary combinations
of the noble metals.

Noble Metal Compositions — Binary alloys of
the noble metals in combination with
one or more other noble or base metals
as minor components.

Amalgams — Alloys of nn rcurv with vari
ous luetals.

Special Alloy.s — Alloys known by distinctive
names, yet, by their composition may be
placed in one of the above groups.

Trade Names — Alloys whose names .are
trade-marked, yet may be classified in
one of the above groups if their compo-
sition be known.

Binary Alloys, exclusive of lironzc and
brass, may be placed in ;i class by them-
selves, the chief constituent forming the
qualifying title, such as cupro-vanadinm,
cupro-tungsten, etc.

IMiscellaneous and Misnomers — All of tlic
so-called nickel-silver alloys may be
classified as cupro-nickel alloys or compo-
sitions according to the number of con-
stituents they possess.
.-\ few examples may be cited to illustrate
tlie ajiplication of the above tentative classi-
fication with some agreements and co'.iflict
with present day practice.

Gun bronze, or 90% copper and 10% tin is
a true bronze.

April Htit

THE BRASS WORLJD

135

Government metal, or 88% copper, 10% tin
and 2% zinc is a bronze composition.

Mnntz i\letal, or 60% copper and 40% zinc,
is a true brass, known in the trade as a yellow
brass.

Red metal, or 70% copper, 20%; zinc, G%,
lead and 4% tin, is a brass composition.

Bell metal, or 80% copper and 20% zinc,
is a true bronze.

Arsenic .bronze, or 89.20 to 82.20%; copper,
10%' tin and 7% lead, with traces or per-
ceptible increments or arsenic, is a bearing-
metal and migiit be classed as a bronze compo-
sition.

Plastic bronze, or copper 69%, tin 10%,
lead 21%' is a bearing metal and niinlit be
called a lead composition.

Connnercial rod-brass, or GO to 63% copper,
not more than :i% lead, and the balance zinc,
miyht be called a brass composition.

IMonel metal, or 67% nickel, 27%. copper
and 6% of other metals, although known to
the trade by no other name, might be called a
nickcl-ccipper composition.

Naval brass, or 59 to 6:]% copper, ().") to
1.5% tin, .Or3 to 1% lead, .06% iron, balance
zinc, may be called a brass composition.

Bismuth bronze is a peculiar alloy, it con-
tains 699^ copper, 21';''^ zinc, 9 parts of nickel
and (inc i);irt nf bisnuith alloyed with some
tin. It might be considered a low grade of
German silver. It is practically a nickel-
hardened brass made to meet at a low tem-
perature. It might l)c called a cupro-nicke!
composition.

Mannheim Gold is a misnomer. Tt has
l)ractically the same composition as Tombac
and Prince's Metal, containing 89.44% copper,
and 9.14%' zinc according to one authority,
while another states it is 75% copper to 25%
zinc or 80% copper to 20% zinc, but all agree
that it is strictly a true brass and nothing-
more.

i\Ianganese bronze, so-called, is composed
of 57 to 60%:. copper, 0.57c tin. 37 to 40%
zinc, iron to not exceed 1% and 0.3% manga-
nese, and sometimes contains aluminuni. It is
plainly to be seen that this combinatioii is a
manganese brass composition.

Phosphor bronze is an alloy of copper and
tin with generally less than one per cent of
phosphorus. There is no serious objection to
this name.

Aluminum bronze is an alloy of copper and
aluminum in variable proportions, while ii has
many admirable properties, it is begging the
question to call it a bronze. If the trade
would accept conventional lunnliers for the
5 and 10% aluminun-i constituent as Nos. 1
and 2 respectively, it nn'ght soon becon-ie
known to all consumers as No. 1 and No. 2
cniiro-alnminnm alloys respectively.

^lai-iy alloys bear distinctive names, but
their classification offers no diflTculties nor
conflicts.

Onion's Alloy is a fusible metal, composed
of lead 3 parts, tin 2 parts and bisnnnb 5
parts. It melts at 197° Fahr.

Queen's Metal contains 76% tin, 8% bis-
muth, 8%' lead. It is a pewter, otherwise a
white metal coniposition.

Mackensie's Alloy contains antimony 16%:.
bismuth iC/c, lead 68% or antimony 17%, tin
13%', lead 70' ^^ . It is a good stereotype metal,
otherwise a white metal composition.

Kingston's ]\letal contains 9 ])arts copper,
to 24 parts tin, remelted and added to lOS
parts tin, 9 jiarts of mercury and is a white
metal composition.

Platine is composed of 43%' copper and 57%
zinc and is a while metal alloy. Many other
special names n-iiglit be added to the list, but
all of them are capable of classification as
suggested.

NICKEL-PLATING ALUMINUM.

A writer in a French newspaper says that a
method of nickel-plating aluminum has been
announced to the Paris Academy of Sciences
by LeChatelier. As is well known, this has
always been considered an impossible feat to
accomplish, although metallurgists liave per-
sistently atten-ipted to give an attractive sur-
face to aluminum by coating with various
metals.

LeChatelier first scours the aluniinum in a
bath of hydrochloric acid containing a certain
proportion of iron, and then passes it into the
nickel bath. The iron which has been pre-
cipitated from the acid on the surface catches
and holds the nickel. In this way a firm de-
posit has been made, and the aluminum thus
treated has been rolled, bent sharply and
otherwise w-orked -^vithout causing any separa-
tion of the nickel coating.

13(5

April

BETTER GALVANIZING.

The iniiiuiiaiKH' n( llic tialvanizing industry
may l)e jiidsj,<.'cl from a statement in "Mineral
Resources of the United States, ," U. S.
Geological Survey, that for tlie year , 00%
of the niclalhc zinc ))roduccd in the United
States was used for galvanizing. In the
"Mineral Industry" for 1S99, vol. S, it is
slateil that the zinc consnnied in galvanizing
aindunted to ',{)''/( nf llie total productiiin. In
19().">, the V. S. (icological Survey estimated
that ahout 55% of the United States zinc pro-
duction was used for coaling iron and steel
in tlu' gahaniziug industry.

The short tons of zinc consnnied in the gal-
vanizing indnstrw its percentage ratio to tlie
zinc production for the same \car, and the
marki-t \alue of the zinc so consumed for the
\ear is here given.

S15

G-j:

c c

■d.Ebi

" "s

N.2

■- c

•" c

O 'J

r cen
ncP
on.

C,-f:>

^^-

r>4,52r.

50.0

$ 7,420,490.00

1 905

102,.S45

55.0

12,135,710.00

J 910

161,510

GO.O

17,992,214.00

1m-oui an e.xamination of these figures, we
may infer that tlie galvanizing industry is in-
creasing hy lea])s and bounds. In the gal-
vanizing department of some of the larger
producers of such materials it is roughly csti-
niateil that for every dollar expended for
metal (zinc), an ec|uivalent amount of money
is also si'ent for labor, fuel, or power, and ac-
cessories. Taking into consideration plant
depreciation, interest, etc., it is apparent that
ai)i)roxiniately $50,000,000.00 is annually ex-
pended in the galvanizing industry within the
borders of the United States at the present
time.

This annual outlay for the prevention of
corrosion would be justified if the actual pro-
tection afforded to the steel and iron surfaces
were in proportion to the expenditure. Un-
hajipily, some galvanized products fail after
comparatively short service. Poor galvaniz-
ing constitutes an economic waste, since it
appears that not only is the zinc used in sucli
galvanizing lost beyond recovery, but an im-
petus is given to the progress of corrosion.

.Miout three-ciuartcrs of a century ago, the
llrst commercial galvanizing made its ap-
pearance in this country, and the applications
of zinc to iron and steel surfaces by treat-
ment of tin- latter in innlten baths of the pro-
tecting metal ha\e since become connnou.
'i'he rapid i^niwth of the steel industry with-
in the past two decades has mitigated against
the (u-i,L;iiial process of galvanizing and made
of it a tonnage propositirm, and undoubtedly,
(piality of finished product has in many cases
suffered, fortunately for all concerned, zinc
is found to be a metal which is easily electro-
deposited in pure form and a possible remedy
for the elusive corrosion problem is to be
ffuind in the modern i)rocess of electro-gal-
vanizing.

It is at this juncture that the subject be-
comes one of pecuniary present interest to
many manufacturers of steel products and in-
cidentally to independent plating establish-
ments. The manufacturer finds that he can
produce a superior quality of galvanizing and
a more pleasing finish, at the same time lower-
ing his costs, — wdiile the independent plating
works find in the electro-galvanizing process
means for attracting lucrative, new business.

In the past the fmishing of small .steel ar-
ticles by copper and nickel plating has been
an extensive industry. However such coat-
ings do not prevent corrosion, and nickel
coatings are generally just thick enough to
take a polish. Nickel and copper are not
electro-positive toward steel, hence, in this
respect they lack the inherent protective ad-
vantage of zinc. Zinc coatings to be effective
in preventing corrosion mu.st be several times
thicker than copper or nickel, but this is of
small practical moment because the rate at
whicli deposition of zinc may be carried out
is much more rajiid than is the case with
either copper or nickel. The electro-zinc
covering should never contain less than .?> oz.
of zinc per sq. ft., and more often should
reach .4 or .5 per sq. ft. for the sake of
securitv against corrosion, and the electro
de])osition of the nu'tal should be carefully
performed.

Many classes of steel objects, such as in-
ternal portions of various mechanisms, for-
merly finished in co]>per and nickel, are now
directly electro-galvanized. There are a num-
ber of independent plating works finding that

April

THE BRASS WORLD

137

their orders call for fewer finishes in copper
and nickel, — electro-zincing being specified in-
stead. This condition is not strange, or even
peculiar, when it is recalled that besides its
superior quality as a protection against cor-
rosion, the price of zinc per lb. is only about
6 cents, w^hile that of cast copper is seldom
less than 18 cents, wath cast nickel ranging
between 45 and 50 cents per lb.

It appears then, that there is well founded
reason for the rapid expansion of the gal-
vanizing industry, since the price of the most
protective metal, zinc, is comparatively very
low and that it can be applied by electrical as
well as metallurgical means. In all probabili-
ty, electro-galvanizing will find an ever-
widening field of usefulness through facilities
provided by the general plating industry. It
is to be expected that careful study will re-
veal further improvements in the electrical
process of galvanizing, and a wholesome agi-
tation of the subject may be depended upon to
result in the better galvanizing of a great
many steel products.

DISCUSSION OF PLATING COSTS.

GOOD POSITION OPEN FOR
FIRST CLASS SILVER -PLATER.

One of the leading concerns in the country
lias advised us that there will be a position
available in one of their departments for a
lirst class practical silver-plater in the depart-
ment devoted to plain nickel and silver plating
upon plated ware, cutlery and possibly hollow-
ware. What is wanted, is a thoroughly up-
to-date man who can handle a large plating
room on scientific principles. The Brass
World will be glad to receive confidential in-
formation of those who are desirous of locat-
ing such a position and will place inquirers in
direct communication with this company. Ad-
dress communications to Position Department,
The Brass World and Platers Guide, 2G0 John
St., Bridgeport, Conn.

The Chicago section of the American
Chemical Society is compiling a list of
chemists and chemical laboratories within a
radius of 40 miles of Chicago, one of the pur-
poses being the bringing about of a better un-
derstanding by manufacturers and business
men, of the service which chemical science
can render. Chemists in that section who
have not yet received a communication from
the secretary, D. K. French, should write to
him at McCorniick Bldg., Chicago.

Editor "Brass Workl" : — In the March num-
ber of your paper there is an article from the
pen of C. S. Barbour, Jr. that should not pass
without comment. The article is supposed to
deal with plating costs and is based on what I
consider an inaccurate foundation.

Plrst, any chemist who has made frequent
analyses of nickel salts, single or double,
knows that both the foreign and domestic run
very close to chemically pure, not showing
variations of more than a few hundredths of
one per cent, as a rule. The nickel content of'
the double salts has never run under 14 per
cent, in any samples I ever examined, and I
am under the impression that it never runs as
low as 14.50 per cent. A figure of 10 per
cent, is absolutely out of the question.

Then an anode efficiency of 10 per cent.!
I have seen some mighty poor anodes, and
solutions that were almo.st impossible, but
never remeni])er a case of anode efficienc\-
as low as 10 per cent. If this were true,
nickel anodes v.ould be a useless luxury and
the loss in interest on the money invested
would not be warranted. Gar1;)on anodes
would hold full swaj-. I have seen anodes
working at low efficiency and ha\'e made
laboratory tests to determine the efficiency
percentage but here, as in the case of the
nickel content of the salts, I never found per-
centages anyway approaching 10 per cent.

If wx' theia use figures nearly correct Ave
will find the author's figures for the old-
fashioned solution .7

141

more rapidly. At the end of each time-unit
the serial position of the tank is thus ad-
vanced, so that after a suitable interval (de-
pending upon the number of tanks in the
series) the tank in question is receiving
chlorine at such strength that the maximum
rapidity of reaction is attained ; the next
serial advance of the tank will or may occur
after the detinning operation therein has been
wholly or substantially completed, so that
while it is receiving the mixture most rich in
chlorine the effect of the latter is wholly or
chiefly to take up by evaporation such residue
of stannic chloride as remains adhering to the
iron scrap, the treatment during this time-
limit continuing sufficiently long to take up
practically all of such residual chloride : at the
next serial change the admission of chlorine
is cut off from the tank in question and shifted
to the next following tank, so that the tank
in question receives only a current of air (or
any inert gas) which displaces the chlorine
remaining in the interstices of the scrap, and
thereby eliminates practically all residual
chlorine from the tank ; at the next serial
change the air admission is cut off and the
tank is thus thrown out of the circuit, so
that it may be opened to remove the detinned
iron scrap and recharge it with tin scrap. To
facilitate these last operations the scrap is
best placed in a wire or other foraminous
cage or grating which can be conveniently
low^ered into or lifted out of the open top of
the tank.

The tanks may be of var\'ing number, de-
pending upon the precise method in which the
successive operations are to be conducted. For
the preferable succession of operations as
just described there should be at least four
tanks in order to provide for simultaneously
(1) detinning (2) absorbing chloride (.3) dis-
placing chlorine with air, and (4) removing
the scrap and recharging. But the number of
tanks might be further diminished by sub-
dividing the given time-unit so that for ex-
ample operations Nos. (3) and (4) might be
performed successively in the same tank dur-
ing a given time-unit. Or the sequence of
operations and the time-interval allotted to
each might be otherwise varied accompanied
by a corresponding variation in the number of
tanks and in the manipulation of their con-
nections.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is
an elevation of an apparatus comprising a

battery of six tanks or vessels. These are
shown on a small scale and by reason thereof
no attempt is made to show the valves or
other smaller details. Figs. 4 and 5 are ver-
tical cross sections between the tanks; in Fig.
4 the tank is partly in section.

COMMERCIAL JOTTINGS.

More work for electroplaters is the result
of a business stimulating contest set on foot
by the Auto Strap Safety Razor Co. of New
York. The list of awards in their prize rebus
contest has just been published, the first prize
of $200 being v.'on by F. M. Riseborough,
Canton, 111., and the second prize of $100
by J. L. Hodges, Grand Rapids, Mich. Much
interest in the competition was displayed not
only by dealers and clerks selling the com-
pany's goods, but b}- the public at large.

The Mesta Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.,
recently received an order from the Winches-
ter Repeating Arms Co. for a Mesta patented
low type pickling machine. The latter will be
used for pickling gun barrels and small gun
parts. This is a new use for the Mesta pickling
machine and proves its adaptability. Hereto-
fore the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. did
all its pickling by hand. It is expected that
the cost of pickling will be considerably re-
duced by the new method, besides obtained a
more uniformly pickled product.

MELTING POINT OF NAVAL
BRASS.

In connection with the above an error has
crept into our Februarj- number. On page 50,
in the article by C. H. Poland, the formula
for a good aluminum solder should read :

Tin 8 oz.

Spelter 2 lb.

.■\luminum 1 oz.

Phosphor tin 1 oz.

We hope our readers will make this correc-
tion in their copies.

142

April :

IRON IN BRASS.

BY M. DINGS.

Tliat iron is a dangerous impurity in brass
and copper alloys is now a well established
fact. Many attempts have been made to pro-
on the brass.

It lias been fully demonstrated tliat with
the utmost precatUioii. it is impossible to keep
brass chips free from iron and steel. In
shops where both brass and steel are
machined, the l)rass chips always contain
iron. Xo matter how carefully the lathes
and machine tools are cleaned between opera-
tions on different metals, iron dust and small
chips left in the crevices of the machines will
contaminate the brass chips. Even in places

♦Advance proof sheets from a new bulletin
to be issued by tlie Dings Electro-Mas:netic
Separator Co., Milwaulvee, Wis.

where brass is worked exclusively, more or
less iron and steel find their way into the
brass chips. When such chips, supposedly
free from iron, are treated with a magnetic
.separator, there is usually found an assort-
ment of nails, screws, rivets, nuts, washers,
small drills, broken taps, pieces of fractured
tools, wrenches, pocket knives, etc. If any one
of such articles happens to be melted in a
crucible of brass, bad castings are to be ex-
pected.

Numerous fluxes for remo\ing iron from
brass have been sold to the trade, but ex-
perience has shown that they are of but little
value. Where they appear to accomplish the
desired purpose, careful analysis shows that
the iron does not slag and rise to the top so
that it can be skimmed off, as supposed, but
when there is less than 2.7.5% of iron, it is
really driven into the brass, producing a cast-
ing of a dark color and very much harder
than it ought to be. If there is more than
2.7.5% of iron in the mixture, steel nodules
will appear in spite of any soda-ash, sea sand,
or O'ther flu.x of secret compound. Thus the
be.st informed men rely upon magnetic
separators as the most effective appliances for
removing iron from brass chips.

Just how much iron can be alloyed with
copper is not positively known. It is supposed
to be about 2.75%, but this alloy cannot be
made by direct fusion unless the iron is free
from carbon or the carbon is eliminated by
a flux. When it is desirable to introduce iron
into a bronze, the best practice is to introduce
it in the form of a zinc-iron or an iron-manga-
nese alloy. Any excess of irrm above the per-
centage aboYe mentioned i>roduces steel
nodule ^.

Evidently- it is not safe to melt brass- and
copper chips without first treating them with
a reliable magnetic separator. As brass
founders and metal refiners come to under-
stand more clearly the necessity of melting
oidy such chips as are absolutely free from
iron, they realize that a poor magnetic separa-
tor is as unsatisfactory as none at all. There-
fore metal men are cautioned to purchase only
such magnet machines as have been thorough-
ly proven. .Separators having magnets ener-
gized by electric coils are considered much
more efficient than the old stvle machines

April

THE BRASS AVORJLD

14a

using permanent steel horse-shoe magnets.
The electro-magnets are much more intense
and do not weaken with age.

Sometimes too much is expected of a
magnetic separator. A good separation of
any kind depends largely upon having the
mixed material to be separated in proper
condition. If the brass chips are greasy, or
wet, some of the fine brass chips will adhere
to the large iron chips and be removed by the
magnets. Again, the chips may contain long
spirals, or be in such curled form as to cause
bad mechanical entanglement, by reason of
which some of the brass is lifted with the
iron and carried into the iron products. But
in handling metal worth $200.00, more or less,
per ton, it paj's to use common sense and give
this separation problem some attention. The
iron product is usually only a small part of
the original bulk. Tf it is found to contain
too much bronze, it can be quickly re-treated
under a different adjustment of the separator
so as to recover the brass.

A good separator should have a good i'ted-
ing hopper so that the metal is brought to the
separating point in an even steadj' flow, but a
device designed to feed fitfe chips should
not be expected to work well when the chips
contain such things as rejected castings,
kindling wood, wads of paper, wrapping twine
and other coarse articles. It is often a good
practice to screen the chips through a i in.
mesh screen before shovelling it into the feed-
ing hopper of a separator.

PERSONAL.

AMERICAN SMELTING IN 19 1 3.

The report of stockholders of the .\merican
Smelting & Refining Company for the year
ended December .31st la.st. shows a balance on
the common of $3,736,.541, equal to 4.47 per
cent., as compared with 11.47 per cent., for
the previous year. Gross income was $1.3,-
429,933, which is $3,329,566 less than ,
and total charges against gross income were
$3,673,392, or $2,006,431 less than the year
previous. These brought net income to $9,-
756,540, or $1,323,135 less than for . Pre-
ferred dividends called for $6,020,000, and
common dividends $2,000,000, leaving a profit
and loss surplus for the year of $1,738,540,
which brought the total profit and loss surplus
to $18,495,942 as of December 31st last. In
Smelters increased its profit and loss
surplus $3,059,677.

^lark Smith is now representing the Inger-
soU-Sergeant Drill Co., Boston, ]\Iass., ia
western Massachusetts and Connecticut, and
his headquarters are 50 Windsor Ave., Hart-
ford, Conn. C. W. Hunt, Jr., who formerly
had this territory has been transferred to
handle the company's business at Los Angeles.
Cal.

A. O. Backert, editor of "The Foundry",.
Cleveland, O., has accepted the position of
secretary and treasurer of the American
Foundrymen's Association, succeeding Dr.
Richard Moldenke, whose resignation was re-
cently announced.

Jonathan Bartley, president of the Bav
State Crucible Co., Taunton, ^lass., called at
the "Brass World'' office on his regular busi-
ness tour, and in the course of conversation
stated that in his opinion trade was improv-
ing slowly and rather spasmodically, but that
optimism among manufacturers was generally
apparent.

James H. Fowler, Baltimore, Md., the
Eastern representative of the Monarch Eng.
Mfg. Co., was a recent visitor at the "Brass
World" office, and stated that business pros-
pects in this territory were at present excellent

Albert E. Cooley of the Hooker Electro-
chemical Co., has taken charge of the con-
struction work of the .Aluminum Co., of
America.

A. yi. Steinhart, who helped to organize a
number of stamping and enamelling com-
panies to form the National Enamelling and
Stamping Co., died recently of pneumonia.

Maurice R. Bissell, Alassillon, O., has been
elected a director and general manager of the
American Stamping & Enamelling Co.

J. B. Mendenhall, formerly with the
National Lead Co., is now southern represen-
tative of the Great Western Smelting & Re-
fining Co.

Francis A. Weisbecker, Sr.. head of the
firm of Francis A. Weisbecker & Sons, Brook-
lyn, N. Y., manufacturers of polishing
machines, died on [March 22.

Grape sugar or glucose, extensively used in
the manufacture of food products, is employed
in electrogalvanizing to obtain a smooth de-
posit.

U4 April

THE STANDARDIZATION OF CYANIDE SOLUTIONS.

The time has arrived when the progressive
plater is working more and more in harmon}-
witii the chemist and the efficiency engineer to
attain that ideal working condition — the
standardization of his plating solution, the
object of which primarily is to enable the
plating department to increase its efficiency
and enable them to turn out a maximum out-
put, reduce rejections to an absolute minimum
and at the same time the cost of manufacture.
To do this, the plater nuist be in position to
know, at all times, the condition of his solu-
tion and be able to regulate the same with
absolute certainty. The plater must, there-
fore, be absolutely certain of what goes into
his solution and why it is introduced. In
other words, he must confine himself to
chemicals which are as nearly chemically pure
as it is possible to obtain. Many of the
troubles with which the plater is confronted
are directly due to the impurities and inert
matter which he has introduced into his solu-
tion with the use of metallic salts which con-
tain high percentages of impurities and inert
matter. What the nature of this inert matter
is, he often is unaware — he only knows that
sooner or later it will affect the working of
the bath.

In the case of cyanide solutions, all that is
necessary for results is metal and cyanogen.

The plater realizes that in the past he has
been very much handicapped by being obliged
to use chemicals of questionable efficiency and
which he knows are not correct either theo-
reticall}- or practically. He has had to obtain
results with chemicals which he knows were
impure — he was forced to use the so-called
copper carbonate, (which in reality is only a
basic copper sulphate) and zinc carbonate in
his copper, brass and bronze solutions, know-
ing all the time that these salts contained at
least 50% inert matter and impurities which
are detrimental to his bath. In the silver
solutions he had to use silver chloride, al-
thf)ugh this salt contains at least 2.5%
chliiride and other impurities. These inert
salts do absolutely no good, in fact, they
cause trouble. There can therefore be no
logical reason for gradually loading up the
bath with inert salts which make the control
of the bath more difficult with every addition.

As has been stated, the essential ingredients
■of a cyanide solution are metal and cvanide.

Taking this into consideration, the plater is
asking "Is it not possible to obtain a salt
which contains only these ingredients and
nothing else — a salt that is absolutely free
from all inert matter?" Such salts are now
manufactured and are placed on the market
at prices which make their use decidedly more
economical than the less satisfactory metal
salts heretofore used. We have reference to
the metal cyanide — copper cyanide, zinc
cyanide and silver cyanide, which are the
most highly concentrated metal salts that it is
possible to manufacture. They enable the
plater to introduce into the bath a maximum
metal content with a mininnun bulk. Copper
cyanide, for instance, tests 70% metallic
copper; zinc cyanide has a metal content of
5.5% metallic zinc ; and silver cyanide has a
guaranteed content of 80.5% silver. They
contain no dead salts whatsoever, the balance
to make up 100% being pure cyanogen. Thus
the plater is given a material correct in every
way, and he can control his bath with absolute
certainty, knowing that the solution is free
from any contaminating substances. He has
only two elements to figure with — c\-anogen
and metal.

In regard to relative cost, the metal cyanides
are decidedly more economical than the metal
salts formerly used. It requires only about
one-fourth as much cyanide to take up a
pound of metal cyanide as it does to put a
pound of so-called carbonate of copper in
solution. One-half pound of cyanide takes
up one pound of copper cyanide, while it re-
quires at least two pounds of cyanide to put
one pound of so-called carbonate of copper in
solution. Further, there is a decided saving
in electrical energy. When a bath is made up
with so-called carbonate of copper, the plater
has a solution comparatively low in metal but
with a high specific gravity on account of the
inert matter introduced. This higher internal
resistance requires a correspondingly higher
current density to get results. With the metal
cyanides, on the contrary, the plater has a
solution high in metal but low in specific
gravity so that he can materially cut down on
his current.

The above statements are incontrovertible
facts, and can be readily verified in actual
practice. In short, the plater can standardize
his solutions and keep the same in perfect

April

THE BRASS WORUD

145

order with absolute certainty knowing that
the metal cyanides are theoretically and
practically correct and will enable him to ob-
tain a maximum out-put at a minimum cost.

A NEW APPARATUS FOR POUR-
ING MOLTEN METALS

An automaton that does the work of a
skilled furnaceman by pouring molten metals
at a definite predetermined rate, is the in-
vention of Charles \\'illiam Lummis, Water-
bury, Conn. The inventor states that in order
to obtain a homogeneous metal, free from
pipes, flaws, and other defects, a definite
temperature must be maintained, and the

molten mass poured just fast enough to keep
the top of the metal in the receiver in a
liquid condition, too great a speed trapping
dirt and gas within the mass.

The furnace is mounted on trunnions, lo-
cated on a line with the pouring mouth, so
that the receiver may be small and stationary
while being filled. As will be seen from
the figure, the shaft suitably mounted
rotates the cam which co-operates with the
roller on the arm fixed to one of the
trunnions. This shaft is turned by any suit-
able power mechanism. At the bottom of

the furnace is an arm extending outwardly
from the rear and connected with it is a rope
passed over a pulley to a counterweight. This
hoist may be operated in the usual way, or an
air-cylinder may be used to tilt the furnace
on its trunnions for pouring and restoring it
to the horizontal for melting.

\\'hile the metal is being melted, the cam
engages the roller holding the furnace sta-
tionary, but when power is applied to the shaft
the cam turns upward, releasing the roller
sufiiciently to allow the counterweight to act
to tilt the furnace. The rate of tilting is con-
trolled by the cam, whose configuration is
such as to insure a predetermined speed. Thus.
in each interval of time, the container is tilted
through the angle necessary to pour the metal
so as to give the best results.

A SUBSTITUTE FOR CLAY IN

REBABBITTING, POLISHING

AND BUFFING LATHES.

Owing to the high speed used on buffing
and polishing lathes, and the heavy wear on
same, the re-babbitting of these machines is
necessary.

As a substitute for clay in re-babbitting
bearing boxes, here is something that is
found very practical and economical. It sticks
well, will not blow out or soften with hot
metal contact, and can be used many times
over by the addition of a very small quantity
of oil when softening it again. It is far bet-
ter than clay or putty when either is used
alone.

Reduce putty with cylinder oil until it is al-
most as thin as the oil itself : next take some
powdered asbestos pieces (old asbestos pipe
covering ground up will do) and add to the
putty mixture until you get a stift compound
as dense as the putty was in its first state.
Use this in any way and it will give entire
satisfaction.

Plans for the new $500,000 experimental
station of the U. S. Bureau of Klines at Pitts-
burgh, Pa., have been approved by the com-
mission appointed by Congress.

The net earnings of the National Lead Co.
last year amounted to $2,458,306, showing a
decrease of $.^.3,927 compared with ,

April

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

CLEANING STEEL SHELLS FOR
NICKELLING.

I wish to strip some steel shells that have
been blued. J have used gasoline, and put
them in potash and rinsed in cold water and
let them stand in muriatic acid for from 15
minutes to iialf an hour. A substance re-
mains on them, which I wish to remove in
order to nickel-plate.

We would suggest that yrju use an electric
cleaner. j\lake up a solution of;

Sal soda 10 ft.

Caustic soda 2 fb.

Cyanide of potassium 1 lb.

Water .5 gal.

L'sc this solution hot, in an iron tank, with
at least 8 volts on a reverse current.

PITTING OF NICKEL-PLATED
ARTICLES.

1 h.ave been having trouble lately with m_\-
nickel solution. The article when plated is
pitted all over. The fault is nut with the
current.

Your nickel is too free in sulphuric acid.
Reduce with water about one-third and add
about ?> oz. of boracic acid and also 1 oz. of
powdered carbonate of magnesia to the gal-
lon. Do this at night and stir up well. Bring
the temperature up to 70° F.

DISCOLORING OF FRENCH BRONZE.

To obtain a French bronze, I made a solu-
tion of sulphate of copper standing about 20
degrees, which I heated to boiling. Then I
added a solution of caustic soda a little at a
time, stirring the whole constantly to neutra-
lize the free acid. The color was satisfac-
tory at first, but after lying in the light it
changed.

The trouble seems to Jx- that you have not
followed an exact funiuda. Try the follow-
ing, which has given successful results:

Water 1 o;,].

Sulphate of coriper :! fb.

Caustic soria . . /. 1 oz.

Dissolve the sulphate and caustic soda
separately in hot water. Then add the sul-
phate to the caustic soda stirring all the time,
giving a greenish precipitate. Any tone re-
quired may be obtained by regulating the
time the work is in the bath, 3 to 10 minutes
being generally sufficient. Take out and rinse
in cold water, and then dry and brush up on
a line wheel, such as is used for brushing sil-
ver-plated ware. Finish by waxing or
lac(|uering. Be sure your work has a smooth
sour copper plate before immersing in the
b'rench bron/e bath.

DARK OXIDE ON STAMPED ORNA-
MENTAL ALUMINUM.

Now can 1 put a dark oxidize on stamped
ornament.nl aluminum and relief the same
chea[)ly? Can the surface be polished?

Ciise }()ur w.>rk a polished huh' iiuish and
clean in benzine, afterwards rinsing in hot
water. Then dip into cyanide of mercury and
rinse in cold water. Plate in weak cyanide of
copi)er solution, and heat to a temperature of
not over 110° F. ^Vny required shade of
oxidize may then be obtained by immersion in
the liver of sulphur bath.

TO GET A SMOOTH BRIGHT
TINNING FINISH.

1 dip my goods in a Ijath comi)osed of muri-
atic acid and water in which I had previously
dissolved a portion of zinc and salammoniac.
Then I dip them in a melted bath of pure tin,
but they seem to come out full of pores, and
do not have a bright smooth appearance.

See that your articles are perfectlj^ clean.
Use two tin kettles. Dip as usual in the first,
and then re-dip in the second kettle which
should contain the melted tin covered with
tallow. Dip each article in it singly. Allow
each article to remain in this bath until the
tin becomes evenly deposited. A brisk shake
of the article in removal will eliminate the
surplus drops of tin from the bottom.
Naturally a smooth surface cannot be ex-
pected if the article itself is not smooth to be-
siin with.

April

THE BRASS WORLX>

147

You can put this matt finish on aluminum
with a satin finishing scratch brush, or with a
sand blast. The latter will give the best re-
sults, although it requires a more expensive
equipment.

COPPER PLATING ON MACHINED
CAST-IRON SURFACES.

We desire to copper-plate cast iron on sur-
faces that have been machined for the pur-
pose of increasing the conductivity of the sur-
faces when clamped together, and preventing
rusting which occurs after a time if plating
or some other means is not resorted to.

A good copper bath for the use you intend
to put it to would be : —

Copper cyanide 1 lb.

Cyanide of potassium A lb.

Water 1 gal.

Heat this bath to 130° F. This copper cyanjde
is a new compound and has a great advan-
tage over the old carbonate of copper as it
-does not contain any inert salts. It also con-
tains 70% metal to a pound, to 45% contained
m the carbonate. This compound can be ob-
tained from the Roessler & Hasslacher
Chemical Co., 100 William St., New York
City. After giving the work a thorough
cleaning, immerse in the copper bath for about
i hour, then rinse and immerse in a concen-
trated solution of cream of tartar. Leave
work in this bath about 10 minutes, then im-
merse in benzine about the same length of
time. This will disperse all moisture. Allow
to drv off in the air.

♦'BEST QUALITY DRAWING BRASS."

Is "Best Quality Drawing Brass' the proper
trade name for the brass which is best suited
for drawing into tubing and for the manufac-
ture of such articles as brass cartridge cases?
Information is also requested as to the ap-
proximate chemical analysis of the material
known as '"Best Quality Drawing Brass" and
us to whether it differs from what is known
to the trade as cartridge brass.

We would say that "Best Quality Drawing
Brass" would be the proper trade name to
give to a brass that would stand being drawat
into cartridge shells, for the reason that if it
was not the best quality it would not stand
up under the tools, as their work is a severe

test on any metal. The analysis of this brass
would be :

Lake copper 66 2-3%

Bertha spelter 33 1-3%

This is also a good grade of cartridge brass.

RETINNING COPPER UNTENSILS.

What is the proper method of retinning
copper utensils?

Use the electro-tinning solution made up in
the following manner :

Prepare a warm tin bath consisting of 7
oz. of cream of tartar and 1^ oz. of chloride
of tin to each gallon of water. Use pure tin
anodes with a current density of 3 to 4 volts.
Buff and cleanse work well, and hang in bath
from half to one hour. Take out and
scratch-brush, then color buff in the regular
manner, using a soft buff with Vienna lime
and kerosene oil.

GREENISH -BROWN FINISH ON BRONZE.

Please give a fornuila for a greenish-brown
finish on real bronze metal. It is for a finish
on a heavy colonial design for front door sets.

After cleaning your work, dip in a solution
of hydro-sulphuret of ammonia, until you
get a good brown tone. Scratch-brush on a
fine brass wheel. Then dip in nitrate of iron
until it turns the shade you wish. Dry in
hot water and a good hard wood sawdust,
then brush up lightly on a fine scratch brush.
The nitrate of iron solution should be com-
posed of one-third nitrate to two-thirds water
and should be used cold.

BLACK OXIDIZE FOR HAND MIRRORS,
ETC.

What kind of a black is used for oxidizing
such work as German silver hand mirrors,
military sets, comb mountings, etc., besides
potassium sulphuret?

Dip articles that have been silver-plated in-
to ferric chloride 47%, then plunge into
caustic soda, at about 110 deg. F. and at
strength 15 Baume. Let lie in caustic until
they become thoroughly black. Rinse in clear
cold water and the articles are then ready for
relieving in high lights. This black is very
soft and will have a tendency, when dry, be-
fore relieving, to fade in color, but after lac-

148

THE BRASS WORLD

April

quering j-du will find that the article is a dense
black which sj^ives almost the equivalent of
platinum black.

TIFFANY GREEN.

How is Titi'any yreen obtained?

Clean work well, strike in cyanide copper
solution, reino\e and let run in acid cnppcr
solution from three to four hours, and make
a solution of the following'':

Water 1 gal.

Sulphate of Copper 8 ot..

Sal Ammoniac 8 oz.

Common Salt 4 oz.

Acetic Acid 28° 2 oz.

Chloride of Zinc 1 oz.

Glycerine 1 oz.

Boil together and let cool. Take work that
has been coppered free from stains or finger
marks. Brush over article evenly with the
above solution, hang up in a cool place and
let dry. This will take about 10 hours. When
dry if color is not deep enou,gh, brush on
aiK)ther coat of the corrosion solution and
let dry in steam heated oven until all the
moisture has been driven off. The high lights
are then relieved by using a stiff hand brush.
Finally lightly buff on a soft wheel to even
the surface. A coat of flat or dead lacquer is
given the article. When dry, wax with para-
ffin. This is a finish that requires much .skill
and it remains with the operator to get the
desired results.

REMOVAL OF BRASS FROM GERMAN
SILVER.

ITow can 1 remove brass from German sil-
ver after hard soldering?

By using a scaling dip, used warm, and
made as follows :

Xitric Acid 1 gal.

Water 1 gal.

A 50^^ solution of hydrofluoric acid will
also serve for this purpose.

REFINISHING OF GOODS FORMERLY
PLATED.

What is your opinion on refinishing brass,
steel and cast iron that have formerly been
oxidized copper jilated?

It would in most cases, cost more to re-
hnish goods that had been plated before. "S'ou
will have to be your own judge in this case.

knowing what condition the goods are in. In
a good many cases it is found that articles
such as you mention, having been subjected
to lire, smoke and water, are fit for nothing
else but the metal pot.

PLATINUM PLATING SOLUTION.

Can you give me a formula for platinuin
plating that will plate white? This is to be
used for jewelry.

Take one ounce of line platinum and dis-
solve in a(|ua rc,L;ia, made of 1.") oz. C, P.
muriatic acid and 10 oz. C. P. nitric acid.
Heat slowly until all the platinum is dissolved
and reduced to a thick syrui)y condition. Dis-
solve this platinum chloride in three quarts
of water. Then add 1.5 fluid oz. of 50% phos-
]ihoric acid, and ammonia until a yellow pre-
cipitate forms. Do not filter this, but dis-
soI\e in three quarts of water. 5 oz. i)hos-
pljate of soda and with constant stirring add
to platinum solution. Then boil all together
until solution tested with blue litmus paper
turns red. Add water to make l4 gal. Heat
to from 150 to 180 deg. F. Use platinum anode
with current density of five or six volts.

USING THE VERDI GREEN SOLUTION.

How can I use the Verdi Green solution oi>
copper and brass?

This solution is applied with a brush after
the article has previously been coppered in
an acid copper solution from two to four
hours. I^et dry and if color is not deep
enough, repeat. Ixelieve high lights with stiff
brush and laccpier with a flat lacquer or wax
with paraffin wax.

PREPARATION OF DOUBLE CYANIDE
OF SILVER.

How is the double cyanide of silver made?

Put into an evaporating dish the required
amount of silver. For every ounce of silver,
use li to 2 oz. C. P. nitric acid and i oz. of
water. Heat slowdy, being careful not to use
too much beat at first as it is apt to boil over.
When all the silver is dissolved, increase the
heat, and evaporate until you can see no more
fumes. Set aside and let crystallize. When
cool add clean warm water, and put into a
10-gal. jar. Add water until two-thirds full.
In a 2-gal. pitcher make a saturated solution
of cyanide. .Add this, \ery slowly and with
caution, to the above nitrate of silver solu-

April ]!114

THE BRASS WORIJ3

149

tion until one drop will give you no more
precipitate. Wash the precipitate several
times, and then it is ready to be used. Before
trjing to make any large quantity of cyanide
of silver, a preliminary trial should be made
on a small scale, say one or two oz., as it is
an operation that requires great caution.

FLEMISH BRASS.

How is Flemish Brass obtained?

The brass is first given what is called the
antique finish. This is done with a tampico
wheel and fine pumice used wet. This is
done in order to get the gloss from the brass.
A sand blasting may also be used. Now
make up the following solution :

Water 10 gal.

^luriatic Acid 1 qt.

White Arsenic 1 oz.

'SUx the muriatic acid with an equal amount
of water. Add the arsenic and boil until it is
dissolved, then mix with the remainder of the
water. Heat to 150 deg. F. Just before using add
a small piece of liver of sulphur to the solu-
tion, about i oz. in weight, and stir. The ar-
ticle to be colored is now cleaned, and dipped
into the solution and allowed to remain until
the desired color is obtained. Remove and
dry carefully. Lacquer with a slight green-
ish tint lacquer. This will give you the Flem-
ish oak finish.

ACID COPPER SOLUTION.

How can I make an acid copper solution?
A good formula for acid copper is made up
as follows :

\\'ater 1 gal.

Sulphate of Copper 2 lb.

Sulphuric Acid 2 oz.

Yellow Dextrine 1 oz.

This solution should stand at 18° Baume
and run with a current density of li to 2
volts.

THE LACQUERING OF SHELLS.

W e propose to lacquer shells measuring
I'lV inches in diameter by one inch in depth.
These shells will be open at one end. The
lacquer used should be a sanitary gold process
lacquer and the conditions of the proposition
are such that for coating them inside and out
the total expense should not exceed two or
three cents per gross.

We would suggest that you use a lacquer
spraying machine for this purpose. By so
doing you will save at least 40% in compari-
son to the dipping and draining process.
Place goods on sheet iron or tin trays, bot-
tom up, and reverse them when dry for the
inside treatment. We believe that this method
will be more economical than any you have
oeen considering.

ESTIMATION OF SILVER CHLORIDE
IN SILVER SOLUTION.

How can I determine the amount of silver
chloride in a silver solution?

Take 4 oz. of silver solution to be tested,
and precipitate with hydrochloric acid. After
silver is precipitated, add slowly fine pieces
of zinc until all the chloride of silver is re-
duced, yielding a dark gray deposit of fine
silver. Wash this deposit several times, then
dry and weigh, multiply this weight by 32 and
it will give you the amount of silver per gal-
lon.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM.

The Aluminum Co. of America has begim
the manufacture of aluminum at Knoxville,
S. C, with a force of 900 men, which they
hope to increase shortly to 3,500.

The new plant of the U. S. Aluminum Co.,
New Kensington, Pa., is expected to be ready
for operation soon.

Work has been resumed on a small scale at
the Caney. Kan., plant of the American Lead
& Zinc Co. It is expected that the entire
plant will be in operation before long.

Ellison & Richter, Falconer, N. Y., have
made an addition of a brass and bronze
foundry to their business.

A new company composed of Pittsburgh,
Pa., and Wheeling, ^\'. Va., men has been
organized to manufacture metal products, and
will locate at North Warwood. \\'. Va.

The brass foundry at Norfolk Downs,
Afass., belonging to Edgar Norton, has been
sold to the Reline ^letal Co., a new concern,
who intend commencing operations at once.

150

THE BRASS WORUD

April

PREPARATION OF PHOS-
PHORUS TIN.

B .THOS. ADAMS.

Tin lias a natural attmily for phosijliorus
and can be successfully introduced into it if
the temperature of the molten tin is maintained
at not over 490 degrees. An ordinary zinc or
babbitt kettle may be used for this purpose
with an iron cover ami iron box extending
down over the bottom of said cover to act
as a phosphorizer. The iron box is pcrforatetl
in order that the phosphorus may enter the
metal freel\' from the sides and base of the
phosphorizer.

;\Iany accidents may be prevented by allow-
ing the phosphorus to stand in a 5% copper
sulphate solution for a period of three hours,
thus causing the phosphorus to become plated
with copper. A wooden box. lead lined, or
some large glass receptacle may be used for
this purpose. The phosphorus can then be
handled without any danger; in fact it may
be exposed to the atmosphere for two or three
hours before it will show any sign of ignition,
due to .{he plating of copper over the phos-
lihorus. Another advantage of having this
copper plating is that it gives tlie phosphorus
a chance to be merged into the molten tin
before expansion takes place.

In making phosphorus tin use the best
quality of tin to be had. By so doing you will
have a higher efficiency in the manufacture of
this metal. 1% of lead will cause a loss of
phosphorus and create more than 10% of
skimmings. The reason for this is, that phos-
phorus has no affinity for lead and acts as a
scavenger.

A number of firms phosphorizing tin con-
taining from 1% to 6% of lead think they
show a saving, but such is not the case how-
ever, and they are only fooling themselves.
The temperature and the good quality of the
tin control the success of making pliosphorus
tin.

TO AVOID LEAD SEGREGATION.

In making up metals of tlie following com-
position :

Copper 65%

Tin 1%

Lead 15%

Zinc 19%

unless great care is exercised, segregation of

the lead is manifested. One of the best
methods of overcoming this difificulty, is to
have the brass and lead go into the crucibles
at the same time, allowing the lead to give up
a small percentage of its oxides. When these
two metals are melted introduce the zinc, mix
thoroughly with an iron rod and the result
after pouring will be a uniform metal.

WANTED— NAMES OF GALVAN-
IZING APPARATUS MAN-
UFACTURERS.

One of our foreign subscribers, Ernst
Rosenberg, who writes from Ritter.strasse
48, Berlin, Germany, wishes to learn the names
of the manufacturers of the most up-to-date
electro-galvanizing apparatus for galvanizing
spelter on iron and steel wire, which must be
a continuous operation.

NEW BUFFING COMPOSITION
PLANT.

The E. J. Woodison Co.. Detroit, Mich., has
just completed the installation of a bufifing
composition plant, and contemplates the mak-
ing of all kinds of buffing composition of the
highest grade, including the Woodison
Crystal Finish for nickel on brass and nickel
on iron, tripoli, crocus, emery cake, coloring
composition, etc. The same company is also
placing on the market a metal rim riddle, with
an adjustable bottom, or refdl. These are
made in both 18-in. and 20-in. sizes, and with
both galvanized and brass bottoms or sieves.
The metal rims are claimed to possess greater
durability than the wood and the cost of re-
fills is much less.

NEW BOOKS.

"The Sampling and Assay of the Precious
Metals," is the title of a book by Ernest A.
Smith, recently published by the J. B. Lippin-
cott Co., Philadelphia, Pa. The author's aim
is stated to have been to provide a full de-
scription of the various methods of sampling
and assaying, by dry and wet methods, the
precious metals contained in ores, bullion and
metallurgical products. The subject is dealt
with most fully, special attention having been
devoted to sampling, a subject which the
author considers to be of great importance.
The book will be found valuable both to the
student and the practical assayer.

April

151

NEWS OF OUR NEIGHBORS.

The Pratt & Cady Co., Inc., Hartford,
Conn, has acquired the entire business of the
Pratt & Cady Co., manufacturing high quahty
valves, cocks and hydrants.

Ernst Arnold, the Progressive Copper &
Brass Works, 325 Bingaman St., Reading, Pa.,
has added a brass foundry to his shop, and
is prepared to accept orders for metal castings
of all descriptions.

There is small change in the Mexican
situation as far as it affects the American
Smelting & Refining Co. At Chihuahua,
Northern Alexico, the company continues to
operate four of its eight furnaces and the
Aguascalientes plant in the central part of the
republic is running without interruption. The
other three main plants are closed and seeui
likely to remain so indefinitely.

The Monarch JNIetal ^Ifg. Co., Kansas City,
Mo., will move to Canton, O. where a plant
will be erected on a five-acre site near the
plant of th:^ Republic Stamping & Enameling
Co.

The Goldsmith Bros. Smelting & Refining
Company, Throop and Fifty-ninth Sts.,
Chicago, is building a two-story addition, 40
X 67 ft., the expected cost to be $13,000.

Zucker & Levett & Loeb Co., manufacturers
of electroplaters' supplies at 410 West Thir-
teenth St., New York, have filed a petition
in bankruptcy with liabilities of $9,595 and
nominal assets of $4,765, consisting of stock
$2,000 notes of the company $1,955, office fur-
niture $150, accounts $141, cash in bank, $40,
and equity in security held by creditor $479.
This is a New Jersey Corporation, incorpora-
ted in Tune, , and George W. Levett is
president. There was a New York corpora-
tion of the same name against which a pe-
tition in bankruptcy was filed on Sept. 9, lOlO.

The brass foundry of the Andrew Messmer
Co., Cincinnati. O., was recently destroyed
bv fire, with a loss of SfiO.OOO.

A receivership has been established for the
Stamford German Silver Co., Stamford,
Conn., this action resulting from a disagree-
ment among the owners, rather than from
financial difficulties, it is understood.

The receivers of the Pope Manufacturing
Co., Hartford, Conn., have been authorized
to continue to operate the business for an ad-
ditional four months.

Excavation for the new casting shop of the
American Brass Co., at Torrington, Conn.
has been begun.

Ellison & Richter, Falconer, N. Y., have ad-
ded a brass and bronze foundry to their busi-
ness.

The Granite City Stock Co., which is the
steel department of the National Enamelling
& Stamping Co., has recently resumed the full
day schedule of work for its 1,600 employees,
besides engaging 400 new men.

F. J. Kingsbury, president of the Bridge-
port Brass Co., Bridgeport, Conn., which em-
ploys thousands of hands, stated recently that
the outlook for business is much steadier than
last year.

The French INIfg. Co., Waterbury, Conn.,
manufacturer of brass tubing, has awarded
the contract for a large addition to its works.

The Phillips Sheet Tin Plate Co., Steubens-
ville, O., will build an addition to cost $10,000.

The Wallaceburg Brass & Iron Manufac-
turing Co., Ltd., \\"allaceburg, Ont., has in-
creased its capital stock from $40,000 to $250,-
000.

The General Aluminum & Brass ]\Ianufac-
turing Co., Detroit, ^lich., has awarded con-
tracts for a factory building to be erected at
East Grand Blvd. and St. Aubin Ave.

The Star Brass Works, Seattle, Wash., has
been incorporated with a capital stock of
$6,000 by M. O. Stone and M. W. and E.
Rvan.

152

April

DEPOSITION OF CYANIDE OF GOLD ON SOFT METAL,
MADE OF ANTIMONY AND LEAD.

BY PHENIX.

There are several perplexities in connection
with the above. One is a tendency at times
to show a pink streak on the surface of the
ormolu sold finish after lacxiuerins, also small
reddish spots appear. It is almost impos.sib!e
to see this condition before the work is
lacquered, unless the plater has liad consider-
able experience in handling this class of w^ork.
This pink streak comes from an impro;)er
condition of the brass strike that is used be-
fore gilding. One reason is that the strike
becomes a little too high in zinc, which
causes a light pink shade to show on the
work in different places.

Then we have tlie opposite of the zinc ex-
cess, which is too nnich copper. This will
cause reddish spots to show on the work.
The worst condition of all is an excess of
cyanide, as a result of which, although the
work seems riglit in color after gilding, it will
after being lacquered for a day or two, turn
a brownish yellow. These conditions are very
annoying to the plater, and perhaps mean
holding up a whole day's work, or more. The
way to avoid them is to be sure the brass
strike is in good shape before going ahead
with the work.

There is also the trouble of black specks
showing up after the work has been through
the sour copper bath, dipped, rinsed and put
into the brass strike. After taking the work
out of this solution, and rinsing in water,
these black specks show up. This condition
comes from a porous condition of the metal.
These little pinholes secrete very small par-
ticles of buffing sand, and unless the work is
watched very closely in the cleaning, these
little particles remain on the work, and are
apparently covered in the sour copper bath.
But the lirst di]) the work gets will l)ring them
to the surface, and then there is trouble, for
it all has to be done over, at an added cost
of production.

Cyanide of gold plays the most important
part in the ormolu gold finish. This is not a
hard solution to run, so long as it is kept
up to a high standard, but having to run it by
adding a small amount of chloride of gold at
different times during the day, so as to keep
down the cost, is wliere the \-oung iilater

will make his mistake. One that he is most
liable to make, is allowing the solution to get
too free in cyanide. Although the work looks
right after gilding, after standing a few hours,
it will turn to a whitish yellow. A piece of
this work lacquered will look almost like
brass plate. This condition may be remedied
by watching the gold anodes in the solution.
When they begin to turn black, one may be
sure that the gold bath is running down in
chloride.

To be successful in this work is to know
the brass .strike first, and then the gold solu-
tion, as they are the most important of the
baths througli which the work has to pass.
Next in line is the sour copper bath, which
must be kept up, or the ormolu gold will not
be of the high standard which is called for in
the trade today. The best way to overcome
the cundition.s caused by the brass strike is to
have a half barrel of carbonate of anunonia
and copper carbonate on hand all the time.
Dissolve the carbonate of ammonia first in,
liot water, then add small quantities of car-
bonate of copper, until the ammonia will not
take up any more. Allow to stand three or
four hours before using and use only the clear
blue solution.

MEETING OF THE AMERICAN
CHEMICAL SOCIETY.

The 23th general meciing of the American
Chemical Society will be held in New- York
City from April IGth to ISth, the headquarters
being at Chemists' Building, .50 E. 41st St..
where the Thursday sessions will take place.
Friday is to be devoted to an all day steam-
lioat excursion around Xew York Harbor and
Statcn Island. coml)ined with visits to the
plants of the American Smelting & Refining
Co., the United Lead Co., and the Waclark
Wire Co. Electroplaters are cordially invited
to attend one or more of the sessions, when
questions directly relating to plating and
kindred subjects are to be discussed.

April

THE BRASS WORJ.D

AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF

PREVENTING OXIDATION

OF METALS DURING

ANNEALING.

This invention relates to the annealing of
metals and is especiall}^ directed to the pre-
vention or elimination of oxidation on the
surface of metals during the annealing opera-
tion. When a fusible halogen salt of an
alkaline or an alkaline-earth metal is mixed
with a base and spread on the article to be
annealed, during the annealing operation, the
inventors claim the article will not oxidize.
IMoreover, not only is oxidation prevented,
but such halogen salt will act as a solvent to
remove any oxide on the surface of the
metal when it is heated for annealing.

John F. Thompson, Brooklyn, and Edward
S. Seelye, Tompkinsville, X. Y., are the in-
ventors of the process, which has been as-
signed to the International Xickel Co. Their
description of a typical operation of the pro-
cess is interesting. "To boiling water in a
suitable receptacle, we add calcium chloride,
and the calcium chloride is thereby dissolved
in the water and forms a saturated solution of
calcium chloride. We then emulsify the mix-
ture by adding ground fluorspar (calcium
fluoride) and the result is a mixture in the
form of a thin paste. To this, if desired, we
may add more water for the purpose of thin-
ning the mixture. We then apply the paste
to the article to be annealed by either dipping
the article into the paste or by applying the
paste to the article with a brush.

"When the article is heated, its surfaces,
instead of oxidizing, are kept free from oxi-
dation, and after annealing the paste can be
washed, rubbed, or brushed off, and the sur-
faces of the article are found in substantially
the same condition in which they were before
annealing. If, however, the article was some-
what oxidized before annealing, such oxide
will be found to have been removed during
tiie annealing operation, the mixture acting
as a solvent therefor during the heating-
operation.

"In the typical method we usually employ
two parts of fluorspar to one part of calcium
chloride, the calcium chloride being the active
agent and the fluorspar being the base which
retains the calcium chloride on the surface of
the article when the calcium chloride fluxes
from the heat during the annealing process.

The base employed must act as a vehicle to
retain the active agent on the surfaces of
the articles during the annealing temperature,
since if the mixture is not retained on the
surfaces of the articles in a uniform manner,
oxidation will ensue. The water is added to
aid in spreading the mixture on the article
to be annealed.

"The proportions of the base and of the
fusible halogen salt of an alkaline-earth
metal may be varied within certain limits
in the practice of our invention, and any
material may be used instead of the calcium
fluoride which will act as a suitable vehicle
for the active agent."'

TWO IMPORTANT CONVEN-
TIONS.

During the week beginning April 20th,
Worcester, ]*Iass. will be the convention place
for two national organizations, the National
Metal Trades Association and the National
^lachine Tool Builders Association, both of
which are expected to bring not far from 500
delegates from all over the United States.

TRADE ITEMS.

An interesting experiment in zinc smelting
is to be tried shortly by the Collinsville Zinc
Co., Collinsville. 111., under the supervision of
the Fuller Engineering Co.. Allentown, Pa.
A pulverized-coal equipment is being installed
and it is expected that the plant will be in
operation in June of this year. This method
of firing is expected to prove more economical
than gas firing, and this will be the first ex-
tensive trial of coal-dust firing of a distilla-
tion furnace with modern equipment.

In the 3rd annual report of the National
Bureau of Klines it is pointed out that the de-
velopment of the mining industry in the
^^'estern States during the past several years
has fallen far sliort of that of agriculture.
This is partly accounted for in the report bv
the fact that while an agricultural experimen-
tal station and school have been establishel
there and large sums have been appropriated
to the development of agriculture, the mining
industry has been neglected in this respect
and the Bureau asks for a number of experi-
mental stations, and also additional funds to
carry on investigations in those states.

154

April l'.)14

TRADE HAPPENINGS.

The I-'ranklin H. Kalbfleisch Co., Metropolis
Bldg., New York City, in its recently issued
literature calls special attention to the fact
that the sulphuric acid which it manufactures
has always been made at all its plants from
brimstone, which produces an acid free from
arsenic and other impurities present in the
acid made from pyrites and other materials.
Sulphuric acid being the basis of practically
the entire chemical industry, this insures the
purity of the other acids manufactured by the
company. The lacquers and thinners of Kalb-
fleisch production are winning daily favor
with the trade. The company maintains a
Bureau of Information which is in position to
furnish interesting data on the effect of im-
pure acids when used for dipping purposes,
etc. This can be obtained upon application.
\Mien writing, mention the "Brass World."

The Buffalo Dental Mfg. Co., Buffalo, N. Y.
is sending out to applicants its illustrated
catalog of laboratory and workshop applian-
ces. ]\Iany of these are of direct interest to
brass founders and electroplaters, included
among others being various types of furnaces,
crucibles, ladles, blowpipes and soldering in-
struments. Each piece of apparatus is most
fully described and illustrated, and the price
clearly shown. At the end of this 80 page
book are some valuable tables of elements
and gases, with other interesting information.
Readers contemplating the purchase of sup-
plies of this kind should write the company
for their catalog, mentioning the "Brass
World."

The Jantz & Leist Electric Co., Cincinnati,
O., is making two kinds of generators for
electrolytic work, electro-plating and the
general deposition of metals. One of these is
a slow speed, belted type low voltage genera-
tor and the other is a direct current motor
generator. Both kinds are built in sizes from
400 to amperes, giving voltages varying
from 3 to 10 volts. The direct motor gencra-
ttir in the larger sizes can be used three wire
system, giving three voltages for electroplat-
ing.

One of the plater's necessities has always
been an effective and reliable metal cleaner.

and both time and UKjney have constantly been
devoted to the search for one that will give
com])lete satisfaction. It will be good news
to him, therefore, to learn that the Roessler &
llasslacher Chemical Co., 100 William St.,
.\ew V'ork, after diligent study of the require-
ments of the industry, have put on the market
the "R. & M. -Aletal Cleaner."

The Ilarsliaw, Fuller & Goodwin Co.,
Cleveland and New York, is distributing to
the trade the curn-nt price list of its chemical
specialties. These comprise acetone, hydro
fluoric and tartaric acids, ammonium muriate,
antimony oxide, cobalt pero.xide and sulphate,
iron oxides, manganese salts, nickel anodes
and salts, potassium and sodium cyanides,
sugar of lead, tin and zinc oxides. The com-
pany is erecting another large plant at Phila-
delphia, which will be completed in the fall
and will be devoted to the manufacture of
manganese and givcerine.

"Onkey's I-iougc" made by the Oriental
Rouge Co., Bridgeport, Conn., is being used
by the leading silversmiths, jewelers, manufac-
turers of silver-plated wares, and general
brass manufacturers in the United States and
Canada. Wherever hue "coloring" is to be
done, the manufacturers claim that this rouge
will be found capable of giving the finest pos-
sible results, as it does not cling to the wheel,,
and the "color" obtained leaves nothing to be
desired. This company also makes "Onkey's-
White Coloring Composition" for use where
a white compound is desired. Samples of
either rouge or the white compound will be
sent upon request by this firm, who guarantee
satisfaction in every case.

HOW MUCH SHOULD A CASTING
WEIGH ?

In any given metal when you know the
weight of the pattern? Of course, it can be
figured but these are busy times and minutes-
make dollars. The S. C. Carpenter Drafting
& Engineering Co., 49 Oakland Terrace, Hart-
ford, Conn., has gone into the dollar-saving,
business wholesale. A special chart will en-
able one at once to know the weight of cast-

April

THE BRASS WORJ^D

155

ings in gun metal, aluminum, cast-iron, brass,
copper and zinc ivhen the weights of the
patterns in Xassau, Honduras and Spanish
Mahoganies and red. white and yellow pines
are known. Other charts of similar value on
right triangles, drill and drill-rod sizes,
squares, cubes, etc., of fractions to one foot
are available. You can obtain complete lists
and prices by application to the company. Say
you noted this in "Brass ^^'orld."

USE OF " PERSELS " FOR
NICKEL PLATING.

THE RESULT OF A CENTURY'S
SEARCH.

We received a large and attractive folder re-
cently, which bore the interesting statement
that the advertiser had been seeking for one
"hundred and two years for a silver solder
superior to his product. This may make us
feel old, but not too old to be interested.

The J. M. Xey Co., Hartford, Conn., is
responsible for this interesting folder. It is
devoted naturally to a careful description of
the development of Xey's silver solders and
sets forth in a most interesting and attractive
way their merits and their numerous applica-
tions. In spite of the thousands of printing
presses used, good literature is scarce. Our
readers can receive a mental stimulus by writ-
ing to the J. AI. Xey Co. for a copy of their
folder entitled "First Aid To Solderers."
When writing, mention the "Brass World."

A SAFE CASE -HARDENER.

The dangers arising from the use of cya-
nide for case-hardening are continually being
brought to the fore through the death from
heart failure, of some employe who has con-
stantly had to work in a hardening room, in
■contact with cyanide fumes.

Because of this danger, it is interesting to
learn that there is on the market, what is
claimed to be an efficient and economical sub-
stitute for cyanide for carbonizing, which
gives no poisonous fumes whatever, can be
employed at a low temperature and gives a
deep compact grained case and clean work.
This material, which is called Ferro Case, is
manufactured by the C. G. Buchanan Chemi-
cal Co., Cincinnati, O., from whom literature
dealing with the product can be obtained on
request. This company also manufactures
packing and welding compounds and metallic
tempering salts as well as a new brand of
sulphurette, which is its latest production.

Why should I use "Persels" for nickel plat-
ing? This question is fully answered in a
booklet issued by Brown & DeWitt. 136
Liberty St., Xew York, who give in an in-
teresting way, the scientific reasons why these
pure nickel salts are preferable. By means of
microphotographs they contrast the mirror-
like surface of a "Persels" deposit with the
uneven and porous surface produced from the
ordinary solutions. Further than this, the
actual saving in the buffing of the work is
figured out in dollars and cents, and economy
is also shown to be effected in the plating, the
elimination of defectives; and the saving of
anodes.

The booklet also describes the company's
eelctro-cleaning solutions in which a new
principle is applied to the theory of chemically
cleaning metals. The solution is used cold,
does not tarnish the metal, and can be re-
plenished from time to time, with special
chemicals.

SUBSTITUTES FOR NICKEL SALTS
AND CYANIDES.

It behoves the progressive platei "-o be con-
stantly on the alert for new methods and pro-
ducts that are being employed by his fraternity
the world over. It is noteworthy, then, that
many of the most representative concerns in
this country as well as in Europe have dis-
placed the single and double nickel salts
with German Chinisol for fixing and making
up nickel solutions. The manufacturers of
this and other Halico plating specialties, the
Hachmeister-Lind Chemical Co., Pittsburgh,
Pa., claim that they have also displaced
cyanide for fixing up gold, silver, zinc, brass
and copper solutions with Sustanol, a chemical
invented by a Swedish chemist two years ago,
and hitherto imported from Europe. These.
as well as other plating chemicals, are now
manufactured in America by the above-men-
tioned firm, who. in an instructive booklet en-
titled "Halico Plater's Information", give full
details of their products, with directions for
their use, showing how they can economically
and with greater efficiency be substituted for
the chemicals formerlv employed. When
writing for this little book, be sure to men-
tion the "Brass World."

156

THE BRASS WORLX)

April

NEW METHOD OF UNITING
METALS.

James C. Russell, of Pittsburgh, Pa., is the
inventor of a new method of uniting steel and
copper so as to form a homogeneous metal
with an interior of steel and an exterior of
copper.

The process of amalgamation is as follov.'s:
A piece of copjier sheet is fitted into an ingot
mold circular in cross section, and the side
edges are welded by means of an acetylene
torch, thus forming a tube, which exactly fits
the mold. The molten metal is then poured
into this tube, filling it. In this v/ay the inner
part of the tube is .caused to fuse and amal-
gamate with the molten metal. The ingot
formed is then taken to the rolling apparatus
shi:)wn in the illustration, and placed between

the rolls. It is now of conical form, the in-
terior being still liquid and the ends only suf-
ficiently solidified to prevent the liquid metal
from escaping. The large end of the ingot
is held against the disc 25 by means of plunger
27 which keeps it in place without preventing
its elongation.

During the rolling, the large end of the
ingot is decreased in diameter, and the gases
collected in it are forced out from the sides,
through the liquid or plastic metal, so that at

the end of this process, a solid homogeneous
mass of metal is formed, without blowholes,
and showing an outer coating of copper or
other metal used, without any apparent join-
ing or break line.

In this way, the inventor claims a cheap
rustless metal can be produced, which will
take the place of copper coated metal, and in
many instances, of solid copper.

At the annual meeting of the Rhode Island
branch of the National Aletal Trades Asso-
ciation, Col. Bryant, Commissioner of Labor
for New Jersey, spoke on the subject of "Fire
Prevention and Protection", stating in the
course of his address that in New Jersey,
there are laws demanding that all dust,
noxious fumes and excessive heat be carried
away from the workers. He metitioned the
fact that in a certain plant where a great deal
of metal polishing is done, the death rate
among employees has been reduced from .50
per in to G per in , in con-
sequence of the better arrangements and pre-
cautions demanded bv the laws of that state.

April

157

PATENT NOTES.

l,09l.4.?0. PRESS-.AIOLD FOR USE IN
THE AIANUPWCTURE OF METALLIC
BARS FROM FIXELV DIVIDED AIETAL-
LIC POWDERS. Karl Gladitz, London, Eng-
land.— This mold has a bed member with a
long narrow tapered recess, wider at one end
than the other. At the bottom of the recess
there is a rigid lining plate, and it also has
two lateral lining plates. There are spacing
/ elements for spacing these plates, a plunger
operating between them, and a tapered wedge
member which co-operates with the recess to
clamp them. ^^leans are provided for releasing
the tapered wedge so as to release the lateral
pressure in the mold chamber.

1,088,874. PROCESS OF COaTIXG OB-
JECTS WITH SUBDIVIDED .MATERIAL.
Franklin F. Bradley, Chicago, 111., assignor to
Bradley & Vrooman Co., Chicago, 111. — In this
invention the surfaces of the objects to be
coated are first covered with some adhesive
substance. The subdivided material is dis-
tributed in the confined body of a gas in
which it will float, and the object to be coated
is then surrounded by this body of gas. In this
way some of the gas is caused to flow by the
object in opposing streams under equal pres-
sures, and these streams mingle near the ob-
ject, thus producing motion under unequal
pressures, and subsequent coating of the ob-
ject with the subdivided material.

1,087,3S1. Feb. 17, . BRUSH FOR
DYNAMIC - ELECTRICAL AIACHIXES.
Ernest C. Ketchum and David H. Andrews.
This invention relates to armature brushes
and holders therefor to be used in connection

JiT} -T

i 1

1 t-T^rg '

made up of a plurality of members permanent-
Ij' secured together to make a compact solid
portion adapted to be secured to the remov-
able section of the holder.

1,085,294. Jan. 27, . CONVERTIBLE
SOLDERIXG-IRON. Herman A. Paquette.
This invention relates to improvements in that
type of tools which are designed or intended
for use b\- jewelers, tinners, metal workers

j^i

with dynamo electrical machines, and it has
for its object the production of a device of
this kind which may be readily detached from
the main supports and the brush of which is

and others, mainly, for the purposes of solder-
ing, fusing and brazing, an.d it consists in cer-
tain peculiarities of the construction, novel
arrangement and operation of the various
parts thereof.

1,087.781. Feb. 17, . BUFFING OR
POLISHING WHEEL. George P. Keller.
The invention relates to buffing or polishing
wheels formed of a plurality or folded pieses
of nmslin or other fabric material. The ob-
ject of the invention is to provide a new and
improved buffing or polishing wheel arranged
to prevent the peripheral face of the wheel
from unraveling and thus insuring long life
of the wheel, and to allow using the wheel
until the fabric pieces are practically used up.

1.089,412. TREATMENT OF REFRAC-
TORY ZINC-LEAD ORES. Percy Claude
Cameron Isherwood, Bushey Heath, England.
The two most interesting claims made are :

1. A process for the recovery of zinc from
prepared refractory zinc lead ore, consisting
in roasting the ore, then leaching the ore
under basic conditions with a quantity of
fresh sulphuric acid less than that which is
necessary for the complete solution of the
zinc contained therein and producing a highly
basic solution of zinc, afterward leaching the
ore with the remainder of the fresh sulphuric
acid necessary for the complete solution of
the zinc under conditions of high temperature

158

THE BRA.SS WORTX)

April 191+

and pressure, and adding the solution of zinc
thus produced in the second leaching of the
ore to the fresh sulphuric acid used in the first
leaching of a fresh quantity of ore.

2. A process for the recovery of zinc from
prepared refractory zinc lead ore, consisting
in first leaching the ore under basic conditions
with a quantity of fresh sulphuric acid less than
that necessary for the complete solution of
the zinc contained therein and producing a
highly basic solution of zinc and then effect-
ing the extraction of the remainder of the zinc
contained in the ore under conditions of high
temperature and pressure in an extractor
filter.

1,086,582. Feb. 10, . MANUFACTURE
OF MOLDS FOR CASTING METALS.
Caroline J. M. Bohl. This invention relates
to molds for casting metals, and the object
thereof is to provide an improved mold for
this purpose by means of which the delicate
outlines and designs of a finely wrought pat-
tern can be perfectly reproduced in a mold
from said pattern; a further object being to
provide a mold for the purpose specified which
will stand or resist the heat of a furnace and
also the heat of the metals poured into it
without being fractured or broken.

1,085,540. January 27, . IMETALLUR-
GICAL FURNACE PART. Willis W. Case
Jr. This invention relates to metallurgical
furnace parts and more particularly to a

crucible and its mounting in said furnace,
whereby the same may be used as a crucible
proper or converted into a retort.

1,086,314. Feb. 3, . PROCESS OF
MAKING AN IRON-NICKEL-COPPER
ALLOY. G. H. Clamer. This invention has

to do with the use of Monel metal in the pro-
duction of alloys of both the high and low
ranges, and also with the production of the
low range alloy direct from ore containing
nickel and copper and iron in the form of
sulfids, and the object of the present invention
is to provide an expeditious and economical
method of producing alloys of both the high
and low ranges.

1,089,773. METHOD OF MAKING TI-
TANIUM AND OTHER ALLOYS. Ernest
Kraus, Lynn, Mass., assignor to the General
Eletcric Co., New York. — The process con-

sists in electrically fusing the metallic oxide
and introducing aluminum, thereby producing
an ingot of titanium and aluminum alloy.

1,089,757. TUNGSTEN MANUFACTURE.
Theodore W. Freeh, Jr., Cleveland, O., as-
signor to the General Electric Co., New York.
— The step in the manufacture of tungsten for
use in incandescent lamp filaments, which con-
sists in adding to a compound of tungsten, a
relatively small amount of a thorium com-
pound, and heating the mixture under oxidiz-
ing conditions. An oxide of tungsten is
formed which is subsequently reduced to
tungsten and drawn down to wire.

1,088,909. METALLURGICAL ^lETHOD.
Hans Kuzel, Baden, Austria Hungary and
Edgar Wedekind, Strassburg, Germany, as-
signor to the General Electric Co., New York.
— A method of producing pure zirconium and
the refractory metals, which consists in reduc-
ing the metallic oxide with calcium in a
vacuum, and treating the reaction products to
eliminate all substances except the metal.

April

159

THE KROESCHELL - SCHWARTZ GYRATING FLAME

CRUCIBLE FURNACE.

The illustrations show the type of furnaces
made by Kroeschell Bros. Co., 444 West Erie
St., Chicago, III., and a special oil pumping
and circulating system which is quite in-
genious, effective and interesting. The Kroes-
chell-Schwartz Gyrating Flame Crucible Fur-
naces are constructed for the melting of all
alloys of copper, brass and aluminum ; ferro
alloys, such as ferro manganese, ferro silicon,
titanium, etc.; crucible steel, special mixtures
of gray iron, semi-steel, precious metals, etc.
These furnaces are made of the tilting and
stationary types and use oil or gas as de-
sired. The stationary furnaces are built in
sizes to take the place of ordinary coke pit
furnaces. A special iron kettle furnace is
provided for the melting of aluminum, lead,
zinc, babbitt metal, cyanides, etc.

Both tilting and stationary types are of the
same basic construction. The furnace is pro-
vided with two covers, the upper one closing
an opening in the lower cover through which
the metal is charged into the crucible. When

In Melting Position.

the charging is complete, this upper cover is
placed in position. The products of combus-
tion from the tilting furnace escape through
an opening three inches square provided in
the upper cover and discharging into a hood
immediately over it.

In the case of the stationary furnaces the
products of combustion are discharged from
the rear of the furnace, near the top, direct
into the main flue, and when in operation,

the cover is completely closed, so that posi-
tively no fumes are discharged into the fur-
nace room from the furnace.

A crucible of a special make is firmly
wedged in the furnace and is not removed
until it is replaced. The flame from the oil or
gas burner is introduced as shown in the il-
lustrations, through the burners at the left
hand side, and passes in the space lietween the

In Pouring Position.

crucible and the furnace casing in such a
way as to pursue a gj^ating course around
the crucible until the combustion products find
their exit at the top. This gyrating flame
particularly causes the metal in the bottom of
the pot to melt first and diminishes oxidation
in a most effective way.

The furnace is provided with trunnions,
resting on two cast-iron supports. The plac-
ing and construction of the trunnions are
such as to insure the easy tilting of the fur-
nace (by means of a hand wheel) when the
crucible is filled with metal. The door shown
at the bottom of the furnace covers an open-
ing through which the slag or spilled metal
discharges automatically so that it is impos-
sible to clog the slag opening. When pouring
the metal the furnace is completely closed,
thus preventing the cooling of the metal in
the crucible and retaining the heat in the pot
and furnace, thereby greatly reducing the
time required for making the next heat. The
furnace is strongly lined with a high grade of
fire brick.

160

THE BRASS \VORLI>

April

Figures presented by the manufacturers on
melting capacities and efficiencies show that in
melting copper, l)rass or bronze the furnace
has a capacity of from six to seven 400-lb.
heats per day. The oil consumption is quoted
at two gallons per hundred pounds of metal
melted. In gas ci)nsumi)tion it is estimated
that one hundred pounds of brass or bronze
can be melted with three hundred cubic feet
of gas. Manufacturers claim to obtain twice
as many heats as secured l)y the use of coal
or coke. It is estimated that the oxidation of
the non-ferrous metals in this furnace is also
low, on bronze being less than 1% and on
_\ellow brass, less than 2%.

The burner equipment is of such character
tliat it can easilv be changed to use either oil

of nil is stored in a tank outside of a building
in which the furnace is located. As the only
oil in the circulating system in the foundry is
the small quantity contained in the suction
and discharge pipes which are from over three
quarters of an inch to one inch in diameter,
lire risk is practically eliminaied. .\ relief valve
is also provided by means of which the oil
returns automatically to the tank when the
furnace, is not in operation. The entire oil-
I.'urning device is controlled by two valves,
one for the oil, the other for the air blast.
The blast pressure maintained in the furnace
is from twenty to twenty-four ounces. Litera-

Different Adaptations of the Oil Pumping and Circulation System.

or gas as fuel at will. The oil is atomized
and the air supply is regulated so as to insure
perfect combustion. In operation there is no
discharge of smoke nor odor from the burn-
ing oil.

The riil pumping and circulation system il-
lustrated consists of a steam or belt-driven
pump with all fixtures complete set upon an
equalizing box. This equalizing box is sup-
plied with a copper steam coil for heating the
oil, temperature gage, relief valve, etc.

This system supplies the fuel to the furnace
at any desired temperature or pressure and
is automatic in operatiou. The main supply

ture describing in greater detail the products
of the company can be secured by writing
to Kroeschell Bros. Co. Kindly mention
"The Brass World" in vour communication.

The chief points to consider in the anneal-
ing of German silver are the most suitable
temperature and the prevention of surface
oxidation and scaling. The best results have
been obtained by a long exposure at 800 de-
grees and a short exposure at 900 degrees.
With the increase of nickel in the alloy, the
difficulties of annealing increase.

April

THE BRA.SS WORLD

161

MEETINGS OF
AMERICAN ELECTRO-
PLATERS' SOCIETY.

NEW CORPORATIONS.

SUPREME SOCIETY

Meets first week in June, 1!.)14, at Chicago,
111. Secretary, Fred C. Clement, 462 North
Fiftieth Street, Philadelphia, Pa. ■

BRANCH SOCIETIES.

New York — Meets fourtli Friday of each
month at 309 West 2:Jrd Street, New York City,
at 8 P. M. Secretary, Joseph Minges,
Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Rochester — Meets second and fourth Wednes-
day of each month at Rochester University.
Secretary, Edwin S. Crowley, Jr., 368 South
Goodman Street, Rochester, N. Y.

Toronto — Meets fourth Thursday of each
month at Occidental Hall, Batliurst and Queen
Streets. Secretary, William Salmon, 49 Oak
Street, Toronto, Canada.

Philadelphia — Meets last Friday of each
month at Dooner's Hotel, Philadelphia, Pa.,
8 P. M. Secretary. Philip Uhl, North 29th
Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Dayton — Meets first and third Wednesday
at the Y. M. C. A., Dayton, Ohio. Secretary,
Alphonz Lamoureux, 500 East First Street,
Dayton, Ohio.

Newark — Meets first and third Friday of
each month, 8 P. M., 833 Broad Street, Newark,
N. J. Secretary, Charles A. Stiehle, 46 Madison
Avenue, Irvington, N. J.

Detroit — Meets first and third Friday of each
month at Burns' Hotel. Secretary, Jolin J.
Abler, 930 Willis Avenue, Detroit, Mich.

Chicag-Q — Meets first Saturday of each month
at Central Y. M. C. A. Secretary, Oscar E.
Servis, George Street, Chicago, 111.

Indianapolis — Meets twice a montli on Friday
evenings. Secretary, Albert J. Burns, 20S
Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis, Ind.

Buffalo — Meets the first Saturday of each
montli at the University of Buffalo, at 8 P. M.
Secretary, F. C. Mesle, Willow Avenue,
Niagara Falls, N. Y.

Milwaukee — Meets second Wednesday of
each montli at Marquette University. Secre-
tary, P. J. Sheehan, 922 Vliet Street, Milwau-
Ivee. \A'is.

Cincinnati — Meets once each month at Den-
nison Hotel, Cincinnati, Ohio. Secretary,
Thomas B. Whitehead, 609 Roberta Street,
Newport. Ky.

St. Iiouis — Meets on tlie first Thursday and
fourth Saturday of each month at Public Li-
brary Assembly Rooms. Secretary, H. H. Wil-
liams, Nebraska Ave.. St. Louis. Mo.

Acorn Opalite Aletal Specialties Company,
Cliicago, capital $5,000. Incorporators —
Oscar Kuffer, i^Iorris Greenberg, Manuel
P'riednian.

Twin City Aletal Roo.^ng and Supply Com-
pany, Winston, Salem, N. C, capital $10,000
authorized and $1,000 subscribed by T. A.
Butner, T. F. Holcomb and others.

The American Brass Novelty Co. — Manu-
facture of gas burners from iron, steel,
nickel, etc. ; capital $50,000. Incorporators ;
H. W. Seybert, Philadelphia, Pa.; H. B.
Tustin, Darby, Pa.; M. J. Stoftlit, Ogontz,
Pa.

Brown Plating & Manufacturing Company,
Kenton County, Ky. — Capital $10,000; incor-
porators, K. L. Brown, C. Vance, J. V. Ewan
and A. E. Motch.

South Texas Iron & J\Ietal Co., Fort Worth,
Tex., Capital stock $3,500. Incorporators, 'SI.
X. Copen, Louis Okon, M. Simon.

New Metal Process Co., Chicago. Capital,
$25,000. Incorporators — George X. Chritton,
John H. Lee, O. C. Avisus.

Progressive Smelting & Metal Corporation,
Manhattan, N. Y., $25,000; Samuel Lewis,
Elias H. Avram, Joseph A. Boccia, all of
New York.

Ahlgreg Kerosene Carbureter Company,
Pit:tsburgh, Pa. to carry on a general electrical
engineering, tool maker and metal workers'
business in all its branches. Capital $300,000.

Waterloo, (Iowa) Brass Foundry, capital
$5,000; to make brass, aluminum, copper and
other castings.

The Lingamore Copper Co. of Maryland
and the Eagle Metallic Co. of Pennsylvania,
consolidated into one concern, have been in-
corporated into the United 3ililling & Smelt-
ing Co., with a capitalization of $2,000,000.
The principal office of the company is at Wil-
mington, Del.

The Royal Metals Separator Co., Ltd.,
Kenora, Ontario, Canada, has just been in-
corporated with a capital of $100,000.

The Otto E. Hiitt Co. has been organized at
Auburn, i\Ie., to carry on a manufacturing
and repair business, particularly engaging in
the construction of metal cornices and sky-
lights.

162 . April

Connecticut Electro-Platers

TAKE NOTICE

A GET-TOGETHER DINNER for all foremen
platers, electro-chemists and those interested in the
de^■elopment of the indiistr}- is to be held on April 21;;,
1 914, at .

Copper. Casting Rt.

Coppei'. Sheet 11).

Copper "Wire nom. l^ase 11).

Copper Acetate (A'erdigris) n>.

Copper Carbonate, dry Ri.

Copper Sulphate (Blue-Stono) ....11).

Corrosiye Sul)limate. see Mercury Bi-
chloride.

Cream-Tartar, see Potassium Bitartrate.

Cryolite lb.

Cyanide, see Potassium Cyanide.

Dextrin Hi.

Kmery Flour 11).

Kmery. F F & F F F tl3.

Flint, powdered 11).

Fluor-Spar 12.") rtis. 18.

Fusel-Oil gal. 3.

Gold Chloride '. oz. 11.

Gold, Pure oz. 20.

Gum Copal n,.

Gum (luaiacuni 11).

Gum Mastic H). '.

Gum Sandarac rb.

Gum Shellac, brown lb. '.

Gum .Shellac, white tb.

Iridium oz. SO.

Ti'on Perchloride. (110 lljs.) Mi.

Iron Sulphate (Copperas) tt).

Lead Acetate (Sugar of Dead) ....tl.i.

De:i'1. Pig. Trust price 3

I.'- I 1. Red m

13
07
10
30
08

01 V2

05%

06 'A

01 •''4

04%

07
08
09

07V4

24%

05 lo

05%

04%
26
1 4 14

19%

14%

05 V,

()3i.i>

04V>

05 34

Lead, Yellow Oxide (Litharge) . . .Hj.

Liver of Sulphur, see Potassium Sulphide.

Manganese. Ferro, 80 7o tl).

Manganese, Metallic, pure lb.

Magnesium, Metallic tb.

Mercury Bichloride (Corrosive Sub-
limate) tb.

Mercury, Metallic (Quicksilver) .. .lb.

Mercury Nitrate tb.

Mercury Oxide, yellow lb.

Nickel and Ammonium Sulphate

(Do'uljTe Salts) Hd.

Nickel Carl)onate, dry tl)

Nickel Chloride . . . .' tb

Nickel Metallic 1 ! M)

Nickel Sulphate (Single Salts) tb.

Nitre (saltpetre), see Potassium Nitrate

Oil of Vitriol, see Acid, Sulphuric.

ParafRne nj.

Phosphoi-us, yellow tl).

Phospboi-us. red tl)

Pitch H).'

Plaster of Paris. Dental bhl.

Platinum, soft oz. 43.00 to

Platinum, hard, 10% oz. 46.00 to

Platinum, hard, 20% oz. 49.00 to

Potash-l)y- Alcohol, in sticks tb.

Potash, Caustic tb.

Potassium Bichromate rtj.

Potassium Bitartrate (Cream of

Tartar ) n,.

Potassium Cyanide It).

Potassium Iodide tb.

Potassium Nitrate (Nitre or Salt-
petre) H).

Potassium Permanganate tl).

Potassium. Re:l Prussiaie tl).

Potassium. Yellow Prussiate tl).

Potassium Sulphide (Liver of Sul-
phur) H).

Potassium .Sulphuret. see Potassium
Sulphide.

Potassium Sulphoc.\anide 11).

Pumice, Ground tb.

Quartz, Powdered ton 1

Rosin, Yellow tl).

Sal-Ammoniac. see Ammonium Chloride.

Sal-Soda, see Sodium Carbonate.

Silver Chloride, dry oz.

Silver Cyanide oz.

Silver, Fine oz.

Silver Nitrate, crystals oz.

Soda- Ash tl)

Sodium Biborate. see Borax

Sodium Bisulphite H).

Sodium Carbonate (Sal-Soda),

crystals tli.

Sodium Hydrate (Caustic Soda) . . H).

Sodium Hydrate (Caustic Soda) by
Alcohol ( in sticks ) 111).

Sodium Hvposulr)hite (■■H\'po'.)

'. . . InO n)S.

."-Sodium Metallic It).

Sodium Nitrate II).

Sodium Phost)hate (Ci'>-staD H)

Sodium Silicate ( Water-Glass ) ...It).

Soot. Calcined lb.

Spelter, see Zinc.

Sugar of Lead, see Lead Acetate.

Sulphur ("Brimstone), in lump Tb.

Tin Chloride H).

Tin. Metallic H).

Turpentine, Si)irits of gal.

Verdigris, s^e Copper Acetate.

Water. Distilled gal.

Water-Glass, see Sodium Silicate.

Wax. Beeswax. >-ellow tl).

Wax. Carnauha 11).

Whiting (Ground Clialk) lb.

Zinc. (^\irl)onate. dry 11).

Zinc. Chloride ft).

Zinc. Sulphate tl).

Zinc, (spelter) tb.

.06%

.10

.75

1.50

1.12

.38

1.50

1.80

.081/2

.50

.30

.45

.20

.15

.45
1.00

.05
2.25

44.00

47.50

51.50

.45

.06

.07

.24%
.18
3.15

.
.12
.24
.15

.12

.25

.02

2.00

.06

1.00

.57%

.50

.01

.07

.02
.03

.24

1.60
.40
.03
.03
.
.15

.05

.15

.16
.70
.02
.10
.05
.03
.

THE

BDA5S WORLD

PLATEK5' GUIDE

VOI,. X. BR.IDGKPOR.T. CONN., MA.Y. IQI4. No. 5

A Monthly Journal Devoted to the

Art of Refining, Alloying, Casting, Rolling, Founding and Electro -

Plating of all the Non-Ferrous Metals and their Alloys.

Published by the Brass ^A(^orld Publishing Co.,
260 John Street, Bridgeport, Conn.

FOUNDER, ..... ERWIN S. SPERRY

MANAGING EDITOR, . . . . . H. de JOANNIS

Subscription Price $1.00 Per Year. 10 Cents a Copy.
Entered as Second Class Matter in the Post Office at Bridgeport, Conn.

CONTENTS FOR MAY.

American Electrochemical Society, The 25th General fleeting of the 185

American Electro-platers' Society 202

Antimony in White Metal, Rapid and Accurate Method for the Determination of 182

Bridgeport Electro-platers, First Get-Together Dinner of 181

Bronzes and Brasses, The Complete Analysis of 170

Building Business 203

Cathode Frame. A Xovel 17(3

Discussion of Plating Costs 195

Electrodeposition of Aluminum 175

Felt & Tarrant Co., The Up-to-date Electroplating Plant of the 167

Free Cyanide in Electroplating Solutions, A New Method for t!ie Determination of 18:>

Hardness Testing Machine, A Xew 190

Modern Foundryman, An Important Factor in the Evolution of the 177

New Corporations 206

News of Our Neighbors 198

Patent Notes 199

Patents for Designs ISO

Personal 194

Place and Value of the Trade Paper.-> 207

Questions and Answers 191

Recovery of Copper from Low Grade Tailings, A Practical Method for the 197

Tachometer, The New Bristol , 174

Taking Care of the Machine 166

Trade Happenings 204

Wanted — A Censor 189

What I Do ' 174

White Metals and Their Machining I87

166

-Mav 1U14

TAKING CARE OF THE MACHINE.

The most complex, most durable and most
marvelous machine in the world is — MAN. It
is also the most abused and the most neglect-
ed. Only durin.^ tlic last two decades have
our ears become familiar with the sound of
the words "Eugenics" and "Sanitation."

Before the Civil War, (if war can be
termed civil at all) up-to-date slave owners
knew that it PAID to treat their slaves well,
feed and clothe them decently, for their work
was better and their term of usefulness
longer.

The glorious wave of freedom that swept
over the country later brought with it in great
measure a sense of freedom from responsi-
bility wliich resulted in an enslavement of a
different type. Everybody was FREE. Why
worry about the employee? Was he not FREE
to look after himself?

The employee did attempt to do this later
by the formation of unions, and each em-
ployer and employee took as much and gave
as little as he could and dared.

Of late years, the idea of nnitual depcn
dence has been growing and the care of tlie
human machine is recognized as of prime iir,-
portance in its relationship to final dividends.
City ordinances are being changed through-
out the country, compelling provision for
light, air and heat to insure comfort ami
health to employees and the public.

Cleanliness of the workmen is no longer
considered a sign of effeminacy and dirt on
the workroom floor is not noted as a measure
of activity and zeal. The live foreman will
register a complaint of tired feet aljout three
p. m. as a sign that floor conditions should be
investigated and inattention to work as being
possibly due to bad lighting or foul air. We
received this morning an interesting corrobo
ration of these facts wiiich we reprint verba-
tim.

IMPROVING OPERATING CON-
DITIONS IN CORE DEPART-
MENT OF A BRASS MAN-
UFACTURING PLANT.

perienced girl coremakcrs were working at
one of the core benches. He stood for a few
moments watching them at work making
cores, and noted that although they were en-
deavoring to do their best, they were but
making slow progress. Calling tlie foreman,
he inquired as to the absence of the experi-
enced girls who previously occupied that core
bench. The foreman informed him that he
could not keep them during hot weather. "In
suniimer time they get lazy and quit, I guess,"
said the foreman. The president, who had
grasped the situation, replied, "Well, I would
get lazy too, if I had to work in a place like
this in hot weather. I will send the electrician
down here at once to put in electric fans
wherever they are needed, after which we w'ill
put in sky-lights. When this is done, you make
it a point to get word to the girls who have
quit or laid oft', that the core room has been
made more comfortable; also get word to any
exceptionally good workers who have been
here in our employ and see if we cannot get
them back. This time of the year is our
rush season and we cannot afford our exper-
ienced core-makers to lay off and hold up our
molding operations in the foundry."

The improvements brought back some of
the experienced girls at once, and since that
time, there has been much less "la\-ing-off"
in the hot days. The management has found
tlie fans a good investment and many other
manufacturers can learn a lession from the
above experience by looking after the sani-
tary conditions and welfare of their ein-
jiloyees.

The president of a large brass manufactur-
ing plant in a middle western city, who makes
two trips a week over his entire plant, noticed
on one of his trips that two new and inex

The manufacture of aluminum foil is a
growing industry of south-western Germany.
The foil is used in place of tin foil for wrap-
ping candied fruits, etc., possessing several
advantages over the tin. The process used is
to ])aint sheets of pure aluminum with a solu-
tion of oil that is soluble in water, placing the
sheets one upon another, or folding them, and
then rolling them nut to double their length
in a rolling-mill. The sheets are then folded
and the process is repeated until the desired
thinness is obtained. The cylinders of the
rolling mill are warmed with water to 45° C.
(li:!°F.). The sheets are rolled cold and
Anally annealed in a vacuum retort, and
cooled graduallv.

:\Iav I'.iU

167

THE UP-TO-DATE ELECTROPLATING PLANT OF THE
FELT & TARRANT COMPANY.

There is scarcely a department in the busi-
ness world or a room in the domestic world
where the electro-plater and his profession
have not been called to assist in the produc-
tion of goods durable and ornamental. Among

that duplicates with ease many of the opera-
tions which formerly bewildered and harassed
the business bookkeeper.

In the making of the many parts for the
"Comptometer" the plating and polishing de-

Polishing and Buffing Room.

the revolutionary devices which have con-
tributed to the development of our commercial
supremacy, the adding and calculating
machines and typewriters stand preeminent.

One of the model plants of Chicago is that
of the Felt & Tarrant Co., manufacturer of
the well-known "Comptometer", a machine

partments of the factory play an important
role. Accuracy and durability are the slogans
of every operation and many special devices
and methods are necessary in the plating and
polishing of the hundreds of small parts
which are used in the construction of this
machine.

168

THE BRASS WORLX)

May

The plating department (F"ig. 1) displays
a perfection of arrangement for economical
and effective manipulation of work which is
well worthy of study. The necessary electro-
cleaning and pickling operations are all per-
formed in ihe center of the room eliminating
useless steps of the plater in the passage of
the work to any tank.

The polishing department shown in Fig. 2
is also a model room in every respect. A
large quantity of small pieces is dail\
handled in this department, these varying in
size from that of a pin head to that of the
largest part of the steel case of the machine.
All punchings and stampings are disc-lapped,
no tumbling or rattling being allowed, thus
preserving the corners and edges of the deli-
cate parts from injury.

The removal of dust and emery is effected
by a large exhaust blower, connected with the
truid-: line to all the hoods, the material being-
drawn out and up to a "Cyclone" collector on
the roof of the building. In the same manner,
the sawdust is removed from the small parts
by a blower-separator.

All case parts after going through sand-
blasting and plating rooms, receive here a
heavy coat of high grade lacquer and are
then finally baked. A motor exhaust fan re-
moves all the vapors rising from the sprays

View of Lacquering Room.

and the ovens. Motive power is furnished
by Crocker & Wheeler motors in all depart-
ments and a Burdette & Roundtree automatic
dumb waiter in each department, operated

Diagonal View of tfie Plating Room.

All polishing lathes are served by portable
steel racks and benches to and from the
wheels.

The lacquer room is laid out and equipped
to serve every practical and sanitary demand
of the operator, the modern method of spray
lacquering being used. A portion of this room
is shown in Fig. 3.

electrically, transports the work to different
floors as desired. The foreman of this motor
plant is O. E. Servis, secretary of the Chicago
Branch of the American Electro-Platers'
Society. Mr. Servis has been connected with
the Felt & Tarrant Co. for a number of years
and is well known and respected among the
electro-platers of Chicago.

Ai:

TJ 14

THE BRASS WORIJ3

169

The visitor to the poHshing and plating
rooms is impressed with the extreme cleanli-
ness, perfect lighting, and excellent ventilation
of every portion of the various departments.
Under the influence of modern sanitary teach-
ings, it is being recognized with increasing
force that light, air, and sanitary surround-
ings are efficiency factors wliicli without doubt
bring about a steady increase in the profits of
the concern which recognize these essentials.

A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FOR
FOUNDRYMEN AND METAL-
LURGISTS.

In the work of the Committee on Re-
search of the American Society of Plumbing
Inspectors and Sanitary Engineers, many in-
teresting problems have been taken up.

The Washington (D. C.) Health Depart-
ment has been greatly troubled lately with the
grade of hydrant hopper cocks used for the
flushing of yard water closets. These cocks
are buried in the ground from IS in. to 2 ft.
in order to provide protection against frost.
When the handle is turned one way, it al-
lows the water to flow from the supply pipe
up into and flushing the closet bowl, and,
when the handle is turned the other way, the
water supply from the -main is shut off and
opens the way for the water then standing
in the vertical pipe to discharge through the
small waste hole in the side either into the
ground or into a small connection to the
waste pipe of the fixture.

Of course, everyone knows that "plug cocks",
or what is known to the trade as ground
key work will not stand the same amount of
usage as other types, and yet, inasmuch as
these hopper cocks are probably operated not
more than eight or ten times a day, it would
seem to be unnecessary that they should fail
after about one year's service and begin to
leak owing to the wear on the core.

As a suggestion, it is possible that different
mixtures of metal would have a tendency to
prolong the life, or the use of harder metal,
or certain ingredients in the brass to produce
a hardness would be an improvement.

The solution of this problem would be of
service to the whole country and would be the
means of saving millions and millions of gal-
lons of water per year. One of these hopper

cocks placed in the ground will last perfect-
ly tight about eight months, at which time a
small leak appears, which gradually grows
larger until the leakage is so great at the end
of twehe months that it shows up at the sur-
face and it is assumed that in those four
months a total of 8,000 gallons of water have
gone to waste, which means a yearly waste
per hopper cock of 8,000 gallons. With 12,-
000 hopper cocks installed in Washington, this
signifies a yearly waste of 96,000,000 gallons,
on all of which there are paid pumpage and
filtration expenses, amounting in the year to
several thousand dollars for this city alone.

Showing the Daily Waste of Water in Gallons, on 40 lb.

Pressure, Through Leaks in Hopper Cocks of the

Sizes Indicated.

We have only recently come to recognize
as a nation the wastefulness of our former
methods of living. We are now talking con-
servation, though in some cases it is very
much like locking the stable door after the
pony is stolen, notably in the case of the gas
fields in Indiana and some of our timber
lands. The above facts bring to light a start-
ling waste of ninety-six million gallons of
water wasted in one city. This is not an
amovuit to be ignored. We have other figures
showing similar wastefulness in all other
American cities. A study of the conditions
of the use of these hydrant hopper cocks and
the causes of their defection can undoubted-
ly be turned to advantage as a commercial op-
portunity.

A good white brass can be made as follows :
Melt 20 lb. of zinc and add 3 lbs. of copper
in the form of thin sheet, wire or other easily
dissolved material. Heat the zinc until the
copper has been dissolved and then add grad-
ually 12 lbs. of zinc, making a total of 32 lbs.
To this add 63 lbs. of tin and 2 lbs. of phos-
phor tin. The mixture should be thoroughly
stirred.

170

Mav

THE COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF BRONZES AND BRASSES-

BY JOSEPH W. PHELAN AND ERNEST C. CROCKER.*

Although the literature of chemical analysis
now contains a large number of excellent
methods for the analysis of bronzes and
brasses, the following procedure contains
several new features which may, perhaps, en-
title it to consideration. It is the outgrowth
of a series of experiments, extending over
several years, to shorten the time required
for the complete analysis of the products of
brass foundries and valve works. The pro-
cedure as developed, applies to all kinds of
bronzes and brasses, brazing materials, German-
silver, and electrical-resistance alloys, wherein
the content of manganese is not over two or
three per cent. The metals which may be de-
termined are tin, copper, lead. iron, aluminum,
manganese, nickel, and zinc.

The time required for a complete analysis
need not extend over more than seven or eight
hours, even though six or more metals are de-
termined. Usually, only three or four metals
are present in an alloy, and the time required
will be five hours or even less. In most cases,
it is possible to analyze an alloy in one hour,
plus one hour for each metal to be determined.

The nickel is determined by the extremely
accurate and convenient di-methyl glyoxime
method. The copper is determined as the
metal, the zinc as the phosphate, and all the
other metals as the oxides.

There is one piece of special apparatus re-
quired in this procedure : a "rotating cathode"
electrolytic stand. This apparatus consists of
a framework to hold the electrodes and
beakers for check runs. The cathode is most
conveniently made by fitting a platinum
crucible over a Xo. 7 rubber stopper which is
fitted upon the end of a vertical shaft. This
may either be supplied with pulley drive, or be
the continuation of the shaft of a small motor.
The cathode should rotate at a speed of 600
to 800 revolutions per minute. The anode
consists of a platinum plate with sandblast
or frost finish, bent into a semicircle to fit into
a 150 c. c. beaker, and clearing the rotating
cathode by about a centimeter. The beaker
stand should be arranged so that the beaker
may be quickly lowered from the electrodes.

*Massachusetts Institute of Technolog-v.

Electrical contact with the crucible serving
as cathode, and the shaft is made by several
pieces of small platinum wire fastened to the
shaft and pressed between the crucible and the
rubber stopper. Contact with the shaft is
made through a bearing or by means of a
"bru.sh'' pressing upon it. The current is pre-
ferably taken from a 110 volt supply, with
lamps in parallel, in series with the electroly-
tic apparatus, so adjusted as to allow a flow
of current of 2..') to .'i.O amperes. Some switch-
.ng arrangement must be provided so that
the current max continue to pass through the
second solution while the electrodes of the
first beaker are being washed, the solution
having been lowered from them.

PROCEDURE.

(In order to have a check on the work, the
procedure should be carried out in duplicate).

A 1 gram sample of the drillings is weighed
out into a 150 c. c. beaker, 10 c. c. of dilute
(sp. gr. 1.2) nitric acid added, and the beaker
covered with a watch glass. When the action
has ceased, the cover-glass and sides of the
beaker are washed, and the solution allowed
to evaporate to a syrupy consistency. After
the evaporation. 7 c. c. of dilute (1.2) nitric
acid and 10 c. c. of water are added and the
solution is left on the steam-table for 15
minutes.

The careful evaporation of the solution
after the sample has been dissolved, is a mat-
ter of great importance. When the evapora-
tion has not been carried far enough, some of
the tin remains in the solution. When the
solution is evaporated to actual dryness, the
tin precipitate becomes dehydrated, going over
into the anhydrous form which often passes
through the filter, causing delay and in-
accuracy. By evaporating to such an extent
that dry spots just begin to appear, all the tin
will be in the precipitate, in an excellent form
to filter.

The insoluble tin compound is filtered ofif
and washed with small amounts of very hot
water. The filtrate and washings are re-
ceived into a 150 c. c. beaker, and should not
have a depth of over .3 cm. The precipitate is
dried and ignited to stannic oxide, (SnO,)
which is 78.8 per cent. tin.

.Mav

THE BRXSS WORIX)

171

Tlie tin precipitate is ignited directly to
SnOj in this procedure, the usual ammonium
sulphide treatment being dispensed with. In
phosphor-bronzes, the phosphorus is deter-
mined in a separate 5-gram sample, and a cor-
rection made for the phosphorus by subtract-
ing (0.20 X PoOs in the 5-gram sample) from
the weight of the ignited precipitate.

The tin precipitate contains any trace of
antimony which may have been present in the
alloy. It usually shows a trace of iron, but if
carefull}' washed with liot w"ater, no appreci-
able amount of lead, copper, or any other
metal will be found.

The solution from which the tin has been
removed is heated to boiling, 0.25 gram of
solid urea added, and electrolyzed while still
hot, using the "rotating cathode"' and a cur-
rent of 2.5 to 3.0 amperes. It should become
colorless in 20 to 40 minutes. If, at the end
of 40 minutes the blue or green color of cop-
per still persists. 0.5 gram of urea is added,
and the sides of the beaker washed down
with a little hot water. In any case, at the
end of one hour, 0.5 gram of urea is added,
and the electrolysis continued for 20 minutes.
A green color m the solution which does not
diminish after the addition of urea is pro-
bably due to the presence of a considerable
amount of nickel.

When, preliminary to the electrolysis, the
solution is brought to a boil and a little urea
added, the following reaction takes place :
CO (NH,), + 2HN0, — 2X, + 2H,0 + CO,
Subsequent additions of urea are to destroy
any nitrous acid formed during the elec-
trolysis.

Copper and lead may both be removed
quantitatively from a nitric acid solution by
this procedure in one hour. If the amount of
nitrous acid is not kept very small, a condition
is soon reached wherein the copper and lead
are dissolved from the electrodes at the
same rate at which they are deposited by the
current, thus making the completion of the
process impossible.

Although the addition of sulphuric acid or
ammonium sulphate has been recommended
by several writers, experiments have shown
that no advantage results from such addi-
tion when urea is used.

The use of gelatin, as an "addition reagent",
has been found to be objectionable. The
gelatin used in the experiments was a month-

old, 0.5 per cent, solution of the best French
gelatin. Two drops of this solution in 50 c. c.
of electrolyte greatly influenced the character
of the deposit of copper. The deposit, in-
stead of being somewhat dark colored and
crystalline, became light colored and very
fine grained. The copper usually de-
posited well for a few minutes, but large
amounts of nitrous acid were formed in the
solution. Even with the aid of urea, nearly
three hours were often required for an elec-
trolysis which would have been complete in
40 minutes had not this 0.001 per cent, of
gelatin been present. The deposits, when
finally obtained, were of great beauty, but of
no different weight than ordinary deposits.

The copper deposit should adhere firmly to
the electrode, in this case the crucible. It
may have a peach-bloom appearance, a frost-

Electrical Apparatus Used Showing ''Rotating Cathode."

figure appearance like galvanized iron, or be
dull and granular. All these conditions allow
of accurate results. Any traces of noble
metals, or of arsenic or bismuth, which may
be present in the alloy, will be deposited with
the copper.

At the end of one hour and twenty min-
utes, the electrodes are removed, preferably

172

THE BRASS WORLD

^Nlav

by lowering tlic solution from thcni, while
the current is still passing. In no case should
either electrode remain in the solution for
more than a moment after the current is
stopped. The electrodes are renioxed fron.i
the apparatus, washed well with hot water,
then with alcohol, dried at llO'C". for live
minutes, cooled antl weighed. 'I"he dark-
colored deposit contains 8().5 per cent lead.

When the alloy contains considerable man-
ganese, some of the manganese may deposit
with the lead. If nuich manganese deposits
with the lead, the combined oxides should be
weighed, the manganese determined by the
bismuthate method, and the lead o])tained by
difference.

There need be no trouble due to overlooking
even a small amount of Mn (OH)4 along with
the PbO.. since these two. compounds do not
dei)o.sit upon each otlier, but on ditferenl
places on the electrode, leaving a line of no-
deposition between. The manganese deposit
is golden-brown in small amounts, as con-
trasted with the chocolate or pnri)le-]jrown oi
the lead, and may always be found, if present,
on the back of the electrode, at the top line of
the liquid. Furthermore, when manganese is
present in appreciable amount, the solution is
colored the characteristic permanganate-pink
during the first part of the electrolysis,
especially near the lop of the hquid, at the
back of the anode. When lead alone is
present, the deposit is ver\- uniform.

.•\fter the solution has been electrolyzed, i;
is heated to boiling, and "> grams of am
monium chloride and 10 c. c. of strong am-
monia water are added. ( A blue color in tin-
solution at this point indicate? nickel if the
copper has ])een completely removed.) The
solution is boiled for a few moments, the pre-
cipitate allowed to settle soiiu-what, and the
solution filtered into a .'iOO c. c. beaker. If
small, the precipitate is washed well, dried,
and ignited. A fair sized precii)itate is al-
lowed to drain thoroughly, and then placed,
together with the filter paper, in the beaker in
which the precipitation was made. Fifteen
c. c. of concentrated hydrochloric acitl is
poured on the filter paper and precipitate, the
beaker covered and allowed to stand on the
steam-table until the filter paper has disin-
tegrated. The cover and sides of the beaker
are wa.shed with 20 c. c. of cold water, and
strong annnonia water is added until the solu-
tion is distinctlv alkaline. The mass is a!-

bnved to stand a few miniUes, and is then
filtered into the MOO c. c. l)eaker containing the
filtrate of the first precipitation. The filter is
v.ashed well with hot water, dried, and
ignited. If the ignited mass is white, it is es-
sentially aluininuni oxide (-\l.j():,), which is
.'):>. 0 ];er cent, aluminum: if dark colored, it
is mostly iron oxide (Fe.O:;). which is 70.0
per cent. imn.

()rdinaril\, only traces of iron and aluini-
nuni are iireseiit in bron/es and brasses.
Whenever one of these metals is present in
appreciable amount, the otlier is usually
present only as a trace, b'or the rare case
where liotli metals are present in appreciable
amounts, the precipitate, after having been
reprecipitated as described, should be deter-
mined as the mixed oxides in one of the
check deteriniiiations, and the iron determined
volumetrically in the other.

The method of reprecipitation here des-
cribed, has worked out as the most accurate
and rapid method. The disintegrated filter
liaper makes the otherwise gelatinous precipi-
tate more porous and easily and completely
washable. The extra paper does not intro-
duce a weighable amount of ash.

The second i:recipitation is quite essential
when much precipitate is formed. In alumi-
num and vanadium bronzes, where there is
1.0 tti 2.0 per cent, of aluminuin, the ahnninuin
may bring down as much as five times its
own weight of zinc, on the first precipitation.
In manganese bronzes, the iron will often
bring down se\eral times its own weight of
manganese, on the first precipitation. A third
l)recipitation is never necessar\-.

To the filtrate in the ;!00 c. c. beaker, from
which the aluminum and iron have been re-
mo\'ed, 20 c. c. of strong ammonia water and
:iO c. c. of bromine water are added. The
beaker is covered, placed on the steam-table,
and heated for 20 minutes. Absence of any
muddy, olive, or brownish color or precii)itate
shows absence of manganese. Should manga-
nese be present. ■><1 c. c. more bromine water
is added and the solution allowed to stand
in a warm place for an hour ])efore filtering.
It the precipitate is small and dark colored, it
is washed well, dried, and ignited; if large or
light colored, it should be washed once and
then redissolved. This redissolving is best
done by putting the beaker in which the pre-
cipitation was made under the funnel, and
pouring over the filter paper, alternately, a

Mav

THE BRV^«4S WORUD

173

few drops at a time, stilphurous acid and
warm, dilute, liydrochloric acid, and linally.
wasliing well witii hot water. The contents
of the beaker are boiled to expel part of the
sulphurous acid, then the volume is made up
to 75 c. c. with hot water, strong ammonia
water is added until the solution is distinctly
alkaline, and finally, ;>() c. c. of bromine water
is added. The heating and filtering proceed
as before. The precipitate is ignited to
niangano-manganic oxide (Mn^O^), which is
72.0 per cent, manganese.

^langanese has a strong tendency to bring
down zinc with it on the first precipitation.
Instead of the second precipitation, it will
usually be more convenient to dissolve the
original precipitate and determine the manga-
nese by the bismuthate method. Some little
correction must be made for the zinc which
the manganese takes out of solution — usualh-
about its own weight.

The filtrate from the manganese precipita-
tion can now contain only nickel and zinc.
Some indication of the amount of nickel
present in the solution is given by the depth
of the characteristic blue color. As much as
0.005 gram of nickel may be present in 300 c. c.
of solution without imparting a noticeable
blue color, so that absence of color must not
be taken as a test for absence of nickel. .\
strongly colored solution, containing perhaps
0.20 to 0.30 gram of nickel, should be poured
into a calibrated 500 c. c. flask, and the flask
filled up to the mark with water. Fifty c. c.
of this solution, after it has been well mixed,
should be taken for the analysis, and the re-
mainder discarded. The solution is now
made up to 300 c. c. with water, and heated
to boiling. It should now smell faintly of
ammonia.

To the solution containing the nickel (the
reduced strong solution, or the entire solu-
tion if but little nickel is present), is now
added the "nickel reagent"", a one per cent,
solution of dimethyl glyoxime in alcohol. Six
c. c. of this reagent should be added for eacli
0.01 gram of nickel which is estimated to be
present in the solution. Two c. c. is suflicient
to add as a test for the presence of nickel,
which is indicated by the formation of a red.
flocculent precipitate, or a yellow-colored
solution from which the red precipitate forms
in a few minutes. A colorless souition shows
absence of nickel.

The yellow liquid, or the suspended pre-
cipitate, should be heated to boiling, and kept
near the boiling point for an hour or more
before any attempt is made to filter off the
nickel precipitate. If, at the end of ten
minutes' lieating, no precipitate is seen, the
solution contains no nickel. The yellow color
is probably due to a trace of cobalt, which
produces this color, but no precipitate. This
test for nickel is extremely delicate — as small
an amount as . gram of nickel forming a
distinct precipitate in 400 c. c. of solution.

After the nickel precipitate has been
heated for at least one hour, and preferably
two hours, it is filtered on a Gooch crucible,
and washed well with ver\- liot water, and
finally, once, with SO per cent, alcohol. The
precipitate is dried at 125"^ C. for 45 to fiO
minutes, cooled and weighed. It contains
20.:!1 per cent, nickel.

The reduction in volume of the solution,
in case much nickel is present, is necessary,
since the nickel precipitate is very bulky, and
would more than fill a Gooch crucible if 0.20
gram of nickel were present. .^Iso, the large
precipitates are difficult to filter, since the
solution must pass through such a depth of
filter-bed. The accuracy of the determination
is in no wise diminished because of the re-
duction in the amount of nickel, since the
weight of the precipitate may be depended
upon to about . gram, antl this means a
very high percentage accuracy.

The nickel precipitate is slightly soluble in
absolute alcohol, but only inappreciably so in
80 per cent, alcohol, which may conveniently
be used as a drying agent after the washing
on the filter with water. A few drops of
this SO per cent, alcohol assists greatly in the
transfer of the precipitate from the beaker
to the filter.

To the solution from which the nickel has
been removed, a few drops of litmus solution
are added, and dilute nitric acid is added with
a medicine dropper, until the blue alkaline
color just passes over into a purple-red. Then
1.0 gram of ammonium phosphate, dissolved
in a little water (and neutralized if the solu-
tion reacts acid) is added. The solution is
heated and stirred occasionally, until the pre-
cipitate goes over into the crystalline form.
The precipitate is allowed to stand for an
hour, and filtered in a Gooch crucible, washed
with a neutral 1 per cent, solution of am-
monium phospb.ate in hot water, and finall_v,

174

THE BRASS AVORLD

Mav

with alcohol. The Gooch crucible is ilrieil
and ignited to zinc pyrophosphate (ZnoP.Oj),
which is 42.81 per cent. zinc. Allowance must
here be made for any reduction of the solu-
tion which was made during the determina-
tion of the nickel.

The zinc phosphate precipitate is somewhat
soluble, botli in dilute acids and alkalies, so
that great care is necessary in determining
the acidity of the solution. It is better to
have the solution very sliglitly acid rather
than alkaline.

As a test for the complete removal of all
metals, a little ammonia water and a few c. c.
of ammonium sulphide solution should he
added to the filtrate from the zinc precipitate.
A brownish coloration is generally seen, but
no precipitate should form on five minutes'
standing.

THE NEW BRISTOL ELECTRIC
TACHOMETER.

^♦WHAT I DO/'

Everybody is interested in what the other
fellow does, especially if he does something
worth while. "What I Do" is the simple yet
alluring title of the catalog of Frederic B.
Stevens. Detroit, Mich. If Mr. .Stevens liad
done nothing else but produce this mammotli
catalog of over seven hundred pages of illus-
trated reading matter, he would be entitled to
a registration on the roll of fame in trade
literature. There are catalogs and catalogs
and "of the making of books, there is no
end." The reading through of the Stevens
book is a perfect delight to the thoughtful
worker in our industries, something valuabh-
being found on every page from the illustra-
tion of the "Thinktum-Thinktorum" to the
last words on "pointers about purchases." It
is impossible to commence to describe effec-
tively the many contents of this valuable
catalog for buyers of facings, of foundry sup-
plies, buffing compositions, and platers' sup-
plies. We liardly dare add to the trade that
this expensive catalog can be obtained l)y
general request, but we imagine that if you
are a real bona fide, interested, prospective
buyer of the Stevens goods, you may be able
to secure one by mentioning the Brass World
and Platers' Guide. Go to it. It is good read-
ing.

Recording tachometers are used in connec-
tion with various kinds of engines, motors,
etc., wherever it is required to know the speed
of revolving shafting. An instrument for this
purpose must be strong and durable, in con-
sequence of the continuous service and rough
shop conditions.

The Bristol Co., Waterbury, Conn., has
lately put on the market a new electric
tachometer of the A. C. type, which contains
no sliding contacts or brushes, and requires
no delicate millivoltmeter movements. As
shown in the illustration there is an induction
type magneto, and indicating and recording

Indicating and Recording Tachometer.

instruments in the f(jrm of voltmeters. The
indicating instrument has a Weston pivot
jewel-bearing \()ltmeter movement. The re-
cording instrument has an improved Bristol
voltmeter movement, mounted on frictionless
knife-edge bearinges, and so designed that
there is plenty of power available to actuate
the recording arm even when the recording
pen is in actual contact with the chart. It has
a new supporting device designed to eliminate
temperature errors. With the combination in-
strument illustrated, the indicating instrument
indicates to the operator in the shop the speed
of the shafting, while the recorder in the
foreman's office records the same information
sinmhancouslv.

]\rav

175

THE ELECTRO -DEPOSITION OF ALUMINUM.

BY PHENIX.

The deposition of aluminum on other base
metals as well as the deposition of other
metals on aluminum itself, has been more or
less a failure in the past twenty years. The
writer can remember the time when the lead-
ing dental and surgical manufacturers of
America and England voted to give one hun-
dred thousand dollars to the electro-plater
who could build up an aluminum-plating
solution for the deposition of aluminum on
dental and surgical instruments. A guarantee
had to be given that the metal deposited
would not blister or peel off in any way. With
this offer before the electro-platers of twenty
years ago, several of them went to work at
it, among others being the writer's father, a
man who was on the lookout for anything new
in electro-deposition.

After several months of experimenting
with different formulas evolved by himself
to do this work, he at length produced a very
fine article plated in an aluminum solution.
The test that this work had to go under was,
that if it withstood bending, heat and cold,
the fortunate producer under the written
guarantee, that was called for, would re-
ceive the full amount of money offered. The
solution used on the work at that time and
the one that gave the best results was com-
posed of aluminum chloride, salammoniac,
sodium bisulphate, and tin chloride. After
deposition of one hour in the solution, this
piece of work was taken out and heated to
such a temperature that it had to be handled
with a pair of tongs. It was then allowed to
cool, after which it was buffed and colored
to a high lustre and yet the heating of the
article did not seem in the least to hurt the
aluminum that had been deposited on this
piece of work. It was then put under a
strong glass to see if blisters of any kind had
come to the surface, but there was no sign of
any. The article was next put to the test of
bending and stood up under that test also,
without a fracture of any kind.

The writer's father was very highly elated
over the success he had thus far obtained, but
to be sure that he could stand behind a full
guarantee and prove what he had said he
could do with the aluminum deposition, he

put this work to a further test, knowing the
formation of the metal with which he was
dealing. This test consisted in hanging up
the work so that all atmospheric conditions
might come in contact with it. It was under
this trial that trouble started to appear, for in
about two weeks it began to flake and peel off
all over the metal. After several further ex-
periments with different temperatures in heat-
ing the pieces, and variations of other con-
ditions, it still would not hold to the metals
except for a short time. To have success al-
most within his grasp and then have his hopes
dashed was a great disappointment, not only
to the producer of such a fine specimen of
work, but also to others who had seen it and
thought that his process would take the place
of nickel deposition in many classes of manu-
factured articles. Other electro-platers at
this time had similar lack of success, so the
matter was laid aside after a trial extending
over a period of eight or ten years, aluminum
being finally considered an impossible metal
to deposit with an\' practical success.

Then the matter of depositing other metals
on the aluminum itself was taken up and
various persons for the last ten or fifteen years
have kept working on this one perplexing
question and have not had any better success
than those who tried to deposit the aluminum
on other base metals. The thought that has
been in the minds of electro-platers is that in
the case of this metal which will deposit on
and take a deposit of other metals, there must
be some way to make it adhere without blis-
tering or peeling any more than a nickel de-
posit. After long study of dift'erent amal-
gams, their chemical formation, and chemical
action on other base metals of all kinds with
several distinct failures, one has been dis-
covered that will do the work as far as the
deposition of other metals on aluminum is
concerned. The writer is not positive as yet
that it will act in a similar maimer when the
aluminum itself is to be deposited on other
base metals. This matter is being worked
out and the writer may be in a position to
give a dift'erent answer as to the result in the
near future.

176

THE BRASS WORUD

-Mav T.lU

A NOVEL CATHODE FRAME.

An invention for flcctroplatinji ]n])QS or
conduits, holding them in sncli a jiosition that
tlic\- may l)e easily put in i)osition or removed.

Fig. 1.

/6 ^

fjLl.

Fig. 2.

has been ])atented by George A. I.utz. Plain-
field, N. J., and assigned to the American
Circular Loom Co., Portland. .Me. In the il-
lustrations shown. Fig. 1 is a plan of the
cathode frame and Fig. 2 a section of same.
From the central metallic iilate 4, conductor

arms project outwardly, to which the ring 1
is secured. Rods 3 connect the lower and
ujjper rings 2 and 1 respectixely and form
])art of the circuit between them. The pii)cs
to be plated are passed over the guides 11 in
I'ig. 2 and allowed to rest on the seats lo.
The parts of the cathode frame are all secure-
ly united, and the whf)le can be raised by
means of the luxik or rod 10.

By means of this apparatus, a large num-
ber of articles may be simultaneously united
electrically Vv'itli a cathode frame, which may
be moved without altering the relative posi-
tions of the articles that are being plated.
Parts of this frame may also be easily and
readily replaced when worn.

MEASURING FIRE.

As far back as human memory goes, men
measured water, even in the days wdien they
used a cocoanut shell as a mea.stiring device.
It required, howexer, many centuries before
they became civilized enough to contemplate
the measurement of fire intensit}', and the
])yrMnieter is nne of the greatest tributes to
tlie development of the liinuan mind. There
lias recently been issued a sixty-two page
lioiik by the Brown Instrument Co., Philadel-
l)hia. Pa. which is singularly attractive in its
make-up, beautifully printed and profusely il-
lustrated. To call it a catalog, would not be
doing it justice. !t endeavors to present to
the reader what is claimed to be "the most
complete line of indicating and recording
pyrometers in the world." The descriptions
and illustrations tell a story of the many
varied uses of the Brown pyrometer. The
metallurgical field is, of course, included in
this representation. In te>ting the tempera-
ture of brass, copjier, aluminum, bronze and
iron in the crucible, the i.iyrometer performs
most valuable service as it eliminates the dan-
ger of spongy and ulphur, phosphorus, manganese, com-
bined carbon, graphite carbon, etc., on the
properties of cast iron: methods of melting
and testing iron : making malleable and chiiled
castings, steel castings, brass castings, etc.

Dift'erent mixtures of iron, planned to illus-
trate the effect of each variant, will be melted
in a small cupola, cast into test cars and tested
in different testing machines and by other
methods, in order to secure a complete
record of physical properties in each case. A
course of lectures on the metallography and
composition of cast iron is also given. This
course is indeterminate in length and is of-
fered to night journeymen only.

S])eci.'d emphasis is laid on safety and ac-
cident prevention and regular instruction is
given along this line to all students.

An intimate and sympathetic relationship
exists between the various manufacturers of
Pittsburgh and the school. The trade organi-
zations also cooperate with it for the purpose
of maintaining the standard fif efficiencv.

whereby it is interjireting the meaning of
foundry practice in a manner in keeping with
the age in which we live.

"PATENTS FOR DESIGNS.'*

"Patents For Designs" is the name of a
newly issued book whose full title is "The
Law of Patents for Designs," with particular
reference to the practice which obtains in the
prosecution of applications for design patents
in the United States Patent Office as shown
by tile rules and decisions. William L.
Symons, a lecturer on patent subjects and an
examiner in the United States Patent Office,
is the author. He is also a member of the
Bar of the District of Columbia, and is
therefore fully qualified to deal in an author-
itative way with the suliject on which he
writes. The book contains i:i4 pages, is well
printed and issued in buckram binding, for
.f.'i.OO postage prepaid.

It is well written and endeavors to untangle
the mazes of legal intricacy which surrounds
our inventors in securing patents on designs
and anything else for that matter. It at
least is particularly clear in telling us what
we cannot do and in that way may save the
rash inventor from rushing in blindly where
angels fear to tread. There will never be a
patent book written which will hold itself at
its true value until the entire patent depart-
ment of our country has been reconstructed
along sane and basic lines. The present book,
however, may be counted as a step forward
towards the time when applications for
patents will no longer be recognized as a
government sanctioned form of gambling on
futures. The whole subject is reviewed quite
carefully in six chapters with numerous sub-
headings and to those interested in design
patents we can recommend this book as being
devoid of the intricate language in the
general treatment of such subjects. This
liook can be obtained from the publishers,
John Byrne & Co.. Washington, D. C, or
from the "Brass World" Book Deiiartment.

It is stated that a brencli company, entitled
"Le Fer," is aliout to place on the market a
homogeneous metal which has all the proper-
ties of pure iron, together with the malleability
of lead and the tenacity of steel, and a co-
efficient of elongation which is described as
"surprisiiig."

Mav 1<.)14

181

FIRST GET-TOGETHER DINNER OF BRIDGEPORT

ELECTRO - PLATERS.

The Bridgeport branch of the American
Electro-Platers" Society celebrated its admis-
sion into the ranks of the national body by a
dinner held on Satnrday evening, April 25th,
, at the Fairfield, 178 Fairfield Ave.,
Bridgeport, Conn. Members of the trade
from other cities including New York, New-
ark, Hartford, Xew Haven, Waterbury,
Aleriden and others, were present to testify to
their appreciation of the efforts being made
by Bridgeport electro-platers to build up an

Jones, Celluloid Zapon Co., Xew York ;
Charles H. Proctor, founder of the American
Electro-platers' Society ; Carl Dittmar,
Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Co., Xew
York: T. A. Trumbour, "Metal Industry",
Xew York ; etc.

The get-together spirit soon evinced itself
and prevailed throughout the evening. For-
tunately the dinner itself proved less harm-
ful than the menu card would show and
"Cyanide Solution", ".\qua Annnonia" and

Bridgeport Electroplaters' Assembly.

organization worthy of the greatest center of
the industry in this country.

In spite of bad weather conditions, an at-
tendance of sixty-nine showed the spirit and
enthusiasm of the electro-platers of the dis-
trict.

Among other notables present were the fol-
lowing: Geo. B. Hogaboom, supreme president
of the society; Thos. B. Haddow, president of
the New York branch : Horace H. Smith,
president of the Xewark branch: Dr. W. A.

other dishes partaken of. left no perceptible
evil effects.

Following the dinner, a photograph of the
gathering was taken, copies of which may be
obtained for $.50 at the office of the Brass
World.

The toastmaster of the evening was Chas.
H. Phillips, whose genial personality success-
fully controlled the meeting throughout. The
first speaker he called upon to address the
gathering was Dr. \V. A. Jones, of Xew

182

THE BRASH WORXJD

]\Iav

York, who was specially invilcd to present
the teinporar}- charter of the national society
to the Bridgeport branch.

Dr. Jones began in a happy way with the
slogan "Bridgeport knows how". .After an
absence of five years from the .American
Electro-platers' Society, this town, the center
of the industry, had at last arrived, and
had begun most royally. He believed that
they would soon have a branch equal to, if
not stronger than, any other branch in the
country. He acknowledged his own indebt-
edness to an old C^)iniecticut plater, whose
■chemical knowledge had surprised him, and
■showed how, under present conditions, it was
necessary for the plater to educate himself,
not by mere individual study, but by contact
with his fellows. He took great pleasure in
presenting the temporary charter to the pres-
ident of the Bridgeport branch of the .Ameri-
can Electroplaters' Society.

The president of the Bridgeport society,
W. G. Stratton, rejoiced in the opportunity
afiforded liy the occasion and expressed his
firm belief in the successful and profitable
growth of the association in Connecticut.

Charles H. Proctor, the founder of the so-
ciety, in a congratulatory speech, paid a
gracious tribute to Edward A. Barnard,
father of the secretary of the Bridgeport
Branch, whom he described as a master of the
art of electro-deposition on metals. He looked
forward to future development of the society
with great interest and felt sure that the
state would by means of associated effort add
greatly to the common stock of knowledge of
plating.

George B. Hogaboom, supreme president of
the society, gave a masterly contribution on
the evolution of the plating art, detailing the
steps from the old time rule-of-thumb plater
to the present incumbent with his painstaking
consideration of all the factors contained in
the problems with which he is daily confront-
ed. Mr. Hogaboom's excellent speech will
doubtless be published in the next Quarterly
Review of the society.

Dr. F. C. Stanley, as a man whose work
was necessarily of a theoretical nature, testi-
fied to the assistance he had obtained from
practical platers, and applauded the society's
motto of mutual help. He paid a glowing
tribute to Erwin Starr Sperry, who. always

ready to give away what he knew, acknowl-
edged that in giving he always learned from
the recipient.

S. R. Taylor, who occupies the important
position of editor of the society's "Quarter-
ly Review," in a few well-chosen words ex-
pressed his gratification at the formation of
the Bridgeport society and requested contribu-
tions from the branch to the quarterly.

H. de Joannis, managing editor of the
"Brass World", spoke brielly and forcefully on
the advantages to be gained by associated
effort.

Thos. B. Haddow, president of New York
branch, extended the best wishes of his sec-
tion and assured the meeting of the benefits
to be gained by belonging to the American
Electro-Platers' Society.

C, H. Poland was the last speaker of the
evening, terminating it in a happy way by a
stor\' and pointed remarks on the genial offi-
cers of the new association.

There was not a dull moment in the pro-
ceedings from the time of the first arrival,
and everyone present felt confident of the
great future that lies before the latest acces-
sion to the American Electro-platers' Society.

The next meeting of the Bridgeport
branch will be held on Alay 15th, at the
"Brass World" office. A special invitation to
all foreman electroplaters in Connecticut is
cordially extended by the secretary. Nelson A.
Barnard, S.58 How-ard Ave., Bridgeport,
Conn., from whom special information may
be obtained.

RAPID AND ACCURATE METHOD

FOR THE DETERMINATION

OF ANTIMONY IN

WHITE METAL.

Take i gram of a sawed sample; transfer
to a 12 oz. flask (Erlemmeyer's preferred) ;
add 20 c. c. concentrated sulphuric acid, dis-
solving over bunsen burner (a gasoline
torch will do if no gas is available) ; let cool.
Add 15 c.c. concentrated hydrochloric acid,
dilute with cold water up to about 400 c. c.
and titrate with a standard solution of potas-
sium permangate, the strength of this solu-
tion being 1 c. c. to .006 gram antimony.
Standardize the permanganate solution under
the same conditions as the sample you are
running.

May

183

A NEW METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF FREE
CYANIDE IN ELECTROPLATING SOLUTIONS.'-

BY GUST AVE E. F. LUNDELL.

The existing methods for the above deter-
mination are unsatisfactory. The new method
is not perfect but it is superior to the older
methods because it gives more accurate free
cxanide values and is less subject to interfer-
ing substances.

Briefly stated, the new method consists in
titrating an ammoniacal cyanide solution con-
taining a small quantity of dimethyl glyoxime,
with the standard nickel-ammonium sulphate
solution until a permanent red precipitate is
produced. The reactions involved are ex-
pressed by the equations :t
XiSO, V4KCX = K^NiCCX), -f K>SO,
XiSO, -f 2QH,X,0, =: Xi (QH,X,0,).

+H,SO,
H,SO. ^ 2.\H,0H = (XHJ.SO, -f H,0

Xo permanent red precipitate of nickel
dimethyl glyoxime is formed until all of the
free cyanide has been used up in the reaction
expressed by the first equation. Free sulphuric
acid hinders the precipitation of nickel dime-
thyl glyoxime, hence the ammoniacal cyanide
solution.

Two solutions are required:

1. A Standard Xickcl Solution. This is pre-
pared by dissolving 1.5.:! grams of nickel-am-
monium sulphate in water containing 5 c.c.
concentrated sulphuric acid, diluting to one
liter and standardizing as directed below.

2. A Dimethyl Glyoxime Solution. This is
prepared by dissolving 8.9 grams of dimethyl
glyoxime in one liter of 9.5 per cent, alcohol.

Standardization of the Xickel Solution.

Unless the percentage purity of the nickel-
ammonium sulphate is known, the prepared
nickel solution must be standardized as fol-

.\BLE I.

Per cent. KCX found by

.Sample

Gravimetric
Method*

Nickel. Ammonium
Sulphate Method

KCX No. 1

I Potassium cy;inide).

94.84

94.4

2.
3

KCN No. 2
NaCX N0.3

( Sodium cvanide »

94.58
80.92

94.00
80.61

lows: 25 cc. portions are diluted with distilled
water to 200 cc. treated with 0.2 gram tartaric
acid and heated to boiling. Glyoxime solution
sufificient to precipitate all the nickel is now
added. If the glyoxime solution has been
made up according to the formula above, 3a
cc. should be sufficient. After the addition of
the glyoxime, the solution is made slightly
alkaline with ammonia, boiled for two minutes
and then set aside to digest for one-half hour.
The precipitate is caught on a tared Gooch
crucible, washed with 200 cc. of hot water,
dried for 45 minutes at 120° C, and weighed.
The weighed precipitate contains 20.31 per
cent, nickel. From the equations given above
the potassium cyanide titre of the solution can
readily be calculated. If a chemically pure
potassium cyanide is at hand, the above titre
can be determined directly by titrating weighed
portions as directed in the "^lethod of
Analysis" given below.

Method of Analysis.

A measured volume of the electroplatings
solution is diluted to 100 cc, treated with 1
cc. of ammonium hydroxide, 1 cc. of the
dimethyl glyoxime solution and then titrated
to a permanent red precipitate with the
standard nickel-ammonium sulphate solution.
The color play toward the end of the reaction
resembles that seen in the titration of an
alkaline methyl orange solution with an acid
solution. For the sake of accuracy, and also
convenience, the volume of electroplating
solution taken should contain from 0.2 to 0.5
gram of free cyanide.

Table 1 gives an idea of the accuracy of the
method :

Liebig's
Method

95.8

95.21

81.59

' Corrected for Chlorides.

*A paper presented at the 2.5th general meet-
ing of the American Electrochemical Society,
held in New York City, April 16 to 18, .

tFor the benefit of readers not conversant
with chemical formulae we print the following
translation of these three equations:

Nickel sulphate plus potassium cyanide

equals double cyanide of nickel and potassium
plus potassium sulphate.

Nickel sulphate plus dimethyl glyoxime
equals nickel dimethyl glyoxime plus sul-
phuric acid.

Sulphuric acid plus ammonia water equals-
ammonium sulphate plus water.

184 THE BRASS \VORJ-L> ^I^y i'Ji4

Tal)lc II shows the freedom of the method from possil^le interfering suhstanees:

Tahlk II.

\'ohimf of Nickei.
Forcisjn Siibstancc- adik-d Ainnionium Sulpliate

Solution rc'(|uirt'(l

None 49.45 cc.

1 jirain KCNO—( Potassium cyanate). 49.45 cc.

1 .^raiii KCNS — ( Potassiuiii suljjhocyanate). 49.46 cc.

1 j^ram K^,CNS — (Potassium sulphocyanate). 49.41 cc.

10 grams K2CO3 — (Potassium carlionate). 49.55 cc.

20 grams K^COa — (Potassium carbonate). 49.62 cc.

1 j^ram K^SO, — (Potassium sulphate). 49.43 cc.

1 gram NII4CL — (Ammonium chloride). 49.42 cc.

1 gram XaCl — (Sodium chloride). 49 47 cc.

1 gram NH4NO;, — (Ammonium nitrate). 49.39 cc.

1 gram NaHCO^ — (Sodium bicarbonate). 49.42 cc.

1 gram KOH — (Potassium hydrate). 49.5 cc.

1 gram K^FeC.^N,; — (Potassium ferrocyanide). 50.75 cc.

Table III proves that the new method gives only the free cyanide in silver
cvanide solutions :

T.\IiLK III.
KCN added Free KC.\

to a solution containinf)^ found hv the new-

only KAgl C\ 1 y method

0. gram 0. gram

Volume of
1 per cent. KCN

.Solution used

cc.

Table IV indicates that the new method gives only the free CA'anide in copper

cvanide solutions:

T.\HLH I\'.

KCN added .. ,.,...

to a solution f '^ "'^H ^ ,^

containing onlv f"""'^ '^y/he

KCu(CN).- new method

0. gram 0. gram

Table V shows that the new method gives more than the free cvanide in zinc

cvanide solutions:

Table V.

KCN present as KCN added KCN found
K^, Zn (CN)4

0. gram 0. gram 0. gram

The nickel-aninioniuni snlutiuii reacts to The arguments in favor of the new method

some extent with K2Zn(CX)4, the reaction are:

ceasing wlien the Zn — KCN ratio lias become (1) Accuracy.

appri).\imately 1 : ().*'). The results with zinc (2) Freedom from interferences,

solutions are not as satisfactory as one would (3) Rapidity.

wish. !)ut still lliey are l)etter than the values (4) Usability in cloudy solutions or solu-

obtained !)y the older methods. which tions containing a precipitate.

ai)proach ninie cli>sely tlie Zn — KCX ratio 1:0. (5) Cheapness.

May i;il4 185

THE 25TH GENERAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN
ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY.

The twent\-lifth general meeting of the publication committee and the board of di-

i\merican Electrochemical Society was lield in rectors at the Cliemists' Ckib.

Xew York City. April lOth. 17th, and 18th, On Thursday, April 16th, the hrst technical

. The headquarters of the convention session commenced at 9 :00 a. m., a business

were at the Chemists' Club in the Chemists' meeting taking place at that time followed by

Building, 52 East 41st St., Xew York City. reports of the board of directors, the an-

The technical sessions were held on Thurs- nouncement of the annual election and miscel-

day. April 16th, in Rumford Hall at the laneous business, and a full program of

Chemists' Building and on Saturday, April papers.

18th, at Earl Hall and the School of Mines. Thursday evening, April 17. was smoker

Columbia University. The meeting proved to night. The session opened with the presi-

be the most successful yet held by this asso- dential address of Dr. E. F. Roeber, whose

elation. President Roeber and secretary J. W. subject was — "How Does Electro-Chemistry

Richards were omnipresent in their endeavors Bring About a Rev^iluation of Economic and

to make everybody feel perfectly comfortable. Aesthetic \'alues?" It diti'erentiated chemi-

The meetings of the American Electrochemi- cal power transmission from electric power

cal Society are unique in that probably no transmission, trenchantly showing the su-

association in the country possesses a more periority of the former. A typical illu-stra-

diversified membership, united under one tion was given in calcium carbide which has

title, enrolled without class distinction and the three values of form, place and time,

representing practically every advanced in- Form value it possesses, because acetylene

dustry in the United States. Every member may lie produced from it : place value, for it

seemed to be imbued with the spirit of may be transported from pole to pole : and

Shakespeare's statement that "to have friends, time value, because the carbide can he stored

one must show himself friendly." and its light and heat produced only at the

H. B. Coho, the secretary of the Xew York moment of need and then in any quantity de-
section of the society, was the huh of con- sired. The creati\e function of the electro-
vention hospitality and the following com- chemist and his power to extend the human
mittees performed their parts without a hitch senses to the appreciation of the highest and
and in the fullness of the spirit and the letter best things, were emphasized in a most in-
of the work assigned them : teresting and convincing way.

^^ ,^^_.,_^ Moving pictures and a mock election later

LOCAL COMMITTEE. ' . ^ , . ^,

gave great enjoyment durmg the gastro-

CHAIRMEN. chemical processes.

Lawrence Addicks, Chrome. X. J. On Friday the entire convention proceeded

Excursion Committee on the L-abella of the Bridgeport line to the

Mrs. Leo Baekeland, Yonkers-on-Hudson, X. metallurgical plants around Xew Yojk Har-

Y Ladies' Committee bor and Staten Island — special attention being

H. B. Coho, Xew York City (111 Broadway) given to those of the American Smelting &

Smoker Committee Refining Co., the United Lead Co. and the

Jacob Hasslacher. Xew York City (100 Wil- Waclark \Vire Co., whose managements vied

liam St.) Finance Committee. with each other in providing for the comfort

L M. Muir. Xew York City, (2:i9 West 39th. of their guests. The visitors were escorted to

St. ) Publication Committee. the different parts of these plants in small

Geo. C. Stone, Xew York City. (55 Wall St.) parties of twenty in charge of guides

Dinner Committee thoroughly familiar with the plants and their

Arthur L. Walker, Xew York City (Colum- principal pomts of interest.

bia University), Reception Committee. On Saturday night, April 18, the convention

The registration of arriving conventioners terminated with a special dinner and l)all.

began at 6:00 p. m. on April 15th and during which was well attended and fittingly crowned

the convention there was a meeting of the a most successful gathering..

18G

THE BR^SS WORLD

:May iyi4

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The election of officers resulted as follows:
President. F. Austin Lidbur_v ; vice-president,
Carl Heriny, W. D. Bancroft, William Brady;
managers: II. C. Parniclee. W. I\. Whitney, C.
(i. Fink; treasurer: l\ (J. Salom : secretary:
Joseph \\ . Richards. Niagara Falls \\-'as
selected for the October meeting. The spring
meeting in will be held in the south, and
San Francisco will probably be electro-
chemified in the fall of .

SYNOPTICAL REVIEW OF CONVENION
PAPERS.

"THE ELECTRODEPOSITIOX OF
XICKEL" by C. W. Bennett, H. C. Kenny,
and R. P. Dugliss — Alkalinity of the solution
at the surface of the cathode is shown to be
essential to the efficiency of the deposit, and it
is pointed out that where nickel is deposited
in acid solutions, it has probably only been
when improvishment of the hydrogen ions
has caused the solution to become alkaline
and given the conditions under which nickel
may deposit. The alkaline solution film at the
cathode may be distttrbed and the efficiency
of the deposition decreased by stirring the
solution vigorously.

"THE ELECTRODEPOSITIOX OF
CADMIU^I." By Frank C. blathers and
Flugh ?^r. ?^rarble. — Two papers were pre-
sented dealing with this subject, the first
being a preliminary review of the literature
thereon, dealing with cadmium salts of inor-
ganic and organic acids and ammoniacal solu-
tions, 'inrl the second being experimental
work on the deposition of cadmium. The re-
sults of experiments made to determine the
most suitable salts of cadmium for electro-
deposition show that the fluoride, fluosilicate.
fluoborate and perchlorate solutions, contain-
ing 4% cadmium with 0.5 to 59r free acid and
0.2 gm. peptone, glue or phloridizin, or four
drops of clove oil, gave excellent, smooth de-
posits.

"ELECTROLYTIC DEPOSITIOX OF
BRASS OX A ROTATING CATHODE."
By C. W'. Bennett and A. W. Davison. — It has
been found that the deposition of brass from
cyan.ide solutions is due to the tendency for
the potentials of copper and zinc to become
the same and to the increase in the potential
of the more noble metal by im])overishment.
The latter factor is practically eliminated by
the use of a rapidly rotating cathode. Ex-

periments showed that an excellent deposit
could be obtained up to revolutions, be-
yond which .zinc alone is deposited. The
metal ratio of copper to zinc in solutions for
the deposition of a brass varies not only with
variations of free cyanide but also with the
cathode rate of revolution.

"ELECTROLYTIC FLA^IES." By ProL
W . D. Bancroft. — Metals do not give the same
flame color for all of their salts. Many re-
actions take place in flames, probably catising
the color changes. Tin changed to stannous
>alt yielded a carmine color, but stannous salt
changing to stannic gave a green color. Dif-
ferent color effects attended the use of dif
ferent flames. The lecture was well illus-
trated.

"ADDITION AGENTS IN THE DEPO-
SITION OF ZINC FROM ZINC SUL-
PHATE SOLUTION. By O. P. Watts and
A. C. Shape. — The effects produced on the
zinc deposit from a zinc-plating solution by
the addition of over forty different organic
substances were shown in most cases to be
injurious, vertical grooves forming on the
cathodes. Out of the addition agents used
only three were found promising, viz.. beta-
naphthol, eikonogen and pyrogallol, the for-
mer testing out in the most satisfactory way,
and being a newly-suggested addition agent.

"A NEW METHOD FOR THE DETER-
MINATION OF FREE CYANIDE IX
ELECTROPLATING SOLUTIONS." By
Gustave E. F. Lundell. — This paper presented
a new method of determining free cyanide,
said to give more satisfactory results than
older methods. It consists in the titration of
an anmioniacal cyanide solution, containing a
little dimethyl glyoxime. with the standard
nickel ammonium sulphate solution, until a
])ermanent red precipitate is produced.

"THE ELECTROLYTIC DEPOSITIOX
OF ZINC." By J. \\". Richards.— In this paper
a description was given of the various pro-
cesses for the electrolysis of a(|ueous zinc
solutions, making use of soluble and insolu-
ble anodes, both for the refining of impure
zinc and the direct extraction of zinc from its
compounds.

Several i^apers dealing with the use of
electric furnaces were presented, showing the
attention that is being devoted to the subject
from the ferrous standpoint. The papers de-
livered were "Power for Electric Furnace
Work" by W. S. Florry, '-Electric Steel Cast-

Mnv

THE BRASS >VORiX)

18'

ings" by C. A. Hansen, and "Electric Fur-
naces for Steel Making," by E. B. Clark. The
discussion on electric-furnace possibilities in
the future was extremely interesting.

Three papers on "The Power Problem in
the Electrolytic Deposition of Metals." by H.
E. Longwell, and Lawrence Addicks and a
contribution on "Sources of Direct Current
for Electro-Chemical Processes" by F. D.
Newbury, were given, dealing exhaustively
with power limitations imposed by present
practice, conditions and costs of installation
and operation, and the electrical power pro-
blems encountered by the electro-chemist.

Other papers presented were the following :
■"Electric Conduction at High Temperatures
and Methods of ^^leasurement," by E. F.
Northrup. "Electric Zinc Smelting", by W.
R. Ingalls. "Advantages of Southeastern
Alaska for Hydro-Electrochemical Indus-
tries," by W. P. Lass. "Laboratory Notes on
Some Electrical Properties of Silver Sul-
phide," by F. A. J. Fitzgerald. "Polarization
Single Potentials," by Claude X. Hitchcock.
■"New Cell Arrangement for Direct Deter-
mination of the 'Free Energy'", by Reinhard
Beutner. "A Railway Track Cell," by E. L.
Marshall. "Experiments on White Lead," by
R. Stuart Owens. "A Microscopic Study of
Electrolytic Iron," by Oliver \V. Storey.
■"The Effect of Addition Agents in the
Electrodeposition of Iron," by O. P. Watts
and M. H. Li. "Leaching of Copper Tailings,"
"by Rudolf Gahl, Ph. D. "The Hydro-Elec-
trolytic Treatment of Copper Ores," by Robert
Rhea Goodrich. "Improvements in the Metal-
lurgy of Zinc," by G. C. Stone. "Metal In-
ventory in an Electrolytic Copper Refinery,"
iby Ralph W. Deacon.

WHITE METALS AND THEIR
MACHINING.

BY P. W. BLAIR.

According to a German contemporary, an
invention relating to the electrodeposition of
metals on aluminum has been recently patent-
ed in that country, involving a new process
■of treating the metal before plating in order
to remove the coating of oxide. After remov-
ing grease and cleaning in the usual way, it
is immersed in a hot bath consisting of acids
of the halogen group, to which alcohol or
some other reducing medium is added, to re-
tard the violent action. The metal, after a
short immersion, is then electroplated, and the
■coatings produced are said to be very durable
and to take a good polish.

There has been within the past few years,
a great demand for goods made from the
various white metals and non-ferrous lead
alloys, owing to their low cost and good wear-
ing qualities.

The following article has been prepared in
order to give some of the most important
points on the above subject, based on practical
experience during recent years.

Besides the well known bearing metals,
there is a long series of white metals w^hich,
according to their main constituents may be
considered as aluminum, tin, lead or zinc al-
loys. Without taking into account punched or
pressed articles, which are not worked upon
with cutting tools, there are numerous articles
which were previously made from brass or
bronze, but which are now, on account of
their improved appearance and wearing
qualities, the reduction in weight, or other
properties, made from aluminum or other
white metals and are giving entire satisfac-
tion.

Aluminum not alloyed with other metals
is also used for a great many machine parts
and devices. The automobile industries are
large users of aluminum castings, also the
manufacturers of pneumatic vacuum cleaners.
Commercially pure cast aluminum has a ten-
sile strength of 14,000 pounds per square inch,
which is too low for many purposes. In
order to increase the strength of aluminum,
it is therefore alloyed with other metals. So-
called aluminum bronze is an alloy of copper
with from five to eleven per cent, of alumi-
num, which increases the tensile strength of
the copper from 28,000 pounds per square inch
to an average of 85,000 to 100,000 pounds per
square inch. Aluminum bronze is of a light
yellow color, and is not as heavy as any of
the ordinary bronzes.

It shrinks in casting considerably, twice as
much as the ordinary bronze cast with tin,
and must have heavy gates on to secure suc-
cess in moulding. The castings therefore,
are often porous and the increased strength
rather imaginary.

The casting of aluminum bronze is conse-
quently a difficult matter and requires special
skill in the moulding, smelting and pouring of

188

'l^HE BRASS \VORLX>

May

the metal to insure success. Alloys containing
aluminum as a base and a small addition of
other metals are therefore of greater value.

The alloy with magnesium is especially well
known. Magnalium containing from three to
ten per cent, magnesium has two and a half
times the tensile strength of aluminum and is
at the same time lighter. It lias therefore been
generally adopted in tlic building of aerial
craft and has proved more successfid than
aluminum. The addition of magnesium makes
the metal firm and less tough, so that it can
be worked more easily with cutting tools or
machined. If the magnesium content is too
great, the metal becomes too brittle and is
useless.

The chief difficulty met with in the working
of aluminum and aluminum alloys is the carry-
ing away of the chips. These become so firm-
ly imbedded between the teeth of milling
cutters, counterbores and similar tools, that
they cannot be removed with a stift' brush, and
the machine has to be stopped for their re-
moval. This makes operations slow, owing
to time consumed in removing the chips when
they become clogged up. The only way to
overcome this to a great extent, is to use the
right kind of lubricant. Oil cannot be used as
it is of no benefit, but soapy water gives good
results, although it leaves a dull surface. The
best cutting lubricant is kerosene, which gives
a bright mirror finish when the cutting tools
are properly ground. The cutting edges of all
tools should have sharp square corners or
edges, rounded corners or edges on cutters
and tools being objectionable, and there
should be plenty of cutting relief or clearance
on the tools. For milling flat surfaces, it is
best to use end mills rather than cylindrical
cutters. These mills will cut best if a high
cutting speed is used with a moderate feed
The depth and width of the cut is of less im-
portance. A cutting speed of 32.5 feet per
minute can be considered as practical and
from 2 to 4 cubic inches of metal can be re-
moved per minute in aluminum.

Rolled Britannia metal is composed of from
90 to 92% of tin. from 4 to 8% of antimony,
and from 2 to 2i% of copper.

Cast Britannia metal is composed of from
80 to 85% of tin, 9 to 17% of antimony, 1 to
3% of copper, and 0 to 3% of zinc. Cast
Britannia metal is less tough than the rolled
metal, and is more easily worked by cutting
tools.

Cast metal can be worked without a lubri-
cant when cutting, while this is not possible
with the rolled metal. \\ ith the same cutting
speed as is used for aluminum, from 1-25 to
1-5 cubic inch of metal may be removed per
minute. The addition of antimony makes the
nu'tal more brittle but also improves it and
makes it easier to machine.

A number of engine builders use a compo-
sition for white metal bearings composed of
tin 83%, antimony 13% and copper 6%. This
composition machines without lubricant and
works freely.

A wdiite metal for pattern work and in
general use giving satisfaction, is composed
of 3 of tin, 1 of zinc and 1 of copper. This al-
loy is well adapted for pattern plate purposes,
and works freely without lubricant on machine
tools or with files. Zinc is most commonly
used for cast articles which are to be plated
with copper or nickel. It is also used in bear-
ing metals because it costs less than tin and
stands wear better than lead. This bearing
metal is composed of from 60 to 80% of zinc,
10 to 35% of tin, 5% of copper and a small
percentage of antimony.

Zinc alloys can easily be machined dry. They
have the disadvantage that the castings are
somewdiat porous, which causes trouble in the
plating. Pure lead is very difficult to work
and a very small feed should be used. The
width of the cut may be fairly great on 3
slow speed with thin-edged tools and plenty
of clearance.

Die castings from white metal alloys are
coming greatly into use on small parts and are
made accurate to size and finish so that the
machine work on them has been reduced to a
minimum. It may generally be remarked
that it is impossible when working white
metals, to take full advantage of the efficiency
of modern machines or cutting tools, and that
the addition of antimony or magnesium to-
the alloys makes the metals more easily
machined.

Russia is the only country that produces
platinum in more than minute quantities,
being, responsible for 95 per cent, of the
worlds supply. Lately, extensive deposits have
been found at Westphala, Germany, in the
form of an allo\-, which appears to be in suf-
ficient quantity to guarantee profitable ex-
traction.

:Mav

189

WANTED -A CENSOR?

In a recent contribution to a trade paper.
we read a request for "A censor in the office
of every trade paper, he to have full power
over the high and the low" and presumably
the jack and the game. If ever there could
be such a Deity of thought and expression,
he would surely have censored that request.

It has been our busines to successfully edit
and deliver to operatives in various national
industries, technical journals, reflecting as
faithfully as our physical and mental limita-
tions would permit, the progress made from
year to year. Each succeeding twelve months
would show the abandonment of some pre-
viously unshakable opinion and the adoption
of methods previously pooh-poohed by the
would-be censors of their day.

Some years ago, we had occasion to write
an article on the development of vehicles for
human transportation. In our search for
early data, we came across a scientific article
m one of the leading English journals, prov-
ing conclusively, that travel in a railroad car
at any speed above sixteen miles an hour
would be fatal to human life. The writer
censorially demonstrated that the occupants of
the car needed so much oxygen to sustain life
and that at the speed of twenty miles, the air
with its life-giving content could not get
through the windows of the moving train fast
enough to save the unfortunate pasengers
from asphyxiation. Many of our citizens have
exceeded that speed limit even on the B. & O.,
the New Haven or the Grand Trunk railroads
and are alive to disprove "the last word" of
that time.

Educated people know a little of what is
known. Uneducated people can write vol-
umes on what is not known. We never yet
made the acquaintance of any one who was
even moderately qualified for the position who
would dream of consenting to act as a cen-
sor on other people's thinking.

There are, of course, people who are pre-
natally furnished with the attributes of a cen-
sor. Most of them fortunately reside in
Russia. Their mental attitude is forever that
of Sir Peter Teazle in the "School for
Scandal," when he observed to Sir Oliver Sur-
face :

"This is a damned wicked world. Sir Oliver,
and the fewer we praise, the better."

The electro-plater and the metallurgist are
only now beginning to search intelligently for

the real causes of the effects they have been
able to produce. For this purpose, the elec-
tro-chemist and the electro-plater are getting
closer together, each contributing some
knowledge not possessed by the other.

When Bell tried to peddle his
stock around Brantford, Canada, at ten cents
a share and failed — when Palissy burned his
furniture to fire the kiln from which emerged
his enamelled triumphs — when Wright flew
749 feet lineally at a height of 50 feet — the
self-appointed censors were on the job with
ridicule and prophecy of disaster.

Practical plating and metallurgy have
shown the possibility of a great elasticity of
operation in the production of goods destined
for general human consumption. This is
strictly in accord with creative laws. If it
were not so, the human race would flounder
for ages in darkness, and progress in any
direction would be little short of miraculous.
It is inevitable, of course, that these many
dififerent roads to the same end will be finally
charted and the best chosen. The final routes
will, however, become our property as a mat-
ter of co-ordinative choice and not by fiat of
any censor. We need cooperation, not censor-
ship.

The trade paper that is faithful to its mis-
sion must have "DIRECTION" toward the
best things. It acts as a mirror, reflecting as
clearly as it may, the images, thoughts and
deeds of those who take part in the evolution
of the industries it represents. Censors, self-
appointed, we will have whether we like it or
not. They also play their part but not from
intent. While we have them, however, and
while commending their wisdom, we must de-
plore their egotism and narrow-mindedness
and rejoice that they are not united in that
one most terrifying conception — THE CEN-
SOR.

Censorship is a relic of medievalism. It is
the priesthood of the mentally lazy. It is the
task master of those who are afraid to face
issues without the hindward flip of the lash.

It is, of course, harder to work out pro-
blems for ourselves than to accept the dog-
mas of others, but the final reward is great
and success absolutely certain. The future of
our industries is full of promise and the tire-
less workers in every branch, to whom cen-
sors are as naught, labor on in the confidence
contained in these lines by Clough :

190

THE BRASS W^ORUO

May

Say not. "The struggle nauglit availctli I

The labor and the wounds are vain,

The enemy faints not, nor faileth,

And as things have been, they remain."

For while the tired waves, vainly breaking,

Seem here no painful inch to gain,

I'ar back, through creeks and inlets making,

Conies, silent, flooding in, the Main.

A NEW HARDNESS TESTING
MACHINE.

A new machine for directly testing the
hardness of metals, based on the Brinell
method, has l^een patented by Rene Guillery,

combination being carried by a guide" screw
which, when rotated, lowers the ball. A grad-
uated plate attached to this screw, in combi-
nation with a pointer, gives a direct reading
of the hardness of the test piece.

To operate the machine, the lever 21 is
placed in the vertical position as shown in the
illustration, and the metal to be tested is
placed on the support 10. The button 3 is
turned, causing the screw 2 to descend until
the ball 8 touches the test piece. When this
takes place, the button turns in the screw
without affecting it. The pointer 18 is moved
opposite the zero mark on the plate 4 and the
lever is then raised, causing the ball to pierce
the metal, and is afterwards lowered.

The ball returns to its original position
under the influence of the springs, and then,
by turning the milled button, it is made to de-
scend again and fill the cavity formed in the
metal. During this movement, the screw turns
through an angle corresponding with the
penetration of the ball.

The operation is repeated until no further
penetration of the metal takes place. When
the ball is home in the cavity thus formed, the
pointer shows directly a graduation corres-
ponding to the metallic liardness.

MIRALITE.

Paris, France. The metal is penetrated by a
ball which is supported by an elastic cushion
formed of springs or Belleville washers, the

An alloy bearing this name and said to
possess almost every good quality of every
known metal, has lately been put on the
English market. The inventor is a French-
Canadian metallurgist named St. Laurents,
who has demonstrated by numerous tests the
adaptability of the new metal for various
scientific and commercial uses.

Among other properties claimed for this
alloy are the following : it is of almost equal
specific gravity to aluminum ; does not tarnish
or disintegrate; is malleable and ductile and
its hardness increases on rolling and beating;
does not rust, is not afi^ected by sea water, and
resists the action of most acids. A sheet of
"Miralite" was towed in the sea for six
months by a steamship from England to New
Zealand and back, and at the end of the
voyage was as clean as when new.

The uses of such a metal seem to be almost
limitless, among others suggested being for
medical and scientific aparatus, for motor
car bodies and ship fittings, for packing tea,
etc.

Mav

I'Jl

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

CHEAP GOLD PLATING WITHOUT
ELECTRIC CURRENT.

Is there any practical way of gold plating
without electric current for cheap work?

Dissolve metallic gold in aqua regia, made
by mixing 16 oz. of nitric acid and 8 oz. of
muriatic acid. Put these two acids into a glass
mattrass and heat over a gas burner in a pail
filled with sand. Now add 50 dwt. of the
metallic gold to the acid solution and allow-
to dissolve. After the gold is all dissolved,
giving a clear solution, put it into about three
gallons of water in a stone crock and pre-
cipitate by adding aqua ammonia in small
quantities until the gold parts from the acid.
Allow to settle and pour ofif the acid and am-
monia water, being careful not to let any of
the gold spill out with the water. Now add
more water and allow to settle again. Do
this at least four times to be sure there is no
more acid left in with the gold. Now make
up your gilding solution in this way :

Chloride of gold 7^ oz.

•Cyanide of potassium .... 4 oz.

Bisulphate of sodium i gal.

Water 1 gal.

Use hnt and inmierse your work in this bath.
If the work is not made of high sheet brass,
it should be brass plated, rinsed in water and
then dipped into the hot gilding bath and it
will color at once. Rinse then in hot water,
dry in hardwood sawdust and lacquer with a
hard transparent white lacquer.

CASTING OF GERMAN SILVER.

The castings which we have made re-
cently have come out of the sand very black
and with considerable sand sticking to tliem.
Can you suggest a remedy ?

If you use the following mixture and
cast it properly, you will have a very good
sound 15% German silver casting.

Copper 50%

Zinc .35%

Nickel 15%

Aluminum 1 to 10%

If the casting is to be machined, add two to
three per cent, of lead.

ANALYSIS OF SHOT ALUMINUM AND
PATTERN ALLOY ALUMINUM.

Kindly advise me what shot aluminum, as
ised by the steel works, is, and the analysis
of same. Also kindly advise me the analysis
of pattern alloy aluminum.

Shot aluminum is simply pure aluminum
melted and poured into water.

Pattern alloy aluminum has the composi-
tion :

-Aluminum 95%

Copper 5%

STEEL COLOR ON BRASS.

We have some small brass pieces that
we wish to bright dip and place in a solution
that will give a polished steel effect. We
understand that there are two processes for
doing this, one with a hot solution called the
dip process, and one with a cold solution which
is used similarly to a nickel solution. We are
interested in the one which is used with an
anode and an electric current and a cold solu-
tion, and would be very glad to have infor-
mation on this matter.

The cold solution that gives the best
results is made up as follows : Make a strong
solution of caustic soda and then add wdiite
arsenic; allow to cool. Use carbon anodes
and about 2i volts. As to the length of time
to leave work in the arsenic and soda bath,
you should use your own judgment. Some
like a light deposit and others a heavy one.
A steel black of recent date and one that gives
a very hard finish is made of persulphate of
potash and used hot. This is obtained by im-
mersing'.

GALVANIZING BY DIPPING.

Is there an\- method of galvanizing, or
making a whitish color, on metal such as iron
and steel by simply dipping it in some kind
of fluid?

We do not know of any method such as
you desire for galvanizing steel or iron by
simple dipping. You might try the tinning
solution published in our Februarv issue.

192

THE BRASS WORLD

May

CORES FOR ALUMINUM CASTINGS.

\\c are experiencing considerable truuble
in making cores for aluminum castings,
more particularly with base for four cylinder
four cycle gasoline engines. Please give us
a formula suitable for making cores for gaso-
line engine bases taking into consideration the
fact that these cores require considerable
handling in setting.

A core for aluminum should be just as
light as it is possible to make it, and have it
hold together in 'handling. For large work,
use two-thirds bank sand, and one-third
sweepings off your foundry floor of old
moulding sand. Use just enougli molasses
water to hold it together and add a little resin
to strengthen the core so that you can handle
it. Re careful and do not overbake the core.
For small work that is easily baked, use
beach sand, 60 parts, Xo. 0 new moulding
sand, 40 parts, boiled linseed oil, one part,
and spray or dip in black lead if necessary.

PITTING OF NICKEL SOLUTION.

I have a nickel solution which pits the work
being plated. I use about two lb. single salts
to 15 lb. double salts and boracic caid. Bub-
bles form on the work and will not let loose,
and the work is pitted. Will you please let
me know the cause of it and what to do to
prevent it?

Your trouble comes from a too free acid
condition of your bath which causes the oxy-
gen bubbles to form on your work. Add all
you can of double nickel salts by putting the
salts in a muslin cloth bag and hanging it in
the solution. JNlake a toning solution of 3 oz.
single nickel salts, 2 oz. boracic acid, 2 oz.
carbonate of magnesia, 2 oz. chloride of am-
monia. Put this amount of toning solution
to every four gallons of solution in use.

MATERIAL FOR TANKS CONTAINING
DILUTE ACID.

Will you kindly give us your advice as to
the best material to be used for tanks to con-
tain dilute acid employed in cleaning copper.
keeping in mind the question of cost and at
the same time the durability of the inside of
the tank, which is subject to heavy abrasion
where the coils are put in and taken out.

about quarters of an inch thick and have the
joints heavily soldered so that there will not
be any leak. This kind of tank will last for
vears if looked after.

SPECIAL METAL FOR LADLE.
We need a special metal that will make a
ladle suitable for dipping about 200 lb. of
molten glass out of a glass tank and which
will ha\e to retain this glass in the ladle for
about tifteen minutes. This would require a
metal of a very higli melting point.

A copper ladle will retain the heat longer
than any other metal. If you have a ladle cast
of pure copper \ou will have to use 2% of
silicon copper in order to get a sound cast-
ing, as pure copper does not cast well.

ALUMINUM CLEANER AND POLISHER.

I am anxious to find some method for clean-
ing and polishing aluminum ware. If there is
a reliable aluminum cleanser and polisher on
the market, I would like to learn about it.

For cleaning aluminum, prepare a warm
solution consisting of 10 oz. caustic soda to
each gallon of water. Immerse article for a
few seconds in above solution, then rinse in
cold water and immerse in a mixture of four
parts aqua fortis and one part oil of vitriol to
remove the oxide of aluminum formed.
Rinse in clean cold water, then in clean hot
water, and dry in warm maple sawdust.

To polish aluminum, cut down first with a
very greasy tripoli, being careful to keep
plenty of tripoli on the wheel. Then wash in
gasoline to remove tripoli and color with
white diamond compound.

DARK ORANGE OR RED ROSE ON 14
KARAT GOLD JEWELRY.

How is the dark orange or red rose pro-
duced on 14 karat gold jewelry, as is obtained
on rings and lockets at Attleboro, Mass.,
shops? If by solution, please give formula.

The best wood for you to use is cypress as
it is a water wood. Have this lined with lead

Make up a >olution as follows:

Water 1 gal.

Carbonate of soda 2 oz.

Yellow prussiate of potassium 2i oz.
Chloride of gold i oz.

Use a strong current and pure anodes.

Mav

THE BRASS WOltLD

193

BRASS MIXTURE EOR LARGE CON-
DENSER-PUMP RUNNERS.

Can }ou give me the average formula of
red brass, steam and high pressure brass mix-
ture suitable for large condenser-pump run-
ners and bodies such as the Westinghouse
Machine Co., use at East Pittsburgh?

The formula is as follows :

Copper 88%

Tin 7%

Zinc 3%

Lead 2%

DIP TO BRIGHTEN TEMPERED STEEL
FOR BRASS PLATING.

Can you suggest a dip solution of any kind
which will brighten tempered steel for brass
plating- after it is cleaned with steel shot in a
sand-blast machine?

You might try a bright pickle used warm
made up as follows :

Water 1 gal.

Sulphuric acid 10 oz.

Zinc 1 oz.

Xitric acid 4 oz.

SODIUM CYANIDE IN THE PLATING
ROOM.

Is cyanide of sodium being used to any
extent in plating solutions, or is cyanide of
potassium holding its own? Which is prefer-
able?

Yes, cyanide of sodium has in the past
three or four years taken the place of cyanide
of potassium. It is used by some of our
largest manufacturers in preference to the
potassium cyanide.

GREASE ON BRUSHED BRASS FINISH.

\\ e have trouble in our lacquering room.
On brushed brass work, we use a tampico
wheel_ w^ith oil and emery and clean with
gasoline. We find that this gasoline oc-
casionally gets saturated with oil, the result
being that the articles become greasy and the
lacquer peels off. Perhaps you will be able to
suggest some better method of getting a
brushed brass finish or a different solution
for cleaning.

You might try using a brass wire scratch
brush with fine pumice stone, to get a brushed
brass finish. This will wash off very easily
and you run no danger of getting oil or
gasoline in the lacquer.

SMOKE HOLES IN CASTINGS.

\\ e are using a mixture composed of 85%
copper and 15 % zinc, and are having con-
siderable trouble with smoke holes, especially
in heavy castings, and would like your advice
as to what should be done to eliminate smoke.
We believe that an excess of zinc in this mix-
ture causes the smoke.

15% of zinc is not an excessive amount to
use. Your trouble is probably in the heat of
your metal. Try first melting the copper and
when melted, pull the pot and add the zinc.
Stir well and pour, and you w^ill have no
trouble in getting good castings with this mix-
ture.

FORMULA FOR BRIGHT DIP.

Will you give us the best formula for mak-
ing a bright dip? \\'e want something better
than the ordinary yellow brass dip, which we
are able to accomplish very well.

This formula will give a very bright finish
on brass.

. Xitric acid 3 oz.

Sulphuric acid 1 oz.

^luriatic acid i oz.

\\'ater 3 oz.

BRASS CASTINGS.

We are using as our mixture at present
copper and zinc, the latter to the extent of
15%. What would be the result in your
opinion if we used zinc dross of the analysis
stated below in place of zinc (spelter) ?

Zinc 96.13

Lead 3.29

Iron 09

Antimony 37

Arsenic 12

We see no reason w'hy your castings will
not be just as good out of the zinc dross as
analysed, as there is not enough iron or an-
timony to do any harm for sand castings.

194

THE BRA.Se WORLD

-May

What you will have to he careful about is the
amount of lead which is large and deduct this
from the amount you generally use. For or-
dinary castings you can probably drop your
lead altogether as '.ii% is as much lead as you
would want to put into an ordinary casting
that has to be machined.

ADVICE ON MAKING ALLOY.

W c wish to niak'L- an alloy allowing 7:59? of
copper, l.^'.f nf lead and \2'( of tin, using
phosphor tin or phosphor copper as flux and
hardener. Kindly gi\e lis advice on making
this.

-Make an alloy of '.)(r; copper and 10%

nickel. .Add 1 pound of this alloy to 100

pounds of \()iir metal, and you will have no
trouble.

FINISH FOR SHEET BRASS.

\\'c wish to innuire if you can enlighten us
on the mixture of sheet brass, which is termed
matt finish as per sample enclosed. We have
been experimenting more or less here trying
to obtain a satisfactory finish on this article.
Please advise us if }-ou are familiar with any
acid dip or solution which will help us to
get a satisfactor\ finish.

An acid dip for matt finish on brass is the
following :

Xitric acid 1 part

Sul])lniric acid 2 parts

Add sulphate of zinc to full saturation. If
matt finish is too coarse, add more sulphuric
acid, if too fine, add nitric acid. Use hot
and keep water out of dip as much as possible
as water will make it work uneven and
patchy. Then pass through the regular bright
dip.

STRIPPING OF STEEL SHELLS FOR
NICKEL PLATING.

How can steel shells, that have been blued,
be restored to their natural color so that they
can be niclcclled ?"

Use a warm dip made up as follows:

Water 1 ./al.

Xitric acid ] gal.

Have work free from grease and then dip
in solution for about i to 1 minute. Dry out
and prepare in the usual manner for plating.

EFFECTIVE DIP FOR BRASS AND
COPPER.

A\'e need a very efifective dip for brass
and copper that would leave an absolutely
clean and bright finish ready for coloring or
lacquering as the case might be.

The dip you speak of is made by putting
into an earthen crock aqua fortis, one gallon,
oil of vitriol, two gallons, water, one quart.
After building this dip up to the amount you
wish, add a little common salt. Then sprinkle
over the top of the dip some wood soot and
allow to cool.

PERSONAL.

The many friends of H. P. Parrock, man-
ager of Lumen Bearing Company, Buffalo,
N. Y., will be pleased to hear of his complete
recoverv from his recent illness.

Carl Dittmar of Roessler and Hasslacher
Chemical Co., Xew York, will shortly make
an extensive business trip to Europe, visiting
England, France. Germanv and Switzerland.

P. AIcX. Beniiie having severed his con-
nection with the Fitzgerald & Bennie Labora-
tories, Niagara Falls, N'. Y., the business is
now being carried on by the Fitzgerald
Laboratories, Inc.

George H. Carrey has recently severed his
connection with the American Smelting & Re-
fining Co., and allied companies, as chief
geologist, and has opened an office at 115

P>roadway, X'ew York, as consulting
mining engineer.

and

On Tuesday evening, Ai)ril 14. , a din-
ner was given by the Copper Producers of
North America to Charles F. Brooker, presi-
dent of the American Brass Company, in
order to celebrate and commemorate his 50-
years' connection with the copper industry.

Harold Smith, who for several years has
been secretary and purchasing agent of the
Racine i\ffg. Company'. Racine, Wis., has re-
signed and on April 20th became vice-
president of the B. G. & M. Mfg. Co., Chicago,
manufacturer of brass and aluminum cast-
ings and metal stampings, and jobber in all
kinds of machine work.

May

195

DISCUSSION OF PLATING COSTS.

Editor of the Brass World & Platers' Guide :
The criticism which has appeared in the
recent issues of trade journals of my article
published in the "Brass World", appears to
have been tinged by an undue degree of per-
sonal feeling. This should not be so inas-
much as we are endeavoring to deal with first
principles.

The argument made by the critic seems to
be essentially feminie. If one has ever heard
a woman argue, one is struck with the
realization that she speaks from the stand-
point of what things should be and does not
consider things as they are.

In the objections presented by the writer
of the criticism, it is easy to recognize the
fact that, though undoubtedly possessed of
thorough chemical knowledge or argument, it
does not manifest proper acquaintance with
plating room conditions. One who has worked
his way through many and varied plating-
room experiences is confronted by many mean
and perplexing problems that have to be over-
come and are exceedingly trying during the
overcoming. The graduation from a college
to the berth of an executive, saves the grad-
uate from many intermediary annoyances but
does not supply him with that class of
knowledge accumulated by practical exper-
ience, lack of which is so plainly shown in the
article referred to. There seems to be many
conflicting things coming from the same
source. An anode efticiency of 50% in the
•old-fashioned metal solution consisting of I of
a pound of double sulphate of nickel and am-
monia to a gallon of water, has doubtless
been claimed with a mental reservation. The
same authority several years ago claimed to
have successfully made and run a single nickel
salt solution, with a subsequent admission that
to this single nickel salt considerable chloride
■of soda had been added. It is possible, even
now, that our critic will admit, if questioned,
that the solution referred to, contained other
chemicals besides the double nickel salts.

Further touching on this subject, the writer
within the last ten days met a manufacturer
who had been trying a rapid plating salt and
had thrown same out as he claimed it used
his anodes too fast. Most platers, at least
the old timers, can remember of manufactur-

ers being annoyed whenever they were told
to order new anodes, considering it far
cheaper to get the nickel from the salts than
from the anodes.

As to the purity of the salts, it is quite
possible that in the large factories where Mr.
Brown has been employed, the dealers
knowing they had a chemist of such renown,
have refrained from sending anything but the
purest of salts.

Now a word as to gaining cost as men-
tioned in the original article. This system is
being used in some of the silverware shops
that rely upon the ammeter entirely in get-
ting a predetermined weight of deposit. With
silver costing 56c per ounce in the factory in
question, it was found that the actual cost
of the plating including labor, acids, potashes,
brushes, pumice stone, cyanide, etc., but not
including power, belts, oil or overhead
charges, per ounce of silver deposited was
$1,248, or $ . per grain; as this was on
white metal, the batches running 20 minutes
at 20 amperes, giving 400 grains to the batch,
eight coffee pots constituting a batch, this
figured 50 grains per pot, which at $ . is
$ .13 actual cost per pot.

The creams being smaller, sixteen con-
stitutes a batch. This gives a deposit of 25
grains each, or a cost of $ .07^ per cream,
other things in proportion. This of course
did not take in the scratch brushing or polish-
ing, tripolying or anything of that nature,
merely the actual work connected with the
plating.

Of course in job work this scheme would
not be applicable, but in the straight manufac-
turing line it is working satisfactorily today,
and has been for several years.

Now admitting that in the nickel plating
the cost of the metal is much less, not only in
direct cost but proportionately to the cost of
labor, the fact remains that the ratio between
the amount of metal deposited and the time
of preparing same (not including polishing
or buffing) on identical pieces or pieces of a
similar nature remains constant.

As an example, in a factory visited by the
writer within the last few months, there were
two nickel tanks running, both on the middle
point of the switch, both ■ containing the
same amount of anodes, the same am'iuiit of

196

THE BRASS WORLD

Mav

work and solution showing the same on the
hydrometer. These batches were run for 35
minutes, labor cost in the plating room
amounting to $6.00 per day, the output being
pieces per day from two tanks. The
writer borrowed an ammeter to demonstrate
a point in a friendly argument with the pro-
prietor and found that the first batch, running
at 60 amperes, at 35 minute run averaged 10
grains of nickel a piece on the articles plated
(these being all the same). The second tank
showed 90 amperes, or 15 grains a iiiece,
which was 50% more than tlie first tank. Of
course the pieces at the end of the rods were
receiving a little heavier plate than those in
the center of the tank.

Xow allowing that half of the labor was
e.xpended on each lank, both in tlie actual
plating and in the preparing of the same, you
would have $:!.00 labor as against 7,500 grains
of nickel deposited for the first tank, while
for the second tank you would have $3.00 for
labor as against 11,250 grains. This shows
quite a discrepanc\- in the unit taken in
figuring the cost by this method, but a practi-
cal plater will readily say that this is not the
fault of the system but a fault of the amount
of current used.

I should like to hear from some of the old
time platers regarding the amount of nickel
taken from the anodes in the old fashioned
soluti(Mis, not only in their own experiences
i)ut in cases that they have come across where
anodes have lasted for years. I think it
would make interesting reading.

While on this subject the writer would like
to say that within a week or so his attention
was called to a set of anodes that were being
used up very rapidly in an old fashioned solu-
tion but instead of the nickel entering into
the solution it seemed to be going to the bot-
tom as very finely divided metal. In ap-
pearance it was as though each atom of nickel
were oxidized, and though when the anode was
new it appeared in good condition, yet under
action of the current there seemed to be no
cohesion. Possibly Mr. Brown or some other
writer may have run across this or similar
phenomena. If so, I should like to hear their
explanation.

Yours very respectfully,

Chas. .S. Barbour.

Editor of the Brass World & Platers' Guide:

In answer to an article in the March issue
of the Brass World I would like to say that
nickel plating, according to a certain author's
statejuents. must be a rather expensive busi-
ness.

He gives as an example an ''old fashioned
solution" containing ^ lb. of double nickel
salts to the gallon. This is no doubt meant
for the concentration of a still bath and we
have taken one of our tubs made up just
three months ago to find out according to his
statements, just how much double nickel salts
we should have used, the only difference in
our bath being that we are using an anode
containing 97.6% nickel.

Each anode was weighed, as we were trying
the new higher nickel type. Today we weighed
the anodes again and find that we have lost
83.25 lb. Calculating then, our requirements
according to Mr. Barbour's article we find the
following to be true :— 97.6% X 83.25 == 81.25
lb. pure nickel used in our bath so far. Then
as this is said to be but 10% of the amount
lb., therefore the difference between
and 81.25 or 731.25 lb. must have been taken
from the salts. Again according to the article
by Mr. Barbour we get but 10% of nickel
from the ordinary double salt so we should
have been required to use i lb. of nickel
salts in order to do our plating for the last
three months, or our cost of nickel salts for
one tub has been about $650.20.

As a matter of fact we have kept very ac-
curate data on this tul) and find that our
anodes have sustained the solution absolutely.
To be more to the point, our original solution
contained 1.54 oz. of nickel to the gallon and
today has changed but .28 of an ounce m
metal content. There has been absolutely no
addition of nickel salts since the bath started,
therefore the loss must have been from the
work carrying solution after plating.

On other solutions where we run at higher
amperage our anodes are practically destroyed
in four months' time and to these we add less
than twenty-five pounds of salts per month.

As we were keeping close data of the above
solution it gave us a good opportunity to get
the cost of plating. We used to plate 8,000-
pieces. 81.25 lb. of nickel was taken from
anodes. As 81.25 lb. was 100% nickel, at 50c
per lb. this gives $40.67. Since this solution
contains 1.54 oz. to the gallon to start, in three
months we lost .28 of an ounce per gallon

May

THE BRASS WORLD

197

from 400 gal. or 112 oz. (7 lb.) was used from
salts. 50 lb. of nickel ammonia sulphate must
therefore have been used as it contains 14%
nickel. At 10c per pound this salt would cost
$5.00. From the above figures we get the
following results :

81.25 lb. of nickel from anodes (100%) $40.67
7 lb. of nickel from salts $5 .00

Cost per lb.

Yours very truly,

J. A. HALL,

$45.67
$ .517

New Britain, Conn.

A PRACTICAL METHOD FOR THE

RECOVERY OF COPPER FROM

LOW GRADE TAILINGS.

BY THOS. ADAMS.

]\Ian\ smelters especially those wdio are
smelting scrap metals, etc., have attached to
their plant washing machines and concentrat-
ing tables. The problem of a complete re-
covery of the copper from the tailings is a
source of much worry to these smelters. In
the first place the tailings from the various
washing machines are as a rule too low in
copper contents to run over the concentrating
tables by themselves although this would of
course reduce the tailing to .40 — .50 in copper.
However the cost is prohibitive and the re-
sult is that these tailings are allowed to ac-
cumulate for some time and are eventually
forgotten or allowed by the smelter's superin-
tendent to fill in new ground. The process
the writer has been experimenting with for a
number of years has proved not only to be
successful in the complete extraction of the
copper, but it also has the advantage of
utilizing the scrap iron which is also a bane
to the copper smelter, there always being an
accumulation of this metal on hand.
The process is outlined as follows :
A wooden tank is erected, the dimensions
varying according to capacity desired : usual-
ly a tank 8 ft. x S ft. x 4 in. made circular and
lined inside with heavy sheet lead will he found
to be most practical. Two sets of steam coils
are placed on the bottom of the tank and an
iron agitator is also placed inside it, the
style of agitator being the kind used in the

silver departments of electrolytic copper re-
fineries for agitating their silver slimes. This
tank will have a capacity of about 4 tons of
tailings. The tailings are dumped into the
tank, a wooden runway being prepared so as
to allow the use of a wheelbarrow for
the filling of the tank. The tank is now
(filled three-quarters full of water and the steam
is turned on through the lead coils. 10% sul-
phuric acid is added and the agitator is started
creating a circulation of the solution combined
with the tailings, the copper contained therein
being reduced to copper sulphate. The pro-
cess of circulating takes about two hours,
thus giving the sulphuric acid an opportunity
to permeate through the tailings.

The solution resulting from this operation
is syphoned off into another vat, or a wooden
launder may be used, this vat or launder being
partly filled with scrap iron of any description,
iron hoops, tin cans, etc. The liquor from
the tank in passing over the iron reduces the
copper sulphate to cuprous oxide in the form
of material known as copper cement. This
material is ready for reduction in either a
blast furnace or reverberatory furnace at a
low cost inasnuich as the copper cement com-
bined with the iron is practically a flux for
the reduction of all grades of copper-bearing
material in a blast furnace or reverberatory

Diagram of Modern Reverberatory Furnace Used for
Reduction of " Copper Cement."

furnace. The accompanying photo shows a
modern reverberatory furnace which can be
used for the reduction of this copper cement
with the aid of limestone and a small amount
of fluor spar.

The writer finds a reverberatory furnace
to be more economical, as only one operation
is required to bring the material into blister
metal and the resulting slag is basic forming
a good flux for future operating and reduc-
tion in the blast furnace.

198

-Mav 19U

NEWS OF OUR NEIGHBORS.

I"hc lalliDun l^ Kiiechejiiucisier LU., lio
Third St., Carlstadt, X. J., would like to have
catalogs of all descriptions for their fde.

The Bunting Brass & Bronze Co., Toledo,
■O., has increased its capital stock from $50,-
000 to $100,000.

The Lion Silver Plate Co. has started in
business at 41 Duchess St., Toronto, Ont.,
manufacturing plated flat silverware.

The ButTalo Copper & Brass Rolling Mill
Co., Buffalo, N. Y., has increased its capital
stock from $250,000 to $500,000.

The Two Rivers Plating Works, Two
Rivers, Wis., is adding to its works a tinning
plant for hot tinning and galvanizing.

On April 10th, tire destroyed the plant of
the Canadian Wolverine Brass Co., St. Clair
St., Chatham, Ont. Loss $30,000.

The offices of the Eagle Smelting & Refin-
ing Works are now located in the Woolwortb
Building, Xew '^'ork Citv.

The American Bronze Co., Berwyn, Pa., is
about to build an adition to its plant which
will increase the capacity of the foundry 40%
and of the finishing department 75%.

Plans are being made for the rehabilitation
of the factory of the Andrew Nessner Co.,
brass founder, Cincinnati, O., which was re-
cently destroyed by fire.

The Southern Metal & Foundry Corpora-
tion, Xorfolk, Va., capitalized at $100,000, will
shortly commence operations, refining brass,
foundry residue and manufacturing engine
and journal brasses.

The Xational .Aluminum Works, whose fac-
tory at Wellsville, N. Y., was burned down
in January, will probably locate in Elmira,
X, Y. if sufficient funds are contributed by
the Elmira Chamber of Commerce.

The John Roby Co., uperatmg a brass
foundry at Rainhill near Liverpool, England,
has been converted into a private limited com-
pany under the style of "John Roby, Limited",
the partners in the business becoming the
directors of the new company while the busi-
ness policy and connections will be unchanged.

The .\merican Smelting & Refining Co.,
which had a greater number of employes on
its properties in Mexico than any other
American corporation, has closed down all its
Mexican plants till hostilities cease, and has
ordered all its American employes to leave
that country.

Colonel .Marcellus E. Thompson has pur-
chased the Southern Smelter Works, Oakdale,
Ga., which has been closed down for ten
years. He intends sending the large furnace
of the plant to his lead smelter works at
Knoxville, Tenn., and bringing to the Georgia
plant his 5()-ton furnace. The new concern,
under the name of the Piedmont Smelting
Co., is expected to commence operations in
the fall.

The Brass & Metal Foundry Co., Waynes-
bury. Pa., may purchase the plant they now
occup\-, which was erected by the Waynesbury
Development Co. and has been leased to them.
The Brass &- Metal Co. has prospered to such
an extent as to be able muv to take over the
enterprise.

The American Smelting & Refining Co. has
reduced the price of lead from $4.00 to p,.90.

Stocks of copper metal in the United States
on April 1st were 13,762.533 pounds less than
on March 1st, and the smallest since last June,
the Copper Producers' Association reports.
The total supply was 64,609,319 pounds.

The features were the record breaking ex-
ports and production. Exports aggregated
89,562,166 pounds, an increase of 5,662,983
pounds and production 145,651,982, a gain of
23,090.975 pounds.

M'dv

19&

PATENT NOTES.

1,090.661. March 17. . PROCESS OF
PRECIPITATING AND RECOVERING
METALS. Charles H. Urquhart. The cyanide
solution containing precious metal is passed
throu.gh granulated zinc from which air is ex-
cluded, and the mass is agitated to free the
particles of deposited precious metal from the
zinc, and to produce a clean surface on the

1,093,384. April 14, . ROTARY ELEC-
TRO-PLATING APPARATUS. Christopher
James Charlton. The apparatus consists of
an outer conical drum and an inner tapered
perforated drum, polygonal in cross section,
carried on a rotating shaft. Anodes are fixed
to the inner surface of the outer drum and are
electrically connected by means of bolts and

^ ^^ee

latter. The granulated zinc is prepared by
melting spelter and pouring it from a height
of two or three feel into cold water. This
process produces at little cost a very brittle
form of zinc in irregular pieces with ideal
surface for precipitating. Agitation is secured
by the slow rotation of the drum containing
the zinc.

1,083,691. PROCESS FOR OBTAINING
ALLMINUAI. Parker C. ^Icllhiney, of Great
Neck, New York. — This process consists in
electrolyzing a fused mixture of the fluorides
of aluminum and a Huxing reagent, and at the
same time adding a reagent in sufficient
quantity and in such manner as to react with
the fluoride to produce hydrofluoric acid and
aluminum oxide.

1,090,440. POLISHING COMPOSITION.
Jonas W. Aylsworth, East Orange, N. J., as-
signor to Halogen Products Co., Glen Ridge,
N. J. — A polish composition comprising a
higher solid chloro-naphthalene, a permanent-
ly fusible, soluble cresol resin having a melt-
ing point of at least 100° C, and a solvent for
the said product and resin, consisting of
acetylene-tetra-chloride and a rapid drying
liquid.

nuts with metal bands around it. A metal
door mounted on the shaft acts as cathode,
and closes the larger ends of the drums, hav-
ing a cross frame or spider pressed against it.

1.088,171. Felx 24. . MANUFACTURE
OF BAR AND TUBE SHAPED ARTI-
CLES FRO^I ^1 OFTEN METAL. Adam
Helmer Pehrson. The receptacle for the
molten metal has a discharge nozzle leading
into a molding pipe provided with a cooling
jacket. Ratchet devices allow for a relative
reciprocating motion between the molding pipe
and the receptacle, so tliat the molten metal

cooling in the pipe may be drawn away from
the receptacle while stationary in the molding
pipe, thus eliminating the danger of tearing or
breaking. Means are also provided for lubri-
cating the pipe by application of the lubricant
to the outside of the nozzle and transmitting
it to the interior of the pipe.

200

THE BRASS >VORLI>

^lav

1.091.489. .March;;]. . GRIXDIXG AXD
POIJSIIIXC; MACHIXI-:. Nicholas J.
Downey and Sinmn Kunikuniian. This
machine is intended for the automatic grind-
ing of knife handles, and operates in a man-
ner suhstantially similar to the present hand
method. it cimiprises a grinding wheel,
means for supporting the blade end of the
knife and for turning same, and independent
supporting means for pressing the knife
handle against the wheel. While the knife is
rotated, the main arm of the machine, holding
the pad which keei)s the knife handle in
position, is tilted, keeping time with the change
in relation of the cross-section of the handle
to the pad and wheel.

1,()9:;,281. April 14, . ELECTRIC
WELDING MACHINE. Neil Macneale.
This machine has a pair of horizontally pro-
jecting die-carrying members, or horns, the
dies being laterally oflset and removable.
Means are provided for the relative adjust-
ment 11 f these horns about their respective
axes, to suit the nature of the work being
acted upon.

1,088,379. FEEDIXG MECHAXISM FOR
FURNACES. Feb. 24, . John Tedell,
Rock Island, 111., assignor to Rock Island
Plow Co., Rock Island, 111. A cradle is
mounted below a stationary work support and
a crank arm oscillates this cradle, raising it

and moving it forward, thus causing the bars
or other metallic objects to be moved toward
the furnace step by step. Means are pro-
vided for adjusting the position of the cradle
with respect to the support, so as to secure
€ven feeding of the material.

1,091,808, March M, . ELECTRIC
CRUCIBLE FURNACE. Daniel F. Calhane.
This furnace is so constructed that the heat
is concentrated along the walls of the crucible
at any desired plane, without unduly heating

the bottom, by forcing the current to flow in
a restricted iiath along the walls. Crucibles
of different si'es may be used so that the
furnace may be continuously operated with-
out disturbing the carbon core, and without
allowing it to cool down.

l,09l,0.V7. PROCESS OF TREAT I XG
METALS. Emerv G. Gilson. Schenectady. X'.
Y.. assignor to General Electric Co., Xew
York. This invention relates to a process of
treating iron, copper or the like to render them
ino.xidizable, by heating tlie metal in a non-
oxidizing atmosphere to a temperature from
600° to 900° C, depending upon the particular
metal, in contact with a powdered mixture of
puie aluminum, aluminum oxide and a
chloride.

1,093,698. April 21. . PROCESS OF
PLATIXG. Charles D. Heaton. This relates
to a process of platin.g one metal upon an-
other, by enclosing the entire area of a metal-
lic article with another metal. A strip of
metal consisting of base metal with a strip
of precious metal soldered to it, is formed
into a cup-shaped blank, with the precious
metal outside. .Another blank with precious
metal covering is placed within this, and the
a.'^sembled parts are heated. The solder unites
the two base inetals and the precious metal
covers are forced to unite at the cornt^rs, pro-
ducing an invisible seam.

May

TILE BRA.SS WORLD

201

1,093,614. April 21, . BRUSH FOR
DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINE. Emery
G. Gilson. This brush is composed of copper,
tin, graphite and two to five per cent, of iron.
By this mixture of metals a brush is made
that is harder than tlie usual brushes and
causes the mica to wear evenly with the
copper.

1,093,551. April 14, . SAND-BLAST
APPARATUS. Charles A. Dreisbach. In
this apparatus the sand is fed into an im-
proved air and sand mixing chamber in such
a manner that the feed automatically stops
soon after the blast is shut off, thus prevent-
ing the accumulation of an excess of sand in
the mixing chamlier.

1,091,185. ANODE AND ANODE-HOOK.
Mar. 24, . Hermann R. Boissier. These
are so formed that it is an easy matter to sub-

stitute one anode for another, and to remove
the anode from the hook for the purpose of
examining and cleaning. A spring or thumb-
screw holds the anode in position.

1,093,968. April 21, . ELECTRIC FUR-
NACE. Richard Stuart Bicknell. This furnace
is of the resistance type and has a non-metal-
lic resistor made of carbon or graphite, with
more than two electrodes, and so arranged
that by changing the path of the current, the
resistance of that portion of the circuit com-
prised by the resistor is raised or lowered,
with one or more non-metallic resistors.

29,801. (British patent). GALVANIZ-
ING, ETC. H. Folland, T. A. Morris and W.
Griffiths. The metal sheets to be coated are
passed through a flux box into a bath of lead,
and by means of guides and submerged rolls,
are directed up through molten zinc floating
on the lead to the delivery rolls. The zinc is
confined by means of partitions, and small
plates exclude dross from the rolls.

1,093,236. April 14, . ELECTRO-
LYTIC CLEANING ELECTRODE. Thomas
Appleby. In a metallic container holding the
electrolytic solution of sodium bicarbonate
and common salt, is placed a zinc plate to
which is attached insulating material, support-
ing the zinc. The article to be cleaned is
brought into contact with the plate, and elec-
trolytic action ensues, thus producing a sim-
ple and effective domestic cleaner.

MEASURING THE INVISIBLE.

Pleasuring what one cannot see can be con-
sidered wonderful, even in these times when
constant inventions have so accustomed us to
the marvelous, that exclamation points are
being eliminated from our printed works. The
Keystone Electrical Instrument Co., Philadel-
phia, Pa. has successfully undertaken the
measurement of the invisible through its volt-
meters, ammeters, and watt meters designed
to enable the electro-plater to keep himself in-
formed of the exact current conditions af-
fecting his products. All manner of indicat-
ing and recording instruments are shown in
the special catalog issued by the company and
an interesting portion of the reading matter is
that devoted to an illustrated description of
the D'Arsonval system of measurement which
is a modification of and a direct outgrowth
from the primitive form of the tangent gal-
vanometer. A copy of this complete list of
measuring devices can be obtained by appli-
cation to the Keystone Electric Instrument
Co. Any one who desires to secure a con-
venient work of reference of these products
can benefit by writing for one at once. Men-
tion the "Brass World" when doing so.

A mixture for Britannia metal which has
been found to give good results for both sheet
and casting is the following : —

Tin 100 lb.

Antimony 5 lb.

Copper 1 lb.

202

THE BRASS WORLD

Mav VJH

MEETINGS OF
AMERICAN ELECTRO-
PLATERS' SOCIETY.

NEWS FROM THE
BRANCHES.

SUPREME SOCIETY

Meets first week in June, i'JH, at Cliicago,
111. Secretary, Fred C. Clement, 462 North
Fiftieth Street. Philadelphia. Pa.

BRANCH SOCIETIES.

New York — Meets fourth Friday of each
month at 309 West 23rd Street, New York City,
at 8 P. M. Secretary, Joseph Minges,
Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Rochester — Meets second and fourth Wednes-
day of each month at Rochester University.
Secretary, Edwin S. Crowley, Jr., 3 68 South
Goodman Street, Rochester, N. Y.

Toronto — Meets fourth Thursday of each
month at Occidental Hall, Bathurst and Queen
Streets. Secretary, William Salmon, 49 Oak
Street, Toronto, Canada.

Fhiladelpliia — Meets last Friday of each
month at Dooner's Hotel, Philadelphia, Pa.,
8 P. M. Secretary, Philip Uhl, North 29th
Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Dayton — Meets first and third Wednesday
at the Y. M. C. A., Dayton, Ohio. Secretary,
Alphonz Lamoureux, 500 East First Street,
Dayton, Ohio.

Newark — Meets first and third Friday of
each month, 8 P. M., 833 Broad Street, Newark,
N. J. Secretary, Charles A. Stiehle, 46 Madison
Avenue, Irvington, N. J.

Detroit — Meets first and third Friday of each
month at Burns' Hotel. Secretary, John J.
Abler, 930 Willis Avenue. Detroit, Mich.

Cliicag-c — Meets fourth Saturday of each
mntith at Western Building. Randolph and
Micliigan Aves. Secretary. Oscar E. Servis,
George Street, Chicago, 111.

Indianapolis — Meets twice a month on Friday
evenings. Secretary, Albert J. Burns, 20S
Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis, Ind.

Buffalo — Meets the first Saturday of each
month at the University of Buffalo, at 8 P. M.
Secretary, F. C. Mesle, Willow Avenue,
Niagara Falls. N. Y.

Milwaukee — Meets second Wednesday of
each month at Marquette University. Secre-
tary, P. J. Sheehan, 922 Vliet Street, Milwau-
kee. Wis.

Cincinnati — Meets once each month at Den-
nison Hotel, Cincinnati, Ohio. Secretary,
Thomas B. Whitehead, 609 Roberta Street,
Newport, Ky.

St. Louis — Meets on the first Thursday and
fourth Saturday of each month at Public Li-
brary Assembly Rooms. Secretary. H. H. Wil-
liams. Nebraska Ave., St. Douis, Mo.

.At tlie regular meeting of the New York
branch of the American Electro-platers'
.Society, held on .April 2-lth, two new active
nu-mbers were admitted. John Sterling was
elected delegate to the national convention in
June, with Thomas B. Haddow and J. Bar-
nard as alternates. At the ne.xt meeting of the
hianch the election of officers for the ensuing
year vv-ill take place.

The St. Louis branch at their meeting on
April 25th, elected four new members and re-
ceived two applications for membership. Pro-
liosed amendments of the constitution were
discussed and delegates instructed. H. H.
Williams, J. T. McCarthy and E. J. Musick
were elected delegates to the June convention.
The next meeting to be held on May 23rd will
l)e specially arranged and will include new
features.

.At the regular meeting of the Xewark
branch of the American Electro-platers'
Society on April 17, the president of the
branch, Horace H. Smith, was elected delegate
to the national convention. Progress was re-
ported in the matter of ohtaining a laboratory,
which is expected to be ready in two or three
months. Efforts are also to be made to es-
tablish a catalog bureau, containing catalogs
of all supply and machinery houses that deal
in polishing and plating goods, so that mem-
bers may keep in touch with the newest de-
velopments of the industry.

The Chicago branch of the .American Elec-
tro-platers' Society is fully alive to the duties
imposed on it in connection with the second
annual convention of the supreme society, to
be held in that city on June 4th, 5th and 6th.
The new Fort Dearborn Hotel, which is con-
venient to the LaSalle St. station, has been
chosen for the place of meeting" by the con-
vention conmiittee consisting of S. E. Huener-
fauth, E. Lamoureux, H. E. W'illmore, O. E.
Servis, J. P. Alanz. J. F. Carr and F. J.
Lisconib. The convention is to be an open
one, the committee desiring the attendance
of platers, whether members of the society
or not. Branches are requested to co-operate
l)v sending delesates and informing the com-

:\Iav

THE BRASS ^VORLD

203

mittee of the number of such delegates as
early as possible. Papers on deposition of
metals and special finishes for exhibition pur-
poses are invited from delegates. On Satur-
day evening, June 6th, the convention will
finish with a smoker.

BUILDING BUSINESS.

The newly-elected officers of the Chicago
branch are as follows :

President, Oscar E. Servis.
Vice-president, J. P. Manz.
Secretary-treasurer, J. S. Carr.
Board of Managers, E. Lamoreaux, W.
Gilbertson (chairman) and Charles Bott.
Delegate to convention. H. E. Willmore.

PROGRAM OF ELECTRO-
PLATERS* CONVENTION.

The program of the second annual conven-
tion of the American Electroplaters' Society
to be held in the Fort Dearborn Hotel,
Chicago, on June 4th, Sth and 6th, has just
been arranged by the convention committee.

Delegates will be received by vice-president
J. H. Hansjosten on the Thursday at 10:00 a.
m. Regular morning sessions of the conven-
tion are to be held from 10 :4o till 11 :30 on
the first day, and from 9:00 till 11 ::;0 on the
following days. Afternoon sessions will be
held from 1 :.^0 till •'> :30 on tlie Thursday, and
from 1 :30 till .5 :30 on the Saturday. During
the Saturday afternoon session, at 2 :30, su-
preme president George B. Hogaboom will
install officers for the ensuing year.

Plans for the instruction and entertainment
of conventioners include papers on various
electroplating subjects (titles to be announced
later ) at 8 :00 p. m. on the Thursday and Fri-
day : a tour of various electroplating plants of
the city at 12 ;45 on the second day ; and a
final smoker and luncheon given by the
Chicago branch, at 7 :00 p. m. on the closing
dav at the Fort Dearborn Hotel.

The best acid-resisting metal for ordinary
castings, valves, etc., is of the following com-
position :

Copper 80 lbs.

Tin 9 lbs.

Lead 10 lbs.

Phosphor tin 1 lb.

R. R. Shuman is known throughout the
country as a builder of business. He has
specialized for several years in the study of
the conditions which surround advertisers in
trade journals in their efiforts to build up a
big and profitable business. Mr. Shuman has
recently organized a stock company known
as the Shuman Advertising Co., 620 West-
minster Bldg., Chicago, the previous partner-
ship known as the Shuman-Booth Co. being
dissolved on April 13th. Mr. Booth retires
from the partnership to become vice-president
of the ]\Ietallurgic Engineering Co., Chicago
which is the patentee and builder of electrical
melting furnaces. Mr. Shuman's faith in
trade and technical journals is finely shown
in the following excerpt from a recent ad-
dress made by him in Xew Orleans and
well worth the attention of every reader of
our journal because it tells so concisely the
part that the trade journal plays in the busi-
ness world.

"The man who treats a trade journal pub-
lisher as a respectable mendicant to whom
something must be given — who looks upon
trade journals merely as institutions which
must be supported for the good they do— -
misses the whole point of the thing.

"Trade journal advertising is not digging
down and giving money ; it is reaching out
and getting money — reaching the minds and
hearts and pocketbooks of men who have
money and who want to make more money
out of that money by spending it for your
products.

"Any man of you who gets that true con-
ception of the trade journal as a great central
market place to which its readers may go,
money in hand, will stop giving the publisher
little standing cards, because they like him
as a man ; will see beyond such small person-
alities and will sense the tremendous buying
power of the audience he offers, and talk to
that audience with such compelling force that
they will read and remember and respond.

"Trade journal advertising is not a contri-
bution— not an expense ; but, rightly done, is
a sound and paying investment that yields
dividends far bevond its cost."

An acid dip for brass castings is made of
one part sulphuric acid and one part nitric
acid. The work should be free from grease
and dry before dipping.

204

Alay

TRADE HAPPENINGS.

Frederic B. Stevens, manufacturer of
foundry supplies, polishers' and platers' sup-
plies, Detroit, Mich., has recently issued a
handy little booklet on "The Care of Cruci-
bles." A copy will be sent free, upon re-
quest, to interested parties.

The Dyer Apparatus Co., Boston, Mass.,
has issued a neat illustrated booklet dealing
with welding apparatus, carbon-removing out-
fits, soldering and steel cutting torches, etc.
Each of their products is clearly described,
with a photograph, and its use shown in an
interesting way.

The Universal Metal Co., 307 Germania
Savings Bank Bldg., Pittsburgh, Pa., is having
great success with a high grade bearing metal
composed of 60% copper, 35% lead and 5%
tin. This composition when treated is termed
tempered copper. The company anticipates a
broader field for this product in the near
future.

Progressive methods and modern equipn;ent
are responsible for the increased sale of high
class lacquers experienced by the New Era
Lustre Co., 92 William St., New York City.
Since the company moved from New Haven,
and under the managership of F. S. Cobb,
president of this concern, a steady and grow-
ing demand for its products has been noted.

One firm which seems to be in no way ex-
periencing business depression is the E. Reed
Burns Metal Polish & Supply Co. of Chicago,
manufacturer of platers' supplies and dyna-
mos. This firm has just moved to larger
quarters, occupying a three story fireproof
building at 412-414 North Morgan St.,
Chicago, 111., where they hope to increase
their stock with double the output. There are
splendid facilities for shipping from 100 lb. to
a carload of goods at short notice, there being
a side track for both incoming and outgoing
freight. Another machine for the manufac-
ture of tripoli composition has also been m-
stalled to meet the increasing demand for this
article.

The Canadian Hanson & Van Winkle Co.,
Morrow Ave., Toronto, Canada, has lately
completed a new office building and is instal-
ling a demonstrating plant at its factory
similar to the one already in operation at
Newark, N. J. This plant which is expected
to be running about May 1st, will be of great
assistance to the Canadian electroplater ; as
every kind of plating will be shown with the
very latest equipment.

The Balbach Smelting & Refining Co.,
Newark, N. J. is erecting a lead refinery next
to its copper smelting works at the Newark
Bay and expects to put it in operation some
time during the summer. This refinery will
have a capacity of 4,000 tons of desilverized
lead per month, and all kinds of lead drosses
and ores will be smelted as well as jewelers"
sweepings containing gold, silver, and plati-
num. With the desilverizing and lead smelt-
ing plant, there will be connected a gold, silver
and platinum refinery and parting plant.

To replenish a solution containing an ex-
cess of free cyanide, platers have hitherto
used salts such as the carbonates of copper
and zinc and the chloride of silver. These
contain a large proportion of impurities and
inert material, which eventually produce
trouble. To overcome this difficulty the
Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Co. has
put on the market the metal cyanides of
copper, zinc and silver. These salts they
claim to be the purest and most highly con-
centrated possible, introducing a maximum
of metal into the solution and effecting a sav-
ing of time, current and labor, as well as being
cheaper.

The H. S. Wyckoff Co., Newark, N. J.,
which manufactures platers' and polishers'
supplies, is yet another firm that is enjoying
a period of business prosperity. In conse-
quence of the great demand for the "Wycko"
brand of supplies, especially Vienna lime,
tripoli compositions and nickel salts, the com-
pany has been compelled to move to larger
quarters at 269-75 Broome St., Newark, N. J.,
where with a larger working force and the

Mav

THE BRASS WORLD

205

newest machinerj', it hopes soon to satisfy all
requirements of customers. Samples of
Wyckoff products can be obtained on request,
and also information regarding the above, and
the WyckoflF salt water outfit.

We have received from the Bayonne Cast-
ing Co., Bayonne. X. J., a most useful as well
as interesting booklet of 32 pages, entitled "A
Treatise on Monel Metal." This is a revised
edition and includes in addition to the former
data published by this firm, all the newest
information which has been gathered in the
past three years concerning this remarkable
alloy. In the most complete way possible, the
metal is dealt with descriptively, historically.
comparatively and from the point of view of
utility. Eight pages of tables relating to physi-
cal properties, influence of temperature on
torsile strength, weights of castings and naval
specifications are included. The booklet
which is well printed on good paper with a
neat cover may be had from the company by
those interested, who should when writing
mention "Brass World."

The German-American Stoneware Works.
30 Church St., Xew^ York City, is preparing
a special catalog which will illustrate and
describe its high-grade acid-proof chemical
stoneware. Special descriptions and illustra-
tions of the company's stoneware tanks for
dipping, electrolytic and galvanizing purposes,
etc., will appear therein, and a most complete
presentation will be made of all articles used
in laboratories made from the company's
stoneware. One of the most interesting of
the company's products is a cooling worm,
whose stoneware coils testify to expert me-
chanical operation. Those of our readers
who are interested in this class of goods
should apply early for the new catalog in
order to add this to their reference literature.
When registering for a copy, mention "The
Brass World."

The L. B. Allen Co., North Lincoln St.,
Chicago, 111., is distributing to the trade new
pamphlets describing the "Allen-Flux". This
flux is designed to solder any metal except
aluminum and may be procured by the user
in any form for his use — as liquid, salts, stick,
paste or "Presto"-solder. The intermittent
user of solder can gain by the use of the
Allen-flux in the reliability of the product.

but the manufacturers claim that in plants,
factories or workshops where soldering is
carried on for any length of time during the
day that an hour saved by each man per day
is a common record when using the Allen-
soldering devices. Among the other advan-
tages claimed for the Allen-flux is its non-
corrosive action on metal and non-injurious
efifect on lacquered or polished surfaces, cloth-
ing, woodwork, etc. The absence of acid or
other harmful ingredients is undoubtedly a
distinct health factor as many tinners suf-
fer from the breathing of muriatic fumes.
One of the most ingenious of the Allen de-
vices is the fountain brush which serves the
solderer in the same way as a fountain pen
serves the scribe. A copy of this interesting
pamphlet which gives information how to get
joints of the greatest tensile strength with
quick and clean work on all jobs from the
most delicate to the ordinary kind can be
secured upon request. In writing mention
the "Brass World."

METAL COLOR MAGIC

The problem of coloring metals confronts
the electro-plater at every turn of his daily
routine. Dame Fashion is the lady that
causes all the trouble. New tints are ordered
by her capricious whim and new tints must
be and will be produced or somebody's head
will fall in the basket. The Rojas Electro-
Chemical Co., ,516- .524 West 25th St.. New York
City, has in its well-fitted laboratories a
magic secret which parries successfully every
thrust of polychromatic difticulty. Daily
demonstrations are given to inquiring electro-
platers and a call for any color on any metal
is met with ease and celerity, both mystifying
and satisfying. Out-of-town inquirers may
send samples for coloration and the entire
gamut of colors is assured by the use of the
"Rojas Electrochroma." The company an-
nounces to the trade a special thirty-day con-
centrated service of this kind and interested
electroplaters can get prompt service by
mentioning "Brass World."

The steel gray finish on brass is obtained
b}- dissolving four ounces of iron borings in
one gallon muriatic acid, then adding four
ounces of white arsenic and heating till dis-
solved. This is used as a dip at about 150° F.
and the article is finally lacquered.

206

Mav

NEW CORPORATIONS.

American Metal Culvert Co., Wilmington,
Del., capital, $35,000.

The Atlas Brass Foundry Co., Columbus, O.
$65,000, J. Whittniann.

The Union Smelting and Refining Company
of New York City. Capital $500,000.

The Ohio Smelting and Relming Co.,
Cleveland. O., general smelters; $10,000; I. M.
Garfinkel, Sallie Garfinkel, Isaac Miller, H. H.
McCoy and Samuel Mnchnick.

Worcc-^ter Autogenous Welding & Con-
struction Co., Worcester, ]\iass. Capital $25,-
000. L. A. Morrill, M. E. Donohue, E. C. L.
Morse.

Jerome-Edwards Metallic Packing Co.,
metal products; capital $515,000. Dela-
ware c o r p o rati o n .

Barnett .Manufacturing Co., Chicago —
manufacturing metal specialties; capital, $50,-
000. Incorporators : P. Barnett, A. L. Stone,
E. Lewis, Chicago.

The Charles H. Scammell Co., Trenton, N.
J., capital $100,000, manufacturing expanded
metal f<_)r building purposes. Charles H.
Scammell, Scott Scanunell and John R. Scam-
mell.

The Globe Pattern Co., Cleveland. O.,
$5,000; manufacturing and selling metal pat-
terns. Daniel Cameron, Peter H. Grossman,
Martin Thomas Ruddy, Ralph Moffat and
Mathias J. Walther.

American Alloys Co., Xewark, N. J. ; metals ;
capital $10,000. Lawrence Zainbon, H. O.
Laub, J. (r. .Xyers, Jr., Xewark.

The Union Stamping Co., New York City.
Capital stock, $5,000, to carry on business
of enameling, coating and galvanizing of
metals, etc. Incorporators, Joseph F. Curtin,
Harry F. Kliest, all of Wilmington, Del.

Gold and Platinum Corporation of Colum-
bia, New ^'ork City, to acquire mining rights
and franchises ; capital stock $1,500,000.

The Cataract Brass Stamping Co., Buffalo,
N. v., capital $50,000. The directors are
Frank E. Wattles, William A. Morgan, and
John M. Iltdl.

The .Xorthwest Aluminum and Brass
Foundry, Inc., Rochester, N. V., capitalized at
$10,000, will begin business with $5,100. The
directors are John R. Laysen, George A.
Hetzler and Charles E. Tupper, all of
Rochester.

The Charles N. Hough Manufacturing Co.,
Franklin, Pa., brass, etc., capital $80,000; in-
corporators, Katherine H. Hough ; Clotilda B.
Hagenbuch, Franklin ; W^illiam B. Hough,
Chicago; Peter M. Speer, Oil City.

Efficiency Metal Products Co., New York,
radiators, hollow metal, shelving, refrigerator
plants, $500,000; A. W. Staub, W. E. Haley,
J. H. Harris, \Vestchester.

Falcon Manufacturing Co., Camden, N. J.
manufacturing metallic specialties; capital,
$200,000. In corporators: S. C. Rockman, G.
G. S. Martin, R. Archer.

The Federal Brass Mfg. Co., Cleveland, O.,
manufacturing and dealing in brass goods,
$25,000; R. H. Hunger. M. A. Niepert, W. H.
Nye, D. M. Targer and AI. .\. Clancy.

The Lorain Brass and Bronze Foundry Co.,
Lorain, O., manufacturing and dealing in
brass and bronze castings; $2,000; E. M.
Cable, Wm. N. Harding, Joe Finegold, Pauline
F"inegold and A. J. Gabriel.

Progressive Smelting and Metal Corpora-
tion, New York; general business of smelting
and refining metals; capital $25,000. Incor-
porators; Sanmel Lewis, Elias H. Avram, Jos.
A. Boccia, all of New York City.

Mav

20?

PLACE AND VALUE OF THE TRADE PAPERS.

BY R. R. SHUMAN,

CONTINUED FROM MAY ISSUE.

Now let's see how it is witli the tra-'le and
technical papers. They are of three general
classes :

1. — Trade Papers, subscribed for by a half
million retail merchants and read studiously
by them because of the practical information
they contain — missionaries of commerce,
these ; bringing the wholesale markets to the
merchants' desk : the key to the whole pro-
blem of distribution through retail channels.
Their readers are employers, and such of their
subordinates as are empowered to select and
buy the stocks that the merchant shall sell.

2. — Tecliuical Publications — Engineering
and scientific rather than commercial, sub-
scribed for by the men who build and equip
railroads, factories, office buildings — cities
— b}- the captains of industry — and passed
along with authoritative marginal notes to the
heads of their departments. These papers are
depended on for authentic information, on
the wholesale markets for raw materials, the
development of new machinery and methods.
They exert a vast power in both the adminis-
trative and mechanical development of a half
million industries. They are read, not idly,
for amusement; but earnestly, in the quiet of
the private offices and they are preserved for
future reference. Here too, we have em-
ployers for readers — together with their high-
est paid subordinates.

o. — The Tliird General Class — a smaller one
— is the shopman's paper — full of practical
shop kinks — and read (as they never read
their bibles) by superintendents, foremen, en-
gineers and other well paid heads of families.

These are general classifications only, as
most trade papers combine in a measure all
three elements.

The commercial and technical papers are
ideal for selling automobiles, both pleasure
and commercial, as well as such things as
pianos, piano players, high priced talking
machine, bonds, investments, irrigated lands,
fire and life insurance, travel tours and the
long line of necessities and luxuries such as
only the well-to-do can buy, and, some day,
some live maker or seller of stich things will
■"make a killing" Ijy putting his advertising
money into these mediums instcnrl nf tlie

"hall-room'' favorites, read mainly by peo-
ple who would like to own these things, but
can't.

The third class — the shopman's paper — gets
behind doors that are locked to your sales-
man, reaching and converting the men who
have the brains to specify, if they have not
the money to buy, new equipment for shop
and store.

All three classes offer an ideal audience,
paid and trained to read (and to heed) every
advertisement of every good thing, whether
for their business or for their household and
personal needs.

Fishing J V here Fish Are.

I have no doubt that there are a lot of
gamey bass and pickerel in Lake Michigan,
but when I pack up my rod and reel I don't
go to Lake Michigan, but to brooks and pools
that are famous for these finny trophies. And
my skill as a fisherman, if I have any. gives
me a "good catch," perhaps at a time when a
dozen bent-pin sports go home empty-handed,,
from the same waters.

To he Cinitiniied.

The Bullet Brand Distributing Co., Xew
York City, with a capital stock of $10,-
000, has been established to manufacture and
deal in bullet brass containers.

The Bullet Brand Laboratories, Incorpo-
rated, New York City, with a capital stock of
$75,000, manufacture and deal in bullet brass
specialties.

ANNUAL REPORTS-

At the annual meeting of the directors of
Davenport & Keeling, Inc., New Britain,
Conn., analytical chemists, the following of-
ficers were elected : ]\f . W. Davenport. ]\I. S..
president ; W. J. Keeler, vice-president ; H. L.
Thompson, M. S., secretary and treasurer. Mr.
Keeler resigned the presidency of the com-
pany owing to the pressure of other business
interests. Mr. Thon-pson will continue to
look after the work connected with tlie metal
trade.

208

Ma}-

Current Metal and Supply Prices.

These Prices are net and are lor standard p

prices. Prices su

ackings. Smaller quantities conuiiand higher
bject to fluctuation.

Acetone, pure i)B-dd''c lb

Acid, Acetic, pure 30 % ..Vb.

Arsenious (White Arsenic) .It).

Benzoic H).

Boracic (Boric), pure. . . . ! ! .ttj.
Hydrochloric, see Acid, Muriatic.

Acid

Acid,

Alcniiol

Alcolio

H.vdroHuoric,
Hydrofluoric,
Muriatic, 20°
Muriatic, c. p
Nitric, 3S° . .
Nitric, 40° . .
Nitric, 42° . .
Nitric, c.
Sul])huric,
Sulidiuric,

Wood

I 'enatured

30%
50%.

20'

p., . .
66°
c. p.

, . . hj.
. . .III.
, . .11).

. . Hj.

. .lb.

. . It).

. .rt).

. .H).
. . I!).
. . Hj.

4a 1

Alum ' ]-|

Aluminum. Metallic, in Ingots ....Vb.

Ammonium Sulphate Ih.

Aqua-Fortis, see Acid, Nitric.
Ammonia Water (Aqua-Ammonia,

20° n:..

Ammonui AVater (Aqua-Ammonia,

, 26° n,.

Ammonia Water, c. p H).

Ammonium Carlionate, lump 11)

Ammonium Chloride (Sal-Ammoniac )

Ammonium Hydrosulphuret rt).

Ammonium Sulpliate n>.

Ammonium Sulphocyanide rt^.

Amyl Acetate gai.

Antimony \Yb

Arsenic, Metallic .Ih

Arsenic, White (Acid Arsenious) . .n>.

Argols, White (Cream of Tartar) rh.

Asphaltum, Commercial Hd

Asphaltum, Egyptian (Bitumen ...Hi.

Benzine gal.

Benzol, Pure gal

Bismuth, Metallic .It)'

Blue-Vitriol H,.

Borax, Crystals or Powdered ....^tl)!

Borax Glass tb.

Cadmium, Metallic .n>.

Carbon Bisulphide It).

Calcium Carbonate (Precipitated Chalk)
m.

Chrome-Green . n,.

Chromium metal (98 to 99%) pure

carl)on free It).

Chromium-copper alloy (10 7c chrorn-

ium) carbon free Itj.

Cobalt, Metallic, pure and carbon

free Tb.

Cobalt-copper alloy (1()% cobalt) ..rb.

Copper, Electrolytic rb.

Copper, Casting n*.

Copper. Sheet n>.

Copper Wire nom. base rb.

Copper Acetate (Verdigris) hx

Copper Carbonate, dry rt).

Copper Sulphate (Blue-Stone) ....m.
Corrosive Sublimate, see Mercury Bi-
chloride.
Cream-Tartar, see Potassium Bitartrate

Cryolite tts.

Cyanide, see Potassium Cyanide.

Dextrin H,.

Emery Ploui- . H)

Emery, P P & P F F rtx

Flint, powdered ttj.

Fluor-Spar 125 rtjs.

Fusel-Oil gal.

Gold Chloriile oz.

Gold, Pure ! ! oz. !

Gum Copal '. rb!

Gum Guaiaeum H)!

Gum Mastic . . ! .n>.

•Gum Sandarac '. .Vix

Gum Shellac, brown Hi!

Gum Shellac, white Ui.

Iridium oz 5

Iron Perchloride, (110 Il>s.) .".'.'.'.' rt)
Iron Sulphate (Copperas) n>.

.13

.07

.10

.30

.OS

.01

.07 1 ;,

.02

.07

.05%

.06 3/4

.OS

.01 ^'4

.06

.45

.18

0 4

.Hj.

.04%

.07
.OS
.09

.12

.30

.04

.35
1.75

.07

.10

.05

.24"^

.05

.30

.15

.27
2.15

.05 V-

.04 -'l

.30

.85

.05 li;

.0 4 y,

.26
.70

.75

2.00
.60

.141/4

.14 Vi

.19 3;,

.15%
.35

.14 Vi
.05 V„

.12

.031/^

.02

.041/0
S.OO
3.00
1.75
0.87

.30

.26

.80

.35

.50

.60
0.00

.14

.05

.65

Dental

. oz.
.oz.
.oz.

. . . rt).

. . .lb.

.b1)I.
43.00
46.00
49.00

to
to
to

Dead Acetate (Sugar of Dead)

Dead, Pig, Trust price

Dead, Red 1^3"

Dead, Yellow Oxide (Dltharge) ' ! ! ilia!
Diver of Sulphur, see Potassium Sulphide

Manganese, Ferro, 80% lb

Manganese, Metallic, pure and carbon'

f ''ee it)_

Ma.gnesium, Metallic rb

Mercury Bichloride (Corrosive SuId-

limate) j^

Mercury, Metallic (Quicksilver) '. '. '. lb

Mercury Nitrate Hd

Mercury Oxide, yellow '.'.Ux

Nickel and Ammonium Sulphate

(Double Salts) tb

Nickel Carbonate, drv rtj

Nickel Chloride ". . . . " ' m'

Nickel Metallic ' ' ' m

Nickel Sulphate (Single Salts) .'.'.'.m'.
Nitre (saltpetre), see Potassium Nitrate
Oil of Vitriol, see Acid, Sulphuric.

Paraffine t^j

Phosphorus, yellow . . . . .Tb.

Phosphorus, red

Pitch

Plaster of Paris
Platinum, soft
Platinum, hard, 10%
Platinum, hard, 20%

Potash-by-Alcohol, in sticks lb

Potash, Caustic rtj.

Potassium Bichromate . .n

Potassium Bitartrate (Cream of

Tartar) tjj

Potassium Cyanide .ni.

Potassium Iodide !tb

Potassium Nitrate (Nitre or Salt-
petre) Hj.

Potassium Permanganate tb.

Potassium, Red Prussiate rb.

Potassium, Yellow Prussiate lb.

Potassium Sulphide (Diver of Slil-

Pbur) Hi.

Potassium Sulphuret. see Potassium
Sulphide.

Potassium Sulphocyanide m.

Pumice. Ground rt)

Quartz, Powdered ton

Rosin. Yellow rb.

Sal-Ammoniac, see Ammonium Chloride
Sal-Soda, see Sodium Carbonate.

Silver Chloride, dry oz.

Silver Cyanide oz

Silver, Fine oz.

Silver Nitrate, crystals oz.'

Soda- Ash x\j

Sodium Biborate, see Borax

Sodium Bisulphite tb.

Sodium Carbonate (Sal-Soda),

crystals rb.

Sodium Hydrate (Caustic Soda) ..Hi.
Sodium Hydrate (Caustic Soda) by

Alcohol (in sticks) .'n^.

Sodium Hyposulpliite ("Hypo'.)

100 lbs.

Sodium Metallic rt).

Sodium Nitrate rb.

Sodium Phosphate (Crystal) It)

Sodium Silicate (Water-Glass) . . . rtj.

Soot, Calcined rb.

Spelter, see Zinc.

Sugar of Dead, see Dead Acetate.

Sulphur (Brimstone), in lump rb

Tin Chloride m.

Tin, Metallic rh.

Turpentine. Spirits of gal.

Verdigris, see Copper Acetate.

Water, Distilled gal.

Water-Glass, see Sodium Silicate.

Wax, Beeswax, yellow rti.

Wax, Carnaulia rt)

Whiting (Ground Chalk) n,.

Zinc, Caiijonate, dry rt>.

Zinc, Chloride tli.

Zinc. Sulphate rt,.

Zinc, (spelter) lb.

■ 09 14
3.90

• 05%
.06%

.10

to .75

1.50

1.12

.38

1.50

1.80

.08 1/2
.50
.30
.45
20

.15

.45
1.00

.05
2.25

44.00

47.50

51.50

.45

.06

.07

.24%
.18
3.15

.051/4
.12
.24
.15

.12

.02

12.00

.06

. I 0
1.00
.59
.50
.01

.07

.02
.03

.24

1.60
.40
.03
.03
.
.15

.05
.27
.34

.50

.15

.16
.70
.02
.10
.05
.03
.

THE

BRASS WORLD

PLATER 5' GUIDE

BR.1DGE;P0R.T. conn., JUNE, 1Q14. No. 6.

voi«. X.

A Monthly Journal Devoted to the
Art of Refining, Alloying, Casting, Rolling, Founding and Electro
Plating of all the Non-Ferrous Metals and their Alloys.

Published by the Brass World Publishing Co.,
260 John Street, Bridgeport, Conn.

FOUNDER,
MANAGING EDITOR,

ERWIN S. SPERRY
H, de JOANNIS

Subscription Price $i oo Per Year. lo Cents a Copy.
Entered as Second Class Matter in the Post Office at Bridgeport, Conn.

CONTENTS FOR JUNE.

American Electroplaters' Society, 2\Ieetings uf 2-10

Bronze Formulas 2:>2

"Bull Dog Tale" 220

Connecticut Valley Section, American Chemical Society 217

Convention of the American Electroplaters' Society, Second Annual 221

Description of a ^lodern Plant for the Treatment of Secondary [Metals 225

Efficiency Center 210

Electroplating "Missouri" in Canada. An 238

Heroult, Paul Louis Toussaint 228

Importance of Proper Annealing 229

Miller, Fluxologist, CM 233

Mueller ^Ifg. Co. Sarnia, Ont. The Canadian Plant of the 211

Xew Corporations 248

Xews of Our Neighbors 245

Nomenclature of Alloys, First Report of the Committee on the 215

Not Alchemy but Ele-Kem-y 237

Patent Notes 243

Place and Value of the Trade Papers 249

Plating Costs Discussion 239

Pyrometer, Improved Alethod for Checking the 231

Questions and Answers 241

Regulating Amperage in the Plating Room. A New Method of 218

Rockwell Tilting Reverberator}- ^lelting Furnace for Non-Ferrous Metals 235

Trade Happenings 246

"Zi-Led" Rust-Proofing Process 227

210

lune l'.*14-

EFFICIENCY CENTER.

For thousands of years, men made 1)rick-
by liand. They pattecl the nuid intn shape nr
forced it into molds. To produce live thou-
sand bricks a day with only one molder was
considered — Efficiency — in those days. Last
century a man invented the hrst permanent
type of power Itrick-molding machine with
whicli ten thousand molds can be tilled anil
delivered and fio.ooo bricks produced at one-
third of the lal)nr cost for production by the
old-time methods.

The first machine was — "Efficiency Center"
— f(n- that time. There were no associations
or couNcntions then, no trade journals, no ad-,
vertisinii agencies. Men traveled to see this
machine work and ])y questioning and con-
sidering, they weighed up the possibility of
this new ap])aratus na>ing for itself in their
territi.^r.w \\'e should have stated that the
live men traveled — and l>ought, and the ma-
jority of men stayed at home and figured out
the foolishness and carl\ ruin of the travelers
and investigators.

The machine was changed again and bricks
were manufactured by the stiff-mud process,
the column of cla.\- being pushed mit by the
auger. Many of the old live ones had fallen
into a rut and couldn't see the new machine,
but there were newer live ones in existence
by that time. The machines changed again
to the dry press process and the same thing
happened.

The point that we wish to bring out is that
the newest machinery and apparatus are al-
ways "Efficiency Center" in any lines and if
the business is to be kept progressive, per-
manent and profitable, a constant study of
the latest things presented to the trade is ab-
solutely essential. The manual dexterity of
the formerly highly-paid brick molder now
counts for naught because of the labor-saving
machine. The practised eye of the brick
burner, whose knowledge of heat -color values

determined the finishing point is now lessened
in value by the use of the pyrometer. By
skillful management a thousand "Efficiency
Centers" are brought into one.

The foundrymen's efficiency center will be
located in Chicago from September 5tli to
September 11th. The annual conventions of
the allied foundry associations will take place
during that week with sessions to be held in
the rooms of the Stock Yard Inn and the
Sadtlle and Sirloin Club. Adjoining these is
the huge amphitheater provided by the
Foundry & [Machine Exhibition Co. for the
exhibition of the latest and best things in
foundrydoni, where all the machines and de-
vices of the latest type will be demonstrated
for the instruction and benefit of the visitors.

Don't forget the moral of our introduction.
Men have to travel to "Efficiency Center" in
order to gain benefits, and traveling is easier
and cheaper now than it was to our live fore-
fathers. Tiiere is less excuse for absenting
oneself from gatherings oi this kind than ever
before, for their absolute benefit to the entire
industry has been demonstrated without ques-
tion and is being constantly testified to by the
increasing number of associations and ex-
hibits.

Among the hundreds of fcmndrymen who
attended the convention last year, few, if any,
will have to be urged to return this year. It
will be to the advantage of all, whether
fouiidrx men or otherwise, to attend this ex-
hibition and participate in the benefits which
can be obtained by so doing at so little
cost. A convention if properly attended
is not a cessation of business. It is an
asset to a business, a brush to mental cob-
webs and a spur to lagging eft'ort. We
would advise our readers to turn their eyes
I hicagowards in September. Abundant hotels
will suppl}- accommodations to suit every ap-
propriation and the lake will see to it that
the weather is fine for the visitors. Lake
Michis;an is a good weather regulator.

June

211

THE CANADIAN PLANT OF THE H. MUELLER MFG. CO.

LTD., SARNIA, ONTARIO.

The new factory which the H. Mueller
Mfg. Co. have built and which is now in full
operation at Sarnia, Out., is another instance
of American enterprise in the Canadian in-
dustrial sphere. It is further evidence of the
confidence that this enterprising brass manu-
facturing concern has in the Canadian mar-
ket for their high-grade production of plumb-
ing, steam, gas and water-works, brass goods.

The new factory at Sarnia, Ont., went into
operation July 1st, . It is perhaps the
most modern and up-to-date equipped factory
in Canada or the United States for the manu-
facturing of all kinds of plumbers' supplies,
steam, water and gas specialties. The present

greater part of the time in a house on the site
known to many as the No. 49 cottage, which
still stands and is now used as an office. The
company purchased seventy-three acres of
land to the south of the town of Sarnia,
lying on both sides of the Pere Marquette
Railway and having a frontage of 1,200 feet
on the St. Clair river. Ten acres were sold
at a later date to the Perfection Stove Co. of
Cleveland, O., who have started on a new
plant. Five acres were appropriated for the
present plant and the rest is being held for
future extension. A siding runs from the
railway through the property and shipping
facilities are further improved by the dock

^ ••..'.,>'

■-?

A Panoramic Presentment of the Mueller Mtg. Co.'s Plant at Sarnia, Ont.

concern, the II. Mueller Mfg. Co. of Decatur.
111., has a reputation for goods of high
quality and it is the aim of tlie Canadian com-
pany to live up to the same standard ; with
this end in view, they have built and equipped
the plant here described.

The foundation of the parent business can
be traced back to the time when H. Mueller
invented and manufactured the first Mueller
tapping machine. From that time the busi-
ness has made rapid progress and now it is
perhaps the largest firm in the United States
making plumber's brass goods and supplies.
During the construction of the factory at
Sarnia. Mr. O. B. Mueller lived for tine

on the river front. It is the intention of the
company, later, to build a three-story building
on the river front, the l)ottom floor of which
will be on the dock level and will be used as
a shipping room.

This will considerably improve the shipping
provision for goods destined for the Western
market.

At the present time l.JO men are employed
and the prospects are decidedly encouraging.
The plant and buildings were designed and
laid out by Prack & Perrine. factory en-
gineers, Hamilton, Ont., while the construc-
tion was carried out by local contractors and
the equipment installed under the supervision

212

THE BRASS \VORLX)

June 11)14

of the company. The buildings are of rein-
forced concrete and brick construction witl:
steel roof trusses and concrete roofs, making
tlieni practically fireproof. They are all one
story high and so have the benefit of a roof
light in addition to the win-
dows which extend the full
length iif [hv buildings and
are fitted with Kalin steel
sash and factory ribbed glass.

The roof of the brass-
finishing shop is of the saw-
tooth tyjie and the foundry
has a monitor roof for about
128 feet, the remainder being
of saw tooth construction.

Concrete floors are laid in
all the shops. The layout of
the plant, as will be seen from
the illustrations, provides for
a continuous ninvement of
the products in one direction.
From the core-room to the
stock room the equipment is
so arranged that the operations
follow each other in regular
sequence.

The foundry is devoted ex-
clusively to the production of
lirass castings, and is fitted up

they are stored preparatory to shipping. The
castings are wheeled in from the cleaning
room to the brass linishing department at the
east end of the shop. When operations have
been completed, they are taken to the polish-
ing and buffing machines, then
to the assembling department
near which is the testing
bench. On the opposite side
of the shop from the assembly
department is the nickel plat-
ing department where all
plated goods are treated. All
the goods sold by tlu' Muelhr
Co. are covered by an uncon-
ditional guarantee, which they
are able to give, as each fitting
is tested by hydraulic pressure
before shiiiment. 'fhe testing
benches in this shop have

stand

tor

holding various

kinds of bibbs, cocks, bath-
tittings, etc.. and are equipped
with a Deming .';" x :;" motor-
driven duplex pump. The
testing outlit is fully equipped
with gauges and Mueller pres-
sure regulators.

The power house is 76 feet
X ()() feet and divided into two

Exterior View of Power House and Engine Roor

with all the latest improved machines and ap-
pliances. At the south end is the core-room
containing portable and stationary core
benches, steel core racks and natural gas
heated core-drying ovens.

In the brass hnishing shop the castings are
machined, polished and tested, and in the
store room in the west end of the buildinu

compartments. In the lioilrr room are two
Stirling water-tube boilers, each rated at 250
H, P. and having a working pressure of 140
lb. They are litti^'d with Kirkwood burners
fur natural gas. 'fhe aliseiice of coal in the
boiler room, n;stural gas being used, gi\-es the
plant a clean and tidy appearance.

June IflU

View of the Core-Making Department.

A Partial View of a Well-Lighted, Ventilated and Sanitary Brass Foundry.

214

June

Partial View of the Plating Department.

In the engine-rooin is installed a Robb com- equipped with forced lubrication and a Sweets
pound vertical high-speed engine, directly throttle governor, in each shop is installed

Polishing and Buffing Department.

connected to a Canadian Cieneral Electric 1ST a heating and \eiitilating apparatus also equip-
K. \\ .\. (iO cycle, 3 phase, 450 R. P. M. The ped with modern sanitary conveniences for
engine is rated at 2.")0 horse-power and is fully the health and benefit of the employees.

June 1!»14

215

10 1"

<•: '

Really the

FIRST CONVENTION

of the

AMERICAN ELECTRO
PLATERS' SOCIETY.

I (

^-y..JiL\Z.,

This Report is of Vital Interest to All
Electroplaters.

hy^\i

^SM

Every man a live wire. Heavy voltages of
good fellowship. Amperage galore of ex-
change of practical information. Such was the
manner of operation in the second annual
convention of the Supreme Society of the
American Electro-Platers' Society.

It was held in Chicago, June 4-6, . The
headquarters were at the Fort Dearborn Hotel,
La Salle St., Chicago, the latest modern
hostelry of the Windy City. The convention
Committee never had to send out an S. O. S.
signal, for it steered everybody safely through
the ice-floes of Reserve and into the harbor
of Good Fellowship. This committee was
composed of S. Huenerfauth, E. Lamoureux,
H. E. \Villmore, O. E. Servis, J. F. Carr, J.
P. Manz and F. J. Liscomb.

The morning session of June 4th com-
menced promptly at 10 a. m. under the gavel
rapping of Geo. B. Hogaboom. the supreme ■
president of the society. He. with words of
congratulation and praise, turned the morn-

ing meeting over to the jurisdiction of the
hosts of the convention— the Chicago branch.
President Oscar E. Servis then delivered a
cordial message of welcome to all the dele-
gates and visitors, in which he portrayed the
possibilities of the future and made an earnest
appeal for cooperation to the obtaining of
knowledge of the best things pertaining to the
industry.

Col. Jos. H. Hansjosten, as first vice-presi-
dent of the supreme body and member of the
Chicago branch, extended a hearty welcome to
those assembled. He recounted the progress
accomplished during the past six years and
urged attention and close application to the
duties of the convention.

Supreme President Geo. B. Hogaboom, re-
ferring to the introduction of Colonel Hans-
josten as a "war-horse", remarked that the
gathering might be considered a cavalry of
war-horses. The 100 per cent, gain of the
society in branch memberships was comment-

216

THE BRASS WORLD

June

ed on with justifiable pride, lie pointed nut
the peculiar constitution of the society's mem-
bership in that, while not a labor organiza-
tion nor a strictly scientific society, it em-
bodied in its members a perfect combination
of the two, brains and brawn being united
most happily in the electro-plating operations.
Recognition by the public of the clectroplater's
work and worth is sure to come as a result
of the society's efforts.

The ])residents nf all the branches were
then called on for short talks on the future
of the organization and its sul>sidiary bodies.
President Haddow voiced a practical thought
well worth bearing in mind — the manufacturer
reaps the benefit of the knowledge gained by
his electroplater at associational meetings. If
this thought is nurtured carefully it will re-
sult in the dignifying of the electroplater and
the support of his employer in his endeavors
to advance his knowledge of the science of
his work. Mr. Haddow also said "The pro-
gressive plater knows that he does not know
it all."

Chas. H. Proctor, pioneer of electroplating
associational work, expressed his pleasure at
the evidence afforded of the clear vision of
the founders by the progressive gathering be-
fore him.

An appeal by a representative of the
Panama-Pacific Conventions Bureau was then
made for the convention in San i'Vancis-
co.

President Servis suggested that as the Ameri-
can Electro-Chemical Society had arranged
to hold its annual meeting in San b'rancisco
at the time of the exposition, electroplaters
contemplating the trip would with advantage
arrange their traveling to conform their
itinerary to that of the society's program.

Then came an old-fashioned roll-call, each
man rising, stating his name and firm con-
nection. This is a good stunt and promotes
nii-\ing. It was surprising how many of the
platers believed their firms were the "largest
in the world". Walter Frain, Dayton, O., was
elected temporary secretary for the conven-
tion.

Afternoon Session — Jtine 4th.

The afternoon session was devoted for the
most part to a consideration of amendments
to the constitution.

The amendments adopted ]'ro\ide for an
alteration of the consitution and b\-laws by

two-thirds vote of the delegates at a conven-
tion, instead of the previous requisition for
three months' notice to the branches.

Furthermore, the editor of the society's
liublications is to be a member of the execu-
ti\e board, which is as it should be.

Evening- Session — June 4tli.

Till- lirst paper on the program was pre-
sented bv Col. J. II. I huKsjosteu, its title being
"To Pickle Or Xol To Pickle". In this paper
the advantages and disadvantages of pickling,
midir certain conditions, were carefully con-
sidered, aiul a most interesting discussion
followed. This v»'as divided equally between
the champions of jjickling methods and
those who preferred sand-blasting. Mr.
;\ndrews contended that his company, by
using the sand-blast u\] ."iO or 60 ])ieces at a
time, found this method superior to and more
economical than the pickling method. The
discussion seemed to show that both methods
had superior advantages according to the
special conditions.

"Standardization" was a paper presented to
the convention by R. Davenport, of the De-
troit branch. This was read by Mr. Shepherd,
the central theme being the necessity of
standardizing the \arious solutions used by
the electroplater for his various operations,
and the ensuing discussion showed entire
agreement with the autlior's reasonings.

L. Schmidt, of the Chicago branch, then
spoke on a subject whose title has been the
base of all human ])rogress since the world
began — "He Who Renders Service Is Re-
warded." ?\Ir. Schmidt's presentment of his
subject was forceful and mostly reminiscent.
It demonstrated clearly that a conscientious
performance of duty and a constant aspiration
for self-betterment were bound to bring about
successful achievement.

Geo. F>. Hogaboom then gave a most in-
teresting talk on "The Production Of Silver
Deposit Work." ^Ir. Hogaboom is well known
as an expert in this work, and he detailed the
history of the development of the art, ac-
compan}'ing Iiis remarks bv exhibiting samples
of silver deposition, which greatly assisted the
understanding of the points made.

Throughout the e\ening discussion was free
and untrammcled, and adjournment took place
abt)ut 11:00 p. m.

June

THE BRV^^SSS WORUD

217

Friday Morning", June 5th.

\\'. S. Barrows, second vice-president,
opened the meeting. The minutes of the pre-
vious meeting- were read and approved. A
motion to issue a monthly publication by com-
bining the Monthly Bulletin now issued and
material included in the Quarterly Review,
was placed before the members and subse-
quently carried.

An invitation was received from the Phila-
delphia branch for the holding of the an-
nual convention in that city in . F. C.
Clements, the Supreme Secretary, sent a
letter of regret at his inability to attend.

A motion was made and carried by which
the annual dues can be paid quarterly, semi-
annuallv or annuallv at the discretion of the

posses a vouched-for list of delegates ap-
pointed in advance of the convention, and the
delegates themselves, possessing the duplicate,
will have legal credential on their appearance
at the convention.

C. V. Hering, president of the Rochester
liranch, was appointed a committee of one to
prepare a suitable emblem for the American
Electroplaters' Society.

The place of convention was the next sub-
ject considered by the delegates. The follow-
ing cities fought for- recognition in —
Philadelphia, Detroit, Dayton, Xew York and
even Kokomo ( let it be mentioned Kokomo is
in Indiana or was at the time of writing)
.Many magnificent speeches were made on be-
half of these various cities bv such silver-

A Representative Showing in Photographic Form of the Livest Electroplaters in the United States.

branches. The motion was introduced and
passed, making the initiation fee a fixture of
$1.00 as minimum, leaving the raising of such
fee to the discretion of each operating branch.

Friday Afternoon, June 5tli.

.\ considerable portion of this session was
devoted to the introduction of amendments
and additions to the constitutions and by-
laws, all of which will tend to the broadening
of the society's scope of action, and the better
functioning of the various branches. A valu-
able suggestion by Mr. Sterling of New York
was made, by means of which credential
blanks in duplicate will be furnished to each
branch, so that the Supreme Society will

tongued orators as ^ilessrs. Frain, Servis,
Sterling, Proctor and Hansiosten. It was a
short fight, for Dayton won hands down
and its chief champion, Walter Frain, assured
the delegates of a perfect welcome and en-
joyable and instructive entertainment in .
The date of the convention will be fixed as
near June 1st, , as possible, conformable
to the requirements of the Dayton Commit-
tee.

The election of officers then took place
with the following result:

Supreme president, J. H. Hansjosten, Ko-
komo, Ind. ; 1st vice president, W. S. Bar-
rows, Toronto, Canada : 2nd vice president,
H. H. Williams, St. Louis ; secretarv. Walter

218

THE BRASS >VORiX)

Tune

Frain, Dayton, C). ; treasurer. Juhn Sterling,
New York; editor, H. K. Wiihnore, Chicago.

J. H. Hansjosten on l)ehalf of the Chicago
brancii then presented Geo. B. Hogaboom,
retiring president, witli the gavel used at the
convention. This gavel has quite a history
and has seen considerable service, as it has
been wielded by three successive presidents of
the Chicago branch. Mr. Hogaboom ex-
pressed his appreciation of this gift, wliich he
confessed he had coveted.

Geo. P). Hogaboom thf^n spoke on behalf
of the Bridgeport branch, "the baby branch"
of the society. He made a motion that the
society extend the right hand of fellowship
to a full-fledged branch and send notice of
this to the secretary. Nelson A. Barnard. This
act of recognition was performed unanimous-
ly and Bridgeport received many congratula-
tions on its flying and aggressive start.

Geo. B. Hogaboom then made a motion of
thanks to the members of the Chicago branch,
its officers, committee on convention and all
those who had contributed so much to the
enjoyment and comfort of the convention
delegates. This v,-as carried with acclama-
tion.

An amendment submitted by Mr. Sterling
of New York was then carried which provides
that the retiring president shall become a
member of the executive board.

rriday Evening", June 5tli.

"Visiting a ^Modern Plant" was the contri-
bution of J. Birnbaum of ^Milwaukee Ijraiich.
This was a most instructive paper dealing
with each department of the modern electro-
plating plant, treating in succession the polish-
ing room and its apparatus, the tumbling
barrels being described in their different
types, the burnishing barrels and the tilting
barrels.

The various equipments for mechanical
plating were then descri])ed and suggestions
made for securing the greatest efliciency.
Electro-cleaning was hailed as one of the
greatest advantages given to the plater, and
special consideration was given of centrifugal
driers, drying barrels and spraying devices.
This paper was read to the convention by
Oscar E. Servis.

L. Schmidt of the Chicago branch then
gave a paper on "Electro-Galvanizing." ■Mr.
Schmidt gave very careful thought to his
subject, treating it in detail, and presenting

many \-a]uaI_)le suggestions for superior gal-
vanizing work.

"Electro-Plating Non-Conducting Sur-
faces" was a paper presented to the conven-
tinn by Emil Nordblooiu, of the Toronto
branch, and read by \\'. S. Harrows. .Ml the
various methods of electro-plating objects of
glass and china, flowers and insects were con-
sidered by tlic writer and various formulas
and processes presented as being the most
suitable. This paper was discussed in a very
complete way by Mr. Hogaboom, and many
others participated in the discussion.

"Current Regulation" by S. Huenerfauth,
of Chicago branch was the subject of a talk
and a practical demonstration. The apparatus
was manipulated skillfully and thoroughly
explained. The salient points of this talk
are embodied in the description of the appa-
ratus in another part of this issue.

"The Plater of Tomorrow" by H. J. Ter-
Doest, of New York branch, was treated in a
comprehensive way and liriefly showed the
advances made and instituted clever compari-
son between old and new practice of electro-
platers. Mr. TerDoest emphasized his belief
that standardization of all plating practice
was something which wonld lie reached in the
near future.

"Deposition of Lead" was the subject of a
talk by L. Sclnilte, of the Chicago branch.
The principal points of his speech will be
found in our description of the Zi-Led process
in this issue. Our story however, does not
embody the inimitable good humor and ges-
tures of the speaker.

Saturday Morningf and Afternoon, June 6tli.

The Chicago Committee on Arrangeuient
provided escorts to delegates desirous of visit-
ing plants throu,ghout the morning.

On Saturday afternoon, automobiles were
furiiished by courtesy of the supply houses
and journals, in which tlie delegates were
given a tour over Chicago's world-famous
boulevard system and through its magnificent
parks. The weather was perfect and
Chicago's breathing places proved a source of
wonderment and enjoyment to all. On the re-
turn from the trip, a short business session
was held.

An honorary membership in the Supreme
Society was created, which carries with it
honorary membership in each branch. To
this distinction the following gentlemen were

June

THB BRASS WORLD

219

admitted — Charles H. Proctor, New York ;
Dr. Provost Edgar Smith, University of Phil-
adelphia ; Dr. Oliver Watts, University of
Wisconsin: Dr. W. Lashmilk-r, University of
Toronto; Prof. Charles H. Burgess, Madison,
Wis. ; Dr. Joseph W. Richards, Lehigh Uni-
versity: Dr. Wilder P. Bancroft, Cornell
University ; and Dr. Edward Knntz, gem ex-
pert of Tiffany's, Newark, N. J.

Motions were passed giving a salary of $100
per annum to the editor-in-chief, $50 per an-
num to the supreme secretary, and $10 per an-
num to the supreme treasurer.

The following committee was appointed to
reconstruct the constitution and to audit
secretarial reports of I'.tlii-l'Jll : John Sterling,
Chairman and T. B. Haddow, both of New
York City: H. H. Smith, Newark, N. J.

Saturday Nig-ht, June 6th.

A happy culmination of a most successful
convention was provided by a smoker and
luncheon which could without any qualms of
conscience have been called a banquet. The
meal was enlivened by musical selections and
many bouts of repartee between the branch
delegates. George B. Hogaboom acted as
toastmaster.

The great feature of the evening was the
installation of the new officers by C. H. Proc-
tor. The ceremony was made more impres-
sive than usual and the installed ones pledged
fealty to the society. Music and speeches
followed and an interesting exhibition of
magic wonders was given. "Future Possibili-
ties" by Herbert J. Hawkins of the Detroit
branch, was the star paper of the evening's
serious work, and was helpful in its sugges-
tions of greater developments. Owing to the
heat and the lateness of the hour, the program
was shortened and on adjournment, groups
of happy though perspiring delegates sought
cool spots and beverages and exchanged
cards, confidences and comradeship till cock-
crow.

Thus ended what was really the first oper-
ative annual convention of the American Elec-
troplaters' Society.

It was a convention marked by consistent
and unremitting hard work, good fellowship
and desire for advancement. The Chicago
hosts excelled in hospitality. Every delegate
was satisfied and declared his intention of
being in Dayton next year. The society has
demonstrated its right of loyal support by
every electroplater in America, The calibre

of the - officers is a guarantee of good
administration, perfect service and a success-
ful meeting in Daytrm.

CONVENTION EXHIBITS AND
EXHIBITORS.

H. E. Willmore of Chicago branch, proba-
bly the best known plater in the country, ex-
hibited 275 different hardware finishes on cast
and sheet metal bases. The range of color
is large and the work was much admired.

J. H. Hall, of Chicago branch, made an in-
teresting showing of- medallions in gold and
bronze finishes, the product he delivers for the
F. H. Noble Co.

A brief synopsis of the exhibits is given
under separate headings, special description
being furnished only when necessary to en-
large on some unusual feature.

Ornaments in copi>er finishes, Butler silver,
English burnt brass, mercerized gold, antique
English, oxidized old brass, oxidized silver,
steel ball burnished pieces ; seven new mission
patterns all on brass, shown by Keeler Brass
Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.

National Cash Register, Dayton, O. — Cabi-
net plates plated by spraying, also by electro-
chroma process on brass ; electro-type show-
ing quality of deposit; a complete cash regis-
ter operated and illuminated electrically and
decorated with the society's seal.

Leo Schmidt, Chicago, 111. — About 150 orna-
ments of brass plated in gun metal, copper,
silver and nickel finish.

E. W. Weil, St. Louis, Mo.— Nickel-plated
lamp bowl. Time of deposit, 7 hours, 5 amp.
per sq. ft. Mechanical or rotating cathode,
200 R. P. M. Solution composed of Cap-
stone salts.

Hanson & Van Winkle, Newark, N. J. —
Exhibition case of samples, 10 years old;
pieces about a foot long, about 2 in. wide, cut
into different shapes and arranged in shield
form in glass case ; pieces plated in nickel,
brass gun-metal and copper finishes. Most
strips have two finishes.

Fred Ohlmacher, Chicago, 111. — Samples of
flowers metallized in natural colors and beau-
tiful specimens of the art.

H. TerDoest, Enterprise Mfg. Co., Akron,
O. — Samples of steel fish hooks, electro tin-
ned ; rosettes, ornaments and little horses,
tinned, some gun metal finish, copper finish on
weights. All objects made of steel.

A. H. Wicks, foreman plater for the Oliver
Typewriter Co., Woodstock, 111., exhibited

220

THE BRASS WORTX)

June 11(14

througli the courtesy of his conii)an_\-, an
Oliver machine finished exclusively in hlack
nickel, the only liris^iit parts heiny the sliding'
rods and tlie scale. This machine is demanded
I)y inliahitants of the Philippines, Porto Rico
and South America. In Mexico, on the other
hand, tliey demand a machine linislied ex-
clusively in white nickel. B. C. Young, assis-
tant superintendent of the plant was also a
visitor at the convention.

The Ele-Kem Co., 122 South .Michigan Ave..
Chicago, made a unique desplay in an indi-
\idual exhiliit room of a model electroplating
plant in operation on miniature scale. Tin-
current was supplied by a small multi-dynamo
sufficient to give 6 volts and K) amperes. This
was comiected up to half a dozen one-gallon
glass jars with one negative and one positive
brass bars. The jars contained electro-clean-
ing, electro-pickling, nickel plating, copper
plating and galvanizing S(dutions, also one jar
contained an electrolytic nickel strip and an-
other a brass, copper and bronze strip. These
last two have been acclaimed as real novelties
in the electroplating trade.

the operator to scientifically obtain a uniform
and economical electro-deposition oi metals.

A NEW TANK RHEOSTAT.

There has recently been placed on the mar-
ket, an mteresting apparatus for the control
and regulations of the electric current in the
plating tanks, which is attracting considerable
attention, and was demonstrated to great ad-
vantage at the national convention of the
American Fdectroplaters' Society in Chicago.

This rheostat has for its chief advantage
an elasticity of control, by means of which
this can be obtained in any numlier of steps
by manipulating the series of switches shown
in the accom])anying illustration. The num-
ber of these regulating steps varies from 20
to .35 according to the size of the rheostat.

In the smaller sizes the regulation can be
obtained in .")-ampere divisions, while in the
larger rheostats, the steps will be larger in
proportion to the size.

It can readily be seen by a study of the
switchboard that the apparatus is really a
rheostatic comptometer, and that by a simple
addition of switch values, the operator can
control his current and voltage in the tank
to any desired degree, thereby avoiding the
burning or blistering of the work.

This rheostat is especially desirable for
black nickel and silver where close regulation
is required, l)ut is eijuallv useful in assisting

The "Crown" Tank Rheostat.

These rheostats can be furnished in any
size from ,")0-amperes up to 1,000 amperes or
larger. The apjiaratus is practically in-
destructible and impossible to burn out. It
can be connected across the full voltage of

The " Crown " Panel Board.

the dynamo without injury. Another interest-
ing combination of this new system of control
is a complete panel ])oard, comprising the
rheostat, the volt-meter and ammeter for in-
dividual tanks, the illu.stration showing the
combination, which is also furnished to any
size desired. This apparatus is being placed
upon the market by the Crow'n Rheostat &
Supply Co., 143-1: Cullom Avenue, Chicago, 111.,
and electroplaters desiring special information
concerning it, can obtain all necessary data
and quotation by mentioning the "Brass World
& Platers' Guide."

Tune ID 14

THE BRASS >VORtJ3

221

LIST OF DELEGATES AND
VISITORS.

CONNECTICUT VALLEY SECTION
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY.

Canada.

Toronto. — W. S. Barrows; ^^ W. Wells, Jr.

Connecticut

Bridgeport. — H. de Joan n is. "Brass World &
Platers' Guide."

Xew Britain — J. C. Andrews. American
Hardware Corporation; George B. Hogaboom.

Illinois.

Belleville — C. F. Weygandt.

Belvidere — Geo. M. Elliott.

Chicago — M. W. Baldwin, Cable Company; E.
L. Bisliop; Wm. J. Bott; Wm. Bryer; J. A.
Butler, stenographer; H. C. EUmore; E. B.
Fritz; A. W. Grosscup; M. S. Herman, Roessler
& Hasslacher Chemical Co.; N. P. Hunter; E.
F. Ingram; Paul H. Krause; E. Lamoreux; F.
J. Liscomb; H. Magnus; J. P. Manz; W. G.
Meggers; W^ S. Moore; Fred Ohlmacher; S. C.
Pinsler, "Brass World & Platers" Guide"; Fer-
dinand C. Schapper and Walter Schapper,
Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Co.; Louis
Schulte; Harry Seariell; Oscar E. Servis. Felt
& Terrant Co.; "W. J. Terpennv, Celluloid Zapon
Co.; F. E. Terris; H. H. Van Horn; H. E. Will-
more; Julius T\'itte.

Elgin — E. Howard.

Streator — E. R. Williams.

Indiana.

Goshen — John Lockerbie.
Kokomo — J. H. Hansjosten.

Michig-an.

Detroit — Artliur O'Keefe, Detroit Stove
Works; John Schultz, Supreme Treasurer.

Grand Rapids — "^^alter J. Allen; John Miller,
Wolverine Brass T\^orks; Edward Werner.
Lansing — Benjamin Fry.
Saginaw — Alf. E. Shepherd, Lufkin Rule Co.

Wyandotte — George J. Lawrence, A. J. Mac-
Dermid, and H. J. "SVillwerth. J. B. Ford Co.

Missouri.

St. Louis — John T. McCarthy; E. J. Musick,
Musick's Plating Works. H. H. Williams.

New Jersey.

Arlington — Charles H. Proctor, Roessler &
Hasslacher Chemical Co.

Newark — C. Frey; Horace H. Smith.

New York.

New York City — Frank P. Davis, Celluloid
Zapon Co.; Thos. B. Haddow; Richard H.
Sleiter; John E. Sterling; T. A. Trumbour,
"Metal Industry."

Rochester — C. V. Hering.

Ohio.

Akron — H. J. Ter Doest, Enterprise Manu-
facturing Co.

Cincinnati — Thomas Whitehead.
Dayton — ^TValter Frain; J. A. Keves; A.
Lamoreux; Clarence Van Derau.

Wisconsin.

Milwaukee — Edward Wei man.

Tlie third annual meeting of tlie Connect-
cut Valley section of the American Chemical
Societ\- was held on Ma\- 9th in the Alleyn
House, Hartford, Conn. A btisiness meeting
at which officers were elected for the coming
year was followed b}- a banquet participated
in by about 50 members and guests. The latter
included Dr. Charles L. Parsons, secretary of
the American Chemical Society, and also the
presidents of the Boston and Xew Haven
sections, and the secretary of the Rhode
Island section.

Dr. H. C. Emerson presided over the pro-
ceedings, and called on Mr. Farrell, first chair-
man of the section, and many of the guests,
who responded with short addresses. He also
made a presentation on behalf of the mem-
bers to F. P. Gilligan, the retiring secretary,
for his valued services in that capacity during
the three years' lifetime of the section.

Subsequently a lecture on "Radium", illus-
trated with interesting" lantern slides, was
given l)y Dr. Parsons. He recounted the
chief facts concerning the discovery and pro-
perties of this remarkable element, its oc-
curence and geographical distribution, and
outlined possibilities of further development
of our knowledge of it.

Radium was discovered in by Mme.
Curie, who had noticed that certain residues
of uranium were more radioactive than urani-
um itself, giving off rays which affect a
photographic plate through ordinarily opaque
material. She was able to isolate the new
element, and named it radium. It has since
been found in carnotite, a lemon-yellow
mineral met with in sandstone deposits in
Colorado, and pitchblende, a hard blue-black
ore found in igneous rocks in Colorado, in
Austria and in England. The question of
radioactivity was very fully disctissed and
also the possibility of development of the use
of radium in ctiring certain diseases.

CHANGE IN TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Owing" to pressure of space due to publica-
tion of Chicago A. E. S. convention report,
the following changes have been made in the
contents of this issue. "Report of Committee
on Xomenclature" — page 215, — held over til!
next issue. "Amperage Control" page 222 in-
stead of 218.

222

June

A NEW METHOD OF REGULATING AMPERAGE IN THE

PLATING ROOM.

BY F. A. ROJAS.

The electro-dcpnsition of metals is due to
the physico-cliemical action of the electric cur-
rent through which cathodic and anodic mi-
gration of ions takes place in a dissociant fluid :
the kation ions joins' to the nc,^ati\c electnidc
and the anion ions to the p(jsiti\c electrode.
If in the electrolyte the dissociant fluid is
water and the dissociated suhstance is a metal-
lic salt, the hydrogen and the metal being
kation ions will go to the cathode while the
oxygen and acid radical being anion ions will
migrate to the anode.

To accomplish this dissociation of the
electrolyte a specilic electromotive force must
exist between the electrodes. This quantity
varies according to the kind of electrolyte.

Under the present conditions this electro-
motive force averaging from h to 2i volts
is too great a value for successful plating,
inasmuch as the strength of current that it
sets up in the bath produces an electrolytic
deposition whicli is too rapid to give good
results if the logical anode surface is used.

Since this electromotive force cannot be
diminished, it seems then that the alternative
in order to reduce the current strength is to
increase the resistance within the bath. This
view is substantiated by the fact that in a sil-
ver bath, the best results are only obtained
when the anode surface has been reduced to a
comparatively small proportion in relation to
the cathode surface. However, this practice
is bad, as it does not insure a good distribution
of the electric current and the self-feeding of
the bath from the anode.

In the nickel bath this resistance is obtained
because the bath itself is a bad conductor,
therefore making possible the use of a large
anode surface. But the poor conductibility of
the bath presents the bad feature of inter-
posing a high resistance between the high and
low points of the cathode. It logically follows
that the best electrical conditions for an elec-
troplating bath would be that of an electrolyte
having great conductibility, the use of high
voltage, and relatively low current strength.

The rate of electrolytic deposition is directly
proportional to the quantity of coulombs or
product of the strength of the current, in am-
peres, and the length of time in seconds : that

is, the greater the amperes per second or the
greater the seconds per ampere the greater the
amount of deposit. From this statement we
infer that the more amperes we may be able
to use per given time the quicker will be ef-
fected the process of plating.

Unfortunately, however, if a uniform and
homogeneous plate is desired it is not possible
to use a great rate of amperes per second and
per square inch of surface of cathode. In this
respect we art- limited to a relative small

Rojas Direct-Ampere Rheostat ^Patent Pending)

amount of current. ]\Iany factors enter into
play that will tend to sacrifice the strength of
the current to the length of time : for in-
stance, the evolution of hydrogen, presenting
a mechanical disturbance to the coherency of
the deposit, and the low conductibility of the
electrolyte, or bath, in comparison to the con-
ductibility of the article to be plated.

There are three prime conditions that every
electro-plating bath must fulfill in order to
produce successfully an electro-plated coat of

June

THE BRASS WORLD

223

metal upon the negative electrode or cathode.
These are a colierent, uniform and good color
deposit. The evils that work against a satis-
factory accomplishment of these three re-
quirements are of two natures: chemical and
physical ; so far the study and experimental
investigation of the chemical end have been
exhaustively pursued; but unfortunately the
physical considerations of this art have been
little regarded, if any at all. Nevertheless
successful plating is only posible when both
successful plating is only possible when both
knowledge have been complied with : for this
is not a proposition involving pure chemistry,
but an art derived from the science of electro-

bath, of local and battery currents, working
counter to the electric plating current. These
two adverse factors are accountable for the
unevenness of the electrolytic deposit: that is.
the deposit being heavy on the high points and
light in the groundwork of the cathode.

I hold that this evil would be minimized and
practically removed if the required amount of
amperes per square foot could be driven at a
much higher voltage than what is being used
at present : that is, if we could harness the
voltage without increasing the amperes.

At the present time the adjustment of the
amperes for a given cathode surface is ac-
complished by increasing or decreasing the

Rojas Direct- Ampere Rheostat. (Patent Pending.) Showing How Reduction in Current Strength is Effected by

Closing Gate o( Anode-box, Voltage Remaining Unchanged.

chemistry. I may authoritatively state that
whatever success has been accomplished in this
matter is due to the fact that its investigators
have accommodated, to some extent, the
chemistry of some electrolytes to certain given
electrical conditions.

It is not my object, in this presentation, to
treat on the chemistry of electrolytes, but
solely upon their electrical considerations.
Among the physical evils that hazard the ac-
cotnplishing of good plating are the impossi-
bility of building an electrolyte whose electri-
cal conductibility could equal that of the
cathode.

Again we have the setting up within the

voltage by means of rheostats. In most baths
the electromotive force hardly amounts to
three or four volts, and at this pressure the
current barely has power to penetrate into
the recesses or overcome the counter-currents.
and, therefore will precipitate the deposit
mostly where there is the least resistance:
that is, upon the salient points rather than
pierce through the high resistance offered by
whatever electrolyte there is between the high
points and the bottom of the recesses.

E
According to Ohm's law C= —

R
that is : the current, C, will increase or

224

THE BRASS WORLD

June

decrease b.v increasing or decreasing the volt-
age, E : or by increasing or decreasing tlie re-
sistance, R : expressed technical!}-, the electric
current in amperes is in direct proportion to
the \-olts an(l in in\crsc proportion to the
ohms.

The present Nva\' of adjusting the amperes
is accomplished In- varying the voltage. In our
new SNStem we rcgnlale the amperes by vary-
ing the resistance, and through the use of the
device called the "Rojas direct-ampere rheo-
stat", the current in i)roportion to the cathode
surface can lie regulated with perfect ease
and accuracy, independently of the voltage,
thereby making it possible to use the required
current at high voltage. By this method none
of the current is wasted by cutting down volt-
age in the line rheostat as now done:

The electric principle employed is to inter-
pose a variable resistance to the current dow-
ing between the electrodes. The anode is en-
closed in a box, having a gate. A, which when
open allows the current to pass freely as usual,
but on closing the gate a high resistance is
offered to the current ; the amount that can
pass is materially reduced while the voltage
may remain as high as the generator can de-
liver it.

For a very small cathode surface what cur-
rent does pass may be too great, and to obtain
control in this case the switch is opened as
shown at the top of the rheostat. Now the
current passes through wires, shown on the
side, the ends of wliich are inuuersed in the
liath. forming a small auxiliary anode, be-
hind the regular one. The current passes
through the electrolyte to the large anode and
thence to tlie cathode. The added re-
sistance reduces the amperage, while giving all
the advantage of large anode surface contact
with bath.

With this simple arrangement the plater,
estimating the cathode surface and knowing
the amperes required, adjusts the gate till the
ammeter registers this amount. If several
rheostats are in use they may be connected so
that the gates are all regulated at one time.

THE '' BULL DOG TALE/'

rvlanganese-copper-flux containing three
parts of manganese to seven of copper, is tak-
ing the place of the fluxes containing phos-
phorus in the manufacture of nickel, German
silver and other castings, having been found
economical to use.

The "Bull Dog Tale" is the smallest of five
booklets all of which should be of interest to
superiiitendents and foremen of plating rooms
and other kindred departments. The "Bull
Dog Tale" like its namesake, is short and to
the point. It is also expressive and presents
a complete description of all the tools of the
Bulldog line except Xo. 81 referred to below.

A new pipe-threading tool particularly
adapted for rejiair work in the plating plant
is the ".\Il-in-One" Bulldog die stock Xo. 81.
This new Oster tool is self-contained, having
no loose parts to lose, and no extra dies to
carry. The fact that it is always ready for
use makes it a convenient tool to have handy
for quick repair work. iUdldog Xo. 81
threads all si.^es of pipes from quarter to
three-quarter inches on one set of douldc-end
dies. A patented casing, lierewith illustrated,
guards the outer end of these dies and pro-
tects the user's hands.

X'o. 81 contains the regular Bulldog fea-
tures of self-locking dies, self-locking guides,
and lever-control which permits the stock to
be lifted off the pipes without running back
over the newly cut threads. After removing
one pipe, a movement of the lever brings the
dies back to position for the next cut without
further adjustment. It has lieen demonstrated
that the occasional user can profitably own an
Oster machine and that if the machine is only
used twelve days in the year it will return
35% of its investment.

The reader can obtain the whole set of five
booklets commencing with the "Bulldog Tale".
Using a "Bulldog" saves a plant being
"hounded" to death by bad workmanship and
lost time. A copy of these booklets will be
gladly mailed to you on request by the Oster
Mfg. Co., East 61st St., Cleveland, O.
When writing, mention the "Brass World."

June

225

DESCRIPTION OF A MODERN PLANT FOR THE TREAT-
MENT OF SECONDARY METALS.

BY THOMAS ADAMS.

Five departments are necessary in a plant
for treating secondary metals in order to
operate successful!}'. These may be enumer-
ated as follows : 1. A building for the treat-
ment of white metals and brass alloys. 2. The
blast furnace. .3. The copper refinery. 4.
The washing and concentrating department. 5.
A building for the assorting and classifying
of metals.

1. Building for Treating White Metals.
This can be so arranged to have the follow-
ing equipment. First 12 to 24 crucible furnaces
are arranged in series at the extreme end of
the building with a cellar underneath to take
care of the ashes. This arrangement confines
the making of composition and brass alloys to
a section of the building which ordinarily
would not be utilized. A traveling crane can
be arranged at right angles to the furnace in
order to afford ease in the transportation of
the molten metal from the crucibles to the
molds. The molds being made of copper are
set in iron carriages about two feet from the
floor, attached to a steel shaft so as to enable
same to dump easily either by hand or auto-
matic arrangement. A compressed air device
is found to be more economical for hoisting
the crucible from the furnace and conveying
the metal to the molds than the old-fashioned
system of hoisting by hand. Automatic dump-
ing grates have taken the place of the hand
grate bars, thus doing away with much labor.
The secret of maintaining a large crucible
tonnage is having a proper draft. A brick
stack 60 to 80 feet in height and at least 5 feet
in diameter should be erected to take care of
the crucible furnaces, having no other outlet
or inlet. In the same building two white metal
furnaces can be built close together. One of
these is a dross furnace for the reduction of
tin babbitt and lead drosses: and instead of
tapping the product of this furnace into a
babbitt kettle, as has been the custom in the
w-hite metal business, this product can be ar-
ranged to be tapped direct into the refining
furnace, thus saving a great deal of labor
and expense, the results being much more
satisfactory than with the old methods, as the
loss in refining is reduced perceptibly. In the
same building two or three zinc kettles can be

erected for the treatment of scrap zinc, also
two babbitt kettles for the mixing of babbitt
to specification. The writer has found a more
adequate method of skimming these kettles
and the day is not far distant when the old-
fashioned skimmers will be things of the past.
There will also be room in the building for the
solder kettles.

2. Blast Furnace.
The illustration show a modern blast furnace

Modern Blast Furnace for Treatment of Non-Ferrous
Metals.

for the treatment of non-ferrous metals. In this
furnace all grades of copper-bearing material
can be reduced, and the material so charged into
the furnace must be fluxed in order to yield a
basic slag which should not carry more than
60 per cent, copper. This slag is ready to go
over the dump, thus adding to the value of
property in making solid ground. An impor-
tant factor in operating a blast furnace is to
feed it systematically, thus avoiding freezing.
The superintendent of the plant must devote

226

THE BRASS WOR1.JJ

June

as nutcli of his time as possible to the opera-
tion of the blast furnace and see that his in-
structions are carried out. because consider-
able damage can be done by careless handling
of the furnace. A Root blower is best
adapted for creating air pressure inasmuch as
tlie pressure is maintained uniformly and can
be relied upon. Care nnisit be taken of the blower
to sec that no dirt is allowed to enter in be-
tween the baffles. Another important feature
of a blast furnace is keeping the tuyere holes
clear. This can easily be accomplished by
introducing a steel bar through the tuyere
gates and poking the slag and coke clear of the
hole.

3. Copper Refinery.

This furnace can be constructed so as to act
as a combination furnace. The writer is using
one now built according to his own ideas, the
object being to operate this furnace either in
refining copper or in reducing to metal such
material as skimmings, washings, concentrates.
This can be done in this manner. You can
charge this furnace, say for a period of one
week on copper scrap of any description, and
the following week this same furnace can be
used for the reduction of slag, grindings,
washings, etc.. without any injury to the fur-
nace. Of course you could not operate this
furnace witli a sand bottom because you
would soon have no bottom. This furnace
must be lined with basic brick and so con-
structed to stand the strain of such rigid treat-
ment.

4. JJ'asliiiig and Coiicciifruting Department.

This department if constructed properly does
not take up much room although it should
be given as much space as possible. Eight or
ten washing machines or tumbling barrels are
arranged in series equipped with modern jigs
to handle the tailings, and a proper launder
system conveys the tailings to the tailing box
which is generally located outside the build-
ing. These tailings are removed from
setting boxes to the vicinity of the con-
centrating table. Two or three tables can be
operated by one modern mill which feeds
the liquid pulp automatically to the tables, and
the tailings are conveyed to the mill by a
chain bucket system. This necessitates the
handling of the material only once, and one
man can operate and feed three tables if he is
trained right. The final disposition of the
tailings is another important feature since

like the blast furnace it yields a low grade
out-put for filling in property which adds to
the value of the property.

5. Assorting Department.

This department is equipped with two
modern magnetic machines for separating the
iron from borings, several good machines
for this purpose being on the market. A
bundling machine is also necessary in order to
get various classes of brass into crucible
shape. The remainder of this room can be
used for assorting metals. The assorting of
metals is an important feature of a plant of
this character inasmuch as special metals
when being made up nuist not be contaminated
with foreign elements.

It is better to keep the buildings as close
together as possible in order to avoid any un-
necessary labor in transporting the metals
from one department to another.

WHERE CAN I FIND IT ?

How many times the buyer — even he of the
retentive memory — asks himself that question,
when there is a hurried demand from the shop
for something not frequently bought ! Then
follows the search through the catalog file,
the commercial registers, etc.

A postal card will bring a "Buyers' Index",
made to fit the desk pigeon-hole, showing
eleven hundred items for the gray iron
foundry, the brass foundry and the electro-
plating department, and its use will save
many valuable minutes. Address Frederic B.
Stevens. Detroit, Mich., mentioning the
"Brass World and Platers' Guide."

AMERICAN ELECTROPLATERS*
SOCIETY.

At the meeting of the St. Louis branch on
May 23rd. the following officers were elected :
President: E. J. ]\Iusick; vice-president: C. S.
Weygandt : secretary-treasurer : H. H.
Williams: librarian: H. J. Richards; board of
managers : J. T. McCarthy, G. Samkemeyer,
F. Rushton. An inquiry regarding member-
ship was recei\ed from San Francisco.
Under the new i:)lan of the branch, the li-
brarian is to have complete charge of the
educational features of the meetings.

June

THE BRASS WORLD

227

THE *'ZI-LED'^ RUST-PROOFING
PROCESS.

Ever_vtliing in tlie universe is subject to
decay or dissolution and in the commercial
world, the value of an article is proportionate
to its length of service. Durability is there-
fore a most important factor in the marketing
of any product. Corrosion is the great enemy
of metals in common use, and metals such as
iron and steel, so extensively used, are pe-
culiarly susceptible to corrosive attack. The
protection of iron or steel from rust has been
a subject of investigation for many years by
those interested in things metallic. Zinc and
lead have been considered and used for this
purpose, the most popular being zinc which
is a very electro-positive metal. The protec-
tion afforded by zinc has been obtained up to
the present time by three well-known pro-
cesses— the sherardizing process which ap-
plies it in the form of a dust, the hot gal-
vanizing process in which the articles are im-
mersed in a zinc bath, and the cold galvaniz-
ing process in which the zinc is deposited on
the articles to be protected by electrolytic
action. All of these processes have played
their part in protecting and prolonging the
life of iron and steel under varying conditions.
Certain conditions of use have been met, how-
ever, in which zinc protective coatings have
proved protectively ineffective. In the
presence of sulphuric or sulphurous conditions
of the atmosphere, met with especially in our
large cities, zinc has proved to be an ineffec-
tive coating for any considerable length of
time.

Lead is recognized as being less attacked by
mineral acids than any other metal and it has
been generally accepted that a lead deposit on
iron or steel would prove to be a perfect rust
resistant. The llrst attempts to deposit lead
electrolytically on iron or steel were not com-
mercially successful. The electrodeposition of
pure lead was classed among the unsolved
problems of electroplating. Subsequently
Louis Schulte, of Chicago, after many years
of experimenting, developed a process of lead
plating which conformed to the requirements
for the efficiency and economy of commercial
work. This process, while quite valuable for
certain lines of operation, had to be discarded
because after many tests through considerable
lengths of time, the products did not prove to
be permanent in rust resistance under all at-

mospheric conditions. The knowledge of the
failure of the lead coating then led to the de-
velopment of a process known as the "Zi-Led"
rust-proofing process which has successfully
withstood the tests that would break down
either the zinc or the lead alone. In this
process the zinc is first deposited electrolytical-
ly on the article to be coated and the lead de-
posited on top of the zinc. This combination-
of the two rust resistants has led to the selec-
tion of the name "Zi-Led" and is claimed to
overcome successfully all conditions of cor-
rosive attack. In ' this combination the iron
and zinc are protected by an electro-negative
coating and the iron is in turn protected from
corrosion by the electro-positive coating of
zinc.

"Zi-Led" can be deposited on any metal ex-
cept aluminum and to any desired thickness
The coating can be obtained in about the
same length of time as by the present cold
galvanizing process, while the cost of ap-
plying it is very little in excess of the
present cost of hot galvanizing, and the cost
of installing the plant is considerably less.
"Zi-Led" can be applied to sheets, rods, tubes,
wire, wire cloth or manufactured articles of
any kind. Steel springs and spring wire can
be successfullv coated with the Schulte process
and electro-plated afterwards with any other
metal without injury to the temper of the
article coated. The lead alone can be used
under acid copper plating, taking the place of
cyanide copper, and giving greater protection
to the metal.

It is well known that the present hot galva-
nized sheets lose their effectiveness through
the breaking of the coating caused by work-
ing and hammering the sheets whenever re-
quired in building operations. The "Zi-Led"
coat is soft and pliable; it does not crack
when l)ent or hammered into the desired
shapes required in windows, doors, gutters or
any other form required in buildings. On ac-
count of this superiority in its texture as well
as its greater effectiveness as a rust-proof
coating it is claimed that it will come into ex-
tensive use as a substitute for the present hot
galvanized sheets.

It is also expected by the manufacturers
that "Zi-Led" coated sheets will take the place
of terne plates and hot galvanized sheets for
roofing where rust-proof coating under all
atmospheric conditions is needed. These-
sheets can be bent or stamped without injury

228

THE BRASS WORLD

June

to the coat as it does not lireak or peel. "Zi-
Led" can be plated with any metal and will
also take paint or enamel more readily. Owing
to the good neutral color of the "Zi-Led"
coating, painting in many cases will not be
necessary. This is especially true of wire
cloth used for window screens where the neu-
tral shade is extremely pleasing to the eye
and the ct1ccti\e protection gi\-en b_\' tlie zinc
and lead electro-deposits will lengthen the life
of the screen indefmitely and will obviate the
necessil}- of ccMistant painting and renewal.
The only metal to be excepted from "Zi-Led"
deposition so far, is aluminum, which has al-
ways proved a diflicult problem for electro-
deposition. The "Zi-Led" rust-proofing pro-
cess is at the pre.-^ent time being demonstrated
and placed on the market by the Ele-Kem
Co., 122 South Michigan Ave., Chicago, III.,
and inqtiiries concerning the new process will
be welcomed bv the manufacturers.

PAUL LOUIS TOUSSAINT
HEROULT.

INTERNAL STRAINS IN
METALS.

The annual ^May lecture of the Institute of
^Metals w^as delivered by Professor E. Heyn,
of Berlin, Germans, at the Institute of Me-
chanical Engineers, London.

Professor Heyn pointed out the importance
of manufacturing sound materials for the
purposes of the engineer and of keeping them
sound in the course of the various processes
tlirou,L;h wliicli they nuist pass before being
asseml)led into engineering structures. He
mentioned as a matter of common oliservation
the fact that brass condenser tubes crack sim-
ply when stored in the yard, and that otlier
brass articles exposed to atmospheric in-
fluences have been so affected that they may
be crumbled between the fingers.

The lecttn-er especially dealt with internal
strains produced In- the cold working of met-
als, showing that these are often caused by
the cold working being done under unfavor-
able conditions. These strains may approxi-
mate to the resisting power of the metal, so
that even slight additional strains due to ex-
ternal forces will lead to fracture. Cleans
for removing or diminishing internal strains
were fully discussed and illustrated by means
of numerous samples from the domain of
practical engineering.

On May 9th. there died in Paris one of the
greatest of modern scientists and metallur-
gists, Paul Heroult, the man who converted
aluminum from a laboratory curiosity into a
connnon household article.

He was born at Thury-Harcourt, France, in
, and was educated in Normandy and at
the Ecole des Mines, Paris. His course at the
latter was never completed, as he was
obliged to serve in the French army, and on
his return took over the management of his
father's tanning business.

Continuing, however, the metallurgical
studies and investigations connnenced in the
Ecole des Mines, he made use of available
electrical appliances, and in 188(5 made himself
famous by the development and patenting of
his process for the production of aluminum

Paul Heroult.

b\' the reduction of bauxite. Two A^ears later
this process was first put into practical opera-
tion at Xeuhausen on the Rhine, and it is still
largely used in Europe.

]\laking use of the electric furnace which
he had invented for the manufacture of
aluminum, he was able at a later period to
successfully maimfacture calcium carbide,
corundum, ferrochrome, and ferrosilicon,
and to introduce electric furnaces into the iron
and steel industries. The recipient of numer-
ous honors, he was made "doctor-engineer" by
the Technical High School of Aachen, Ger-
m;my, in 1;I02. He was well known in
America, where he spent nuich time and
superintended the construction of many im-
portant plants.

June

229

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER |

ANNEALING.

Of all the processes involved in the manu-
facture of non-ferrous metal products there
is none more important, and withal so lightl.v
considered as that of annealing

Annealing or heat treatment, as it is some-
times called in the ferrous-metal trades, is tlie
very basis of other operations, and its effect
is far-reaching, extending as it does far be-
yond the heating or cooling of the metal. The
success or failure of subsequent manufactur-
ing operations depends a great deal upon the
condition of the metal after annealing,
and the savings that are possible in scrap
metal, oxides, labor, fuel, acid, power, time
and die life are in themselves sufficient induce-
ment to give the operation the attention it de-
serves. The progress that lias been made
with alloy steels in the automobile trades with
proper heating methods illustrates the import-
ance of the process, and should be the means
of bringing about improvement in the heating
of non-ferrous metals.

In many shops the annealing of costly metal
is entrusted to operators who understand
little or nothing of the process, and who
appear to work on the assumption that all that
is required of them is to burn fuel and keep
the metal moving in and out of the furnace.
The manufacturer who attempts to save with
such methods pays a heavy penalty for it in
other ways, and is virtually "saving at the
spigot and wasting at the bung." There is
hardly any operation, in which the personal
element is more of a factor, or in which the
judgment of the operator so affects the cost
and quality of the product. A machine opera-
tor, after his machine is set, is concerned only
in keeping his material on the move, and it is
his machine that determines the result. The
annealer. however, must be continual]}' on the
job and use his head, as v/ell as his hands,
and any inattention or lack of judgment on
his part is soon shown up, either in burned or
unevenly heated metal, increased oxides or
waste of fuel.

The ever-increasing demand for uniformity
in temper, quality and size of metal has
brought about some development, looking
toward the end of controlling temperatures
and has extended the use of pyrometers, but
this, unfortunately, has too often been con-
sidered tlie end, when as a matter of fact, it
is nothing more than a good start. The p\ro-
meter is an invaluable guide to the operator,
but its function, at best, is that of an indica-
tor, and its real value is lost without proper
attention to other phases of the question,
which are real essentials of the operation.

It should be borne in mind that the pyro-
meter does not necessarily indicate the tem-
perature of the whole charge, or for that mat-
ter, any particular part of tlie charge, but
simply that part of the chamlier in which the
couple happens to be. It is possible to with-
draw a charge, which would be totally u'v-
annealed, or one in which part is properly
annealed and the balance unannealed, even
though the pyrometer should indicate the
proper annealing temperature in both cases.

This condition is often responsible for the
assumption that either the metal, the fuei or
the furnace is wrong, and while the furnace
or fuel may be at the bottom of it, there are
many cases when the fault really lies with rhe
operator, who erroneously assumes that the
indication of constant temperature gives liim
a clean bill of health.

In such cases, when it is known that the
furnace is of the proper design, it is invariably
found that the cause of the difficulty lies either
with the time given for annealing or the at-
mosphere surrounding the metal, both of
which are just as important as temperature,
and are absolutely essential to the production
of the best results.

In ann.caling metal the object should be to
hold the maximum temperature of the cham-
ber no higher than that actually required for
the result and give the charge plenty of time

230

THE BRASS WORLD

June

to become thoroughly saturated. Jf an at-
tempt is made to hurr\' it along by maintain-
ing a higher heat than is absolutely necessary,
as is usually the case with heavy charges, the
outside edges are likely to be brought up to
heat much faster than the balance of the
charge, and as a result are not only subjected
to the liiijher temperature, but to the action of
the gases of the chamber fcir the greatest
length of time.

Slow, thorough saturation is essential to
good annealing, in order that the entire mass
may be heated alike. It is as a rule the bot-
tom and center of the mass more than the
outside that requires attention, for it is these
parts that are the most difficult to heat, and
it is necessary that the charge be given plenty
of time, so that the heat can penetrate. Wheii-
ever possible, provision should be made to
have the heat circulate under the bottom, as
well as the top and sides, as this means
quicker heating, more thoroug^i saturation,
and consequently, less time of exposure. The
heating process may be described as being-
somewhat similar to that involved in baking
a loaf of bread, i. e., one of slowly driving-
heat through the entire mass, without heating
the outside any more than is absolutely neces-
sary to get the penetration. Charges should
be packed as loosely as possible, in order that
every opportunity may be afforded for the cir-
culation of heat through the mass, instead of
depending upon conduction alone. The light-
er and more loosely the charges are packed,
the quicker the mass will heat up and the
better the results will be. The heavier the
charge, the greater will be the time required,
and likewise, greater chances of over-heating
the outside.

The condition of the atmosphere or the
composition of the gases surrounding the
metal enters into the cost, by determining the
loss by formation of oxide, and it is as a rule
determined by the method of firing. Some
oxide forms on the metal, while in the fur-
nace, and some after it is withdrawn and ex-
posed to the air, while cooling. It is the
oxide which forms in the furnace that is the
most difficult to remove. This oxide is not
only a direct loss in metal, but likewise in the
time, labor and acid required to remove it,
and it only seems reasonable to assume that it
is much cheaper to make an effort to remove
the cause than to deal merelv with the effect.

W hen annealing in the open chamber it is
desirable that the metal be protected with the
neutral or non-oxidizing gas, which will have
a tendency to pick up with the oxygen before
the latter can affect the metal. The affinity
between the gases is stronger than that be-
tween the gas and the metal. To produce this
condition usually means that it is necessary to
maintain an atmos])here rich in carbon and
under slight pres.^^ure, and while it requires a
little more fuel, it is cheaper to waste fuel
than to waste metal, and incur the expense
involved in removing the oxide. Sharp, clean
fires are as a rule more oxidizing than those
which are hazy or a little cloudy. So-called
"flame" is an undesirable element, and the fire
should be run so that there is. no direct con-
tact between the flame and the metal. There
is neither uniformity of temperature or uni-
formity of composition in the flame, which is
usually oxidizing- at some points and reducing
at others. Its presence close to the charge
results in burned or highly oxidized metal,
and it should be eliminated as far as possible.
The better way is to heat by radiation or re-
flection, and with an atmosphere that is non-
oxidizing.

The ever-increasing demand for cheaper
and better products is gradually bringing
about an iniprovement in annealing methods,
and the field ofl'ers opportunity for effecting
savings well worth while, because it is as a
rule cheaper to do it right than otherwise.

There is plenty of room for improvement
and need first of all for more attention to
the importance of the process and the relation
it bears to other manufacturing operation.s;
for a more skilled class of operators to direct
the work of handling the metal in and out of
the furnace ; for better equipment to handle
an_d heat the metal ; for better methods, not
only of generating, but n-iore particularly of
applying heat ; and for educating operators to
understand the principles and the importance
of the process, and the relation that the per-
sonal equation bears to the final result.

It is only when these needs will be recog-
nized and properly filled that annealing will
occupy the position in the art, to which it is
entitled, and the present waste will be turned
into a saving, by reason of the greater all-
round efficiency.

June

THE BRASB \VORLX>

331

IMPROVED METHOD FOR CHECK
ING THE PYROMETER.

Now that practicall.v every manufacturing
establislnnent has one or more pyrometers in
use about the plant for controlling the temper-
atures of different operations, such as an-
nealing, heat treating, galvanizing, tinning,
etc., the need of a simple but accurate means
for checking up these instruments becomes
quite important. The mere fact that a pyro-
meter has been purchased and installed on a
given job to the end that the operator may
never again have to depend upon his eye as a
"colorimeter" does not mean that all further
thought as to temperature may be dismissed.
The pyrometer ma}- be entirely devoid of the
"personal equation", but like other products
of human intelligence, it is prone to become
inaccurate with continued use.

One of the old and reliable methods of
checking an instrument is to determine the
freezing points of three known metals, such
as pure copper, pure aluminum, and pure zinc.
This method requires considerable time, skill
and facilities not always available in the shop.
Determining the melting point of ordinary
table salt is another method, but this, too, re-
quires considerable practice before reliable
results are obtained.

One of the simplest and most accurate
methods is being used by the Henry Souther
Engineering Co., Hartford, Conn. In fact,
the method followed by this company is some-
what novel, in that they make use of the criii-
cal point of blocks of steel of known quality.

It is a well-known fact to all users of steel
that the critical points on heating and cooling
of certain qualities of steel are very marked.
These critical points are designated as Acl
(c= chauffant. French word for "heating")
■on rising temperatures, and Arl (r = refroJd-
issant, French word for "cooling") on falling
temperatures, and are always the same for
the same steel. These points are doubtless
better knov.n to many as "decalescence"
(poirit on heating) and "recalescence" (point
on cooling) .

The scheme of the Henry Souther Engin-
eering Company consists in heating a block of
steel, the Acl and Arl points of which are
known, to a temperature of 1.500 to ° F.,
withdrawing it from the furnace and permit-
ting it to cool in the air. The fire-end of the

pyrometer, previously heated to redness, is in-
serted in a drilled hole in one end of the test
block, and the drop in the temperature of the
test block carefully observed. As the critical
point on cooling (Arl) is reached, the needle
will hang for an appreciable period before
continuing again its downward course. When
the needle "hangs" the temperature observed
should correspond to the Arl temperature
furnished with each block. If the observed
temperature differs from the Arl point proper
for the test block, then it is apparent that the
instrument is not reading correctly. The same
temperatures for both Acl and Arl points
will always be obtained, even though the test
blocks be reheated innumerable times. In

The Apparatus and Its Operators.

Other words, it is possible to use these test
blocks over and over again for checking pur-
poses without in any way affecting the critical
temperatures. The test blocks are about Sl in.
diameter and 4^ in. long and no special pre-
cautions are necessary during the cooling
other than to avoid strong drafts.

The Henry Souther Engineering Company
has prepared a considerable number of these
test plugs, the critical points of which have
been checked by three different laboratories,
and is disposing of them to the trade for a
reasonable price.

Practically all manufacturers of German sil-
ver and German silver castings are making a
small addition of 98 per cent pure and car-
bon-free metallic manganese to their castings.
This is stated to have a stringent flu.xing ef-
fect, as well as ha\ing a tendency to brighten
the metal.

232

June I'.iU

BRONZE FORMULAS.

usi

The Committee on Research of the "Brass World and Platers' Guide" has commenced
in this issue to publish a series of formulas which will prove most helpful for consultation and
reference. Our readers are invited to become members of this committee, as one volunteer is
worth a dozen pressed men. Write to us for particulars of membership and obtain the advantages
of our mutual co-operation.

Acid Bronze

( "iii)per ;m( iiai'ts

Aluminum Hi part-s

Altiminmn Bronze.

Copper '>- parts

Zinc Ifi parts

Tin 2 part.?

Hig°Ii Tension Alnniintini Bronze.

Aluminnni _ parts

Copfjer 1)3 parts

Zinc ;!3 parts

Hiarli Tension Alnniiimni Bronze
with Silicon.

Alum ill II ui 2 parts

Copper 63 parts

Zinc 33 parts

Silicon 2 parts

Bronze to te Gilded.

Copper 58. 3 parts

Tin 1G.7 parts

Zinc 2.'. 3 parts

Bronze for Articles Exposed to Shocks
and Very Great Frictions.

Copper N3. parts

Tin 1'k parts

Zinc 1.-^ parts

Lead 0.5 parts

Bronze Resisting" Action of the Air.

Copper 5 76 parts

Brass IS parts

Tin 5 9 parts

Diirano Bronze.

Copper 6 1 parts

Zinc 31 parts

Tin 1 part

Aluminum 2 parts

Cold Blast Iron 2 parts

French Bronze.

Copper 5S parts

Zinc 38 parts

Perro-MaiiKanese 3 parts

Ferro-.Vluminum 1 iiart

Gold Bronze 1.

Copper !i7 parts

Aluminum 3 parts

Gold Bronze 2.

Copper !»<) parts

Zinc 3 parts

Tin 7 parts

Malleable Bronze.

Copper 56 ports

Zinc 12 parts

Manganese Copper 2 parts

Mangfanese Bronze.

Copper i; 1 parts

Tin 8 liarts

Yellow Metal S parts

Manganese Dioxide 7 inirts

Mang"anese Bronze Alloys for
Bearing- Set.

Copper 80 parts

Tin 10 parts

Manganese Copjier 10 parts

Old Peruvian Bronze.

<''opper 'JO. parts

Tin 4.5 parts

Lead 0.2 parts

Iron 0.3 parts

Phosphor Bronze.

"Standaril" I'uiipir 00 parts

Phosphor Tin 10 parts

Phosphor Bronze for Feed Screws.

• 'opjier 16 jiarts

Banca Tin 1 part

Phosphor Tin 1 part

Phosphor Bronze for Bearing's.

("uljper NO jiarts

Banca Tin S parts

Lead 8 parts

Phosphor coi)per 4 parts

Platinum Bronze for Tatole Ware.

Xiiki-1 ino. parts

Platinum 0.5 parts

Tin 15. parts

White Platiniini Bronze.

Yellow Brass 65 parts

Nickel 30 parts

Platinum 5 parts

Preston's Bronze.

Copper 55 parts

Zinc -to parts

Tin 1 part

Nickel 1 part

Cold Blast Iron 3 parts

Red Bronze for Machine Parts.

Copper 74 parts

Zinc 5 parts

Tin .8 parts

T.,ead 3 parts

Manganese Copper 10 parts

Richard's Bronze

Copper 55 parts

Zinc 42 parts

Aluminum 2 parts

Cold Blast Iruii 1 part

June

THE BRASS \\T)RIJ3

233

Silicon Bronze for Telegraph Wires 1.

Copper 'j'.i.Li 1 parts

Tin U.03- parts

Silicon 0.02 parts

Silicon Bronze for Telegrapli Wires 2.

Copper Ii7.li; parts

Tin 1.14 parts

Zinc 1.62 parts

Silicon 0.05 parts

Silver Bronze.

Manganese IS. parts

Aluminum 1.20 parts

Silicon -">. parts

Zinc 13. parts

Copper G7.50 parts

Special Bronze Hard.

Copper 81 parts

Tin 17 parts

Manganese Copper 2 parts

Special Bronze Tougli.

Copper 80 parts

Zinc 5 parts

Manganese Copper 9 parts

Statuary Bronze 1.

Tin 2 parts

Copper fiO parts

Zinc 5 parts

Lead 2 parts

Statiiary Bronze 2.

Copper Ifil parts

Zinc 36 parts

Tin 6 parts

Lead 3 parts

Sun Bronze.

Cobalt 10 parts

Aluminum 10 parts

Copper 50 parts

Turkish Bronze.

Copper < 8.54 parts

Tin 20.27 parts

Lead 0.54 parts

Iron O.irt parts

White Marine Bronze.

Copper 2 parts

Tin 67 parts

Zinc 30 parts

Antimony 1 part

White Navy Bronze.

Copper 8 parts

Tin TO parts

Lead lo parts

Antimony 12 parts

Yellow Bronze.

Zinc 10 parts

Copper 56 parts

Cold Blast Iron 3 parts

C. M. MILLER, FLUXOLOGIST.

An English patent has been granted for a
white metal alloy resembling silver in ap-
pearance, consisting of 40 parts copper, Sh
parts nickel, 5 parts zinc, 2-i parts tin, and 1
part lead. The nickel is first melted with a
flux of powdered white glass, half the copper
added and thoroughly mixed, and then the
remainder of the copper added. The zinc is
pkmged beneath the surface of the mixture
and next the tin and lead are added while
molten.

A Frenchman once said, "Children should
be very careful what kind of parents they
choose." 'Sir. C. M. ^liller, the prominent
figure in this sketch, evidently heard this, for
he chose his parentage and environment to
conform in a remarkable way with his sub-
sequent development in life. He was born in
Honeoye. X. Y., a live town boasting of a
little foundry devoted to the manufacture of
plows, reapers, etc., in which the youthful
^filler became cupola tender and chief physi-
cian to a ten-horse power engine. ^Ir. Miller's
father assisted his son's evolution by a prac-
tical demonstration in metallurgy and the
manufacture of metals, for he vas a gun-
maker of world-wide reputation and enabled
the Texas Rangers to make their mark in
.\merican historv.

C. M. Miller.

The metal market was in a different con-
dition from what it is today. Pig iron during
the Civil \\'ar was $90.00 per ton, and scrap
iron could be traded at your own price away
from the railroads then. The eye was the
sole guide to the quality of the metal, and the
younger ]\Iiller became proficient in iron
.^election.

During ensuing years he passed through
other foundry experiences in iron, brass and
other metals, becoming an accomplished
molder and machinist, and learning how to
melt iron with coke at a little later date, which
was then supposed to be a miraculous per-
formance, and sti.bsequently engaged in the
manufacture of threshing engines, general
machinery, steam pumps, mill machines.

234

THE BRASS WORLX>

Tune

iiouse-licatin<> Ixjilcrs, etc. In Canton, O., Mr.
Miller owned six factories at different times
which proved quite successful until patent
litigation brought about financial reverses. Mr.
Miller and his brother were compelled to
make a change of front thereby and this
brought 'Slv. Miller in contact with the trades
in which he has achieved his latest successes.

C M. Miller devoted himself to the business
of mining for the purpose of making a study
of the \ariiins minerals which he had found
necessary in making his nu>es and amalgams.
In iron fluxes he had been quite successful,
and brass fluxes were the next to be mastered
as there was op]>( iriimity to make innnense
savings to Ijrass. "Radioclarite" for making
brass and bronze saves time, prolongs the life
of the crucil)les, and keeps the metal and fur-
naces clean, at the same time yielding a pro-
duct of surprising strength and quality.

The latest development has been the suc-
cessful production of a malleable flux. C. M.
Miller, under the company's name, The Basic
Mineral Co., North Side, Pittsburgh, Pa., is
now able to place on the market nearly 100
different brands for amalgamating as well as
fluxing gray iron, steel, semi-steel, brass,
bronze, aluminum, malleable and other metals.
These fluxes have also been used successfully
in Bessemer converters.

C. M. Aliller has a forcible personality and
a very decisi\'e aim in life. It is not to be ex-
pected that a man of his caliber with a direct
method of approach to the problems which
confronted him could escape endless op-
position as a result of ignorance, prejudice
and jealousy. He had to develop each of his
fluxes as he discovered them Iw persuading
the foundries to use them in place of tradition-
al mixes witli which the\' were for tlie most
part disadvantageously satisfied.

Many of the foremen of these plants be-
lieved then, and there are yet in existence
some who still believe, that the retaining of
their position depended and still deiiends on
the secrecy which surrounded their operations.
To accept a flux provided b_\' an t)Utside party
meant tluit an_\- one could i)roduce the results
that they were obtaining. Mr. Miller is able
to relate in an interesting way some cases of
active o|)position to the introduction of his
product-. Mis successes have been achieved
only as a result of strenuous eft'orts, and con-
siderable self-sacrifice, and Mr, Miller at-
tributes nuich of his success to the constant

business companionship of his accomplished
wife who possesses an intimate knowledge of
the business. Ten years of constant work
and the use of the Miller fluxes in over three
thousand cupolas and furnaces have brought
about extensive recognition of the merits of
Keystone Thermo with Titanium Fluxes, also
"Radioclarite" and "Ferro-Clarite."' The Basic
Mineral Co. issues interesting literature on its
products which can be obtained upon applica-
tion.

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TEST-
ING METALS.

The seventeenth annual meeting of the
American Society for Testing jMetals will
take place at Atlantic City, N. J., from June
30 to July ;{, . The second session, at 3
p. m. on June ,)0, is to be devoted to non-fer-
rous metals, when the following will be pre-
sented :

Report of Committee on the Standard
Specifications for Copper Wire.

Report of Committee on Non-Ferrous
Metals and Alloys.

"Rational Test for Metallic Protective Coat-
ings" by J. A. Capp.

"Sampling and Methods of Analysis of Tin,
Terne and Lead-Coated Sheets" by James A.
Aupperle

"initial Stress and Season Cracking in
Drawn Brass Rods" by Ernst Jonson.

"Some Considerations Affecting Specifica-
tions for Wrought Xon-Ferrous Alloys" by
\\ ni. Reuben Webster.

"Study of the Strength of Xon-Ferrous
Castin.gs — A Comparison of Dift'erent Test
Specimens" by L. P. Webbert.

The tinplate used in packing canned goods
tor Norwegian merchant vessels has hitherto
been allowed a maximu.m of 1 per cent of lead
in its composition. The chemist to the Nor-
wegian Board of Health has drawn attention
to the danger to health involved in this, and
pointed attention to the fact that many fac-
tories use till with lead-free tinning. The
question of prohibiting the use of lead for
this purpose, says the "Hardwareman", is now
])eing considered, and it is expected that the
recommendations concerning it will lie adopted
durin.g the current vcar.

June

THE BRASS WOIiLD

235

ROCKWELL TILTING REVERBER-
ATOR Y MELTING FURNACE
FOR NON-FERROUS METALS.

The melting of ni)n-ferrous metals involves
so many details from the metallurgical, as well
as the commercial side, that it is almost im-
possible to determine on any one method of
melting or type of furnace that will suit all
conditions. While there are doubtless many
operations which, by reason of metallurgical
requirements, demand the use of crucibles

capacity with less fuel, labor, and floor space.
Each type has its advantages and disadvan-
tages and the measure of success with either
can only be determined by the specific re-
quirements of each case.

The development of open-hearth practice
has indicated the necessity of providing for
better melting" and operating conditions and
reducing the general cost. Objections have
been made to the blast, either directly against
or close to the metal, which is in itself largely
responsible for the. loss in oxidation and
volatilization : to the severe working condi-

Melting Furnace Equipment in a Modern Brass Foundry.

either in the pit or tilting type of furnace, it
has been proved that there are still many
others in which total operating cost is in it-
self the determining factor and for which the
tilting open-hearth or reverberatory type, with
proper operation and attention and with the
use of fluxes, charcoal or other reducing
agents, is entitled to consideration by reason
of the advantages it has in the form of larger

tions in charging, skimming, or pouring, when
the intense heat from the melting chamber and
hot side of the cover is reflected directly into
the face of the operator, and the hot metal
and chamber are subjected to the cooling
etTect of the atmosphere: and to the cost of
installation and repair involved in the use of
expensive machined castings that either burn,
or easily distort out of shape.

236

THE BRASS >VORLD

Tune l'J14

To remedy these conditions the W. S. Rock-
well Co., 50 Church St., -Xew York, has de-
veloped a type of furnace wiiich they claim
possesses the advantages of simplicity of de-
sign and suhstantial conslructiim ; convenience
of charging, stirring, skinnning and pouring;
and adaptabdity for oil or gas fuel.

Tiiis furnace involves a tilting melting
chamber of simple design and construction,
in which the metal is melted without the blast
being forced directly against it. The shape
i)f the clKunber. the niethud of combustion,
and the applicatinu of beat to the metal all

of the gases are the same in all parts of the
chamber and around the charge, wliether the
heat be on full or only just enough to keej)
ihe metal hot.

The metal to be charged is lu^st laid on top
of the furnace while the fire is on. There it
IS graduall}- warmed, and finally pushed into
the chamber as requirt-d. There is no loss of
time in doing this and the operator is not
exi)osed directly to the heat reflected from the
chand)er or Imt side of the cover, which
swings away froiu him. Neither is the hot
chamber or metal exposed to the cooling or

Pouring with Furnace in Operation.

combine for its protection. Coml)UStioii
takes place well above the metal and there is
a thorough mixture of gases, a freedom
from carlion deposits and uniform pressure
in all jiarts of the chandler. The purpose is
to melt the charge by the reflection of hot
gases under a uniform pressure without sub-
jecting it to direct blast or to the varying
temperature and comiiosition of Hame. The
result is that the temperature ami composition

oxidizing effect of the air. Ingots or other
lieavy pieces may be charged, if desired, with-
out stopping the lire. With this arrangement,
the man, the metal, and the melting chaiuber
are given all the protection possible and thi'
melter has no excuse for not properly con-
ducting the melt. Similar protection is pro-
vided in the operations of stirring, skimming
and pouring.

( )il in the form of fuel oil, crude oil, dis-

Tune 191-t

THE BRA SB WORLX)

237

tillatc or kerosene, and gas in the form of
natural gas, water gas or city gas ma.v be
employed for fuel. For the average run of
brass, the fuel consumption per 100 pounds of
metal varies from li to 3 gallons of oil ; 200
to 400 cu. ft. of natural gas ; 675 to cu.
ft. of water gas: and 345 to 690 cu. ft. of
city gas. With oil fuel a pressure of 5 11). per
square inch or higher on the oil will do por-
vided it is uniform. With oil any air pressure
between 8 oz. and 24 oz. per square inch will
give satisfactor\- results.

Tests have been made to demonstrate the
action of the heat against the metal, which
involved the burning of wood in the chamber
so as to reduce it to light ashes. The fur-
nace has been brought from cold condition
to melting heat rapidly without blowing the
ashes from the bottom of the chamber, which
illustrates the conditions that accompany the
elimination of direct blast against the metal
and tlie melting of the charge under a l)lanket
of hot gases under pressure.

NOT ALCHEMY BUT ELE-KEM-Y.

Before you and 1 were born, (and then
some) there were two sets of aspiring and in-
quiring philosophical mortals, who irritated
common folks by looking up in the air and
scratching holes in the ground. They were
dul)l)ed by the other dubs — astrologers and
alchemists. The first laid the foundation for
all we don't know about the heavens and the
second lot poked ^lother Earth in the ribs
in the hopes of discovering some mysterious
substance whicli could be used to transform a
cobblestone into a five-dollar gold piece. W^e
are learning daily that the alchemists had the
right ideas lint the wrong processes. Alchemy.
however, as a name, is in disrepute because of
the poor company it kept, and a band of
practical experimentalists under the tutelage
of Louis Schulte of Chicago has evolved a
20th century science to be known to electro-
platers as '"Ele-Kem-y." Cleaning, stripping,
brightening and coating of metals are de-
clared to be devoid of all difficulty and are
assured success by the use of the "Ele-Kem"
products which are herewith briefly enumer-
ated.

The "Ele-Kem" metal cleaner is for the re-
moval of grease or oil from all metals with-
out tarnishing. It can be used with nr with-

out the electric current, leaves no sediment,
throws off no fumes, will not injure the
hands or stain the metal.

The "Ele-Kem" nickel strip is for the pur-
pose of removing nickel or silver plating, or
both in a few minutes without injury to the
finished surface of the metal, leaving it ready
for immediate replating. The "Ele-Kem"
brass, bronze and copper strip is destined to
remove these metals in the same manner with
equal ease and speed.

The "Ele-Kem" brass, copper and bronze
brightener has been produced to take the
place of ammonia, bisulphites, carbonates and
arsenic. This brightener can be added to the
metals and cyanides or to any existing Itrass,
copper or bronze solution to induce a quick
and uniform plating with a bright finish.

The "Ele-Kem" nickel salts are especial-
ly prepared high-speed nickel salts ti) l)e used
either with mechanical plating or in open tanks
and claimed by the n.ianufacturers to give
superior results to those obtained by present
methods. A black nickel salt is also furnish-
ed for tlic purpose of securing a dark black
lasting gun-metal finish.

Tlie "Ele-Kem" galvanizing solution is a
self-sustaining solution claimed to }ield a
heavy dense deposit in the shortest time in
l)Oth mechanical plating and open tank work.

Tile "Kle-Kem" soldering fluids are free
from acids and enable soldering to be accom-
plished for all purposes.

The "Zi-Led" rust-prooling process is also
a product of the Ele-Kem Co. and is more
fulh' descrilied in tliis issue. The Ele-Kem
Co. has its lieadquarters at 122 South Michi-
gan Ave., Chicago, and has an up-to-date,
three-story factory at Clybourn Ave. The
company is preparing literature on all these
variou> products and will be glad to corres-
pond with electroplaters on any or all
of their spcciahies. Those interested in Ele-
Kem-y will kindly mention the "Brass World"
when writing.

A metal sheet for use in the construction oi
chemical \ats and tanks has received an
English patent. There is a thick inner layer
of commercial lead and a thin outer layer con-
sisting" of 2 to 20 per cent antimony and the
balance soft lead, which may contain a maxi-
mum of 5 per cent, of an ingredient other than
antinionv.

238

THE BRASS WORLX)

June

AN ELECTROPLATING ''MIS-
SOURI " IN CANADA.

I'ntil I't'ccnlly, Canada, while progressing
rapidly in otlier lines, did not possess a "show
me" center of the electroplating art. The
need has been niel (|uite effectively hy the
Canadian Hanson Van Winkle Co. at its
works in 'i'nronlo. Here will l)e found in
operation, all '.he latest and most up-to-datt'
ecpiipnient. This demonstration plant is in
reality a group of small plants devoted to the
carrying on of all forms of electro-plating
under the nmsl advanced practice. \\'. R.
King, the plating specialist ni llanson (!v \'an
Winkle Co., Newark, X. J., installed the
Canadian plant on similar lines to those of the
.Vewark demonstration plant.

Platers wdio liave worked their way through
the earlier stages of plating when batteries
were the only sources of current, wdll appre-
ciate the advantages offered by the new Han-
son & Van Winkle Co. generator set, the
d_\namo being directly connected by means of
a llcxible coupling to a suitable motor, both
units mcunted on a sub-base. The advantage
of operating a motor generator set instead of
having the dynamo belted from the regular
shafting carrying other machinery, is well
recognized. In the Toronto plant a separate
motor is employed for operating all the other
equipment such as mechanical plating appara-
tus, polishing machinery, brush lathes and air
compressors for lacquer outfit, etc. Mechanical
plating has in recent \'ears rapidly come to the
front and the plater's troubles and the manu-
facturers cost of performing the work have
been greatly minimized by these mechanical
devices, burnishing liarrels and electric
cleaners .

In the demonstration plant under consider-
ation, it will be possible to do any class of
electroplating, oxidizing, and all kinds of fin-
ishes, there being installed in connection a
complete lacquering room, equipped with air
compressors and air-operated brushes.

The heating of the plant can be secured
either by steam from the main boiler during
the regular winter months or by a special
■'Triumph" steam generator w^iich is destined
for service at short notice under the rapid
spring and fall changes of temperature. Great
care has been taken to insulate all steam pipes
wdth "H. & V. W." insulating steam joints in
order to pre\-ent leakage of the electric cui"-

rent. The plant is equipped with voltmeters
and annneters so that the exact amount of
current that is being used in each tank can be
ipiickly determined by the plater.

It is only when \ isiting a i)lant of this
description that one realizes the tremendous
strides that have been made in the design of
plating generators during recent years. The
efficiency of the uindern plating plant depends
to a considerable degree upon the choice of
a suitable dynamo. From battery to motor
generator set is a long distance in accomplish-
ment in a Ijrief period of time. The first
generator constructed to give a permanent
current of electricity w-as obtained by means
of steel magnets, an invention based on the
discovery made by Faraday. This machine
was perfected and first successfully worked
by Messrs. Prime & Son, at their silverware
works, P>irmingham, England, in . This
was the forerunner of the present dynamo
used for electro-plating and also for lighting.
It will also be interesting to know that this
machine was of somewhat large proportions
being five feet long, two feet six inches wide
and live feet high, and the power required to
drive it was ten times as much as is now
needed to drive an H. & V. W. generator. The
.•imotint nf material deposited by the original
generator in a given time was oidy one-tenth
the amount that can ])e deposited by the
modern machine.

The next generator of a more modern type
was constructed furty years later by the Han-
son & \'an Winkle Co., Newark, N. J., being
what is known ;;s a series-wound machine and
although it was a great improvement on the
(ither machine, yet it had many disadvantages.
The shunt-wound machine followed, wdiich
was a still greater improvement. In fact
shunt-wound machines are manufactured now
but these have the disadvantages of being
liable to a sparking of brushes and thus pro-
duce an uneven distribution of current. At a
later date the compound-wound dynamo was
perfected, giving the plater a machine that
ci.uld I)e easily regulated and could be de-
pended upon for a steady uniform current at
all times. During the last year however, the
latest type of generator has been evolved by
the Hanson & Van Winkle Co., known as the
"Interpole" generator, with several manifest
advantages over the compound-wound genera-
tor. It is equipped with graphitized, self-ad-
justing, non-sparking brushes enabling the

Tune

THE BRASS ^VORLI>

239

plater to regulate the current to extremely
close limits, which never vary. These genera-
tors are of course all D. C. and are built from
50 to 10,000 amp., both in tw-o and three-wire
systems. Too much emphasis cannot be laid
on the proper equipment of a plating plant. It
is most essential, as the art of plating has be-
come no longer a case of guess work carried
on under the old rule-of -thumb method but is
a highly scientific practice. The consideration
of all the factors necessary for high-grade
work is the real raison d'etre of a plant of this
type.

Among the interesting demonstrations at the
present time being made for the benefit of
visitors to the Toronto plant is that which
shows the efficiency of the "Capitol" nickel
salts. Remarkable showing is made with these
salts by plating on brass, copper, white metal,
iron, etc., with a resultant lustre which dis-
penses with the need of nickel buffing. The time
for plating has been reduced, it is claimed, by
50% and the elimination of the buffing operation
will affect the operative cost in considerable
measure to the advantage of the manufacturer.
This new demonstrating plant is now open to
all visitors and for the solution of all electro-
platers' problems. The Canadian Hanson &
Van Winkle Co. is to be congratulated on its
up-to-date foresighted efforts to further the
interests of Canadian electro-platers and their
own business in such effective and useful coni-
bination.

PLATING COSTS DISCUSSION.

NEW ENGLAND FOUNDRYMEN'S
ASSOCIATION.

The regular meeting of the above associa-
tion was held in the Hotel Bond, Hartford,
Conn., May 1.3, . An automobile sight-
seeing trip in the vicinity of Hartford was fol-
lowed at 6 p. m. by a dinner at the hotel.

A business meeting was subsequently held,
with President Xutter in the chair. Two new
members were elected and the society voted
in favor of legislation prohibiting the sale of
alcoholic liquors within a reasonable distance
of manufacturing plants. Announcement was
made of a special entertainment at the June
meeting.

H. ]\I. Lane, Detroit, Mich., then gave an
interesting talk on the "Recovery of Waste
Foundry Sands," illustrated by stereopticon.
This led to considerable discussion, and a vote
of thanks to Mr. Lane terminated the meeting.

Editor "Brass World & Platers' Guide" :—

I have carefully read Mr. Barbour's letter in
the May number and although T feel that
further remarks from me are hardly nece-
ssary, it is only fair that I should state that
my letter criticising his article was not intend-
ed as personal, as I can dissociate personali-
ties from articles when making a fair criti-
cism.

Every plater knows that ordinary double
sulphate solutions are of variable character.
The density varies, the metal content varies,
some contain boric acid and some do not. Mr.
Barbour's article condemned a class of solu-
tions and not solutions of specific formula,
and my reply was naturally general, and holds
as well in the case of ordinary double sulphate
as well as those containing other materials.
Likewise the introduction of silver-plating
evidence is of no value in strengthening his
case of nickel-plating which alone was criti-
cised. No doubt the reference to impure salts
and anodes will bring an adequate reply from
the manufacturers of those materials and 1
for one will state that at least one nickel salt
is being sold on the market that is pure.

Inasmuch as my general contentions remain
unanswered it is safe to assume that the
author cannot justify his statements or sub-
stantiate them with facts. Finally, in
reply to a question which he asks I would
state that it is not uncommon to find anodes
that have become so badly oxidized that the\-
will crumble to pieces before half consumed.
This may be due to fault in the manufacture
of the anodes, but is more likely due to the
quality of the nickel solution. All cases which
the writer has personally looked into can be
attributed to the fact that the nickel solution
was maintained in such poor condition as to
be highly inefficient. Despite this I have never
felt justified in condemning all platers and all
nickel solutions as inefficient because of a few
instances, nor is anyone justified in making
a general condemnation on such grounds.

Yours very truly.
New York Citv. Percv S. Brown.

An aluminum solder which has recently
been patented in England consists of from 5
to oi parts of zinc and 8 parts of tin.

240

THK BRASS >VORLE)

June

MEETINGS OF
AMERICAN ELECTRO-
PLATERS^ SOCIETY.

Bridg-eport — Meets on the third Friday of
each month at the "Brass World" office, 260
John St., Bridgeport, Conn. Secretary, Nelson
Barnard, 85 8 Howard Ave., Bridgeport, Conn

SUPREME SOCIETY

Meets first week in June, , at Chicago,
111. Secretary, Fred C. Clement, 462 North
Fiftieth Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

BRANCH SOCIETIES.

New York— Meets fourth Friday of each
month at 309 West 23rd Street, New York City,
at 8 P. M. Secretary, Joseph Minges,
Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Rochester— Meets second and fourth Wednes-
day of each month at Rochester University.
Secretary, Edwin S. Crowley, Jr., 368 South
Goodman Street, Rochester, N. Y.

Toronto— Meets fourth Thursday of each
month at Occidental Hall, Bathurst and Queen
Streets. Secretary, William Salmon, 49 Oak
Street, Toronto, Canada.

Pliiladelphia — Meets last Friday of each
month at Dooner's Hotel, Philadelphia, Pa.,
8 P. M. Secretary, Philip Uhl, North 29th
Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Dayton — Meets first and third Wednesday
at the Y. M. C. A., Dayton, Ohio. Secretary,
Alphonz Lamoureux, 500 East First Street,
Dayton, Ohio.

Newark — Meets first and third Friday of
each month, 8 P. M., 833 Broad Street, Newark,
N. J. Secretary, Charles A. Stiehle, 46 Madison
Avenue, Irvington, N. J.

Detroit — Meets first and third Friday of each
month at Burns' Hotel. Secretary, John J.
Abler, 930 Willis Avenue, Detroit, Mich.

Chicag-o— Meets fourth Saturday of each
month at Western Building, Randolph and
Michigan Aves. Secretary, Oscar E. Servis,
George Street, Chicago, 111.

Indianapolis — Meets twice a month on Friday
evenings. Secretary, Albert J. Burns, 20S
Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis, Ind.

Buffalo — Meets the first Saturday of each
month at the University of Buffalo, at 8 P. M.
Secretary, F. C. Mesle, Willow Avenue,
Niagara Falls, N. Y.

Milwaukee — Meets second Wednesday of
each month at Marquette University. Secre-
tary, P. J. Sheehan, 922 Vliet Street, Milwau-
kee, Wis.

Cincinnati — Meets once each month at Den-
nison Hotel, Cincinnati, Ohio. Secretary,
Thomas B. Whitehead, 609 Roberta Street,
Newport, Ky.

St. Iiouis — Meets on the first Thursday and
fourth Saturday of each month at Public Li-
brary Assembly Rooms. Secretary, H. H. Wil-
liams, Nebraska Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

The following officers have been elected for
the coming year by the Newark branch :

President — Horace H. Smith.

Vice-president — J. E. Hartnett.

Secretary-treasurer- Chas. A. Stiehle.

Recording secretary — Clarence O. Field.

Representatives to supreme society, — Horace
H. Smith, Samuel R. Tavlor and Clarence O.
Field.

At the meeting of the Detroit branch on
May 1st, the following officers were elected
for the ensuing 3'ear.

President — Arthur O'Keefe.

1st vice-president — John J. Schultz.

2nd vice-president — Harry Schutzendorf.

Secretary — George J. Kutzen.

Treasurer — B. E. Miller.

Librarian — A. E. Shepherd.

Sergeant-of-arms — Jesse Clevenger.

The Bridgeport branch of the American
Electroplaters' Society met at the "Brass
World" office on May 15th. Applications for
m.embership were received and a committee
was appointed to investigate such aplications.
G. W. Cooper, A. J. McDermid and H. de
Joannis addressed the members. President W.
G. Stratton and G. E. Hopkins were elected
delegates to the June convention, and H. de
Joannis was appointed substitute for President
Stratton. An interesting disctission on spott-
ing was opened by P. W. Flemming, to which
A. N. Theriault, N. Barnard, W. G. Loeffler,
G. E. Hopkins and others contributed.

At the meeting of the Xew York branch on
May 22, four new members were elected. J. E.
Sterling, G. B. Hogaboom and T. B. Haddow
were appointed delegates to the convention.
Elections of officers resulted as follows : Presi-
dent: Thos. B. Haddow; vice-president: H. C.
Bernard ; secretary-treasurer : Joseph Minges ;
sergeant-at-arms : A. Leimbacher; assistant
sergeant-at-arms : ^\'. R. Shanks ; librarian :
Wm. Fisher ; board of trustees : J. A. Straub,
F. P. Davis, J. A. Stremel, C. H. Proctor, Wm.
Schneider. A beautifully engrossed set of
resolutions on the death of Erwin S. Sperry,
was presented by the committee for presenta-
tion to Mrs. Sperry, and a delegate was chosen
for that purpose.

June

241

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

OIL CORE SAND MIXTURE.

Could you give me an oil core sand mix-
ture that does not need much venting, one that
will suit brass or iron?

The following mixture will suit your pur-
pose :

60 parts No. 0 new molding sand.
40 parts beach sand.
1 part raw linseed oil.
Mix the sand well together before adding
the oil. Then add the oil, a little at a time,
until all is thoroughly mixed. You just need
oil enough to keep the sand together. You will
of course, have to use a center vent, but you
will find this a good open, as well as a very
strong core. It will improve the cores to givo
them a dip in black lead after baking, biit
for your work, this might not be necessary.

ALUMINUM ALLOY TO WITHSTAND
HpT SOAPY WATER.

Will you kindly advise me of the best alumi-
num alloy to withstand hot soapy water? I
have used a drum with the sides made of
aluminum alloy, one of the discs, aluminum
91%, copper 9% ; the other, aluminum 85%,
copper 7%, zinc 7%, lead 1%. I polished
parts of both discs and found the aluminum
91% and copper 9%, tarnished very slightly
and the other became almost black after being
in operation in water about 180° for about a
week. I used about half a bar of white
naptha soap and 8 gallons of water.

You will get the best results from 5% cop-
per alloy, that is. 95% aluminum, 5% copper.

BLACK FINISH ON STEEL.

I am sending you herewith a steel button,

finished with so-called gun metal finish. This
has been finished abroad. The black color is
evidently a magnetic oxide of iron, similar to
a Bower-barff finish, but has evidently been
put on with some sort of a dip solution, and
then rolled in sawdust to polish the button.
This assumption seems to be born out by the
fact that the inside of the button is dull and
rough. I would appreciate very much if you
could give us any information in regard to
the probable way that this finish has been
produced.

Try the following formula for black dip
on steel :

Chloride of bismuth 2 oz.

Bichloride of mercury 2i oz.

Chloride of copper li oz.

Muriatic acid 6 oz.

Denatured alcohol 5 oz.

Water 1 gal.

This is to be used boiling hot. Boiling in
hot water after dipping will darken color.

BRONZE FINISH.

We arc enclosing you herewith a small piece
of brass and we are called upon to furnish a
quantity of work to match this sample and of
the same kind of finish. This is something
new to us and it has occurred to us that you
could give us the information as to how this
finish is obtained.

The sample submitted is made of bronze
metal. To color same as sample, make a weak
solution of liver of sulphur, about i oz. to the
gallon, and use solution cold. Have work
clean and free from grease. Dip in liver of
sulphur solution just long enough to discolor
metal. Scratch-brush to bring out color, dry
and lacquer.

CASTING ALUMINUM AROUND STEEL.

We are making some experiments in the
casting of aluminum around steel and would
like to get wdiat information we can so that
we can do the work expeditiously and without
the result of cracks from shrinkage.

We cannot give^ you any encouragement as
we have never been able to cast aluminum
around anything but an open core, one that
would give way to the shrinkage of the metal.
Otherwise, cracks were sure to appear in the
castings. You can readily see that if a hard
sand core would not do, you have not much
chance with a steel chill.

NICKEL-PLATING ZINC CASTINGS.

Will you kindly tell us if you know of any-
practical method of nickel-plating zinc cast-
ings? Will you also kindly tell us whether
it is possible to successfully electroplate an

Tlir: BRASS WORLD

June

alloy composed of two '.'arts tin and one part
zinc, or an alloy composed of 84 parts zinc,
10 parts tin, (> parts copper?

A nickel solution which is said to yive ex-
•cellent results on zinc is made in the follow-
ing manner:

Xickcl sulphate lOj oz.

Potassium citrate 17 oz.

Ammonium chloride lOi oz.

Water 1 gal.

The castings may also he nickel-plated by the
use of an ordinary nickel solution, if they
are first copper-plated.

GALVANIZED WIRE WITHOUT LUSTRE.

In the galvanizing of our wire, soiue comes
out of the galvanizing department with a dark
gray color and without any Itistre. When this
is win'en into netting" and other iuiished pro-
ducts, it looks colorless and dead. We have
noticed that the netting made by one other
manufacturer is of a bright shiny color ap-
proaching tinned wire in color and lustre. W^e
use the hot method of galvanizing and the
wire is galvanized before weaving. We have
tried keeping the heat of the spelter down,
and while the wire comes out slightly bright-
er, still it is nut nearly as Ijright as the goods
prodticed as mentioned abo\e. The thought
occurred to the writer that other manufac-
turers use some flux or alloy in their molten
spelter which causes the galvanized wire to
come out with this bright color. Can you
give us any in format inn in regard to the
above ?

The dark color on your galvanizing is
caused by leaving the dross to accumulate in
your dip. Use a flux of salammoniac ; sprinkle
on the surface of the melted zinc. This will
change the dross to a li(|uid slag which will
melt on the surface and leave the metal under-
neath in a clean condition. This slag may
easily be removed. There is a patented
method for bright galvanizing described in
the Brass World (Jan. 11)10).

SOLDER NOT FLOWING FREELY.

We find that solder that c<_intains 50% tin
and 50% lead does not flow free in soldering
galvanized iron. Could you reconuuend some
metal or chemical that we couKl put witli this
solder to make it flow free?

There is nothing you could put into your
solder to make it flow free on galvanized iron.
A small amount of cadmium would help a
little but it will not entirely overcome your
trouble. The difticulty comes frrim the zinc
on the iron becoming dissolved ]>y the heat
from the soldering operation and becoming
mixed with your solder. It fdls the solder
with oxide of zinc and makes it so thick that
it will not flow, but collects in hard globules
and niakes a rough job of soldering, ^'ou
should use a flux of pure muriatic acid with
no zinc dissolved in it. This will dissolve
the zinc on the surface of the iron to be
soldered and will allow your solder to flow
freelv.

BROWN FINISH ON BRASS LABEL.

\\ e are enclosnig herewith a sample of a
small brass label which has a peculiar brown
llnish put on in such a manner that the tops
of the letters have a brassy appearance. We
arc having difficulty in obtaining such a
linish and have arrived at a point where we
nnist do something at once. Can you advise
Imw we can obtain the finisli without going to
the expense of rul)bing oft' the tops of the
letters?

We cannot advise how you can obtain
flnish without going to the expense of rubbing
oft the tops of the letters. You might try
oxidizing the brass sheets first and then
stamping. The force of the die may have
a tendency to relieve the letters. This sample
was refinished in a dip as follows:

Chlorate of potash 4 oz.

Copper of sulphate 4 oz.

Use boiling hot, dip in this bath for a few
minutes, then into a cold dip of liver of sul-
phur 2 oz., caustic soda 6 oz. Dry out in
sawdust and scratch-brush on a line brass
wheel. Then dip again in the first bath, if
color is not dark enough, and repeat as before.

.\ black color on l.irass can be obtained b\'
the use of the following solution: White
arsenic, 2 ounces; potassium cyanide, 5 ounces
and water, 1 gallon. This is a dip and used
hot without the current. The work is im-
mersed in the mixture, either suspended by
wires or in a basket, the solution being con-
tained in an enameled tank or container.

June

243

PATENT NOTES.

1,094,723. April 28, . MOLDING
MACHINE. Charles F. Knowlton and
Frank F. Elliot. In this machine there is a
frame provided with flask supports, and a
vertically reciprocable plunger which supports
the pattern. An operating shaft and crank
are mounted on bearings on the frame, and

semi-circular links connect the crank with the
plunger. The machine is adaptable to various
sizes of flasks and patterns while the bearings
between the flask-supporting frame and the
pattern carrier are adjustable, facilitating the
operation of the machine.

1,093,.393. April 14, . ELECTRIC FUR-
NACE. John W. Brown. This furnace is of
the continuous vertical shaft type and partic-
ularly adapted to the production of graphite.
The lower electrode is hollow and has an
outer channel concentric with it.

1,095,804. PROCESS OF HARDENING
COPPER ALLOYS. May 5, . Henr3
Bryda. Copper alloys containing a small
amount of tin, are flrst hied or ground to
render the surface smooth and shiny, and then,
while still hot, are placed on a layer of loam

which has never been exposed to sun or rain.
There they remain until the surface has a
cloudy appearance. They are then removed
and placed on ashes and allowed to cool. Fur-
ther hardness may be obtained by allowing
the alloys to remain on the loam until a
bluish color appears on the tiled surface, and
then cooling.

1,096,506. May 12, . ELECTRIC
WELDING APPARATUS. Edwin E. Haskin.
In a machine for electrically welding heads or
ends of kegs, tanks, tubes, etc., the mandrel is
composed of segments joined together and
provided with an anvil and conducting part
and a separate contact part which is electrical-
ly connected with, but spaced from the anvil
part.

1,095,3.30 and 1,095,523. May 5, . PRO-
CESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR CAST-
ING. Albert F. Rockwell. In the apparatus
there is a Ijase member of tabular form with
a slightly depressed center. A wall around it
and a top plate cooperate with it to produce a
mold of annular form, which with the aid of a-

spacing member, can be used for casting split
ingots. The molten metal is introduced into
the mold, which is made to rotate rapidly, and
the centrifugal force developed hurls the metal
into the mold, producing a solid casting with-
out impurities, and free from gas pockets.

244

TME BI^ASH WORLD

June

1,092,937. April 14, . APPARATUS
FOR MAKING EXTRUDED ARTICLES
OF METAL OR OTHER MATERIAL.
Grenville ]\Iellcn. In the production of plates,
rods, tubes, wire, etc., the molten metal or
other plastic material is extruded through a
die, in which it is congealed, and from which
it is continuously removed. In this invention

the furnace is heated sufficiently to maintain
the metal in the molten state. The tiuid
metal is poured into the crucible and the cap
is placed on and clamped tightly against the
collar. The feeding device is then attached to
the cap at its opening, and water is forced
through under pressure sufficient to extrude
the metal through the die.

1,093,700. April 21, . PROCESS OF
EXTRACTION OF PRECIOUS METALS
FROM THEIR CARRIER. Ellis Edgar
Howson. This process involves the formation
of a relatively thin layer of a solid bearing
solution, and the downward removal of the
solution during the formation of the layer. A
solvent solution is applied and the mass is
agitated with a warm current of air. The
wash solution is downwardly removed, a dry
current of air applied froni beneath, and the
layer of solids is then disengaged.

1,096,786. May 12, . Friedrich Kammer-
er. ^lETHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR
PRODUCING FILLED PRECIOUS
METAL WIRE. The base metal core is
rolled down to a lineness approximately equal
to that which it is to possess in the finished
article. It is then passed through a gold bath
and given an electrolytic gold coating. To
transform this into a homogeneous film, the
core is passed through rollers and at the

point of engagement with the rolls, heat is ap-
plied which is below the softening point of
the core metal. This temperature should be
between 750 and 800 degrees Centigrade.

1,096,655. PLATINUM ALLOY. May 12,
. Ezcchiel Weintraub. An alloy of plati-
num with tungsten or molybdenum consisting
of from 20 to 00 per cent, of platinum is pre-
pared by intimately twisting the wires of the
metals and heating to melting point by the
heat of a mercury arc until alloying takes
place. The product resembles platinum in
appearance, but is malleable and resists oxida-
tion, and is superior to it in tensile strength
and hardness. It is therefore particularly
suitable for scientific instruments, jewelry and
electrical contacts.

1,096,414. May 12, . ELECTRIC FUR-
NACE. William D. Coolidge. This furnace is
of the resistance type and suitable for the
production of very high temperature, as re-

quired in the manufacture of lamp filaments
of refractory metals and materials. It in-
cludes a tube of alumina wotuid with a heat-
ing coil of platinum, and has a hot zone free
from chemically active vapors. The alumina
being impervious to gases, protects the fila-
ment from any foreign material during the
high temperature treatment.

June

245

NEWS OF OUR NEIGHBORS.

Plans are being discussed for the organiza-
tion of a $500,000 plant at La Crosse, Wis., for
the manufacture of aluminum ware.

The Universal Metal Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.,
manufacturer of tempered copper, has re-
moved to Jenkins Arcade, Pittsburgh,
Pa.

The Wolverine Brass Co., Grand Rapids,
Mich., has purchased property at Fairbanks
St., and A'lonroe Ave., Grand Rapids.

An explosion recently took place at the I. L.
Hirsch Sheet Metal Works, Tacoma, Wash.,
shattering the two ends and the south side
of the plant and causing damage to the extent
of $300.

The Acme Plating & Galvanizing Co., a new
concern which will do nickel plating and sim-
ilar work, will shortly comence business in
Ohama, Neb. E. S. Eckenrode, Chicago, 111.,
will manage the lactorv.

The Aluminum Ore Co., East St. Louis,
]\Io., is completing the construction of ad-
ditions to its plant at a cost of more than
$350,000. Already there are employes
of the company, and it is anticipated that this
number will be doubled within a short time.

The new addition to the Wheeling Metal &
Mfg. Co's plant at Glendale, W. Va., will
shortly be completed, and additional help will
be required.

The U. T. Hungerford Brass and Copper
Co., will occupy the ground floor of the new
Hallenback-Hungerford building which is
being constructed at a cost of $2,000,000 in
Lafayette St., from Franklin to White St.,
New York Citv.

The National Association of Sheet Metal
Contractors is to hold its convention at Cin-
cinnati from June 16th to 19th. Arrangements
made for the entertainment of the delegates
include trips of inspection to the Newport
Rolling Mills and the American Rolling Mill
at Middletown.

The Monarch IMetal Co., Canton, O. will
probably commence operations in June, most
of the work of construction of the first floor
of their plant being completed.

A new electroplating plant has located at
Twelfth St., and Avenue D, Miami, Fla., H.
A. Wheeler, New York City, being president,
E. M. Robinson, New Haven, Conn., vice-
president, and A. J. Scherer, formerly of
Missouri, secretary-treasurer.

The Jackson Metal Products Co., Jackson,
]Mich., recently organized, has acquired the
plant formerly occupied by the State Foundry
Co. The new company will manufacture
radiators and sheet metal stampings.

Three new mills are being operated at the
new plant of the Wheeling Sheet & Tin Plate
Co., Yorkville, W. Va. Only two mills now
remain to be completed and placed in opera-
tion.

The Keeler Brass Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.,
manufacturing furniture and automobile trim-
mings in brass and employing at present about
300 men, is getting out a new line of refriger-
ator trimmings, and hopes to increase the
number of its employees materially wnth this
new line. The company reports excellent
business conditions, with the demand strong.

The Cleveland Alloys Co., manufacturer of
white metal products, Cleveland, O., has re-
moved its office and works to its new plant at
2,000 Elm St., where there are improved
modern equipment and machinery and better
shop organization and shipping facilities.

The second annual convention of the
Cremation Association of America is to be
held in Indianapolis, Sept. 3 and 4, .
Readers of "Brass World" are cordially in-
vited to exhibit urns of their manufacture.
No charge will be made for space, but notice
of participation should be sent as earlv as
possible to the chairman of the exhibits com-
mittee, C. J. Buchanan, 320 N. Illinois St.
Indianapolis.

246

Tune

TRADE HAPPENINGS.

Tlic sumiiu'r session uf the Culunibia Uni-
versity, New York, from July 6 to August 14,
will include a course on assaying by Prof.
E. j. Ilnll. which is intended U) assist manu-
facturing jewelers to determine and control
the compdsitiou of their alloys and solutions
and includes lectures on the recovery of
X'aluos fr(_)ni pickling and plating solutions.

The Munning-Loeb Co., of Matawan,
N. J., have just issued Bulletin 500 on their
line of plating and industrial brushes.

The book c.

Quartz, Powdered ton

• 04 14 Rosin. Yellow Hj.

• 26 Sal-Ammoniac, see Ammonium Chloride
Sal-Soda, see Soilium Carbonate.

■ 70 Silver Chloride, dry oz.

Silver Cyanide oz.

.75 Silver. Fine oz.

Silver Nitrate, crystals oz.

2.00 Soda-Ash lb

• 60 Sodium Biborate, see Borax

.liVi Sodium Bisulphite tb.

.14 Sodiiun Carbonate (Sal-Soda),

.19 ti crystals tb.

.151/4 Sodium Hydrate (Caustic Soda) ..ttj.

.35 Sodium Hydrate (Caustic Soda) by

.14 ',4 Alcohol (in sticks) tb.

.05 V4 Sodium Hyposulphite ("Hypo'.)

100 lbs.

Sodium Metallic U:>.

Sodium Nitrate ttj.

.12 Sodium Phosphate (Crystal) tlD

Sodium Silicate (Water-Glass) . . . tl).

.075,4 Soot, Calcined tb.

. Spelter, see Zinc.

.02 Sugar of Lead, see Lead Acetate.

.Oli/i Sulphur (Brimstone), in lump tb.

18.00 Tin Chloride Hj.

3.00 Tin, Metallic Hi.

11.75 Turpentine, Spirits of gal.

20.87 Verdigris, see Copper Acetate.

.30 Water. Distilled gal.

.26 Water-Glass, see Sodium Silicate.

.80 Wax. Beeswax, yellow tli.

.35 Wax, Carnauba Yt).

.50 Whiting (Ground Chalk) ft.

.60 Zinc, Carbonate, dry tl).

80.00 Zinc, Chloride tb.

.14 Zinc, Sulphate tt).

.05 Zinc, (spelter) lb.

.09 y*
3.90
.05%
.06%

.10

to .75
1.50

1.12

1.50
1.80

.08'

.50

.30

.45

.20

.15

.45
1.00

.05
2.25

44.00

47.50

51.50

.45

.06

.07

.24%

.18
!.15

.12
.24
.15

.12

.02

12.00

.06

. I 0

1.00
..o7
.50
.01

.07

.02
.03

.24

1.60
.40
.03
.03
• 03 14
.15

.05
.27
.31 li
.50

.15

.16
.70
.02
.10
.05
.03
.051/4

THE

BRASS WORLD

PLATEK&' GUIDE

VOIv. X.

BRIDGEPORT, CONN.. JUI.Y, .

No. 7.

A Monthly Journal Devoted to the

Art of Refining, Alloying, Casting, Rolling, Founding and Electro -

Plating of all the Non-Ferrous Metals and their Alloys.

Published by the Brass World Publishing Co.,
260 John Street, Bridgeport, Conn.

FOUNDER,
MANAGING EDITOR,

ERWIN S. SPERRY
H. de JOANNIS

Subscription Price $i.oo Per Year. lo Cents a Copy.
Entered as Second Class Matter in the Post Office at Bridgeport, Conn.

CONTENTS FOR JULY.

Aeronizing ^letal and Wood 28-4

American Electroplaters' Society 286

American Society for Testing [Materials, Meeting of 257

An Amlmssador of Trade 285

Brass Ashes 260

Brass Finishing in India 294

Brass Furnace Notes 261

Brown Resistance Thermometer 288

Casting Aluminiun Around Steel 270

Coke Burning Furnaces of Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation Foundry 287

Crucible Holder. Walter's Gooch 271

Discussion on Regulation of Amperage 259

Express Service and Rates 263

First Report of Committee on X'omenclature of Alloys 281

Furnace, A Comliination Tool Room 262

Gospel of Fresh Air 266

Keeping a Record of any Peculiarities in the Brass Foundry 266

Maintaining the Acidity of Brass Pickling Solutions 263

Alanganese Bronze Castings. Alloy for Perfection of 277

[Material for Tanks Containing Dilute Acid 270

[Metallizing Porous [Materials 272

New Corporations 296

News of our Neighbors 295

Panama-Pacific Exposition, Non-Ferrous [Metal and Electroplating Industries to be Well

Represented at the 268

Patent Notes 290

Place and Value of the Trade Papers 297

Plating and Polishing under Sanitary Conditi( ns by Advanced [Mechanical [Methods 264

Plating Costs 271

Possibilities of Utilizing Waste Foundry Sand 253

Questions and Answers 274

Return to Business Normality 252

Spraying Liquid [Metal, Apparatus for 272

Trade Happenings 293

Welding by the Thermit Process 278

Wire-Drawing [Machine, A New 273

252

July ini4

Th.^ Editor^ ^

THE RETURN TO BUSINESS NORMALITY.

We are on the way back to a normal con-
dition of trade. For tlie past twelve months
we have been obsessed by fears of currency
dangers, tariff evils, panic scares and we have
listened daily to predictions of disaster from
the mistakes of our present political "powers-
t hat-be."

W'e know well enough, of course, from a
study of our business records, that we have
been suffering from comemrcial depression, but
continual searching has not brought to light one
valid reason for the slump other than that we
have only been reaping what we have sown.
In times of prosperity we scattered our earn-
ings right and left without thought of possible
changes. We multiplied our prospective busi-
ness a hundredfold and smilingly mortgaged
that which we had not, but only hoped to have.
W'e have called our overhead 10 per cent in-
stead of 2j or .'i.J per cent and we have cut
prices and lost money in the hope that high
prices would be paid. All this we have done
as a nation, and it is not to be expected thar a
nation can be exempt from the penalties that
are invariably exacted when an individual i-
proven guilty of the same acts of folly.

We have not the excuse that we had no
warning, for we have been preached to by the
myriad tongues of the daily and trade press
and the special articles in our leading and mis-
leading magazines. It is a universal law that
the mass yields to no reason but force and
that the stomach is more responsive in ulti-
mate issues than the brain. Revolutions have
at the back of them the slogan "Give us
liread."

It will be a great accomplishment if this
period of Inisiness depression teaches the in-

di\iduals ciimi)Osing (_iur nation to think and
act along sane and conservative lines.

A study of business curves for the past 40
years shows that trade has its ebb and flow
tides as surely as the ocean has them, but
does not have them under such good control.
There is too nnich difference between the
crest and foot of our commercial wave-lengths
and these extremes can be done away when
the lessons are learned that conduce to con-
servative action.

It takes time to permeate the mass of the
people of any country with the thought that
"It is up to them." When it is recognized
generally, then comes the change. We are at
the end of the period and there will be a
change for the better from now onward.

It may be true that much of our depression
has been due to political and financial manipu-
lations and withholdings. Granting that, the
manipulators themselves are getting tired of
manipulating at a disadvantage for there is
no money to be extracted from a depressed
market or the pockets of a pessimistic people.

There is a wide-spread belief that Septem-
ber will commence a new era of sane activity.
Stocks are everywhere at a low ebb and the
first sign of a change will bring a flood of
orders to our manufacturers. Our needs are
as great as they have ever been. We are not
liankrupt in vigor, hope, faith and aspiration
to greater commercial undertakings. The
whole nation has been taught its lesson of
economies and retrenchments. Prepare now for
the wiser and better business to come. We
are on the way back to a normal condition of
trade.

July

253

Fig. 1. Boot of Elevator for Handling Sand to Machines,
Together with Base of Dry Cleaning Tower.

POSSIBILITIES

UTILIZING

WASTE

FOUNDRY

SANDS.

The results of interesting tests made by H.
M. Lane, Detroit, Mich., to show the possibili-
ty of reclaiming and utilizing the waste sand
from foundries, were recently given by Mr.
Lane in a talk to New England foundry men
at Hartford, Conn.

The magnitude of the waste sand problem
in the United States is not appreciated "by
most foundrymen nor is the advantage in con-
serving the core and molding sand resources.
Certain large foundries in this country are
known to ship out as much as 200 tons of
waste foundry sand per day when the plant
is running full. When the foundries in De-
troit are operating at the maximvmi capacity
there are some 65 cars of outgoing refuse
daily. Of this material, 80 to 92 per cent can
usually be recovered and returned to the
foundryman in a condition in which it is just
as efficient as new sand. This means that a
foundrv would not have to maintain as manv

*Data and illustrations by courtesy of "Iron
Age" and H. M. T^ane.

bins for the storage of their winter supply
and they would not be as dependent as they
are at present upon shipping conditions.
Scarcely any foundries are too small to con-
sider the problem of waste sand utilization,
and no plant which does much core work and
melts over 12 or 15 tons per day can afford
not to give it consideration.

A year or two ago the railroads advanced
the rate of outgoing foundry refuse from the
Detroit district, and this made it desirable for
the foundrymen to find a method of using as
much of the old sand as possible. Experi-
ments had already been run in different parts
of the country using different types of machin-
ery. They had been more or less successful
but the experiments had also proved that the
local conditions governed the practice to a
larger extent than generally understood.

A co-operative arrangement was finely made
in accordance with which a number of manu-
facturers of equipment loaned the necessary
machinery and a group of foundrymen were

254

THE BRASS WORUD

Tulv 19U

to defray the expenses of the tests. An ex-
perimental plant was pnt in in connection
with the laboratory of the H. M. Lane Com-
pany, Detroit, as this laboratory was centrally
located, both for work in the city of Detroit
and for rail shipments.

The general arrani^ement of the plant and
some of the eqnipmcnt is indicated in the ac-
companying illustrations. Fig. 1 shows the
base of the elevator tower and the bottmn sec-
tion of the dry cleaner. This was also ar-
ranged to act as a dryer for removing a small
percentage of moisture from the sand, to ht
the material for dry cleaning. The elevator
boot shown at the left received material for
delivery to any one of the machines, the flow
of the material being controlled by pipes and
chutes extending from the top of the tower,
which was something over 40 ft. high. On
some of the tests a special riddle was fitted
up for feeding the material directly into the
boot of the elevator.

Fig. 2 shows a bin in the second story of
the main laboratory arranged to receive sand
from the elevator. At the right of this is the
Osborn washing barrel with a series of pipes
leading to settling tanks in the sand cleaning
building proper.

Pig. 3 is a general view of the sand clean-
ing room. In the center is the Dorr washer.
Beyond the Dorr washer may be seen the
blower which served as an exhauster for the
dry cleaner. Over the Dorr machine can be
seen the cone at the bottom of the dust
separator which was used for removing the
dust from the air exhausted fmm the dry
cleaner. The dust flowed from the trap
through an inclined pipe and was either
caught in wheel-barrows or allowed to ac-
cumulate on the floor. At the left can be seen
some of the parts of the hydraulic classifier
and some of the settling tanks. Fig. 4 shows
the centrifugal core crusher and the roll bend-
ing machine.

The results of the experiments made show
that the use of these waste foundry sands de-
pends on the character of the original sand,
of the binder used, and of the work turned
out. Where silica sand was used in steel cast-
ing plants, a good recovery could be made b\
either the wet or dry process. The condition
in which the sand left the casting cleaning
floor must, however, be taken into considera-
tion.

The dry cleaning process takes less plant in-

stallation hut more power for its operation.
The wet process is cheaper as regards clean-
ing the sand, but the cost of installing and
operating drying machinery brings this pro-
cess to the level of the dry method in this
respect.

For steel foundries, the wet cleaned sand
was found to be quite as .good, and the dry
cleaned sand almost as good, as new silica
sand.

In the gray iron foundries, where coarse
sand or fine sand without seacoal or coke
dust was used for cores, good results were ob-
tained with both processes. With very fine
sands, however, neither process was found
to remove the carbon sufiiciently to give a
high binding ratio for oil sand cores.

The dry cleaning process was found to give
excellent results for brass and aluminum work
with rosin, dextrin or flour as a binder.

As a general rule, in all of the experiments,
the sand from the gangway and cleaning
room was put through the machine regardless
of whether it was molding or core sand.

A number of experiments were run in
which the cleaned sand was made into mold-
ing sand. For foundries where a rather fine
grade of core sand is used, all of the material
from the cleaning room and gangways was
dry cleaned and then rebonded with clay, the
bond being rolled into the material with a roll
blending machine. In the first experiment
considerable difficulty was encountered in
getting a suitable clay, but a good many sam-
ples were made which gave excellent results
on the sand heap, and it is undoubtedly true
that in the case of many foundries the waste
product can be utilized to better advantage as
molding sand than in any other way. This
also opens up a possibility of making a mix-
ture of cleaned sand and local bank sand
bonded with clay for use as a molding sand.

The apparatus for either the dry or wet
process of cleaning is not very expensive. For
most classes of work it has been found pos-
sible to design a simple machine for crushing
up old cores and re-using the material which
they contain. The credit side of an account
is composed of two items, first, the cost of
new sand, and second, the expense involved in
disposing of old sand. In the majority of
cases sand can be cleaned for less than it can
he taken away from the plant and delivered to
the dump, and this means that the sand is
cleaned for nothing or for a very few cents

lulv

255

Fig. 2. Osborn Washing Barrel for Washing Core Sand.

Fig. 3. Dorr Classifier for Wet Cleaning Sand, Together with Exhaust Fan and Dust Trap for Dry Process.

256

THE BRASS WORLD

Tulv

per ton and is just as efficient as newly pur-
chased sand, in fact, the cleaning of the sand
removes the pehhles which have been reduced
to dust owing to exposure to heat.

The tests indicate that each plant will have
to be designed to fit the special foundry re-
quirements encountered in the different plants,
but that once these conditions have been taken

DARK GREEN GOLD FINISH.

A dark green gold can be made in the
following manner :

Cyanide of potash 3 oz.

Pure silver to be made into chloride . . i oz.
Pure gold to be made into chloride ... 5 oz.
Water i gal.

Fig. 4. Core Crushing Machine and Roll Blending Machine for Using Old Products.

into consideration, good returns can be ex-
pected from sand cleaning. There are a few
types of cores the sand from which is not
worth cleaning. In some parts of the country
50 to 75 per cent of the material used is lime-
stone pebbles. This material cannot be cleaned
satisfactorily and it is probable that some
other local types of sand may give trouble.
In a plant where oil sand cores are being
made it will frequently be found advantageous
to subject local bank sand to washing so as
to remove the loam and reduce the percentage
of oil necessary to make good cores.

\'anadium, Col., is a town that has sprung
up as the result of the large mill located there
for the concentration of the ore which is
afterwards shipped to Pittsburgh and Phila-
delphia for use in steel manufacture.

Use hot with a gold anode composed of three
parts gold and one part silver. This solu-
tion will give you a green deposit. In order
to get a dark green, make up a solution of —

Water 1 gal

Caustic potash 1 oz.

White arsenic i oz.

Boil together, then add a few drops of this
solution to the above green gold solution until
you get the desired color.

. *— ♦

The amount of aluminum consumed in the
United States in was 72,379,090 pounds,
against 65,607,000 pounds in . The mar-
velous growth of the aluminum industry is
shown by a comparasion of the output
with the total consumption of aluminum dur-
ing the last 20 years, 377,000.000 pounds. More
than 329,000,000 pounds have been consumed
in the last 10 years. The total production in
was only 150 pounds.

July

357

SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN

SOCIETY FOR TESTING MATERIALS HELD AT

ATLANTIC CITY, N. J., JUNE 30^IULY 3, 19 14.

One of tlie most interesting conventions of
the year was that held by the American Society
for Testing Materials. This society is affiliated
with the International Association for Testing
Materials and had its seventeenth annual
meeting in Atlantic City, N. J., June 30 to
July 3, .

The headquarters of the association were at
the Hotel Traymore. There were nine ses-
sions held — three on Tuesday, two on Wednes-
day, two on Thursday and two on Friday.
Inasmuch as this is a national body covering-
the testing of materials for all trades, we will
confine ourselves in our report to the papers
given during the sessions which are of specific
interest to our readers.

On Tuesday afternoon the sessions were de-
voted entirely to non-ferrous subjects.

A gratifying report was made by Com-
mittee B-1 and stated that in the standardiza-
tion rules of the American Institute of Eleclr-
cal Engineers, the Standard Specifications for
Copper Wire of the American Society of
Testing Materials are suggested as the basi.-.
of the purchase of copper wire.

"A Rational Test for Metallic Protective
Coatings" was a paper presented by J. A.
Capp, which proposed the testing of metallic
protective coatings such as those applied to
iron and steel by galvanizing and similar
processes by exposing the articles to the at-
mosphere saturated by salt water. The
saturated atmosphere is produced by project-
ing into the test chamber an atomized spray
of water saturated with common salt in the
solution. Four coatings break down in from two
to three hours to twenty-four hours while
efficient coatings stand up at least a week.
Failure is indicated by the development of red
rust.

"Alethod of Sampling and Analysis of Tin,
Terne and Lead-Coated Sheets," by J. A.
Aupperle. — The object of this paper was to
propose a method of sampling and analysis
which will represent the average analysis of
a lot of tin, terne and lead-coated sheets. The
present methods of analysis show varying re-
sults and there is no agreement in the method
of sampling. ]\Ir. Aupperle suggested the

cutting of four 2x4 in. pieces from the mid-
dle of each side of the sheet. These pieces
are cut in halves, one set of halves being
used for determination of tin and lead and the
other for the analysis of base metal and as a
check on the analysis of the first set. Rapid
and accurate methods of analysis were offered.
The removal of coatings with hot sulphuric
acid is a rapid test for weight of coatings as
well as a convenient means for analysis of
base metal. The determination of tin was
suggested in triplicate.

An important paper was that offered by
William Reuben Webster, "Considerations
Affecting Specifications for Wrought Non-
Ferrous Materials." Some of the main fac-
tors which affect the construction of specifica-
tions for wrought non-ferrous materials were
enumerated and discussed, attention being
particularly confined to the copper-zinc alloys
as representing the most comprehensive group
of materials that are fabricated by wrought
processes into sheets and strips, rods and bars,
brazed and seamless tubes, and wire. The
writer dealt with the properties of copper-zinc
alloys, their variations in composition, the in-
fluence of the casting process, the operations
employed in making sheet and strip, temper,
the classification of kinds and qualities, the
manufacture of rods and bars, wire, seamless
tubes, the relation of qualities to uses and the
control of quality.

L. P. Webbert presented a paper on the
'"Study of the Strength of Xon-Ferrous Cast-
ings: Comparison of Different Test Speci-
mens." Two types of test specimens used on
non-ferrous castings were dealt with : one
type used on castings made of copper-tin al-
loys and the other type on castings made of
copper-zinc alloys. A brief description of the
manufacture of the alloys used in engineering
practice was given. After comparing various
test results, the writer concluded that the test
specimen used for copper-zinc castings
represents very closely the strength of the
casting as a whole, but that the test specimen
used for copper-tin castings does not represent
the strength of the casting as a whole, but
gives high \-alues.

258

THE BRASS AVOIil.D

July

Other ])ai)cM"s of interest were:

"Hardness Test: Relation Between Rrinnell
Ball Test and Sclerescope Readings" By J. J.
Thomas.

"A Critical Ixcview of the Procedure
Governing the Adnptinn of Standards" by
Edgar ]\Iarburg.

■'A Xew \'il)ratory Testing Machine and
Results Obtained T-y Its Use" by S. V. Run-
nings.

"Specifications and Tests of Glue" by Oscar
Linder and E. C. Frost.

The attendance of the convention approached
the 400 mark and every session was well at-
tended. The election of officers for the year
l!)14-19ir) resulted as follows:

President: A. W. Gibbs, Chief Mechanical
Engineer of the Pennsylvania railroad, Phila-
delphia, Pa.

Vice-president: A. A. Stevenson, Vice-presi-
dent of Standard Steel Works, Philadelphia,
Pa.

Secretary-Treasurer : Edgar ]\Iarburg, Unt
versity of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.

Members of Executive Committee: Robert
Jol), vice-president of the IMilton-PTersey Co.,
Montreal, Canada ; F. W . Kelley, Hilderberg
Construction Co., Albany, N. Y. ; A. ]\Iarston,
Iowa State College, Iowa : and S. S. Voorhees.
Bureau of Standards, Washington. D. C.

CARTRIDGE BRASS.

PERSONAL.

Mr. Dudley A. Johnson, who has for several
years been assistant manager to the late Mr.
Sam Mayer, Chicago branch manager of the
Joseph Dixon Crucible Co., has been appointed
to fill the vacancy caused by ]\Ir. Mayer's re-
cent death.

Mr. Johnson has been with the compau)
since 189H, first taking charge of the lead pen-
cil and school department and later managing
the crucible and black lead department in
the Chicago territory. He is widely known
and fully equipped to ably represent the com-
pany in the district.

Brass or other alloys made from the purest
materials may crack in rolling if the pouring-
temperature is too high, when they are poured
into molds which have been used too long
without cooling. The result of slow cooling-
will give a crystalline condition wdiich will
conduce to the appearance of rolling cracks.

\\ tiuld you be kind enrjugh to inform me
what temperature is the general practice for
pouring cartridge case metal, (68% copper,
32% zinc) and what oxidizers are used? Is
this a good mix for metal to be drawn into
cartridge cases? What precautions should be
used to procure good metal for this purpose?
Do they use pyrometers to test the tempera-
ture of each crucible?

The above mixture is the standard formula
for cartridge brass and is a very good mix-
ture provided you use lake copper and Ber-
tha spelter. Brass made of casting copper and
common spelter is very apt to go bad under
the strain of drawing.

To make the cartridge brass melt 68% of
lake copper in the crucible first, keeping it well
covered with charcoal while the melt is going
on. Watch the nielt carefully and when the
copper is at a dull red heat, (about °
F.) add the 32% of Bertha spelter, shoving
it well down into the melted copper with a
pair (if long-handled tongs, so as to avoid,
as far as possible, the loss of spelter through
coming in contact with the fire. The melting
point of copper is so much greater than the
melting point of spelter if you don't get it
down into it and form the alloy as quickly as
possible you will lose part of your mixture.
When the spelter is all added throw in two
good handfuls of common salt on top of
the pot for a fiux. Add a little more charcoal
and let the metal come up to a heat. It will
then be at about ° F. Pour into slabs
in an iron mold or chill. Coat the mold with
a little lard oil to prevent metal sticking to
tlie iron mold.

We do not consider that it is necessary to
use a pyrometer on each pot. Pour it with just
a "kick-off", wliich is the shop phrase used by
melters in explaining the right heat to pour
this metal. They mean by this, that when
they put the skiniming bar into the pot of
melted cartridge brass that they can just
barely feel the prickling sensation in the
palm of the hand. If the brass is too hot,
there will be a feeling in the hand as though
a slight electric shock was passing through
from the pot of metal, through the skimming
bar into the hand.

Tulv

THE BRXS6 WORLD

259"

DISCUSSION OF REGULATION OF

AMPERAGE IN THE PLATING

ROOM.

Editor Brass World & Platers' Guide:—

I herewith reply to Mr. George A. Pope's
letter, cop_v of which you have forwarded to
nie in advance of publication, in which he re-
fers to my article. "A Xew Method of Regu-
lating the Amperage in the Plating Room",
published in the June issue of the "Brass
World."' Your correspondent ought to state
his meaning clearly and precisely.

Does he mean that I cannot reduce the cur-
rent independently of the voltage, or does
he mean that I can? ^Ir. Pope says: "A little
thought and a more intimate knowledge of
Ohm's law should convince the reader that
with a known resistance and an applied volt-
age the current must be known." With this
Mr. Pope is not telling anything new. We
all know this, and it is just the true know-
ledge of this principle that has guided me in
the construction of this new device for the
regulating of the current within the e'eclro-
l\te.

I mean that, by the use of this device, 1
can, independently of the voltage between the
anode and cathode, regulate the current
strength within the electrolyte by increasing
or decreasing the value of R ; as per the
equation \'

R
in opposition to the old method in which this
current strength is regulated by increasing or
decreasing the value of V: as per the same
equation. If Mr. Pope means that this prin-
ciple is not applied by the use of my device
I may say in response that the issues of ex-
perimentation confirm or deny the statements
of theories; that my device strictly substan-
tiates any of the claims that I have made on
this matter, and that it is rendering the ser-
vices expected of it at the different establish-
ments where it has already been installed.
Nickel, copper, brass and other metals de-
posited at. for instance, 1.5 volts produce a
more uniform and homogeneous plate than
when they are plated at the low electromotive
force now used.
Mr. Pope says that I have altered the order

of things by putting the resistance inside the
vat. Does he mean that by this change of
position the electric conditions within the elec-
trolyte remain the same as when controlled
by external resistance ; that is, that the elec-
tromotive force is the same in both cases?

Treating now on the statement about
energy, that he calls absurd and untrue; I do
hold that the energy is not wasted but put
to the various uses that I have already pointed
out in my article, and to increase the tempera-
ture of the bath and with it its conductibility.-
-A better use of the E. M. F. is made with this,
new way of control than when it is applied to
drive the current through the resistance of
the wires of the ordinary rheostats, convert-
ing thereby the electric energy into heat
energy, which dissipates in the atmosphere
without rendering any service whatsoever.

F. A. Roias.

THE DUPLEX SHAKER.

The J. W. Paxson Co., Philadelphia, Pa., is
issuing a neat little folder illustrating and
describing its "Duplex" shaker. These shakers
are manufactured to work electrically or
pneumatically, and their continuous service
for two years with marked sucess has demon-
strated the correctness of the "Duplex" prin-
ciples of construction. A complete descrip-
tive circular of this interesting machine will
be sent upon application to the readers of the
"Brass World & Platers' Guide." The "Du-
plex" will solve the riddle of many a riddle
question.

THE "ISCO'^ AIR-BRUSH.

*Mr. Pope's letter is published elsewliere in
this i.ssue. Mr. Rojas" letter arrived at the
moment of .going to press. Hence the separa-
tion of these interesting contributions.

The International Spray Co., 208 Centre
St., Xew York City, specializes in air-brushes
and spraying outfits. The "Isco" sprayer is a
machine used for applying any kind of liquid
on any kind of surface. It is manufactured
substantially, being silver plated on the in-
side to prevent corrosion, and nickel-plated on
the outside so that it may easily be kept clean.
These sprayers are manufactured in capacities
varying from 3 ounces to 1 gallon, and are
adapted to all conditions of use. The com-
pany is sending out a neat booklet illustrat-
ing the type of its products and the parts of
their construction, and prospective purchasers
of spray outfits can obtain much useful in-
formation by reading the company's literature.
This can be obtained on request.

260

THE BRASB WORLD

July

BRASS ASHES.

BY S. C. PINSLER.

Brass ashes usually contain from 2 to 8 per
cent, of metal. This metallic content is partly
due to inefficiency of employees in foundries.
The greater loss, however, is due to the crack-
ing of the crucibles after they have had
several iieats.

There are two methods used for recovering
the metallic content in brass ashes, viz., wet
and dry methods. The dry method is not
used to any great extent owing to the varying
results obtained, and especially is this true
when the material is damp. The wet method
is universally employed in consequence of the
accurate and uniform results obtained after
the machinery is properly installed. Concen-
trates from the dry method rarely, if ever,
run over 50 per cent., while concentrates from
the wet method average from GO per cent, to
65 per cent.

The following is a description of the wet
method used in the treatment of brass ashes.
The ashes are first run into an elevated re-
volving screen by means of a cup elevator. If
the material can be run direct from the car,
the screen can be elevated close to the car, so
that the material can be shoveled direct from
the car into the revolving screen. The cup
elevator at the start should be avoided when-
ever possible as it easily clogs up, owing to
large pieces of coke and metal which fall
under the pulley at the bottom of the elevator.

The screen should be about 6 feet long,
tapered from 2 feet to li feet with I in.
openings in the screen. The material that is
screened drops into a sluice box, which is
built with a slope of 45 deg. from each end
of the revolving screen. This sluice box is
also built up to the center of the screen with
a catch box directly under the middle of the
screen meeting the sluice box with a 45 deg.
slope from each end of the screen.

Running water is also introduced into the
sluice box by means of two 1 in. pipes at each
end of the screen with i in. holes an inch
apart in each pipe. The water running into
the sluice box under the revolving screen
forces the screened material through the catch
bo.x into the sluice box built from the catch
bo.x to the rolls where the material is crushed
finely.

The fine material is then run into the sluice

box, which is built under the rolls, to the cup
elevator and into the jig where separation
takes place.

The rough material that does not go through
the screen goes through a box at the small
end of the screen and into a crusher or chaser
where the material is crushed and from there
into the rolls where it is crushed more finely
and then goes to the jig with the screened
material that is crushed first.

The jig is 16 feet long by 6 feet high by
4 feet wide and is separated into four hatches.
Each hatch is 6 feet by 4 feet by 6 feet high
with the inside built with a 45 deg. slope so
that the metal falling through the grates at
the top of each hatch can roll to 3 in. stop
cocks placed outside of the middle of each
hatch.

The hatches are not built on a level, but
each one is about 2 in. lower than its neighbor,
so that the material running over the top is
slowly separated, the metal going to the bot-
tom and the coke continuing its journey clear
over all of the hatches, it being of no further
value. Each hatch must be filled with water
before the machinery is started.

Plungers are attached to each hatch and
when the machinery is started, the suction
formed by the plungers separates the material
as described above. The stop cocks at the
bottom of each hatch are opened every few
minutes to collect concentrates.

The large demand for the aluminum cook-
ing utensils made by the Aluminum Products
Co., has made it necessary for the company to
extend its plant at Lemont, 111. The Lagrange
factory is working day and night during this
period, which is usually the slack season of
other metal works.

A welfare secretary has been recently added
to the staff of the American Brass Co., Water-
bury, Conn., to take charge of the company's
emergency hospital as well as to see to the
general health of employees.

The presence of lead, cadmium or iron •n
zinc in larger proportion than is usually fo.i '1
ni refined zinc is stated to lead to increa.sed
corrosion by acids. ]Minute quantities of
arsenic, antimony, copper, or tin also acceler-
ate the rate of corrosion.

261

The crucible method of making brass ingots
and composition ingots is by far the best and
has an advantage over the new oil and gas
furnaces inasmuch as the crucible tender can
control his output of metal more readily, not
only by his carefulness in skimming each in-
dividual pot, but in the pouring of the molten
metal into the molds. The question may arise,
whether crucibles do not run very expensive;
this is true if a careless furnace tender is em-
ployed. All graphite crucibles should be an-

( provided of course that they don't slip a
brick or a piece of iron in the bundle).

The preparation of metal for the crucible
is a very important factor in the making of
alloys and many times the crucible tender is
blamed for producing a bad ingot when the
fault lies with the material he is using.

The trade calls for uniform metal and if
one concern cannot give them the metal they
seek, they keep on trying other firms until
they tind one that can give them the desired

A Money and Time-Saving Bundling Machine.

nealed fur a period of two weeks before
using and if the average Xo. 17.5 crucible is
taken care of it will yield 20 to 22 heats. The
class of material used in making metal is also
to be considered. A great deal of time is lost
in a number of places where they make yel-
low brass ingots, in introducing the metal into
the pots. Assuming yellow brass turnings and
brass clippings are being used, much time is
lost in introducing the clippings, as only a
small amount of the clippings can enter the
pot at one time, thus causing delay as well as
loss in zinc. If these clippings were in bundles,
all this time and loss of zinc would be avoided.
The illustration shows a modern bundling
machine which soon pays for itself. Even
people who are not in the smelting line would
benefit by the use of this machine as they
could command a better price for their metal

metal. Many concerns have lost valuable cus-
tomers through carelessness on their part in
not paying sufficient attention to the manufac-
turing of their metal. Although a metallurgi-
cal laboratory is very essential in a plant pro-
ducing metals, still the metals go astray oft-
times when the laboratory is not at fault, and
again the laboratory may be at fault in this
respect. The chemist should be sure that the
samples submitted to him are representative,
and he should acquaint himself with the ma-
terial he is about to analyze, not only from
the sample submitted to him, but from the
original goods which he should trace back to
the source whereby they are reduced to metal.
Many times the chemist is looked upon as a
nuisance going through the different depart-
ments but in most cases he is planning for the
benefit of the concern.

262

THE BRASS WORLJ>

July

All boriiii>s used in the crucibles uuist be
free from iron. Jt sometimes pa\s to rerun
borings over the ma.s^netic separator, and
where metal is used in conjunction with the
borings to produce a metal of known specihca-
tions, the metal should lie analyzed carefully
in order that the man who figures the different
mixtures may he sure of what he is doing, and
he in turn must use a great deal of judgment
in his calculations. If a chemist has had a good
metallurgical training he can tell where and
how to account for any losses in the reduction
of metals.

The assorting of the metals is a business by
itself and pays for itself. A concern receiving
a miscellaneous lot of scrap can sometimes
beneht itself by assorting this material care-
fully. It is essential that when the metal is
to be used for a particular purpose, it
should not be contaminated with foreign sub-
stances. Careful attention U> all the points
mentioned in this article will lead to suc-
cess in making unifdrm metals.

A COMBINATION TOOL ROOM
FURNACE.

The Monarch Engineering and .Mfg. Co..
Baltimore, Md., has placed cm the market a
tool room furnace which combines in itself
eight complete furnaces, viz., muffle furnace,
oven furnace, lead hardening furnace, small
forge furnace, cylindrical hardening furnace,
end heating furnace, high speed steel furnace
and carbon steel furnace.

This interesting apparatus is most com-
pact, taking up a very small floor space, so
that it can be placed in any convenient part
of the shop. The construction is substantial,
being of cast iron lined with fire tile. Gas
fuel only is used in this type of furnace and
it is stated that a working temperature can be
obtained in eight minutes, starting cold.

The furnace is used for accurately heat
treating small tools, etc., and for annealing,
hardening, tempering and forging. With small
tools made from hi.gh speed and carbon steels
accurate temperatures are required, and the
operator must have absolute control of the
furnace.

The illustration shows the furnace being
used for heating a high speed steel tool. The
muffle and bottom tile are removed and
reamers, drills, etc., up to 8 in. long and 1^ in.
diameter can be suspended in the heating

chamber. I'.y removing the annular tile at the
entrance, cutters and other tools up to :5 in.
diameter can be heated in this way.

VoT lead hardening, an iron pot is ])laced in
this upper entrance, and an even distribution
of heat being obtained, the lead bath can be
maintained at the desired temperature with-
out danger of overheating. For oil or sand
temjiering the tools to be treated are suspended
in this iron pot, and may be left in as long as
desired without danger of anv change of tem-
])erature nccurring.

A Combination Tool-Room Furnace.

The weight df the furnace is 410 pounds,
height :; ft. lOo in. and the expenditure of
gas per hour from 80 to 130 cu. ft. Accessories
in the shape of an iron pot, a muffle, a bottom
tile and an annular fire tile, and a fire tile
plug, are provided, and the apparatus is
shipped ready for connection with gas and air
supply.

PERSONAL.

W. R. Hughes, sales manager for Frederic
B. Stevens, Detroit, ]\lich., has resigned to
become sales manager for A'ictor Autu Parts
Co., Cincinnati, O.

liilv

TILE BR^SS WORJLX)

263

MAINTAINING THE ACIDITY OF
BRASS-PICKLING SOLUTIONS.

EXPRESS SERVICE AND RATES.

A method of maintaining the acidity of
brass-pickling solutions is the invention of
Ralph B. Parish, Waterbury, Conn. The
usual practice in brass mills is to remove part
of the solution, and replace it with an equal
amount of sulphuric acid, the part removed
being thrown away and its copper content
lost.

The process recently patented consists in
the circulation of the solution in a series of

On -March 4, , F. \V. Harnden started
the express business of the United States in
a handbag or valise. He traveled from Boston
to Xew York four times a week. The busi-
ness grew rapidly and he was followed by
Adams, whose name is so well known in ex-
press circles at the present time. In those
days the shipper paid $12.00 for transportation
of a parcel not larger than a common sized
novel from Xew York to San Francisco, via
Panama.

Showing Method of Circulating Solution.

connected tanks through an electrolyzing
tank containing insoluble anodes. As shown
by the illustration a pump 9 produces con-
stant circulation of the pickling fluid through
the three pickling vats and the electrolyzing
tank. Passing through the latter, it is sub-
jected to the action of the current, the copper
being deposited on the cathodes, and sul-
phuric acid being returned to solution.

The amount of acid restored to the pickling
solution maintains it at a predetermined point
of acidity and efficiency. The only attention
required is to remove the copper deposited on
the cathodes, to replace water and acid lost
mechanically and by evaporation, and to oc-
casionally test the acidity of the solution.

The effect of iron upon German silver is to
both harden and whiten it, 1 per cent, being
frequently used in the mixture.

"Express Service & Rates" is a new book by
\\ . H. Chandler which has recently been pub-
lished by the La Salle Extension University,
Chicago, 111. This book deals with the early
development of express service, the details of
organization, capitalization and earnings of
the express companies, the character of ser-
vice rendered by them, the various forms and
classifications, their financial operations and
their relation at the present time to the parcel
post system. Every business firm shipping its
products to numerous buyers will find it a
definite business advantage to possess a copy
of this book as an aid to adjusting the opera-
tions of its shipping departments to the new
conditions. A good live shipping clerk, after
reading this book, can easily save his firm 10
times its cost in a few months. The com-
parisons made between parcels post and ex-
press rates are extremely interesting. The
book consists of nearly 400 pages of reading
matter and tables and is well bound.

'>r,4:

Iul\

PLATING AND POLISHING UNDER SANITARY CONDI-
TIONS BY ADVANCED MECHANICAL METHODS.'

Tlic plating and polishing departments of
modern plants are being so arranged as to
give platers and pnlishers perfect ventilation
and lighting and healthful conditions. The
accompanying illustrations demonstrate this
quite clearly as shown in these departments of
the great plant of the Eastman Kodak Co.,
Rochester, X. ^ . An enormous number of
nickel-plated parts is used on the cameras for
which this company is famous.

which was made from an unretonched photo-
graph.

Stringing the parts for the platers is done
by girls who do the stringing on metal racks
ready to be delivered to the plating room. In-
dividual wiring of pieces is abolished and the
handling facilitated by this method.

Some of the parts are not strung, but arc
plated in machines like that shown in Fig. 2,
metal baskets, marked A, being used for

Fig. 1. A Corner of an Up-to-Date Plating Room.

Fig. 1 show^s a partial view of the plating
room. Here the hoods and exhaust system used
for carrying off the steam and acid fumes are
plainly indicated. The floor is of concrete,
and wherever liquid of any kind is liable ta
be spilled on it wooden grids are placed for
the workmen to walk on. In spite of the fact
that there is no natural overhead lighting, all
the light coming from the sides, the evenness
of it mav be gathered from the halftone,

* Photographs and data by courtesy of the
"American Machinist" and the Eastman Kodak
Co.

holding the work. The belted pnlle\- and
pinion B are employed to revolve these
baskets, one pulley revolving two baskets as
shown, by means of the chain C.

In the polishing room, the polishing heads
are electrically driven and the polishers are
guarded by means of the hoods, both from
dust and mechanical danger. These heads,
numbering 4(), were made b\' the Diamond
IMachine Co.

In many plating establishments the handling
of small screws is troublesome and various
devices are in use for polishing small screw

July

THE BRT^SS WORLD

265

heads. Some of the most simple and efficient
are the methods used in the Kodak factory.

To hold the small screws while polishing
the heads on an ordinary wheel, a block of

Fig. 2. Nickel Plating Machine.

wood, with a metal plate screwed to it, is used.
The metal plate is drilled and countersunk to
suit the screws to be held, the holes for the
shanks being drilled through both the plate

Fig. 3. Section-Plate Filler, Showing Plate Ready to
Remove.

and the block. Each plate will hold 80 or
100 screws, according to the size. The screws
are placed in the drilled and countersunk
holes of the plate with the heads projecting
just enough to polish nicely.

So far this is a comparatively common prac-
tice, but the method of filling the plates witli

screws is different. A plate and block is
placed in a holder, shown in the illustration,
and is held in by strong suction from the pipe.
The boy picks up a handful of screws from
below and rubs them along underneath the
plate. The suction draws the screw shanks
up into the drilled holes, the process requiring
only a few seconds.

The boy then turns the holder up into the
position shown in Fig. 3. This automatically
shuts off the suction just before the holder
reaches the uppermost position, and the block
and plate of screws shown at A is easily

Fig. 4. Automatic Buffing Machine.

lifted off. This is laid on a tray, ready for
the polisher, and an empty block-plate is
placed in the holder. As the holder is turner'
downward, the valve is again automatically
opened and the suction again operates, holding
the block in place and draw'ing the screws in
as soon as they are rubbed across the plate.

Slit-shank clinching rivets, with large heads.
do not lend themselves kindly to the process
just described, and to avoid tedious individual
handling, the automatic machine shown in
Fig. 4 has been built. The rivets, or what-
ever are to be buft'ed, are dropped into the
hopper A. The "filler" B rocks up and down
as the machine runs and keeps the chute C
filled with work. From this chute the rivets
are fed, one at a time, into the chucks of the
turret, and are carried under the wheels D.
and E. Thev are then knocked out into re-
ceiving box F. The spring collets of the
chucks are opened by means of a cam and the
rivets are knocked out just before the chuck

266

THE BRASS WORLD

July iyi4

passes under the end of the chute. Part of the
cam is shown at G. One of tlie chucks before
the spring' collet is closed is shown, with its
cam rider at H. Another one, shortly after it
is closed, is shown with its cam rider at L.

These illustrations are interesting because
they show the tremendous advance that is
being made mechanically in machinery connec-
ted with the plating industry. Probably no in-
dustry has seen developments of similar mag-
nitude in such a short space of time, and it
has been constantly predicted that in the near
future electroplating will be conducted from
one end of the plating room to the other en-
tirely b)' mechanical means, even down to
delivering the goods almost ready for ship-
ment.

THE GOSPEL OF FRESH AIR/

It is generally acknowledged by ventilating
experts that in work-shops there should be
supplied three thousand cubic feet of air per
person per hour to insure adequate ventila-
tion and the highest efficiency of the opera-
tors. It is well known that the body and
brain of the human being are at their best in
action when supplied with a proper percen-
tage of oxygen. It would be an interesting
thing if proprietors of factories, foundries
and work-shops could be confronted with the
actual losses in dollars and cents which they
sufifer by neglect of the all-important factor
of ventilation.

Impure air lowers the vitality of the work-
man, increases the liability to accident through
his sluggishness and diminishes his produc-
ing capacity. As a result of a number of ex-
periments along these lines, it has been esti-
mated that the ill-ventilated workshop or fac-
tory is losing at least 20 per cent, in the
efficiency of each of its employees. It has been
difificult in past years to convince employers
of this leakage in their business, but the
rnodern crusade for ventilation is resulting
in a change of front in this regard. A per-
manent and typical case of the advantages
of ventilation is given by citing the case of
the New England & Telegraph Co.,
at Cambridge, ^lass. Prior to the installation
of the ventilating system, from 50 to 60 girls
were absent during the winter season or from
4 to 5 per cent of the total number of the
employees. The installation of a small venti-

lating system which cost less than $100.00, re-
duced this percentage of absence to 1.9 per
cent during the winter after its installation.
Xo other changes were made in the con-
ditions of the factory or the personnel of its
operatives. Fortunately data of this kind is
increasing rapidly so that the manufacturer
who really desires to study or to ccMisidcr
ultimate costs not only of installation, but of
operation and maintenance, can reckon proper
ventilation of his plant as important as proper
heating and lighting. "The Gospel of Fresh
Air" is the title of a new booklet which has
been issued by the Ohio Blower Co., Cleve-
land, O. It illustrates and describes the
"Swartwout" rotary ball-bearing ventilator
and the methods of its installation for effect-
ing proper factory ventilation. It is important
that every manufacturer and superintendent
should acquaint himself with all the facts con-
cerning ventilating advantages and we can
recommend the perusal of this interesting
booklet which can be obtained from the Ohio
Blower Co. by application. In writing, men-
tion the "Brass \\'orld."

KEEPING A RECORD OF ANY

PECULIARITIES IN THE

BRASS FOUNDRY.

One of the best systems that a foreman of
a brass foundry can adopt is to keep a record
when he has settled that a certain plan turns
out well in making a mold. The average
brass foundry foreman has so many details
on his mind that his memory is such that he
profits little when the same job is repeated
if the interval is of several months' duration.

The best method is for him to carry a loose-
leaf memorandum book for just such pur-
poses, to make his records as they first occur
to him, and at the end of the week hie them
away in an office cabinet.

If there is a card index kept of the pattern,
there can be recorded on the back of the same
card all information concerning the pattern
and mold, also a sketch of the mold showing
any points worthy of permanence in the shop
memor\-.

Several molders are known to carry note-
books which give them rpiitc a good deal of
information along this same line from notes
they have recorded from their practical ex-
perience.

July

THE BRASS WORIJ3

26 r

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

It all depends upon one's point of view
and how seriously one takes himself in the
work in which he is engaged. A story has
been told of a man who approached three car-
penters on a public building. He asked them
all the same question. To the first he said,
"What are you doing?" The man replied,
"Driving nails, you bone idiot." He ques-
tioned the second similarly and he replied, "I
am worki'.ig for $2.00 a day." When the third
was asked v.-hat he was doing, he answered,
"1 am helping to build the best building in
town." There were three different points of
view. People that go to conventions to at-
to'id the meetings and study the exhibits are
those that are "helping to build the best build-
ing in the town."

AN IMPROVED SWING] FRAME
GRINDER.

For certain classes of work, a swing frame
grinder is an exceedingly valuable device. This
grinder has been put on the market with onlv

The Grinder With Swing Frame.

one wheel, about 14 inches in diameter, which
is suitable for grinding a flat or top surface.
Very often, however, it is necessary to grind
work in a narrow space, as for instance, a
journal box, a motor frame or motor case,
varying from 4 inches to 7 inches in diameter.
In these cases a smaller wheel of the proper

size, and generally one of special shape, must
be provided.

An improvement has been made on these
grinders by making a spindle long enough to
take a small wheel at the end, or a larger

The Complete Installation.

wheel of special shape. The illustrations
show clearly the new device. Two grinders are
combined in one, only one motor being neces-
sary to operate them. The operator has a
good purchase to control the small wheel,
much more so than with a flexible shaft, and
he is away from the sparks. Should a larger
wheel of special shape be required, the change
can be made in a few minutes, whereas for-
merly the whole front of the machine had to
be dismantled, wasting at least an hour over
this operation.

A good hard pattern metal, very stiff, is
composed of the following :

Copper 90 parts

Tin 7 parts

Zinc 3 parts

A soft pattern metal can be obtained by re-
ducing the copper and tin to 85 and 5 re-
spectively, and increasing the zinc to 10 parts.

NON-FERROUS METAL AND ELECTROPLATING INDUST

Tlie brass workers' and metal platers' in-
dustries will be represented at the Panama-
Pacific International Exposition, to be held
in San Francisco in lOlo, on a broader and
more comprehensive scale than ever before
and members of these crafts attending- the ex-
position will lind the displays of their indus-
tries occupying prominent places among the
hundreds of thousands of exhibits.

Among four of the magnificent exhibit
palaces, which already are entirely completed,
these exhibits of metal work and plating will
he distributed. The displays will iii_)t be con-

to include every step from the production of
brass to its use in the manufacture of various
prnducts. These exhibits and those of the
plating industry will be distributed among
the Palaces of Mines and Metallurgy,
^Machinery. Manufacturers, and Varied in-
dustries. These foiu- palaces are among the
most strikingly beautiful of the eleven main
exhibit palaces, nine of which are now en-
tirely completed, the other two being nearly
finished.

The processes used in the metallurgy of
copper, of which brass is an alloy, will be ex-

Panorama Showing Some of the Completed Exhibit Palaces at the Panama-Pacific Inlernalional Exposition. The Huge Stee
Lett to Right the Five Completed Exhibit Palaces are the Palaces of Food Products, Agriculture, Transportation, Mines <

435 Feet High. This Photograph Has Been Copyrighted foi

fined to merely finished products, but pro-
cesses will be shown in every detail. This
is in accord with the announced intention of
the exposition ofilicials, who are seeking in
every way to make the exhibits interesting
and edifying to people of every class. And
in so doing, it has been found essential to
deviate from the old idea of displaying only
finished products of the various industries,
snd to show also the respective processes in
every stage with the implements and apparatus
in use.

In pursuance of this policy, the exhibits of
the brass workers' industry, for instance, are

hibited in the Palace of ]Mines and Metallurg\-
to,gether with displays of equipment and ma-
terials employed. The electrolytic and other
processes used in relining copper and in separ-
ating the accompanying gold, silver and other
substances will be portrayed as another inter-
esting feature of the industry.

The treatment of ores will be shown as will
the production of copper and copper alloys,
such as brass and bronze. The conversion of
brass into bars, ingots, wire, sheets and other
forms also will be illustrated with exhibits
which will clearl}- show to the public these
various operations.

> WELL REPRESENTED AT PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION.

The metal plating industry also will re-
ceive important attention in the Palace of
Klines and Metallurgy and an array of in-
teresting exhibits is expected. Apparatus and
processes (other than electro-metallurgical)
for coating metals with more precious, more
malleable or more durable metals will be dis-
played and metals in various stages of plating
will be shown.

Electro-plating will be illustrated under a
separate class of exhibits in the same palace
and will be included with displays of the
equipment, processes and products of electrici-

ings in the world, with an extensive exhibit
of the apparatus, equipment and compounds
used in annealing, hardening and tempering,
brazing and soldering metals.

Distributed between the Palaces of Manu-
factures and Varied Industries there will be
beautiful exhibits of finished products of the
plating industry. Under one classification of
displays, there will be shown numerous hard-
ware products finished in gilding, silver-plat-
ing, copper-plating, bronzing, galvanizing,
nickel-plating, etc. Another class of ex-
hibits will contain goldsmiths' and silver-

on the Left is the Palace of Fine Arts. The Palace o( Machinery Can be Located by the Three Naves on the Right. Fr
allurgy and Palace ot Machinery Facing the Harbor. The Steel Work in the Center is that of the Huge Tower of Jewels
15 by the Panama-Pacific International Exposition Company.

ty applied to the production and refining of
metals and certain other mineral products.
Under another class of displays will be shown
the equipment for and processes of recovering
and treating gold and silver and other metal
waste in the working of these metals, and dust
from refiners of precious metals. The ap-
pliances, processes and products for exact
rolling, beating and grinding of gold, silver,
aluminum, zinc, lead, tin, and other metals and
alloys also will be displayed.

An important phase of the brass workers'
industry will be shown in the Palace of
^Machinery, one of the largest wooden build-

smiths' work for religious or common uses in
gold, silver, bronze, or other metals together
with plated ware, and articles gilt or silver-
plated by an_v process.

Building of the Panama-Pacific Inter-
national Exposition is nearly completed and
the progress in every line of work has ex-
ceeded even the most optimistic hopes of the ,
officials. At this time, with the opening of
the Exposition set for February 20, , nine
of the magnificent exliibit palaces are entirely
completed while the other two. the Palaces of
Horticulture and Fine Arts, are nearly
finished.

270

THE BRASS WORLX)

July

The work of installing exliihiis in the huge
Palace of Machinery, the largest of all ex-
position structures, already has heen hegun
and many exhibits have arrived for the other
palaces. These are being unpacked at a rapid
rate and their installation will begin shortly.
The steamer Benefactor arrived at San
Francisco recently, loaded with Canada's ex-
hibits which had been shown at the exposition
at Ghent. These are to be distributed among
the various exhibit palaces.

Construction of the gorgeous interior courts,
scattered between the exhibit palaces of the
main group, is progressing rapidly. These
courts will be gems of art, ornated with
stately colonnades, sunken gardens, artificial
lakes, and beautiful statuary.

All otlier construction work not alreadv
finished, is fast nearing completion, positively
assuring the fulfillment of the early promise
that the Panama-Pacific International Ex-
position will be finislied and ready in every
detail on the opening day.

CASTING ALUMINUM AROUND
STEEL.

MATERIAL FOR TANKS CON-
TAINING DILUTE ACID.

In a recent reply to an inquirer concernint,
material for tanks containing dilute acid, we
suggested cypress wood as being the best for
the purpose. We were concerned at that time
in answering the inquiry considering only the
one man's need which was for a very large
tank subject to considerable abrasion. In
order to make the answer more complete for
general use we would state that stoneware
tanks should receive favorable consideration
for this service. A question of ordinary
abrasion will not affect a thoroughly vitrified
material providing the knocks are not too
heavy. Certain stoneware tanks in usual sizes
are equipped with lugs at the bottom to hold
down a wooden grid which protects the bot-
tom from knocks. A similar frame can be
extended up the side of the tank if there is
much likelihood of the side receiving severe
shocks. Stoneware tanks of good quality are
meeting with increased approval from the
trade.

Editor of the "Brass World":

I note on page 2U on your "Questions and
Answers" cohunn that you do not encourage
an iminirer in his efforts to cast aluminum
around steel. 1 am submitting a photograph
of an aluminum casting which I have made at
the end of a nickel steel tubing which may
suggest the possibility of this work along cer-
tain lines. The photograph shows at No. 2
an aluminum casting around and at the end
r.f a nickel tubing, tubing being 22 in. diameter.

Casting Aluminum Round Steel Tubing.

walls i*is in. thick; 6 in. from the other end of
the tubing, I cast an arm around it, the casting
being from i to I in. thick.

These castings are now in use. The cast-
ing shown at No. 2 and its mate form the
case for a transmission gear of an automobile.
They show no cracks.

No. 3 shows what remains of a casting sim-
ilar to that shown at No. 2. That was broken
to see if there were any flaws or cracks; none
were found. The alloy was more than 90 per
cent aluminum. The castings were made for
an automobile built bv the A. Doble ■Motor
Car Co., 157 High St., Waltham, Mass.
Koxbury, ]Mass. Joseph McGinrn's

A current of 20 amperes per sq. ft. of sur-
face plated will give a copper deposit of about
.001 inch thickness per hour.

July l'J14

THE BRASS ^VORLX)

271

PLATING COSTS.

Editor "Brass World & Platers' Guide:—

It is alleged that double nickel salts seldom,
if ever, do contain over 9i to 10 per cent of
nickel. In the course of my experience, apart
from salts of our own manufacture, I have
seen analytical tests of practically every make
throughout the world. I have never seen an
analysis that varied more than a few decimal
points, and I do not very well see how this
can be otherwise, as the article could not be
produced and sold in the proper crystalline
form containing the low percentage of nickel
that your correspondent alleges. The only
impurity that I have ever come across is a
percentage of copper which has been derived
from theoretical value, namely 14.8 per cent
nickel, where it has been difficult to separate
the copper and nickel ores, but trouble has
immediately followed when these have been
tried for plating.

Another error is to allege that of the total
deposit only 10 per cent of the anodes is
actually deposited on the work, although it is
stated that 85 per cent of the anodes is event-
ually deposited.

Now I will give you the result of my prac-
tical experience of many years. A man works,
say a 4-ft. or 5-ft. nickel vat and puts into it
100 lb. of nickel anodes ; we will say nothing
about the waste of tops and other scrap but
will take your correspondent's figures that 85
lb. of nickel is deposited. Now the original
lot of nickel anodes, one quarter of an inch
thick, will give a consumer about 12 months'
service. Now as your correspondent says
only 10 per cent of the nickel deposited actual-
ly comes from the anode, it means that 850
lb. of nickel is deposited in 12 months, that
means 85 lb. from the anodes and 765 lb. from
the salts, but as the salts only contain under
15 per cent, of nickel, this means that 5,100 lb.
double nickel salts have been consumed in the
12 months. Considering that as an actual
fact, this man would only use 28 lb., or at the
most 56 lb. of double nickel salts during 12
months, the reasoning of your correspondent
will not accord with any practical working
that has ever come under my experience.

It would seem that your correspondent has
used unsound data to push the merits of a
particular quickplating salt. Quickplating
solutions (of which there are several on the
market) have come to stay, and in my opinion

have undoubted advantages in most directions
within limits, but to claim advantages by such
unsound reasoning is about the worst pos-
sible thing that could be done. Particularly so,
when one considers the splendid work that has
been done and is being done today by the ordi-
nary double sulphate solution, and where
comes the necessity to condemn one to push
the claims of another?
Birmingham, Eng. Ernest R. Canning.

WALTER'S GOOCH CRUCIBLE
HOLDER.

The illustration shows a combined rubber
stopper and Gooch crucible holder for cruci-
bles up to 25 c. c. capacity, which has been
put on the market by Eimer & Amend, New
York City.

The apparatus is made to fit the neck of
any regular suction flask up to 1 litre capacity,
and is easily removable from it. It is
complete in itself and economical in use,

since the glass part is protected from break-
age. The shape of the holder is such as to
bring the crucible nearer the flask than any
other form of holder, this being another of
the many advantages of this piece of appa-
ratus.

A good bright dip which has the merit of
cheapness is the following:

Sulphuric acid li gal.

Saltpetre i gal.

Water 1 gal.

Shake well with a piece of wood every three
hours and the dip is ready for use.

272

IIIE BRASS W^ORIOJ

Talv

APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING
LIQUID METAL.

In recent years much altcnlion lias been de-
voted to the coating of various objects with
liquid metal l)lo\vn in the form of spray upon
their surfaces. In one method of performing
this operation, the ejector is placed below the
level of the liquid metal in the container, and
discharges outuard, Iiaving a long mixing tube
in front. The object of a recent invention of
Gustav Ostermann, Cologne-Riehl, Germany,
is to regulate the distance between the ejector
and mixing tube withoul causing alteration
of the position of the suction point. The il-
lustration shows the complete metal spraying
device provided with the regulating apparatus.

disadvantages have been encountered in the
use of these preparations, which frci|uently do
not unite with the article and clog up the en-
graved parts.

An invention of Pascal .Marino, London,
England, presents a method of preparing the
surface of these porous materials, consisting
in the use of an alkaline silicate in solution.

The article is first coated by immersion or
by brushing with two or more layers of
sodium silicate or soluble glass. This solu-
tion is prepared by dissolving 1 part of sodium
silicate (sp. gr. 1.27) in 2 parts of water.
This is applied for the first coat, and the
second coat consists of equal parts silicate and
water. The article is then brushed over with
a solution of silver chloride in potassium

^=45

I ii II ii

A metal container "e" is surrounded by an
outer casing. The pressure fluid passes
through the tube, which is coiled along part
of its length, and out through the ejector duct
"c", which is screwed into the tubular sleeve
"d", built into the container. On the other
side of the container is screwed the mixing
tube "f". The sleeve contains openings "g"
which serve to conduct the metal in front of
the ejector duct. The metal is heated by
means of the gas tube "h". Alternate screw-
ing of the tube "f" and the sleeve "d" having
the holes "g", diminishes or increases the dis-
tance between the point of the ejector duct
or the lube "f" and the openings "g".

METALLIZING POROUS
MATERIALS.

cyanide and ammonium fluoride, prepared by
dissolving 140 parts of potassium cyanide in
water till saturated, and adding 60 parts of
ammonium fluoride and 100 parts of silver
chloride. Xext the silver chloride layer is re-
duced to metallic silver by coating with a
solution consisting of 100 parts hydrazine
sulphate dissolved in water to saturation point,
and 60 parts sodium hydroxide or carbonate.
The surface is then wetted first with the
silver solution and then with the reducing
solution, being finally submitted to friction
caused by a rapidly rotating brush. The
article is now ready to be coated with metal
in the usual way by means of electrolytic solu-
tions.

In the metallizing of wood, paper, cast-iron,
plaster of Paris and other porous materials,
various preparations, paints and varnishes
have been employed for the purpose of clos-
ing up the pores, in order to produce an even
and electricallv conductive surface. Numerous

To silver copper try the following powder :

Cyanide of potash 2 parts

Silver nitrate 1 part

Calcium carbonate 5 parts

Mix these together and keep in a bottle
tightly corked. Apply to the metal, rubbing
with a damp rag. then rinse with warm water
and polish.

July

THK BRASS WORLD

273

NEW WIRE-DRAWING MACHINE.

NEW ALUMINUM ALLOY.

The Standard ^Machinery Co., Providence,
R. I., has recently brought out a new wire-
drawing machine to be used in connection with
22 in., 24 in., 28 in., and 30 in. drums for the
purpose of drawing steel wire, as well as
copper and other precious metals.

This machine is driven by a friction clutch.
the driving shaft being back-geared to the
large spur gear which sets directly under the
table. On the shaft with this spur gear is a
bevel pinion which in turn meshes with the
vertical spindle of the drum.

When the machine is started, the wire
starting attachment shown in the photograph
begins to pull the wire through the die. When
it revolves as far as the back of the machine.

New Wire-Drawing Machine.

the hand lever on the starting tongs is hit b\
the knock-out which automatically opens the
tongs, and throws the main drawing drum into
operation. The wire thus started, amounting
to one-half of the periphery of the draw-out
drum, is clamped in the jaws on the top of
the main drum, and the machine draws this
continuously through the dies which are sup-
ported in the knee shown in the table of the
machine. The wire yokes shown going from
the inside of the main drum are for the pur-
pose of preventing the wire from going any
higher, and also serve as guides for the baling
of the wire.

An aluminum alloy which is well adapted
for casting under pressure in die-casting
machines, being strong and resonant and pos-
sessing a superior lustre, has lately been in-
vented by William A. McAdams, Bay Shore,
Xew York. The alloy consists of:

Aluminum 70 parts

Zinc 22 parts

Copper 3 parts

Antimony 5 parts

To prepare this alloy about one-third of the
aluminum is melted and raised to a high tem-
perature, the copper introduced into this
molten metal, and the remainder of the alumi-
num added. The temperature is then lowered
and the zinc and antimony are introduced,
agitation securing- the proper mixture of the
metals. Antimony is used in the alloy to
overcome the shrinkage of the alloy in cooling
by its own expansion in volume.

A NEW METHOD OF COLORING
METALS.

A process for the production of various
colorations on aluminum and other metals, is
the invention of Francois Auguste Roux,
Paris, France. An electrolyte is used consist-
ing of a dilute solution of ammonium niolyb-
date, to which ammonia is added to facilitate
the formation of the deposit. An example of
the composition of the bath is as follows:

^^'ater grains

Ammonium molybdate . . 25 grains

Ammonia lo c. c.

The inventor states, that while his process
is particularly applicable to aluminum, it can
also be employed for coloring all usual metals,
in which case the metal cyanide should be
added. The metal is used as cathode, and a
platinum or carbon anode is employed. When
the current is passed, a deposit forms, which
gradually passes through all the colors of the
spectrum until finally an absolute black is pro-
duced.

The so-called "carbon" bath is used in metal
coloring by using an acid arsenic bath. The
carbon anodes employed are responsible for
the name. The solution is composed of
muriatic acid, 10 gallons and 4 pounds of
white arsenic. An acid solution of this com-
poistion is valuable when used in the presence
of asphalt or varnish resists.

274

July

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

RECOVERY OF GOLD FROM OLD
GOLD DIPS.

How can I recover chloride of gold from
old gold dips and also liow can 1 get the
chloride of gold into its original state so that
it can be used for aiKjdes, etc.

Precipitate your old dips by adding sulphnr-
ric acid slowly initil all action stops, and
rinse with clear water al)out six times. Allow
each rinse to stand so that all the gold will
fall to the bottom before pouring off each
water. After the last rinsing has been poured
off, dry out the gold salt by heat to a perfect
dryness. Put it into a melting furnace and
bring the gold back to the metallic form so
that it can be rolled out again.

- FINISHING VERDE ANTIQUE BASE.

Please let me know what is the best way
to finish a verde antique base with wax, also
what kind of wax is the best for it.

U^se carnauba wax. Add turpentine to the
wax and heat so that the wax and turpentine
will fuse together. Use a goat's hair brush to
brush your work over, adding a little of the
wax and turpentine to the brush. After being
brushed over, rub down with a fine cloth,
cheese cloth preferred.

ACID COPPER SOLUTION TURNED
GREEN.

I have an acid copper or duplex copper solu-
tion which has suddenly turned green or the
color of nickel solution. I would like to
know the cause of the change, also a remedy
for same.

If you are getting satisfactory results from
your acid copper, the color of the solution
does not matter, as all solutions change color
in time. In \our case, }'0u have added some-
thing to your solution to cause it to turn th'^
color of a nickel solution. P>y using molasses
in your acid copper, this will cause it to turn
green, while potash or any other alkali will
also cause it to change in color. A remedy
for same would be to evaporate solution and
let crvstallize.

GOLDEN CARROT COLOR OF STOP
COCKS.

We are making some castings for a custo-
mer who desires the golden carrot color which
is found on the ordinary stop and waste water
cocks. W'c have had no exi)erience in pro-
ducing this color, and would appreciate it if
you would inform us in a letter how this is
done and what special metal mixture, if any,
is necessary.

The mixture for this metal is:

Copper 1 lb.

Zinc 1 oz.

Tin i oz.

Lead J oz.

The castings you refer to were probably
dipped or pickled to bring up the color. This
dip is composed of

Sulphuric acid 2 gal.

Nitric acid 1 gal.

Muriatic acid i to 1 oz.

To use this dip, first brush tlie castings as
free from sand as possible, then dip first in
cold water, then into the dip. Rinse well in
boiling hot water, then dry in sawdust.

BRASS CASTINGS.

We have been making fittings to stand
about 100 pounds water pressure out of a mix-
ture of 87% copper, 10% zinc and 3% lead.
We can reduce the amount of copper down
to 80% and the fittings are very satisfactory,
but the color is too light, same nehig loo
A'ellow. Can you suggest anything to darken
up the color similar to the 87% copper?

There is no mixture of metals that will give
you the color you want without using the
amount of copper necessary in the mixture.
You could use a hydrofluoric acid dip that
would turn the castings red, but this would be
only on the surface and even then would not
be exactly the color you want. You might also
try making a bath of two pounds sulphate ot
copper, i lb. iron wire to each gallon of water.
Let the castings remain in the solution until
they receive a light deposit of copper : then
rinse in hot water and tumble in sawdust.

July 11^ THE BRASB WORLD 275

Copper 82 parts TROUBLE WITH BRASS FOR

Zinc 15 parts LANTERNS.

Lead 3 parts \\e are having trouble with brass used in

The above mixture represents the largest our lanterns. It is our opinion that the metals

amount of zinc that can be used to get the are not properly mixed in the pot, and that

composition color. there is a separation of some kind in the in-

CYANIDE COPPER SOLUTION. gots which develops in the sheet after the

I would like some information regarding a ingot is rolled,
steel tank which I have for a cyanide copper We bright-dip the lanterns after they are

solution. I would like to know whether it assembled and finish with a water-dip lacquer,

would be necessary to line this tank. If so, The acid dip is the usual bright dip and is

kindly advise what lining should be used and composed of nitric and muriatic acid, and if

instructions as to how it should be done. I the brass is the right mixture the work comes

would also appreciate a good formula for out bright and without spots, and is satis-

cyanide copper solution for work that is to be factory.

plated on copper wires, with instructions on We would like to have you advise us if pos-

nii>^ing. sible, where the difficulty occurs, whether in

the sheet or in the dip. Some of the brass

Iron tanks are not lined for hot solutions. from the same roll will come out clear and

A copper solution for your wr>rk is as follows : other pieces spotted like the samples which

Carbonate of copper 5 oz. we have tagged.

Cyanide of sodium 12 oz.

Sulphite of sodium 2 oz. Your trouble is not in the mixture you use,

Hyposulphate of sodium i oz. but is due to the improper scaling of the metal

Water 1 gal. after it is annealed. If you buy dipping brass.

Use at a temperature of 100° F. at a cur- you ought not to have this trouble. The sam-

rent density of from li to 2 volts with pure pies submitted were cleaned and dipped as

copper anodes. follows :

If you wish to run a cold solution and to Have the work clean and free from grease

line the tank, almost any of the electro-plating and oil, then dip for two or three minutes in

and supply houses can furnish you with lining the scaling dip made as follows :

instructions. Cyanide copper solutions work Water 1 gallon.

much better warm than cold. Yellow aqua fortis 1 gallon

This dip will work quicker if warm. After

SCALE ON SILVERWARE. scalding brass in the above dip, rinse in clean

We find that delivering our silverware ^^'^^^'■' ^^^^" ^^P ^" ^'^^ ^^^S^^^ ^^id dip made as

(v-hich consists of small items in the novelty loiiows :

line in hoUowware and silver jewelry) to Oil of vitriol (66°) 2i gal.

the polishing room, we have very deep scale Aitric acid (38°) 5 qt.

formed upon the surface of same, just as if ^luriatic acid (20°) 2 oz.

it were lead. As our things are generally ^^^^^^ bright dipping, wash in clean water, dry

hammered, or fmely chased, this is a very ^"^ lacquer in the usual manner,
troublesome thing, for the polisher cannot

finish the goods properly without tearing YELLOW BRASS WITHOUT ALUMINUM,
the hammer marks down, which destroys the Would you kindly let me know how I could

beauty of the article. Where we oxidize the obtain a nice yellow^ brass without aluminum,

goods, we find it even worse trouble for the We are using aluminum in all of our yellow

oxidizing is very irregular. brass and I would like to overcome this.

Try either one of the following dips for It is not necessary to use aluminum in order

removing scale on silver goods. to make yellow brass, as it has no effect on

(1) IMuriatic acid 2 parts the color of the brass. You simply use the

Nitric acid 1 part aluminum to get rid of the spelter smoke and

(2) Xitric acid 1 part to deoxidize the metal. The standard yellow

Water 3 parts brass mixture without aluminum is ;

276

THIS BRASS WORLD

July 191-i

Copper 6G%

Spelter :54%

If this does not cast sharp enough, cut down
the spelter and add copper to replace the
amount of spelter you deducted. Tlien add
from two to four per cent, of tin: if the cast-
ings arc to be machined, you will have to add
from 3 to :i ])cr cent of lead.

THEORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF
METALLIC ORES.

Man has used the metals for centuries. co:ii-
mencing with copper, tin. gold, silver and lead
and increasing each century his knowdedge of
their variety and his range of applying them
to fields of usefulness.

The ancient alchemists in the 15th and Itlth
centuries, v.dio were the scientists of those
days, maintained that the metals were de-
posited by the influence of the planets.

George Agricola. a German mineralogist,
believed and taught that water percolated
from the earth's surface towards the interior
became heated and took into solution the scat-
tered metallic particles, redepositing them in
clefts and cavities of the rock strata of the
earth.

Later the Xeptunist theory was born, father-
ed by the German geologist. Werner. In this
nebulous theory, the earth in cooling was sur-
rounded by universal hot oceans which held
in solution all the minerals and deposited them
by chemical precipitation in the rocky crust
as it was formed, and as conditions became
favorable for such deposition.

Early m the I'Jth century, Professor Hutton,
the famous Scotch geologist, brought out his
Plutonic theory in wdtich the metals were
melted by internal heat and forced into veins
of the strata in which they are found under
pressure.

A more recent theory advanced by tlu-
American geologist, Van Hise, is that con-
densed atmospheric vapor takes up mineral
matter in solution. The saturated water
spreading throughout the lower strata finds
openings between them which bring about a
decreasing temperature and pressure in
character and degree proportionately to the
nature of the metals involved and the environ-
ing strata in which they are placed.

Thus one sees that these theories have
swuno' from one point of consideration to the

other, tire and water in turn being considered
as prime factors in metallic ore production.

Tiiere is a tendency at the present time in a
still later theory to swing back towards the
old idea advanced by the alchemists and as-
trologers of the middle ages. The new
theory considers the universe as a gigantic
cell between whose center and circumference
there is a constant outgoing and incoming
stream of universal substance ions. These
moving streams focalize and refocalize as they
pass to and fro through the various stratifica-
tions of gas, air and earth and at the points
of focalization a constant combustion and pre-
cipitation takes place which leaves behind the
metallic ores as we find them today. In many
ca.ses under the new theory the discovery of
new metallic elements is claimed to be not a
discovery of something which has always
been existing at the point of discovery, but
something wdiich has been newly created as a
result of constant universal changes.

FLUX FOR YELLOW AND RED
BRASS.

For yellow brass, manganese copper is the
best. For red brass, a phosphor-copper
manganese-copper alloy can be used very
satisfactorily in the proportion of one pound
of manganese copper to one hundred pounds
of brass to be added after the copper and
melted down with the charge which enables it
to decrease the amount of tin, which is the
expensive element, and yet it makes a strong
and sound casting at a lower cost of produc-
tion.

Manganese exerts a hardening or toughen-
ing quality, (this you will note in manganese
bronze). ]\Ianganese dioxide is better than
powdered glass, undotibtedly so. Glass only
protects from the atmospheric oxygen and the
burning by the hot flame. ^Manganese oxide
being partly satisfied with oxygen, cannot
therefore, absorb as much of that gas as the
pure manganese.

Damage to the extent of $1,000 was recently
done to the plating works of Frank Redeman.
W. 11th. St.. Cleveland, O., by a fire, said
to be the work of burglars in search of goods
placed in the vats for plating. Combustion
is said to have been caused by the rush of air
mingled v;ith chemical fumes.

July

THE BRASS WORU>

277

AN INTERESTING ALLOY FOR
THE PERFECTING OF MAN-
GANESE BRONZE
CASTINGS.

Repeated experiments made b}' various
authorities have proved that in the manufac-
ture of manganese bronze the impurities con-
tained have been the cause of bad castings.
Even small amounts of such impurities have a
serious influence on the composition of a good
■casting and the resistance it offers to 3alt
water, acids and corrosion. If a higher
strength is required, the elasticity and elonga-
tion figures are much reduced. This, as is
well known, is the reason why makers of
manganese bronze adopt the use of the pure
carbon-free manganese metal for the refining
process, instead of using the commercial
manganese copper with 2.5 per cent, iron and
28/30 per cent, manganese. This decision was
not easily made, as, above all, it greatly in-
creased the manufacturing cost, by the con-
tents of iron being replaced by manganese for
•obtaining the corresponding strength and
•elasticity. Besides it is well known that the
iron greatly improves the elasticity figure. It
should be remembered, that manganese copper
is made of 80 per cent, ferro-manganese,
which contains 4 per cent, carbon. When the
iron is added to the metal bath in another
form, either as wrought iron or steel, carbon
is simultaneously introduced into the metal
laath, in addition to other impurities. Then
again iron itself, even if chemically pure, will
not unite very easily with the other compo-
nents of manganese bronze, in particular the
■copper, so that much experience is required
for obtaining a sufficiently homogeneous alio}'.
It has hitherto not been possible to avoid this
difficulty, and this is explained by the fact
that the alumino-thermic process alone allows
of producing iron alloys free from carbon,
and that, even at the temperature of deg.
C. produced by this process, the iron will not
unite with the copper to form a really homo-
geneous alloy.

Experiments have therefore been made to
fuse the iron with the copper, special attention
being paid to the three principal points in an
alloy of this kind, namely, purity, homogeneity
and a low melting point. These e-xperuiients
have resulted in an alloy being produced which
lias been placed on the market under the

name of "Manfecual" ( bjr the Eisen & Stahl-
werk "Mark", Wengern-Ruhr) which is almost
chemically pure and also closely alloyed and
contains 2 per cent, aluminum to admit of a
sufficiently thin liquidity. It has thus by such
means been possible to considerably raise the
properties of the manganese bronze without
employing other metals.

This fact is theoretically based on the pre-
liminary homogeneous alloying obtained and
by the absence of the impurities which prevent
the single metals copper, zinc, tin, manganese,
iron and possibly nickel dissolving into each
other so that they can more easily form
mi.xed crystals. The intensity with which the
metals are alloyed tends to produce an im-
proved material with new and better proper-
ties. This theory has been proved in practice.
A firm which already has a good reputation
for manganese bronze, has produced by the
addition of the "Manfecual" a bronze which
surpasses everything hitherto known and as
regards elasticity and elongation is getting
figures which have never been equalled. The
largest works in Europe have made many ex-
periments and so far these have proved satis-
factory. Its regular use is now adopted by
all important works.

"Manfecual" is claimed to be cheaper than
manganese metal and high-value manganese
copper. It will no doubt, as it becomes known,
largely replace these additional metals,
especially as its use is extremely simple.

Emil Vits.

According to the "Chemical Trade Journal",
an acid-proof tank lining can be made from
10 per cent litharge, 20 per cent short fibre
asbestos, and 70 per cent sand mixed to a
plaster, with a 40 deg. Beaume solution of
silicate of soda. The plaster is applied to
the thickness desired, and application of acid
sets the cement and renders it acid-proof.

A German patent relates to a process of
coloring aluminum. It is treated with hydro-
chloric acid and chloride of copper or of iron,
and then heated without rinsing. A film is
left on the surface which may be lacquered if
desired, or given a coat of enamel. Hydro-
chloric acid produces a white color, chloride
of copper a black color, and chloride of iron
a gray color.

278

THE BRASS WORLD

July

WELDING BY THE "THERMIT"
PROCESS.

The "Thermit" process offers advantages
which place it entirely in a class by itself.
The reason for this is, that by using "Ther-
mit," it is possible to weld heavy sections of
wrought iron or steel without removing them
from their position, and therefore at a very
great saving in time and expense over other
methods.

The sternpost, stern frame, rudder frame,
etc., of steamships arc welded without keeping
the vessel in drydock niDre than two or three
days. Aside from the supply of compressed
air for the operation of the preheating torch,
absolutely no outside power is required, and
all the materials are light and portable.

Welding by this process is accomplished by
pouring superheated "Thermit" steel around
the parts to be united. This thermit steel is
produced by the chemical action between
finely-divided aluminum and iron oxide when
lighted. This reaction when started in one
place continues throughout the entire mass
without the supply of heat or power from out-
side and produces superheated liquid steel and
superheated liquid slag (aluminum oxide) at
a temperature of approximately .°F.
From 30 seconds to one minute is sufficient
time to bring into a reaction almost any
amount of thermit.

The thermit steel, when poured into a mold
surrounding the ends of the sections to be
united, dissolves the metal with which it
comes in contact, and amalgates with it to
form a single homogeneous mass when cooled.
It is necessary, however, in all cases, to pre-
heat the sections before pouring the steel, as
otherwise they would exert a chilling effect on
the incoming metal and prevent a successful
fusion.

The essential steps of the operation are to
clean the sections, preferably with a sandblast,
and remove sufficient metal to allow a free
flow of thermit steel between the two broken
parts. Then they are surrounded with a bees-
wax pattern applied in the form of a segment
of a circle, the width and thickness being pro-
portioned according to the size of the broken
piece.

After the beeswax pattern is applied, a mold
box or flask of sheet iron, not less than tV in.
thick, is constructed and then a good firm
mold is rammed with a mixture of silica sand

and tire clay, mixed in the proportion of two
of sand and one of good grade fire clay.
After this is done, the heat of a powerful gas-
oline torch is applied at the lowest point of
the beeswax pattern, which burns out the wax
and leaves a perfect mold. The heat is con-
tinued until the broken parts arc brought to
a good red heat. Then the thermit, placed
in a crucible suspended over the pour-
ing gate of the mold, is ignited and the steel
formed by the thermit's reaction is tapped
into the mold after holding it long enough to
allow the slag to separate from the steel,.

Fig. 1.

which is about one half to one minute accord-
ing to the amount used.

A good illustration of what can be accom-
plished with the thermit process is shown by
the accompanying photographs of the steru;
section of the steamer Merida, owned by D.
Sullivan Co., Chicago, 111. The steamer is
docked with the shoe and rudder broken and
lost, the upper picture of Fig. 1 showing the-
broken shoe. A new forging, shown in the
middle picture, was made and welded to the
old stern frame. The lower photograph illus-
trates the completed repair whicli saved the

Tulv

THE BRASS WORIJD

27»

owner of the vessel thousands of dollars. The The section at the point of fracture was 18 in.,

work on this repair was started on Thursday 6 in. across the face, and 2i- in. througli the

night and the vessel sailed on Saturday at web. One inch of metal was cut out for a

noon. • flow of thermit steel, and the broken part of

Fig. 2.

An interesting repair by the "Thermit"
process was accomplished recently for the
Murphy & Walsh Co. at Pekin. 111. The re-

Fig. 3.

pair was made on a large riveter stake, which
broke approximately three feet from the top.

Fig. 4.

the stake was lined up and held in place by
means of four iron straps, i in. x 2 in. offset, to

Fig. 5.

allow for the wax pattern and the thermit
steel collar to weld. Nineteen pounds of wax
and 300 lb. of thermit were used in making
the weld. This repair is illustrated clearly in
Fig. 2.

280

THE BRASS WORLX)

Julj'

This riveter stake was turned over to an
experienced tliermit welding operator at 10
o'clock on Sunday morning and the weld was
completed at 10 o'clock that same night. On
cleaning the weld, the next morning, it was
found to he perfect and has been in use ever
since. A new riveter would have cost the
above company $5;}0.00 f. o. b. Camden, N. J.,
with delivery two weeks after receipt of
order, while by using the thermit process, the
repair was accomplished in one day at a cost
of $170.00, a distinct saving in time and
money.

Other very good illustrations are shown on
the steamer E. D. Carter, owned by the Erie
Transportation Co. This vessel docked at the
yards of the Chicago Shipbuilding Co. with a
broken stern post, and the repair was carried
out in the usual way. Fig. 3 illustrates the
fractured stern post ready to apply the wax
pattern, and the completed repair. Seven hun-
dred pounds of thermit mixed with 1 per cent
of nickel, 1 per cent of metallic manganese and
20 per cent of mild steel punchings were used
in making the weld. This vessel has a gross
tonnage of , 504 ft. long, 54 ft. beam, and
30 ft. deep. It is one of the largest on the
lakes.

Fig. 4 illustrates an 11 in. shaft welded by
the thermit process, on the steamer Yale,
owned by the Great Lakes Engineering Co.
The vessel docked for other repairs and on in-
specting it, it was discovered that something,
evidently a steel cable, had wound around the
shaft and ground out about two inches of
metal between the propeller hub and bearing
box. The Goldschmidt Thermit Co. (Chicago
branch ) was at once called up on the
and undertook the repair which was a com-
plete success. In making the weld, 500 \h.
of thermit was used.

The thermit also offers great advantages in
railroad shops as well as in other lines. The
locomotive frames break quite frequently and
the removal of such a frame costs at least
three hundred dollars and it also deprives the
company of the frame for two or three weeks.
On the other hand, if the thermit process is
used, it is only necessary to drop a pair of
drivers to get at the fracture and the repair
can be accomplished over night at a cost of
from S^40.00 to $75.00, depending on the nature
and size of the fracture. This process is now
adopted by nearly all the railroads with good
results and the saving of thousands of dollars.

Fig. 5 illustrates very clearly the completed
repair of a locomotive frame which had pre-
viously been welded on the lower and upper
member and broken in the jaw.

SILVER RHYMING.

Silver and gold have been held responsible
for evoking passions of greed, envy and
hatred. Silver, however, has inspired thoughts
of devotion to best things as shown by the
following lines submitted to us by a subscriber
who signs himself "Polisher."

'Tis sweet to feel that he who tries

The silver, takes his seat
Beside the fire that purifies,

Lest too intense a heat —
Raised to consume the base alloy —

The precious metal too, destroy.

'Tis good to tliink, liow well he knows

The silver's power, to bear
The ordeal through which it goes;

And that with skill and care
He'll take it from the fire when fit,

With his own hand to polish it.

'Tis blessedness to know that he,

The work he has begun.
Will not forsake till he can see^

To prove the work well done —
His image, by its brightness known.

Reflecting glory like his own.

Rut ah ' how much of earthly mold.

Dark relics of the mine.
Left from the ore must He behold — ■

How long must He refine,
Ere in mortal beings He can trace

The first faint semblance of His face!

Thou great Refiner! sit Thou by,

Thy promise to fulfill ;
Moved by Thy hand, beneath Thine eyes.

And melted at Thy will.
Oh ma\ Thy work forever shine

Reflecting beauty pure as Thine.

The results of recent tests seem to show
that the use of cupro-vanadium in brass gives
increased strength and reduces the tendency
to corrode.

July

281

FIRST REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE NOMEN-
CLATURE OF ALLOYS.

The first report of the committee appointed
by the Council of the Institute of ^letals to
consider the question of the nomenclature of
alloj'S, should prove of interest to our readers,
as it is a subject to which considerable atten-
tion is being devoted at the present time.
The committee is an influential and represen-
tative body, being composed as follows : —

Institute of Metals. — Dr. W. Rosenhain,
F. R. S., (Chairman) ; G. A. Boeddicker; Dr.
C. H. Desch ; Engineer Rear-Admiral G. G.
Goodwin, R. N. ; G. Hughes ; Sir Gerard
Aluntz, Bart. ; A. E. Seaton ; and Professor
Turner, M.Sc.

Institution of Electrical Engineers. — W.
^lurray Morrison.

Institution of Mechanical Engineers. —
George Hughes.

Institution of Xaval Architects — Sir W. E.
Smith, C. B.

Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders
in Scotland. — Alexander Cleghorn.

North-Easi Coast Institution of E)iginecrs
and Shipbuilders. — The Hon. Sir C. A. Par-
sons, K. C. B., F. R. S.

Society of Chemical hidustry. — Professor
W. R. Hodgkinson, Ph. D., M. A., F. R. S. E.

In its report the committee states that a
very large number of suggestions have been
received, as to the method to be pursued for
arriving at a rational system of naming alloys.

Careful consideration of these has led the
committee to adopt certain guiding principles
in the conduct of their work. These may be
briefly stated as follows : —

(1) So far as names intended for use in in-
dustrial and commercial practice are
concerned, it is desirable to adhere to
existing names sanctioned by long usage
as far as possible, provided that all such
names can be so defined as to avoid all
risk of confusion or ambiguity.

(2) The coining of new names or the adop-

tion of recently coined names not in
general use should be avoided as far as
possible.

(3) It is desirable to employ simple English

names throughout, avoiding the use of
Latin or foreign names, and of chemical
or other symbols.
These principles require but little explana-
tion, but in regard to (1) the committee de-

sire to point out that in view of the admitted
existence of confusion and ambiguity in the
case of many names in current use, the ulti-
mate abandonment or modification of some
existing terms is unavoidable if the present
state of affairs is to be improved. It is not
suggested, however, that any sudden change
which might prove disturbing to commercial
relations should be made. If the new or
modified terms indicated in the present and
in future reports of the committee are adopt-
ed by writers and teachers who deal with
alloys, their use will gradually permeate all
ranks of those concerned with metals, so that
the necessary change will be a gradual and
natural one, and all sudden disturbance will
be avoided.

From the prhiciples laid down above it fol-
lows that the task before the committee re-
solved itself into that of framing rational de-
finitions of the more widely used alloy names.
In order to accomplish this in a satisfactory
manner the conmiittee have found it desirable
to establish in the first place a rational or
systematic nomenclature based upon some
completely general principle. Such a system
of nomenclature would probably be too-
cumbersome for general use, and would de-
part too widely from ordinary usage to be
satisfactorily employed for industrial or bus-
iness purposes. Its main object, apart from
possible use by scientific writers, is to serve-
as a basis for the definition of what may be
called "practical names." The committee
have, in fact, aimed at defining practical terms
as simple abbreviations of the systematic
names of alloys.

After much discussion the committee
arrived at the decision that the only principle
of sufficiently wide applicability upon which
they could base a rational or systematic no-
menclature w^as that of naming alloys accord-
ing to their chemical composition by w-eight.
Although there are cases of some difficulty
even under this principle, the fact remains
that every alloy possesses a definite and defi-
nitely ascertainable composition by weight,
and that — speaking in the most general
terms — the properties of alloys are more uni-
versally dependent upon their chemical com-
position than upon any other single factor of"
general importance.

282

THE BRASS ^VORLD

July

The principle which the committee has owed its (supposed) special (jualities to the

adopted for the construction of a system of presence of the last-named element, it would

nomenclature on the hasis just indicated is be denoted as "indium complex tin-alunii-

that of denoting any alloy hy the names, in nium'.' This is obviously an imaginary case

English, of its component metals, placed in of a very extreme type, and is given merely

the order of increasing numerical importance to illustrate the principle. The resulting

from the point of view of chemical composi- name is still decidedly cumbersome, but not

tion by weight. Jn adopting this order for too much so for the purposes of a systematic

the names of the comjionent metals, the com- nomenclature which is not intended for gen-

niittee have endeavored to follow existing eral practical use.

usage as closel.v as possible, although existing (2) As regards impurities present in no-
practice in this respect is not uniform. Thus table quantities, the conunittee have reached
"phosphor-copper" follows the order adopted the conclusion that since the question of
by the conunittee, wliile "cui)ro-nickel" does drawing up specifications for the proper com-
not. As examples of what is implied by the position of alloys lies outside their province,
principle adopted for the construction of sys- and is moreover governed by entirely diflFer-
tematic names for alloys, a few instances may ent considerations and conditions, the present
be useful, in which the approximate composi- committee cannot lay down any rules as to
tion of some typical alloys is stated, together the quantities of "impurities" which may be
with the corresponding "systematic" name. admitted without reference in the name of

Composition of Alloy. Systematic Name.

Zinc, 30 per cent. ; copper, 70 per cent Zinc-copper.

Tin, 10 per cent. : copper, 90 per cent Tin-copper.

Tin. 1 per cent.; zinc, 29 per cent.: copper, TO per cent Tin-zinc-copper.

Aluminum, 8 per cent. ; copper, 92 per cent Aluminum-copper.

Copper, 3 per cent. ; aluminum, 97 per cent Copper-aluminum.

Tin, 32 per cent. ; lead, 68 per cent Tin-lead.

It will be seen that although this system is the alloy. When standard specifications are
perfectly simple and rational, this simplicity available this point will be automatically
is accompanied by a considerable degree of decided. Meanwhile the committee recom-
cumbrousncss when alloys of more than three mend that in the systematic names as here de-
metals are to be described. A difficulty also fined" reference should be made to all ele-
arises with regard to the question of impuri- ments whose presence in the alloys in notable
ties present in notable amount, and another quantities is intentional.

obstacle is found in the case of alloys in (3) With regard to alloys which contain

which two or more metals are present in two or more metals in equal or nearly equal

practically equal proportions. The committee quantities, the committee recommends that

have considered these difficulties, and propose the principle should be followed that where

the following methods of dealing with them : no numerical preponderance is established the

( 1 ) Where an alloy consists of more than metals should be placed in alphabetical order.

tlirce metals its systematic name shall not as Having thus established wdiat they believe

a rule contain more than the names of three to be as simple and rational a system of

metals present in the largest proportion by names as any that could be devised in the

weight, but the presence of additional metals circumstances, the committee have ap-

or elements shall be denoted by the prefix proached the task of defining, in terms of the

"comp." or "complex." If, however, an alloy systematic or rational names, the ordinary

of this kind contains an intentionally added names of alloys intended for everyday usage,

element which, although present in small The principle which the committee have

quantity, gives the alloy a distinctive charac- adopted is that of defining a few of the best

ter, that element may be named first. To take known and most widely used terms simply as

an imaginary example, if an alloy containing definite abbreviations or contractions for cer-

aluminum 75 per cent., tin 15 per cent., ar- tain names or groups of names in the sys-

senic 4 per cent., cobalt 3 per cent., iron 2.75 tematic nomenclature,

per cent., and (say) indium 0.25 per cent., The committee having in the first instance

July

THE BRASS WORTX)

283

confined their attention to the alloys of cop-
per, the terms first defined on this basis are
"brass" and "bronze." The definitions recom-
mended and adopted by the committee are as
follows : —

Brass.
The term "brass" is to be used as an ab-
breviation of the words "zinc-copper" as em-
ployed in the systematic nomenclature. Thus
when the word "brass" alone is employed it
shall denote an alloy of zinc and copper only,
containing more copper than zinc, i. e., con-
taining over 50 per cent, of copper. When
an alloy containing a third metal, such as tin,
is to be denoted, the name of the additional
element shall be used as a prefix, precisely as
in the systematic nomenclature. Thus an
alloy containing tin 1 per cent., zinc 29 per
cent., and copper 70 per cent., would be
called "tin-brass." If additional metals are
present their names may also be prefixed, or
the general prefix "comp." or "complex" may
be used if it is not essential to mention the
other elements specifically.

Bronce.

The term "bronze" is to be used as an ab-
breviation of the words "tin-copper" as em-
ployed in the systematic nomenclature. Thus
when the word "bronze" alone is employed it
shall denote an alloy of tin and copper only,
containing more copper than tin, i. e., con-
taining more than 50 per cent, of copper. The
presence of one or more additional metals
shall be denoted in the same manner as has
been indicated above in the case of "brass."

The committee is not prepared at the pres-
ent stage of its work to recommend defini-
tions of any further practical terms, as fur-
ther consideration is required for the framing
of definitions relating to smaller and more
strictly limited classes of alloys. But al-
though the committee thus only put forward
definitions for two practical alloy names, yet
those two represent by far the most widely
used alloys, and the general adoption of the
terms as thus defined would in itself do much
to remedy the state of confusion which exists
at the present time. The committee therefore
express the hope that all those interested in
the progress of the industries and sciences
connected with metals will use their best en-
deavors to support the work of the commit-
tee.

Having laid down in the present report the
principles upon which a systematic nomen-

clature of alloys can be established, and the
method by which practical names can be de-
fined in terms of that systematic nomencla-
ture, the committee hope that in their next
report they may be in a position to put for-
ward a considerable number of "practical"
names.

■^-^■*-

ALUMINUM ALLOYS FOR
CASTINGS.

The great majority of aluminum castings
that are being made today are not being cast
of pure aluminum, but are alloys of either
copper and aluminum or zinc and aluminum,
and some contain a small percentage of copper
with zinc. A good casting of high tensile
strength can be made of the following mix-
tures :

Aluminum '. . . . 66 2/3%

Bertha spelter 33 1/3%

You can also get a good casting if you re-
verse this alloy :

Aluminum 33 1/3%

Bertha spelter 66 2/3%

An aluminum alloy containing copper is the
following :

Aluminum 95%

Copper 5%

TINNING BRASS PARTS.

Bright dip the brass parts, then immerse in a
dip made as follows : In a copper kettle make
.a boiling saturated solution of cream of tartar
with a little chloride of tin added to start it
working. Place the work in thin layers be-
tween perforated blocks of tin plates. Have
solution enough to cover the work, then boil
for two or three hours. Draw off the solution
and dry out the work in sawdust. It is much
handier to have the copper kettle fitted with
a stop cock on the bottom for drawing off the
solution.

"Cobalt" is often mistakenly given as a
name for metallic arsenic. There is no
similarity between them and this error of
nomenclature has been caused by the ignor-
ance of the druggists. For electro-plating use.
there is no occasion to use metallic arsenic as
white arsenic is much more easily dissolved
and gives the required result. The metallic
arsenic is necessarv in metallurgical work.

284

THE BRASS AVORl^D

Tulv

AERON-IZING METAL AND
WOOD.

Xo matter how effective the brush has
proved when nianiimlated by a skilled artist
on flat work, it approaches its limitations of
efficient usage on intricate carved work and
fancifully molded work. The spray easily out-
distances the brush on such work and on
work of every kind offers a speed of execu-
tion and perfection of finish unattainable by
using the bristle. It may be noted also that
bristles are variable in quality, there is much

The " Aeron."

jugglery in the sorting of bristles in the
brushes and poor judgment in buying can
easily result in poor workmanship and con-
sequent losses.

The Aeron spray manufactured by the De-
Vilbiss Manufacturing Co., Toledo. O., has
been developed during the last four years
from the experimental stage to that of a tool
of mastery. The turning of a knurled nut
regulates the volume of spray. The slightest
pressure of the lever-control opens the air-
valve and starts the spray, an adjustable stop
limiting the opening. Release of pressure ef-
fects immediate valve-closure. The machine
is easily cleaned by spraying a solvent through
it after use. The fluid cup can be detached
for refilling by a single motion of the clamp-
ing lever and is as easily replaced when filled.
The Aeron applies all kinds of surface finishes,
varnishes and enamels on wood and lacquers,
varnishes, enamels, japan colors and bronzes
on metal. A neat brochure on the construc-
tion and many aplications of the Aeron pro-
ducts can be nlitained upon request.

A GOOD FLUX FOR MELTING
BRASS WASHINGS.

In the brass business it is desirable to have
a llux which will slag off the sand, iron, and
other impurities which exist in such materials
as washings or grindings, and also one that is
cheap.

The following flux has been used success-
fully for a number of years :

Quicklime .'. parts

I'luijr-spar 1 part

These can be mixed dry, but an excellent
method of doing it is to weigh out the lime,
slack it in the manner practised in the manu-
facture of mortar, and, wlien in a pasty con-
dition, stir in the lluor-spar so that the whole
is well mixed. This may be dried and it will
be then found that it is easy to use on ac-
count of its being in hunps.

Use about two handfuls of the flux to 100
pounds of the washings and put it on top of
the pot before it goes into the fire. When the
melting operation has been completed, it will
be foinid that there is a good clear slag on
the top of the crucible which may be readily
skinnned off when the crucible is removed
from the fire. If it is found to be too fluid
to skim readily, throw on a little dry ;and
which will cause the slag to become pasty
so that it mav be easilv skimmed off.

THE ''ECLIPSE'* AIR-BRUSH.

Labor is costly, and is becoming more costly
every day. In applying lacquers, paints,
japans and varnishes to different articles, the
cost of the labor is the most expensive part
of the work. Using a paint brush for the
application is a slow and tedious process and
a manufacturer is dependent entirely upon the
human element for the excellence of the
finish put on the products. Often the work
has to be done over two or three times. The
Eclipse Air-Brush, manufactured by the Eclipse
Air-Brush & Compressor Co., 228 High St.,
Newark, N. J., is about to issue a new catalog
describing the indefatigable "Eclipse"' machine
which is in favored use in many plants
throughout the United States. The entire ap-
paratus is modified to meet different con-
ditions so that it can be used with equal ease
either for the spraying of small parts or parts
too large to move from the floor. Those in-
terested should apply for a copy of the new
catalog at once in order to get the latest in-
formation on the "Eclipse"' improvements.

July

THE BRASS WORUJ

285

AN AMBASSADOR OF TRADE.

Every now and then one meets a salesman
for supplies of the electroplating and foundry
trades who is extremely well-known and de-
servedly popular. One of the central figures
in the Chicago convention of American Elec-
troplaters was Ernest Lamoureux, and his
work and that of his committee contributed
largely to the success of that event.

Ernest Lamcureux.

]\Ir. Lamoureux was born in Chambly,
Canada, a small village near Montreal. In
his people moved to Cincinnati, O., and
lie had to forego the advantages of schooling
and enter the plating department of the W. C.
Davis Stove and Range Co. In he was
■employed by the Harvey Miller Plating Works
.and continued with them until . Subse-
quently he held positions of superintendent of
the plating, polishing and buffing departments
•of the Favorite Stove & Range Co., Piqua, O.,
the Sidney Hollowware Co., Sidne}',' O.,
the Columbus Bicycle Co., Columbus, O.,
the Phoenix Bicycle Co., Freeport, III, and the
Dayton Fan & ^lotor Co., Dayton, O.

]\Ir. Lamoureux v.as one of the organizers
of the International Union of Polishers, Buf-
fers and Platers, and served one term as its
International First ^'ice-President.

In , ]\Ir. Lamoureux became interested
in selling supplies to the trade with which he
was so familiar, commencing his experience
in the selling end of the business with the
■Zucker & Levett & Loeb Co., and having
■charge of territory comprising Ohio, Pennsyl-
Aania, Indiana and Illinois. On the termina-
tion of this business. ^Ir. Lamoureux then be-

came associated with the Munning-Loeb Co.,
Matawan, X. J. with which company he is still
associated, representing them effectively in the
West.

An interesting feature of ]\Ir. Lamoureux's
evolution is the fact that his education was ob-
tained by hard knocks, night school study, as-
sociation with men capable of giving hmi ad-
vice and a course from the International
Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Pa. He
contributes much of his success to his night
schooling and course study for several years.
Many electroplaters throughout the country
are realizing the fact that their future depends
upon their own efforts for self-education and
the formation of classes for the study of the
chemistry of plating" and the increased call
for books on electroplating subjects indicate
clearly^ the advance which is being made by
live electroplaters throughout the country.

DISCUSSION ON REGULATING
AMPERAGE.

Editor "Brass World & Platers' Guide" : —

Referring to the article in your June isue,
by F. A. Rojas, on "A Xew Alethod of Regu-
lating Amperage in the Plating Room", the
author claims he can reduce amperage with-
out reducing the applied voltage at one and
the same time. A little thought and an inti-
mate knowledge of Ohm's Law should con-
vii-ice the reader that with a known resistance
and applied voltage, the current must be
known, and, like the laws of the ]\Iedes and
Persians, cannot be altered. The usual method
is to vary the current by means of an external
resistance connected in series with the vat.
Your contributor has certainly altered the
order of things by putting the resistance inside
the vat in the form of an anode shield, thus
increasing the internal resistance of the bath,
as between anode and cathode.

The claim that none of the current is wasted,
(by which I presume energy is meant) is not
justified, however, for the actual results are
the same as if the external resistance were
used, the losses being identical. The only
alteration that has been made is in the actual
position of the resistance in the electrical
circuit.
George A. Pope. Birmingham, England.

28G

THE BR^S» WORLD

July

MEETINGS OF
AMERICAN ELECTRO-
PLATERS' SOCIETY.

Bridgreport — Meets on the third Friday of
eacli month at the "Brass World" office, 260
John St., Bridgeport, Conn. Secretary, Nelson
Barnard, 858 Howard Ave., Bridgeport, Conn.

SUFBEME SOCIETY

Meets first wet-k in Jimc, 1;u."j, at Dayton, O.
Secretary, Walter Fraine. 507 Grand Ave.,
Dayton, Ohio.

BRANCH SOCIETIES.

New York — Meets fourth Friday of each
month at 309 West 23rd Street, New York City,
at 8 P. M. Secretary, Joseph Minges,
Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Rochester — Meets second and fourth Wednes-
day of each month at Rocliester University.
Secretary, Edwin S. Crowley, Jr., 368 South
Goodman Street, Rochester, N. Y.

Toronto — Meets fourth Thursday of each
month at Occidental Hall, Bathurst and Queen
Streets. Secretary, Ernest Coles, 15 Laurier
Ave., Toronto, Canada.

Philadelphia — Meets first Friday of each
month in tlie Harrison Eaboratory Building.
University of Pennsylvania, 34th. and Spruce
Sts., Philadelphia, Pa., S P. M. Secretary,
Philip Uhl, North 2;)th Street. Philadel-
phia, Pa.

Dayton — :Meets first and third Wednesday
at the Y. M. C. A., Dayton, Ohio. Secretary,
Alphonz Lamoureux, 500 East First Street,
Dayton, Ohio.

Newark — Meets first and third Friday of
each month, 8 P. M., 833 Broad Street, Newark,
N. J. Secretary, Charles A. Stiehle, 46 Madison
Avenue, Irvington, N. J.

Detroit — Meets first and third Friday of each
month at Burns' Hotel. Secretary, George J.
Kutzen.

Chicag'o — Meets fourth Saturday of each
month at Western Building, Randolph and
Michigan Aves. Secretary, pro tern., H. E. Will-
more, South Boulevard, Chicago, 111.

Indianapolis — Meets twice a month on Friday
evenings. Secretary, pro tern., J. C. Davenport,
349 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.

Buffalo — Meets the first Saturday of each
month at the University of Buffalo, at 8 P. M.
Secretary, F. C. Mesle, Willow Avenue,
Niagara Falls, N. Y.

Milwaukee — Meets second Wednesday of
each month at Marquette University. Secre-
tary, P. J. Sheehan, 922 Vliet Street, Milwau-
kee, Wis.

Cincinnati — Meets once each month at Den-
nison Hotel, Cincinnati, Ohio. Secretary,
F. H. Normand.

St. Iioiiis — Meets on the fourth Saturday of
each month at Public Library Assembly
Rooms. Secretary, H. H". Williams,
Nebraska Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

THE NEW *' MONTHLY REVIEW.

The first edition of the "Monthly Review"'
of the American Electroplaters' Society has
just been published, and H. E. Willmore, the
cilitor-in-chief, is to be congratulated on his
first product. This first issue is devoted al-
most entirely to an account of the Chicago

H. E. Willmore.

convention. The accompanying illustration-
presents to the readers of our journal a new
editor in his editorial clothes which are all
aliovc his shoulders. 'Sir. Wilmore is aggres-
sive and thoroughly well informed in all things
pertaining to the electroplating trade.

H. E. ^^■ilh^ore, the newly elected editor of
the American Electroplaters" Society's Month-
ly Review, has appointed the following as as-
sociate editors :

J. H. Hansjosten, President of Supreme
Society.

Geo. B. Hogaboom, Past President of Su-
preme Societ.v.

Chas. H. Proctor, Hon. Member of Supreme-
Society.

H. de Joannis, Bridgeport branch.

F. J. Liscomb, Chicago branch.

E. Lamoureux, Chicago branch.

Tulv

THE BRASS WORLX)

287

NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES.

At the regular meeting of the Toronto
branch, held on May 28, the officers for
were elected as follows : President : John
:Magill; vice-president: Wm. J. Salmon: sec-
retary: Ernest Coles: treasurer: Walter S.
Barrows; sergeant-at-arms : Emil Xordblom :
librarian: James Humphrey; trustees: W. W.
Wells, Jr., Robt. Dermody, Wm. McCann.

The Chicago branch has elected the follow-
ing officers: President: Oscar E. Servis ;
vice-president : John P. ^lanz ; secretary-
treasurer : H. E. Willmore (pro tem) ; libra-
rian: E. J. Liscomb ; board of managers; J.
H. Hansjosten, H. E. ^^'illmore, O. E. Servis.

The regular meeting of the Xew York
branch was held on June 26 at the Broadway
Central Hotel. The past president installed
officers for the coming year. Chas. H. Proctor,
delegate to the Chicago convention, read his
report of the proceedings. One associate and
one active member were elected.

A committee was appointed to make ar-
rangements for a branch outing in August,
The branch has not yet secured a suitable
meeting place, but is in a healthy financial
condition, as shown by the gain of $150 in
the treasury for the year.

The Bridgeport branch met at the "Brass
World" office on June 19, this being the first
meeting under a full charter. The report of
the delegate to the convention was listened
to with interest. Several matters concerning
application for membership and transference
from other branches were cleared up, and a
subject was chosen for discussion at the ne.xt
monthly meeting.

OBITUARY.

The death is announced of John J. C.
Smith, inventor, at Passaic, N. J. ]\Ir. Smith
was the inventor of the metal mixing process
used by the United States Mint, and of the
compression casting system used b}^ the Gor-
ham Alfg. Co. His other inventions include
numerous steam appliances and a new way
of treating insulated wire.

Henry ]\IcDermott, Jr., a retired brass man-
ufacturer, died recently at his home in Brook-
lyn, N. Y.

THE NEW COKE-FURNACES OF
THE FORE RIVER SHIPBUILD-
ING CORPORATION FOUN-
DRY, QUINCY, MASS.

The construction of the new brass furnaces
in the foundry of the Eore River Shipbuilding .
Corporation, Quincy, ]Mass., is at present a
source of great interest, not only on account
of the number, which is unusually large for a
foundry of its size, but also on account of
their dimensions.

The furnaces, or really the battery of fur-
naces, are coke-burning and are located in the
north end of the shop. They are eighteen in
number, nine being built for Xo. 400, and
nine for X'o. 100 crucible, thus having a total
capacity of thirteen tons per da\-. This is the
largest output of any brass foundry in this
locality.

In shape they are square, of brick con-
struction, and the flues of each size connect
with two main flues. Each of the main flues
has a 48 in. stack, 90 ft. high.

The ash-pit in itself is a novel feature. It
runs the length of the furnace space, fifty-
three feet, is six feet wide, seven feet deep
and made of cement. A second lower pit
si.K feet square and five feet deep has been
constructed. Into this a box may be raised
or lowered by a crane in order to remove the
ashes with greater convenience.

On the right, opening directly on to the
grating in front of the furnaces, is the door
of the stock-room; directly opposite, from
the grating on the left, swings the door of the
cement coke-bin which is on the outside of
the building. This location of the stock-room
and the coke-bin has the advantage of great-
ly lessening the labor of handling material.

In fact this plan and arrangement of the
furnace actually cut the cost of fuel and labor
at least one-half, which in turn serves to re-
duce the cost of production.

Acid copper baths scarcely ever need ad-
dition of sulphuric acid when once prepared.
Free acid is constantly formed in solution
while deposition is taking place. Alum will
neutralize the free acid forming aluminum
sulphate which has been found verj- beneficial
in electro galvanizing baths and when added
as alum (the double sulphate of aluminum
and potassium ) neutralizes the free acid and
gives excellent results in the acid copper bath.

288

THE BRASS ^VORU>

July

NEW BROWN RESISTANCE
THERMOMETER.

The Brown Instrument Company of Phila-
delphia, Pa., has brouj4ht out a new resistance
thermometer for measuring temperatures
from 200° below zero to ° Fahrenheit
with the greatest accuracy. This instrument
is particularly well adapted for measuring low
temperatures which cannot readily be measur-
ed with the thermo electric pyrometers, and is
particularly useful for measuring the tempera-
tures found in dryers and ovens, in the bear-
ings of machines which may overheat, in the
winding of motors and in transformers, on re-
frigerating machines, and in rooms which
must be maintained at a constant temperature.

The instrument consists of a bulb or coil
of resistance wire, Fig. 2, through which a ci^r-
rent is passed, and which changes in resistance
with change in temperature. Bulbs located at
numerous points around the plant are con-
nected by 3 wire cable to the indicating in-
strument and switchboard, wdiich can be
placed at any desired point. In determining
the temperature it is simply necessary to
switch any bulb on to the indicating instru-
ment, as shown in Fig. 1. If a constant tem-
perature is to be maintained, the pointer can
be adjusted to this temperature and the de-
flection of the pointer on the upper scale of
the instrument will show the increase or de-
crease in temperature. This new instrument
operates on either dry cells or storage bat-

teries, or 110 or 220 volt direct current light-
ing circuits.

Its chief advantages are in the ability to
read moderate temperatures from one cen-
tral location without the necessity of going
about from one point to another to read the
temperature as indicated on thermometers,
and in the fact that the bulbs in this instru-
ment are all of metal and are not liable to
l)e broken as is the case with a glass ther-
mometer. The indications of tlie instrument
are guaranteed to be within 1 per cent.

F"urther detailed information regarding this
instrument can be secured from the 64 page
catalog issued by the Brown Instrument Co.
Philadelphia, Pa. which will be sent upon re-
quest.

NATURAL VENTILATION.

Ventilation of the foundry, the factory, the
buffing and polishing room and the plating
room is a subject which is engaging the at-
tention of all up-to-date superintendents.
Where possible, it is desirable that a natural
exhaust ventilator should be installed as being
more economical and less liable to shut-down
owing to mechanical troubles, besides being
more economical to instal and operate. A roof
ventilator which lias attracted considerable

attention during the past two years is known
as the "Arex", manufactured by J. C. Kern-
chen, 105 South Dearborn St., Chicago, III.
This is made in all standard sizes from 4 to
36 in. and is fitted with a damper when de-
sired. These galvanized "Arex" ventilators

July

THE BRASS M^ORJLX)

289

have no movable parts and are claimed to be
absolutely storm-proof. A prospective buyer
of "Arex" ventilators made an interesting
test of them recently by endeavoring to stop
their ventilating action by playing on them
a steam hose under high pressure on different
parts of the ventilator. Smoke was intro-
duced from beneath in order to make the test
absolute, but in no case was the smoke im-
peded in its exit from the ventilator, finding
its way out readily through the passages on
the other side of the steam-testing apparatus.
As a result of this test the "Arex" was speci-
fied, as no storm to which it could be sub-
jected could give it such a severe test as
this. The "Arex"' ventilator is being installed
in a number of important factories through-
out the country. Special information concern-
ing it can be obtained by application to the
manufacturer. When writing, mentiDU the
"Brass World."

THE USE OF SOFT HEADED
HAMMERS IN A BRASS SHOR

The use of soft-headed hammers in a brass
manufacturing plant has become quite uni-
versal as they are the practical tools to use
on work requiring heavy drawing where work
must not be marred or scratched. There are a
number of these all-metal soft-headed ham-
mers in use, and they can be inexpensively and

CAST IRON BLOCK
TO FILL SPACE

BASBITT OR SOFT METAL

Soft Headed Hammer.

quickly made as shown in the accompanying
illustration. The dimensions, of course, will
vary according to the work for which the
hammers are intended. To make a hammer
of the same kind as illustrated, turn a smooth

handle of mild steel, thread one end with a
pipe die, or use a piece of iron pipe the re-
quired size. Plug up the end that screws into
T and assemble as shown in the illustration.
Then wath a suitable mold to shape the faces
pour the T full of lead or babbitt metal.

After the metal has cooled and if the mold
has left the faces rough, unscrew the handle,
turn the soft faces smooth in the lathe, re-
place the handle and you have a hammer that
is quite serviceable. As soon as the faces are
worn it is a simple matter to repair them by
throwing the whole hammer into the melting-
pot, melting- out the soft metal and remolding
the hammer according to the preceding in-
structions.

There are two other hammers that can be
inexpensively made. One of these is produced
from a mold made the shape of an egg and
in two halves like a core-box. One end of
the steel mold should have an opening to re-
ceive a piece of i in. iron pipe which extends
into the mold two-thirds of the way and is
rtared or bulged at the end. The other end
of the n-iold should have an opening used to
pour in the metal.

The other kind of hanuner can be made in
the foundry by having a pattern made up of
the desired weight of head desired and insert-
ing in the mold a g or i in. iron pipe of the
desired length with a T on the end. The pipe
acts as the handle and the T on the end
where tlie lead hammer part is molded around
acts as a wedge and allows the hammer to be
put to severe service. These lead hammers are
very serviceable around all kinds of machines,
as operators can use them without bruising
threads or tools and they are a good invest-
ment in any brass manufacturing plant.

The cold-bend test on metals or alloys is.
a most satisfactory test when properly applied.
A thick section should be used to secure a
tension at the bend, at least an eighth of an
inch. The metal testing piece is bent double
and flattened at the bend so that the halves
are in close contact. Sound metal will show
little indication of the strain placed upon it.
Insufficient ductility is demonstrated by the
pulling away of the metal fibers, showing dif-
ficulties to be encountered in spinning or
drawing. "Burnt" metal is indicated by the
cracks at the bend. It is an easy test to make
and should be standardized for general use.

290

July

PATENT NOTES.

Plating' Apparatus.

In an apparatus for i)lathig articles with
brass, copper, nickel, etc., the anodes are sup-
ported in the electrolytic solution in a tank,
the articles to be plated being contained in a
drum supported in the tank in such a manner
that it can be revolved by suitalile means.

The barrel is provided at each end with a
metallic hul) into which the rods supporting

the barrel extend. Each hub has a number of
inwardly projecting curved arms, by means
of which the articles being plated are subjected
to the required electrical energy. The barrel
is removable and can be used with tanks of
various sizes and containing various solutions.
— U. S. Patent 1,095, :J28. May 5, . James
H. Jordan, St. Louis, Mo.

Device for Protecting" leg's and Feet of "Work,
men from Molten Metal.

This invention is l)ased on the disc(.)very that
molten metal at a high temperature can, under
certain conditions be poured against such in-
fianunable material as canvas without burning
or charring it.

The device takes the form of a legging with
both leg and feet portions and is so contoured

a.-, to be free from any grooves, ridges, etc., in
which the metal might rest. The canvas is
hard and close-woven, and stiff enough to
maintain this contour. The molten metal fall-
ing upon it sheds itself immediately by the
force of gravity, leaving the workman unin-
jured.—U. S. Patent, 1,097,354. May 19, .
A. E. Outerbridge, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.

Steam-heated Tumbling' Barrel.

In a tunil)]ing l)arrel which can be rotated

or tilted, a steam jacket is provided for the
introduction of live steam to heat the barrel's
contents, during its operation. Back pressure
is eliminated and means are provided for dis-
charging the condensed steam at regular in-
tervals.

The steam-heating apparatus consists of a
steam iacket. having a collector and a hollow

-F"

shaft which leads into it. A gear attached to
the liarrel is mounted on this shaft, and has a
passage in its hub communicating with the
inner side of the collector. A collar surround-
ing the hub has a single opening for the con-
densed steam to escape. Steam connections
supply the hollow shaft with live steam. — U.
S. Patent 1,099.041. June 2, . John Hen-
derson, Waterbury, Conn.

July

TIIE BRASS WORLD

291

Moldingr-macliine.

In a molding-niaclmic means are provided

for transmitting power from a sonrce of
power to the mold-supporting table so that
when the table is being jarred to compact
the sand, the parts may be protected from
violent and injurious shocks. The same
mechanism is used to vibrate the table, elevate
it, ram or press the sand in the molds and
draw the patterns from the molds. — U. S.
Patent 1,096,675. ^^lay 12, . J. W. Brown,
Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.

Device for Closing' the Tapping-Opening's of
Smelting' Turnaces.

In this device, the plug carrier, suspended
from a link which is secured to the furnace
above the opening, is guided in such a man-
ner that the plug is lowered to the height of
the opening only just before its insertion.

The plug carrier oscillates on the link, but
the distance of oscillation is adjustable and
limitable. Means are provided for lowering
the link with the carrier, and guiding the latter
into the tapping opening. — U. S. Patent 1,097,-
345. May 19, . Hermann Meyer, Barmen,
Germanv.

Coating' Flexible Objects of Org^anic Orig'in
'With Metal.

This invention relates to a process of coat-
ing such materials as yarn, thread, textile
fabrics, hair, feathers, horn and leather with
finely dissipated metal in such a manner as to
adorn them and make them more durable, at
the same time protecting and preserving their
flexi1_iilit\- and softness.

The material is passed in a vacuum near
metal electrodes, and an electric field is main-
tained of such intensity that the metal of one
or more of the electrodes becomes disintegrat-
ed and is deposited on the object. The objects
coated have the color and luster of the metal,
but retain the characteristic surface markings,
so that even coated cotton and silk threads
are easily distinguishable from each other. — ■
U. S. Patent 1,099,934. June 16, . R. Rafn
and G. E. Schmidmer, Nuremberg, Germanv.

Electric Furnace for Medium Temperatures.

The invention relates to furnaces particular-
ly applicable to-^the melting of copper and its
alloys. Certain serious objections to the type
of furnace where heat is radiated from an

electric arc formed between two electrodes
above the charge, are overcome in this furnace
in wbicli provision is made to receive a maxi-
mum heat circulation in parts protected from
the direct radiation of the arc.

The casing is cylindrical and made of sheet
iron, and is separated from the melting cham-
ber which is made of magnesia, by a good heat

insulator. This chamber is eccentrically loca-
ted in the casing, and thus the top is easily
kept cool, preventing destruction of the lining,
while the lower part, protected bv the charge
from the direct heat of the arc, is provided
with a tliick layer of insulation.

The electrode holder consists of a hollow
cylinder carrying a threaded sleeve into which
the electrode screws. To keep this sleeve from
getting too hot, it is provided with an electri-
cally insulated tube, in which is another tube
connected to a supply of w-ater. — U. S. Patent
1,093,494. April 14, . E. Stassano, Turin,
Italv. and X. Petinot, Niagara Falls, N. Y.

292

THE BR^SS WORTX)

Tiilv

Electrolytic Apparatus.

The chief oljject of this invention is to ar-
range that the weight of the anode and
cathode is not home l)y the tank, and there-
fore to permit of a liglitly constructed tank,
which needs no metallic lining. A framework

is provided with compartments for tanks,
wliich are supported by the frame. Conduc-
tors and insulating bars are carried by the
compartments, and from these hang the elec-
trodes.—U. S. Patent 1,09.5,748. May 5, .
William Thum, Hammond, Ind.

Process of Coating- Webs of Paper with
Iieaf Metal.

An adhesive web and a traveling web carry-
ing the leaf metal are brought together under
pressure between two rollers. The amount of
pressure applied may be regulated by regulat-
ing the period during which they are subjected
to pressure. The pressure is removed after
the transfer of the leaf from one web to the
other and the two then continue traveling in
their respective paths. Several leaf metal feed
rolls can be used side by side or one behind
the other, so arranged as to place several
strips of leaf side by side on a web. — U. S.
Patent 1,096.822. May 19, . Emil Brandt,
^lunich, Germanv.

Electrode for Electric Pumaces.

This invention provides means for uniting
two electrode such as are used in electric fur-
naces, end to end, so that each may be en-
tirely consumed in tlic furnace.

One electrode has a longitudinal hole in one
end, containing an annular enlarging groove
communicating with the outer surface of the
electrode. The other electrode has an integral
pin at one end, which fits the hole in the other,
and also contains an annular groove. The
two are joined by a self-hardening cement
forced through the exterior holes into the an-
nular groove, thus forming a compound elec-
trode.—U. S. Patent 1,097,227. May 19, .
A. T. Hinckley, Niagara Falls, X. Y.

Apparatus for Testing' Castings.

This apparatus consists of an indicating in-
strument used in conjunction with apparatus
for testing metal castings of magnetic ma-
terial, and provides a device for indicating the
relative strength of two magnetic fields.

Two electromagnets are secured to a frame,
and between their poles there extend the ends

of a pivoted armature lever, on which are sup-
ported removable disks. An indicating de-
vice extending from the lever coacts with a
stationary scale.— U. S. Patent 1,096,158. May
12. . Ethan I. Dodds, Central Valley, New
York.

The easiest and most satisfactory method
for the introduction of magnesium into melted
copper is by using a rich alloy of copper and
magnesium previously made into small ingots
containing 90 per cent of copper and 10 per
cent of magnesium. As the amount of mag-
nesium required for the production of sound
copper castings approximates 0.10 per cent,
ten times the copper-magnesium-alloy value
should be added.

July

293

TRADE HAPPENINGS.

C. W. Leavitt & Co., 30 Church St., New
York, have been appointed American selling
agents by the Iron & Steelworks Mark, Wen-
gern-Ruhr, Germany, manufacturers of car-
bonless metals and alloys. This company has
lately issued a booklet concerning these alloys,
dealing with their uses for the refining of
metal castings. Much useful information re-
lating to the use of carbonfree manganese and
its alloys may be derived from a perusal of
this booklet, which C. \V. Leavitt 8z Co. will
send on request.

The Titanium Alloy ^Manufacturing Co.,
Niagara Fals, X. Y., announces that it has
organized a bronze department for the manu-
facture of titanium-bronze specialties under
its various patents, and that Mr. Wm. ]\I.
Corse, formerly works manager of the Lumen
Bearing Co., Buffalo, and lately general mana-
ger of the Empire Smelting Co., Depew, N.
Y., will be associated with the company as
manager of this department.

W. Canning & Co., Birmingham, England,
have just issued a new catalog section No. 1
D, devoted to low voltage dynamos. This
makes a very fine showing and the ilkistra-
tions show clearly the magnitude of the manu-
facturing operations of this up-to-date English
company. The pages devoted to electric
measuring devices are quite interesting and
the large illustrations of the erecting shop and
the resistance board and brass finishing shop
are noteworthy. American users of dynamos
who are interested can obtain a copy of this
catalog section upon application.

"LesoyI" is the name that has been given to
a semi-fluid concentrate containing graphite,
which is being used to increase the efficiency
of lubricating oils and greases. This sub-
stance has the power to keep graphite sus-
pended uniformly through the oil with which
it is mixed in the proportions directed.

Not only is it claimed that "LesoyI" con-
veys the perfect lubricant, graphite, to all
parts of the bearings, but it is also stated that
the graphite flakes take part of the journal
load, thus preserving the oil film unbroken.

Economy to oil users is bound to develop

from the use of this product of the Lumen
Bearing Co., Buffalo, N. Y., who have issued
a booklet concerning LesoyI, which may be
had on application.

COBALT TIN ALLOY.

According to a recent item in the "Iron
Trade Review", the official chemist of the
American Institute of Metals reports that an
alloy of about 40 per cent cobalt and 60 per
cent of tin is especially resistant to acids, but
owing to its brittleness it has little commercial
value. Experiments, however, show that ad-
mixtures of this alloy with other metals, such
as copper, produce a series of alloys which
can be turned, forged and machined and still
have a high degree of chemical resistance.

The Goldschmidt Thermit Co., 90 West St.,
New York, is able to furnish a 97 per cent
pure metallic cobalt and a 10 per cent cobalt,
90 per cent copper alloy, either of which could
be used to advantage for making this cobalt-
tin alloy. Both the cobalt and the cobalt-cop-
per alloy are carbonfree.

LUBRICATING THE WHEELS OF
PROGRESS.

The name of the man who first found out
what a drop of grease or oil would do in
helping wheels to go round, has been lost,
which is a pity, for while it is true that money
may make the mare go, the mare will have a
hard time unless the wheels of the buggy are
greased behind her. Since the first discovery,
it has also been found that there is as much
difference between oils and oils and greases
and greases as there is between folks and
folks.

Among the pioneers of this latter-day
knowledge of scientific lubrication, the Apothe-
caries Hall Co., 24 Benedict St., Waterbury,
Conn., is a prominent figure. The company
has devoted its attention to lubricating oils
for a great many years. All the oils sold by
it are analyzed and tested in the company's
laboratories by its own chemists. Two popular
oils are known as the "Solar" machine and
engine oil, and the "Thistle" dynamo oil which
are especially suitable for lubricating pur-

294

THE BRXSS WORtX)

July

poses, the "Solar" being tor lubricating shaft-
ing, gearing, engine bearings and heavier
machine work and the "Thistle" for high-
speed machinery, dynamos and lighter
machines. Special data on these and other
oils can be secured upon application. Vou can
lubricate the wheels of communication by
mentioning the "Brass World" when writing.

CELLULOID ZAPON CO. DEVELOP-
ING A NEW MANUFACTURING
CENTER.

The Celluloid Zapon Co.. 200 Fifth Ave.,
New York City, has just purchased a half
block of property in Chicago located at La
Salle, 45th St. and the Lake Shore tracks. The
company expects in the near future to mak«
this its western headquarters from which point
all western business will be handled. The
construction work of the new plant will be
proceeded with immediately and it is expected
that it will be ready for business in the fall.
Frank B. Davis will be resident manager. The
new location will be advantageous in that all
the heavy raw material can be shipped in cars
direct from the Stamford plant into the
Chicago plant. The company fully expects
to give the Middle \\'est a complete lacquer
service of merit.

BRASS FINISHING IN INDIA.

The Indian brassworker does all his polish-
ing with the aid of the tile, the chaser, emery
cloth, vegetable acids and the burnisher. All
sharp edges are removed by hand, and an in-
finite amount of time is wasted in doing
things singly that might be done by the score
or the hundred. This lost time, which,
whether he will admit it or not, is lost money,
is the reason why so many things in brass
are imported from Furope and sold more
cheaply than he can make them.

Labor is cheap or dear quite irrespective
of the mere question of wages, for the
European workman getting the equivalent of
120 rupees per month in England works more
cheaply than the Indian on two rupees a dav.
(A rupee is worth 4S cents^. For example,
an Indian has an order for a quantity of ar-
ticles to be made of sheet-brass and polished.
He buys the cheapest sheet he can find, which
has a rough surface that will cost to polish
far more in labor than he has saved in price,
and the polishing is frequently left until it is
cut up or even until the articles are nearly

linished. Then follows a weary time of polish-
ing, and at the end ".Made in India" is written
all over the work.

In I'urope many a man working on his own
account has taken temporary employment in
some factory just to obtain knowledge of
some impro\-ed process, but this is rarely done
by the Indian. On the other hand he may be
foreman in some manufactory and have a
small workshop of his own, where he does
work for his employers' clients unknown to
the master. If the work is large or urgent, he
will take "leave to see a sick father" until the
job is finished. He knows little or nothing
of rapid methods of work or of the use of
acids or abrasives, and he never heard of the
"tumbler" in which cpiantities of castings or
punched articles are cleaned or have their
sharp edges and corners rubbed of¥ by means
of abrasives ranging from coke to sawdust
and polishing powders or hardened steel balls
and soap. The tumbler revolves while the
articles within it polish each other. The man
who never learns to handle his file properly
may still make flat surfaces if he fixes two
pieces an inch or two apart with their surfaces
in line. This forms a guide for the file, and
is particularly useful in filing up flat pieces of
cast metal or rolled plated to a level surface.

The economies of the brassworker begin
with the making of patterns that shall have no
more than the necessary amount of metal in
them and just enough to clean up on the sur-
faces to be polished. Every care bestowed on
the pattern on the molding sand and on the
purity of the metal is rewarded by good cast-
ings that may be finished with a minimum of
labor. Lacquering is scarcely known, and
bronzing is left to time and accident, although
in a country where metals tarnish very readily
it should be carefully studied. This art. as;
practised by the Japanese to perfection, has
never attracted the Indian student of Japanese
industries. His studies of the match, candle,
soap and other trades have brought heavy
losses to many of his countrymen who pro-
vided capital to start him in business. As a
raw surface of brass or copper tarnishes very
rapidly, the Indian uses fine sand and water
or lemon or tarmarind juice which, being a
solvent, rapidly cleans the metal, but as no
thought is given to neutralising the acid left
on the surface, it loses color in a very short
time, whereas a little washing soda and warm
water would remove all trace of acid. — Indian
Textile journal.

July

295

NEWS OF OUR NEIGHBORS.

The Pittsburgh otiice of the Brown Instru-
ment Co., has been changed from Room 9-43
to Room Oliver Building, Pittsburgh.

Excavation will soon be started for the
erection of a new factory for the Aluminum
Goods Mfg. Co., Newark, X. J., cost $100,000.

The National Aluminum & Bronze Mfg.
Co., Indianapolis, Ind., has dissolved.

The Burns & Bassick Mfg. Co., Bridgeport,
Conn., manufacturer of brass goods, will build
a three-story addition to its plant.

The Nyham Brass Foundry, Norfolk
Downs, Mass., has been purchased by the
Pneumatic Scale Co., Ltd., whose property
adjoins it.

The Federal Brass Co., Cleveland, O., has
purchased land for the purpose of erecting a
manufacturing plant on E. 27th St., Cleveland,
O.

Work has commenced on the new plant to
be erected for the Buffalo Metal Goods Co.,
Winchester and Fillmore Sts., Buffalo, N. Y.,
at a cost of more than $20,000.

Increased activity is reported at the mills of
the National Tube Co., at Lorain, O., the gal-
vanizing department of the pipe mills having
been again put on double turn.

The Sheet Metal Specialty Co., Goshen, Ind.,
may enlarge its plant this summer.

The Titan Copper Products Company, Inc.,
has resumed operations after having been
shut down for some time.

The Dutch Indies Colonial Exhibition is to
be held at Semarang, Java, from August to
November, . Among the many interesteing
exhibits to be shown are examples of metal
working both by hand and by machinery and
of the mining industry of the island, some of
the products being copper, silver, lead, tin,
and gold.

The Southern Brass & Plating Co., -
Washington St., Houston, Texas, has
leased the Ryan estate for the erection of a
factory building.

Carl Wipperman is erecting a factory at
Mankato, Minn., for the manufacture of
metallic fence post and wire fences.

The Fitchburg Enamel Co., 37 Culley St.,
Worcester, Mass., is about to build an ad-
dition for enamelling purposes at a cost of
$2,000.

Work on the remodelling of the Alajestic
Furnace & Foundry Co's building at Hunting-
ton, Ind., is approaching completion and it is
expected that installation of equipment will
begin in a few weeks.

The United States Aluminum Co., is erect-
ing a large office building in the Tudor style
at New Kensington, Pa.

The Eagle Mfg. Co., Cumminsville, O., is
about to add a brass castings plant to its fac-
tory and to increase its plating plant at a
total cost of $31,000.

The Buffalo Copper and Brass Rolling Mill,
Buffalo, N. Y., increased its capital stock
from $500,000 to $1,000,000.

The S. J. Asbell Co., Paterson, N. J., manu-
facturer of all kinds of brass goods, has pur-
chased a large building on Putnam St., to meet
the requirements of its increased business.

Unique Brass Foundry Co., Buffalo, N. Y.,
expect to soon break ground for a new
$25,000 steel brick foundry. They make all
sorts of bronze, brass, aluminum and babbit
metal castings.

The Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co.,
Youngstown, 0., has received a contract for
22 miles of 12-inch pipe, in addition to the
recent contract for more than 150 miles of
eight and ten-inch pipe for the California oil
fields.

296

July

NEW CORPORATIONS.

The Henry-Traces Brass Foundry Co.,
Plainfield, X. J., has hcen incorporated with
capital stock of $:)(),()(l(). by \\'. P.. Henry, A. B.
Castner and G. S. Castncr.

The Buffalo Brass Foundry Company, Buf-
falo, N. Y.. capitalized at $5,000, to manufac-
ture and sell in brass, copper, aluminum and
all other metals has been incorporated.

The Climax Metal Products Co., New York
City, have a capital stock of $5,000. The di-
rectors are A. T. Rutter, F. E. Bartlett, and
H. C. Carpenter.

The National Plating Co., Worcester, Mass.,
with $5,000 capital stock, will carry on a busi-
ness of plating. The directors are Jason C.
Stearns, Thos. Crabtree and Geo. M.
Sogegian.

The Fireless Solder Corporation, Man-
hattan. N. Y., has a capital stock of $10,000.
The directors are A. Tison, W. J. Ransom and
A. C. Fox.

The McGill ^Ictal Co., Valparaiso, Ind.,
with capital $100,000, will manufacture metals.
Jas. H. McGill. H. \V. Harrold and S. M.
Harrold are directors.

The Goldsmith and Silversmith Co., New
Haven, Conn., has a capital of $10,000.
Clarence H. Ryder, Albert H. Barclay and
John H. G. Durant are the incorporators.

K. Miller & Van Winkle, Brooklyn, N. Y.,
with capital of $150,000, will deal in metal
articles, the directors being Clarence L. Miller,
Edward M. IMiller and Albert P. Brush.

The Western Lamp & Brass Co., Chicago,
111., has increased its capital stock from $10,-
000 to $20,000.

The Rohwedder-Freymann Jewelry Co., St.
Joseph, Mo., with capital $10,000, has been
incorporated by O. P. and W. X. Rohwedder
and P. P. Freymann.

The Bremer-Waltz Corporation, Brooklyn,
X. Y., with capital of $00,000, will deal in
crude and manufactured aluminum. J. L. T.
Waltz, J. H. Eastcrday and W. P. Richardson
are directors.

Chicago Tube & Iron Co., Inc., with capital
of $50,000, will deal in boiler tubes, metal
plates, etc. Incorporators are W. G. Morgan,
M. Kasilis, and E. M. Peters.

Xew Rochelle Foundry Co., Inc., New
Rochelle, N. Y., with capital of $15,000, manu-
facture metal products, etc. Incorporators are
Frank J. Holler, Marie W. Holler and Wni.
V. McCarthv.

H. A. Herschfield Jewelry Co., Kansas City,
2\Io., capital $25,000. has been incorporated by
H. A. and C. R. Herschfield and Samuel
Feller.

Joseph Julie Co., Inc., New York, capital
$10,000, manufacture and deal in metal furni-
ture, etc. Incorporators are Jos. Julie. Tobias
Buchbinrer and Kopel Gottlieb.

Cooley & Edlund, Inc., Syracuse, N. Y.,
capital $75,000, manufacture and deal in
metals, foundry, machine shop. etc. M. J.
Cooley, J. A. Edlund and M. Edlund are the

incorporators.

The United Metal Works, Inc.. a new con-
cern of Bridgeport, Conn., has incorporated
for $5,000 for the manufacturing of lighting
fixtures, reading lamps, etc., in the metal line.
The officers of the new concern are the follow-
ing :

President, H. Abroms : vice-president, M. J.
Hatfield ; secretary, A. E. Woolard ; treasurer,
H. Abroms. Mr. Abroms has for many years
been connected with the Union Light Co., con-
ducting one of the largest lighting fixture
businesses in southern New England. Arthur
T. Woolard, who has had many years of ex-
perience in the metal business, will be manager
of the new concern.

July

297

PLACE AND VALUE OF THE TRADE PAPERS.

BY R. R. SHUMAN,

CONTINUED FROM JUNE ISSUE.

I have spoken mainly of trade and technical
publications as mediums for general advertis-
ing, for exploiting autos and similar advertis-
able things not necessarily belonging to the
class of people reached.

That is only an incident compared with their
importance in their own distinctive fields.

The trade paper was originally a hangeron,
a sort of by-product of the industry or trade
to which it attached itself; and, as such, was
in a measure a suppliant for alms, satisfied
with the crumbs in the shape of "cards'' that
fell from the rich man's table.

Compared to Gasoline.

Standard Oil men will tell you how gaso-
line was once a by-product in the refining of
petroleum — a first-class nuisance to be gotten
rid of; but that now, petroleum itself is the
by-product in the manufacture of the more
important gasoline and that so much gasoline
is demanded that the Company is hard-put-to
to find an outlet for its petroleum.

To a lesser degree, perhaps, the trade paper
has emerged from the by-product class — from
the "first-class nuisance" status — to a com-
manding position in the industry that it repre-
sents.

It has forced its way up, because it has
rendered real service. It has given vastly
more than it has ever received. Its devotion
— usually unpaid — to the best interests of its
readers and its advertisers is little short of
sublime.

But unfortunately the men who have
wrought this change, from a mendicant to a
power, cannot get rid of the habits-of-thoughts
of their struggling days; and their thankful
acceptance of quarter-page "cards" from
firms that should use double-page "spreads"
shows that the trade paper publisher still
stands too much in awe of men whose power
and influence and real excuse for existence
are not a tenth of his own.

A Nezv Order of Things.

But this condition is changing rapidly. A
new generation is taking hold. New methods
are being put into force, rates advanced to
somewhere near where they should be, and a
little while ago the business-world was elec-
trified by the announcement of the sale of

one paper for $400,000; soon thereafter a trio
commanded $1,500,000 and other trade papers
were sold to syndicates of giants for other
startling amounts.

The trade paper is coming into its own in
its own particular field : and already we be-
gin to see signs of its attracting the attention
of the general advertiser.

Team Work N^ecessary.
If the publishers of these papers will but
work together, as the magazines do. through
"lists" in the hands of men or agencies who
have the proper measure of the people
reached, and the specialized skill that enables
them to talk to those people in their own par-
ticular language, this new advertising force
can be harnessed quickly and so succesfully as
to set a new and higher standard of proper
advertising returns. ■

But. as long as each of a dozen competing
papers in any one field fellows the present
far-too-common practice of claiming the
whole field to itself, and belittling its com-
petitors, this unmeasured latent advertising
power will continue to run wild or to waste
its substance on the barren banks of stone-
faced "standing cards" that stare from the
pages of near a thousand publications that
the rulers of industry and commerce read.

Gentlemen : I have given you but an im-
perfect picture of this new and revolutioniz-
ing advertising force. Put it to the test your-
selves, and measure its real greatness. Use it,
not only for the specialized lines that are ob-
vious for each of the special fields covered,
but use it for every sort of proposition —
necessity or luxury — which, in your judgment
will open pocket books that hold the bulk of
the Nation's wealth, rather than to select those
popular mediums in which your announcement
will only create discontent among the strug-
gling millions who read and wish but cannot
buy.

PERSONAL.

H. H. Van Horn has resigned his position
with The Bennett-O'Connell Co. to accept a
traveling position with Terpenny & Franche,,
the Chicago lacquer manufacturers.

298

July

Current Metal and Supply Prices.

Tnese Prices are net and are for standard packings. Smaller quantities command higher

prices. Prices subject to fluctuation.

Acetone, pure 98-99% ITj.

Acid, Acetic, pure 30% It).

Arsenious (White Arsenic) . tb.
Benzoic Ilj.

Boracic (Boric), pure lb.

Hydrocliloric, see Acid, Muriatic.

HydroHuoric, 30% Hj.

Hydrofluoric. fiO'/f

Muriatic, 20°

Muriatic, c. p.

Nitric, 38° ...

Acid,
Acid,
Acid,
Acid,
Acid,
Acid.
Acid,
Acid,
Acid,
Acid,
Acid,
Acid,
Acid,
Acid,

20°

Alcoliol, Wood

.13
.07
.10
.30
.OS

.01

.02
.07
.05%

.05%

.061/4

.OS

.01 ^

.06

.45

.36

.05

.18

.04

Ah.

.04%

.tt).

.Hj.

Nitric, 40° m.

Nitric, 42° lb.

Nitric, c. p lb.

Sulphuric, 66° Oj.

Sulphuric, c. p H).

sal.

Alcohol, Denatured gal.

Alum rij.

Aluminum, 98 to 99'', tb.

Ammonium Sulphate lli.

Aqua-Fortis, see Acid, Nitric.
Ammonia Water (Aqua-Ammonia,

20° Hj.

Ammonia Water (Aqua-Ammonia,

26° m.

Ammonia Water, c. p lli.

Ammonium Carbonate, lump Vb.

Ammonium Chloride (Sal-Ammoniac)

Hj.

Ammonium Hydrosulphuret lb.

Ammonium Sulphate lb.

Ammonium Sulphocyanide lb.

Amyl Acetate gal.

Antimony Hj. 5.45

Arsenic, Metallic lb.

Arsenic, White (Acid Arsenious) ..lb.
Argols, White (Cream of Tartar) It).

Asphaltum, Commercial Hj.

Asphaltum, Egyptian (Bitumen ...Hd.

Benzine gal.

Benzol, Pure gal.

Bismuth, Metallic lb.

Blue-Vitiiol lb.

Borax, Crystals or Powdered lb.

Borax Glass lb.

Cadmium, Metallic lb.

Carlion Bisuljihide Hi.

Calcium Carbonate (Precipitated Chalk)

ni.

Chrome-Green Hi.

Chromium metal (98 to 99%) pure

carbon free lb. .70

Chromium-copper alloy (10% chrom-
ium) carbon free Hd. .75

•Cobalt, Metallic, pure and carbon

free lb. 2.00

Cobalt-copper alloy (10% cobalt) ..lb. .60

Copper, Electrolytic Hd. 15i4tol5%

Copper, Casting lb. 15 to 15 i/^

Copper, Sheet th. .19 M

Copper Wire nom, base lb. .141/^

Copper Acetate (Verdigris) lb. .35

Copper Carbonate, dry Yb. .14'/^

Copper Sulphate (Blue-Stone) ....lb. .OS^A

Corrosive Sublimate, see Mercury Bi-
chloride.
Cream-Tartar, see Potassium Bitartrate

Cryolite lb.

Cyanide, see Potassium Cyanide.

Dextrin 11).

Emery Flour Hi.

Emery, F F & F F F Hj.

Flint, powdered Vb.

.07

.08

.09

.12

.30

.04

.35

1.75

to 7.20

.10

.05

.24%

.05

.30

.15

.27

2.25

.051/i

.04%

.30

.85

.051/2

.04 Vo

.26

Fluor-Spar II

His.

Fusel-Oil .gal.

Gold Chloride oz.

Gold, Pure oz.

Gum Copal lb.

Gum Guaiacum Hi.

Gum Mastic lb.

Gum Sandarac lb.

Gum Shellac, brown lb.

Gum Shellac, white lb.

Iridium oz.

Iron Perchloride. (110 lbs.) H).

Iron Sulphate (Copperas) Vb.

.12

.
■ OSVz
.02
.041/0

s.oo
3. no
1.75

0.87

.30

.26

.80

.35

.50

.60
0.00

.14

.05

.091/4
3.90

.05%
.06%

.10

to .75

1.50

1.12

.37

1.50

1.80

.08 1/2

.50

.30

.45

.20

I^ead Acetate (Sugar of Lead)

Lead, Pig, Trust price

Lead, Red tlj.

Lead, Yellow Oxide (Litharge) ...lb.

Liver of Sulphur, see Potassium Sulphide.

Manganese, Ferro, 80% lb.

Manganese, Metallic, pure and carbon
free rb. .66

Magnesium. Metallic lb.

Mercury Bichloride (Corrosive Sub-
limate) lb.

Mercury, Metallic ( Quicksilver) . ..lb.

Mercury Nitrate rb.

Mercury Oxide, yellow lb.

Nickel and Ammonium Sulphate

(Double Salts) rb.

Nickel Carbonate, dry tlj.

Nickel Chloride ....". tb.

Nickel Metallic ib

Nickel Sulphate (Single Salts) : . . .lb.

Nitre (saltpetre), see Potassium Nitrate

Oil of Vitriol, see Acid, Sulphuric.

Paraffine rb.

Phosphorus, yellow tb.

Phosphorus, red rb

Pitch tb.

Plaster of Paris, Dental bbl.

Platinum, soft oz. 43.00 to

Platinum, hard, 10% oz. 46.00 to

Platinum, hard. 20% oz. 49.00 to

Potash-by-Alcohol, in sticks lb.

Potash, (iaustic rb.

Potassium Bichromate lb.

Potassium Bitartrate (Cream of

Tartar) rt).

Potassium Cyanide rb.

Potassium Iodide tb.

Potassium Nitrate (Nitre or Salt-
petre) rb.

Potassium Permanganate rb.

Potassium. Red Prussiate tb.

Potassium, Yellow Prussiate Hd.

Potassium Sulphide (Liver of Slil-
Phur) rb.

Potassium Sulphuret, see Potassium
Sulphide.

Potassium Sulphocyanide . . lb.

Pumice, Ground lb.

Quartz, Powdered ton

Rosin, Yellow rb.

Sal-Ammoniac, see Ammonium Chloride.

Sal-Soda, see Sodium Carbonate.

Silver Chloride, dry oz.

Silver Cyanide oz.

Silver, Fine oz.

Silver Nitrate, crystals oz.

Soda- Ash rt,

Sodium Biborate, see Borax

Sodium Bisulphite rb.

Sodium Carbonate (Sal-Soda),

crystals rb.

Sodium Hydrate (Caustic Soda) ..lb.

Sodium Hydrate (Caustic Soda) by
Alcohol (in sticks) .Tti.

Sodium Hyposulphite ("Hypo'.)

100 lbs.

Sodium Metallic lb.

Sodium Nitrate tb.

Sodium Phosphate (Crystal) lb

Sodium Silicate (Water-Glass) ...Hi.

Soot, Calcined rb.

Spelter, see Zinc.

Sugar of Lead, see Lead Acetate.

Sulphur (Brimstone), in lump lb

Tin Chloride rij.

Tin, Straits 31.10

Turpentine, Spirits of gal. .50

Verdigris. s.ee Copper Acetate.

Water, Distilled gal. .15

Water-Glass, see Sodium Silicate.

Wax, Beeswax, yellow rtj. .16

Wax, Carnauba rb. .70

Whiting (Ground Chalk) Vh. .02

Zinc, Carbonate, dry m. .10

Zinc, Chloride rti. .05

Zinc. Sulphate rti. .03

Zinc, (spelter) lb. .05

.15

.45
1.00

.05
2.25

44.00

47.50

51.50

.45

.06

.07

.24%
.18
3.15

.051/4
.12
.24
.15

.12

.25

.02

12.00

.06

.75
1.00
.56%
.50
.01

.07

.02
.03

.24

1.60
.40
.03
.03
.
.15

.05
.27

THE

BKA5S WORLD

PLATER 5' GUIDE

BR.IDOE;POR.T, conn., august, 1Q14.

VOI^. X.

No. 8.

A Monthly Journal Devoted to the

Art of Refining, Alloying, Casting, Rolling, Founding and Electro -

Plating of all the Non-Ferrous Metals and their Alloys.

Published by the Brass World Publishing Co.,
260 John Street, Bridgeport, Conn.

FOUNDER,
MANAGING EDITOR,

ERWIN S. SPERRY
H. de JOANNIS

Subscription Price, Domestic, $i.oo Per Year. lo Cents a Copy.
Canada, $1.25. Foreign, $1.50.
Entered as Second Class Matter in the Post Office at Bridgeport, Conn.

CONTENTS FOR AUGUST.

"Altior"' Process of Die-Casting Aluminum and Other Alloys 313

Aluminum in Rail Steel 324

American Electroplaters' Society 337

Boissier Mechanical Electroplating Apparatus 334

Brass Furnace Practice 300

Brass Machine Parts Produced by Hydraulic Pressure 336

Carbonate of Copper, The Advantageous Use of 307

Chemistry for Electroplaters, A Short Outline of the Principles of 315

Coloring Metals, A Xew ^lethod of 314

Cracking of Drawn Brass 328

Determination of Copper in Brass Foundry Skimmings 324

Early Training 317

Efficiency in the Brass Foundry '. 307

Electrodeposition of Brass 322

Electroplatology 308

Evolution of a Commercial Force 301

Flexible Metal Hose and Tubing 323

Gathering of Foundrymen in Qiicago 332

Monarch Tilting Crucible Furnace 338

New Corporations • 312

Patent Xotes 339

Plumbing and Steam Brass Goods, Improving the Qualitv of 309

Portable Arc Welder " 323

Questions and Answers 325

Silver Paint Deposition on Glass and China 327

Sprayers, The Advantageous Use of 335

Tank Truck, A Handy 333

Trade Xotes 341

300

August

-r^'i^^^m^^

EDITORIAL

III II I III III III III III rn

III I'l ill ill I I

^M*

BRASS FURNACE PRACTICE.

The Bureau of Mines has recently issued
an interesting bulletin in book form devoted to
"Brass F"urnace Practice of the United States."
In the preliminary investigations of this
bureau on the elimination of waste in the mis-
cellaneous mineral industries of the country,
the large losses in the melting of non-ferrous
alloys received instant recognition. The co-
operation of the American Institute of Metals
and of the chemical department of Cornell
University, Ithaca, N. Y., was obtained and
Dr. H. W. Gillett, alloy chemist of the Bureau
of Mines, was assigned the work of investiga-
tion. Dr. Gillett has completed his work in
his usual thorough and accurate way and the
founders of the country are able to add to
their literature a most valuable work through
the conscientious performance of this depart-
ment of our government.

The object of the investigation was to ascer-
tain the melting and fuel losses in present
brass-melting practice and to indicate as far as
possible methods by which these losses might
be reduced. The following quotations from
the preface of the bulletin will outline the
scope of the investigation. This preface was
written by Charles L. Parsons, chief of the
division of Mineral Technology, whose valu-
able work in the fields covered by his depart-
ment is recognized throughout the country.

"There are in America to-day some 3, GOO
plants melting brass and bronze, and 1,000 of
these melt nonferrous alloys exclusively. The
alloys of copper, zinc, tin, lead, or other ele-
ments in cast or wrought form play an im-
portant role in our daily life. Allowing for
the present recovery of waste metal, it appears
that in current practice, between the purchase
of the raw metal and the completion of the
finished product, at least 5 per cent of the
original metal is lost. Zinc passes into the
atmosphere through the furnace stack ; the
other metals in the alloy may be oxidized and
pass into the stack, may be spilled in the fur-
nace ashes, or in one way or another may nut
be completely recovered."

"In the melting of nonferrous alloys, taking
into consideration all such alloys and all fur-
naces and fuels used, it is shown that from 90
to 95 per cent of the heat units in the fuel
do no useful work. On the basis of $120,000,-
000 being the value of the metal passing
through brass and bronze furnaces each year,
a 2i per cent melting loss, equivalent to 5 per
cent loss on metal bought, means an annual
loss of $3,000,000 in metal alone. Simply re-
ducing the average metal loss to that of present
best practice would mean a saving of over
$1,500,000 a year. If fuel efficiency and cruci-
ble life could be brought from present average
to best practice, half a million dollars more,
at least, could be saved.

Dr. Gillett calls attention to the prevailing
lack of proper control and of proper records
in most of our furnace practice. He stated
that it is doubtful if there are fifty firms in
the country that have daily furnace records
that are exact enough to allow the correction
of avoidable losses, which were reported to
vary from one tenth of one per cent to twenty-
two per cent in the metal and with a fuel ef-
ficiency of from one and one half per cent to
sixteen per cent. Loss of efficiency of workers
through occupational diseases and accidents is
manifest. The report established the need of
an efficient electric melting furnace in the al-
loy industry and a pyrometer which can be
used as a workman's tool. These two prob-
lems are now under investigation by the
Bureau of Mines.

Reference was also made to the need of
special studies of the absorption of gases, the
speed of melting, the effect of oxidizing or re-
ducing flames, increase of crucible life, de-
crease of time of heating after melting, the
efficiency of furnace linings, the utilization of
waste heat, the strength of draft, the combus-
tion space of furnaces and the saving of metal
from waste material. This latest product of
the Bureau of Alines will offer an interesting
basis for all future investigators along these
lines.

August

301

THE EVOLUTION OF' A
COMMERCIAL FORCE.

An interesting presentation of one of the important factors in the upward progress of the
electroplater. Its reading will repay the time spent in it and will give a good conception of the links
in the chain of electroplating evolution.

It would be difficult for many persons to
build the bridges of connection between the
twitch of a frog's leg and the gold-plated gew-
gaws which adorn their wives and daughters;
between the electric spark, drawn by Franklin's
key from the kite string, and the modern elec-
tric dynamo : between the ill-smelling room
of the alchemist in the Middle Ages, littered
with skins and herbs and filled with the fumes
and vapors of foul, stewing mixtures, and the
modern up-to-date laboratory attached to the
large electroplating establishments. Though
time has impaired many of the piers of sequen-
tial memory, these bridges have been con-
structed and crossed, and much of what we
know and do to-day is based tipon activities of
those who have preceded us by hundreds of
years, whose kinship of labor and research is
only now being partially comprehended. It
takes imagination and brains to discern the
bonds between a lump of iron ore, a silver
nugget, a piece of coal and the resplendent
plated ware that graces our supper-table.

To Volta, Faraday, Smee, Elkington, WoU-
aston, Daniell, Watt, Fuller, Bunsen, Spencer,
Woolrych and a host of other tireless experi-
menters, we owe our ability to make our liveli-
hood and perchance (laugh not!) build our
fortunes from our practice of electroplating
in all its branches.

England mothered the electroplating indus-
try. The art of electroplating can readily be
classed as one of the greatest inventions of the
Nineteenth Century. The joint patent of E. R.
Elkington and John Wright, residents of Bir-
mingham, England, in . stimulated the
business in that countrv and a steady develop-

ment of the art ensued. In the comparatively
newly-tiedged United States, however, little
electroplating was done before .

Recuperation from the disastrous effects of
the Civil War was then becoming more mark-
ed. Visionary men were felling trees through
trackless forests and spiking bands of steel to
them over which other visionaries might
travel to claim and work the treasures of the
West. The log cabin was yielding place to
the ornate frame house and the fashions of
architecture were molding in the minds of
men and women desirous for internal appoint-
ments in keeping with the more pretentious ex-
teriors of their dwelling-places. The founda-
tions of your trade and ours were being laid
then. A demand was being created. Those
who set themselves the task of supplying this
demand found available to them the assistance
of a force which had been evolving for the ac-
casion during fifty years. The history of
its evolution to the present day is a most in-
teresting one.

Geography, topography and sentiment played
an important part in the selection of the pei-
sonnel and the location of this force. When
the sturdy Hollanders came to this country in
the seventeenth century they could just as
easily have acquired Manhattan Island, Con-
necticut or Alaine as New Jersey. Acquiring
land was the least of people's troubles in those
days. The new arrivals selected the marshes
and lowlands of New Jersey because of their
resemblance to their native flatnesses. The
Van Winkles were among them and still treas-
ure a sheepskin indenture by which all the
lands of New Jersey became theirs by gift of

302

THE BR^SS ^VORLX>

August

an English king. This sense of ovvnersliip was
perhaps an important deterrent from subse-
quent emigration westward.

In , the beginnings of the present huge
enterprise of the Hanson & Van Winkle Co.
were made bt the firm of Condit & Pool in
Newark, X. J.

The infant manufacturing industries of
this country were then dependent upon the old
world for their supplies, and for a period of
fifty years this firm was engaged principally
in importing and distributing drugs, chemicals
and dyestuffs, and acting as agents for manu-
facturers of acids, chemicals, etc., as they
were established in the United States. The
firm's name was changed to Condit & Hanson
in 18()5.

^^ag^feaBB.awiiaftaH.y i -.-.a 1

In the " Log-cabin " Stage in .

The necessity of engaging in manufacture
was forcibly presented to the firm by the in-
crease in the number of well-established chem-
ical industries, the keen competition and the
consequent falling-off of the profits of the
agent or middleman. In , the pioneers of the
electroplating supply business, as we know it
to-day — Condit, Hanson & Van Winkle — united
in a joint firm name, subsequently incorpo-
rated, and commenced an aggressive campaign
for the spreading of electroplating knowledge
and practice. The company had already added
to its established business, supplies required
by the silver-platers, such as batteries, battery
parts, chlorides of the metals and the several

chemicals and materials used for plating and
polishing, but it was not until about when
a patent was granted to Dr. Adams for sul-
phate of nickel and ammonia to be used as an
electrolyte for depositing nickel, that their at-
tention was directed to the dawning possibili-
ties of the electroplating industry.

The development of electroplating was again
greatly stimulated by the efforts of Joseph
.Wharton, Camden, N. J., to supply pure nickel
from which the anodes and salts were manu-
factured and the Hanson & Van Winkle Co.
started in a small way to manufacture cast
nickel anodes and salts of nickel and am-
monia.

The United Nickel Co., of Boston, owners
of the "Adams" patent, demanded royalties
from nickel platers using double sulphate.
Suits were first instituted in New England and
finally in New York and vicinity affecting the
new manufacturing business of the Hanson &
Van Winkle Co., and in this emergency they
joined with several of their large customers in
Newark, N. J., to resist the suits.

A suit had been commenced against Edward
Weston, of New York, for infringement.
Hearing of bis vigorous defence and his patent
. granted in December, , for improve-
ments in the manufacture of metallic nickel,
the Hanson & Van Winkle Co., together with
their associate customers, undertook to aid Mr.
Weston in his defense, which they did, expend-
ing several thousand dollars. These early
legal battles were really battles for life, and the
gains made by the fighting were favorable to
the extension of the electroplating industry.
The "Adams" patent was sustained but the
manufacturers and the Hanson & Van Winkle
Co. were able to make satisfactory arrange-
ments with the United Nickel Co., enabling
them to continue the manufacture and sale of
nickel anodes and salts.

The company was now closely identified
with the nickel-plating industry in its earliest
stages and looked about for a wider field. Dur-
ing the progress of the patent litigation Mr.
Weston called the attention of his associates
to the fact that he had designed a practical
dynamo suitable for the electrodeposition of
metals. A factory was fitted up on Washing-
ton St., Newark, N. J., and in the manu-
facture of the first low-voltage dynamo made
in the United States was undertaken.

The success of this dynamo which revolu-
tionized electroplating was immediate. Practi-

August

THE BRASS WORLX>

303

cal men fled joyfull\- frnin the erratic and
cumbersome battery to the clean compact pro-
vider of a rehable, unchanging and continuous
current. The sale of this dynamo was world
wide, the company receiving the highest award
of the United States Centennial Commission
at the Philadelphia International Exposition in
. This distinction was repeated later at
the American Institute in New York and the
Exhibition Universelle Internationale in
in Paris.

The manufacture of dynamos was finally
turned over to the Weston Electric Co., the

there were introduced within a short time of
each other — Sheet Steel and Lacquer.
Sheet Steel and Iiacquer.

The substitution of the cheaper sheet steel
for the more precious metals created a de-
mand for brass, bronze, copper and zinc coat-
ings, which was further increased by the in-
troduction of lacquers suitable for protecting
the electroplated finish upon chandeliers, elec-
troliers, builders' hardware, lamps, etc.

The Hanson & Van Winkle Co. introduced
celluloid lacquer in . Its success was im-
mediate and the assurance that plated articles

The "White House" of Achievement in .

Hanson & Van Winkle Co. having made a
contract with the former for the selling agency
while the Weston Co. extended its operations
to dynamos for electric lighting.

The advance of the industry was very rapid
after the introduction of the dynamo, pure
nickel anodes and salts, but was chiefly con-
fined to nickel and silver plating.

Two great factors then entered the field of
electroplating endeavor. Plated work was
still expensive. It must be made cheaper.
Plated work was tarnishable. Its lustre must
be preserved. To meet these requirements

could be satisfactorily protected gave an added
impetus to the demand for electrical equip-
ment.

The enormous increase in the number of ar-
ticles for which an electroplated coating was
required soon created a demand for more ef-
ficient dynamos, for polishing equipment and
supplies in great variety. New ideas in elec-
tric cleaning and new chemicals were intro-
duced, their manufacture demanding a larger
factory with many different departments. Dem-
onstrating rooms and laboratories in charge
of competent assistants, where problems of

'60i

THE OR ASS WORLD

August

benefit to the trade could be worked out, were
necessary and were installed, and the growing
tendenc}' of the trade to the adoption of
mechanical labor-saving devices must be met.

By this time the original |)reniises had grown
too small and the manufacturing plant was
moved to its present location at Chestnut, Van
Buren, Adams and Malvern streets.

Recognizing its importance, the company ap-
plied itself to the problem of providing
mechanical and automatic devices for use in
electroplating and it is primarily due to its ef-
forts that the mechanical appliances now so
widely used were introduced to the trade. The
introduction of the plating barrel was a great
boon to the trade and its appearance made an
epoch in the industry.

The Weston Dynamo.

Development of the Plating" Barrel.

The evolution of mechanical plating in its
relation to the revolving barrel is interesting,
for the reason that while much progress has
been made in automatic plating there has been
no radical departure from the earliest practice,
for consciously or unconsciously the designers
of the mechanical electroplating barrel have
merely been attempting to reproduce original
conditions as nearly as possible. There is, so
far as the principles of electrodeposition arc
considered, little dilYerence between a few
pieces of work strung on a wire in an electro-
plating bath and several hundred pounds con-
tained in a plating barrel, for in each case the
work is in contact with the negative pole of
the dynamo, the barrel merely serving to hold
the mass together.

It is undoubted that the hrith of the idea of
plating a quantity of small work, other than by
stringing the pieces separately, is the natural
development of the primitive wire ])asket used

for containing a few handfuls of work. This
method was the first effort made to handle
work without stringing each piece. The basket
practically reproduced the conditions of strung
work in that the work was immersed in the
solution, and contact provided for. The basket
taking the place of the stringing wire and the

Latest Style of Modern Dynamo.

idea accomplishing substantially the same re-
sult yet accommodating a greater bulk is re-
sponsible for the present type of plating barrel.
The fundamental principles followed in the
construction of the plating barrel are the same
as shown in the old wire basket to hold in a
container a bulk of work which shall be im-
mersed in the electrolyte and shall be in full
contact with the negative pole of the dynamo,
the container itself offering the least possible
resistance to the flow of current.

While the plating barrel was introduced in
England about 18'JS, in the United States the
first practical plating barrel was one of coarse
woven wicker in barrel shape with wood
heads, contact for the work being provided by
wires woven through the mesh of the basket.
The basket itself was driven by a belt, the
whole revolving between two rows of anodes.
Since this early effort no radically different
type has been produced although the contain-
ers have been made of a number of different
materials and in different ways — glass contain-
ers in which holes were drilled and wooden
frames covered with canvas or muslin.
Mechanical and electrical refinements of the
idea were step by step put into effect by the
Hanson & Van ^\'inkle Co. Wicker, glass,
pottery and canvas have been discarded, the
better types of mechanical apparatus having

August

TILE BRASS WORUD

305

cylinders of perforated wood or with rubber
or celluloid panels which are drilled with suit-
ably sized holes. Instead of the old-fashioned
belt drive around the barrel itself, stuffing
boxes have been placed in the tank through
which the drive of the barrel is operated and
all of the barrel is submerged. Clutches en-
able the barrel to be readily taken from the

Original Mechanical Electroplating Apparatus.

tank without interfering with the drive. Gears
have been provided giving a variety of speeds,
electrical contacts have been bettered, pro-
vision has been made to prevent the working-
parts being plated, allowances made for repairs
and substitution of the working parts and the
whole apparatus developed in efficiency and
size, until it is now possible to handle any
character of work from needles to bulky
pieces, weighing five or six pounds each, in
any quantity from a few pounds to seven or
eight hundred pounds at a batch, at the same
time agitating the work.

The Hanson & Van Winkle Co. has intro-
duced many labor-saving devices for electro-
plating. Among them is an apparatus for
pickling, cleaning and plating wire cloth, cor-
set steel, wire and the like bv a continuous

process, also an apparatus for electrozincing
conduit pipe, in which all the preliminary
cleaning processes and the plating are contin-
uous. New forms of conveying apparatus for
the continuous plating of stove work or small
articles of only a few inches in length have
also been invented by the company. In
operation, the various devices which have been
marketed are turning out hundreds of millions
of feet of plated wire cloth yearly, enormous
quantities of wire and conduit pipe, while the
capacity of the new conveying apparatus ranges
from 50,000 to 125,000 pieces of fair-sized
work daily.

The introduction of labor-saving devices n.
the electroplating industry was at first difficult,
but the present attitude of the trade is one of
eagerness toward the adoption of improve-
ments, and no trade shows more need of prac-
tical economic uplift than does that of electro-
plating.

The past decade shows the greatest advance
in knowledge of electroplating as also the col-
lateral branch of electrotyping. The present-
day superintendent and the engineer of motor
power in the large installations understands
more fully the fundamentals of the industry
and its principles. The organizations of

Modern Electroplating Apparatus.

platers with the interchange of ideas and prac-
tice have done much in increasing efficiency.
The new inter-pole dynamo which is practical-
ly fool-proof has aided largely in effecting
operative economies and, while the trade as a
whole needs a closer knowledge of its possibili-
ties, the progress of the past few years has
been remarkable. The future of the industry
is in the realm of mechanical movement
adapted for use with the electric current and
waste of labor in the preparation and finishing
of work must be largely eliminated.

306

THE BR^SS WORiX)

August

Tlic trade will appreciate one of the most re-
cent platin.n triuniplis of the company's con-
struction. It is a mechanical screw conve.vor.The
operator strings one piece and and takes off one
piece simultaneously. A screw rod extends on
each side of the tank, the work passing up one
side and ddun the other, transference from rod
to rod heing made hy an ingenious finger turn-
table. The speed (if travel can be regulated to
suit the work. An obvious advantage is that the
tank load is always a constant. On a recent visit
to the plant we noticed a series of tanks under
construction with mechanical attachments by
means of which the articles to he plated can
be submited to every operation of cleaning,
washing, dipping and plating without the as-
sistance of the human hand.

Tile .\ewark plant is composed of 20 build-
ings witli a united floor space of 108,955 sq. ft.,
covering 4 1/3 acres. The company employs
250 people. Some idea of the magnitude of
the enteri)rise ma}' be gained from the follow-
ing figures. The anode stock room contains en
the average $50,000 worth of finished nickel
anodes, h^inished and unfinished anode ma-
terial usually on hand is valued at $100,000.
The nuislin stock, scrap and new, for the pro-
duction of the various wheels, is always on
hand to the value of $30,000.

The Atlministrative Building liouses tlie
directive departments and reflects the dignity
and substantial character of the Hanson & Van
Winkle enterprises. Every visitor by mail or
in person is attended to promptly and cour-
teously. In this building one also finds the
Publicity Department in charge of W. L. D.
Bedell, the painstaking work of which is shown
in the company's catalogue and literature and
has contributed so much to the success of tlie
company's business dealings and has rein-
forced effectively the efforts of its selling
representatives.

The Demonstrating Room is possiljly the
most fascinating of all the departments of the
plant. It is large, well-lighted and ventilated
and contains practically every electroplating
apparatus known. Herein an investigator may
come with a collar button or a grip full of
stove castings and have them plated with equal
ease. It is essentially a "Show-A'Ie" depart-
ment and amply justifies its cost of mainten-
ance.

The two branches of the company at Toronto
and Chicago are developing business in their
territories rapidly. The Chicago bran.li is

erecting a new 3-st(jry and basemeiil brick
structure, 130 ft. long and 50 ft. wide on l'>ie
St., near Green. This will he used both for
office and warehouse purposes, facilitating
rapid shipments to western customers.

Every precaution is taken throughout the
Newark plant for the safety and health of the
emi)loyees, guarding against fire risk and
mechanical and chemical menace to life and
limb. Most fire drills in ofifices and plants tue
perfunctory. Everybody knows there is
going to be a drill and most of the employees
take the drill leisurely. Not so at the Hanson
& Van Winkle plant. Twice a week every
employee is obliged to go to lunch via the fire
exits and fire escapes. Going to lunch means
speed every time and the moving picture nian
is missing an opportunity as long as he fails
to record the meteor-like flights of the buff
and polishing room girls as they bound, dear-
like and deer-like, down the balanced ladders
to their midday feast, without a feminine
shrink, shiver or shriek. So powerful is cus-
tom and hunger in overcoming fears and tra-
dition.

MIGHT SETTLE THE EUROPEAN
SCRAP.

liecause of his inan_\- gears' experience in
scrap values, some of the friends of Morton B.
Smith are suggesting that he be appointed as
final arbitrator on values of the European
scrap. Mr. Alorton lias lieen in the game
more years than most men care to remember.
He is known throug"h(jut the country for his
business foresight, close and conservative deal-
ings and absolute squareness. His materials
on arrival at their destination are found to
possess the values claimed for them. "Buy Low,
Sell High and Pay Promptly" is an underlying
slogan of the Morton l>. Smith Co. .Special
information on the company's business can be
secured from the Xew Ynvk addres.s — 24."?
Eront .St.

E. Reed Burns, l'>ro(jklyn, X. N'., manufac-
turer of plating and polishing supplies, has
sold his plant at 40-42 Withers St.. P-rooklyn,
to the E. Reed Burns Supply Co., who wil'
continue the business at this address.

August

TME BRASS ^VORU3

307

EFFICIENCY IN THE BRASS
FOUNDRY.

BY T. E. LAMONDY.

One of the many problems which confront
the brass foundry foreman of today is "How
to obtain the maximum production with the
minimum amount of losses " The writer con-
siders the following three processes the most
important in producing satisfactory results :

1. The ramming of molds.

2. The tempering of sand.

3. The melting of metal.

A deficiency in any of the above three pro-
cesses affects the other two processes so much
as to render it impossible to obtain the de-
sired results. Perhaps the melting of metals
is the most important of all.

The writer some years ago was on an in-
vestigating tour and visited one of the large
foundries in central Xew York. While dis-
cussing conditions with the superintendent he
informed me that he considered the melting
of metal of more importance than the ram-
ming of molds or the tempering of sand.

He instructed every molder thus: — "You
will be held responsible for the ramming of
molds and I shall assume all responsibility
for the metal going in;" and lie was obtaining
good results.

A few weeks later while visiting another
foundry, one of the melters removed the cover
from a pot of bronze. The metal was almost
ready to pour and was entirely exposed to
oxygen. Upon asking him wh\- he did not
use charcoal to prevent oxidization, he in-
formed me he used charcoal only to keep his
metal hot.

This same condition of ignorance exists in
many foundries today. I was curious to see
what kind of castings this 80 pot of bronze
produced so I stayed to the finish and saw a
test in the machine shop. Xot one casting
could be used. Here was 189 pounds of cast-
ings, worth approximately $55.00, all bad for
the want of ten cents' worth of charcoal. Too
much covering will never harm any metal, but
what won't only half enough do?

Some years ago the writer took charge of
a foundry in one of the large eastern states.
This foundry made a specialty of high pres-
sure work. The losses, under test, would
show around 8 per cent. After three months
of close studv and strict adhering to mv one.

two and three polic\ the losses were under
2 per cent.

Some of the old iron foundry ideas have
been found to work to advantage in brass.
The method of cleaner gating and also the use
of sea-coal facing on heavy work are two
which have proven to be of marked value in
making brass and bronze castings.

Many of the small jobbing brass foundries
that use but one grade of sand (which is
usually a fine close grade), have from time to
time, heavy, chunky castings to make. For
this particular line of work the general run of
brass sand is not open enough. A mixture
of ten parts sand to one part sea-coal will
never fail to produce clean, sand castings.

THE ADVANTAGEOUS USE OF
CARBONATE OF COPPER.

Editor "Brass World & Platers' Guide" : —

It occurs to me as a result of my experience
as a practical plater, with enough chemical and
scientific knowledge to enable me to distin-
guish the efficiency of chemicals, that platers
should realize that the carbonates of copper
now on the market, with probably one ex-
ception, contain sulphates. This I consider
very detrimental in solutions as it not only
lowers the efficiency, but contaminates such
solutions. This point does not seem to be very
well understood among the users of this
chemical. The advantage of using a carbonate
of copper free of sulphates is unquestionable
and its lack of recognition is probably due to
the fact of it being difficult for many platers
to break away from long established customs
or to their lack of knowledge of what con-
stitutes a good carbonate of cepper. I would
be glad if some of our up-to-date platers
would exchange opinions wuth me on this sub-
ject through your columns.
Chicago. Cyril Ashleigh.

When zinc is copper-plated it first becomes
yellow, a thin coating of brass being formed,
which is subsecjuently covered with the cop-
per deposit.

When a good anode surface is required in a
gold bath, every other anode can to advantage
be of sheet platinum. The platinum being
insoluble does not dissolve, and while platinum
is more expensive than gold, its saving will
be speedily manifest.

308

August

ELECTROPLATOLOGY.

( The Science of Electroplating;.)

BY JOS. WALTERS. C. P.

Introdncliou.

Of late in some of the trade journals cater-
ing to tlie plating industry there have been
published articles calculated to benefit the
plater. Tlie gist of their contents, however,- — •
the milk in the cocoanut — is nothing more or
less than an argument in favor of a special
brand or apparatus manufactured or sold by
certain parties, and in most cases written by a
member of the firm making it or by a repre-
sentative of that firm. In the last analysis it's
boosting — advertising their product. I have
nothing to sell, nothing to exploit. 1 am a
plater myself, and "still in the harness." It is
not through a desire for self-advertising or
boastfulness that I have consented to write for
the "Brass World and Platers' Guide", but
from an honest desire to help my fellowmen.
I will endeavor on this page to point nut the
path to be followed if you would become ci
competent and successful plater, and if my en-
deavors should prove beneficial, be it ever so
little, I shall feel amply repaid.

This page will deal nut only with helpful
hints and suggestions for the plating room
proper, but what is more important to the
present and future plater, the necessary quali-
fications for an executive of the plating de-
partment, and if ymi are benefited w'lW you
not kindly write to the editors and tell them
so.

.1/_V First Job ill a Plating Room.

It was in the early eighties when I entered
the employ of a plating shop, and, strange to
say, I was made foreman from the beginning.
Mr. Schwartz, the proprietor of the job shop,
was a recent arrival from Germany. He em-
ployed a plater and about eight polishers, and
as he himself would sleep by day and play poker
by night, the management of the business was
left entirely with me. I was to open the shop
in the morning, close at night, have the work
delivered, do the collecting, keep a record of
the business transacted during the day, and sec
that all the hands were kept busily at work.
For all this and more I was to receive my
"keeps" — board and lodging — and the muni-
ficent sum iif fifty cents a week in actual
'coin of the realm'. I had never seen a plating
shop nnr heard of electroplating before, and

you can imagine my consternation when I en-
tered the plating shop of thirty years ago. The
dirt and filth, the dark, gloomy and damp at-
mosphere of the surroundings overwhelmed
me, and 1 was about to turn around and run
away. The stock of my imagination of wdiat
1 would do with my wages fell considerably
below i)ar. A second look at the place almost
gave me the 'jim-jams'. However, I decided
to stay as a short time before I had read in
The Good Old Book, "Whatsoever th_\- hand
findeth to do, do it with thy might." I had to
work to live, I had to have a job, and like the
proverbial saying of the Chinaman, " No
tickee no washec" I thuught, "No workee no
eatee," and so I took the job and determined
to make the best of it.

The very first day of my employment I con-
ceived a little contrivance — a little instrument
— without which no boy or man can ever hope
to be a success in any line of endeavor. The
use of this instrument in early life is respon-
sible more than anything else for the achieve-
ment of one's aims and aspirations. I spent
weeks and months, yea years, in its develop-
ment.

The plating room is incomplete without the
hydrometer, without the voltmeter and with-
out the amperemeter, but the meter, the instru-
ment of which I speak, is more necessary than
any of the above, and I will describe it in the
next issue of the "Brass World & Platers'
Guide", give it to you free — without money
and without price.

Herman Blumenthal & Co., 245 Centre .St.,
New \'ork City, specialize in brushes. Not the
kind from which with muttered imprecations,
you extract the long golden hairs in the morn-
ing, but the brass, copper and steel wire
varieties indispensable to electroplaters in the
furtherance and perfecting of their work. The
Blumenthal folks can supply a brush for every
need and their experience in meeting ciuuitless
trade exigencies fits them to furnish products
possessing the essential constructive features
for successful operation. Special information
can be obtained from the Blumeiitlial Brush
Bureau of Information, 245 Centre St., New
"S'ork Citv. ,

August

*t5E

309

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF PLUMBING AND
STEAM BRASS GOODS.

BY "EFFICIENCY".

^Si

There has been quite a tendency within the
last few years amongst manufacturers of
plumbing and steam brass goods to improve
the quality and designs of their products by
the substitution of red brass metal in place of
the cheap yellow brass.

Owing to the hard and continual wear, also
the severe pressures these are submitted to in
their every-day use, the goods made from red
brass and of high quality are driving the
cheap yellow brass goods off the market. The
importance of metal mixture in all brass goods
used in plumbing and steam branches of trade
has been given great consideration within the
past few years and no foundry that is up-to-
date among the leading manufacturers of the
above line of goods, is without an experienced
metallurgist on its payroll and he plays an
important part in the foundry.

The wide variety of its application in com-
mercial and artistic lines gives to the making
of brass a scope equalled by few metals. Cop-
per and zinc are the chief constituents of the
alloy known as brass, but commercial brass
never consists of these two metals alone. A
brass mixture designed for any given pur-
pose, while fulfilling all of the requirements of
that purpose is absolutely useless for another.
Therefore the mixture of the metals for any
purpose of manufacture is of the utmost im-
portance. The alloy must be so prepared
that it will fully meet the conditions under
which the article manufactured will be used.

Authorities on brass differ on the question
of what really is the best mixture to use on
plumbing and steam brass goods, but they
are agreed that copper in excess of zinc pro-
duces the best grade of brass. Copper, how-
ever, has inherent defects as a metal which
must be overcome by the judicious use of al-
loys.

The best grade of plumbing and steam
brass goods is manufactured from a formula
composed of the following ingredients :

Copper 87

Zinc 4

Lead 2

Tin 7

The United States government specifies the
following mixture to be used on their plumb-
ing and steam brass goods :

Copper 85

Zinc 6

Lead 4

Tin 5

This produces what is known commercially
as red brass, in contradistinction to yellow
brass which contains less copper and more
zinc and is consequently a cheaper, much
coarser-grained and more brittle mixture.

The metal that is being used in the high-
grade quality plumbing and steam brass goods
by the leading manufacturers might wqth pro-
priety be called a bronze composition as it
does not diff'er materially from the bronze
formula given b_v Hirons, the English authori-
ty.

Copper 84.

Tin 2.9

Zinc 8.3 'f^\

Lead 4.8

And as this authority says: "Even chemical
analysis however w^ill not always reveal the
reason why certain alloys possess certain pro-
perties, as the qualities may have been confer-
red by special mechanical treatment.

In the making of red brass the constituent
parts are, of course, of the most importance
in forming the foundation of the goods, but
the mere mixing and casting of the metal
would of itself fall short of producing a first-
class metal if it were not for the particular
process by which the metal is prepared in the
furnace and the way it is handled in the cast-
ing.

Red brass has all the following advantages
compared with yellow brass and is so
recognized by all authorities. It is more
pleasing to the eye. There is an absence of
the cheap brassy appearance of the goods
which is pronounced in goods where zinc is
used in large quantities. It is more fibrous.

310

THE BRA.SS WORLX>

August

more tenacious and machines better than the
yellow metal, producing a finished article of
better wearing qualities and more sightly in
appearance. It is fibrous, whereas the yellow
metal by reason of the presence of zinc is
crystalline.

On this last point. Arthur 11. Hirons, princi-
pal of the School of Metallurgy, Birmingham
and Midland Institute, says: "The pastiness of
zinc manifests itself decidedly in alloys im-
mediately below these which are fibrous, be-
coming more strongly marked as the alloys
are richer in zinc. The fracture of these
white alloys is for the most part vitreous and
glassy."'

of the metal being firm and glossy because of
the large percentage of copper used. A good
grade of tools and equipment for working red
brass in the manufacture of the goods must
be used, as the character of the mixture de-
mands a high grade of tools for working it
and they must be kept in the best condition,
for it is impossible to get tools that will stand
as well on a metal composed of red brass as
on the cheaper yellow mixtures.

While red brass is more difficult and ex-
pensive to machine on account of its fibrous
and tenacious character, when it is machined
it is smoother and more attractive in appear-
ance than vellow metal. There is a similar

A REPRESENTATIVE ASSORTMENT OF HIGH GRADE PLUMBERS' BRASS GOODS.
Fuller Work Handles Compression

Waste and Vent Tee Bath Trap Work Handles Drum Trap

Waste Cross
Bath Trap Lavatory Handles Vent Tee

( Illustrations by Courtesy of The Wolverine Brass Works, Grand Rapids, Mich. <

The addition of a small amount of lead to
the mixture is for the purpose of working the
metal in finishing and preventing the fouling
of the tools, while the addition of pure tin
renders the metal more fusible, less brittle,
somewhat sounder and enaldes it to take a
better polish. The composition produces a
metal that is hard and tough, the texture

dift'crence to that of working steel and iron.

It takes longer, requires more skilled labor
and pains, but produces an article of greater
beauty and value at a small increase in the
cost to the consumer. The threads are more
perfect and regular and have greater strength.
The seats are better rounded, harder and will
not scratch or grind under the action of

Air Cock

Multi-Port" Packless Valve tor Vapor

Screw Compression Grease Cup

A TYPICAL GROUP

UP-TO-DATE STEAM

GOODS.

( Illustrations by Courtesy of The Detroit
Lubricator Co., Detroit, Mich.

Packless Radiator Valve

Plain Cylinder Lubricator

313

JTHE BRASS WORLX)

August

foreign matter in the water or steam, in con-
seqnence of which the seats of valves wliere
most of the wear is will last longer.

Brass goods which contain a large prdpdr-
tion of zinc arc mnch uKire susceptible to the
action of water and other fluids. The goods
of this character become pitted because of thr
presence of zinc and are rendered inefficient.
This is esi)cciall_\- true of brass goods which
are placed in tlie ground or have to stand a
high hydraulic pressure, for they nuist resist
not only the action of the water and steam,
but the action of the earth as well. It is evi-
dent that the tough, fibrous, closely-knit arti-
cle made of a large percentage of copper is
better fitted to do this than the coarse-grained,
open metal in which zinc is used in large
quantities.

The high-class red brass goods that are now-
superseding the cheap yellow brass goods are
practically indestructible. Their smooth sur-
face is more surely retain.ed and the wearing
qualities arc. beyond question, superior in
every way. The high grade quality of red
brass plumbing and steam brass goods are
driving the cheap yellow brass goods off the
market as the plumbers, steam fitters and
public have received such unsatisfactory ser-
vice from them, and they are altogether the
opposite of the standard of red brass in
quality and service.

In its tensile strength and finishing (pialities,
red brass is like a piece of good oak. It is
capable of a finer and more lasting polish,
while yellow brass is like a pine board, polish-
ed, but will not retain it with any degree of
permanency and its wearing qualities are pro-
portionately less.

In nickel plating, red brass has a decided
advantage, due to its conductivity which re-
sults from the large per cent of copper used.
Copper is the best known electrical conductor.
Lazure Weller gi\es pure copper a conductivi-
tj' of 100 and pure zinc 29.9 while he gives
brass with 3'y% of zinc a conductivity of only
21.5. Brass containing nuich zinc takes only
a thin skin of nickel in the bath while red
brass, because of its greater conductivity due
to the presence of a larger percentage of cop-
per takes a plate of extra thickness.

This plating is not only susceptible of a
high polish, but has the quality of retaining
the polish a greater length of time and of
holding its original lustre with but little
rul)ljing.

NEW CORPORATIONS.

E. G. Webster & Son, Brooklyn, X. Y., with
capital .stock of $300,000, will make silverware
and other metals. The directors are John C.
Grier, Robt. H. Stevenson and William
Mischler, Brooklvn.

The Metal Pin Co., Boston, Mass., capital
$5,000, will deal in jewelry. The directors are
Samuel Finkelstein, ]\litchell lUiskcr and
Solomon Finkelstein.

Babcock-Davis Corporation, Cambridge,
Mass., manufacturer and dealer in metal pro-
ducts. Capital $75,000, 7,500 shares $10 each.
Directors: Wm. A. Davis, president: Lewis
H. Babcock, Cambridge, treasurer.

The Sturtevant-Whiting Co., Attleboro,
Mass., has been incorporated to engage in the
manufacture of jewelry and metal products.
Louis Kurtz is the president of the new cor-
poration, Fred D. Brigham vice president and
George A. Whiting treasurer.

The Metropolis Separating & Refining Co.,
Delaware — The separation of fluor spar, zinc
and lead ; capital, $100,000. The incorporators
are W. C. Nelson, H. Bohling, G. Bohling,
Cols Camp, Mo.: E. R. Smith, J. W. Brooks,
Sadalia, Mo.

The Electro Vanadium Reduction Co., Del.
— Manufacture, smelting and refining of
metals and ores : capital, $100,000. Incorpora-
tors: F. R. Hansen, Philadelphia, G. H. B.
Martin, S. C. Seymour, Camden, N. J.

The Pittsburgh Specialty Mfg. Co., Pitts-
burgh, Pa., has been incorporated to acquire
the right to manufacture iron, steel, aluminum
etc., the capital stock being $50,000. E. J. and
J. B. Dugan and F. H. Kane are the incorpora-
tors.

Columbian Gold Mining Corp., Manhattan,
N. Y. — Mining for gold and other metals, ores
and products; capital, $200,000. Incorporators
W. Bradford, T. A. Liebler, Jr., W. Gage,
New York Citv.

The stockholders of the United States IMetal
Products Company have voted to sell, pur-
suant to the plan of reorganization, the assets
of the company to a corporation to be organ-
ized under the laws of Massachusetts, to be
known as the Metal Products Company.

August

THE BRASS ^VORLD

313

"ALTIOR" PROCESS OF DIE-
CASTING ALUMINUM AND
OTHER ALLOYS.

A new form of automatic die-castmg
machine is just being perfected by National
Alloys, Ltd., Ilford, London, England, with
the object of die-casting light aluminum al-
loys, of specific gravity 2.85. It is also
adapted for die-casting other non-ferrous al-
loys such as babbitt metal, zinc alloys, etc.

A furnace with the necessary crucible to
contain the molten metal forms the base of
the machine. Bolted to this is a neck piece,
on top of which is fixed a domed cover. Near
the center of this is formed a pocket, having
screwed into it a circular block of specially
hard metal which is bored out to form a
taper nozzle, and slotted to take the sprue
cutting bar. In this pocket and around the
taper nozzle is a small furnace which keeps
the metal perfectly molten, right up to the
time of entering the die. Held in place by
means of a gland and stuffing box on the
tmderside of the nozzle is a tube of refractory
material which passes down through the
molten metal to within about half an inch
from the bottom of the crucible. Through a
gland in the domed cover a spindle runs down
into the crucible, carrying two perforated discs,
which are plunged up and down in the molten
metal by means of a hand lever, thus keeping
the metal well agitated. A hole and cover for
same is also placed in the domed cover to al-
low of the crucible being filled without re-
moving the cover. Hinged to the domed cover
is a plate to which is fixed the bottom half of
the die from which the casting is to be made,
and having in the center a hole to register ex-
actly with the nozzle before-mentioned, in the
circular block of hard metal, and also with the
filling hole in the bottom half of the die. The
hinged plate referred to is tilted back into any
desired position by means of a suitable bevel
and worm gear. Screwed into the hinged
plate are three bright mild steel pillars carry-
ing a bridge piece, through the center of
which works a double-threaded quick running
screw, operated by a heavy hand wheel or cross
bar at the top and carrying at the other end a
plate registering on the three bright pillars re-
ferred to. This plate carries the top half of
the die. The domed cover, together with the
center tube agitating discs and all the top gear,
is capable of being thrown back by means of a

worm gear, thus allowing the crucible to be
readily reached.

The process of casting is as follows:
The metal to be melted is placed in the cru-
cible through the filling hole before described.
The furnace is lighted, the bottom half of the
die is fixed to the hinged plate and the top
half of the die is fixed to the plate carried by
the quick running screw. This is now down
so that the top and bottom halves of the die
are brought tightly together. When it is neces-
sary to use a multiple part die, a convenient
detachable arrangement is provided to work
horizontally in conjunction with the vertical
clamping arrangement already mentioned. The
sprue cutting bar is put into position so that
the molten metal cannot pass through the
nozzle, and the hinged plate is clamped down.

AUTIOR PATENT DIE CASTING MACHINE.

SECTIONAL ELEVATION

Connected to the neck piece is a cylinder of
liquified gas, the valve controlling which is
now opened, allowing the gas to exert pres-
sure on the top of the molten metal in the
crucible. The sprue cutting bar is now pulled
back, allowing the metal to be forced up into
the die. The die being full, the sprue cutting
bar is now pulled back again, thereby stopping
any further flow of metal, the hinged plate is
undamped, and the whole of the top gear
thrown back by means of the bevel and worm
gear, on to a suitable table. The top half of
the die is now pulled up by means of the
screw, and the casting is automaticallv knocked

314

THE BRASS WORLD

August lUU

out by means of three rods carried on the
bridge piece, which run into the top half of
the die nearly down to the casting when the
two halves of the die are together. The
whole top gear is now thrown back, the
hinged plate is clamped down, the two halves
of the die brought together again, and the
sprue cutting bar (out of which the small
piece of metal, cut away, has been punched by
means of a lever punch carried on the hinged
plate) is again put into position tn allow the
metal to llnw into the die. The process is
continuously carried on as before described. It
will be noticed that the dies are kept at the
most suitable temperature for casting, owing
to their being directly in conjunction with the
small furnace, while at the same time no
flames come into direct contact with the metal,
thus avoiding oxidation.

HALF PLAN

WITH TOP

GEAR REMOVED

Furnact

Refractory Tube

Crucible

Sprue Cutting B»r

C 1 Neck Pifce

Tcjf, Die Plate

Domed Ccver-

Bridge Piece

Bmiom Die Plate

Mixing Diso

Small Furnace

Filling Hole

Hjrd Meul Noizic

Great pressure can be exerted on the molten
metal, as when the liquified gas is brought in-
to contact with a hot substance, the expansion
is such that at a temperature of only 45 deg.
Centigrade a pressure of 100 atmospheres is
obtained, and proportionately higher pressures
can be maintained according to the various
temperatures worked at.

The gas used is an inert one, and therefore
has no action on the metal, and neither is it
absorbed bv same.

This machine is stated to be far in advance
of anything that has yet been made for die
casting and though the machine illustrated will
take dies up to 9 in. square, machines to take
dies considerably larger are being designed.
Comparatively few machines have been
brought out to deal with alloys containing a
large percentage of pure aluminum, owing to
the fact that aluminum attacks wrought iron
or steel when molten and also shrinks and
cracks during the proces of solidification in the
die. The dies for this machine have received
special consideration as it has been difficult m
the past to design a die which did not produce
porous castings or form air locks, when used
in connection with alloys containing a large
percentage of aluminum.

Patents have been and are being applied for
in most countries and several negotiations for
the sale of these patents are already receiving
consideration.

The alloy used in this machine is Ivaniiim,
an alloy which has a high reputation. This al-
loy contains no zinc and is guaranteed not to
disintegrate, has a tensile strength of 12 tons
per square inch, and 6 per cent elongation in
2 in. and is not affected by sea water or atmos-
pheric conditions. A license will be granted
to use this metal with the .\ltior die-casting
machine.

The National Alloys, Ltd., is not at present
in a position to use the machine for commer-
cial purposes, but will shortly be able to deal
with orders for light aluminum and other non-
ferrous die castings. We understand that the
firm is also prepared to enter into negotiations
with responsible firms with a view to taking
up the rights of this machine.

A NEW METHOD OF COLORING
METALS.

Under this head we described in the July
number a process of coloring metals for which
a patent was recently granted in this country
to Francis A. Koux. Paris, France.

A reader has kindly called our attention to
the fact that in the June, , number of the
"Brass World" there appeared an article by
the late Ervvin S. Sperry under the head
"Molybdenum Bronze: A Polychrome Finish",
which describes a process of coloring which
readers will find to be practically identical wtih
the newly-patented method.

August

315

A SHORT OUTLINE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY

FOR ELECTROPLATERS.

BY ALLAN J. FIELD.

The advancement of plating does not depend
so much upon the achievements of a few
platers, but upon the large majority for the
help necessary to make it more a science, and
less a money-making trade. It is necessary
therefore that platers as a body should under-
stand and apply scientific methods whenever
possible. What science has done for other
lines, it can do for plating. It is with this aim
in view that the author has started a series
of articles dealing with the necessary laws and
theories for the proper understanding of the
chemistry of plating. Nearly all chemical
text-books give so much of the non-essential
and so little of what a plater really requires
that the author has endeavored to eliminate
this fatal error in the forthcoming articles.

As a suitable introduction of electroplating
chemistry to our readers, as well as for pur-
poses of future reference, we give below a
few definitions of terms most frequently used
in this science.

DEPINITIONS

Elements

Elements are substances which have not

been resolved or broken up into simpler forms

of matter .

Atom

An atom is the smallest particle into which
an element can be divided.

Molecule

A molecule is the smallest quantity of any
element or compound which can be conceived
to exist alone and still have the characteristic
properties of that element or compound.

Atomic Theory

Atomic theory is an explanation of the man-
ner in which elements unite to form com-
pounds.

Atomic Weight

Atomic weight is the weight of an atom of an
element as compared with the weight of an
atom of hydrogen, which is considered as
unity.

Chemical Equation

A chemical equation shows the exact quan-
tities of the elements or compounds that take
part in a reaction.

Acid

An acid is a compound containing hydrogen
which is liberated when the acid reacts with
metals.

Base

A base is a compound that neutralizes acids
and contains a group of atoms known as the
hydroxy! group (OH) combined with a metal.

Salt

A salt is the substance produced when a
base or a metal react with an acid.

Elements and Sym-bols

The first things to be taken up are the ele-
ments and their symbols. These might be
called the alphabet of chemistry as upon them
is built the whole science. At the present time
there are eighty-two substances known which
have not been further subdivided or
broken up into anything other than the sub-
stance itself. These substances are known
as elements. Symbols of these elements are
adopted to avoid writing the full name of the
element, many of these being taken from
their Latin names. As only thirty of the
elements are commonly used, it will be
necessary for the plater to familiarize himself
with the symbols for them only. The atomic
weight of each element is also given. An ex-
planation of these weights will be given later.

International Atomic Weig"hts

Element Symbol Atomic Wt.

Aluminum A\ 27.1

Antimony Sb 120.2

Arsenic As 74.96

Barium Ba 137.37

Bismuth Bi 208.0

Cadmium Cd 112.40

Calcium Ca 40.07

Carbon C 12.00

Chlorine CI 35.46

Chromium Cr .52.0

Cobalt Co 58.97

Copper Cu 63.57

Gold Au 197.2

Hydrogen H 1.008

Iron Fe 55.84

Lead Pb 207.10

Magnesium Mg 24.32

316

TIIE BRASS WORLX)

August

Manganese Mn .">4.9;^

Mercury Hg 200. «

Nickel Ni 58.68

Nitrogen N 14.01

Oxygen O 1(5.00

Phosphorus P 31.04

Platinum Pi 195.2

Potassium K 39.10

Silver Ag 107.88

Sodium Na 23.00

Suli)hur S 32.07

Tin Sn 119.0

Zinc Zn 05.37

Atoms, Molecules and Eciuations

The elements are composed of very minute
particles known as atoms. If two or more of
these particles or atoms of an element are
taken together they form an elementary mole-
cule. The number of atoms that compose a
molecule depends upon the element. If atoms
of ditterent elements combine to form a com-
pound the molecule will be a compound mole-
cule. For instance, if two molecules of hydro-
gen, each composed of two atoms, and one
molecule of oxygen of two atoms are brought
together and are united by means of an elec-
tric spark they will form a compound which
is water. This change which the two gases
have undergone is known as a chemical re-
action and can be written in the form of an
equation —

2 H, + O, = 2 H, O
Before the equation can be written the
change or reaction has to be known by per-
forming the experiment. The equation then
expresses quantitatively the exact amounts in
which the elements unite to form new com-
pounds. The elements or compounds expres-
sed on the left of the equation are the sub-
stances before the reaction and those on the
right or after the equality sign are the new
compounds that are formed. As matter is
indestructible the same number of atoms on
the left of the equation will have to equal the
same number on the right only differently ar-
ranged. The number of molecules is general-
ly written in front of the element or com-
pound and the number of atoms in the mole-
cule is written after and below it.

Atomic Theory and Weigrlits

The manner in which the elements vuiite to
form compounds and the amount of each ele-
ment required to make up the compound are
best explained by the atomic theory. The

elements are composed of small particles or
atoms, the atoms of the same element being
alike in their properties, while the atoms of
different elements are different. Compounds
are then formed by the union of atoms of dif-
ferent elements and the proportion by weight
in which they combine is always constant for
the same compound. To explain it we can
make use of the equation already given for the
formation of water.

2 H, + O, =1 2 H, O
That is if more than two molecules of hydro-
gen are mixed with one molecule of oxygen
they will not react ; only the required amount
as shown by the equation will be used. This
proportion of oxygen and hydrogen to form
water is always constant. This rule applies
to all compounds, viz., that only certain definite
quantities will react to form the compound.
This is the law of constant proportions which
has been demonstrated beyond doubt to be
one of Nature's most perfect laws.

To find the combining weight or atomic
weight of the elements a standard unit had to
be chosen, which was hydrogen. Then deter-
mining by experiment how much by weight
each element combined with it, also the num-
])er of atoms in the compound formed, a weight
could be obtained for the elements as com-
pared with an atom of hydrogen. For example
if we find that hydrochloric acid contains one
part of hydrogen and 35.5 parts of chlorine,
and that a molecule of hydrochloric acid con-
tains one atom of chlorine and one atom of
hydrogen, then an atom of chlorine must be
35.5 times heavier than an atom of hydrogen.
The atomic weight of chlorine would be 35.5.

The atomic weights form the basis for all
quantitative reactions and the manner in
which they are used would be as in the fol-
lowing example : — To find how much oxygen
and hydrogen is necessary to form a definite
quantity of water. Obtain the atomic weights
of oxvgen and hydrogen from the table, which
for oxygen is 16 and for hydrogen 1.008. From
the equation already given we see it is neces-
sary to multiply the atomic weight for hydro-
gen by 4 as there are 2 molecules, each mole-
cule having 2 atoms making 4 atoms altogether ;
as there are 2 atoms of oxygen the atomic
weight has to be nudtiplied by 2. The sum of
the molecular weights of oxygen and hydro-
gen will be 36.032 which exactly equals the
molecular weight of the 2 molecules of water
that are formed. The equation would be as
follows with the molecular weights —

August

THE BRASS ^VORLD

317

2 H, + O, = 2 H, O

4.032 + 32 36.032

These figures can be expressed as pounds, so
if we wanted to form 36.032 lb. of water it
would be necessary to take 4.032 lb. of hydro-
gen and 32 lb. of oxygen. To form any
amount of water, the required quantities of
hydrogen and oxygen can be found by first
finding the quantities necessary for 1 lb. of
water. The quantity of hydrogen would be
found by dividing 4;032 by 36.032, which equals
0. lb., also the amount of oxygen would
be 32 divided by 36.032 which equals 0. lb.
These values are then multiplied by the num-
ber of pounds of water required and the
result will be the quantities of hydrogen and
oxygen that should be taken. This method
can be applied to finding the quantities neces-
sary for any chemical reaction.

nomenclature

After becoming acquainted with the ele-
ments and the manner in which they combine,
the next step is the naming of the compounds
that are formed from such combinations. To
have a fair understanding of the difi^erent
classes of compounds this subject will have to
be treated rather fully. Chemical compounds
are named not only as a means of identifica-
tion but also to indicate as far as possible
their composition. The first compounds to
become familiar with are the acids. An acid
is a compound that contains hydrogen whicli
is liberated when the acid reacts with metals
The following is a list of the acids generall\
used in the laboratory : hydrochloric (H CI),
sulphuric (H^SOj), nitric (HNO,), and
acetic (H C, H3 O2). Substances which neutra-
lize the properties of acids are known as bases.
As a rule they contain a group of atoms
known as the hydroxyl group (OH) combined
with a metal. The following are examples of
bases; sodium hydrate (Na OH), ammonium
hvdrate (XH^ O H), aluminum hvdrate
[Al, (0H)„].

When bases and acids react a salt is pro-
duced : the metal of the base replaces the hy-
drogen of the acid; for example — sulphuric
acid reacting with sodium hydrate forms
sodium sulphate and water. The equation is

H,SO, + 2 Xa OH = Xa.SO^ -f 2 H,0
If the exact quantities of sulphuric acid and
sodium hydrate as required by the equation
are used, neutral sodium sulphate will be form-
ed, but if an excess of sulphuric acid is used
acid sodium sulphate or bisulphate is ob-

tained which can be shown by the following
equation

H,SO, + Xa OH = Na HSO4 + H,0
The term "acid salt" does not signify neces-
sarily that the salt will turn blue litmus paper
red (the usual test for an acid) as acid calci-
um carbonate [Ca (HC03)2] is neutral and
acid sodium carbonate (NaHCOg) alkaline to
litmus. An acid salt is therefore a salt which
contains one or more of the hydrogen atoms
in its molecule.

(To be coiitiiuicd )

EARLY TRAINING.

It is the ubiquitous school-boy who lures the
wary trout with a dainty morsel, carefully
concealing the bentpin, which proves the un-
timely end of the sagacious fish; so it is the
same boy who develops into the finished
sportsman later in life as a result of early
environment.

Indeed, it is the early training that counts
for the making or the unmaking of the man.
The youthful brain, like a plastic mass, is
susceptible to every impression ; that condition
sometimes called the "Millenium" will not oc-
cur, if it occur at all, except through the ed-
ucational process.

In Detroit a short time ago, the local branch
of the American Electro-platers' Society
showed their appreciation of greater educa-
tion by inviting to one of their meetings
several members of the Board of Education
and there making a formal request for the
use of one of the rooms of the Manual Train-
ing Department of Cass School, for demon-
strations peculiar to the electroplating art.

Few of these men w'ho made the request
are in the halcyon days of early youth, but
they realized the advantages of greater
knowledge, and there is opportunity for edu-
cators, also, to realize that the men who are
part of the real commercial and social
machinery of the day, are eager for greater
opportunities to acquire wider knowledge.

The Elyria City Board of Education,
Elyria, Ohio, just now, is taking the right step-
to equip their new Technical High School
with cupolas, brass furnaces, etc., for an ex-
perimental foundry, all supplied by Frederic
B. Stevens, Detroit.

This all makes for youthful progress and,,
good as it is, the plan, if widened, so that,
adults, also, might attend a training school,,
would become of incalculable benefit.

318

August

SOME CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING SPECIFICATIONS
FOR WROUGHT NON-FERROUS MATERIALS.*

BY WILLIAM REUBEN WEBSTER.

Introductory.

It is the purpose of this paper to enumerate
and discuss some of the factors which atYect
the construction of specifications for wrought
non-ferrous materials. While tlic use of these
products in construction is large aud import-
ant, the variety of uses is so extensive that
with some exceptions not many data are avail-
able to the engineer desirous of defining his
necessities.

.Attention will be i)articularly confined to the
copper-zinc alloys as representing the most
com])n'hensive group of materials that art-

range the products e.xliibit a normal variation
of physical properties which is very great.
Moreover, the properties normal to any par-
ticular proportion of the two constituents can
be greatly modified by the processes of cold
working and heat treatment. Other modifica-
tions are produced by the presence, either ac-
cidental or intentional, of other elements, more
particularly lead, iron and tin. The effects of
these vary in turn with the percentage of cop-
per present and may be harmful or beneficial
according to the purpose for which the mater-
ial is required. Lead causes it to work freely

Q-
&>

c
c

eoooo

(56)24^

70 000
(49ZI)

60 000
()

50 000
()

40 000
()

()

(703)

"-^

^"■^i^,^

^■^

^-^5//

e Strength

70 80

Percentage of Copper

90
80

60."*

o
50 -^

-a

40-

c
o

30 I

■»-

20 -i

100

Fig. 1. Curves Showing Variation in Physical Properties

Varying Percentages

fabricated by wrought processes into sheets and
strips, rods and liars, brazed and seamless
tubes, and wire.

Properties of Copper-Zinc .llloys.
Copper and zinc alloy to form malleable and
ductile materials in all proportions from about
55 per cent up to pure copper, and over this

*Paper presente 1 at tlie Seventeenth Annual
meeting' of the Ameru'an Societv for Testing
Materials, June 3ii to July 3, .

ot Cold-Rolled and Annealed Copper-Zinc Alloys, due to
of Copper and Zinc.

under a tool but decreases ductility, the latter
effect in turn liecoming more pronounced with
decreasing percentages of zinc. Tin. on the
other hand, decreases ductility greatly in the
presence of considerable percentages of zinc. It
is this very wide range of properties which can
be imparted to the copper alloys in the wrought
form, together with their non-corrodibility,
which gives them the great value which they
possess. At the same time, formulas have not

August

THE BR>%.SS >VORrX)

319

been deduced which will accurately correlate
components and properties to uses, although
experience has determined with more or less
correctness those things which should be
avoided when any known purpose is to be met.
Fig. 1 shows the variation in physical proper-
ties with the proportion of copper and zinc
when cold rolled and annealed.

It is general practice to produce the alloys
by melting the constituents in crucibles con-
taining about 200 lb., so that this quantity
represents the unit heat. To determine all the
important constituents of the product of each
crucible charge is manifestly commercially im-
practicable, so the range of tolerable variations
as determined by individual analysis must of
necessity be comparatively large.

Variations in Composition.

Departures from a desired composition as
influenced by variation in the copper are not
difficult to control, because ingot copper is pro-
duced in large furnace charges, permitting of
accurate sampling and determination. Such,
however, is not the case with zinc, each plate
of which (about 40 lb.) not only shows an
individual lead content of its own, but on ac-
count of the fact that lead and zinc do not al-
loy, will show widely different proportions in
various parts of the same plate. jMoreover,
zinc is highly volatile, so a certain proportion
of it is lost during the alloying process. This
amount is difficult to control within close
limits. It is governed by the proportion of
zinc in the charge, the temperature of the
crucible contents at the time the zinc is intro-
duced, and the time elapsing between the in-
troduction of the latter and the pouring of the
crucible contents. It is evident also that some
variation is due to the limit of error in weigh-
ing the charge, and that the large number of
individual weighings necessary in producing
any considerable quantity of brass af-
fords an opportunity for occasional error.
More or less variation also occurs in different
parts of the same bar. As a result of all these
opportunities for variation, the departure
which any individual bar or ingot may show
from the desired composition is considerable,
its limit being the sum of all the variations due
to each of the causes enumerated.

In addition the errors of chemical analysis
need consideration. The Bureau of Standards
recently prepared an accurate sample of sheet
brass and made a careful determination of its
constituents. Portions of this sample were

sent to eleven dift'erent chemists accustomed to
this class of work for check anah'ses. The ex-
treme variations reported to the Bureau
showed for copper 0.15 per cent of the total
copper as determined by the Bureau, for zinc
0.89 per cent, for lead 5.2 per cent, for iron
13.8 per cent and for tin 10.2 per cent. It
should be borne in mind that these determina-
tions were made under conditions conducive to
much more than commercial accuracy.

Three qualities of copper are ordinarily em-
ployed, namely, lake, electrol\i:ic, and arsenical.
The differences in the resulting product due to
the employment of any one of these three
grades is not definitely established. In the
early days of the industry, electrolytic copper
was liable to contamination, but such a con-
dition no longer exists. Several grades of
spelter are in general use, the difference being
due primarily to the lead content.

It is customary to make up the mixtures wuli
certain proportions of scrap. The term scrap
as here employed is not at all synonymous
with junk. Good practice tolerates scrap only
with a known history and of known composi-
tion. Properly safeguarded in this respect, the
use of scrap is advantageous. It is much more
difficult to produce a thoroughly homogeneous
mixture when the entire charge is composed of
unalloyed copper and spelter.

Influence of the Casting Process.

The casting process, besides being the cause
of variations in the composition of the finished
product, aft'ords other opportunities for varia-
tions in the quality. When properly per-
formed, the bar, billet or ingot should be free
from blowholes, gas cavities or dirt in the in-
terior, and from cold-shot or other surface
imperfections on the exterior. Improper or
unskilled casting profoundly affects the
strength and ductility of the ingot.

The surface of molten brass becomes instantly
covered with a thick film of oxide on exposure
to the air, and this oxide must be prevented
from becoming incorporated in the solidified
metal. Two instances will illustrate the impor-
tance of proper casting. Ingot copper of the
finest character, as received from the refining
furnace, is neither very ductile nor malleable
when cold, but when properly melted and cast
from a crucible, it becomes highly so. A
properly cast billet should show no pipe at the
upper end, and when improperly cast a con-
siderable pipe may occur. Fig. 2 shows a sec-
tion of the upper part of a billet properly cast.

320

THE BRASS W^ORUD

August

and Fig. 3 of one improperly cast. The cut
across the top of the billet in Fig. 2 shows the
portion ordinarily discarded.

The crucible charge is cast into several dif-
ferent forms according to the use for which it
is intended. If for sheet brass or strip, it is

Fig. 2. Section of a Properly Cast Brass Billet.

cast into bars usually about 1 in. thick and of
a width varying from 4 to 14 in., according to
the widtli of the sheet required. The length
is such that the standard crucible charge will
make two bars. Wider sheets are produced
by rolling the bars crosswise in the rolls until
the required width is reached, or by cutting a
partially rolled bar into lengths of approxi-
mately the required width and cross rolling to
the finished thickness, according to the practice
generally followed in rolling sheet steel.

Mixtures which admit of hot rolling are cast
usually of greater cross-section, and of vary-
ing weight according to requirements. The
extrusion process employs a billet 6 in. or more
in diameter, weighing 150 lb. or more, accord-
ing to the power of the machine employed.

Operations Employed in Making Slicet
and Strip.

Considering first the bar intended for sheet
or strip, the various operations affecting the
finished product will be discussed. After being
cast, the bars have their gates or shrinkheads

cut off. At the same time, the cut and exterior
surfaces are carefully scrutinized for evidence
of improper casting, and should any be found,
the unsatisfactory bars are cut up to be recast.
From the shears, the bars are then placed in an
annealing furnace, heated to redness, withdrawn
from the furnace and allowed to cool. They
are then given several passes through the
breaking-down rolls, being reduced 40 to 50
per cent in thickness. After breaking down,
they are again annealed and overhauled. This
last operation consists in scraping or cutting
the surface of the bar with a reciprocating or
rotary tool for the purpose of removing sur-
face defects. This process affords opportuni-
ty for an efficient inspection, any defects in
the casting being readilv observable.

Fig. 3. Section of an Improperly Cast Brass Billet.

Rolling and annealing operations now alter-
nate until the material is reduced to the de-
sired thickness. The former operation in-
creases the tensile strength, elastic limit and
hardness, while reducing the elongation and
reduction of area. Annealing removes the ef-
fect of rolling. This latter statement is sub-
ject to some modification in that the annealed
cast bar has not quite the same physical quali-
ties as after rolling and annealing. The effect
of annealing is proportional to the temperature
to which the metal is subjected. Characteris-

August

TILE BRASS WORLX>

321

tic curves showing the effect of cold rolling
and of annealing are given in Figs. 4 and 5.
Different mixtures give widely different
curves.

Before the material is taken to the finishing
rolls, it is pickled in a weak sulphuric-acid solu-
tion, which removes the oxidation and dis-
coloration due to the annealing process, after

100 000
(;

90 000
()

80 000
, ()

70 000
()

60 000
()

50 000
()

40 000
()

30 000

()

20 000
()

10 000
(703)

pers, and cannot be entirely eliminated. It is,
however, quite constant in any individual lot.
The latter variation is due mainly to variations
in hardness and thickness of the strip before
passing through the rolls. This variation may
be due to differences in composition or dif-
ferences in degree of annealing. When a
strip is passing through a set of rolls, the

100

0)
Ol

■-«

:^x

-^^

^^^

^2$() mesh sieve, consequently the
sample is divided into two portions, shots and
fines, which are carefully weighed separately.
The percentage of metal is found by dividing
the combined weight of the shot and fines into
the weight of the shot.

Assuming that the shot or metal weighs 200
grams and the fines 800 grams, giving a total
combined weight of grams, in this case
there is 20 per cent shot and 80 per cent fines.
In order to weigh up a gram of the sample,
200 milligrams of the metal is weighed up and
800 milligrams of the fines, thus giving 1 gram
of sample or milligrams. After the sample
is weighed, it is transferred to a Xo. 2 lipped
beaker, 20 c.c. water is added and 15 c.c. con-
centrated nitric acid. The beaker is then
covered with a watchglass, placed on the hot
plate and allowed to remain until all signs of
nitrous fumes have disappeared : this generally
takes about 15 minutes. Then it is removed
from the source of heat and the beaker and
contents allowed to become cool. Tlie watch-
glass and the sides of the beaker are washed
with a fine stream of hot distilled water using
a glass fiask for this purpose. About 60 c,c,
cold distilled water is added to beaker and
mixed thoroughly, using a thin glass rod;
then 25 c.c. ammonia is added and the beaker
placed on a stove or hot plate, allowing con-
tents to boil for a period of ten minutes. The
object in adding the ammonia is to precipitate
the iron and any traces of aluminum wdiich
may be present, .\fter the solution has boiled,
it is removed from the source of heat, washing
the sides and cover with hot water. It is then
filtered through a 9 cm. filter paper, washing
the precipitate thoroughly with hot water three
or four times. To the filtrate or solution is
added sufficient dilute sulphuric acid to render
solution acid, then 5 c.c. concentrated sulphuric
acid.

The copper in this solution is now in the
form of copper sulphate, and is ready to be

placed under a platinum cylinder. The cop-
per contained in the solution is plated a*
electrolytic copper on the cylinder, using a
current of i ampere, this being sufficient for
the deposition of the copper. Most chemists
place the solution on the battery in the evening
and remove it in the morning, thus giving
sufficient time for complete deposition.

The platinum cylinders are weighed once or
twice a week in order to avoid error or dis-
crepancy in weighs. The amount of copper is
determined In- the dift'erence in weight of the
cylinder before and after being plated.

ALUMINUM IN RAIL STEEL.

A paper recently presented to the American
Railway Engineering Society summed up the
influence of alununum on rail steel as fol-
lows : — Ingots treated with aluminum added
to the mold were of more even composition
throughout than plain bessemer steel. There
was less positive segregation in the interior
and upper part of the ingot, but the negative
segregation or soft center in the interior and
lower parts of the ingot was about the same.
There was a softening or negative segregation
in the upper part of the wall of the plain
ingot, while in the aluminum-treated ingots the
walls were of fairly even composition througli-
out the height of the ingot. Aluminum-
treated ingots had larger and deeper pipe5;
than plain steel, but had denser steel around
the pipes. Rails of plain steel had a brittle
zone in the upper part of the bar as disclosed
by the drop test. In the rails of aluminum-
treated steel this zone was largely eliminated.
Rails of plain steel contained their laminations
close to the top end of the bar, while in alu-
nnnum-treated rails the interior laminations
were found a considerable distance from the
top end, varying from about 30 to 45 per cent,
of the weight of the ingot. In the transverse
test of the liase, rails of ahnninum-treated
steel showed considerably greater transvers .
strength of the base and sag of the flange he-
fore breaking than the rails of plain steel, with
0.61 per cent, carbon and a little greater
strength and sag of flange with 0.45 per cent,
carbon.

.\ thick heavy coating of hot asphalt paint
is the best material for protecting the outside
of pickling tubs and iron pipes from acid.

August

325

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

COPPER PLATING STEEL.

Is it possible to copper-plate steel, rinse the
work and dry it so that it will retain the same
bright appearance that it has when first
taken out of the plating vat? If so, how can
we obtain the necessary instruction or infor-
mation for handling the work in our electro-
plating department? We do not wish to dr\-
the work by the use of hot sawdust, for the
reason that the steel, copper-plated, is to be
enameled, consequently the work should have
a bright, clean appearance. We use a boiling
hot solution containing cyanide and lye. The
work is hung in this boiling solution with-
out being cleaned or removing grease.
What we are now particularly interested
in, is to be able to put a light deposit of
copper on the steel curtain rods that we manu-
facture, and handle the work after it leaves
the bath so that when it dries, it will give a
nice bright copper appearance.

A bright copper deposit is very difficult to
dry without staining. If hyposulphite of soda
is used as a brightener in the copper bath, the
work after standing over night will be all
the colors of the rainbow if great care is not
taken in rinsing after plating. It is essential
to give the work thorough rinsing in clean
water followed by a hot water bath in wiiicii
is dissolved a little fish soap. Then rinse in
clean hot water and afterwards give a good
hard slinging to remove excess water. Finally
dry in a steam-heated kiln.

CYCLE-CAR FAN BUSHING METAL.

We are enclosing a cut of our cycle-car fan,
and ask what you would recommend in tlie
way of a bushing for same. We have had
the matter up regarding both cast bushings
and bushings made from tubing. We would
appreciate it if you would give us information
regarding the analysis of tubing which is sat-
isfactory for bearing purposes.

We cannot recommend any tubing that
would be suitable for bearing purposes. The
treatment that the metal must undergo in
order to be drawn into tubing is such that if it

would stand this strain it would not do for
bearings. We would suggest that you try a
die-cast sleeve made from a good tin base
babbitt metal. We know of several places
where these bearings are being used and are
giving satisfaction.

SPOTS AFTER NICKEL-PLATING.

My nickel solution tests 6^ deg. Baume and
the work plated is cast iron polished. After
taking it from the batli, little black and white
spots like pepper are formed on the work
which when buffed do not show. We would
like to know the way to prevent this spotting.
The work polished is porous and the nickel
bufif is hard, plating with a current of 2 volts.
What is the cause of hard buffing?

Your solution is too acid and does not con-
tain enough nickel. The remedy is to in-
crease your metal content until the solution
tests 8 deg. Baume, and to lower your voltage
from 2 volts to H volts. If you do this, we
think you will prevent the spotting out and
will obtain the soft finish which will be very
much easier to buff.

GERMAN SILVER ALLOY.

We are mailing you, under separate cover,
a piece of metal, of which we do not know
the composition. It looks to us like German
silver but German silver does not work up as
white and silver-like as this piece. Could you
give us any information as to the different
metals of which it is composed or tell us
where we could buy the ingots. We have a
brass foundry here and have a customer who
is desirous of getting castings made from this
kind of metal.

Your sample is what is ordinarily termed
a white metal but is in reality a German sil-
ver with the addition of a slight amount of
aluminum made necessary on account of the-
large amount of spelter in the alloy. Without
the addition of the aluminum as a deoxidizing
agent, the casting would come full of zinc
oxide and be very dirty. The composition of
the allov is as follows :

326

THE BRASS WORLD

August

Copper 50%

Nickel 15%

Zinc 35%

Alumimini 1/10%

To make the metal, first make an alloy of cop-
per and aluminnm liy molting 22i lb. ul cop^
per and 2k lb. of pure aluminum. Alelt the
copper tirst, keeping it well covered with char-
coal while the melt is going on. When melted
add the alumiinnn and stir thoroughly. Then
inill the pot and pour into small bars as this
is a very hard and tough metal and will not
linak by heating as will ordinary bronze.

Td make JOO lb. of the white metal, put the
50 lb. of copper and the 15 lb. of nickel in the
crucible at the same time and let them come
down together. If you attempt to melt the
nickel tirst, it will take more heat than you
get in an ordinary furnace. Keep the metal
well covered with charcoal while the melt is
going on and when the mixture of copper and
nickel begins to melt, add a good handful of
a Hux composed of equal parts of borax and
salt. When the metal in the pot is all melted,
add oo lb. of good spelter and stir well. Add
one pound of the aluminum and copper alloy:
stir and pull the pot ; skim well and pour at
once.

Castings made from this metal should have
a good sized main gate of good length and
the pattern should be so gated that the metal is
forced back into the mold instead of going in
directly from the main gate. The main gate,
when possible, should be all in the cope so as
to get as much benefit from the pressure of
the metal as posible. This always insures a
much sounder casting and allows the metal
to free itself from any dross that is always
present in metal where aluminum is part of
the allov.

CRYSTALLINE FINISH ON SHEET BRASS.

How can we produce a crystalline finish on
sheet brass, which has the appearance of gal-
vanizing, except in the brass finish?

This finish, sometimes called "snow flake",
can only be done on brass or bronze which
contains a little tin as it is the tin in the mix-
ture that produces the crystalline eft'ect.

It can be produced by first cutting down and
finishing the articles in the regular manner,
then slightly plating them in an acid copper
solution just enough to color them red. They
are then put directly into another acid copper

solution with reversed current, or the current
may be reversed in the first solution. A few
moments" innnersion will give a dark appear-
ance, when they should be rinsed and brushed
with a soft brush until perfectly clean, then
dried and laccjuered.

NICKEL SOLUTION WORKING TOO
FAST.

.My nickel solution (which I ha\e just made
up new) composed of:

I)oul)le salts 8 oz.

Single salts 2 oz.

Sal annnoniac h oz.

deposited a black and marbled nickel and
boiled violentl\- with a weak current. It was
nuiddy and an iridescent scum continued to
gather on top. I added two pounds of sul-
phuric acid to 200 gallons of solution. This
cleared uj) the solution and it now gives a
white deposit which appears to be very soft
and sticks well, but it still works very fast
with very little current. The solution now
stands at 5i deg. Beaume. I used spring water
which is said to contain magnesia in abun-
dance. Can you tell why this solution should
work so fast?

We can see no reason why your nickel solu-
tion should work so fast, unless it is the
magnesia contained in the spring water you
used to make up the bath. Add one or two
ounces sulphate of nickel to every gallon.

VERDE ANTIQUE.

Do you handle or can you put us in touch
with people who do the green lacquer, or the
preparation used on brass for producing the
verde antique color?

A good verde antique that is used exten-
sively is done by giving the work about i
hour's run in the sour copper bath, then rins-
ing well in cold water and dipping in sulphur-
et of ammonia until black. Dry in a hot oven.
Make up your verde color by using four parts
whiting powdered fine to one part carbonate
of copper. Mix well together. Mix carnauba
wax to a paste in turpentine and use a goat's
hair brush to stipple the color on the black
iinish. Take a piece of glass and put some of
the greenish white powder in one place and the
wax in another place. Dip your brush in the
wax, then take up soine of the powder on it
and stipple on \-our work.

August

THE BRXS6 WORLX>

327

SILVER PAINT FOR DEPOSITING
ON GLASS AND CHINA.

The formulas given herewith are two of the
best on the market, having been used with
great success for several years as they are
reliable paints of tine white color. Any quanti-
ty of silver chloride from 1 oz. to 50 oz. may
be fused and when dry, can be saved in a
colored glass bottle well corked up. One
ounce of silver chloride is put into a small
dish, and one pint of water and 1 ounce of sul-
firm is also prepared to enter into negotiations
phuric acid are added. These are well stirred
and to the silver 2i oz. of sheet zinc is
added, the mixture being allowed to boil
until all the zinc is cut down. This turns the
silver chloride to a grayish color. The acid
solution is poured off and the fused silver
chloride is washed four or five times to get it
free from acid. Then the chloride is put on a
plate, and all the water thoroughly drained
of¥ and is allowed to dry in a dark place or in
an oven. When the fused chloride is dried
well, the following quantities are weighed out.

Fused silver chloride 1 ounce

Borate of lead 2 dwt.

Nitrate of potash 2 dwt.

Borax 1 dwt.

The ingredients are mixed together and
ground down very fine with spirits of turpen-
tine. This paint can be ground on a piece of
sand-blasted plate glass 24 in. square and a
glass-grinding molar.

When the paint is ground fine, the finer the
beter, it is to be mixed in small quantities, say
a little on the edge of a knife or a small tea-
spoonful at a time with Dresden or French
fat oil. It is now ready to be applied to your

object.

Silver Paint Formula No. 2.

Fused chloride of silver 1 oz.

Acetate of lead 1 dwt.

Soda ash 1 dwt.

Nitrate of potash i dwt.

Boracic acid 4 dwt.

Borax i dwt.

The above formula, like the previous for-
mula, gives a fine paint, good on any kind of
glass and china, the only difference being that
in fusing this chloride of silver, muriatic acid
and sheet zinc are used instead of sulphuric
acid, but the process is similar. Thi.s is im-
portant to remember, because it makes a great

difference in color on the glass. If more than
one ounce of silver paint is to be ground, sim-
ply double up on the silver chloride and the
same with the fluxes. Be sure you figure out
the e.xact weights of each ingredient.

Firing'.

The second operation is the firing which is
made as follows : After the work is decorated,
it is allowed to stand for eight hours or so,
and then placed in the kiln to be fired. It
generally takes from li to 2 hours to fire a
kiln full of work. It must be watched until
the glass is red hot, then the gas under the
kiln is turned off, and the work allowed to
cool off before opening the kiln or the work
will break with the sudden draught. It takes
from three to four hours for a kiln to cool off.
China may be fired two hours without any
trouble or fear because it will stand any
amount of heat, whereas glass must be watched
so that it does not melt. After the work is
taken from the kiln and fired thoroughly it is
ready to be put into the silver depositing bath.

Plating-.

Now wire the work by making connections
directly on the painted parts. After the work
is wired, it is then ready for the plating bath
without any other process of cleaning, brush-
ing or striking up. The silver plating solu--
tion is composed of not less than 5 oz. silver
and C. P. cyanide of potash, one pound to the
gallon. This solution, in order to get the best
result and a fine smooth deposit, easy to
finish by the polish is to be run by a very slow
current. A satisfactory method is to use a
hundred-gallon tank of silver solution having
double plating rods filled with work at the
rate of 12 to 15 amperes per tank. As the
silver must be deposited very slowly, it re-
quires such a long time for plating that it is
necessary to run plating baths with storage
bateries during the night. After the work is
plated it is then sand-buffed, cut down with
tripoli, washed, engraved and rouge-buffed in
the same manner as sterling silver.

A steel reinforced aluminum cable, consist-
ing of six outer strands of aluminum and the
inner strand of steel, is Ijeing used for long
distance power transmission.

Boron used in aluminum bronze is said to
improve the physical qualities of the alloy, as
well as rendering it less liable to tarnish.

328

THE BRASS WORI.Ll

August

CRACKING OF DRAWN BRASS.*

Discussion of Defects, Ascribed to Cold- Working,

and Draft of a Proposed Specification to Govern

Manufacture of Reliable Material.

BY ERNEST JONSON.
Engineer Inspector, New York Board of Water Supply.

Three grades of forgible brass are niainlv
used ior structural purposes in this coun-
try— Muntz metal, naval brass and manga-
nese bronze. Muntz metal is a mixture con-
taining about 60 per cent, of copper and 40
per cent, of zinc. When this mixture is
hardened by the addition of a small quantity
of tin, generally less than 1 per cent, the
metal is called naval brass, and when further
hardened by a slight addition of iron it is
called manganese ])ronze.

It is an old and familiar experience of
workers in brass that a cold-worked metal
may go to pieces either during manufacture
or afterward if the piece is not annealed at
suitable intervals during the work. It is
especially in the cold-working of low copper
alloys — alloys containing about 60 per cent of
copper — tliat this trouble has been experienced.
All such alloys when improperly cold-worked
are very liable to so-called season cracking.
It is natural that naval brass and manganese
bronze should be even more susceptible to
initial straining than the softer ]\Iuntz metal.
Shipments of brass rods, especially of man-
ganese bronze and naval brass, which had
been carefully inspected and tested at the
mill, have been rejected at the point of desti-
nation on account of cracks. Examination
made of manganese-bronze studs for sub-
marines being Iniilt at Seattle in revealed
the fact that a number of these studs had
cracks extending partly through them, there-
by weakening them to such an extent that
they might be twisted off with comparative
ease. It is said to be a common experience in
repair work to find brass studs twisted off
which show old cracks extending some dis-
tance in from the surface.

In the new Catskill aqueduct, as pointed out
by Alfred D. Flinn in his article, "The Crack-
ing of Bronzes and Brasses," in the Engineer-
ing Record of Nov. 8, , page 527, hun-
dreds of bolts have been found cracked. Ap-
parently exposure to the extreme natural

*By Courtesy of Engineering Record, April
11, .

range of temperature, as in passing through
a winter, has caused these failures. In other
cases the cracking has been directly traced to
sudden cooling.

The main facts with regard to season crack-
ing are as follows: .\fter an extended search
of the technical literature on this subject no
evidence has been found that the chemical
composition of brass or bronze has anything
to do with season cracking, except in so far
as it makes the alloy hard. A complete
chemical analysis was made from drillings
taken through the entire cross .'■ection of a bar
of manganese bronze which had developed
season cracks. Analyses of the cracked por-
tion and of the solid core show no essential
difference between the two distinct areas in
the metal. They also show freedom from any
foreign elements which might have played a
part in the peculiar behavior of the metal.

Hard a]id Soft Alloys.

Cracking is more likely to occur in a hard
than in a soft alloy, especially when hardened
with tin and iron. Season cracking occurs
only in brass or other copper alloy that has
had some cold work done on it. The metal
must have been cold-rolled, drawn, spun or
treated by some other mechanical process in
order to make it liable to such cracking.
Some experiments made with 10 per cent
aluminum bronze revealed the fact that plain
hot-rolled bars did not suffer from season
cracking, while the cold-drawn bars of the
same material cracked after some time, .\bout
2,000.000 lb. of manganese bronze castings
have been made for the Catskill aqueduct, but
no cracking has been observed in any of them.
A large number of valve stems of forged
manganese bronze have been used with satis-
factory results. On the other hand, hundreds
of studs have been found cracked, but not one
short bolt with upset head, which had to be
heated for the purpose of upsetting and was
thereby annealed, was damaged.

Practically all of these defective studs had
cracks in the unthreaded portion, but only a
very few studs have broken in the thread. This
indicates that machining off the surface, as is
done in cutting threads, eliminates the danger
of cracking. Long studs which for some rea-
son have cracked on one side only have been
found decidedly bent, with the cracks on the
extrados. Test pieces cut from the interior
uncracked portion of cracked studs give as
good tests as those cut from uncracked bolts.

August

TILE BRXS6 WORLD

329

Cracked manganese bronze shows a con-
siderably higher hardness under the sclero-
scope than uncracked material of the same
kind. Lots of bolts which had developed
cracks show hardness from 28 to 33 when
tested with the diamond point, whereas those
lots among which no cracked bolts were found
show hardness below 28, often considerably
below, going down to 19 when the material
has been annealed. The elastic limit of cold-
drawn bars is said to increase rapidly toward
the surface.

The only theory which seems to fit these
facts is that season cracking is a bursting due
to initial stress augmented by temperature
stress. When a bar is drawn through a die
the compression is applied with greatest in-
tensity at the surface, but, owing to the
spreading of the stress, more gradually at
points in the interior. The surface is, there-
fore, permanently deformed, while the interior
is subjected largely to elastic compression.
When the bar leaves the die the interior tends,
therefore, to resume its original dimensions,
but, being constrained by the permanently re-
duced shell, a part of the compressive stress
remains and sets up a tensile stress in the sur-
face layer. A sudden chilling of the surface
of the bar would cause a tendency to contrac-
tion, which, when resisted by the interior,
would result in a tensile temperature stress.
These two stresses, when combined, might
easily exceed the strength of the material and
cause rupture.

This theory is in harmony with the facts
that cracking is most likel\- to occur in the
hard alloys, and that it occurs only when they
have been cold-worked and not subsequently
annealed or machined. It also corresponds
with observations that the hardness is greater
and the yield point higher at the surface than
in the interior of the bolt. The idea of an in-
ternal compression balanced by a surface ten-
sion fully explains the case of a bolt bending
when it cracked on one side only and thus re-
lieving the tension on this side, and lea\-ing
that on the other to form a couple with the
remaining internal compression. It also agrees
with the observation that the part of the bolt
which the crack has not yet reached is in
normal condition.

The fact that in cutting a long thread on
cold-drawn rods in a lathe it is necessary
to make a preliminary narrow but deep cut,
so that the change in length which results

from the cutting of the outer layer of the
rod may take place before the final cut is
made, suggested the idea that a complete sur-
vey of the initial stresses in a rod might be
made by measuring the variations in length
resulting from cutting down the diameter of
the rod. A piece of li-in. diameter cold-
drawn manganese bronze rod of in. long was
therefore, cut off square at the ends and three
measuring points, equidistant on the circum-
ference, were established at each end. The
original length of the rod was then measured
and i in. was then turned off for a length of
4.1.5 in., leaving the original section of the rod
undisturbed at each end. The length was
then again measured. Another I in. was
turned off and the length again measured.
The measurements at each of the points, which
were respectively marked 1, 2 and 3, were re-
corded separately, each one being the average
of five independent measurements made by a
6-in. screw micrometer.

Elongration and Stress.

When the diameter of the center portion of
the rod had been reduced to § in. the dif-
ferences between the original measurements at
each point and all succeeding ones were
figured and the average of the three differ-
ences for each reduction of the diameter was
taken as tlie true dift'erence in length. From
these differences in length the corresponding
total stress in each of the removed layers was
computed.

The following table gives the results:
Diameter, hh. per sq. in.,

inches Difference unit stress

Ih 21,300

li 0. 10,(300

Id 0. 20,300

Ih 0. 11,800

1 O.OOGO 3.900

I 0. 17,400

I 0. 23,300

I 0. 31,000

i 0. 31.000

i 0. 31,000

The unit stresses refer to the ]'i-in. laver
inside the given diameter, except the last
figure, which is the unit stress in the remain-
ing i-in. diameter core.

It was later found that this method of
measuring initial stress in rods was described
in ]\Iartens-Heyn's "IMaterialienkunde." In
this book was also found a test for the ten-
denc\' to season cracking. This test consists

330

THE BRASS \VORLX>

August

in immersing a piece of the rod in a solution
of mercury salt. A number of tests have been
made by immersing pieces of rod about (> in.
long in a saturated solution of mercurous
nitrate. In one case after two hours' immer-
sion tiie specimens were found to have de-
veloped a large muubcr of transverse cracks
spaced about i in. apart and aliout il in. deep.

Propofred SpecifLcatious.

The question naturally arises whether man-
ganese bronze and naval brass, and perhaps
all high brass, sliDuld l)e unconditionally con-
denmed as unfit for structural purposes, or
whether these alloys may be safely used when
certain precautions are taken. The structural
uses to which the high brasses are now being
put involve duties too important to justify the
engineer in taking chances with cold-worked
material. .And there is no occasion for doing
so because hot-worked manganese bronze
rods and bars are now being both extruded

there does not seem to be any real need for
cold-drawing.

Whenever it is impracticable entirely to
climate cold-working, as is the case in the
manufacture of tubing, and when drawing
is desirable on account of the exact size and
finish which it gives, the initial stresses set
up by the cold-working should be eliminated
by sufficient annealing. When great stiffness
is desired — that is, high elastic limit at the
surface — cold-drawn bars must be used with-
out annealing: but such material must be pre-
pared with great care so as to eliminate the
initial stress due to the drawing. This may
be done by cold-rolling, the axes of the rolls
being set at a slight incline to that of the rod.
Such rolling will enlarge the outer layer of the
rod and thus relieve the tension in it.

The following specifications for rolled, ex-
truded and drawn structural brass are pro-
posed :

Copper

Muntz metal 59-62

Naval brass 59-62

Manganese bronze. .57—61

CoMPOSiTio.\ BY Percentage

Tin

Iron

Lead

0.6 max.
0.2 max.
0.2 max.

Zinc
Rem.

0 5-1.25

Rem

0.5-1.25

0.5-2.0

Rem

Minimum Phvsic.\l Requirements for Hot Rolled. Extruded .\nd .\nne.\led
M.\TERiAL, in Pounds per Square Inch

Yield Ultimate Elongation,

point strength percent

Muntz metal 20,000 50,000 32

Naval brass 22,000 56,000 32

Manganese bronze 27,000 68,000 32

Drawn .Material Not Annealed

Yield Ultimate

])oint strength

Muntz metal 25,000 50,000

Naval brass 30,000 60,000

Manganese bronze 35,000 70,000

Elongation,
per cent

25
25
25

and hot rolled, giving 70,000 lb. ultimate
strength and 40 per cent elongation in 2 in.
Xaval brass produced by the same methods
gives 60,000 lb. ultimate strength and 40 per
cent elongation in 2 in. Such materials as
these ought to answer most purposes , and

For sb.eets and tubing the required mini-
mum elongation .shall be 5 per cent less than
given in the table. All material shall stand
being bent cold through an angle of 120 deg.
and to a radius equal to its diameter or thick-
ness. Bars shall stand being hammered hot

August

THE BRASS WORl-D

331

to a fine point. Scrap shall not be used in
the manufacture except such as comes from
the same composition made in the same mill.
The material sliall be free from all injurious
defects, and shall be clean, smooth and
straight and of uniform quality and size. Un-
less otherwise specially permitted, all bars
shall be extruded or hot-rolled and not subse-
quently drawn or cold-rolled. The straighten-
ing of hot-worked material shall be done by
simple bending, not accompanied by compres-
sion between two opposite rolls. Plates shall
be hot-rolled, except that sheets less than i in.
may be cold-rolled and annealed. All hot-
rolled material shall be tested witli the sclero-
scope and if the hardness is found to exceed
materially that typical of hot-worked metal
the rods shall be annealed.

Drawn and unannealed material shall be
tested for initial strain. In case of material
i in. or more in thickness this test shall be
made by measurement. When so tested the
maximum strain shall not exceed 0.002 in. in
a length of 4 in. The test specimen shall be
.5i in. long.

After the length has been measured the test
specimen shall be cut down for a length of
4 in., as follows : Bars shall be turned to one-
third of the original diameter. Flats shall be
machined to one-third the original width and
thickness and plates and tubing to one-third
the original thickness. The length shall then
again be measured. The difference between
the two measurement sliall be regarded as the
maxhiuuu initial strain.

Bars shall be measured at three marked
equidistant points on the circumference; flats
and plates at two points, one at each edge.
Test pieces of plates shall be 2 in. in width.
Each measurement shall be the average of Ave
observations at each measuring point. In
testing tubing the entire section shall be used,
one-third of the thickness being turned off on
the outside and one-third bored out on the in-
side. Sheets and tubing less than i in. in
thickness shall be tested by immersion in a
saturated solution of mercuric chloride for
one hour, and then kept under observation for
two weeks. If cracks appear during this test
the initial strain shall be regarded as exces-
sive. When doubt exists the specimen shall
be slightly bent to open cracks. Test pieces
subjected to this test shall be 5| in. long and
2 in. wide.

MELTING HUMOR.

An original card to perpetuate the memory
of the Hawley Down Draft Furnace Co.'s
products is being sent out from their head
office at Easton, Pa. It is of Cubist design
accompanied by rib-tickling reading matter
that would have robbed Kmg Henry I of his
reputation as a non-smiler. If you obey the
nine rules of pedestrian etiquette presented on
this attractive advertising card, you will live
longer. Write to the Hawley Down Draft
Furnace Co., Easton, Pa., for the Cubist Com-
mandments. Mention "Brass World", of
course.

A SPRAY OF PUBLICITY.

John A. Thatcher has been connected for
many years with the spraying machine manu-
facturing business. He is known as a spray
expert and has successfully worked out many
problems that were deemed impossible of
handling by a spraying apparatus. Air.
Thatcher has made an exhaustive study of
finishes and has originated many devices
which received immediate adoption by air-
brush users. He has become allied with the
International Spray Co., 208 Centre St., Xew
York City, and his success in his new field is
wished for bv his manv friends in the trade.

PERSONAL.

R. F. Lang. 8 and 10 Bridge St., Xew York,
well-known in the trade as the pioneer in the
introduction of phosphor copper into the
United States, has returned from his annual
trip abroad. Air. Lang brought with him a
full line of samples of brass machine parts
and plumbers' brasses produced by a new
method by the Royal Works which he repre-
sents. These brass parts are pressed into the
shapes required from solid blocks of brass
or bronze, and are claimed to be far superior
to brass castings, not even excluding die cast-
ings. They are also stated to afford an im-
mense amount of saving in labor as they are
perfectly smooth and clean-cut, requiring little
machining and in many instances none at all.

There are no producing nickel mines in the
United States, the greater part of the nickel
ore imported being from the Canadiaii de-
posits.

332

THE BRASH WORTX)

August

THE GATHERING OF THE
FOUNDRYMEN IN CHICAGO.

Ik'lwccn Scptcinljcr otli and September 12tli,
a great work for the l)ettermcnt of the foundry
trade in the United States will be accomplished
in Chicago. The foundry associations will
meet there and hold their conventions and the
Foundry Machine Exhibition Co. will bring
to a successful termination months of hard
work in gathering together the most represen-
tative exhibits of the best manufacturers of
foundry machine and appliances in the world.
As a dehnite part of a founder's life-work, the
meeting at Chicago should be attended by
every man who can possibly get away from his
place of business. When times are dull, pre-
pare for busy times to come. They are com-
ing. The attention we give now to manufac-
turing saving of labor and time will tide us
over sharp corners and lay a firm foundation
for profitable operation when the tide turns.
We publish herewith the latest details concern-
ing the program of the American l"oundry-
men's Association at its meeting in Chicago.
Note tlie wide range of subjects in many of
which you are vitally interested.

Papers oil Safety Work.
'"Safety in I'oundry Operations", address by
H. \\'. Alexander, General Electric Co., West
Lynn, Alass.

"Safety First", by W. P. Riedenbach,
Genesee ^^letal Co., Rochester, X. Y.

"Progress in tlie Safety First Movement", by
Arthur T. ]Morey, Commonwealth Steel Co.,
St. Louis.

"Safety in Connection with Grinding NA'heel
Operations", by R. G. Williams. Xorton Co.,
Worcester, )*Iass.

"Safety and Sanitation", by .\. W. Gregg,
Bucyrus Co., ^lilwaukee.

"Safety First — Driving Back the Saloon",
by Thomas D. W'est, Cleveland.

"Sanitation and Safety as Applied to the
Brass Industry", by F. ]\lorel, Chicago.
foundry Rqitipinent and Appliances.
"Electric ?\lotors and Controllers for
Foundry Operations", by S. H. Libby, New
York.

"The Second Story Foundry", ]>y G. F..
Hooper, Hooper-Falkenau Engineering Co.,
Detroit.

"Economics of ^lotor Drive", by H. P.
Stratton. Electric Controller & ^Ifg. Co.,
. Cleveland.

"Abrasives in the Foundry", by -Mr. Dietz,
Norton Co., W^orcester, Mass.

"Refractory ^Material", by Mr. Kelly, Har-
bison-Walker Refractories Co., Pittsburgh.

"Molding Sand Tests", by Dr. Richard
-Moldenke, Watching, N. J.

Cost Congress.
"b'oundry Cost Keeping", address by P. J.
Stevenson, Cost Expert National Association
of Stove Maiuifacturers, Hoosick Falls, X. J.
"Efficiency in iMunidry Operations, the Es-
sential Factor in Reducing Production Costs",
address by .\. E. Hathaway, Tabor ]\Hg. Co.,
Philadelphia.

"Efficiency in Foundry Work", by F. A.
Parkhurst, Aluminum Castings Co., Detroit.

"Revision of the A. F. A. Standard Foundry
Cost System", by Harrington Emerson, 30
Church St., New York City.

"Prevailing Practice in Estiiuating the Sell-
ing Price of Castings", by A. O. Backert.
Malleable Iron.

"Manufacture of [Malleable Cast Iron", by
Harrold Hemenway, H. W. Cooper Saddlery
Hardware Alfg. Co., ]Moline, 111.

"Effect of Silicon and Carbon in }ilalleable
Iron Practice", by A. L. Pollard, Johnston
Harvester Co., Batavia, X. Y.

"Tests of ]\Ialleable Cast Iron", by Enrique
Touceda. Albany. X. Y.

"Malleable Iron Practice", by J. P. Pero,
[Missouri [Malleable Iron Co., East St. Louis.

"Researches in the Annealing Process for
[Malleable Castings", by Oliver W. Storey,
Cniversity of Wisconsin, [Madison, \\'is.
Steel Session.

"The Electric Furnace in the Steel
Foundry", by \\". L. [Morrison, Welland, Ont.,
Can.

Discussion of [Mr. [Morrison's Paper, by G.
J. Stock, Darlington, Eng.

"[Making Steel Direct from Ore in the Elec-
tric Furnace", by Prof. T. A. Louden, Toronto.

"Side-Blow Converter Practice", by John
Gregson, Sivyer Steel Casting Co., [Milwaukee.

"[Manufacture of Acid Steel for Castings",
by A. F. Blackwood, Detroit.

"Xotes on the [Microstructure of Steel", by
Prof. \\'m. Campbell, New York City.

"Some Defects in Steel Castings and
Reiuedies for Them", by John Howe Hall,
New York City.

"Report of the Committee on Steel Foundry
Standards", by Dudley Shoemaker, Chairman,
American Steel Foundries, Indiana Harbor,
Ind.

August

THE BRJ^SS WORUtt

333

Gray Iron Session.

"Cast Iron with Unusual Structure", by K.
W. Zimmerschied, General ^klotors Co., De-
troit.

"Elimination of Waste in Bench Molding",
by J. C. Pendleton and R. E. Kennedy, Uni-
versity of Illinois, Urbana. 111.

"Report of the Conservation Congress", by
Paul Kreuzpointer, Altoona, Pa.

"Report of the Committee on Industrial
Education", by Paul Kreuzpointer, Altoona,
Pa.

"Iron and Its Properties", by Peter F.
Blackwood, ^lichigan Steel Casting Co., De-
troit.

"Green Sand Cores", by James Mulvey,
Rensselaer Valve Co., Troy, N. Y.

"Dangers of Specialization", by Thomas D.
West, Cleveland.

"Serni-Steel", by R. H. Probert, James
Leffel & Co., Springfield, O.

"Tests of Cast Iron", by W. P. Putnam, De-
troit Testing Laboratory, Detroit.

"iMemorandum on the Preparation of Stand-
ard Specifications for Cast Iron for Inter-
national Export Use", by Dr. Richard
Aloldenke.

"Industrial Pioneering, or the Establishment
of a Foundry in a New Territory", by L. L.
Anthes, Anthes Foundry Co., Toronto.

OBITUARY.

Alexander W. Cadman, president of the A
W. Cadman Mfg. Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., died
on July 19th, at Edgewood, Pa.

Charles Sparks, who for the past few
months has been general manager of the
]Michigan Copper & Brass Co., Detroit. Mich.,
died recently in St. Louis, !Mo. He had been in
ill-health for about two months and went to
his old home in St. Louis to recuperate.

A HANDY TANK TRUCK.

Anyone familiar with oxygen and acetylene
tanks knows that they are dangerous to a cer-
tain measure, and too much care cannot be
exercised to avoid accidents which are apt to
occur, for instance, when a charged tank of
either gas is allowed to fall on a hard floor.

A truck has been designed to prevent such
accidents, besides being exceedingly convenient
-for handling the tanks from one place to an-
other in the shop or outside.

If the tanks are not on a truck of this kind,
and it is necessary to move them, which is
often the case, the hose must first be discon-
nected, the tanks individually rolled and the
hoses afterward reconnected. All this takes
time, which is worth money, moreover this
method is not at all safe.

The illustration shows one of these trucks
with the tanks rigidly held in position. This can
be moved about the shop very speedily, enabl-
ing the operator to do more work in safety,
and at greater convenience.

The truck here illustrated was built at a

A Handy Tank Truck.

cost of less than a dollar, without figuring the
time. Only one piece of angle iron 11 ft. 4 in.
long was used new, the remainder being scrap.
The frame is 42 inches high and 24 inches wide,
the base 14 inches, the wheels are 12 inches,
and the handles which are made out of old 1
in. pipes are 48 in. long allowing the bend for
the handles, and answer the purpose of legs.

This truck will alsu be found very conven-
ient for handling many other things around
the shop, and the cost of building may be
reduced to a verv low figure.

"Acid-Aletal", ii^ften called "Lead-Bronze"
consists of copper T.") per cent, lead 1.5 per cent,
tin 9.90 per cent and phosphorus 0.10 per cent.-

334

THE BRASS WORXJ)

August 191-i

THE BOISSIER MECHANICAL

ELECTRO - PLATING

APPARATUS.

'1"1k' live (.■k'ctroiilatcr (liis tribe is steadil}'
on the increase) considers liis company's
business his own. He realizes the keenness of
the competition encountered by the company's
salesmen in their endeavors to market the pro-
(kicts to whose appearance he ciuitributes so

A New Mechanical Plating Apparatus.

large a part of labor and skill. The plating
of small work in large quantities has always
offered ciiannels for numerous productive
losses. The stringing and handling of thou-
sands of small pieces call for the employ-
ment of much time and labor and the oppor-
tunity to effect a definite saving in these will

be welcomed by the practical superintendent.

The Boissier mechanical electrnplating
machine possesses several distinctive and
meritorious features which compel attention.
The manufacturers claim for it in the lirst
place a considerable saving of current in that
with a voltage of frnni T) to G volts the same
effect can be produced as urdinarily retiuires
from y to 10 volts.

The current enters the barrel, as well as
the anodes, from both sides, a method of in-
troduction which con-
tributes to rapidity of
clectrodeposition. The
anodes are fastened to
the hooks by means of
a c 1 a m p, preventing
oxidization. Square con-
ducting rods provide a
p o s i t i V e connection
which is maintained to
be impossible of attain-
ment when round wire
and rods are used.

For heating the solu-
tion on cold days, there
is a healing attachment
which is simple and ef-
fective. There are no
holes in the side of the
lank, the bearings in
which the barrel re-
volves being on tlie in-
side of the tank.

A derrick lifting de-
vice, attached to the
tank, enables the opera-
tor to till and empty the
barrel with case, and the
])arrel can be installed
in or removed from the
lank without the use of
tools. The new apparatus
is the result of nearly
half a century's careful
mechanical study by the inventor, and each
change from existing types has only been
made after careful experimentation and com-
parison. The Boissier Electric Co.. 478-480,
Pearl St., New York City, will mail to all
inquirers special information and literature
descriptive of this latest time and labor-saver.

August

11LE BR^SS WORLD

335

THE ADVANTAGEOUS USE OF
SPRAYERS.

BY J. A. THATCHER.

The advantageous use of the sprayer has
been a source of argument for so long that a
request has been made for a practical contri-
bution on the manufacturing dollar and time
basis. Hence I have taken this opportunity,
through courtesy of the "Brass World", of
making a number of points clear.

The first thing a prospective user says on
being approached with a spraying machine is
that the waste material distributed in the air
makes it an expensive operation. I agree with
him, but as an example I will give the figures
of a large manufacturing concern now using
at least 150 sprayers.

Cost of Dipping' Process

Brackets wired 10 hrs.

Handling to dip-shop 1 hr.

Brackets dipped 3 hrs.

Handling to ovens 1 hr.

On an average after being baked, two out of
every five were drips and runs and lapped
edges. These were run through potash and
sent through the dip again.

The good brackets were then sent to the
grinding room and eleven operations were
necessary before they were ready for the as-
sembling department, including the following
more important ones :

One man ground japan from flat face parts.

One man redrilled holes filled by the dip.

One man retapped threads filled by the dip.

One man filed drips.

' One man emery-papered runs caused by the
drip.

Cost of Spraying- Process

The sprayer was then installed as an experi-
ment. The result was as follows :

Brackets trayed in 3 hours.

Brackets handled to sprayer.

Brackets sprayed, delivered to assem-
bling department,

Brackets. Time consumed from tray-
ing, 9 hours.

Saving- Effected

Brackets perfectly finished with not

2 in 100 bad.
11 operations saved.
Cleaner room.

3 hours time and large amount of labor
saved.

Granting all loses of material, I have proven
time and again that a more beautiful finish is
obtained with a large saving of time and
labor. Therefore, the cost of using a
sprayer is less than the old-fashioned brush
and shows its advantages.

Another reason why the prospect states he
does not want it is that "I use the dip and you
can't beat that." There is where he is in
error. Take articles that are dipped. While
the object is being wired, dipped and hung
to drip, which takes considerable time, the
operator can place the object in a position,
spray a coat of material on it and it is all
finished with the exception of being laid away
to dry, wdiich is also necessary with the dip.
A large saving is obtained over the dip in
two ways. One is evaporation and the other
is in the fact that surfaces not needed to be
coated are left uncoated. This feature
amounts to more of a point after considering
it in a practical way than at first sight. With
objects being coated by the thousands, it can
be easily realized that material was used in
the dip in large quantities that could have
been saved. There is also a most important
reason why the spray is better than the dip.
That is DIRT. A dip tank is always subject
to dirt, dust and foreign matter while the
spray is not. The material is always protected
in the cup attached to the sprayer.

It will then be said, that in compressed air
there is always condensation. That is true
but this is amply taken care of liy the separa-
tors and filters cleverly and purposely built to
purify and cleanse the air under pressure.

Regarding the finish attained, it may be
truthfully said that a more even coat cannot
be applied under any other method. A thou-
sand and one finishes that are now known and
the many beautiful effects that have been im-
possible to achieve heretofore, are now not
only possible but decidedly simple to produce
with the sprayer. This goes to show that in
the hands of an operator originative enough
to produce oddities, the possible finishes on
buckles, buttons, novelties, toys and even fur-
niture attract attention to the product, compel
admiration and make for increase in selling
volume and profit.

The operature of the sprayer is a simple
one, requiring only practice and ordinary skill
and intelligence. "Cannot do without it" is
now heard where "cannoi find use for it"
was the invarialale reply to solicitation for
purchase.

336

August

MEETINGS OF
AMERICAN ELECTRO-
PLATERS' SOCIETY.

Bridg-eport — Meets on the third Friday of
each month at the "Brass World" office, 260
John St., Bridgeport, Conn. Secretary, Nelson
Barnard, 858 Howard Ave., Bridgeport, Conn.

SUPREME SOCIETY

Meets first week in June, 1U15, at Dayton, O.
Secretary, Walter Fraitie, r.O" Grand Ave.,
Dayton. Ohio.

BRANCH SOCIETIES.

New York — Meets fourth Friday of each
month at 309 West 23rd Street, New York City,
at 8 P. M. Secretary, Joseph Minges,
Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Rochester — Meets second and fourth Wednes-
day of each month at Rochester University.
Secretary, Edwin S. Crowley, Jr., 368 South
Goodman Street, Rochester, N. Y.

Toronto — Meets fourth Thursday of each
month at Occidental Hall, Bathurst and Queen
Streets. Secretary, Ernest Coles, 15 Laui'ier
Ave., Toronto, Canada.

Philadelphia — Meets first Friday of each
montli in the Harrison Daboratory Building,
University of Pennsylvania, 3 4th. and Spruce
Sts., Philadelphia, Pa., S P. M. Secretary,
Philip Uhl, North 29th Street, Philadel-
phia, Pa.

Dayton — Meets first and third Wednesday
at the Y. M. C. A., Dayton, Ohio. Secretary.
Alphonz Lamoureux, 500 East First Street,
Dayton, Ohio.

Newark — ]Meets first and third Friday of
each month, 8 P. M., 833 Broad Street, Newark,
N. J. Secretary, Charles A. Stiehle, 46 Madison

Avenue, Irvington, N. J.

Detroit — Meets first and third Friday of each
month at Burns' Hotel. Seeretar>-, George J.
Kutzen.

Chicag^o — Meets fourth Saturday of each
month at Western Building, Randolph and
Michigan Aves. Secretary, pro tem., H. B. Will-
more. 5^11 South Boulevard, Chicago, 111.

Indianapolis — Meets twice a month on Friday
evenings. Secretary, pro tem., J. C. Davenport,
349 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.

Buffalo — Meets the first Saturday of each
month at the University of Buffalo, at 8 P. M.
Secretary, F. C. Mesle, Willow Avenue,
Niagara Falls, N. Y.

Milwaukee — Meets second Wednesday of
each month at Marquette University. Secre-
tary, P. J. Sheehan, 922 Vliet Street, Milwau-
kee, Wis.

Cincinnati — Meets once each month at Den-
nison Hotel, Cincinnati, Ohio. Secretary,
F. H. Normand.

St. Iionis — Meets on the fourth Saturday of
each month at Public Library Assembly
Rooms. Secretary, H. H. Williams, 213 4
Nebraska Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

BRANCH NEWS.

Tlic July meeting of the Xew York liranch
of the .\incrican Electro-platers' Society was
held nil I'riday evening, July 24, at the
Broadway Central Hotel. An interesting discus-
sion was had on the aims and ohjects of the
society and the best way to diffuse know-
ledge among its members. An outing will be
held on Sunday, Aug. Kith at (ilenwood, L. I.
The next meeting will be held Friday evening
Aug. ;>8th.

The regular nmnthly meeting of the Bridge-
port branch took place July 17th. There was
a pretty good attendance in spite of the op-
pressive heat. The meeting was called to
order by President Stratton at S :0() p. m. and
the reading of minutes by Nelson A. Barnard,
the secretary, took place. An encouraging
balance on the right side was reported by the
treasurer. An application for membership
from William Kusterer was received.

A committee on construction was appointed
consisting of iNIessrs. Stratton, Kusterer and
Barnard, to undertake iuunediately the htting-
up of the laboratory of the branch. It may be
added here that since the meeting much work
has already been done and the August meeting
will be held after the completion of the work.
The discussion of "Steel Rusting" was defer-
red until the following month owing to the
absence of most of those who were expected
to take part in it. A thorough consideration
of ways and means to increase membership
and advance the interests of the branch was
then given and plans for steady progress were
made. Dr. F. C. Stanley was elected honorary
member of the Bridgeport Branch by unani-
mous vote. Mr. Stanley's constant association
with the electroplaters of Bridgeport and
vicinity and his services to the industry are
well known. The electroplaters of Bridgeport
hope to have Dr. Stanley's assistance and ad-
vice in the work which will be undertaken in
the branch laboratory this fall. The meeting
terminated at 10:00 p. m.

A recently patented method of welding cop-
per consists in boiling the copper in a solution
of chlorate of potash for two hours before
welding.

August

BRASS MACHINE PARTS PRO

DUCED BY HYDRAULIC

PRESSURE.

THJEE BRASS WORLJ)

THE "CHAMPION"

337

CRUCIBLE
CHARGE PACKING PRESS.

A method has recently been perfected in
Germany by which brass machine parts, plum-
bers' brass fittings, etc., are produced from
solid blocks of brass or bronze by hydraulic
pressure. This method, it is claimed, is des-
tined to revolutionize the brass-foundry busi-
ness as it will do away with the casting of small
parts where the number required warrants the
making of the necessary dies.

These pressed pieces are infinitely stronger
than any that can be made by casting. The

The Famous Mfg. Co., East Chicago, Ind.,
is issuing a four-page illustrated leaflet of in-
terest to brass founders. This literature de-
scribes and illustrates the "Champion" crucible
charge packing press, which enables the
founder to put up old brass, copper articles
and wire scrap into proper shape to be placed
in crucibles to be melted. The machine is of
steel construction and so built as to withstand
the great strain to which it is subjected in the
pressing of masses of shapeless scrap into con-

surfaces are perfectly smooth, and the edges
clean cut, and machining is required only to a
limited extent.

Every piece is absolutely perfect and non-
porous so that losses in material and labor as
with castings cannot result. In machine shops
where these brass parts are used, it is stated
that the pressed article can be produced at a
lower price than is now paid for castings. The
agent for the manufacturers of the pressed
Ijrass parts is R. F. Lang, 8-10 Bridge St.,
New York, and further information can be
•obtained from him.

venient round crucible charges. In operation,
the pressing trough is filled wth scrap to the
top and the cover slammed into place. A few
strokes of the rammer crushes the scrap into
a dense crucible charge. This operation re-
quires only a few moments. The pressure is
applied on all sides at once, the charge requir-
ing no ties and expanding but little on removal
from the press. It is estimated that the daily
output tonnage of the machine is from two tc
four tons according to operative conditions and
personnel. The machine is not costly and soon
repays the investment.

338

THE BRASS WORLD

August

MONARCH TILTING CRUCIBLE
FURNACE.

Tlic Monarch Engineering &• -Mfg. Co.,
P.altimore. .Md., lias recently developed a new
metal melting furnace for brass, bronze, cop-
per, nickel, etc. Either coke or coal may be
used, the furnace being designed for tliose not
desiring to employ oil or gas.

Many advantages are claimed for this new
furnace. In the hrst place the cover is not
lifted off. but tilts with the rest of the furnace,
and can be swung aside when necessary. The
hopper is attached to the cover for feeding.
The worm wheels are covered to prevent ac-
cidents to employees. The whole furnace is
above ground and the space around the crucible
requires no re-coking during the heat.

PROFIT— HOW TO COIGNET.

What is claimed as the great novelty of this
furnace is the grate bars, the linger extensions
being coarse so that when they are revolved,
the clinkers are broken up. A few shakes of
the four upright bars after each heat are all
that are necessary, instead of having to turn
the furnace over and crowliar the clinker and
grate bars.

The furnace has a hollowed drop bottom
which is dropped for natural draft when the
blast is off. The air is 1 to 2 oz. and the base
block is high and so arranged that the pot re-
mains firm.

\\ ithin recent years there has been increas-
ing demand for a method of incorporating
phosphorus in brass and bronze work without
the enormous loss of evaporation which is
manifest when stick phosphorus and other
forms of ])hosph()rus are used. This problem of
prevention of waste is being considered by all
of our great industries at the present time and
the conversion of loss into profit is being seen
daily. Coignet & Co., 17 State St., New York
City, have produced phosphor copper, the best
grade of which is the 15% grade. It is an
alloy in which phosphorus and pure copper
are mixed in a vacuum in an electric furnace.
Extensive practice has shown that when used
in the proper proportions, phosphor copper is
an excellent vehicle for introducing phos-
phorus into a mixture principally because it
eliminates loss by evaporation : at the same
time it fully acts as a flux and a deoxidizer.
The consumption of the 15% copper grade is
increasing annually and the company reports
that the brass and bronze casting industries
show an increasing appreciation of the advan-
tages of its use. Special samples and quota-
tions can be obtained upon application. W. E.
Miller is the manager of the American branch
of the enterprise.

CURRENT REGULATION.

The question of "current regulation"' is at-
tracting a great deal of attention at the present
time. The Crown Rheostat & Supply Co.,
Cullom Ave., Chicago, 111., has recently
issued a small leaflet which describes and il-
lustrates clearly the company's "M. P." rheo-
stat which comprises a rheostat, voltmeter and
anuneter complete for individual tank control.
The company has only recently been formed
but since the commencement of its operations,,
it has been extremely successful. A recent test
was made on a brass solution with this ap-
paratus which gave the following results : volt-
age regulation — minimum voltage obtained less,
than one volt in less than |-volt divisions ;.
maximum voltage -ii. The current was in
five-ampere divisions.

Another test was made on a silver solution,,
the regulation of current being so adjusted
that an individual piece was plated as well as
a full load without burning or blistering the
work. A copy of the company's literature and
further information can lie obtained ujion re-
quest.

August

339

PATENT NOTES.

■ I' Ill III IN .\ 1,1 III III III II Ill III III III III ill III III IIJ III III I «

Charg-ing'-I.adle.

The invention consists of a movable charger
for putting molten metal into a furnace and
is so constructed that it may be readily moved
from one furnace to another, the metal being
admitted through the furnace door by means
of a spout attached to the charger. Means are

..„ 1

\\ Mi'

-//

^~w

r*-

l_,^

-g^'.'.^

^^^

' ^

-2

provided for preventing the slag from enter-
ing the furnace, this being done by means of
a stopper which may be positioned so as to
close the orifice in the side of the ladle leading
to the spout. — U. S. Patent 1,102,236. July 7,
. Daniel Brennan, Woodlawn, Pa.

Metal Alloy

This invention relates to an alloy of alumi-
num and zinc to which a small amount of
tellurium is aded, in the proportion of alumi-
num, 50 to 8.5 : zinc 49 to 14 : and tellurium i
to 1. An alloy is produced with high electri-
cal conductivity, easily soldered and taking a
high polish. It is claimed to have the low
specific gravity of aluminum combined with
high tensile strength, toughness and freedom
from oxidation and can be rolled into sheets,
drawn into wire or cast. — U. S. Patent 1,102,-
618. July 7, . S. Wein, New York.

Recovery of Gold and Silver Prom Refractory
Ores.

In this process the ores are first crushed in
the presence of caustic alkali, and then agitated

with sufficient of the alkaline solution to form
a thick pulp. This is done in the presence of
such metals as aluminum, zinc, tin or palla-
dium. The ores are decomposed by the treat-
ment, and the precious metals are extracted. —
U. S. Patent 1,103,346. July 14, . Charles
Butters, London, England.

Metal Pickling' Process.

This process for the treatment of metal ar-
ticles preparatory to enameling has for its ob-
jects the cheapening and simplifying of the
preparation of the goods.

The metal is immersed for about a minute in
concentrated sulphuric acid (sp. gr. 1.83)
heated to between 200 deg. and 300 deg. F.
It is then allowed to stand in a water bath at
about 150 deg. F. and subseciuently washed in
a fresh water bath at about boiling point. — U.
S. Patent 1,104,107. July 21, . T. R. David-
son, Westmount. Quebec.

Condenser For Zinc Vapors.

This device is used in connection with an
electric furnace for condensing the zinc vapors
driven off by the furnace. Condensation is
caused to take place by means of air or gas

cooled tubes in which the flow can be easily
regulated. The device can also be used for the
condensing of other vapors and as a heat re-
cuperator in connection with heating furnaces.
There is an outer metallic casing with an
inner refractorv lining. Several rows of cool-

340

THE BRXS8 WORLD

August

ing tubes are disposed in the casing, the tubes
being spaced apart, the spaces constituting
passages for the zinc vapor. Means are pro-
vided for introducing zinc vapor at the bot-
tom of the casing, and for forcing a gaseous
cooling medium downward through the cool-
ing tubes.— U. S. Patent 1,103,12:5. July 14,
. Moses Appel, Johnstown, Pa.

Coatingr With Metals.

In apparatus for the production of metallic
powders or castings, the issue of molten metal
from a closed fusion-chamber, such as an elec-
tric furnace, is started or stopped by producing
a pressure or vacuum therein by means of a

pressure medium, the exhaustion being effect-
ed by an ejector. In the form shown, com-
pressed air is supplied either to the interior of
the furnace, to discharge the metal, and to a
pulverizing-jet, or in another postion of the
tap, to the ejector which is then connected to
the furnace to stop the outflow. The furnace
shown consists of a carbon or graphite crucible
in a closely-fitting iron receptacle, having
a tight cover, and surrounded in succession by
a silica cylinder, a resistance of granular car-
bon, and an outer iron case lined with refrac-
tory earth. Current is passed through the
carbon by conductors attached to the iron
parts.— English Patent 5.510. M. U. Schoop,
Zurich, Switzerland.

Process of Reuderiugr Smelter-Fumes Useful.

This proces is used in connection with the
mechanical smelter fumes filter of the same in-
ventor. The fumes are first passed through
this filter, then mixed with hydrogenized hy-
drocarbons, and the mixture is passed through
a bed of red hot coke.

The fumes are thereby rearranged into their
combination, and the remaining combustible
gases are recovered by cooling, scrubbing, and
passing into receptacles for use for the pur-
pose of power and fuel. — U. S. Patent 1,103,-
165. July 14, . Charles S. Vadner, Salt
Lake City, Utah.

Metal-Furnace.

This furnace is particularly adapted to
melting and cleansing typemetal and casting it
into ingots, convenient means being provided
for cooling and ejecting the ingots.

The hollow mold rests upon brackets by
means of hollow trunnions, which serve to
convey cooling water to the mold. A handle
on the side of the mold serves to invert it and
in conjunction with a stop and depressions in
the brackets, limits the rotation of the mold
to 180 deg., whereby the ingots are auto-
matically ejected.— U. S. Patent 1,100,827. June
23, . I. Hall, Birmingham, England.

A small grinding device operated by water
power has been recently placed on the Ger-
man market. It is of aluminum, and is at-
tached to a water supply faucet by means of
a chain.

August

341

TRADE NOTES

The Superior Plating Works, Chicago, ill.,
specializer in electrogalvanizing, has recently
removed to larger and better-equipped quarters
at 215-217 W. Illinois St., Chicago.

A new building is being completed in N. 8th
St., New Philadelphia, O., for J. C. Rath,
manufacturer of aluminum and brass castings
who will employ 40 men.

The Peninsular ]\Ietal Co., will erect a new
1 story warehouse on the north side of East
Day St., Jacksonville. Fla.

The E. A. Lueck Company, Sycamore St.,
Milwaukee, Wis., manufacturer of steel, cop-
per, brass and other metal stampings, has
changed its name to the Lueck ^Ifg. Company.

The Great Xorthern Plating Works,
Chicago, has removed to its new plant at
Ogden Ave., corner of Campbell Ave.

A receiver has been appointed for the ]\Iun-
cie Jewelry & Plating \\'orks, ?kluncie, Ind.

The Mueller Brass Company, Sarnia, Ont.,
of wdiich O. B. Mueller is president, will erect
a foundry to cost $25,000.

Eight additional tin mills are to be installed
at the Aliquippa, Pa., works of the Jones &
Laughlin Steel Co., making a total of 32 mills
in its tinplate department.

The National Bronze Foundry since moving
to new quarters on Xiagara Street, Buffalo,
X. Y., have increased their output capacity 50
per cent. They are now able to handle any
brass, aluminum, brass or other metal casting
up to pounds.

The Chattanooga Copper Co., Ducktown,
Tenn., plans to develop 200 acres of copper-
bearing land at Ducktown and Copperhill,
Temi.

Representatives of the American Sheet and
Tin Plate [Manufacturers' Association in ses-
sion at Youngstown, O., expressed a verdict
of general improvement in business conditions
throughout the countrv.

The Wheeling Sheet and Tin Plate Co.,.
Wheeling, W. Va., by vote of its stockholders,
has decided to afifiliate with the Wheeling Steel
and Iron Co.

The Federal Enameling & Stamping Co.
has bought from the Art Brass & Fixture Co.
property occupied by the former company be-
tw^een the Chartiers creek and the Pittsburgh,
Chartiers & Youghiogheny Railroad in McKees
Rocks, Pa.

The Ele-Kem Co., Chicago, III., maiuifac-
turing numerous electrochemical products, has
moved its office from 122 S. ?^Iichigan Ave. to
its factorv building at Civbourn Ave.

The American Bronze Co., Buffalo, N. Y.,.
has added a new department to its plant, which
will handle all sorts of railroad and street rail-
wav work.

The B. }ilercil & Sons Plating Co., Chicago,
111., has removed to Fulton St., Chicago.

The Ayer Mfg. Co., Madison, Conn., has
recently moved to Meriden, Conn. The com-
pany, which manufacturers polishing compo-
sitions, etc., and is direct jobber for the J. B.
Ford Co.. Wyandotte, Mich., expects shortly
to raise its capital stock from $15,000 to
$25,000.

The work of excavating for the new million-
dollar casting shop for the American Brass
Co., Torrington, Conn., is nearly completed.
The foundation work will commence early
next month. 'Slost of the large contracts have
already been awarded, including that for the
structural iron work.

342

TIIK BRASS WORI.O

August

The Beloit Xickd I'latin- .V .Mfg. Co., Be-
loit, Wis., has purchased the plant of the
Beloit Creamery Co. and is installing general
machine shop and plating e(iuipnient in ad-
dition to a complete installation of welding
and cutting apparatus.

The .American Smelting & Refining Co. has
reopened its Chihuahua plant and is making
preparations to put its other plants in Mexico
in operation. The action nf the company is
taken to mean that it has assurance of a more
settled state of things in northern Mexico.

The Aluminum Co., of America, with offices
in New ^■ork Cit\-. has paid $400,000 for a
strip of land along River Rd., Edgevvater, X.
J., as a site for a $;a,000,000 plant to be erected
this fall.

It will be the largest aluminum manufactur-
ing factory in the United States and between
2,000 and 3,000 hands will be employed. Part
of the land includes a proposed thoroughfare
indicated on the Edgewater maps as Vreeland
Ave.

Plans are being made by the Columbus
Brass Co., Columbus, O., for centralizing its
business with enlarged facilities at its Dublin
Avenue plant. This will mean giving up its
plant in North Fourth Street, which has been
iised for general offices and jobbing business.

The E. J. Woodison Co.. Detroit, Mich.,
dealer in foundry and plating supplies, has
found that its proposed location at 378
EUicott Square Building, Buffalo, N. Y., is not
adapted to its use as an office and has installed
a thoroughly equipped office and warehouse in
connection therewith in the Thomas Power
Buildinti, Niagara street, Buffalo.

Tlie Schultz P>ronze Co., is a new enterprise
located at 34 Beach street, Boston, Mass. The
president of this company is Lewis Rodman
Schultz, formerly general manager of the
Pittsburgh Architects' Bronze Works, and as-
sociated with him is Hans Fritz Aluschler,
formerly with Delaunay, Paris. The com-
pany imports French models and deals in ec-
clesiastical and art bronze work, makes fac-
simile bronze reproductions from hand chased
models of bas-reliefs, appliques, panneaux and
nioulures in galvanoplastie massive and
specializes in sectional nickel-plated coppt'r
molds.

The Dixon-Nims Co., East St. Louis, 111.,
has changed its name to Dixon Bros, and
Brockman Jewelers, inc.

A small aluminum plant will shortly be built
at Driftwood, Pa. George W. Probst of Lock

Haven holds patents on special aluminum
utensils for which there is said to lie a demand.

An addition to the plant of the Union Metal
.Mamifacturiiig Co., Canton, O., which proba-
bly will quadruple the plant's capacity, will be
built soon. When the new building is com-
pleted and equipped about 150 men will be
added to the company's force.

The Brown Instrument Co. will occupy its
new factory at Wayne & W indrim Aves., with-
in a half block of Wayne Junction Station,
Philadelphia, about Oct. 1st. The building is
two stories in height, of the most modern
construction and will be used for facilitating
the manufacturing and calibration of scientitic
instruiucnts. A power plant will be installed.

!Mr. Albert Pott, aggressive sales manager
of the Baird Machine Co., Bridgeport, Conn.,
left New York on July 1.5th on the steamship
France, for a two-months' trip through the
British Isles and France to visit the company's
foreign representatives and get a thorougli
grasp of the present conditions of foreign
trade in general. The Baird Machine Ci. re-
ports an increase in foreign trade during the
last three luonths and the present trip is made
with the view of studying the causes of this
business increase and laying plans for the
steadv extension of the use of I'.aird products.

E. Reed Burns Co., manufacturer of electro-
platers' supplies and specializer in polishing
materials boasts of a double address — 40-42
Withers St. and 21-25 Jackson St., Brooklyn,
N. Y. The firm is represented l)y branch
offices at Cleveland and Chicago. The new
catalog recently issued by this company con-
tains nearly 140 pages of attractive reading
matter, copiously illustrated, showing eft'ective-
ly the range of electroplating supplies manufac-
tured by the Burns concern. Catalogs such
as this are always interesting to the practical
man. for a study of their contents renews
memory of good things available at time of
need and points out latest introductions of ma-
terials, and supplies for the electroplater's aid.
A copy can be secured or. application. Say
the "Brass World" told vou about it.

BRASS WORLD

PLATERS' GUIDE

VOl^. X. BR.IDOCPORT, CONN., SEPTEMBER, . No. Q.

A Monthly Journal Devoted to the

Art of Refining, Alloying, Casting, Rolling, Founding and Electro -

Plating of all the Non-Ferrous Metals and their Alloys.

Published by the Brass World Publishing Co.,
260 John Street, Bridgeport, Conn.

FOUNDER, ..... ERWIN S. SPERRY

MANAGING EDITOR, , . . . . H. de JOANNIS

Subscription Price, Domestic, $1.00 Per Year. 10 Cents a Copy.
Canada, $1.25. Foreign, $1.50.
Entered as Second Class Matter in the Post Office at Bridgeport, Conn.

CONTENTS FOR SEPTEMBER.

American Electroplaters' Societ}- 385

A Well-Known Brass Caster 37{j

Baird Sawdust Separator or Fanning Mill 382

Carbonate of Copper Question 371

Casting Volatilizing Metals, Process of 370

Chemistry for Electroplaters, A Short Ouilinc 1 f the Principles of 367

Current Regulation, Discussion of 349

Demonstrating Salesmen 35O

Effect of the European War on American Business 344

Foundry & Machine Exhibition and Conventions 351

Galvanizing- [Machine 379

Golden Carrot Color of Stopcocks 374

Losses of Aletal and Fuel in Melting Brass and Bronze 380

Metallic Protective Coatings, A Rational Test for 372

Metallizing Lace 382

Method of Plating 386

New Corporations 374

New Electroplating Apparatus - 369

New Uses for Quicksilver 386

Obtaining Combustion Efficiency 373

Patent Notes 383

Percentage of Losses 379

Questions and Answers 375

Silicon to Aluminum. The Relation of 348

Specifications for Wrought Non Ferrous Materials, Some Considerations Affecting 345

Trade Notes 387

344

September

EDITORIAL

THE EFFECT OF THE EUROPEAN
WAR ON AMERICAN BUSINESS.

Europe is a crucible cliarycd with l)lo()d.
Tlie vitality of empires and repu1)!ic,s is ])eing
sapped iu)url\ . Industry has ceased along all
commercial lines. There is now but one com-
mandment— Thou shalt kill.

It is not our Inisiness to worry abdul who
will win. The winner loses at the war game.
The vanquished will almost cease to be. Were
it possible to stop the war today, the clock
of Europe's progress has been set back fuUv
fifty years. All previous wars have been as
Sunday school picnics or spinsters' pink teas
to the present one.

The immediate effect of the war on some oi"
the trades we represent has been detrimental.
For a month, we have had business hysteria.
Chemical imports from Germany has ceased.
Tin and antimony jumped to fancy prices.
Copper exports dwindled to the zero mark.
Crucible manufacturers would read with keen
interest the sailing notes of the progress of a
fleet of graphite-laden vessels. Jobbers of
foreign plating supplies are either temporarily
out of business or are going througli a period
of "watchful waiting." We have been as
anxious as the pr(_)prietor of a glass and china
store in which the customers commence to
fight among themselves. National finances
have had to be adjusted. News has been re-
ceived of plants being shut down or working
only two or three days a week. .Ml this hap-
pened during 30 days.

We have briefly outlined the chief features
of adverse conditions. What is the im-
mediate future outlook? It offers tremendous
encouragement and fresh incentive to renewed
effort.

Our biggest customer — the American people
— is about to place the largest orders ever
given to American manufacturers. You have
before you an enormous new market for your
products.

Our annual imports from Germany, Belgium
and Austria, now absolutely stopped, have
amounted to $230,000,000. From Great Britain,

I'Vance and Russia we have taken $425,000,000
wiirth during the past twelve months. These
countries can no longer supply us. Our people
will still demand the goods. The manu-
facturers of the United States must supply
the demand.

At the end of 30 days of head-shaking, we
find glass factories working overtime, toy fac-
tories unable to fill orders, shoe manufactur-
ing plants swamped with business. .\ thousand
laboratories are solving problems for new
enterprises destined to supply the needs of
American plants hitherto dependent on Ger-
man and hVencli chemicals — tanneries, paper
mills, woollen and cotton plants. There is a
national call for ribbons, the finer grades of
feathers, and artificial flowers, fancy jewelrv,
perfumes and fine soaps — a call which will be
met by American brains and capital. Our rail-
roads have been encouraged by rate increase-;.
We were emerging slowly from our business
depression before the war. The European
struggle has tlirown open to us, without pros-
pect of immediate competition, the market of
the entire world. Can you doubt for a moment
the absolute certainty of an immediate develop-
ment of our national business, your own par-
ticular Inisiness included?

All trades will not develop with equal
rapidity, for it takes time to complete the
swing of the circle. The United States is,
however, destined to occupy the notable
position previously occupied for three cen-
turies by Great Britain. It is to be the great-
est supplier of universal needs in the world.
This is no time for hesitancy or marking time.
Those who prepare now for the business that
must come to them will reap a profit previous-
ly not dreamed of in the beginnings of their
business-building. The preparation inust be
made now. You must have clear vision of pos-
sibilities, undiminished faith in your own
powers of production and unshakable faith in
the future of the country of your birth or
adoption. The best motto is still — DO IT
NOW. Don't wait to prepare for good profit-
able business until you have to.

September

345

SOME CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING SPECIFICATIONS
FOR WROUGHT NON-FERROUS MATERIALS.

BY WILLIAM REUBEN WEBSTER.
General Superintendent, Bridgeport Brass Co., Bridgeport, Conn.

This most valualDle paper was presented at the seventeenth annual meeting- of the Ameri-
can Society for Testing- Materials in Atlantic City, June 30-Jiily 3. . in our Auo-ust
issue, Mr. Webster dealt -with the properties of copper-zinc alloys, their variations in compo-
sition, the influence of the casting- process on quality differences and the operations employed
in making- sheet and strip. Those of our readers -who do not possess the Aug-ust issue con-
taining- the first part of this article can obtain one from us on request.

A third quality due to the final rolling is
flatness or freedom from buckles, more par-
ticularl}- in cases finishing with a temper. Sub-
sequent flattening operations can more or less
completel}- remove such buckles. All of the
above variations can be modified by skillful
rolling but cannot be entirely prevented.

Following rolling, the material if required
with a temper is ready for the finishing opera-
tions. If required to be soft, it is annealed,
pickled, washed and dried out, the last opera-
tion being, as its name implies, for the pur-
pose of quickly removing the rinsing water to
prevent tarnishing. The strip is now ready
to be cut to width and length. The former is
done by passing the strip between rotary shears
or slitters, which may merely remove the
edges so as to produce a uniform width, or
may cut it into a number of narrow strips. Be-
cause of the variations of thickness across the
strip above referred to, the strips cut from the
edges will always be thinner than those nearer
the center. Another variation becomes ap-
parent at this point, namely, a variation in
longitudinal straightness. One cause of this is
due to failure to roll the strip straight caused
by unequal reduction of its two sides. In ad-
dition, when a strip is finished with a temper,
even though it is straight as rolled, it may, if
slit into a number of strips, become longi-
tudinally curved due to unequal tension be-
tween the center and side elements. In the
slitting operation, the strip is usually handled
and shipped in a coil if not too thick, but may
be required to be cut to some specific length
and shipped flat. This usually produces a cer-
tain percentage of pieces of unequal length,
which percentage increases inversely as the
number of lengths which the original strip
will make. If the net length of the strip is 20
feet and is required in 8-ft. lengths, two of the
latter and one 4-ft. length will be produced.
Toiiper.
Alloys in sheet form will divide into two
groups, those which are required soft or an-
nealed and those having a temper. The former

are usually for uses which involve distortion,
producing flow of the material and the quali-
ties requisite for highest suitability vary some-
what with the method by which this flow is
accomplished. Properties which permit the
maximum amount of stretch will not neces-
sarily equally admit of change of shape in-
volving flow between supporting surfaces, as
in drawing operations. Again, a condition
permitting of maximum stretch due to com-
plete annealing may result in a roughening of
the surface due to large crystal structure,
which will materially interfere with subse-
quent polishing operations. With tempered
brass, stiffness is the chief requisite, modified
by ability to meet lesser amounts of distortion.
Classification of Kind and Quality.

Practice and trade usage have classified the
copper-zinc alloys in sheet form into a num-
ber of groups according to the percentage of
copper, the quality of spelter employed, and
the added lead content. Several grades of
temper are also recognized. The well-nigh
universal test of quality, however, is the prag-
matic test, the ability to meet the specific need
of the user. These needs are arrived at by
purely tentative methods and are satisfied by
considering them in the light of experience.
Attempts to quantitatively define needs, and
to predict their satisfaction in terms of
measurement, have not as yet been either
numerous or highly successful.

Determination of Rejection Limits.

It is manifest that in such attempts difiicul-
ty will be encountered in establishing rejection
limits, because of the number of variables
governing the various factors. The possibility
of concurrent variations in a number of cases
demands quite wide limits. Moreover, since each
crucible charge constitutes a heat or lot, consid-
eration must be given to the fact that no
method of obtaining a single sample represen-
tative of anything other than the crucible
charge from which it is drawn is possible.

As previously stated, rods may be drawn by
the extrusion process, by hot or cold rolling.

3[(i

THE BRASS WOIULJ)

Septeiiil)cr I'.M t

and by drawing. Tlie iirsl three are usually
roughing processes although all are extensive-
ly employed as linal processes.

Manufacture of Rods and Bars.
In the extrusion process, the cast billet is
heated to redness and forced hot through a
die. The resulting rod or bar may then re-
quire only to be cut to length, but is frequent-
ly subsequently drawn cold tiirough a die in
order to bring it more accurately to dimen-
sions, give it a temper and improve its fmish.
When the required section is relatively hea\y
each billet produces one continuous length :
but with smaller sections, two or more are
made simultaneously. This process is aji-
plicable only to those mixtures which arc
readilv extrudahle and is particularly effective

stress-deformation diagram is however of such
a character as to make the location of the
elastic limit or yield point a matter of some
refinement. They may also be used for forg-
ing stock, in which case workability becomes
a factor of importance. Tlie process is also
extensively employed for making rods for use
in screw machines (turret lathes). For this
purpose, the ability to cut freely is essential
and is governed by the mixture employed. Ac-
curacy of dimensions, straightness, soundness,
homogeneity and freedom from imperfections
are also required. The rod is extruded slight-
ly larger than the required size, cold drawn,
straightened, and cut to lengtli.

Some mixtures cannot be either hot-rolled
or readilv extruded and nnist be cold-rolled

160 000
(I I 248)

140 000

d-120 000
J2 (8 436)

*^"lOO 000
O>a030)

^ 80 000
•5. ()

fe
CL ()

.- 40 000

()

;J5
()

--i^

r-<-^

ecf

^/if

h -

r^^

r0^

1 ^

-tl^

5t)C i-

^^..■

■J/7 ■ 1

20 .^0 40 50

Percentage of Reduction by Rolling.

80
70
60
50
40
30
EO
10

4-
c

equals 120 watts of electric energy wliicli are
used to heat the solution, while steam will be
found more economical. Of course, the eler-
tric energy would be no more wasted than in
the case of a resistance of wires, but why
generate a higher voltage than is necessary,
for instance, 15 volts which ^\r. Uojas has
mentioned in his letter in your Jul\- number.
If this device causes a more uniform deposit
to be placed on more irregular work it ac-
complishes the same results obtained by having
the anode placed a great distance from the
work.

While the writer is always ready ti:)
recognize the value of a new device, he be-
lieves it should be presented to the trade on
its true merits.

Yours very truly,
Wichita, Kansas. E. W. Heil.

DEMONSTRATING SALESMEN.

BY ONE OF THEM.

To gain more knowledge in cver\ tliint; per-
taining to his business is the duty of every
business man, and tlie key to an unlimited
store of information lies in the knowledge of
the expert salesman or demonstrator.

Progressive firms, more espcciall\' those
whose product is used by manufacturers,
maintain a research or engineering depart-
ment, which includes what are known as
demtmstrators, whose qualifications consist
of a large and varied practical experience, not
only in their own particular line. Init also in
allied manufactures.

These demonstrators are always glad to atl-
vise anyone interested in their products
whether he intends to buy innnediately or not.
It is the old policy of "no trouble to show
goods" adapted to the manufacturing trades,
in the hope of making the goods better known
to possible customers.

In the great majority of cases the deiuon-
strators sent out are able to suggest improve-
ments in lines other than tlieir own. in the

factory. They are always looking about to
learn, and it is seldom that (Mie of them leaves
a plant without carrying away in his mind
some useful bit of information acquired by
noting the advantages or the disadvantages
of the establishment.

W liile, of course, these men are al\va\ s on
the alert to introduce their product, tlu-y will
be found good acquaintances to cultivate.
There is nothing they will not do for the
trade. If they are given a (luestion out of
their line which they, even with their ex-
perience, are unable to answer at the moment,
they will scratch until they find what they
want. Very often they can tap sources of in-
formation through their business acquaintances
to whom they have been of real value, or
tlirough their own research department, which
it would take the manufacturer a long time to
reach directly.

The idea that the manufacturer is the logical
victim of the supply salesman is being stamped
out, and it will be found that the demonstrator
will go to no end of trouble and personal in-
convenience to satisfy his customers.

There are cases where demonstrators are
not anxious to spend a great deal of time with
the customer, but it is usually the customer's
own fault in taking surlily the sincere sugges-
tions offered, and in receiving the demon-
strator ungraciously rather than as a friend
with wlidin he niav confer advantageously.

A SENTINEL OF HEAT.

The eye has been for centuries the judge
of beat as manifested in all its color forms
from dull red to dazzling white. Variable
conditions of light and physical changes tend
to inaccuracy of the operator's judgment.
The pyrometer and the heat cone are being
used in place of the eye with profit and suc-
cess. The Carl Xehls .\lloy Co., 248 Brush
St., Detroit, ]\lich.. has introduced into the
field of heat measurement, a small pyrometric
cylinder, composed of molecular mixtures of
metallic salts, known as the Sentinel pyro-
meter. These pyrometers can be made to melt
at any desired temperature, but they solidif.v
again if the temperature falls below that point.
Two sentinels control a furnace within any
desired limits of temperature, the one being
liquid, while the other remains solid. Special
data on heat measurement up to ° F. can
he obtained by application for the literature
of the company.

September

351

CONVENTION OF ALLIED FOUNDRYMEN'S ASSOCIATIONS
HELD AT CHICAGO SEPTEMBER 7th to Uth, .

American Institute of Metals Has Splendid Prog^ressive Program,

The attendance at the convention of the
Allied Foundrymen's Associations and the
American Institute of Metals suffered appre-
ciably as a result of our present disturbed
commercial conditions. There were neariy as
many exhibitors in the foundry and machine
exhibit at the International Amphitheatre but
in some cases the space had been trimmed.
Considering the unparalleled commercial
paralysis, world-wide in extent, the number of
attendance and exhibits was most gratifynig.

the former hostelry beinr^ headquarters. The
morning sessions of Tuesday and Wednesday
were jointly held by the American Foundry-
men's Association, the American Institute of
Metals and the Associated Foundry Foremen.
At the first session, H. O. Lange, chairman of
the General Committee, gave a splendid
welcoming address. The annual presidential
addresses were made b}' G. H. Clamer. presi-
dent of the American Institute of Metals ;
Alfred E. Howell, president of the American

^'?^,'~<'-.

• »'- J

n^V

Micrograph of the Cross-Section of a Malleable Iron Bar. Micrograph of the Cross-Section of a Wrought-lron Bar

In the history of our allied trades, the pro-
grams of the assembled bodies excelled all pre-
vious attempts in number and excellence of
papers presented. The discussions were
spirited and profitable and there is no foui:dry
or manufacturing plant of metal products in
the world which will not benefit by the coordi-
native and cooperative efforts of the con-
ventioners.

The sessions were held in the La Salle Hotel
and the Stock Yard Inn as deemed convenient.

Foundrymen's Association , and S. V. lilair,
president of the Associated Foundry Foremen.
The following pages give to our readers a
synoptic presentation of all the papers which
deal specifically with non-ferrous and allied
subjects and in a graphic way portray the vast
range of industrial effort covered. The papers
will subsequently be presented in full in the
"Brass World and Platers' Guide" in the order
of their importance to the trades' needs.

352

11IE BRASS WORI.L>

Septeinl)cr l'.)14

STANDARD TEST BARS OF THE
ZINC-BRONZE.

BY C. P. KARR.

The object sought in tliis in\ estigation of
casting methods and properties of this bronze
was to discover, first, tlie most suital)le teni^
perature at which the alloy could be poured
to secure uniform and high results in tensile
strength and ductility; second, to ascert.nin
the most desirable methods of molding; third,
to obtain a method of gating so as to a^oid
undue shrinkage in the castings and the pro-
duction of internal stresses during solidihca-
tion ; fourth, to ascertain what shape of cast-
ing, if any, could be depended upon to secure
the best results; fifth, to compare the results
obtained in sand versus chill casting ; and
sixth, the efifect of heat treatment on the pro-
perties.

TESTS OF NATURAL GAS FIRED,
BRASS MELTING FURNACES
UNDER FACTORY OPERAT-
ING CONDITIONS.

BY FRED L. WOLF AND ROBERT B. BURR.

The object of these tests was to endeavor to
increase the efficiency of the furnace by mak-
ing use of the present equipment without en-
tering into too great an expense for alter-
ations.

The gas was obtained from the medium
pressure mains and conducted to the furnace
by means of a Toby meter. The air necessary
for combustion was obtained from an inde-
pendent blower outfit, the volume being
measured by means of a Westinghouse Pro-
portional Meter. The gas and air meters
were checked at intervals of four or five days
and were found accurate within one per cent.

The tests show that the non-tilting type of
pit furnace, equipped with chamber burner,
is efficient in the consumption of gas, if high
pressure of gas and air be maintained.

SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT IN
THE FOUNDRY.

BY FREDERIC A. PARKHURST.

management than dther lines of business,
'fheri' is no hard and fast rule to be followed.
Each case, each kind of business and each dif-
ferent plant presents its own peculiar pro-
blems. On the other hand, the possibilities of
the scientific methods are greater in the
fcnuidry than perhaps any other metal in-
dustry.

hollowing the foregoing brief introduction,
this paper descril)es a system of scientific
management installed in the foundries of the
Aluminum Castings Co., Cleveland, in great
detail. A reference to the accompanying
table of contents will indicate the scope of the
paper. Briefly it covers the organization of
the oflice and sluip personnel, the sales depart-
ment and the shop itself. Considerable space
is given to a discussion of the functions of
the planning room, the use of symbols, the
control of methods and labor through time
studies and standardized operation times and
methods of making time studies and deter-
mining standard elemental sub-operation times.
In the shop of the Aluminum Castings Co., a
careful analysis of the elementary operations
in\-ol\eil in making molds and castings was
made, resulting in the tabulation of data
covering over 42,000 operations or combina-
tions of operations. By means of this excep-
tionall\- elaborate time study, 9") per cent of
all the bench and squeezer work handled by
any of the six foundries of the Aluminum
Castings Co., can be put on bonus direct from
the tables. Short run work can be put on
bonus at once without the necessity for mak-
ing time studies on each pattern. By this
method it is possible to apply scientific manage-
ment methods to a short job which ordi.iarily
would run out long before a satisfactory time
study could be made. In adition, these time
studies give definite data on which to base
estimates in figuring the selling price of cast-
ings. In conclusion the paper describes the
Parkhurst differential bonus system in con-
siderable detail and also covers the subject
of inspection thoroughly.

SAFETY IN CONNECTION WITH
GRINDING WHEELS.

BY R. G. WILLIAMS.

As a general proposition, the foundry offers
neither more nor less in the way of difficulties
to be overcome when installing scientific

A large number of \aluable suggestions
showing how to avoid grinding wheel acci-
dents are included in this paper. The speed

September

TILE BRASS >VORUJ

353

of the wheels should be rigidly controlled and
under no circumstances should the limit, set
by the manufacturer be exceeded. Washers
of some compressible material should be used
between the wheel and the flanges. All flariges,
either straight or safety shape, should be re-
lieved. Wherever operating conditions will
permit a well designed, substantial protection
hood should be used. In such situatioiis a
tapered wheel and flanges of a corresponding
taper are not necessary. \\'here protection
hoods cannot be used, tapered wheels with
safety flanges are the next best thing. Ex-
haustive tests, however, indicate that safety
flanges alone do not afford complete protec-
tion.

MELTING LOSSES IN ELECTRIC
BRASS FURNACES.

BY H. W. GILLETT AND J. M. LOHR.

Metal losses on non-ferrous alloys are due
chiefly to metal entrained in the slag and
skimmed off before pouring, to the spilling of

suits show a distinct saving to be effected by
the use of the electric furnaces of the over-
head resistor and crucible lift-out types.
Successful application is also predicted for
the arc furnace.

BULL RUN TALC

BY JESSE L. JONES.

Ceylon furnishes the bulk of the graphite
used in the United States. The easily worked
deposits of this island are practically ex-
hausted and graphite is therefore steadily in-
creasing in cost. Bull Run talc is being used
as a substitute for foundry facings by man\-
brass, gray iron and malleable iron foundries.
Talc is a hydrous silicate of magnesia, fusing
only at a very high temperature, and is a poor
conductor of heat. The comparative sieve,
brushing and microscopical tests show the
superiority of talc to graphite for many pur-
poses.

A Study in Grinding-Wheel Efficiency.

On the left may be seen grains of metal removed by a dull wheel ; on the right the grains

resulting from a perfect wheel.

metal in pouring, to the spilling of metal over
into the ashes or coke furnaces during melt-
ing, to the oxidization and the volatilization
of metals. These losses are common to all
fuel-fired furnaces in varying degree. The
authors supply a most comprehensive group
of figures, quotations and tables on the sub-
ject making comparisons between the fuel-
fired and electricallv heated furnaces. The re-

GREEN SAND CORES.

BY JAMES MULVEY.

On account of the increased production due
to improvements in molding machinery, many
foundrymen believe that core room practice
has not kept pace with the molding end of the
business. To a certain extent this is true and

354

THE BRASS ^VORUD

September

the situation can l)c remedied, at least in yart,
by giving more careful study to the possibilities
of green sand cores.

Green sand cores are always ready for the
molder, special grades of sand are not neces-
sary and they may be made in the molding
room where they are used. Large core rooms
are unnecessary. Castings made with green
sand cores are easily cleaned. Practically no
chipping is necessary and there are no h'rge
fins to contend with.

TROUBLES EXPERIENCED WITH

FORGEABLE BRASS DURING

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE

CATSKILL AQUEDUCT.

PROGRESS IN THE NOMENCLA-
TURE OF ALLOYS.

BY ERNEST JONSON,

Inspector of Materials for the Board ot Water Works

Supply, New York, N. Y.

This proved to be one of the most interest-
ing papers presented to the American Institute
of Metals. Air. Jonson recounted the serious
trouble experienced with brass rods, bars, and
plates of various kinds during the Caiskill
consrtuction. The breakage was attributed
to the initial stress due to improper cold work-
ing of the metal. Subsequent use of rolled
material, forged and annealed brass and plain
extruded metals did not do away with the
trouble. The paper presented had four centra]
ideas. First, that the trouble is due to season
cracking; second, when brass is strainea to
its elastic limit it is likely to break under
stress as a result of corrosive action; third,
even after the elimination of dangers irom
ordinary stresses by using extruded bronze,
breakage still occurs ; fourth, that using
forged brass and rolled material products
worked hot did not remove the difficulty. Tests
made seem to show that corrosion was a
most important factor and that parts which
remained bright did not yield under stresses
as did those which had been subjected to
attack of their surfaces by corrosive action.
The purpose of the paper was to appeal to
the manufacturers to make a special stnd\- of
the treatment of these metals so as to enable
the engineer to be able to calculate safely in
his construction work. A very interesting
discussion followed this paper and recommen-
dation was made that a study of the conditions
presented be taken up by one of the society's
committees.

BY G. K. BURGESS.

It is necessary to provide names for the
composition of an alloy and for the arrange-
ment of the constituents in the alloy. Al-
though in general they are distinct, there may
arise overlapping in the nomenclature of the
alloys and their metallographic constituents, so
that both aspects of the subject should be kept
in mind when either one is being specifically
ciinsidered. 'I"he work of the British and
American committees was compared and the
author recommends the adoption of the British
suggestions on non-ferrous nomenclature.

MODERN DIE-CASTING
PRACTICE.

BY CHARLES PACK..

The writer defines die-castings as "finished
castings made by pouring molten metal under
pressure into a metallic mold." The process of
die-casting is described in detail as ac-
complished by the use of air and plunger
machines. The Doehler machine is illust.^ated
and its functioning clearly outlined. Consider-
able study of zinc, tin and lead alloys is made.
The paper concludes with a review of the
difficulties to be overcome before brass and
aluminum die-casting can be accomplished
successfully. though aluminum die-casting
offers the greater promise of achievement.

SOME RECENT APPLICATIONS
OF METALLIC COBALT,

BY DE COURCYEBROWNE.

The successful use of cobalt for the manu-
facture of high speed tool steels has attracted
considerable attention and many metallurgists
have asked "What will cobalt do in brasses,
and bronzes?" Three tests using an alloy of
cobalt and copper 10/90 were made on manga-
nese bronze, 88-10-2 metal and low brass frO/20.
The results show that cobalt increased their
physical properties throughout — tensile
strength, elastic limit, elongation and reduc-
tion of area. The oxidizing loss of the cobalt
is only about .J per cent. The author suggests
additional tests before drawing definite con-
clusions.

Septemiber

THE BRASS WORIJD

355

ELECTRIC BRASS MELTING.

BY G. H. CLAMER AND CARL HERING.

The question to be considered is — "Is the
melting done satisfactoril}^ (referring to pos-
sible oxidation, known as burning, change of
composition, loss of metal, etc., and to the
ease and simplicity of operation ) and does it pay
financially?" The researches were made v/ith
the Hering furnace of a new type, which
promises to be especially well adapted to brass

cents per 100 lb. for cioke and 20 for the elec-
tric, the saving is estimated at $22,000 for a
year of 300 days.

SAFETY IN FOUNDRY
OPERATIONS.

BY M. W. ALEXANDER.

The safety first movement was outlined as
far back as Deuteronony, chapter 22, verse 8
in which we find "Be thou diligent in the

The New Hering Electric Brass Melting Furnace in Action.

melting. The essentials of electric furnace
construction are given in a most clear manner,
and the description of the many difficult pro-
blems that had to be overcome are of absorb-
ing interest. This furnace will soon be in the
24-hour daily operation at the foundry of the
Ajax Metal Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Cost data
are given on pit coke furnaces with natural
and forced draft-tilting, forced draft, coke
furnaces ; open-flame, tilting, oil furnaces and
electric furnaces. With an average of 38

safety of thy workmen." There is no longer
need of preaching duty to employers on this
subject for research work has taken the piace
of oratorical hysterics. Caution and Precaution
are the passwords and the twin sister of
Caution is Order. Mr. Alexander covered
skillfully the entire range of protective meas-
ures. The most interesting exhibit of devices
was a first-aid kit of extreme compactness and
utilitv.

350

THE BRASS \VORLX>

Septc-mlxjr

THE SELECTION OF GRINDING
WHEELS FOR THE FOUNDRY.

BY CARL FREDERICK DIETZ.

MAKING ALUMINUM TEST SPEC-
IMENS ON CASTINGS.

BY A. B. NORTON.

'I'lic (IcvL'lopiiieiU of the modern i^rincling
wlieel lias 1)een sininltaneous with the develop-
ment of the modern foundr\-. It would be
quite impossible to conceive of a foundry with
the melt running into hundreds of tons daily,
remo\ ing the lins and .spur.^ of its castint; ^ li\
means of a chisel and file. A grinding wheel
is both a chisel and lile in (ine instrument, a
massive aggregation of little cutting tools
bonded together in such a manner that their
high speed of rotation provides an opportunity
for the rapid and economical removal of large
quantities of metal. To get the best results
out of grinding \vheels great 'care must be
used in selecting a wheel of the proper hard-
ness and with a suitable grain size for the
work at hand. The life and productivity of a
wheel made of a given abrasive material is
directly measured botli by the grain size and
the strength wdth which the grains are held
together.

This paper includes many suggestions for
selecting the proper type of abrasive and the
correct grain size and kind of binding for dif-
ferent classes of work. The bond to be used
for any given operation depends upon several
factors, including the wheel and work speeds,
the condition of the grinding machine, the
area of the casting in contact with the wheel,
the ability of the operator, the character of
material being ground and the finish desired.
Similar considerations govern the selection of
the proper grain size.

ALUMINUM DIE CASTINGS.

BY A. B. NORTON.

The principal dititiculties met with in :ilunii-
num die-casting are (1.) the relatively high
melting point of aluminum as compared U) tin,
lead and zinc; (2) the tendency of molten
aluminum to absorb iron: {'A) the relatively
high shrinkage on solidification ; (4) the
weakness at the solidification point developed
by aluminum when burned or soaked. The
author outlines attempted remedies for these
and describes the general process of manu-
facture. He emphasizes the fact that each in-
dividual job requires a separate solution. An
aluminum casting weighing ;iO lb. is equivalent
to an iron sand casting weighing nearly 100
lb., the latter being only 'M) per cent stronger.

The most important variable affecting the
strength of aluminum castings made from
the same pot of metal is the pouring tempera-
ture. The paper describes a molding method
used in the foundries of the .Muniinum (list-
ings Co. to get the bars on castings. This can
easily be adapted to any class of work.

REFRACTORIES -THEIR SELEC-
TION AND USE IN THE
FOUNDRY.

BY WALTER H. KELLEY.

As its title indicates, this paper covers the
general subject of refractories for foundry
work. The author first describes the principle
kinds of refractory brick available, covers the
methods of manufacture and gives typical
analyses of fire clay, silica brick, bauxite b:ick,
chrome brick and magnesia brick. A perfect
fire clay should analyze 53.27 per cent alumina
and 4(').7.') per cent silica. Fire brick contain-
ing from 59 to 7.'> per cent silica will usually
give trouble. Analysis, however, is not the
only criterion in judging refractories. Physical
structure also must be given consideration, for
often the brick is called upon to resist severe
abrasion and the scouring action of hot gases
moving at high rates of speed.

The paper concludes Ijy giving details regard-
ing the selection of refractories for dilYerent
purposes in the foundry, including brick for
lining air furnaces, annealing furnaces, brass
melting furnaces, steel converters, core ovens,
crucible furnaces, cupolas, electric furnaces,
malleable furnaces, and acid and basic cpen-
h earth furnaces.

MOLDING SAND TESTS.

BY DR. RICHARD MOLDENKE.

The author summarizes the elaborate tests
made under the auspices of the Association on
the various molding sands of the country. The
various regions are classihed and the rational
analysis of the molding sands of each are
studied and compared. The grain sizes are ex-
amined, relative strength of the clay bond
investigated, the permeability to air and gases
calculated and compared. Finally the strength

Scptenil)er

TIEE BRASS WORLD

35?

of the sands undt-r transverse and crushing
pressure is tabulated and studied in connection
with the grain size and strength of bond. The de-
ductions should serve to stnnulate the foundry-
man to greater care in selecting his sand, and
in its preparation and the sand merchant to
give the foundryman a better material than
he does at the present time.

SAFETY AND SANITATION
THE BRASS FOUNDRY.

BY F. MOERL.

This paper treats of safety and sanitation
in the brass foundry, with particular reference
to the measures adopted by the Pullman Co.,
of Chicago, in order to comply with the Illinois
occupational disease act. At first this law
was received with disfavor generally through-
out the state both by employers and em-
ployes, but now it is recognized that such regu-
lations are necessary for the protection of the
health and comfort of workingmen and the

In the shops themselves, particular attevition
has been given to ventilation and the gases
generated during the pouring are cleared from
the room in 30 seconds

A NEW METHOD FOR THE DE-
TERMINATION OF ZINC
IN ALLOYS.

BY G. E. F. LUNDELL AND NAI KIM BEE.

The proposed method is accurate when
used with solutions containing only zinc salts
and is sufficiently accurate for most purposes
when employed with solutions containing such
substances as tin, lead, iron and aluminum
salts. The precipitating reagent is made by
dissolving 39 grams of potassium suipho-
cyanide in 200 c.c. of water and then stirring
in 27 grams of mercuric chloride as the
solution is slowly diluted to c.c.
If a slight residue remains the solution is
filtered.

The solution must first be prepared as

A Study in Brass Foundry Ventilation.

On the left (he men are pouring brass at the Pullman Works. Thirty seconds later all smoke had

disappeared as shown in the picture at the right.

Pullman company was one of the first corpo-
rations in the state to more than fully comply
with the provisions of the act.

At the Pullman works, the men in the brass
foundry are subjected to a medical exa-nina-
tion once a month, the object being to keep
them in good health and prevent rather than
cure occupational diseases. Each man in the
brass department is furnished with a suit of
white overalls and a jumper, individual towels,
a nail brush, and if necessary, goggles, respi-
rators, rubber gloves and a rubber apron. The
men are also provided with individual lockers.

if the pyrophosphate method were to be
used with the difference that there is no need
for careful neutralization of the acid present.
The solution should not contain niirous
acid nor more than 5 per cent ( by volume)
of free acid. To this solution add 2.5 to 30 c.c.
of reagent for every 100 c. c. of solution.
After this the solution is stirred at intervals
for 30 min. The precipitate is then caught t'li a
Gooch crucible, washed with a solution con-
taining 20 c.c. of the reagent per liter, dried
at 100-108 deg. C and weighed. The weighed
precipitate contains 12.66 per cent zinc.

Comprehensive Views of the Great Di| atof

Made at the International Amphitheater, C

jia.Chlago, September 5th to 11th,

.i-jia.

360

THE BRASS \\T>RLX>

Septemlier lOl-t

BRINELL HARDNESS TESTING OF
NON-FERROUS ALLOYS,

BY V. SKILLMAN.

The Brincll test is described and the author
advocates a standard set of conditions be fol-
lowed in all tests of non-ferrous alloys. It is
recommended that a standard hall of 10 mm.
be used with a load of 500 kilograms, and a
time pressure of 30 seconds. Data on test dif-
ferences are given and also an interesting
table on usual hardness of common brass
foundry alloys.

ELECTRIC BRASS MELTING FROM

THE CENTRAL STATION

VIEW-POINT.

BY H. M. ST. JOHN.

This interesting paper deals in a liasic way
with the factors involved in the consideration
of the electric furnace for brass melting. The
largest factor is the cost of electric power.
The electric furnace is at a serious disad-
vantage if it is operated only 10 hours per
day and allowed to cool off at night the loss
of heat being more than ,30 per cent. Con-
tinuous operation is therefore to be maintained
as far as possible to obtain the maximum
saving — a 20-hour, two-shift operation l)eing
ofifered as practical. Two distinct types of
furnace will lind use — the crucible lift-out and
the tilting furnaces. .\ steady increase in the
use of electric methods and apparatus for
melting brass is predicted.

THE EFFECTS OF REPEATED
RE-MELTING ON COPPER.

BY F. O. CLEMENTS.

The ultimate aim of the non-ferrous metal
founder is a high grade product and a di-
minished scrap pile.

B'Oth oxygen and sulphur render r.iany
metals and alloys by which they have been
absorbed, very thickly fluid. Copper alloys
are more thickly fluid when they contain
oxygen, than when free from this element.
In considering the various types of physical
testing apparatus, the tilier stress or endurance
machine developed by Alessrs. Upton and
Lewis of Cornell University, has very close
correlation to the casting properties. The
particular machine produces alternate bends
on quickly made test specimens 1 inch wide and
of any given thickness, making graphic record
of the number of bends and the resistance
the part offers to the load, prior to fracture.

SPELTER MANUFACTURE AND
PROPERTIES.

BY GEORGE C. STONE.

The chemical properties of zinc are uni(iue
and render its extraction from an ore im-
possible by the methods used for the common
metals.

The temperature at which oxide of znic is
reduced by car])on is considerably higher than
the volatilizing point of tlie metal, so th it it
is always produced as a vapor.

The commonest impurities in spelter are
lead, iron and cadmium; arsenic is also found
but not nuich attention is paid to it.

All these impurities are derived from the
ore and will be found in the spelter if they
occur in the ore. In other words, it is impos-
sible to make pure spelter from impure ore.

ELECTRIC FURNACE FOR
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE.

BY ERNST M. SCHMELZ.

The paper brings to public notice an evolu-
tion of the well-known Stassano steel furnace.
Its chief feature of departure from the origi-
nal type is the doing away with the double
chamber. The new furnace is lined with
magnesite. The heating medium is the pure
electric arc created lietween the points of two
or more electrodes, which enter the furnace
from the side. Regulation is effected by hy-
draulic pressure. An experimental furnace
(if this type melted llx of red copper in
less than two hours, using 240 K\\"H per ton
of metal.

THE USE OF PRODUCER GAS FOR
MELTING YELLOW BRASS.

BY E. B. GUENTHER.

This is a most valuable addition to the
trade's literature and presents the results of
tests conducted jointly by the Detroit Copper
& Brass Rolling ]\lills Co. and the Westing-
house Machine Co., East Pittsburgh, Pa. The
nature of producer gas, the processes of
regeneration and recuperation arc described
and operative data and costs are given. Among
the chief advantages of producer-gas use
claimed are economy, temperature control and
cleanliness of operation. As compared with
coke tiring, gas tiring shows a yearly sav-
ing" of $21,904, using as a basis 100 lb. of
metal for cost determination.

September

THE BRASS >VORLI>

361

A HOT SHORTNESS TESTING
MACHINE FOR ALUMI-
NUM ALLOYS.

BY A. B. NORTON.

The machine in question was develope I by
H. W. Gillett and V. Skilhnan in and
has been in use since that time.

The principle of the machine is simple. A
test specimen is cast in sand in such a way
that as it contracts during- solidification, it
lifts a weijfht, previously supported, or
cracks in the attempt. Other conditions being
the same, the metals which withstand the
greatest tension (lift the greatest weight)
without cracking, show the least tendenv.y to
crack in the foundry.

PYROMETERS FOR MOLTEN
BRASS AND BRONZE.

BY H. W. GILLETT.

This paper is really an entire treatise on
p\-rometric apparatus for molten brass and
bronze and will be reprinted in full in a
future issue. It has been prepared with yir.
Gillett's customary thoroughness.

REPORT OF OFFICIAL CHEMISTS
OF THE AMERICAN INSTI-
TUTE OF METALS, I9I4.

Arthur D. Little, Inc.
BY CARL F. WOODS, Secretary.

The report predicts sounder and greater
prosperity than ever before throughout the
non-ferrous metal industries. Few notable
advances in the art are to be noted during
the past year. The work of the Corrosion
Committee is outlined and commended. In
considering the nomenclature of alloys, it
was recommended that the use of exact speci-
fications be greatly extended. A careful re-
view was given of all results attained bv re-
search and experimentation throughout the
world such as vanadium in brass, cobalt in
aluminum, manganese-copper-aluininum al-
loys, improvements in electrogalvanizing, use
of magnesium in refining copper, monel metal,
foundry sands and specifications as part of the
work of the committees.

TESTING ON ELECTRIC FUR-
NACES FOR BRASS FOUNDRIES.

BY DR. HERBERT G. DORSEY.

The history of failure is the prologue to
success. This paper records tests made by
the National Cash Register Co. with a Hel-

berger electric furnace, giving records on
every heat. Only 11 heats per crucible were
obtained. Working continuously, this would
mean a crucible a day. The crucible, being
long and narrow, is difiicult to charge. The
tests seem to eliminate this furnace I'lider
similar f("iundry conditions.

ELIMINATION OF WASTE
MOTION IN BENCH MOLDING.

By R. E. Kennedy and J. C. Pendleton.

Every shop has almost an unlimited n-,.iiiber
of opportunities for reducing time and cost
with only a very small expenditure of money.
The necessary changes can be brought about
by following out the suggested improvements
shown by careful time and motion studies. In
order to show in a concrete way what can
be done along this line, the authors made a
studv of bench molding and found that there

TRAY roH swaLL Tools

JH5T«iJCT!0H_cag 0

, I ^ OUM 8A6 MCXOER

5uvr*e_j^oi-tjc^

CORE RACK.

Type of Molding Bench Built to Eliminate
Unnecessary Motions.

were three principal causes for delay. In
many cases the tools were not in the most con-
venient positions for handling ; in others the
workman did not have the necessary tools nor
were those he did have in good shape ; in still
other cases the molder did too much unneces-
sary work. These three causes for decreased
production are analyzed in considerable detail
and an improved design for a molder's bench
is presented.

362

THE BRASS WORLD

September

DROP- POURING PROCESS
OF CASTING.

BY E. A. BARNES.

This presents the sohition of a difficult brass
foundr}- problem — the successful production of
large Navy Bronze castings. These are hemi-
spherical and weigh 239 lb. each. The match-
mold process was used, both parts of the mold
virtually being drags, Init of different forms
and size. The regular metliod of pouring
from crucibles was tried witliout avail and the
drop-pouring method of casting was adopted.
Small runners and risers were found to be
best. Tlic ])i)uring operation is carefully
described and illustrated. Microphotography
revealed the advantages gained by annealing.

THE TWO-STORY FOUNDRY.

BY G. K. HOOPER.

The two story foundry is the natural lesult
of the development of the full possibilities of
the molding machine. Aside from the greatly
increased output per square foot of floor fpace
resulting from the two story design, additional
production is obtained because the molding
and pouring operations are simultaneous and
continuous. Little advantage is gained in
placing the foundry on the upper floors of a
4 or 5-story building, using the lower floors
for machine shop or other finishing operations
of a highly complex character. The m.ost
economical two story foundries are those in
which the lower floor is on a level with the
yard. This construction permits the handling
of materials with a minimum of effort and
expense.

Synopses and lists of other papers w^ill be
concluded in our October issue.

There were seven of a kind in the Stevens
booth at the Chicago exhibition.^ — Frederic B.
Stevens, James F. Hughes, W. H. J. Ciuff,
Joseph M. Johnston, J. M. Mayers, Alfred T.
Wagner and D. D. Baxter. Between them,
they covered the alphabet with the exception
of Q and Z, but there were no letters missing
in their range of foundry supply talks. Alany
specialties w^ere exhibited by the seven-up
combination and Stevens literature was dis-
tributed advantaseouslv.

OFFICERS ELECT OF THE AMERICAN
FOUNDRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION.

Presuicnl, R. A. Bull, (jranitc C'ity, 111.;
Secretary-Treasurer, A. O. Backert, Cleveland,
0.; Vice-Presidents — H. A. Carpenter, Waller
Wood, S. B. Chadsey, T. W. Shernffe, J. P.
Pero. A. T. Drysdale, J. J. Wilson, A. H.
Thomas, H. E. Field and B. O. Fuller.

OFFICERS ELECT OF ASSOCIATED
FOUNDRY FOREMEN.

President, Robert .McDonald, Elizabeth, X.
J.; Vice-President, J. A. Loucks, Philadelphia,
Pa. ; Secretary-Treasurer, Robt. B. Thomson,
Buffalo, N. Y.

OFFICERS ELECT OF AMERICAN
INSTITUTE OF METALS.

President, G. H. Clamer, Philadelphia, Pa. ;
Secretary-Treasurer, W. M. Corse, Bufialo,
N. Y. ; Vice-Presidents, R. B. Wallace, \V. G.
Harris, Robert Job, Jesse L. Jones, Geo. C.
Stone, W. H. Bassett, Fred Moerl, J. G.
Kaspens, H. W. Gillet and E. B. Home.

COMMITTEES.
The following committees were appointed to
carry out the work of the American Foundrymcn's
Association :

Committee on Papers — H. B. Swan, S. B.

Chadsey, John Howe Hall, J. P. Pero, D. W.
Sowers and O. J. Abell.

Committee on Steel Foundry Standards. —
A. H. Janssen, Thos. D. West, Jr., H. A.
Way, A. H. Thomas, Dudley Shoemaker and
A. F. Sterling.

Committee on Specifications for Foundry
Scrap. — S. D. Heath, Alex Thomson, W. J.
Keep and H. C. Estep.

Committee on Safety and Sanitation. — A.
W. Gregg, T. D. West, F. N. Elam, Arthur
T. Morey and M. W. Alexander.

Committee on Costs. — Benj. D. Fuller, B. J.
Walker, H. O. Lange, E. G. Felthausen and
H. Emerson.

Committee to Work with American Society
of Testing Materials.— J. J. Wilson, VV. P.
Putnam and R. W. Aloldenke.

Committee on Steel— R. A. Bull, W. C.
Hamilton and W. G. Nichols.

Committee on ^Malleable Iron. — A. H.
Jamieson, Enrique Touceda and F. E. Nelson.

Committee on Industrial Education. — E. W.
Leavitt, Dean Connelly, Dean Schneider, Paul
Kreuzpointner, C. E. Hoyt and Ed. A. John-
son.

Committee on Constitution and By-Laws. —
W. H. McEadden, ]\laj. F. Spear, L. L. Anthes,
R. A. Bull, A. O. Backert and O. J. Abell.

September

363

EXHIBITORS OF PRODUCTS FOR
NON-FERROUS INDUSTRIES.

Ajax Metal Company, Philadelphia. Fa. —
Ingot metals, including Ajax plastic bronze,
manganese bronze, phosplior bronze, acid
bronze, hydraulic Vjronze, steam metal, red and
yellow brass; Ajax phosphor copper, manga-
nese copper and silicon copper, Bull babbitt
metal and genuine babbitt metal, etc. Repre-
sented by G. H. ^larner, W. J. Coane, H. L.
Carpenter, Frank M.^V\"illeson and C. F. Hop-
kins.

Arcade Mfg. Company, Freeport, 111. — Re-
cent development in the molding machine line,
jolting and scjueezing macliines, core machines
and a demonstration of the company's match
plate process. Thirty types of molding ma-
chines were shown. Represented by E. H.
Morgan, Charles Morgan, L. L. Munn, F. N.
Perkins, August Christen. G. D. Wolfley, W. C.
Xorcross, R. E. Turnbull. Henry Tscherning,
P. E. Boedeker, B. C. Trueblood and Reeve
Burton.

National Engineering Company, Chicago, 111.
— Simpson intensive foundry mixers in opera-
tion.

Berkshire Mfg. Company, Cleveland. Ohio. —
Automatic molding machine, air squeezer mold-
ing machines, hand squeezer molding machines
core machines, vibrators, flasks, etc. Represen-
ted by R. H. York, 'W. A. Price, W. D. Eraser.
F. Hulec and G. L. Cannon.

•S. Birkenstein & Sons, Chicago, 111. — Pig tin.
pig lead, babbitt solder, brass and bronze ingot,
ingot copper, brick copper, antimony, phosphor
tin, aluminum, phosphor copper and manga-
nese bronze specialties. Harry Birkenstein,
L. Kalin and H. Brown were in charge.

Buch Foundry Equipment Company, Bridge-
port, Pa. — Hand and electrically operated jar
and squeeze molding machines, sample cast-
ings made on gravity and jar and squeeze
macliines, cast-iron floor flasks, tapered alumi-
num snap flasks, cast-iron bottom plates, cast-
iron castings, cast-iron pattern frames, cast-
iron pattern plates, treated wood pattern
boards, adjustable steel slip flask bars.

Buckeye Products Company, Cincinnati, Ohio,
— Parting and core compounds, metal fluxes,
high temperature cement, compressed air vi-
brators and metal melting furnaces. Repre-
sented by C. J. Goehringer. J. W. Mann, R. B.
Ferguson, W. F. Panek and B. Bernbaum.

Carborundum Company, Niagara Falls, N. Y.
- — Complete line of carborundum and aloxite
wheels for foundry work, carborundum and
aloxite paper and cloth, carborundum rubbing
bricks and carborundum and aloxite dis'ks.
Represented by G. R. Rayner, C. C. Schumaker,
O. C. Dobson, J. H. Jackson, R. H. Kerwin and
C. D. Bradbury.

Cataract Refining & Mfg. Company. Buffalo,
N. Y. — .Samples of liquid core compound,
Bison parting, full line of cores made from
liciuid core compound, cutting oils, cutting
compounds and soluble oil. Represented by
R. J. Collins. D. L. Baldwin, J. Purvis, Jr., W.
F. 'U'illiams, H. E. Newton, T. J. Kenefick and
E. H. Coburn.

W'illiam Demmler & Brothers, Kewanee, 111.
— Core machines of various types. Representa-
tives in attendance.

Joseph Dixon Crucible Company, Chicago,
111. — Full line of graphite ' crucibles, stoppers,
nozzles, dippers, stirrers and miscellaneous
heat resisting articles, featuring a non-skim-
ming crucible and a bottom pouring crucible.
Represented by D. A. Johnson, W. B. Allen,
H. C. Sorenson, F. R. Brandon and Frank
Krug.

Garden City Sand Company, Chicago, 111

Samples of molding, core and furnace sands
cupola blocks, fire brick, fire clay, sand-blast-
ing sand, waterproofing compounds and Stone-
kote. Represented by C. S. McNeal and Wil-
liam Chambers.

Gardner Machine Company, Beloit, Wis.

Complete line of disk grinding machinery and
accessories, especially ball bearing polishing
lathes. Represented by F. E. Gardner, L. W
Thompson, W. B. Leishman, E. B. Gardner'
J. M Gardner, E. L. Beisel, A. A. Swinnertori
and \\ . L. Townsend.

Goldschmidt Thermit Company, New oYrk.

Various metals free from carbon. Thermit cans
for reviving dull iron in the ladle and illus-
tration of the use of Thermit for repairing
large rolls and pinions and for preventing
piping in steel ingots; an exhibit of specimen
welds.

Great Western Mfg. Companv, Leaven ivorth
Kan. — Two types of Combs' gyratory riddled
one with horizontal electric motors and the
other with vertical electric motor. Represented
by F. A. Pickett and George W. Combs.

Great "U'estern Smelting & Refining Com-
pany, Chicago, 111. — Ingot brasses of various
compositions, polished and unpolished, to show
the color of castings which may be made from
them, also various castings, babbitt metals and
other products. Represented by J. Collin, A
L. Levy, Arthur Lewis. J. B. Neiman and I N
Perlstein and Samuel Spiro.

Hill & Grifnth Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. —
East India plumbago No. IIS, imperial gra-
phite. Ideal core wash, ebony core compound,
Faultless parting, imperial parting, ventilated
chaplets, and other foundry specialties. Rep-
resented by D. T. Richards. Wm. Oberhelman
J. M. Glass, F. McCarthy, J. H. Lyle.

International Molding Machine Company.
Cliicago, 111. — Air and electric jarring ma-
chines, combination jar ramming, turn over
draw machines, etc. Represented bv Edward
A. Pridmore. "W. W. Miller, D. C. Snow J W
Dopp, F. W. Hamel, E. M. Hays and Carl
Levalin.

Monarch Engineering & Mfg. Company,
Baltimore, Md. — Tilting metal melting fur-
naces, oil, gas and coke fired, single and double
chamber, etc.; stationary metal melting fur-
naces in six similar styles; draw type core
ovens, ladle heater, torches, tempering fur-
nace, rivet forge and tank, and tool room fur-
nace. Represented by J. J. Allen, M . W.
W^oodburn and J. H. Fowler.

Midland Machine Company, Detroit, Mich. —
Grimes jar rammed roll over pattern draw
molding machine, hand ram roll over machine,
and a stripping plate machine. Represented
by G. L. Grimes and Charles Skeflington.

Mumford Molding Machine Company, Chicago,
111. — Electric cam jolt ramming machines,
several sizes of pneumatic jolt rammers, one
of whicli having in combination a pit pat-
tern drawing meclianism, various sizes of
power squeezers and split pattern machines,
as well as combination jolt and squeezing
machines with new features, vibrators, hand
and blow valves, etc. Represented by E. H.
Mumford, David M. Whyte, W. H. Huelster,
A. F. Jensen. J. T. Georgeson, Philetus W.
Gates and James T. Lee.

Battle Creek Sand Sifter Company, Battle
Creek, Mich. — '.Standard Simplex and Duplex
foundry sand sifters. Represented by R. R.
Wilder.

364

THE BRASS WORLD

September

S Obermaver Company, ("hira.yo, 111. — Siiiip-
son intensive foundry mixer, ideal power dump
core sand mixer, core jarrins machine, core
venting- machine, electric sand sifter, rosin
grinder, Todd rumbler, sprue cutter, core
ovens ladles, supplies, etc. Represented by
T Kauffmann, K. D. Frohman. S. T. Johnston,
C.' M. Barker. J. K. Kvans, O J. Peterson \\
M Fitzpatrick, F. H. Dodge, O. C. Olson, A M.
Wall in. G. P. Peterson and C. H. Green.

Osborn Mfg-. Company, Cleveland. Ohio.—
Plain jolt machines, direct draw roll over
iolts, drop plate and stripping plate machines,
air squeezer and drop plate Mask stripping
squeezer machhies, direct draw roll over
machines, roll over rock down machines and
rock over drop draft machines. Represented
bv 11. K. At water, E. S. Caiman, M. \V Zeman
E. T. Doddridge, Paul K. Ryan and i- . J>.
Jacobs.

Pangborn Corporation, H'agerstown, Md. —
Enlarged photographs of sand-blast cciuipment,
sand separators, sand dryers, ventilating equip-
ment sand elevators, sand and dust conveyors
dust collecting equipment, moisture and. oil
separators and complete sand blast installa-
tions Represented by Thomas W. Pangborn,
John C. Pangborn and William A. Rosen-
berger.

J W Paxson Company, Philadelphia, Pa.—
Sand blast machinery, sand shifting machin-
ery magnetic separator, molding sand,
foundry facings, foundry supplies, photograph
display fixtures showing installations, etc.
Repre-sented by H. M. Rougher, E. M. Taggart
and I. F. Kremer.

Westinghouse Electric & Mfg. Company,
East Pittsburgh, Pa. — Arc-welding demonstra-
tion and industrial motors.

Henry E. Pridmore, Chicago, 111. — Stripping
plate, rock-over drop, power squeezer, plain
electric-driven jarring, combination electric

iolt rock-over drop, electric jolt stripping
plate, power ramming stripping plate, hand
squeeze stripping plate, combination electric
jolt and power rock-over drop anil power rock-
over drop machines. Represented by Mrs. E.
M, Pridmore, H. A. Pridmore, D. F. Eagan, C.
H. Ellis, A. V. Magrnuson, T. J. Magnuson.

W. W. Sly Mfg. Company, Cleveland, Ohio.
— Sand bla.s"t mill equipment, phot(igrai)hs of
installations and descriptive literature. Rep-
resented bv W. C. Sly, George J. Planner, P.
W. Graue and T. J. Morgan.

R. I'. Smith & Sons Company, Chicago, 111. —
Safety congress shoes for molders and
found'rymen. Represented by J. B. Smith, Jr.

Frederic B. Stevens, Detroit, Mich. — Booth
for the reception of visitors. Represented by
James F. Hughes, Jr., Alfred T. Wagner. W.
II. J. Clupp, Joseph M. Johnston and John
Mayers.

Titanium Alloy Mfg-. Company, Niagara Falls,
N. Y. — Various grades and sizes of ferio car-
bon-titanium, also specimens of castings of
steel and iron. Specimens of brass, bronze
and copper castings. Represented by N.
Petinot, W. M. Corse, H. R. Corse, H. H. Cook,
and R. T. Harris.

Whiting- Foundry Equipment Company, Har-
vey, 111. — Five-ton two-motor electric crane
trolley on structural frame (operating ex-
hibit); 30 X 48-in. Class "A" spur geared tumb-
ling barrel; section of standard drawer type
core oven (ironwork only); 72-in. diameter Hat
top turntable; photographs and blue prints
showing latest layouts of foundry plants, etc.
Represented by C. A. Hardy. R. H. Bourne, P.
A. Dratz, R. E. Prussing, and others.

E. J. Woodison Company, Detroit, Mich. —
Galvarim riddles with loose bottoms; also
Woodison steel vibrator. Represented by E. J.
Woodison, Pierce G. Smith. R. H. Mills and
M. A, Bell.

CONVENTION TRADE ECHOES.

The representative of the Basic Mineral Co.,
Pittsburgh, Pa., distributed among the cor.ven-
tioners special leaflets advocating tlie use of
"Radio-clarite and Ferro-clarite." The iron
and brass fluxes manufactured by this com-
pany are meeting with increasing apprecia-
tion.

R. P. Smith & Sons Co., Chicago, made an
interesting exhibit of "Safety Congress
Shoes". By the use of these, foot burns
among foundrymcn arc i educed to a n.uii-
mum. Mr. Smith was kept busy explaniing
the merits of his different products.

An instructive display was made in th^ La
Salle Hotel by the Bausch & Lomb Oi)tical
Co., Chicago. This company has been long
known as manufacturers of camera lenses.
The exhibit consisted of a Tassin metallo-
graphic equipment which is a portalile L.utlit
for the microscopical inspection of structural
metals and other surfaces. The microscope is
just beginning to be used in an intelligent
way by metallurgists for the determination-, of
the percentage of metallic constituents and
also of "fatigue" contained in metals. It is to

be expected that a portable outfit of this kind
which gives magnification of from 30 to 150
diameters, will prove itself a valuable aduition
to the laboratory of those who are invesiigat-
ing in a scientific way the structure of their
products.

The Gardner ]\iachine Co., Beloit, Wis., ex-
hiliited a No. 20 combination pattern-makers'
disk grinder and roll sander whose chief fea-
ture is that the grinding roll is tilted instead
of the table, giving the operator the advantage
of always working on a flat talile. The appa-
ratus permits an instantaneous adjustment of
speed from 2.000 to 6,000 revolutions per
minute. The company's exhibit covered over
a thousand square feet. A new motor driven
polishing lathe in dift'erent sizes was also
shown, both in the floor and bench types. This
machine has all ball bearings throughout and
is heavier and more substantial in construction
than the usual type of lathe. The company
exhibited 16 machines, 6 of which were under
power, all being connected to a blowing ap-
paratus.

Septeml)cr

TILE BRASS WORLX)

365

The J. W. Paxson Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
had ail attractive exhibit which arrested the
attention of the passer-by by a pictorial dis-
play which paid tribute to the versatility of
E. M. Taggart, their Xew York representative.
A life size young lady in brilliant costume was
the focussing point of all eyes. Close by was
a life size fascinated operator pouring the
metal anywhere but where it should be poured.
The sign, "Look Out Where You Are Pour-
ing" gave the necessary advertising touch to
the sign. The chief features of the display v ere
a pneumatic tripod sifter, lb. capacity, a
sand-blasting machine, a magnetic separator, a
splendid photographic display comprising 250
photographs of plants and installations and
many samples of sands and facings. The three
representatives, ^Messrs. Taggart, Ellis and
Kremer were dressed alike, white predominat-
ing, and distributed chicken whistles for
souvenirs which were used by the recipients
at every possible noise-making opportunity.

The ]\Ionarch Engineering & Manufacturing
Co., Baltimore, Md., made a most extensive
display of its furnaces. There were twenty-
four pieces on the floor comprising tilting oil,
gas and crucible coke furnaces, an aluminum
pot, a soft metal furnace, the AIonarch-Rock-
well double chamber for gas, a single cha;nber
"Simplex" for oil or gas, a reverberatory smelt-
ing and refining furnace for oil or gas, a pit
drop bottom oil fired and stationary oil fired
crucible furnace, a bath tub type aluminum
furnace, a babbitt melting furnace for oil or
gas, a rivet forge, special torches, a tool loom
furnace, coke-fired, gas-fired and oil-fired core
ovens, and other special pieces, concerning all
of which printed literature was distributed.
The attractiveness of the exhibit was en-
hanced by neatly printed cards describing the
type of apparatus.

The Joseph Dixon Crucible Co., Jersey City,
X. J., made a display of its crucibles and
kindred prodticts including a non-skimming
crucible, a bottom pouring crucible, gr:>phite
greases, skimmers, etc. As a souvenir, a copy
of "Dixon's Dixonary" in a neat metal case
was given to every visitor.

The Ajax ^Metal Co., Philadelphia, Pa. ex-
hibited special samples of its ingot metals.
The company has made a special study of
these and samples of its plastic, manganese,
phosphor, acid and hydraulic bronzes, steam
metal, red and yellow brass and phosphor,

manganese and silicon copper, all trade mark-
ed "Ajax", were shown. Ajax pencils were
distributed as souvenirs. An Ajax slogan is
"If you underpay, you underget."

The exhibit of the Goldschmidt Thermit
90 West St.. Xew York City, was always a
center of interest. Alfred Beaulieu gave
demonstrations of thermit pipe-welding in
most approved style. In a few minutes, pipe-
ends were joined in the powerful bond of
"thermimony". Messrs Aldrich, Browne,
Spillsbury, Young and Mann formed a power-
ful sextette in giving information and data on
thermit uses.

The Whiting Foundry & Equipment Co.,
Harvey, 111., made a splendid showing of brass
foundry equipment covering considerable space
and attractively grouped.

The Buckeye Products Co., Cincinnati. O.,
displayed its specialties in furnace cements,
core compounds, a compressed air vibrator,
and snap flask guides. Literature describing
all these and a special booklet on Buckeye
furnaces were distributed.

Th Titanium Alloy Mfg. Co., Xiagara Falls,
X. Y. made a good showing of its products
and distributed literature giving directions for
the use of the company's ferro carbon- titan-
ium in cast iron.

William Demmler Brothers, Kewanee, 111.,
exhibited full sized molding and core machines
and Mr. Demmler superintended the constant
activities of his demonstrating force. Interest-
ing groups were gathered continually to ob-
serve the effective operation of these macliines.

The Pangborn Corporation, Hagerstown,
Md.. made a special display of large photo-
graphs of sand blast equipment, sand separa-
tors, dryers and elevators, ventilating and
dust collecting equipment. The Pangborn
sand-blast equipment attracted considerable
attention.

Henry E. Pridmore, Inc., Chicago. 111. ex-
hibited fourteen machines occupying ?bout
feet of space. The Pridmore power
rock-over drop molding machine with its ad-
dition of pneumatic power was the subject of
much favorable comment. One lever controls
the roll-over, draw and return. The Pridmore
representatives were kept continually busy in
demonstration.

366

XIEE BRXS

371

brought to a fairly high temperature b}' lilling
it several times with molten metal.

The mold having been sufficiently heated
and tightened together with the parts to lie
connected positioned within the molds, the
pouring may be made. The brass having been
melted — say in a crucible — a sufficient quantity
at the heat indicated is transferred to a pour-
ing ladle and skimmed, and the metal is then
quickly emptied into the mold. The pouring
into the mold should be done in a quick and
rapid movement — a sort of sudden dashing
or emptying of a great quantity of metal into
the pouring channel and maintaining the pour-
ing channel well filled until the molten metal
or alloy rises to the top of the vent channel,
as 22.

At the high pouring temperature of tlie
molten brass it is quite fluid and runs rapidly

Y^*" ^

1 /--?■?/

^UO

^.n

C 1 "')

\.29\

J/o

\30 \

1
\S9 1

Fig. 2.

into the mold, but at the same time at this
great heat it is giving off tremendous quanti-
ties of the gases of volatilization. It will be
seen that as the hot metal is dashed into the
pouring channel or gate 21 the stream will de-
scend mainly on one side of the vertical tube
2(J forcing the heated air and gas within the
mold upward on the other side and out
through the vent 22, and there w-ill be no con-
flict between the escaping fluids and the main
pouring current. The incoming metal natural-
ly, however, is splashed about considerably
against the parts within the mold and the in-
terior surface the mold itself and great quanti-
ties of the gases of volatilization are liberated.
These gases are free to rise through the vent
22. wdiere they are discharged.

Fig. 2 shows the application of this art to
the formation of an ornamental knob directly

upon the end of a tube. I'.y the practice of
this art these brass heads, or indeed any suit-
able form of ornament, may be cast directly
upon the tube or rod. and once there it would
require the use of tools, such as a saw and
chisel, to get them off.

THE CARBONATE OF COPPER
QUESTION.

Editor Brass World : —

I see in the August "Brass World" on page
307, a letter from Cyril Ashleigh, regarding
the use of carbonate of copper.

I note what ]Mr. Ashleigh says in regard
to obtaining carbonate of copper free from
sulphate. Every plater knows the material
which is commonly sold as carbonate of cop-
per is not carbonate of copper at all. It is
simply copper sub-sulphate, or a basic sulphate
of copper. Further, as your correspondent
states, the inert matter in the so-called car-
bonate of copper is of no use whatsoever — it
only raises the density of the solution and in-
creases the consumption of cyanide.

With the introduction of metal cyanides the
plater is not only enabled to work under ideal
conditions but is able to save about one-third
of his chemical costs. As copper cyanide is
absolutely free from all inert matter the plater
has only two ingredients to take into considera-
tion— metal and cyanide, and as a result is
able to control his bath with absolute certainty.

To put copper cyanide in solution, the plater
needs only about one-third as mucli cyanide
as he uses to take up so-called copper car-
bonate. When this copper carbonate is added
to a cyanide solution copper cyanide is formed,
but for every pound of carbonate added, the
plater is introducing at least 50 per cent of
inert matter and impurities, as to the nature of
which he is often in doubt. Wh}- not add
copper cyanide, as such, direct to the bath,
and avoid contaminating the solution?

The plater in the past has only used so-
called copper carbonate for want of some-
thing better, and that the metal cyanides are
the only perfect salts, both from a practical
and theoretical standpoint is indisputable. It
is only a question of time when the inferior
carbonate of copper will be entirely displaced _
by the high-grade metal cyanides.

Very truly yours,
New York Citv. C. Dittniar.

372

TITE RRASS WORI.O

September

A RATIONAL TEST FOR METAL-
LIC PROTECTIVE COATINGS.*

BY J. A. CAPP.f

There are several processes commercially
used for covering the surfaces of metals easily
corroded or rusted, such as iron in its several
forms, with other metals less easily corroded,
or with metallic oxides. These may well be
called "metallic" protective coatings in distinc-
tion from the types of coating which are in
tlie nature of paints or their equivalent.

The object of the application of these metal-
lic protective coatings is to enable the coated
articles to resist atmospheric exposure without
rusting for a longer time than they could
withstand such exposure without protection.
Obviously, then, the only final test of the effi-
ciency of a given type of coating is actual ex-
posure to the same sort of influences that the
material is supposed to resist in service. If
the coating is at all efficient, this takes so long
a time that more rapid methods of determining
relative efficiencies become a necessity. The
most commonly used methods of testing such
metallic protective coatings are those of
chemical attack, which in efl'ect measure either
the thickness or the weight per square unit
of the protective coating. Such methods of
chemical attack permit the comparison of re-
sults obtained from tests upon the same sort
of coating, but difficulty is encountered when
attempt is made to compare the results obtain-
ed by such tests on one sort of coating with
those obtained on another character of coat-
ing. For instance, the well-known Preece test
yields excellent comparative results on gal-
vanized coatings. When, however, it is used
for coatings applied by the sherardizing
process, the results are not at all comparable.
Neither is the Preece test applicable to coat-
ings of tin or of lead. In the case of sherar-
dized articles, it has been suggested that the
coat, which is a combined structure of zinc
and zinc oxide, together with some zinc-iron
alloy, be removed in strong alkalies which will
not attack the iron beneath. This would en-
able one to determine the weight of coating
per unit of surface calculated to metallic zinc,
but experience has shown that the results do
not necesarily indicate the efficiency of the
coat, and that it is not easy to determine the

*Excerpted from a paper read at the 17th
Annual meeting of the American Society for
Testing Materials, Atlantic City, N. J., June

30— July 3, . . ^ ^, ^ . 1 TvT ^'

tGeneral Klectric Co.. Schenectady, N. 1:.

rtlalivc proportions of zinc and zinc oxide.
I'urtliermore, comparison of the efficiency of
a sherardized coating with ordinary galvaniz-
ing is not possible when the sherardized coat-
ing is subjected to the Preece test.

'I'lie test consists in exposing the articles in
any convenient chamber into which there is
projected an atomized spray of water satura-
ted with common salt in solution, care being
taken to avoid placing the test specimens di-
rectly in the path of the jet. To insure con-
stant saturation, an excess of salt is kept in
the bottom of the chamber. The spray is pro-
duced by a jet of compressed air lifting the
water to the nozzle, whence it is projected as
a cloud. This apparatus is the common at-
omizer, so-called, used in the household. The
chamber is necessarily not tightly sealed, but
is open sufficiently to permit "breathing" :
when used with an air jet, tliere is a slight
pressure which is relieved through the breath-
ing openings. If desired, the test may be
modified by the use of a fine steam jet to
raise the temperature of the atmosphere in
the chamber. There is also the possibility of
rendering the test atmosphere slightly acid
or alkaline by suitable additions to the water
in substitution for the salt. For use with
plain water, the closet generally used for
cement testing does very well, provided care
is taken that it is so arranged as to maintain
the air practically at 100 per cent relative
humidity. When using salt solutions, recourse
nuist be had to the atomizing jet to insure the
development of the salt fog.

When exposed as described, articles have a
very thin film of moisture over their surface,
but there should be very few, if any, drops of
sensible size on the objects. Obviously, the
test is very searching, as all parts of the sur-
face are exposed, and any pin holes or un-
covered areas become evident. This gives one
an opportunity to learn something of the ef-
ficiency of any protecting process in taking
care of edges, sharp corners, porous spots in
the metal surface, etc. By noting the character
of the final general break-down, a very good
idea of the evenness of the coating applied
may be obtained.

The method of test may be applied to bare
metals as well as to those coated to prevent
rusting. For this purpose, the plain saturated
atmosphere is apt to be better than a salt at-
mosphere, liecause the latter may be too
severe and hence make comparisons rather
difficult.

Sep'tcniber

THJE BRASS WORUD

373

The salt-spray test, as we have called it, has
been used in the laboratory with which the
author is connected for a number of years,
and during the last four or five years it has
also been used commercially as a check upon
the process of sherardizing w-hich is in use.
The coated articles are exposed to the salt
fog, and are examined from time to time to
note their surface condition. When the coated
material is iron in any of its several forms,
red rust begins developing as soon as the coat
breaks down. This rust may appear in small
pin points which gradually extend, or it may
appear generally over the surface of the ar-
ticle. When the coating is relatively thin and
poor, rust may develop in from 2 or 3 hours
to 24 hours, or longer. A better coat w-ill
last 2 or 3 days, but a well-applied coat of
requisite thickness w'ill last at least a week. If
no rusting is developed in two weeks' time, it
may safely be assumed that the life of the
coating will be practically indefinite. These
figures are based on experience with both
sherardized and galvanized types of coating.
Other types give results which lie in approxi-
mately the same range.

This method of testing is not offered in re-
placement of other methods of testing which
have long been in use, especially when such
tests are used solely for comparison on ma-
terial treated always by the same process. It
has, however, almost entirely displaced all
such methods of test in our own practice, es-
pecially when comparisons are desired be-
tween processes of different character, be-
cause it is the only test which we have been
able to devise which approximates practical
conditions, and yet yields results w-ithin a
reasonably short time. The salt-spray test is
only an exaggeration of w'hat may be expected
at the seashore and differs only in degree, not
in kind, from the normal conditions under
which the article is intended to be used.

THE OBTAINING OF COMBUS-
TION EFFICIENCY.

The life of crucibles in oil is generally one-
half of that which is obtained with coal or
coke. The fact that there are no ashes to
wash, usually compensates for this.

Another newdy patented process of wielding
copper consists in polishing the welded sur-
faces, coating with a welding compound and
then placing the specimens on a layer of char-
coal within a closed vessel heated from the
exterior. The articles are withdrawn at a
welding heat and hammered.

During the past 10 years, much time has
been devoted to the reduction of fuel waste in
all fields where the quantity of fuel used is an
important factor. It is w^ell known that a
pound of carbon completely burned generates
14.500 heat units while when burned dowm to
but carbon monoxide, it generates only 4,.500
heat units. In the reclaiming of waste heat
through combustion efficiency there lies a
great field for both inventor and user. H. B.
Stilz, N. Marvine St., Philadelphia. Pa.
has devised a burner for gas, liquid and pow^der
fuels which it is claimed insures a perfect

'U ATOMIZES AT THE nozzle'

50 lb- pressure M induced
~ into furnace

- . frcm blower

Oil'

~Jiollow cone

'^% sf fin

/////brick '//y

combustion. This burner comprises an inner
nozzle through which the oil is dehvered
under high pressure. The nozzle terminates in
a small opening in the passageway. In this
nozzle is a spiral around which the oil travels
to form a violently whirling jet inside the
opening from which it emerges in the form of
a cone-shaped film. Surrounding this nozzle
is a casing, enclosing a large spiral, through
which the air or steam must pass, emerging
in the same way and manner as the oil and
having a backward suction at the center. This
causes the oil film and the air to mingle in
the form of a fog, each particle of oil being-
surrounded by the necessary molecules for
perfect combustion. A very complete descrip-
tion of the operation of the Stilz burner can
be obtained by application to the H. B. Stilz
Co., X. Marvine St., Philadelphia, Pa.

C. W. Leavitt & Co., 30 Church St., New-
York City, are advocating by special leaflets
the use of a small quantity of their French
"H. H." brand of antimony as a substitute for
tin in ordinary bronze mixtures. Instead of
using 2i lb. of tin, they recommend equal
quantities of tin and antimony to that amount.
This product is also recommended for bearing
metal, type metal, Britannia metal, etc. Fur-
ther information can be secured from the
manufacturers.

374

THE BRASS WORl-X>

September

GOLDEN CARROT COLOR OF
STOP-COCKS.

NEW CORPORATIONS.

Editor of the "Brass World":

I notice on Page 274 of the July number of
the Brass World in "Questions and Answers",
a reader asks for information regarding the
golden carrot color which is found on the
high-grade stop and waste cocks and which
gives them so nice an appearance in the rough
castings on the surface.

You advise them to use a dip or pickle to
bring up the desired color composed of

Sulphuric acid 2 gal.

Nitric acid 1 gal.

Muriatic acid Ho 1 oz.

1 have seen these castings made by the leading
manufacturers of this class of goods and they
use no pickle or acid dip.

The metal mixture they use i> t-ntirely virgin
metal. The castings are shaken out of the
molds at a certain time after they have been
poured and dipped and the cores are blown
out of same in a tank of water. The desired
color is procured in that manner and there
is no dip or pickle which can produce that
color or give the castings as nice a surface
inside or out as by this simple process. The
weight of the castings and the temperature at
which they are dipped or blown out are the
only things that govern this desired color, m
addition to the quality of the metals. I
know there are firms that use a dip of the
formula you suggest but any practical person
can tell at a glance that the castings have been
dipped in acids to get the desired color. The
wearing quality of the color is indefinite when
followed as I have shown and the appearance
of the goods is more pleasing to the eye.

When scrap metals are used, this desired
color cannot be procured and the only pro-
cedure is to resort to the acid dip.

The users of this class of goods are be-
coming more enlightened on this subject and
are demanding goods made from high-grade
metals in place of goods made from scrap
and dipped in acid solutions to give them a
false appearance.

Yours very truly,

PETER W. BLAIR,
Foreman, Mueller Mfg. Co., Sarnia, Ont.

The Schopp .Mfg. Co.. lUiffalo, N. Y., iias
been incorporated with a capital of $25,000 l)y
C. A. Schopp, I. Schopp and G. PI. Wcilaud
to carry on a jewelry manufacturing business.

Badger Aletal & Hide Co., ^Milwaukee, Wis.,
capital, $10,000; incorporators, H. Coplin, L.
S. Sohn and P. U. Feldman.

The ^^■hite Rocks Co., Middletown, Conn.,
has been incorporated with a capital of $100,-
000. Arthur B. W^oodford, h>nest L. Isbell
and John II. I'ooth, all of Xew Haven, arc
the incorporators, and the company purposes
to quarry feldspar, mica and copper.

The Lake Erie Smelting & Refining Co.,
Cleveland, ()., general smelters, has been in-
corporated with a cai)ital of $50,000 by D.
Dale.

The High Ball ^Ifg. Co., Springfield, 111.,
manufacturing wood and metal polishes, has
been incorporated with capital of $1,000 by
W. C. and C. Ilolmburg and J. E. and M. VV.
b'rancis.

The Excelsior Cornice Co., Chicago, III,
with a capital stock of $2,500, will manufacture
and sell ornamental sheet metal work. L. D.
Swanstrom, J. A. Johnson and 1. T. Pales arc
the incorporators.

The Automatic Bushelling Inirnace Co.,
Cincinnati, O., incorporated by A. S. Eenzel
and others, has a capital of $10,000.

The Paterson Metal Ceiling Co., Paterson.
N. J., has a capital of $10,000. B. and E.
Herrimann and I. Hirschberg are the ni-
corporators.

The Beecher-Fowler Mfg. Co., Louisville.
Ky., with capital stock of $15,000 has succeeded
Beecher, Fowler & Co. The company manu-
factures brass signs, bronze tablets, steel dies,
etc. The officers are Chas. E. Beecher. R. C.
Fowler and ^^'. S. Beecher.

The streaking of an acid copper solution is
caused by the current used being too strong.

The Eastern Wire & Brass Co., Chelsea,
Alass., with capital of $10,000 has been incor-
porated by L. I. Beck with, A. L. Smith and
;\. Kaplan.

September

375

TO BLUE WIRE WRENCHES.

Will you give me a solution for the treat-
ment of wire wrenches so as to blue them?
I do not want an oxidizing process, but some-
thing durable, such as blueing by heat treat-
ment.

Make up a solution of potassium ferro-
•cyanide and water. In another jar make a
solution of iron chloride and water, then mix
the two solutions and dip. Have your work
clean and free from grease and use solution
liot.

To blue articles by heat, have the surface
of articles clean and polished. Then heat in
fine clean wood ashes to a temperature of
from 600 to 700'' according to the depth of
color required. Examine articles from time
to time to see that when cooled in the air they
have the proper color. When color is de-
veloped, wash and dry and finish with Ijoilcd
linseed oil.

ADDING SILICON TO COPPER.

What is the best practice for applying tin
and manganese or silicon to molten copper?
Our practice is to add the tin and after the
pot is removed froiu the fire add the silicon
and stir very carefully >o as to be sure the
tin and manganese are thoroughly mixed.
Throughout the operation the pot is kept
•covered by the charcoal. Often we do not get
proper results and we are curious to know
whether we are mixing the material according
to the best practice.

In our opinion, your practice is wrong in
adding the tin first. You should add the
silicon just before the pot is pulled from the
'fire and stir well. Then pull the pot, skim oft'
the charcoal and add the tin, stirring it
thoroughly. The reason for this is that sili-
con is put into the metal as a deoxidizer and
the charcoal covering does not allow the gas
to escape after it combines with the silicon.

We think it will be better practice in melting
the copper to pull the pot, skim off the charcoal
and add the silicon which will allow the gases
to escape freely in the air. Stir the mix-
ture thoroughly, then add the tin, stirring
thoroughly and pour oft'.

DIFnCULTY IN SECURING A DENSE
BLACK FINISH.

We have been endeavoring for some time
to secure a dense black finish on steel gun
sights, but are having considerable difficulty.
We are using a solution made up of 3 oz.
sulphocyanide of potassium, 2 oz. of salt, one
oz. sulphate of zinc, 8 oz. double nickel salts
and 2 oz. single nickel salts. The mixture of
these chemicals is used at the rate of one lb.
per gallon. It is also used in connection with
white nickel anodes and we have our current
regular that we can operate it i, 3, 1 volt, li
etc. All of our work is white nickeled first
and then black nickeled. The solution acts
in this way. Immediately after the work is
hung in the black nickel tank, it assumes a
brownish or straw-colored appearance, chang-
ing from that to a light blue, then to a deep
blue and after that same should assume a dull
black, but for some reason or other 90 per
cent of the work changes from the deep blue
to a grey and gradually lightens in color until
the blue deposition has disappeared and in fact
all the deposition disappeared. Can you give
us any information as to ho\K to remedy this
difticuhv?

Add about one gallon of aqua ammonia to
every 200 gallons of solution and run with a
verv weak current.

TROUBLE WITH ALUMINUM CASTINGS.

W'c are ha\ ing some trouble with our alunu-
num castings through the shrinkage of the
heavy parts. We use chills on all heavy parts
where possible. In places where these cannot
be used, the shrinkage inevitably takes places.
Would the use of risers on these parts solve
our difficulty?

Our mixture consists of 9.3 per cent alumi-
num and 7 per cent copper. We melt 50 lb.
of copper and 50 lb. of aluminum and run the
mixture into ingots. We use 1-4 lb. of this
mixture to 100 lb.

Is aluminum injured by overheating? Could
you give us a good aluminum mixture?

There is no tuethod of stopping shrinkage in
heavv aluminum castings, save by the concep-

376

THE BRASS WORLJ>

ScpicmlxT I'Jl-i

tion of wliat class of work you desire to pro-
duce in providing for the various kinds of
work. We have a range of from two-thirds
to one-tliird zinc for the zinc and ahuiiinuui
mixture and a range from 15 to I per cent in
a proportion of copper. Jt is absohitely cer-
tain that aluminum suffers more from over-
heating than any other metal for it absorbs
oxygen while other metals expel it. Other
metals can he reclaimed by melting and alumi-
num cannot. Your main dithculty seems to
be in not providing risers. If you do this,
your trouble will pri)bal)]y be overconic im
mediatelv.

MIXTURE FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT
FLKTURES.

Kindly give me a good mixture for yellow
brass castings as used for making up electric
light fixtures. A good dip metal is re(|uired.
Tell me also how I can get brass castings to
have a yellow skin when they are taken from
the sand.

Take your castings out, dip in water quickly
and secure a bright color, or let them remain
in the flask for some time. The darkening of
the color of the castings is due to the air
getting on the hot metal. Hot metal oxidizes
to a greater degree than cold metal.

Electric light fixtures are generally made in
what is known as the sharp greeni.sh yellow
brass mixture of the following composition :

Copper 21 lb. .

Zinc 7 lb.

Tin 10 oz.

Lead 10 oz.

This can again be brightened by reducing
the zinc 2 per cent and adding 2 per cent of
tin in its place. This metal will dip niceh'.
For a straight yellow brass, you can use copper
66 2/3, zinc 33 1/3. If the goods have to be
machined, use 2 per cent of lead.

ACID ELECTRIC CLEANER FOR
ALUVilNUM.

Can you tell me in your ne.xt issue of your
paper what acid electric bath is used in finish-
ing ahnnimmi kitchen utensils?

BLUE FINISH ON BRIGHT BRASS
PIECES.

Please give a fornuda in \our next issue for
eli'Olroplating blue finish over brass pieces
ihat are highlv buffed bright.

Make a saturated solution of sugar of lead.
Use this cold with a reversed current and car-
bon anode.

STRIPPING THE SILVER FROM HEAD-
LIGHT REFLECTORS.

We liave just undertaken on a small scale,
the electroplating of our headlight reflectors,
the process being silverplating on a copper
base. We desire to work out a satisfactory
means of stripping the silver from reflectors
removed from service preparat(M\v to re-plat-
ing.

Make a solution of 66 per cent of sulphuric
acid, 5 gallons of water and one lb. of salt-
petre. Use this dip warm and keep free front
water. If water gets into this dip, it will cause
it to pit the metal badly.

ALUMINUM ALLOY FOR FACE PLATES.

Will you be kind enough to inform me of an
alloy of aluminum suitable to use on face
plates.

Try the following niixtuie:

Aluminum 95 per cent.

Copper 5 per cent.

This makes a sharp and very strong metal. To
make it you will first have to make an alloy
of 5 lb. copper, and 10 lb. aluminum. Melt the
copper first in a regular graphite crucible, and
when melted, add the aluminum. Stir well
before pulling the pot from the fire. In another
iron pot or crucible, melt 80 lb. of pure alumi-
num and while both metal and alloy are hot,
pour them together. Stir well and pour into
your mold. This is the only way to get per-
fect results from a copper and aluminum al-
loy. The copper is so much heavier than the
aluminum that if mixed in any other way it
would settle to the bottom of the pot.

We do not know of any acid electric cleaner
in use. Caustic soda is generally used.

BRUSH BRASS FINISH.

We are enclosing a little sample and would
like to inquire if you can give us any instruc-
tions as to how to get this finish on cast yellow
brass. We find by experience that it is diffi-
cult to get the same finish on cast brass that
we do on sheet brass.

September

THE BRASS WORUD

377

Your sample is finished in what is known
as brush brass finish but as it is done on bronze
metal it has a bronze color. After finishing
the article just as for a bright finish, scratch-
brush, then wet with a little F. F. pumice on
a brass scratchbrush, being careful not to let
the wheel get dry while doing this or it will
leave a bright spot. Wash thoroughly, dry
out and lacquer with a heavy lacquer which
can be obtained especially for this work.

SOLDERING BLACK IRON.

Is it feasible or practical to solder black iron
(stove pipe). If so kindly give formula for
flux.

It is impossible to solder black iron no mat-
ter what flux you use unless the scale is first
removed by scraping or pickling. It can in
that case be soldered with the regular chloride
of zinc flux. You could also put muriatic
acid on the place to be soldered, allowing it to
eat off the scale, and then solder in the usual
manner, rinsing well to remove acid and pre-
vent rusting.

RUSTING OF KNIVES.

Enclosed find sample of nickel plated knife.
Kindly examine same carefully and let us
know whether you can give us any idea as to
the cause of the rusting of these knives. The
rust comes right through the nickeling. Would
it be possible that these damp dog days would
have anything to do with same? Or, would it
be possible that fumes of acids, coming from
the dipping room which is located on the first
floor, would affect them, the knives being on
shelves on the third floor of the building?

There seems to be no doubt whatever that
your difficulty is due to improper drying of the
rusted parts. These moist days no doubt con-
tribute to the condition of the sawdust and
when a lot of work is being pushed through, if
the sawdust has not its full measure of ab-
sorbent quality, the goods emerging are still
coated by a small film of moisture. The rust-
ing of the part inevitably follows.

It is also true that it may be subject to
some disadvantage through the acids coming
from the dipping room. The remedy is ob-
vious. We would advise you to test the mat-
ter out both ways, by taking additional care
of the drying and by having one batch put in
a separate place and watching closely the re-
sults.

ZINC PLATES IN BOILERS.

Can you give me the analysis of commercial
sherardizing zinc? We would also like to
know the advantage of using zinc plates in
boilers.

Sherardizing zinc is the pure metal powder-
ed into dust.

Zinc plates are placed in boilers to prevent
the shell of the boiler from being attacked by
the gases formed. This occurs more in low
than in high pressure boilers, since in the lat-
ter case the gas goes off in the exhaust while
with low pressure boilers they remain in the
boilers, being forced back from the condensers,
and attack the zinc which in this way protects
the shell of the boiler.

A NON-CORRODIBLE ALLOY.

Xew uses are constantly being found for
that remarkable natural alloy of nickel and
copper known as .Vlonel Metal. One of the
latest and most valuable is in connection with
hospital operating tables, the tops of which are
subject to corrosion from strong acids and
chemicals. The Bainbridge operating table,
manufactured by the Kny-Scheerer Co., Xew
York, is provided with a top made of Monel
Metal, which has been found after much ex-
perimentation to be the best material for the
purpose. To describe the various other uses
to which Monel ^Vletal has already been put
would be a tremendous task and fortunately
the Supplee-Biddle Hardware Co., 513-517
Commerce St., Philadelphia, Pa., manufac-
turers and distributors of the metal, have al-
ready collected much of this information and
issued it in the form of a book of 54 pages,
which is supplemented from time to time by a
bulletin which gives the latest developments
of Monel Metal.

The spotting of lacquered goods is seldom,
if ever, to be attributed to the fault of the
lacquer. The real cause is to be sought in
the condition of the surface of the castings.
Practically all castings are porous and some
parts may be found to be more porous than
others. The larger pores will retain a pro-
portion of the solutions in which the castings
have been dipped and do not get rid of them
in hasty rinsing. More efficient cleaning is
the general remedy to be applied. .

378

THE BRXSS WORLD

SeptenilKT

A WELL-KNOWN BRASS CASTER.

It is with regret that we announce tlie death
of Erskine Anclrus, residing at 19o Barnum
Ave., Bridgeport, Conn. Mr. Andrus was
probahly the oldest caster in the United States.
He was horn at Sohin, N. Y., and received his
early education in the public schools, lie pro-
ceeded thence to the Courtland Academy
where he qualified hir a teacher. His next
move was to Waterhury, Conn., where he
learned the trade of brass casting in the old
East Mill, holding his position for stnne years.
Thence he went to Plainville, Conn., where
he conducted a general store in conjunction
with a partner. At Plainville he met and mar-
ried his gentle wife who now survives him

Erskine Andrus.

and who was at that time ]Miss Jane B.
Barnes.

He remained in Inisiness but a short time
when he resumed his trade of brass casting
at Davoles, Brooklyn, N. Y., remaining there
about two years. Subsequently he was em-
ployed at the Coe Brass Mills at Wolcottville,
now known as Torrington, Conn., inider Mr.
L. T. VVooster, at that time superintendent foi
Mr. Coe and later superintendent for Osborne
and Chessman at Ansonia, Conn., until the
Seymour iMfg. Co. was built when he became
a guiding spirit in that successful enterprise
and remained so for nearly thirty years, in
fact, up until the time of his death. Follow-
ing the two years' stay with Mr. Coe, Mr.
Andrus came to Bridgeport, Conn., as caster
for the firm of Wilmot and Kissman, which
firm subsequently emerged into the large in-

dustrial i)lant of the 15ridgeport Brass Co. In
this position, Mr. .\ndrus remained for about
42 years, constantly engaged in his calling until
an accident befell him, when he was incapaci-
tated for several months, lie, however, suf-
ficiently recovered to oversee his department
for a period of four years, when by reason of
developments due to his previous accident, he
retired. His coming to the firm of the Bridge-
port Brass Co., antedated that of Mr. Cieorgc
Summers, now a retired officer of the com-
jiany. "Sir. .\ndrus was, however, until the
day of his death, on tin- pa\- roll of the
Bridgeport Brass Co., having been connected
with it for fifty years and being the oldest
employee and stock holder. liis record of
work through his busy life was estimated at
the casting of 1,500,000 lbs. of brass yearly.

For much of the data in this article, we are
indebted to Dr. George P>. Cowell, M. D., of
Bridgeport, Conn, who is well known through-
out the country as an authority on occupa-
tional diseases and who questioned Mr.
Andrus as to the health risks in brass cast-
ing most closely in the preparation of his data
on the subject. Mr. Andrus stated to him
that though he had been subject to occasional
chills always after vacation, he never had been
severely ill and did not consider brass casting
as a menace to health notwithstanding popular
belief to the contrary. Much of his work has
been connected with the casting of a rich
spelter often as high as from 35 to 40 per
cent and this work has been accomplished
without injurious effects. He always advised
the younger brass casters to continue in the
work as being perfectly safe. Mr. Andrus
was highly respected by all who knew him. He
was a man of medium physique, of deep re-
ligious conviction, abstemious in habit, and a
gentle, kind, quiet gentleman of the old school,
thoroughly accomplished in his life work and
scrupulously conscious of all the duties con-
signed to him. He was interred at Mountain
Grove Cemetery on August 5th.

Manganese, to alloy well with brass, bronze,
or other similar alloys, should first be alloyed
with copper. It would be necessary to over-
heat pure manganese to unite with brass or
bronze. The melting point of pure manganese is
as high as steel. Manganese may now be bought
alloyed \Yith copper at a slight increase in
price but the difficulty that is avoided surely
makes up this extra cost.

Septeni1)fr THE BRASS WORLX) 37^^

GALVANIZING-MACHINE. PERCENTAGE OF LOSSES.

Miles \V. Trout, Youngwood, Pa., is the in-
ventor of a new galvanizing-machine whost'
chief objects are to keep the articles treated in
constant turning motion in the tank and pre-
vent their parts being soldered together dur-
ing the process of galvanizing.

As the illustration shows, there are two
tanks suitably supported, the main tank and
the cooling tank. The main tank is open at
the top and the sides are inclined and long.
Means are provided for heating this tank. On
suitable guide rollers an endless belt travels,
the upper stretch of which dips into the liquid
in the tank, while the center of the lower
stretch dips into a grease pan below the tank.

The following questions have been put to-
ns by one of our readers and as they admit of
a considerable diversity in the answering ac-
cording to experience and conditions, we in-
vite expressions of opinion from readers en-
gaged in this particular branch of trade.

1. What is the percentage of loss in cast-
ings to be used for plumbing and steam brass
goods in a foundry, manufacturing high-grade
goods ?

2. What is the percentage of loss in a
machine or brass finishing shop, manufactur-
ing the above goods, this loss to include
machine defects and defective castings found:
in the course of manufacture?

The articles are fed into the inlet of the
niaciiine at the right, and the belt or apron
is put in motion by suitable means. While in
the galvanizing solution, the articles are pre-
vented from soldering together by means of a
turning mechanism above the tank. Another
endless belt hanging from an overhead sup-
port rests normally upon the main apron. This
is revolved more rapidly than the main belt
and in a reverse direction, the motion pro-
duced tumbling the articles over and over,
preventing them from soldering to one
another or to the belt.

From the galvanizing tank the goods pass
into a cooling tank from which by another
endless belt they can be delivered to a table
or receiver.

3. Wiiat is the percentage of loss in testing
these goods to stand a pressure of 200 lbs.?

4. What is the percentage of loss in tlie
polishing and nickel-plating departments? in
the course of polishing and buffing, the cast-
ings may be spongy or porous and when
nickel-plated do not pass the final inspection.

A good cheap oxidizing solution for color-
ing metals can be made by mixing the follow-
ing :

Hyposulphite of soda 4 oz.

Nitrate of iron 3 oz.

Water 1 gal.

The solution is used hot. and the metal can
be afterwards lacquered without changing the-
color obtained.

380

TILE BR^SS WORLD

September

LOSSES OF METAL AND FUEL IN l-4 pounds, or O.IS gallons, of oil ; 26 cubic

MELTING BRASS AND ^^^^ °^ natural gas; 41.5 cubic feet of city

RR01M7F * ' ^^^ ' ^^" cubic feet of producer gas.

The limits representing actual practice, as
reported in replies to inquiries incident to

Tl,e losses, both of metal and luel, m melt- ^,^^ investigation here outlined, are show in

nig brass and bronze bulk large. The net loss ^,^^ ^^,^j^ ^^^ ^j^^ following page.

of metal, if all recovery of any sort be de- ^^ , ^ i i.u ( r, r io

' , , Une reply reported the use of 7.5 pounds

ducted and if all tlie brass and bronze alloys , , , i i • i ,. • t ^ a a^^c*.

■^ of coke per hundredweight in a forced-draft,

be included, will average not less than 2.5 per •,,• ,- „„ *. a; ■ „ tu,„

* ' tilting turnace, or 26 per cent emciency. ihis

cent. Extreme figures reported are 22 and 0.1 ,.„.^^^.^. ^^ doubtful, although some makers of

per cent, the former figure bemg u.uisual and ^,^.^^ ^^.p^ ^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^.^^ ^,^^^ -^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^.

not representing regular practice and the lat- ,. : t f : i ..^a^^a ,.^;^i,(- ^„ ^fp.

^ * "= ' () pounds of fuel per hundredweight, an erti-

ter not being verified. Extremes of 8 and 0.5 per • ,- „„ „„. ^r .,^ fU„,.,^f:^oi ti^o

* ciency of 33 per cent of the theoretical, ine

cent are well substantiated. The total melt will , .. r , „ , ^„^:^„ ^„„„rf„.i (^^ -,

lowest fuel consumption reported tor a

average about twice the raw metal bought, be- . i j r. •. r „ • „ „„^i ^^ ^^u^

'^ ... natural-draft, pit furnace using coal or coke

cause of the remelt of crop ends and scrap in ,-,^ , \ a a -^i ^ ^ „«;

^ ^ was 20 pounds per hundredweight, or an em-
rolling mills and of gates and sprues in . .... . r .u u,^^^ f:„oi i?^^

^ , . , . . ciency of 10 per cent of the theoretical, ror

foundries. Some foundries making light cast- ^.i r r r ^ • „ ^^ i;„.i,4.

* *= the oil furnaces tigures were given very slight-

ings melt 3 pounds of metal to get 1 pound of , , i i i 4.1 <. 1 „i „ „ u,,i-

* . * . & f \y above and below those noted above, but

castings. A ratio of 2 pounds of metal to 1 /, , , . , -r-^.

'^ . ^ . they could not be verified.

pound of castings is common, and 1* to 1 is t-i r 1 0; • • *.u^ f „*„„,-,,

^ ^ ' The fuel emciency is therefore seen to vary

low. If, then, the whole industry be con- , ^ ., , 1 ^^ -.4.1 ^„„^ k„-

' ' ■ between I2 and 16 per cent, the average being

sidered, a loss of 2.5 per cent on the gross , ^ r, <. rr n r 1 a .,^\ f.^-^o^^o

' ' '^ 4 to 9 per cent. If all fuels and all furnaces

melt is eciual to about 5 per cent on the raw , ■, 1 •. • 1 v4-f 1 1 ^^i „ <-u^

' ^ l)e considered, it is doubtful wliether the

metal bought. average fuel efhciency is more than 7 per cent
For the heat actually used m nieltins'" and , . ^, ^. ,

.of the theoretical,
bringing the metal up to an average pouring

temperature, 140 kilogram-calories per kilo- Monetary ]'aliic of the Losses.

gram (260 British thermal units per pound, In , according to the Thirteenth Cen-

or 26,000 British thermal units per hundred- sus, 1,021 establishments making brass and

weight) of ordinary red brass is a liberal csti- bronze products spent for materials $99,228,-

mate and yellow brass requires less. 000. If it be assumed that SO per cent of that

The following figures for heating values of amount was for metal, $80,000,000 is spent an-

thc fuels ordinarily used in the foundry may nnallx for raw metals in such establishments,

be taken as close cntnigh for purposes of cal- which do not comprise a third of the whole

culation : number of firms that melt brass and bronze.

Heating I'liliics of fuels used in the foundry.

British thermal units.

Coke, anthracite coal, bituminous coal per pound . . i:),000

Fuel oil do ... . 19,000

Natural gas per cubic foot . . ] ,000

City gas do 625

Producer gas do 120

On this basis, if all the heat units in the fuel No attempt was made to procure data on

could be utilized in heating the metal, no de- the tonnage melted, but 10 firms — manufac-

ductions being made for the presence of water turers of commodities listed under other

vapor in the products of combustion (using headings in the census reports — did give such

the "high" heating value), that is, with 100 data, the total being 58,000,000 pounds for the

per cent theoretical efficiency, it would take 10 firms, some of which are not exceptionally

to heat 1 hundredweight of brass to a pouring large. If a ratio of melt to metal bought of

temperature : Two pounds of coke or coal : 2 to 1 be allowed, the figures quoted mean

-— that 29,000,000 pounds of metal was bought

* Reproducer! from the recent report of H. w. , r 1 * t • r ^.i

Gillett, issued bv the Department of the In- at a value of about $4,000,000. In view ot tne

Bimetin^Tr^" °*" ^'"''■''^ ^"^"^^'""-^""' ^'- ^'- known size of other firms, not included in the

Septem'ber

THE BRA.SS WORLD

381

Census classification under manufacturers of
brass and bronze products but furnishing re-
plies to inquiries, a conservative estimate of
the value of the metal bought by such firms
would be about six times that bought by the
10 firms mentioned, or, say, $24,000,000, which,
with the $80,000,000 for those that are in-
cluded, makes $104,000,000 spent for metal by
the firms included in the Census statistics and
by those furnishing replies. As many other
firms melting brass and bronze do not fall into
either of these classes, it appears that the es-
timated value of all the metal used should be
at least $120,000,000.

The consumption of copper in the United
States in was about 680,000,000 pounds.
If two-thirds of this total, or 450,000,000
pounds, be considered as having been used for

fair estimate, so that 840,000,000 pounds should
represent the total metal bought. The aver-
age value of brass and bronze being taken at
15 cents a pounds, by this method of figuring
$126,000,000 would be the value of the metal
passing through the brass and bronze furnaces
of the United States in a year. For purposes
of computation the estimate of $120,000,000
has been taken.

A 2i per cent melting loss, equivalent to a
loss of 5 per cent on the metal bought, thus
means $3,000,000 a year lost in metal alone.
Could this be reduced to the 2i per cent loss
(equivalent to 1^ per cent on the melt) shown
by good practice, a saving of $1,500,000 a year
would result. If the fuel consumption and
crucible life were brought from the average
practice up to good practice, and if furnaces

Qiiantitiea of different fuels required to heat 1 hundredweight of brass to pouring temper-
ature.

Re-

26
133

21
115
180

202

79
150

104
145
108
12
164

Fuel.

Coke

Anthracite coaJ

do........

Bituminous

coal.
do

Oil.

•do.

Natural gas. .

City gas

Producer gap.

Type of furnace.

Forced-draft tilting

Natural-draft pit

Forced-draft pit

Forced-draft reverberatory

-do

Reverberator> .
Square-pit ,

Open-flame

Tilting crucible.

Pit

Fuel
required
per hun-

Per-
centage of
theoreti-
cal heat-

ing value.

Pounds.

15i

133

12i

125

Oallons.

1.11

7.8

Cubic feet.

200

480

256

650

3,500

making brass and bronze, and if the average
copper content of the alloys used be assumed
as 80 per cent, the deduction would be that
about 560,000,000 pounds of brass and bronze
products was made from new copper. It
seems conservative to estimate that at least
two-thirds of the copper consumed in the
country is in the form of brass and bronze, as
Lathrop states that one corporation making
mainly wrought yellow brass uses in its vari-
ous plants appro.ximately a third of all the
copper consumed in the United States. To
this must be added the old metal used. Half
as much old scrap or alloyed ingot as new
metal, that is, 280,000,000 pounds, seems a

that cut down or eliminate crucible cost and
allow greater production with less labor cost
were used wherever practicable, a saving of
at least another half million would be made,
or a total of $2,000,000 a year that the non-
ferrous-alloy industry of the United State.^
might save merely by bringing average fur-
nace practice up to the standard of the best
practice.

However it be figured, il is certain that the
statement that the probleni of the wastes in
brass melting is one of the greatest impor-
tance in the conservation of waste in alloy
manufacture is correct.

382

THE BRASS >VORXJ3

Septeml)er

THE BAIRD SAWDUST SEPARA-
TOR OR FANNING MILL.

For tlie rapid and ccononiical drviii,^ and
polishing of small metal parts such as screws,
nails, tacks, pins, hooks and eyes, buckles,
fasteners, small hardware, etc., sawdust stands
highest in popular favor.

With cdmparatively largo priulucts and small
(|uantities, the separation of the sawdust from
the article can be accomplished (piite satisfac-
torily with the sieve or riddle. When, how-
ever, there are many busliels of products, or
when the article is small like a pin or tack, the
separation of the sawdust becomes not only
a tedious and lengthy task, but, on account of

The Baird Sawdust Separator.

the time and laljur entailed, it becomes an ex-
pensive operation.

The Baird sawdust separator is a machine
which does away with hand riddling. The
separation by this machine of a bushel of work
and sawdust requires hardly a minute's opera-
tion. The work is dumped into the hopper
and immediately the cleaned metal parts begin
to fall out into a box placed to receive them.
While designed for sawdust, this machine is
being used to advantage for separating chips
from screws and similar w-ork.

The machine has an inclined hopper or tray
at the top into which the work is dumped. By
suitalde mechanical means this hopper is
moved upward and downward with a jarring,
bumping motion which spreads the work out
and feeds it in a thin stream into a metal -
lined chute. As the work slides or falls down
this chute, it is met by a strong current of air
which, while allowing the metal parts to fall,
separates the sawdust and blows it up the

chute into a suitably arranged bin or holder.

The machine is very simple and arranged
so that, by closing or opening small slides at
the end of the fan-chamber, the current of air
can be varied to suit the go(Kls handled. As
separation goes on in a continuous operation,
the machine will handle the work practically
as fast as it can be dumped into the hopper.
The dryer the sawdust the better the machine
will operate. Even small hollow objects like
rivets will come out practically clean if the
sawdust is dry. If work covered with damp
soggy sawdust is dumped into the machine
naturally some of this wet sawdust will stick
to the metal parts and it may be necessary to
run them through the machine several times
before the air current will dry the sawdust
sufficiently to cause complete separation.

Injecting Water and Dumping the Load with the
Baird Tumbling Barrel.

Used properly on work where the sawdust
has been dried, the separator or fanning mill
will accomplish more work and in a more
cleanly maimer than a dozen men with hand
riddles. Descriptive literature and further data
can be obtained from the Baird Machine Co..
Bridgeport, Conn. This company also makes
a full line of tumbling barrels.

METALLIZING LACE.

A method of metallizing lace and similar
material with gold and other metals is the
subject of a recent British patent. The first
process consists in rendering the lace w^ater-
proof by treating it with solutions of rubber,
size and shellac. It is next dried and treated
for example, with a solution of Oxford ochre
and boiled oil, which renders the material
pliable and its surface adhesive. This second
process may be repeated. The lace is then
dried, and the metal is applied in the form
of leaf or powder, a final coating of varnish
or lacquer completing the treatment.

September

383

PATENT NOTES.

Molding'-Machine

In this invention there is a pivoted cope-
support, a pneumatic rapper with control valve,
a movable knee-plate to operate the valve and
means to advance the cope-support. When
the cope-support is advanced it swings out of

•contact with the advancing means and is
protected against jars by an elastic stop.—
V. S. Patent 1,103,454. July 14, . Henry
Tscherning, Freeport, 111.

Mold

This moid consists of a top box provided
with a pouring gate, riser and cleaning gate,
a passage connecting the cleaning and pouring

■gates; also of a lower box provided with a
passage which connects the gates with the
tnetal space of the mold. Two strainer discs
are arranged one above the other in this

latter passage, the upper one having a concave
recess in its underside and notches at its edges,
which are out of line with perforations in
the lower disc. In this way impurities are
separated from the metal and are not drawn
down with it.— U. S. Patent 1,100,8.31. June
23, . Geo. P. Kline, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Apparatus for Coating- Objects With Sub-
divided Material.

This apparatus is claimed to be of particular
service in spreading bronze powder upon ob-
jects covered with paint or other adhesive
material, which holds the powder and when
dry fixes it in place.

The receptacle for the objects to be coated is
globular and closed by a door large enough to

admit the object. Fans fixed to the horizontal
poles of the structure, are made to revolve in
such a way as to direct currents of air upon
the objects being coated, carrying the bronze
powder or other subdivided material, which
has been previously admitted.— U. S. Patent
1,104,471. July 21, . Franklin F. Bradley,
Chicago, 111.

Self-Heating- Soldering--Iron

This invention relates to the class of
soldering-irons in which the copper or solder
iron point is heated by the flame of gas pro-
duced from fluid stored in a chamber at-
tached to the iron.

The instrument consists of a mixing-tube
for air and gas, discharge nozzle, a heater tube

384

THE BRj^SS WORLD

September 191-1

for preliminary heating to generate gas from
gasoline in the reservoir, a valve-case contain-

Electric Pumace and Door for Same.

in an electric furnace having a pouring
spout and an electrode located in the vertical
plane through the axis of the spout, doors are
jirdvidcd on opposite sides of the furnace.

f=^.

ing a gas-passage and a fluid-passage and
valves to control the How of the gas and
liquid.— U. S. Patent 1,103,997. July 7, .
Geo. J. Clautice, Baltimore, Md.

Rolling'-Mill Plant.

The object of this improvement in rolling-
mill apparatus is to eliminate the formation
of "shorts" or waste material by ascertaining
the amount of metal in each ingot or bloom, so
that the length to which the product of rolling
may be cut can be obtained from a table, and
the shearing mechanism so adjusted.

In the apparatus there is a billet mill, with
means for conveying a bloom to same, and for

These doors have a common axis and are so
spaced from the spout that the axis of the
doors passes through the axis of the electrode
perpendicularly to the vertical plane through
the axis of the spout.

cutting the rolled product into sections of
predetermined length as it emerges from the
mill, the amount of metal having been de-
termined before passing into the billet mill. —
U. S. Patent 1,104,349. July 21, . Victor E.
Edwards, Worcester, Mass.

The doors are hinged so that they swing
shut automatically when the furnace is tilted,,
thus protecting workmen tapping the furnace,
from heat escaping through the door openings.
— U. S. Patent 1,100,994 and 1,100.995. June
2:1, . Frederick T. Snyder. Oak Park, III.

Septem'ber

385

MEETINGS OF
AMERICAN ELECTRO-
PLATERS' SOCIETY.

Bridg-eport — Meets on the third Friday of
each month at the "Brass World" ofRce, 260
John St., Bridgeport, Conn. Secretary, Nelson
Barnard, 858 Howard Ave., Bridgeport, Conn.

BRANCH NEWS.

SVFBEME SOCIETY

Meets first week in June, litlo, at Dayton, O.
Secretary, Walter Fraine, 507 Grand Ave.,
Dayton, Ohio.

BRANCH SOCIETIES.

New York — Meets fourth Friday of each'
month at 309 West 23rd Street, New York City,
at 8 P. M. Secretary, Joseph Minges,
Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Bochester — Meets second and fourth Wednes-
day of each month at Rochester University.
Secretary, Edwin S. Crowley, Jr., 368 South
Goodman Street, Rochester, N. Y.

Toronto — Meets fourth Thursday of each
month at Occidental Hall, Bathurst and Queen
Streets. Secretary, Ernest Coles, 15 Laurier
Ave., Toronto, Canada.

Fliiladelphia — Meets first Friday of each
montli in the Harrison Laboratory Building,
University of Pennsylvania, 34th. and Spruce
Sts., Philadelphia, Pa., 8 P. M. Secretary,
Philip Uhl, North 29th Street, Philadel-
phia, Pa.

Dayton — Meets first and third Wednesday
at the Y. M. C. A., Dayton, Ohio. Secretary,
Alphonz Lamoureux, 500 East First Street,
Dayton, Ohio.

Newark — Meets first and third Friday of
each month, 8 P. M., 833 Broad Street, Newark,
N. J. Secretary, Charles A. Stiehle, 46 Madison
Avenue, Irvington, N. J.

B«troit — Meets first and third Friday of each
montli at Burns' Hotel. Secretary, George J.
Kutzen.

CMcagfo — Meets fourth Saturday of each
month at Western Building, Randolph and
Michigan Aves. Secretary, pro tem., H. E. Will-
more, South Boulevard, Chicago, 111.

Indianapolis — Meets twice a month on Friday
evenings. Secretary, pro tem., J. C. Davenport,
349 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.

Buffalo — Meets the first Saturday of each
month at the University of Buffalo, at 8 P. M.
Secretary, F. C. Mesle, Willow Avenue,
Niagara Falls, N. Y.

Milwaukee — Meets second Wednesday of
each month at Marquette University. Secre-
tary, P. J. Sheehan, 922 Vliet Street, Milwau-
kee, Wis.

Cincinnati — Meets once each month at Den-
nison Hotel, Cincinnati, Ohio. Secretary,
F. H. Normand.

St. Iiouis — Meets on the fourth Saturday of
each month at Public Library Assembly
Rooms. Secretary, H. H. Williams,
Nebraska Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

At tlie monthly meeting of the Bridgeport
branch on August 21st, various reports of
committees were heard, chief of which was
tlie Construction Committee, whose chairman
stated that a report of the committee in words
was not necessary as it was suiificient for the
members to see around them what great
strides had been made in the construction of
the laboratory and meeting-room for the
Bridgeport branch. This Construction Com-
mittee is certainly a hummer. The boys have
been down every other night for a week or
two fixing up laboratory tables, building a
chemical hood, constructing shelves for chemi-
cal stock and the meeting room has been en-
tirely painted in white and gray. Before these
Bridgeport boys get through with it, they will
have a little palace of their own and will leaa
the rest of the branches in the equipment for
perfect work which they possess.

A very interesting discussion took place on
"The Rusting of Steel," in which practically
every mem'ber of the association took part.
The foundation was laid for the preparation
of a very important paper on this subject and
it is expected that in the near future some
definite written presentation of the work of
the Bridgeport Branch will appear in the
Monthly Bulletin. The collection of the data
on this subject was assigned to Harry de
Joannis, a member of the editorial staff of the
Monthly Bulletin. A vote of thanks was
given to E. M. Stephenson and to the Cellu-
loid Zapon Co. for generous contributions of
leather and paint as an aid to the work of the
Construction Committee. After a most en-
joyable meeting the branch adjourned to meet
again on September 18th.

The regular monthly meeting of the New
York branch was held Friday evening, Aug.
28th at the Broadway Central Hotel.

Mr. Edward T. Laurence was elected to
active membership. The outing held on Sun-
day Aug. 16th was a great success, and en-
joyed by all who attended. A permanent
meeting place has not yet been secured and
until further notice meetings will be held at
the Broadway Central Hotel every fourth
Fridav of the month at 8 p. m.

386

THE BRASS \VORLJ>

September

METHOD OF PLATING.

Joseph A. Smith, Attleboro, Mass., has been
granted a patent (1,104,842, July 28, .)
for an improved method of plating. Tlie first
step in this improved process consists in de-
positing a layer of solder on the l>ase metal
by means of the following bath:

Chloride of gold 6 dwt.

Chloride of silver •> dwt.

Chloride of copper 3 dwt.

Cyanide of potassium 8 oz.

Water :! gal.

A sufficient deposit is secured with appro-
priate current in iiO seconds. The anode is
then plated with a gold solution consisting of:

Chloride of gold 12 dwt.

Cyanide of potassium 6 oz.

Phosphate of soda 8 oz.

Water 3 gal.

When a heavy deposit of gold has been
formed, shown by the smutted condition of the
metal, it is dipped in a flux solution of 1 lb.
of borax or boracic acid in 1 qt. of water.
The last step consists in heating the article
till the solder-plating layer and the gold-plat-
ing layer are fused into one, a temperature of
deg. F. being suitable.

A FORTUNE IN A SCARLET
CLOAK.

We believe that eating is one of the most
popular habits in the world. With some people
it is merely an unpleasant necessity. To most
folks, however, it suggests a pleasant e.x-
perience and every effort is made to surround
the gastronomic function with a fitting en-
vironment. The electroplater contributes
largely to this in the adornment of metal in
the form of knives, spoons, forks, etc. The
goods once made, the next important step is
to sell them, and the best way to sell them is
by exciting public attention by good advertis-
ing salesmanship.

William A. Rogers, Ltd., Niagara Falls, N.
Y., has achieved a new advertising triumps in
its recent booklet entitled, "Four New Pat-
terns." One of the most interesting pages
describes the naming of one of its products
through fortune achieved by a wearer of a
scarlet cloak. This handsome booklet in colors
has been most attractively prepared by the
Field Advertising Service, Indianapolis, Ind.

The booklet is very readable and is bound to
advertise the business of the Rogers concern
and a copy of it can doubtless be secured for
the asking. Ask for the book with the scarlet
cloak story in it.

NEW USES FOR QUICKSILVER.

The quicksilver production of the world dur-
ing is estimated at 4,171 metric tons,
against 4,262 tons in and 4,083 tons in
. The countries of production last year
were: United States, 688 tons; Austria-Hun-
gary, 855 tons; Italy, 988 tons; Spain, 1,490
tons; Mexico and others, 150 tons. These
figures were gathered by the United States
Geological Survey.

Quicksilver is used mainly in the manufacture
of fulminate for explosive caps, of drugs, of
electric appliances and scientific apparatus, and
in the recovery of precious metals, especially
gold, by amalgamation. A new use in Scot-
land is the floating of lights of lighthouses
upon a body of quicksilver. A use in England,
in the United States, and possibly elsewhere
is the coating of ships' bottoms with a paint
containing quicksilver to prevent organic
growth. Mercuric oxide (red oxide of mer-
cury) is the active poison in anti-fouling paint
successfully tised on ships' bottoms. The metal
appears to be but little employed in silvering
mirrors, as nitrate of silver is now chiefly
used for the purpose. Increasing use of quick-
silver is probably to be expected in the manu-
facture of electrical appliances and of fulmi-
nates, and possibly of paints for protective
coatings on metals. The demand for quicksil-
ver for amalgamating gold and silver has
greatly decreased, as is well known, w^ith the
decreased supply of free milling ores and the
increased application of cyanidation to gold
and silver ores. Industrial chemistry and in-
ventive genius are to be looked to for increas-
ing the demand. — Daily Consular and Trade
Reports.

OBITUARY.

F. H. Koretke, head of the Koretke Brass
Mfg. Co., New Orleans, La., one of the most
successful brass foundries in the South, and
the largest in New Orleans, died at his home
on Aug. 19 after a most energetic and success-
ful life.

Septemiber

387

TRADE NOTE5

The new plant of the Springfield (Ohio)
Brass Co., on West Main St., has been com-
pleted and the company has moved into its
new quarters.

A French company has been founded in
Paris with a capital of three million francs for
the exploitation of the Canac patents for
nickelling aluminum.

J. J. Schuler has secured a site at McKin-
ney Ave., Houston, Texas, for a factory for
manufacturing metal beds. The capacity of
the factory is stated to be 200 beds daily, and
it is expected that the plant will be in opera-
tion soon.

The Buffalo Copper and Brass Rolling Mill
Co., Buffalo, N. Y., have completed their new
chemical laboratory which is considered very
complete.

About 50 men will be employed in the plant
of the Southern Metal & Foundry Co., which
was established a short while ago on the Nor-
folk & Portsmouth Belt Line through the ef-
forts of the Chamber of Conmierce of Nor-
folk, Va.

The scarcity of tin owing to the war has re-
sulted in remarkable prices being obtained,
the record being 73 cents per pound for 10
tons. Tin mills have been forced to close as
well as various other metal industries requir-
ing a large supply of this present day precious
metal.

The firm of C. Hansen & Co., San Diego,
Cal., which has been in the electroplating and
metal spinning business since , has been
bought out by E. J. Garvin and L. A. Howland,
of the Art Metal Sign Co. in the same town.
The Art Metal Sign Co. and the Art Metal
Mfg. & Plating Co., will be carried on as
separate firms.

A new large concentration mill is being^
erected near Livingston, Wis., at the Coker
mine, owned by the Mineral Point Zinc Co.

The Anaconda Copper Co. and other large
smelters of copper have been obliged to close
their plants owing to the European situation,
there being at present no foreign market for
this metal.

The Standard Machinery Co., Auburn, R. L^
has just published the tenth edition () of
its catalog of rolling mills, wire flattening,
etc. A neat and well-printed booklet of 60
pages, it illustrates clearly the numerous types
of this branch of sheet metal machinery manu-
factured by this progressive and rapidly in-
creasing firm.

The C & C Electric & Mfg. Co., of Garwood,
N. J., manufacturers of electric motors,
generators and electric arc welding equipment,
announce the removal of their Detroit offices
from 144 Seyburn Ave., to Chamber of
Commerce Bldg. This office is in charge of
Mr. R. K. Slaymaker. The same company has
also opened a branch sales office in the Securi-
ty Bldg., [Minneapolis, ]\Iinn., in charge of Mr.
R. L. Wells, to handle their increasing business
in the northwest territorv.

The L. B. Allen Co., Chicago, III., has lately
brought out a new soldering tool that will be
found most useful by all who do soldering.
This tool is called the "Universal Gas Solder-
ing Iron and Blow Torch" and possesses many
desirable features. The gas is introduced
through a tube into the handle and is carried
by a feed pipe beyond the vents in the valve.
Heat is applied to the butt of the tip, the iron
being ready for service three minutes after
turning on the gas, and regulation of heat may
be obtained either by limiting the flow of gas-
or by decreasing the distance between the-
copper tip and the flame.

388

THE BRASS WORLD

September

Plans for an alnininnni plant covering; an
area of 40 to 50 acres and employing to
men, were recently pnt to the Pomono,
Cat., Chamber of Connncrce by J. P. Schultz,
representing" the Alnminum Rednction Cor-
poration, Los Angeles, Cal.

The Missouri Central Type Foundry, Mar-
shall, ]Vlo., will be located in Wichita, Kansas,
after September 1st.

Tlie Illinois Pure Aluminum Co., Lemonl,
111., have completed their large new building for
use as a stock and shipping department, and
have now facilities for handling a largely in-
creased business.

The Wheeling Plating Works, East End,
Wheeling, W'. Va., has been purchased by
Herbert Cook, who will continue on the same
lines as the late manager, Geo. Seibert.

The Imperial Brass Mfg. Co., 524 S. Centre
Ave., Chicago, III, is about to build a factory
at Redcliff, Alta., for the manufacture of brass
and hardware supplies, pumps, valves, etc.

Wbile prices on potash and other chemicals
have been steadily increasing as a consequence
of the war, the C. G. Buchanan Chemical Co.,
Cincinnati, O., are able to announce to the
trade that they wall be able to maintain the
old price on their product Tri B. Brand Sul-
phurette for copper and silver oxidizing.
Prices of this chemical are no higher than the
old sulphuret of potash, and its use is justified
by the 500 per cent increase in sales ex-
perienced by the tirni during the last month.
The company's other product of special in-
terest to the trade is Ferro-Case, a perfect
substitute for cyanide in the case-hardening
field.

All users of fire brick will be interested in
the catalog of the E. J. Woodison Co., Detroit,
Mich., which contains illustrations of usua/
standard shapes and special shapes and a
directory of the many types of fire brick
which are available. We like one paragraph
in the introductory to the booklet, which says,
"Twenty-five years' experience in the fire
brick business has taught us that no one fire
lirick is adaptable for all purposes." This is
a close relative to a favorite saying of our
own — "Things which are absolutely the same
are generally entirely different." A study of
this catalog is stimulative to good practice in
fire brick use and a copy of it can be obtained
for the writing by mentioning the Brass
World.

The Munning-Loeb Co., of Matawan, N. J.,
manufacturers of electro-platers' and polish-
ers' supplies, announce that they have secured
the services of one of the most highly ex-
perienced, best equipped and widely known
men in plating and polishing lines. — Mr. C. G.
Backus.

Mr. Backus will have charge of their New
York office, Room , 50 Church Street, and
will represent them in New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and Maryland. His knowledge
of details of all plating and polishing processes
is entirely at the service of their present or
prospective clients whenever the same may
be of value.

W'hen John Hassall sends out literature con-
cerning the firm's products, much valuable and
suggestive information is furnished in small
compass and in attractive form. The business
was established in and the company
specializes in rivets, escutcheon pins, special
wire nails, wire nail machinery and furnishes
its products in all metals and plated in brass,
nickel, copper, tin, zinc, silver and gold. The
company is gaining business steadily by per-
suading people that the improvement of the
appearance of their goods with plating is con-
ducive to better and more profitable sales.
Many manufacturers might derive a hint by
studying the Hassall literature. W'rite to John
Hassall, Inc., 410 Oakland St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

"AH works of quality must bear a price in
proportion to the skill, time, expense, and risk
attending their invention and manufacture.
Those things called dear are, when justly esti-
mated, the cheapest. They are attended with
much less profit to the artist than those things
which everybody calls cheap. Beautiful forms
and compositions are not made by chance, nor
can they ever in any material, be made at small
expense." Such is the interesting quotation
from Ruskin on the useful blotters sent out
as advertising matter by the Jonathan
Bartley Crucible Co., Trenton, N. J. The
company's slogan is "Service" and the Bartley
crucibles have long ago established themselves
in the minds of the trade as embodying the
spirit of the slogan. Special information con-
cerning the Bartley crucibles can be obtained
upon application to the company.

vol.. X.

BR.IDGKPORT. CONN., OCTOBER. IOI4.

No. 10

A Monthly Journal Devoted to the
Art of Refining, Alloying, Casting, Rolling, Founding and Electro
Plating of all the Non-Ferrous Metals and their Alloys.

Published by the Brass World Publishing Co.,
260 John Street, Bridgeport, Conn.

FOUNDER,
MANAGING EDITOR,

ERWIN S. SPERRY
H, de JOANNIS

Subscription Price, Domestic, $1.00 Per Year. 10 Cents a Copy.
Canada, $1.25. Foreign, $1.50.
Entered as Second Class Matter in the Post Office at Bridgeport, Conn.

CONTENTS FOR OCTOBER.

American Elcctroplaters' Society 42<)

Automatic Scientific Buffing 417

Bearing Metals, The Nature and Constitutents of 411

Bridgeport Electroplaters" fleeting 414

Brass Founding in Mexico 403

Chemistr\- for Electroplaters, A Short Outline of the Principles of 407

Charging Car. A Xew 423

Determination of Zinc in Brass, Method for 394

Editorial — The Money Situation 390

Electric Brass Melting 391

Foundry Conventions, Synopses of Papers Given at the 397

Mechanical Conveyor Plating Apparatus 394

Mellen Rod Machine 415

New Corporations 430

News of Our Neighhors 428

Panama-Pacific Exposition 418

Patent Notes 424

Questions and Answers 421

Selling Electroplating, The Business of 395

Trade Happenings 4] 9

Welding by the Thomson Electric Resistance Process 42G ^

Wyandotte Special 416

390

October l'.)l-l

EDITORIAL

-HI- Tl[ Ml -TTT

I' Hi III II II 111 ^Ttr

THE MONEY SITUATION.

Money is the main artery of commercial
life. Bind it in any way and you impede circu-
lation just as surely as the binding of the ar-
teries of the body will stop the circulation of
the blood and eventually bring about the
cessation of life.

The bankers of the United States are largely
responsible for the present business inactivity.
There is no business depression. On the con-
trary, the average American business man is in
an optimistic frame of mind. He foresees the
inevitable resumption of world trade, an in-
creased demand for American products and
the establishment of new industries. In his
planning, he finds himself surrounded with
walls of restraint due to monetary stringency.
Money can only be obtained at abnormal in-
terest rates and the scrutiny of securities of-
fered is more severe than that given to the
emigrants at Ellis Island.

There is any quantity of inactive money in
the United States. Bankers excuse their un-
willingness or so-called "inability", by affirm-
ing that this money is in the teapots, mattresses
■and stockings of the weak-kneed common
people. The truth is that the metropolitan
banks are hoarding money under "reserve"
pretences in far greater amounts than that
required by law. The country banks, more
virulently attacked by the disease of fear, are
holding" in their vaults from 30 to 74 per cent
of their deposits and the law only calls for 15
per cent. The country bank is in an extraordi-
narily safe and satisfactory position, good
crops being assured practically everywhere.
There is no excuse for money shortage.

The business of the banks is to lend money.
The banks are not doing their duty. High
interest rates now prevailing are not justified
by virtue of shortage of cash or lack of good
securities. The money market has been
cornered by the Shylocks of finance.

In discussing this matter in New York and
Chicago business circles recently, an interest-

ing comparison of money with another public
connnodity has been made to illustrate the
position of bankers at the present time.

The great Northwest is commencing to move
its record-breaking wheat crops. Suppose that
to-morrow the shippers are told there is an un-
foreseen shortage of cars. The shippers
through their agents are informed that at all
the railroad centers, there are thousands of
idle cars fitted for wheat carriage. Notwith-
standing this, let us suppose that the railroads
in spite of shippers' protests deliver only a
few cars daily instead of the hundreds needed
in each section and then on pretext of car
shortage, raise freight rates on wheat ship-
ments. How long would it be before the
Government and Interstate Commerce Com-
mission were called to exercise their functions
of protection and adjustment? Not many days,
surely. The railroad monopolists would be ar-
raigned and compelled to perform their work
of giving public service. The American people
as one man would support and applaud
vigorous and prompt action b\' those in
authority and condemn unsparingly such a
menace to national comfort and prosperity.

The parallel is perfect for the banker is the
hoarder of the vehicles of credit and con-
fidence.

In the Middle Ages, in England there was a
lire protective law which compelled every
householder to have near the door a water-butt
kept filled with water. When a lire took place
every man in the vicinity of the blaze, sat on
his own cask to prevent somebody drawing on
his reserve. He did not care whether the
other fellow's house burned down or not. He
at least had some justification even though he
was selfish, for he was guarding his own
property. The banker's attitude is more selfish
and short-sighted still for he is jeopardising
the commercial stability of those whose funds
he has in trust. Rest assured anyhow that
money tightness is imt due to lack of cash.
We have it and means will be found to compel
it to circulate.

October

391

ELECTRIC BRASS MELTING.t

BY G. H. CLAMER AND CARL HERING.

The purpose of this paper is to describe some
recent researches and developments in the field
of cumni(?rcial brass melting, with a special
type of furnace.

The advantages which electrical furnaces
would have over combustion furnaces for com-
mercial brass melting, are too well known to

this superheat ; unlike in combustion furnaces,
however, in which the cost of a useful unit of
heat in the metal increases rapidU^ as the tem-
perature rises, in electric furnaces this cost
per unit is more nearly the same at all tem-
peratures, hence the relative cost of the super-
heat to the melting heat is decidedly less.

The Hering Two-Phase Electric Brass Furnace.

require enumerating again. *]\Iost of these
advantages are moreover not denied or con-
tested, the only questions yet to be answered
being: Is the melting done satisfactorily (re-
ferring to possible oxidation commonly known
as burning, change of composition, loss of
metal, etc., and to the ease and simplicity of
operation ) and does it pay iinanciallv. The
question of the ability to superheat to any de-
sired degree does not as a rule arise in electric
furnaces, as in most of them any desired tem-
peratures can be reached depending only on
how much money one is willing to spend on

These researches were made with the
Hering furnace, a new type of electric furnace
which promised to be especially well adapted
to brass melting. The results given here are
based on this furnace.**

tPaper presented at the meeting of the
American Institute of Metals.

*The Electric Furnace for Brass Melting-
read before tlie Amer. Inst, of Metals, Proceed-
ings for , reprinted in Metallurgical &
Chemical Eng-ineering', Vol. 10, Oct., , p.
792.

**An outline description and discussion of
the underlying principles of this furnace were
given in a paper by Carl Hering, entitled "A
New Type of Electric Furnace," Trans. Ameri-
can Electrochemical Society, Vol. XIX, .

392

THE BRXSS WORLD

October

There are in general two types of electrical
furnaces, the arc and the resistance, in the
former the heat is developed in an electric arc
either between two carlions over the metal (the
indirect arc.) or between one or more carbons
and the metal itself, hence most of the heat
and in sume cases all of it, is transmitted to
the metal by radiation; fur a rapid transfer-
ence of heat the source of heat nnist therefore
have a nnich higher temperature on account of
the loss liy vaporization of the zinc, l)esides
great unevennesses nf U'niperature in the Iiath.
The temperature of an arc cannot be lowered
as it must necessarily be that at which the elec-
trodes volatilize. Moreover, an arc must neces-
sarily always be above the liipiid metal, hence
the heating must always be from the top, which
means slowness in transmitting the heat to the
bottom where it is continually escaping through
the lining.

For these and other reasons it is the opinion
of the writers, which is also shared by many
others, that the direct arc furnace will never
be likely to be a commercial success for melt-
ing brass. If the brass which is molten is pro-
tected from the arc by means of a blanket of
slag over which the heat is generated in part
or entirely, the objections still apply to the
solid metal floating above the slag, and to the
slowness of conducting heat downward.

In the resistance types of furnaces the heat
is generated by the current passing through
some conductor, like in an incandescent lamp.
In those wdiich heat indirectly, this conductor
is either the crucible, or something outside of
it, or the slag, the heat from which then
Bows to the metal. Some of these have been
more or less successful for small charges to
meet laboratory requirements, but so far ap-
parently not on a large scale! Generating the
heat in the slag has the disadvantage that the
melted metal in the bottom is apt to freeze, as
it loses heat faster than can Ije supplied down-
ward, and that the slag is so overheated that
the zinc and the zinc of high zinc alloys would
inmiediately be volatilized in passing through
it. In all indirect heating types the heater must
always be hotter than the metal in order to
transmit its heat; and much hotter if speed of
melting is desired : luMice the existence of
higher temperature tlian those desired.

In the direct heating resistance furnaces with
wdiich the present researches were made, the
heat is set free directly in the metal itself by
passing tlie current through the liquid metal.

There is therefore no transmission of heat,
hence no loss of time or temperature, and there
need be no mmecessarily excessive tempera-
tures. The electric energy in the metal is then
set free as heat instantaneously and with per-
fect efficiency, the oidy losses being after it has
gotten into the metal and in leading the cur-
rent into the metal, both of which losses are
subject to control.

In the particular type of furnace used in
these researches the heat is set free as such in
a small pcu'tion of the licpiid metal in some
heating holes at the bottom of the hearth, and
then by means of a pressure produced by a re-
cently discovered and peculiar electromagnetic
force known ;is the "pinch elTect," this heated
metal is "squirted" with a considerable force
into the main bath, whereby its heat is carried
very quickly as hot metal into the bath and is
there distributed, and whereby the metal is at
the same time very thoroughly stirred, making
it uniform. The cold metal is melted by im-
mersion in this hot bath, like in all covered
crucible melting. Cold metal when immersed
in superheated liijuid metal and wetted Ijy it,
takes up heat remarkably raiiidly, and any-
thing that increases the speed of melting
lowers the standby losses ; hence poking the
cold metal down into the hot bath is an ad-
vantage. This "pinch pressure" operates like
a valveless pump, forcibly expelling the freshly
heated metal from the heating holes or chan-
nels, called resistors, and sucking in the cooler
liquid metal from the bath.

This peculiar and heretofore unknown
electromagnetic force, which is of considerable
magnitude, was noticed by one of the authors
some years ago,* in a resistance steel furnace
with open channels, and proved to be fatal to
that furnace, as it kept breaking or pinching
(iff the column of liquid, by crushing it: it is
the hrst mechanical force internal to a conduc-
tor, known to the electric art, all the other
forces being external. In the present type this
force was then applied to circumferentially
closed channels i.if liciuid metal submerged be-
neath the bath, so that rupture could no longer
take place ; the force tending to crush the con-
ducting column of liquid metal was thereby
made to "squirt" it out of the heating holes.

*A Practical T.,iniitation of Resistance Fur-
naces; tlie "Pincli" Plienomenon. By Carl Her-
iiiS. Trans. Amer. Electrochem. Society. \'ol.
XI, 1!)07, p. 329. Also: The Worlving Limit in
Electrical Furnaces. Due to the "Pinch"
Phenomenon, ibid. Vol. XV, .

October

THE BRASS WORLX)

393

whereby the absoUitely essential rapid circula-
tion in these heaters is produced. This type of
furnace is sometimes referred to as the "pinch
effect furnace/' as this peculiar force is the
underlying and essential feature of it.

Such a furnace heats the liquid metal from
the bottom, which is the correct way to heat
any liquid, and of course the most rapid way ;
anyone who has attempted to boil water with a
flame over the top will appreciate this feature.
For this reason and the fact that the electrical
energy is converted into heat instantaneously

UACKET "» ELECTRIC CONNECTIONS

FOR

120 KW HERING BRASS FURNACE

TWO PHASE

E-ELECTRODE COOUNQ

BLOCK
S-SECONDARY LEAD
B-PLU^EAaO BLOCKS

R- RESISTOR HOLES
H-PLUMBAGO HOODS
P-WATER PPES
L-ELECTRODE LUGS

TRANSFOHMER

(that is, without involving the slower trans-
mission by radiation or conduction), the heat-
ing can be done very rapidly depending on how
much electric power one is willing to use.

Due to this rapid heating the losses of heat
are reduced because the time during which the
metal is kept hot, is shortened. If a ton of
metal per hour is melted and poured in 500
pound lots every 15 minutes in a small furnace,
the continuous stand-by losses through the
walls and the top will be only those from 500
lbs., while if melted and poured in ton lots
every hour these losses will be several times as
great.i

The ideal method therefore is to melt and
pour as quickly as possible, hence in as small
lots as the particular cond.'tions of the foundry
require, though this of course need not be car-
ried to extremes. It is thought, however, that

tAdvantages of Small High Speed Electric
Furnaces. By Carl Hering. Metallurgical &
Chemical Engineering, April, .

for small castings at least, a high power tilt-
ing brass furnace of this type could b^ con-
structed small enough to be transported lo the
molds, pouring directly into them, thereby sav-
ing the process of pouring with a ladle with
its labor cost and the cost of the superheat
necessarily involved in indirect pouring.

In general this furnace consists of a shell
lined so as to form a hearth. At the bottom of
ihi? hearth there are several cylindrical holes,
tisually inclined, extending into the lining and
terminating at their outer ends by the metallic
electrodes, usually made of the same metal as
that to be melted, or of graphite. The electric
current led into the furnace by means of these
electrodes, passes through the columns of
liquid metal in these holes and it is here that
the electric energy is converted into heat and
from which the freshly heated metal is squirted
out into that in the hearth. These heating
holes are technically called the resistors, as it
is the electric resistance of the metal in these
holes which causes the electric energy to be
converted into heat. The electrodes lead out
to the outside of the furnace where they are
attached to transformers in which the kind of
current required by this furnace is generated.
These transformers are preferably secured
mechanically to the shell, hence the heating can
continue while the furnace is tilting for pour-
ing.

In starting from the cold state this furnace
must first be primed with a small charge of
liquid metal, enough to fill the holes and the
bottom of the hearth, so that the circuit for the
current is established. A few fragments of
zinc, tin or aluminum inserted in the bottoms
of the holes insure the union of the liquid
priming metal with the electrodes at the first
start from the cold. During regular pouring
enough liquid is retained to maintain this elec-
tric circuit.

To he continued.

In casting brass in sand, if the amount of
zinc in the brass much exceeds 34 per-cent,
(2 parts of copper and 1 part of zinc), the
castings will come dirty on account of the
formation of zinc oxide. In other words, the
more zinc the brass contains the dirtier the
castings. It has been found that 34 per-cent
is about the limit which can be used for suc-
cessful work. This rule, however, does not
apply to yellow brass containing aluminum as
the zinc can then be increased to any desired
limit.

394

THE BRASS WORLD

October

METHOD FOR DETERMINATION A MECHANICAL CONVEYOR FOR
OF ZINC IN BRASS. ELECTROPLATING.

BY THOS. ADAMS.

Half a gram of the alloy is dissolved in 20
c.c. hydrochloric acid, 10 c.c. water and 5
grams potassium chlorate and lieated sli)\vmg
on a hot plate for a period of 20 minutes. It
is then allowed to boil until there is no visible
sign of the presence of chlorine gas. Dilute
the li(]uitl with about .'200 c.c. hot water and
pass a rapid stream of sulphuretted hydrogen
gas through the solution. This precipitates
copper, tin and lead. Allow the solution to
settle for a few minutes and hlter through a
9 cm. I'dter paper, washing the hlter carefully
three or four times with hot water. Remove

One of the most recent plating triumphs of
the Hanson & Van Winkle Co., Newark, N. J.,
as mentioned in our August number, is the
mechanical screw conveyor, by means of which
the operator, ' standing at one end, can feed
work to be plated into the bath and remove
plated work from the bath, simultaneously.

To J. T. Daniels, the company's plating ex-
pert, belongs the credit for this apparatus, im-
provements to which have been recently
patented by him (U. S. Patent 1,108,145 Aug.
25, ). The object of the present invention
is to improve the support and conveyance of
the articles in the bath, and so increase the

A *=! js j^

■^.>.»#VJ'l^;^^

the filtrate from under the funnel, add a few
drops of nitric acid and boil the solution until
all signs of sulphuretted hydrogen have dis-
appeared. Then add sufficient ammonia to
make the solution ammoniacal. Boil once
more and filter ofif the iron. Put a piece of
litmus paper in the beaker containing the
filtrate and render solution acid with sul-
phuretted hydrogen, adding 10 c.c. in excess.
Bring the solution to the boiling point and
titrate hot with a standard solution of potas-
sium ferro-cyanide using uranium acetate in
a porcelain drop plate, as an indicator. The
end point is determined when a faint brown
remains permanent in the uranium acetate.

efficiency and economy of the plating operation.
This is accomplished by providing intermediate
supports or bearings for the conveyor screw
rods, and by subdividing the screws into
lengths successively traversed by the carriers,
means being also provided for transferring
these carriers from one part of the screw to
another.

The illustration shows a side elevation of
the apparatus with portions broken away. In
this type there are three longitudinal anode
rods marked 11 in the figure, two being outer
and the other intermediate. From them hang
the anodes, which divide the tank into two long
lanes down wdiich the articles have to travel.

October

THE BRASS >VORLJ3

395

The conveyor screws, one on each side of the
intermediate anode rod, extend the full length
of the tank, and are made of rods or shafts,
around which are placed conveyor coils. These
rods are journaled at one end in bearings and
at the other end on a curved rod 17. To pre-
vent distortion of the conveyor screws owing
to the heavy weight of articles carried, inter-
mediate supports or bearings are provided at
intervals. These are constructed so as to per-
mit the passage of the cathode hangers. Suit-
able means are provided in the apparatus for
driving the two conveyor screws in opposite
directions.

The operation of the apparatus, which is
said to be remarkably smooth and efficient, is
described by the inventor as follows :

"The cathode hangers bearing the articles to
be plated are hung upon th.i conveyor screws
l.j at suitable intervals wliilc the screws are
rotating. The hanger thus progresses on one
of the conveyor screws toward the transfer
rod 17 and passes freely through the opening
at the bottom of the 'ntermediate supporting
bearings 18. When it arrives at the termination
of the coil on the conveyor screw, it is engaged
by one of the transfer fingers 41 of the rotary
transfer disk .3.5. The hanger is thereby car-
ried from the end of one conveyor screw on to
the transfer rod 17, and finally delivered to the
end of the other conveyor screw at a point
where it will be engaged by the coil of the

conveyor screw and started on its return
through the bath. The negative terminal of the
current is connected with the conveyor screws
15, so that the articles carried by the cathode
hangers 19 become the cathode in the bath
and are plated. The articles to be plated may
be of such weight as to tend to distort the
conveyor screws, but by the provision of the
intermediate supporting bearing such tendency
is rendered ineffective.

"In the apparatus shown and described the
articles to be plated are introduced and re-
moved from the same end of the vat. In order
to maintain the cathode surface area sub-
stantially uniform in the electroplating opera-
tion, it is advisable to avoid variations in the
number of the articles being plated. By the
arrangement shown the maintenance of uni-
formity in this respect is facilitated, as the
operator standing at one end of the vat intro-
duces a new article for each plated article
withdrawn. The rheostat can therefore be ad-
justed in starting up operations to suit the par-
ticular requirements, but after the number of
articles in the vat has reached full capacity no
further regulation of the rheostat is necessary.
The plating thus conducted is of highlv uni-
form character and is independent or the
judgment of the operator, as the conditions de-
termining the character of the plating are
mechanicallv controlled."

THE BUSINESS OF SELLING ELECTROPLATING.

Doing electroplating and selling electro-
plating are different sciences. In selling job
plating, the scriptural saying is true, "Many
are called but few are chosen." The reason for
the failure of many job plating concerns is to
be sought chiefly in the lack of the first rudi-
ments of commercial practice.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not absolute-
ly necessary for one to have practical e.xperi-
ence in any one branch of business to be able
to engage in that business and conduct it suc-
cessfully. It is of great advantage if he has
that experience but he can know it from A to
Izzard and still be unable to make good
financially.

The first esentials in dealing with the public
to profit are a knowledge of a local public
need, an ability to fill it or get it filled, and an
absolute understanding and realization of cost

of supplying the customer with the goods.
There is more meat in this last item than
would appear in hasty reading. Mark you, we
did not say "'cost of production." On this
rock, more jobbing ships of hope have been
wrecked than on any other menace of commer-
cial navigation. How simple is the figuring done
by the easy-going plater — "chemicals so much,
metal so much more, labor per hour, price so
much and there you are." Yes, but where?

There is only one basic reason for being in
business and that is to )nake a profit. The ex-
perience of half a century, the skill of a
master craftsman, hours of overtime — all these
are confounded in the presence of a depleted
bank balance and a sheaf of bills past due. It
is better to drive a milk or laundry wagon for
$15.00 a week and know that your responsibility

396

THE BRASS WORUD

October I'.tU

ceases when the horse is put to bed tluin to
have the name and practice of a job plater
with a zero income and a peck of business
troubles which, like babies, grow bigger by
nursing.

In endeavoring to establish one-self in busi-
ness, two courses are open — the creation of
trade or the purchase of an enterprise already
in existence. The latter is the line of least re-
sistance and is the open door to most failures.
It is assumed always that the business is carry-
ing its load and that the addition of a new
life-force will insure success. Unfortunately
the purchaser seldom knows enough about
overhead expense to criticise intelligently the
figures submitted to him by the seller. The
volume of business done is presented for in-
spection, perhaps $7,000, "half of which, as
you know, being a practical man" says the
seller "is velvet." The comparison is fair
enough, though misinterpreted, for velvet is a
material very easily soiled and ruined.

If, you are contemplating embarking in
business for yourself, don't assume anything.
First, hnd out the average incomes and habits
of the people living within legitimate business
range of your contemplated location. What is
the character of their homes? Have they any-
thing to plate? Are they spenders of money
and buyers of goods in their local stores or do
they carry charge accounts in big stores
downtown or in a near-by metropolis? If you
contemplate a suburban proposition, find out
from the chief local stores if the l)ulk of the
business is done on the charge basis. This is
quite important. In a comparatively recent case,
a man of good appearance, habits, experience,
with marked selling ability, secured the best
position on the busiest street in a suburb of
Chicago. He took for granted that if he did
business (and he knew he could do it) he
would be bound to succeed. He sold $400
worth of work a week and found to his sor-
row that in that place people paid only
when they felt like doing it. Seventy-five per-
cent of the business done was charged. With
an established business and a strong financial
reserve, this presented no alarming features be-
cause the accounts were good. The new man,
however, did not possess the cash anununition
for a nine month's campaign and when he
failed, he had nothing to sell but himself into
another foreman's job.

With real good customers in sight, advan-
tageous location assured, vou should then have

some definite plans to secure business. The
usual method is to send out circulars, carry a
small advcrtisment in the best local paper and
then trust to an "unscrupulous Providence."
The more plans you have, the more you will
have to feel sure that you have sufficient capital
to carry you over the preliminary obstacles
you are bound to encounter. The munarried
man can take luore risks than the married one.
.\ married man with a family needing a good
education, cannot afford to go into any kind
of business for himself without financial re-
serves to carry him through twelve months
whether he does a cent's worth of business
or not.

-Assuming that you have all these essentials,
your knowledge of estimating costs must be
detailed. Many businesses are now being run
on a 20 per cent overhead basis, where 35 and
40 per cent are nearer the mark. The weakness
in the bank balance is credited to hard luck,
poor collections, the weather, the high cost of
living or the cost of high living, but rarely to
personal ignorance of cost accounting. There
are other places than the tanks in which leaks
can be discovered in a plating room.

-A job plating shop nuist lie run by a sales-
man and a business man. Such a man will
read all trade journals, touching in any way
his line of work, regularly and carefully as
part of his daily routine. He will write
regularly to advertisers of the products he
uses for literature on their latest apparatus
and goods. He will belong to every association
in his trade and attend monthly and annual
meetings with regularity and make the business
pay the dues and expenses. He won't filch
them from the domestic treasury l)ut place the
load where it belongs.

The experienced plater and business man is
a successful combination but if we had to
choose between the two as to chances of suc-
cess in the jobbing line, we would place our
money on the business man every time. He
would know enough to know how little he
knew (wisdom still lacking in many platers
today) : he would hire trustworthy and com-
petent help : he would know the ultimate cost
of every job, its production and selling costs;
he would be a getter of business and not a
taker of business: he would educate himself
daily to fit himself for greater achievement
The practical plater with business equipment
would be the only one that could beat him in
skill and profit.

OcIoIkt 1'.)14

397

Synopses of Interesting Papers Given at the
Foundry Conventions in Chicago*

In our September issue we summarized many of the papers given at the Chicago conventions
of the American Foundrymen's Association and the American Institute of Metals. Synopses of the
remaining papers of interest to our readers are herewith presented.

THE CARE AND CONVERSION OF
ROLLING MILL SCRAP.

BY W. W. ROGERS.

The problem of the care, conservatiun and
conversion of scrap is one of the most im-
portant factors in the snccessful running of
a modern rolling mill.

Xon-ferrous alloys are usually bought on a
percentage basis, to be guaranteed on analysis,
notwithstanding the fact that the particular
alloy may be rarely, if ever, called for again.

Xon-ferrous alloys of known percentage
stored in the bins should not be looked on as
so much alloy, but as so many pounds of raw
material.

THE METALLURGY OF TIN AND
ANTIMONY.

BY W. A. COWAN.

The largest supply of tin is found in the
Malay Peninsula and the East Indian Islands,
adjacent to the Straits of ^Malacca.

Tin is also found in Australia, in Cornwall.
England, Bolivia, China, Germany, Spain ,and
Africa. It is also found in Alaska, Mexico,
North and South Carolin.i and South Dakota.

When pure it is white in color, is very mal-
leable, and somewhat ductile. When cast it
has a crystalline structure: and if a bar is
bent, it emits a cracking sound, called the
"cry", often due to the crystalline particles
rubbing against each other.

Antimony is found as an ore almost en-
tirely in the form of stibnite which is anti-
mony trisulphide, Sb.S,. It is found from
China to America. It is found to the greatest

extent in China, where there are enormous de-
posits. In England and the LTnited States it
is not only produced from native ore, but also
largely from imported ores. It is a gray
crystalline mineral having an almost metallic
appearance and readily fusible.

A BRIEF VISIT TO A BRASS
ROLLING MILL.

BY EDWARD J. GUTSCHE.

In brass rolling mill practice where brass is
rolled into sheet or drawn into tube, rod or
wire form, it is necessary to first melt in a
crucible the several components and then cast
it into a suitable form for milling.

Showing the Drop-Pouring Process.

While all sheet brass is first cast into bars
of varying sizes, brass for seamless tubing is
cast into round billets as is also leaded brass
to be extruded into shapes or rods.

Brass to be drawn into wire is cast into
rod form or into bar form if it is to be hot
rolled. Brass which is to be hot-rolled into
sheet is cast in cakes.

398

I^ME BRASS >VORI^

October

SAFETY FIRST.

BY F. W. REIDENBACH.

This paper deals with the causes of accidents
and suggests preventive measures and
remedies. After making a thorough examina-
tion of a large number of casualties, the
author concludes that the most vital cau".os of
industrial injuries are lack of proper education
and the use of intoxicating liquors. He, there-
fore, suggests that steps be taken so thav all
men employed in shops and foundries will have
at least a common^ school education and that
total abstinence be insisted upon.

A Safety Bulletin Board and Suggestion Box.

EVILS EMBODIED IN SPECIALIZATION.

BY THOMAS D. WEST.

The two main influences that are supporting
the modern trend toward specialization are,
first, the necessity for cheapening and im-
proving the quality of commodities and, sec-
ond, the desire to open avenues that will per-
mit persons to engage in industry who have
little and often no practical experience in tlieir
work. Embodied in the latter tendency are
evils that are undermining the very founda-
tions of successful industrial and professional
life.

These evils can be remedied and the benefits
of specialization preserved. Among other
corrective measures, the author urges ihai

agencies be created to develop and foster the
conviction that the skilled and efficient workers
in the mechanical trades are justly entitled to
wages far in excess of those paid to clerks and
others engaged in work that involves \ery
little sacrifice of time in the apprenticeship
period.

THE TERNARY ALLOYS OF COPPER,

TIN AND ZINC.

THE KALCHOIDS.

BY S. F. HOYT.

The constitution of the ternary alloys of
copper, tin, and zinc up to about 50 per cent
zinc and 30 per cent tin has been studied both
l)y thermal and micrographical analysis. Be-
fore a study of the ternary alloys was taken
up, an investigation was made of the two
binary systems, copper-tin and copper-zinc.

In general, the ternary alloys of copper-
zinc-tin, up to 50 per cent zinc and 30 per cent
tin, were seen from microscopical analyses to
behave similarily to the binary alloys of cop-
]ier-tin and copper-zinc.

REVISION OF AMERICAN FOUNDRY

MEN'S ASSOCIATION STANDARD

COST SYSTEM.

IN TWO PARTS

INTRODUCTION TO COST
ACCOUNTING.

BY HARRINGTON EMERSON
AND

FOUNDRY COST ANALYSIS.

BY J. K. MASON.

This paper constitutes a revision of the
standard foundry cost system of the American
Foundrymen's Association. The text is niain-
ly devoted to an explanation of the cost keep-
ing chart which accompanies the paper. This
cost system has been worked out on clear cut
lines and is based on the following general
principles. There are three basic causes for
expense — ^material, labor and capital charges.
Foundry cost may be divided into four divis-
ions, metal costs, conversion cost, floor cost
and cleaning costs. Cost analysis is simply
the separation of the three basic expenses into
charges against each item of the four divisions
mentioned above. The reporting of gross
foundry cost is merely the re-assembly of the
analysis, to tell the story of operation step-
by-step as the details mass into a cumulative
total.

October

TIEE BRASS >VORI.X>

399

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400

THLK BRABB WORLD

Octol)(r T.IU

PROGRESS IN THE SAFETY MOVE-
MENT AND THE LATEST AIDS
TO GOOD SAFETY WORK.

THE ELECTRIC FURNACE IN THE
FOUNDRY.

BY ARTHUR T. MOREY.

The public still looks at factories, railroads
and powder plants and considers aljiuirnial
conditions as the causes of accidents instead
of realizing that they are only the results
of common habits of carelessness. The big
accidents, like the Titanic disaster, arc not
sporadic happenings under unusual circum-
stances, but come largely from racial habils of
careless thought, and the man who causes a
great catastrophe is anathemati;^ed for mani
festing a racial characteristic.

Time-Study Observation Board, Watch and Board.

Through thorough organization and the en-
listment of the co-operation of its employees,
the accident record of the Commonwealth Steel
Co. shows a reduction in compensation loss of
73 per cent. This paper describes the safe;,v or-
ganization of the Commonwealth company
and also refers to the work of the Naticnid
Council for Industrial Safety.

BY W. L. MORRISON.

There is a field for the electric furnace in
the foundry, but the difficulties to be overcome
should not be forgotten. Customers, as a rule,
prefer electric steel, but are unwilling to pay
a higher price for it ; the electric furnace,
therefore, must compete on an equal liasis
with the older methods of melting. Tool steel

Longitudinal View of Stassano Electric Furnace.

can be made cheaper in the electric furnace
than in the crucible, but nevertheless, owing
to natural conservatism, it will be several
years before the crucible steelmakers as a
body will put faith in the electric furr.ace.
Electric steel in the foundry can be made at
from $27 to $35 a ton in the ladle.

Cross Section of Stassano Electric Furnace.

The author tells why electric steel castings
as a rule, are of better quality than castings
produced by other methods. He also dis-
cusses the efficiency of the electric furnace
with relation to power- factor and kilovolt-'
ampere consumption, metallurgical design and
operative procedure.

Octol)er 1U14

TITK BRASS WOR1J3

401

NOTES ON SAFETY ORGANIZATION.

BY A. W. GREGG AND G. F. KENT.

By taking an active interest in safety work,
the Bucyrus Co., South ^Milwaukee, Wis., has
reduced its accident ratio from 13.:!5 per cent
of the number of employees in to 4.76
per cent in . Tliis shows a reduction of
serious accidents of more tlian 05 per cent.
It is believed that by far the most important
element in safety work is the organization pro-
vided to carry it on. During , the Bucyrus
Co. had a total of 1,2?A accidents in its South
Milwaukee plant, and the records show that
only six of them could have been prevented
by a mechanical guard. In order to more fully
follow up the work that has already been done,
the Bucyrus Co. has provided a new safety
organization, which is described in this paper.
It consists of a central committee, a works"
committee and several shop committees.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON INDUS-
TRIAL EDUCATION.

BY PAUL KREUZPOINTNER, Chairman,

Progress has been made during the past
year in the introduction of industrial educa-
tion. Six states thus far have inaugurated
definite systems for the organization and
supervision of industrial schools, including
Pennsylvania. \\ isconsin, Indiana, Massa-
chusetts, Xew York and New Jersey. The
most decided progress that has been made is
in the establishment of numerous corporation
schools.

The report discusses corporation schools at
length, taking up their functions, the subject
matter taught and their relation to the public
school system. Continuatiim schools are also
dealt with in detail. The proper cour:-.e of
study for continuation schools is outlined and
the attitude of the schoolmen toward them
is discussed.

'' SAFETY FIRST "-DRIVING BACK THE
SALOON.

BY THOMAS D. WEST.

Statistics and careful investigations indicate
that a large proportion of industrial accidents
are due directly or indirectly to the use of
intoxicating liquors. Furthermore, an investi-
gation by the author disclosed a tremendous
amount of clandestine tippling by the em-
ployees of foundries, mills and other industrial

establishments during working hours. This
practice is exceedingly dangerous. In order
to break it up, the author urges that every
member of the American Foundrymen's Asso-
ciation assist in the work of persuading our
state legislatures to pass laws which will ab-
solutely prohibit the operation of saloons with-
in 500 to 1,000 feet of any foundry, mill, or
other industrial establishment.

It is not enough, however, to cut off the
saloon. A substitute must be found for the
intoxicating beverages to which the men are
accustomed. Many firms have introduced milk
into their plants for this purpose, with sur-
prisingly satisfactory results. As a conse-
quence of the substitution of milk for beer, or
other stronger intoxicants, accidents have teen
greatly reduced, botli in nmnber and serious-
ness.

THE COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION
OF REFINED COPPER,

BY LAWRENCE ADDICKS.

The world's supply of copper conies +rom
four main sources, sulphide ores, oxidized
ores, native ores and scrap. Copper has great
affinity for sulphur and the largest deposits
of copper ores consist of more or less com-
plex sulphides.

Metallurgically there are three processes for
producing crude or refined copper from the
ore, (1) roasting, smelting and converting,
(2) alternate oxidation and reduction and
(?,) direct reduction of oxidized ores. The
first is a strongly oxidizing process by
which the great majority of the American
production is made from sulphide ores re-
sulting in the almost complete elimination of
impurities. The second is the old Welch process
still used to some extent abroad. The thir.l is a
strictly reducing process; the resulting black
copper seldom runs over 96 per cent due to
iron and other impurities.

Other papers of special interest to the iron
and steel industries and operators of large
industrial plants were presented as follows : —

The Economics of Electric Motor Dri\e —
By H. F. Stratton.

Selection of Electric Motors and Controllers
for the Foundry.— By S. H. Libby.

Industrial Pioneering, or the Location of a
Foundry in a Xew Territory. — By L. L.
Anthes.

402

THE BRASS WORLD

October

Acid
lack-

Training For Foundry Leaders at W'enl-
worth Institute. — By E. A. Johnson.

Estimating the Selling Price of Castings. —
By A. O. I'.ackert.

Calculating Mixtures for Malleable Cast
Iron.— By Harrold Ilemcnway.

Effect of Varying Silicon and Car])..n in
Malleable Iron Mixtures.— By A. F. i'..!lar(l.

Malleable Iron — Its Manufacture, Character-
istics and Uses. — By J. P. Pero.

Researches in the Annealing Process for
Malleable Castings. — By Oliver W. Storev.

Remarks on the Strcngtli and Ductility- of
Malleable Cast Iron After the Skin Mas i'.ecn
Removed.- — By Enri(|ue Touceda.

General Melting Characteristics of
Steel For Castings. — By A. F. Stirling
wood.

Annealing and Heat Treating Steel Casiings.
— By William Campbell.

Defects In Steel Castings and the Remedies
For Then. — By John Howe Hall.

Canister Lining In Side Blow Converteis. —
By John Gregson.

Report on Fifth Annual Conservation Con-
gress.— By Paul Kreuzpointner.

Memorandum on the Preparation of
Standard Specifications foi- Cast Iron for In-
ternational Export Use. — By Dr. Richard
Moldenke.

Iron and Its Properties. — By Peter F.
Blackwood.

A Cast Iron with Unusual Structure. — By
K. W. Zimmerschied.

A Material for High Grade Castings. — By
J. E. Johnson, Jr.

Coke Recovered from the Cupola Dump. —
By W. J .Keep.

Foundry Cost Keeping. — By F. J. Stephen-
son.

Efficiency in Foundry Operations, the Es-
sential Factor in Reducing Production Costs.
—By A. K. Hathawav.

AN EQUIPMENT IN AN
ENCYCLOPEDIA.

The odor which characterizes many metals
is caused by minute particles of the metal
coming in contact with the membrane of the
nose and, in that way imparing the sense of
smell. At the ordinary temperatures metals
which have this odor are volatile. Tin, zinc,
copper and many other metals possess this
property. The amount is so small that no in-
strument is known to detect it, yet there is an
actual volatilization of the metal.

If you want to know anything about tumb-
lers, cranes, cupolas, sand sifters, air hoists
and core ovens, much interesting information
can be obtained from the general catalog of
file Whiting Foundry E(iuipment Co., Harvey,
ill. These people have issued from time to
time special catalogs on each of their many
lines and they have now combined them all
in loose leaf folder fashion for the convenience
of the trade. This interesting catalog con-
tains many good illustrations accompanied
by clear description and hints concernmg
economies in foundry equipment. The core
oven section is especially attractive and every
foundry man can profit by studying these as an
aid to obtaining perfect e'luipment in his core
department. The catalog is the right size for
the shelf and for practical handling. It can
be obtained from the Whiting Foundry Equip-
ment Co. for the asking.

BRUSHES WITH QUALITY.

Nobody knows who invented the first brush,
but whoever did, enjoyed a pleasurable ex-
perience when he found that by combining a
few hairs or fibers, dust and dirt could be re-
moved with greater facility than by hand
rubbing. Everybody uses brushes now, but the
value of the brushes used depends entirely
upon the quality of material in their con-
struction and their method of construction.
There is a book now available to the trade
which ambitiously endeavors to provide a
brush for every possible use. This book is re-
enforced by a very complete index on pages
57 and 58 and the reader will be surprised to
find the great variety of brushes of every
type of construction and using which are
available for his every specific need. "Advance"
scratch wheel brushes, circular scratch and
satin finish brushes, solid hub tampico wheel
brushes, plain steel wire castings brushes, and
platers' washout and scouring brushes are il-
lustrated therein and described. Foundrymen
and platers should get a copy of this for
brush-buying reference. Apply to the Manu-
facturers' Brush Co., Cleveland, O.

Only strictly pure cyanide of potash should
be used in gold plating. The best results can-
not be obtained without it.

October I 'J 14

403

(St

BRASS FOUNDING IN MEXICO.

BY THOMAS E. LA MONDY.

S^\^

A great many of the foundry men in the
United States are under the impression that
in Mexico there are no up-to-date foundries,
and that the major part of their brass, iron
and steel castings come from the United States
and Europe. Such was the condition up to a
few years ago, but they are now producing as
fine a brass and iron casting there as here in
the good old U. S. A.

While their brass foundries are few and
far between, they are all money-makers. It is
doubtful if there are more than six good brass

the city. The plant is situated on a spur of
the Nacionales De Mexico R. R. and the fa-
cilities for handling its supplies are first-class.
The plant is 275 ft. x 150 ft. with office,
laboratory, shipping and store-room on the
east or street side ; on the south are located
the storage bins, cupola, and room used for
separating chips and washings; on the west are
the machine, molding and core rooms ; on the
north the tub and floor molding, babbitt and
solder, machine shop and lead pipe machine.
In the center is a large, hollow square. From

View of Plant of Valley Metal Co., Mexico City, Mexico.

foundries in Mexico. Guadalajara has a valve
shop of some size. Torreon has a small job-
ing shop. Aguascalientes has a railroad re-
pair shop. Mexico City has three brass
foundries and two iron shops, of which the
^'alley INIetal Co., (Brass) is the largest of its
kind in the republic.

It is located at Calle Del Fresno Xo. 9,
about two and a half miles from the heart of

a consideration of the plan shown and a study
of the layout, it will be noticed that the pro-
duction is always headed for the shipping
room. The building is constructed of stone
and concrete and in war times can be used to
advantage as a fortification.

The force consisted of forty day men and
six night men. I doubt if another foundry ex-
ists that houses such a mixture of nationalities

404

THE BRASS \VOKXJ>

October I'.tu

as does this plant. For example, tliis mixture
inclurlctl Chinese, Japanese, Jamaican Negroes,
Spaniards, Mexican, Mexican Indians, German.
Cnlian, American, Scotch and h'rencli. Tlie
manager claimed Missonri for his home; the
superintendent. Connect icul : and the sales
manager, California. J challenge any one to
heat this.

In till' m.ajority (d' l)ig manufacturing plants
the peon, or laborer, is searched morning, noon
and night. On entering the works they are
lined up and marched between two watchmen,
who search tliem fur knixes. and on leaving
the plant they are again searched to protect the
firm from stealing. Even with this stringent
policy they sometimes get by, because if there
are any members of the human race who can
beat a ^Mexican for "lifting" things, "I'm from
Missouri. " It is rather amusing and a source
of wonderment to watch these peons pouring
olt tons of bronze with nothing on their feet
but sandals. Here in the U. S. where we are
crying "Safety first" from every corner, we
could learn much about precaution from these
ignorant Indians. Their sandals arc rudely
made by hand liy the peon himself from a piece

The Offic al Homegoing.

of heavy belting used for a sole, and licit lad-
ing ties it on their feet. The sandals cost them
nothing, for since they are such clever tliievcs,
they steal the materials.

Our product consisted mainly of railroad
work, such as car and engine lirasses and loco-
motive repairs. We furnished 90 per cent of
all the car brasses used in [Mexico, which
necessitated a production of approximately ,5.5
tons of castings per month. In addition to this
we manufactured three grades of babbitt and
three grades of solder : made the battery zincs
for the government telegraph, and made ingot
copper and bronze.

On our car brasses our nmlding cost was
$.085 per jjounds <>i castings. This is an
extremeh" hnv cost, but when one considers
that a molder receives $2.50 .Mexican money,
which is equivalent tn $1.:>5 in gold; a
machine molder $J.50 Mexican or 75 cents of
our money; the laborers $1.00 .Mexican or 50
cents gold each per day, one is not so sceptical.
To maintain tlii^ iirnductiou of 55 tnus we em-
i)loved one hand rannntd, riill-o\er and draw

Thomas E. La Mondy
Formerly Supt. Valley Metal Co.

machine and one bench and one tub on car
brasses; two floor molders, and three tub
molders on miscellaneous work. From this one
can readily see that even for ^Mexico the native
molders have attained a high degree of etfi-
ciency. All the molders were Mexicans ex-
cepting one half-breed Mexican and a Chinese
who was the best molder in the shop.

The hours there are nuich the same as in
this country, sixty hours per week, but every
month has from three to six church holidays,
so one can rarely figure on twenty-hve work-
ing days a month. One of the big drawbacks
was the quality df the coke. The native coke
has not the heat tmits in it necessary to pro-
duce good hot bronze so all our coke came
by boat from New York to Tampico and was
there shipped by cars to ^lexico City. We
used nati\e molding sand which is about
50 per cent below the poorest grade of sand
here. It has no life, is close and has a large
percentage of A-egetable luatter in it. which is
not \'ery in\iting from a foundr_\iuan's iioint
of view.

Many l)rass foundrymen scott at the idea of
melting bronze in a cupola, but we melted about

'October

THE BRASS WORLD

405

A Group of Employes at the Mexican Factory.

a ton and a half of metal a day, composed of
80 copper, 10 tin. and 10 lead, and can-
not recall falling down on tests. This metal
was good and hot and the fractures were close,
•even-grained. This practice would not do
for a metal carr_\ing a zinc content but for a

copper, tin, lead metal it is a very good
method. As our percentage of loss was ver\-
low, for re-melting borings we used a 400 lb.
reverberatory furnace, running three heats a
day of twenty-four hours. Our capacity was
about 12,000 pounds of metal per day.

Lumber

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Main Office

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General Plan and Layout of the Valley Metal Co.'s Plant.

40 G

TIIK BRASS WORLX)

October

During my travels in Mexico I saw very few
power molding macliines. These were located
in the plant of the National Iron & Steel Com-
pany, and were of an obsolete French type.
This firm lias an iron foundry that can be
compared to some of the best in the United
States. They employ about sixty moldcrs, all
]\Iexicans, and make castings up to five tons.
Some of these castings are very intricate and
such as you would be proud to put your foot
on and say "I made this."

When cjne considers the great altitude
(7,844 ft.) of Mexico City, one marvels at the
amount of work these peons accomplish. They
are naturally lazy and shiftless, but with pro-
[ler treatment will go a long way to show their
ajipreciation. For instance: one of my molders
making car lirasscs wanted to be away one
day. As his floor totalled about pounds
of castings 1 could not lose his output. He
volunteered to work all night, and next morn-
ing when I came to the plant, his 90 molds of
car lirasses were up. Such a thing is unheard
of in a foundry here, but this is one of the
many faithful traits of the native under proper
treatment. Mexico is no place for an Ameri-
can molder, as a molder, but for a foreman
there are many good openings.

The climate in Mexico City is deliglitfnl;
never too hot and never too cold, very much
like our California weather. April and May
are the two hottest months of the year. About
June first the rainy season starts and con-
tinues until the middle of October. People
will I do not know Mexico City would be led
to believe that this is the disagreeable season.
This, however, from the writer's experience,
is the wrong impression, for, on the contrary,
it is the most delightful season of the year.
About one day a week they do, however, have
very severe rain and hail stroms ; in fact they
are so severe that the water rises so quickly
and to such a height that it often cxtinglishes
the fires in the melting furnaces. The winter
season opens on November first and continues
until the end of March.

Taking the foundry industry as a whole in
Mexico I would say that they do not turn
out castings that will compare in size with
those of the United States ; but for anything
weighing under a ton they compare very
favorably. I find that Mexican foundries have
not kept up with the progress made in molding
by machinery, but are still sticking to the
hand-rammed methods. If the country ever

resumes the activities it enjoyed during the

reign of ex-President Diaz, a foundry in

Mexico will be a small gold-mine for the
owner.

TRADE EXTENSION BY MOVING
PICTURES.

A moving picture exhibit of British indus-
tries is being planned as part of the program
of a world tour to develop British trade. All
the leading countries in the world will be
visited and stops ranging from three to seven
days' duration made at all important trade
centers. Special invitations will be sent to all
leading manufacturers and possible users of
the products pictured. A thoroughly equipped
business force will be necessary to reinforce
the missionary work of many miles of film.

CASH VALUES IN VENTILATION.

The importance of good heating and ven-
tilating is being set forth in the new bulletin
No. 27 issued by the American Blower Co.,
Detroit, ^Nlich. It is now being readily
recognized in the construction of all new plants
that a good heating and ventilating system is
quite as essential as first class machinery,
efiicient workmen and high grade tools. Old
factories find they are handicapped when com-
peting with factories built along modern lines.
Their workmen do not accomplish as much
nor accomplish what they do do well. The
"Sirocco" blower has during years of use
proven itself an eflicient supplier of air and
the installation of a power operated fan
equipment has even been the means of raising
operative efficiency from 25 to 40 per cent.
Such a problem may be yours in the near
future, or may be yours now and you don't
know it. It will be to your advantage to obtain
from the company literature and data de-
scribing and illustrating the installations which
are available to you to meet your specific con-
ditions. Write to the American Blower Co.,
Detroit, Mich., and mention the Brass World
vvrihen writing.

The Boiler Insulated Wire Co., Chicago, III.,
manufactures and deals in motors, electrical
appliances, wire, machinery, etc. It has a
capital of $20,000 and the officers are P. Boiler,
W. N. Boiler and W. H. Bentley.

October

407

A SHORT OUTLINE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY

FOR ELECTROPLATERS. III.

BY ALLAN J FIELD.

To understand more clearly the laws and
theories that have been given in the previous
articles, the following experiments should be
tried. It is only by experimenting that chemis-
try can be fully mastered and assimilated so
that practical use can be made of it. These
experiments show on a small scale some of the
methods of making a few of the ordinary
chemicals that are used in tlie plating room.
By performing these experiments a more in-
timate knowledge will be gained of how metals,
acids and salts react.

I'or experiments to be successful there are
a few fundamental principles which should not
be lost sight of. First and foremost, the direc-
tions should be followed as closely as pos-
sible, as sometimes a slight deviation means
entirely different results. Cleanliness of ap-
paratus and neatness in manipulation are also
essentials, as trustworthy results cannot be ex-
pected unless sufficient care is given to de-
tails.

Laboratory.

To carry on these experiments a small room
should be fitted up as a laboratory. It should
have a good light, be kept clean and free from
dust. As acid fumes damage apparatus especially
the balance, it would be best to exclude them
as much as possible. Experiments in w'hich
fumes are produced should be performed under
a hood that is connected with a chimney or
that leads outside. A table with a few
shelves above it is required to hold the acids
and reagents that are used constantly, .y.
closet is necessary in which to keep the chemi-
cals, so that they will be away from the light
and dust. The room should also be fitted up
with a sink and running water, also gas con-
nections.

Apparatus.

A list of the apparatus and chemicals that
are reciuired for the experiments are given.
Some of them have been illustrated so that
they can be identified easily. The outlay might
be considered rather high but as some of the
apparatus can be used later on for quantitative
analysis the initial cost for these experiments
is not really so large. The author recom-
mends Messrs. Eimer & Amend, 205 Third

Avenue, New York City, from whom the ap-
paratus can be obtained. The prices of the appa-
ratus are apt to be higher at present than in the
list given, due to the supply from Germany
being shut oif.

The kind of analytical balance and weights
recommended is for those who intend to go on
with chemistry and therefore would need them
in quantitative analysis. The hand scales and
brass weights can be substituted for these if
there is no intention of following up the ex-
periments with quantitative analysis. For ac-
curate work it is absolutely necessary to have
a balance and weights that can be relied upon.
Those recommended will be found trustworthy
and also as cheap as can be had for this
quality.

In the directions for the experiments, when
water is mentioned it is imderstood that
chemically pure or distilled water is meant.
This can be had from the drug store or from
the suppliers.

From the glass tubing stirring rods can be
made. The two sizes most suitable are 7
inches and 10 inches long. These lengths can
lie had by making a small cut on the tube with
the file, then pressing firmly with the fingers,
causing it to break. The ends are closed by
holding them in the flame. To prevent the
end from striking the beaker and causing it to
crack when stirring, a small piece of rubber
known as a policeman is fixed on to it. The
Bunsen burner is connected to the gas cocks
with the 2 ft. of rubber tubing. At the base
of the burner the air supply is regulated; care
should be taken that there is enough air to
make a non-luminous flame, as a smoky flame
will cause soot to be deposited. The iron
tripod is used with the wire gauze to support
beakers or other apparatus over the Bunsen
burner when they are to be heated. For clean-
ing test tubes the brush is used.

Care should be taken not to touch the
weights with the fingers as grease or dirt will
cause an error in weighing. They should be
handled only with the forceps. To operate
the analytical balance, first find out if it
swings evenly, that is if the pointer travels
the same number of divisions in each direction
on the scale. To start the pointer swinging

408

THE BRASS WORLD

October

raise the lieam l.iy means of the thunil) screw;
then by pressing in the little wliite knob near
the thumb screw the pans will be released. The
balanced watch glasses are placed on each pan
so that the sulistance Id be weighed does not
come in contact with the pan itself, as this will
injure the pan in time. To weigh off a cer-
tain number of grams of a substance, place
the weight on the pan nn tlie riglit, tlien i)ut on
portions of the substance on the left-hand pan
until the pointer swings the same numljcr of
divisions on either side.

The wash l)oitIe is used to Iiold the distilled
water used for washing precipitates, etc. By
blowing through the tube bent upwards, a
stream of water !s forced out at the other
t-nd. If a large stream of water is required
the bottle is turned upside down, which will
cause the water to run out through the tube
that is used for ])lowing.

List of .'{hparaiits.

Price
Analytical balance R. & A. §4S.()0

Hand scales 4 in. beam 1.00

Bunsen Burner.

■cc

Graduated
Cylinder.

Iron Tripod.

Analytical Balance.

Illustrations bj' Courtesy of Einier A Amend, Nmv York City

Wash Bottle.

As the present eNperinients do not require
weighing smaller than tenths of a gram it will
not now be ncces^ary to explain the use of the
rider, which consists of a piece cif platinum
■wire that can be moved to any desired position
on the lieam of the balance by means of the
carrier passing through the side of the balance
case.

To fit the circular filter paper to the funnel,
fold it into half, then at right angles into half
again. Then open it. having one thickness t)f
paper on one side and three on the other. Place
it in the funnel and moisten with distilled
water. It should lit closely to the glass all
around.

ijalanced watch glasses 2^ in. dia. 0.().5

Analytical weights E. & A. 1 mgr. to 50

grams 12.00

Brass weights 1 mgr. to ."JO grams ^>.50

Beakers Kavalier 325 cc. 2 wanted 0.40

Beakers Kavalier 900 cc. 2 wanted 1.00

Reagent bottle Xo. 114 BaCL 250 cc 0.25

Wash l)Ottle 500 cc. 0.70

Test tulie brush 0.05

Bunsen burner 0.35

Graduated cylinder ."in cc. 0.45
Crystallizing dish dia. 75 m.m. height

45 m.m. 0.10

Triangular file 4 in. 0.10

Glass funnel 12.5 cm. dia. 0.20

October I'JU

Tins BRASS WX)RLJ>

409

Glass tulniig. 5 ni.m. ext. dia. One ."i ft.

length 0.35
Filter paper E. & A. dia. :2.') cm. 1 pkg. O.'.io

Filter paper E. & A. in sheets 20x20. 2

quires O.dO

Rubber policeman for rods, itt in. dia. 2

doz. wanted 0.40

Rubber tubing 5/lG in. dia. inside. 2 ft.

wanted 0.50

Funnel support for 2 funnels 0.94

Test tube support for 13 test tubes 0.50

Iron tripod Bunsen. 9 in. high 0..30

Test tubes G x I in. 1 doz. wanted 0.35

Watch glasses 3] in. dia. 2 wanted 0.15

Watch glasses 5 in. dia. 2 wanted 0.30

Wire gauze with asbestos center. 6xG in. 0.20

Chemicals.

1 lb. Hydrochloric Acid c.p. 1.20 0.30

] lb. Sulphuric Acid c.p. 1..S4 0.30

1 lb. Nitric Acid c.p. 1.42 0.30

Crystallizing Dish and Beaker.

i lb. Copper Foil 1/100 in.

i lb. Zinc Sheet l/lOO in.

2 oz. Silver Metal pure gran.

1 lb. Cupric Oxide powd. c.p. (black)

4 lb. Sodium Cyanide tech.

i lb. Sodium Carbonate anliyd. c.p. Tp.

i lb. Barium Chloride c.p. Tp.

2 oz.

Diphenylamine c.p.

0.20
0.10
O.GO
0.35
0.20
0.20
0.20
0.20
0.20

i lb. Zinc Sulphate, dry powder

Experiment 1

The object of this experiment is the prepara-
tion of silver cyanide from silver and sodium
cyanide. This is a very practical experiment
as most platers prepare their silver solution
from the metal.

One method of making a .-silver bath is to
dissolve the metal in nitric acid and then
evaporate the solution to obtain the silver
nitrate crystals. The crystals are dissolved in
water, then potassium or sodium cyanide is
added to precipitate the silver cyanide. An
excess of cyanide is used to dissolve the silver

cyanide, forming the double cyanide of silver
potassium cyanide. The other method is to
dissolve the metal in nitric acid and precipi-
tate the silver as chloride with sodium chloride.
The silver chloride is dissolved with potassium
cyanide forming the double cyanide. Potassium
chloride is also formed, which remaining in
the solution is apt to cause irregularities. This
solution has the property of producing a dead
white deposit.

The hrst method seems more desirable than
the second and therefore the experiment fol
lows this method. The reaction of nitric acid

on siUer is —

3Ag +4HNO3
323.64 252.072
1.00 0.

=3AgN03 -f2H,0-f XO.
509.67
1.574S

That is, silver nitrate, water and nitric
oxide are formed. The first row of numbers
under the formulas show the molecular
weights, and from these we can figure the
quantities of silver and nitric acid to take for
the experiment. 1 gram of silver will require
0. grams of 100 per cent nitric acid (ob-
tained I)y dividing 252.072 by 323.64).

The concentrated nitric acid used is about
69 per cent : therefore it will require 1.
grams (obtained by dividing . by .69).
As it is easier to measure the acid than to
weig-'h it. the grams will have to be figured to
equivalent cubic centimeters as follows. The
specif'c gravity- of 69 per cent nitric acid is
1.415, then 1. grams are equivalent to
0. c.c. (found by dividing 1. by 1.415).
From 1 gram of silver there will be formed
1. grams of silver nitrate (509.67 divided
by .323.64).

The reaction of silver nitrate and sodium
cyanide is as follows —

AgXO, + XaCX = AgCX + XaX03
169.89 49.01 133.89

1.00 0. 0.

Silver cyanide and sodium nitrate are
formed. 1 gram of silver nitrate will require
0. grams of 100 per cent cyanide. The
sodium cyanide is 96 per cent pure, therefore
it will be necessary to have 0. grams to
precipitate 1 gram of silver forming 0.
grams of silver cyanide.

To Perform the Experiment.

Weigh off 10 grams of silver and place it in
a 325 c.c. beaker, adding 50 c.c. of water.
From the figures already given, 10 grams of

410

TILE BRASS WORLD

October

silver will require 8 c.c. concentrated nitric
acid. Measure with the 50 c.c. graduated cylin-
der, 8 c.c. concentrated nitric acid, then add
water until it is IG c.c, Add this mixture to
the beaker, then over it with a watch glass.
Heat gently with a low llame until all or very
nearly all of the silver is dissolved, wliich will
take about two hours.

There is apt to be a loss of the nitric acid
by being boiled out of the solution: for this
reason all of the silver will not be dissolved
An addition of 0.5 c.c. of concentrated nitric
acid will probalily dissolve all. The solution
should be evaporated down to about 15 c.c.
or to the point of crystallization so as to drive
off any excess acid, as it will form hydrocyanic
acid with sodium cyanide, which is a very
dangerous gas to inhale. Transfer the 15 c.c.
to a 900 c.c. beaker, washing out the beaker
with distilled water, then adding enough so
that the volume of the solution is about 200
c.c.

From 10 grams of silver there are ftn-med
15.75 grams silver nitrate. As 1 gram of silver
nitrate requires 0.:! grams of 96 per cent
sodium cyanide, 15.75 grams will require 4.7
grams of sodium cyanide. Weigh off 4.7
grams of sodium cyanide and dissolve in about
50 c.c. of water. Precipitate tlie silver nitrate
with this solution, which slmuld cause a com-
plete precipitation of silver cyanide.

Fill the beaker with distilled water, stirring
at the same time, so as to dissolve out the
sodium nitrate that is formed. Let stand until
it settles, then decant off the water, being care-
ful not to lose the silver cyanide. Fill the
beaker again with water and as soon as it
settles pour it off. To wash out all the sodium
nitrate it is necessary to fill the 1)eaker three
times with water.

To know positively if the sodium nitrate
is washed out a test is made by taking a very
small quantity of diphenylamine on a watch
glass, then adding about 5 drops of concentrated
sulphuric acid which dissolves diphenylamine.
To this solution is added a few drops of the
water from the beaker supposed to contain
the sodium nitrate. If the nitrate is present
a dark blue color is formed. When the silver
cyanide is washed free of nitrate it can be
dried at 100 deg. Centigrade if an oven or
other suitable means of drying is at hand. The
theoretical yield is 12.4 grams (. X
15.75).

.\s the drying ovens furnished by the chemi-
cal dealers are very costly tlie autlior has not
included one in the list. .\ can with a cover
could be used as a substitute. It sliould liave
two holes in the cover, one for the thermometer,
which can be held in place by means of a cork,
and the other hole to allow the moisture to
escape. The silver cyanide can then be dried
by i)Utting it on a watch glass placed on a
small piece of brick or earthenware in the can
so that the bottom of the can does not come
in contact with the watch glass. Heat by
means of the Bunsen burner, using a low
flame.

THE MOST HORRIBLE DYNAMO
JOKE IN THE WORLD.

A trade joke is good picking. It is good for
all of us to stretch the face at the lower end
instead of piling up an Appalachian range on
the forehead. One can't help but smile at this :

During one of Simeon Ford's brilliant after-
dinner speeches in New York, the lights went
out. Mr. Ford paused a moment. Then in the
profound black silence, he said:

"Dear friends, I am reminded of a story.
It's a story about W. S. Gilbert, wit, librettist
and gentleman farmer.

"Gilbert himself was giving a dinner when
the lights went out. He sent for his Ijutler
and asked what the trouble was.

" 'The dynamo's bearin's is over'eated, Sir
William,' the butler replied.

"The Sir William, with a horrible laugh,
turned to his guests and cracked this horrible,
horrible joke :

" 'Why is my dynamo like my old sow
Bess?' Answer — ^Because she cats her

bearin's."

By the way, you may not know that we pay
for all published humorous experiences in
foundry or plating work. What is the funniest
thing that ever happened in your line? You
have a funny-bone. The doctors told us so.
Set it working.

A soldering alloy newly patented by G. D.
Long and E. W. Rapp, Granite City, III., con-
tains 400 parts aluminum, 400 parts zinc, 760
parts tin, 8 parts bismuth, 8 parts copper,
28 parts antimony and not over 2 parts mer-
cury.

October

■ill

THE NATURE AND CONSTITUENTS OF
BEARING METALS.

BY R. R. CLARKE.

Contact between two metallic surfaces, either
or both of which are in motion, presupposes
two direct and one derivative consequence.
The direct results are friction and wear ; the
derivative, heat.

Friction originates from the adhesive ten-
dencies of surfaces in contact under pressure.
All solids are more or less adhesive under
these conditions. Wear is a result of the con-
test between adhesion and the force over-
coming its resistance. Heat is the conse-
quence of the ph3'sical change superinduced
on the surfaces by friction and wear.

To arrive at the basic idea in the produc-
tion of friction wear and heat we concent
two metallic surfaces in contact under pres-
sure. The molecules of each surface are
firmly and closely adjoining each other. Motion
begins and adhesion at once becomes manifest;
the result is friction. This adhesive tendency
exceeds the molecular quality in strength, re-
sulting in particles of the metal being forcibly
separated from the surface mass and carried
away ; the consequence is wear. This forcible
separation of surface molecules represents a
physical change in the production of which
the energy expended is converted into heat.

The tendency of metals to develop heat
along with forcible change of molecular
position seems to be more or less common
though varying in degree in different metals.
A very simple method of testing the frictional
heating qualities of a metal is to flatten a
piece of the metal by hard and quick blows
of a hammer and to note the heat developed
in consequence. From the results obtained it
can be safely taken in the majority of cases
that any metal developing excessive heat in
forcing a change in positions of its molecules
will give trouble under the influence of fric-
tion. Lead thus flattened becomes warm : tin
still warmer though scarcely hot ; copper and
zinc burning hot.

' The journal revolving in its bearing is an
example of two metallic surfaces in contact
under pressure. An exhaustive consideration
of the relation between the two brings to
mind the great Xewton and one of his laws.
Briefly stated that law is that action and re-
action are equal and opposite in direction, and

means that the journal pressing down on its
bearing or the bearing on its journal meets an
equal responsive pressure therefrom. In
other words, the bearing below is pressing into
the journal above with the same force that the
journal above is pressing into the bearing, and
vice versa.

The existence of this law forbids the quali-
tative equality of journal and bearing alike
or at least soon establishes the folly thereof.

The journal being part of the axle or shaft
supporting the weight from Avhich the pressure
is derived, makes imperative demands that it
be of strong, durable material. From the in-
creased expense and difficulty of renewal it is
apparent that the question of wear between the
journal and its bearing should also be settled
in favor of the journal. All of this admits
but little choice in selection of journal ma-
terial and puts the burden of efficiency strictly
up to the bearing.

These considerations pave the way to the
conclusion that a satisfactory bearing alloy must
represent a non-adhesive, wear-resisting anti-
frictional product. To realize such were not
a task too hard were it the only one. This,
however, it is not. Malleability and brittleness
have also to be reckoned with and the problem
takes on additional complexities in conse-
quence.

The necessity of introducing elements in
quantity productive of one desired quality and
destructive of another calls forth two distinct
classes of bearing alloys; namely, a bearing
metal proper and a bearing-lining metal. For
convenience we shall refer to these metals in
our succeeding statements as "bearing metal"
and "lining metal" ; the one designating metals
constituting the entire bearing and applied to
the lournal direct; the other, those of dift"erent
constitution mechanically applied to the jour-
nal-facing surface of the bearing. The former
is usually a copper, the latter a tin or lead
basic metal.

The elements most commonly used in the
bearing metals are: copper, tin, lead, nickel,
phosphorus and sulphur. Of these, copper is
the basic metal. Of all known elements few
approach bearing requirements in less degree
than copper in its virgin state. It is tough, ad-

412

TILK BRASS WORLX)

October 191-L

hesivc, frictional, mallealjk' and iioatiiig, the
presence of any or all ni which (|ualities a
good hearing allo\' will nul tolerate. Willi
these and other pnll)ertie^ tn militate against
it, however, it makes a good hixly and possess-
es the redeeming faculty of accepting and
yielding to the inlluence ni nrndifying agents.

The ]iri>]ilem then reduces to a consideration
of sui)erinducing in the copper base (pialitative
conformity to rcciuirements in hearing service.
This ciimprises suhstitutiiin. elimination,
elalmratiiin nr diminution in the copper pro-
perties and arises from the judicious quantita-
ti\i' introduction of the modifying agents tin,
lead and nickel.

Of these tin is the nn'St powerful hnth in
alloying tendency and effect. It eliminates
toughness of the copper variety . diminishes ad-
hesion, reduces malleahilitx and supplies ad-
ditional strength and hardness. A copper-tin
alio}-, however, is far from satisfactory for
liearing purposes. It is more or less adhesive,
hard in excess of congenial association with
the join-nal, minus plastic nature, not high in
anti frictional (pialities and possessed of more
than a reasonable tendency to wear and de-
velop abnnrnial heat. In short, with the ad-
dition of tin alone, copper becomes basic to
an alloy with toughness eliminated, strength
supplied and the amalgamating tendency be-
tween copper and a less adhesive, more anti-
frictional and plastic agent greatly improved.

Of such is lead. Its function is to reduce
wear, diminish the cop.per or tin-copper ad-
hesive tendency and supply antifrictional antl
jilastic quality.

In the copper-lead alloy the foundryman
tinds his hardest task. Above -1 per cent of a
lead content these two elements will u^t af-
liliate satisfactorily ami the advance of the lead
beyond this figure is attended by its segrega-
tion and the resultant production of a casting
not homogeneous in body. How to control
more lead is an old fomulry problem. In en-
deavoring to solve it, nickel, ferro-manganesc
and sulphur have all been resorted to, and
claims for each set up in consequence. As to
nickel and ferro manganese we have little per-
sonal faith in either, believing also that above
20 per cent of a lead content is not to be
seriously considered.

With respect to sulphur its use presupposes
special foundry manipulation and we confess
ourselves not familiar with this practice. In
justice to contentions in its favor, however, we

have good reasons to believe that its claims are
not entirely without creditable support.

rile value in service of a lead-cojjper liiiing
or bearing metal umler varied conditions,
admits of little occasion for doubt. Jt possesses
many qualities so much desired therewith and
finds its limitations chiefly through its plastic
and malleable tendencies. When used as a
bearing metal that percentage of lead, when
well controlled, that will not menace unim-
paired retention of bearing form can be safely
and judiciously u,>ed. A conservative ligure to
which this (piantity can ]>(■ extended with pru-
ileiice is 20 iier cent of the mass, presupposing
of course that the auxiliary agent or special
foundry practice is efficient to the support of
eipial distribution of tlic lead content and pre-
vention of segregation and pri'ciijitation.

Used in the capacity of a bearing lining
metal lead and copper will find judicious a])-
plication up to DO per cent of a lead content.
When thus used incorporation is realized with
less difhculty than is experienced with the
bearing cast in a sand mold, this being due
ti) the rapid reduction from a liquid to a solid
state superinduced by the chilling etfect of the
shell.

However in all combinations of lead and
copper over a 4 per cent lead content a
mechanical union onl_\- is realized. Such a
union consists in the uniform distribution of
lead and copper particles, each retaining its
identity in the mass. The marked difference
in the specific gravity of the metals, the wide
margin between their freezing points and the
aflnnitive variance they entertain for each other
all combine to make their mechanical union a
serious problem.

In the strictest sense a luechauical union is
not a good one; no union that does not admit
at least a molecular affiliation can be regarded
as such. Yet the mechanical is better than
none and that seems to be all that is coming to
us if we refuse the mechanical.

However a mechanical mix of lead and cop.
per realized only l)y \igorous stirring, low-
temperature pouring and rapid reduction
from li(|uid to solid state has little to recom-
mend it. Such practice may overcome to more
or less degree lead sinking in liquid copper,
but over precipitation, — that tendency by virtue
of which excess lead escapes copiously in all
directions from solid copper during its process
of cooling to a temperature beloAv the freezing
point of lead, — it exercises no control.

October I'.tU

THE BRASS WORUD

413

The source of this precipitation or lead-
sweating is no surface affair. It seems to
originate from the law of contraction and is
apparently the result of a porous solid closing
in on a liquid. To this the influence of settled
opposition between the two elements and the
wandering nature of the lead may also be
added. To whatever influences its existence
may be attributed, to our mind precipitation
will be a stumbling block to the foundryman
until either the freezing points of lead and
copper are equalized or the law of contraction
suspended. The only other avenue of escape
is an atomic union of the elements and it
seems to be nowhere written that this should
be.

The tendency of tin and lead to produce
weak and brittle qualities in the copper-tin-
lead casting when same is exposed to much
heat calls forth the necessity of a modified tin
and lead content in the bearing alloy intended
for service where temperatures are high. In
such service the bearing is often referred to
as a "Hot-Xeck Bearing" though the hot neck
is not necessarily the lone instance of its ap-
plication.

In this weakening tendency lead is the chief
oft'ender though tin cannot claim absolute in-
nocence. To overcome the ditificulty we must
leave the toughness of copper as close to its
virgin prominence as other bearing require-
ments will permit. Consequently the only
thing to do it to lower the tin and lead and
raise the copper as in copper 90, tin 6, lead 4.

The evolution of the bearing alloys seems
to have been from copper-tin ro copper-tin-
lead with the tin and lead equal : to copper-tin-
lead-phosphor : to copper-tin-lead with the lead
in advance of the tin to its limitations ; to cop-
per-tin-lead-nickel. The old gun metal, —
copper 90, tin 10 — possessed some virtue as a
bearing metal, and was used in this capacity
until the tendency of lead to improve thereon
was recognized and lead equal in quantity to
tin was introduced. Long continued practice
clung to copper 80, tin 10, lead 10 until ex-
periment established the contention that heat
and wear diminish with increase of lead and
diminution of tin. Metal men then naturally
applied their efforts to alloying copper with as
little tin and as much lead as limitations would
permit. In experimentally evaluating the
minimum tin and maximum lead content the
figures arrived at were copper 78, tin 7, lead
15.

By accepting these figures we can conclude
that the strong alloying tendency between tin
and lead and tin and copper alike increases the
percentage of lead with which copper will af-
filate almost five-fold, this, of course, being
understood to appK- on a 7 per cent tin basis.

From this it cannot be taken that an ad-
vance in tin will support a corresponding ad-
vance in lead since excess tin in proportion to
copper will aid rather than prevent lead segre-
gation. In fact there seems to be good reason
to believe that there is a critical point native
to the tin content in this connection. Whether
this point be strictly 91 parts copper to 9 parts
tin as the 78 copper, 7 tin, 15 lead, formula
approximately indicates, we are not prepared
to say definitely. From the excellent source
of their origin and our own experience we
believe them to be reasonably dependable and
correct. In the "]\Ietal Industry" of September
an article appeared in which these figures
as affecting lead control were disputed and
evidence submitted to convince. The contention
was that by a "certain process" a much higher
lead content had been controlled in the
presence of a widely differing tin-copper con-
tent, wherefore 91 and 9 was in error. To our
mind the evidence was not admissible and led
the author into the error of reasoning on
premises not justified. The "certain process"
had no part in the argument. The question is
not what figures tin, lead and copper can be
made to submit to in evaluating a critical
point : but what of their own, inherent alloy-
ing tendencies they will accept.

To he concluded in November issue.

The Stowe-Fuller Co., Cleveland, O., has re-
cently issued a neat leather-bound catalog con-
taining useful information and tables apper-
taining to the use of all refractory products,
such as fire brick, open-hearth steel furnaces,
blast furnaces, puddling or heating furnaces,
carbon furnaces and retorts, coke ovens, cop-
per, nickel and zinc smelting furnaces, soda
ash kilns and rotary dryers, oil furnaces and
checker settings. All the standard and special
shapes are illustrated and much useful infor-
mation is presented in the form of tables
which are handy for reference. A copy of this
neat book can be obtained upon application,
mentioning the Brass World.

414

THE I3RASS >VORLX>

October

INTERESTING MEETING OF THE
BRIDGEPORT BRANCH OF THE
AMERICAN ELECTRO-
PLATERS' SOCIETY.

' The most interesting and instructive meet-
ing }-et held by the Bridgeport Brancli of the
American Electro-Platers' Society took place
on September 18th at its rooms. 2(50 John St.
President \V. G. Stratton opened the meeting
at 8:00 p. m. and Secretary X. A. Barnard
read the minutes of the previous meeting and
communications which were approved.

The subject of the evening was "The Rust-
ing of Iron and Steel" and this was dealt with
by the presentation of eight interesting contri-
butions on the subject by W. G. Stratton.
George E. Hopkins, \V. S. Elwin, William
Thompson. P. A. Willett, John O'Xeill, H. M.
Dawson and C. Wyrtzen. The chief points of
treatment were the character of rust, rusting
differences according to surfaces, precautions
to be taken in storage of goods, preventive
measures against rusting, care to be taken in
the handling of unfinished and finished work,
the wrapping of the goods and precautions to
be taken by the plater to secure his goods in as
perfect a condition as possible.

The nature of rust was dealt with, it being de-
fined as the result of the action of moist air on
metal. A consideration was then made of the
more ready rusting of some surfaces than others.
Smooth surfaces are less readily attacked by
rust than rough or sand-blasted surfaces. The
waxes and greases used in polishing enter the
pores of the highly polished surfaces and form
rust preventatives.

Special recommendation was made that stock
should be stored in dry, well-ventilated places.
It is quite important that dampness of any kind
should be avoided as all the troubles due to
rusting of goods will eventually fall on the
shoulders of the plater. Citations of practice
showed endorsement of the rinsing of finished
goods in a fish-oil soap solution before the hot
water immersion and then subsequent drying
of the goods in hot saw-dust. Small pieces
after the soap-solution dip, can be placed in the
dryer without rinsing.

Special notice was made of the rusting of
metals due to finger marking by the operators.
It is well known that certain men, owing to
physical peculiarities, mark everything they
touch. Cotton gloves are insisted upon in

such cases. Talcum powder is also advocated
to assist in maintaining cleanliness of surfaces
during handling. It was pointed out that the
installation of electric fans keep the operators
cool and is also an asset in keeping the work
clean. For the handling of small articles, a
metal scoop was recommended.

Experienced practice dictates that parts, after
having been polished and set aside for some
time, should be coated with a non-ferrous acid
mineral oil, as the presence of acid leads to
more destructive pitting of the surface of the
metal than occurs in general free rusting. The
goods can be stored in trays lined with parafifin
paper. When being shipped, paper-lined bar-
rels should be provided, and care should be
taken that the paper stock used in wrapping is
free from sulphur, as cases of rusting have
been traced to impure paper stock. The spirit
of the remarks by the authors can be summed
up in the statement that cleanliness, care in
handling and exclusion of moisture will reduce
the rusting of steel work to a minimum.

Special emphasis was laid on the possible ad-
vantages to the plater of giving close scrutiny
to the condition of the work given to him by
other departments. If it comes to him in a
rusting condition, he should point out to his
heads the necessary losses which must in-
evitably follow from his receiving work in
such condition — losses of surface smoothness,
time in cleaning and rinsing, etc. As the
plater's reputation depends largely on the
quality of the work he produces in relation to
the production cost, he should take every
possible precaution to obtain clean material to
handle.

A spirited discussion followed, which was
taken part in by George B. Hogaboom, Ex-
President of the American Electro-Platers'
Society, who was a guest of the evening. I\Ir.
Hogaboom stated that microscopic examination
of sand-blasted surfaces shows that small par-
ticles of the sand are actually forced into the
metal and the presence of these sand particles
must necessarily be inimical to the plater's
work. There was a full attendance at the
meeting, about forty platers being in attend-
ance. The next meeting will be held October
16th and all platers in Bridgeport and near-by
points in Connecticut are invited to attend. The
subject of discussion will be "The Plating of
Galvanized Articles."

October 191-1

THE BRASS WORXJD

416

THE MELLEN ROD MACHINE.^

A New Machine for Manufacturing Brass Rod.

The present labored system of producing
rods of brass, copper, akiminum, etc., is
threatened to be replaced by a simple invention
now being introduced by Mr. Grenville Mellen,
Llewellyn Park, X. J. This new apparatus
consists of a small continuous casting machine
which with only one operation gives results
now only obtainable by the use of an excessive
amount of labor, fuel, time and space. The
process involves a radical change in the rod-
rolling industry and should be given serious
consideration by dealers and others interested
in the metal field on account of its great pos-
sibilities.

commercial use. Thus with a continuous flow
into the bore of the machine, rods may be pro-
duced in any required length or shape.

I-'rom this point the rods are delivered im-
mediately to the die of the bull-block where
they are drawn down to fit particular orders.

This new method of manufacturing rods
does away with the following steps of the old
system.

1. The casting of the wire bar.

2. Handling the wire bar from the molds.

3. Rehandling the wire bar to and from

the reheating furnace.

4. The reheating of the wire bar.

5. Rolling the wire bar.

It also eliminates the loss from oxide scal-
ing during the heating and rolling operations.

The Mellen Casting Machine in Operation.

As already stated, cast rod is made directly
from the liquid metal in one step, the basic
object being to eliminate all of the steps in
the present process of manufacture. By an in-
genious method, the hot metal is transferred
from the melting crucibles directly into an end-
less chain of mold-blocks in the machine,
where solidification takes place, and the rod
comes out continuously in a solid form at one
end, as long as the liquid metal is supplied.
The operation of these mold-blocks constitutes
a very important part of Mr. Mellen's inven-
tion. These mold sections work in such a
manner as to produce a solid rod of uniform
structure.

A method of continuously pouring the molten
metal into the machine has been devised, and
in conjunction with the machine this will in
the very near future be put on the market for

*By Richard C. Patterson, Jr., E. M. 323
Produce Exchange, New York City.

The elimination of these steps also removes
the investment cost of these handlings and of
the heating furnace, rolling mill, power plant,
excessive space and buildings.

The machine only occupies 150 square feet
and is quite simple in construction, so that any
laborer may operate it. A frame work com-
posed of channel irons and angle irons hold-
ing in position the two endless chains of mold-
blocks which are in sections and which join in
centre alignment, constitute the main con-
struction. The mold orifice is made up of
these mold sections into which the liquid metal
flows.

The enormous power plant, including
engines, boilers, coal-bins, etc., is practically
done away with; because the power required
to operate this machine is approximately .5 h.

P-

Another advantage is the entire elimination

of all danger to human life. This point, as is

416

THE BRASS WORJLD

Octoljer

only too well known, is not trivial, but of the
highest importance. It might be stated that
the labor charge by this invention is but 5
per cent compared with the old method, as
the caster is the only worker required.

Rods, wire, plates and sheets will Ije great-
ly reduced in cost. In the near future we
can see no reason why this invention should
not be successfully used fi)r the production of
steel rods. etc. The present tax for electro-
lytic copper retlning will also be greatly di-
minished when Mr. Mellen's invention is ap-
]died to the casting of symmetrical anodes.

P.road patent protection has been secured
covering this invention both in this country
and abroad.

THE "WYANDOTTE" SPECIAL.

The Wyandotte Special is a limited train
consisting of three cars — the "Wyandotte Al-
kali Special", the "Wyandotte Cleanser", and
the "Wyandotte Platers' Powder". The termi-
nals of the line are the important towns of
Successful Practice and Declared Profit. The
proprietary corporation of this train of scien-
tific cleansing development is the J. B. Ford
Co., Wyandotte, Mich. The business of the
company is to supply and deliver products
for cleaning and cleansing of metallic surfaces
without injury and with economy and
efficiency. Users of metallic products will be
interested to know the specific functions of
the three Wyandotte products.

The "Wyandotte Alkali Special" is placed on
the market for the effective cleaning of all
metallic surfaces preparatory to plating. In
general use. it can be applied under all con-
ditions.

The "Wyandotte Cleanser" can be used alone
for the same purpose on soft metals as zinc
and aluminum and in an additional function
in that it is mixed with the "Alkali Special"
in order to adjust the strength of the solution
to meet specific manufacturing conditions. For
instance, in a typical case, a certain manufac-
turer of musical devices is handling among
many other, brass pieces of three-fold com-
position, consisting of brass, bronze and die
castings. The "Wyandotte Alkali Special"
would go perfectly on the brass and bronze
alone, but on zinc and aluminum, to avoid un-
due action on these articles, the cleanser or
neutral alkali is added. In this way total
cleansing is effected without any possibility

of detriment to any of the metals treated.
These two cleaning i)roducts singly and jointly.
are used extensively in all cleaning work wdiere
potash can be used and are also very effective
for electric cleaning purposes. Special successes
ha\e l)een obtained with these cleansers in
soda kettles, as they act more quickly and ef-
fectively on greases and oils than ordinary
alkaline products. An important feature of
their use is the excelk'Ut rinsing qualitv. there
being no fdm or deposit of powder on the
work, thus assuring a chemically clean sur-
face. The Wyandotte alkali special and clean-
er are extensively ami successfidly used in
tumbling barrels as a substitute for sal soda.

The "Wyandotte Platers' Powder" is the
most recent product of the Ford Co. This
is designed to replace whale oil and sim-
ilar soaps in tumbling barrels and is proving
peculiarly effective in the removing of
rouges and buffing residuunis which by their
nature are ordinarily difficult to eliminate.

An interesting fact at the present time to be
noted is that the Wyandotte products are dis-
tinctly domestic so that the present European
conflict W'ill not bring about a shortage of
supply or a change in price. Electroplaters
are recognizing with increasing force the ad-
vantage of the elimination of the slow and
costly scouring and scrubbing of goods and
in all up-to-date plants special attention is
being paid to every product which promises a
reduction of time in doing this cleaning work
and the insuring of a chemically clean surface
for their plating operations. Specific informa-
tion on the suitability of these cleansing ma-
terials for special kinds of work can be ob-
tained from the company.

Benedict-nickel is a cupro-iiickel of four to
one mixture. It is extensively used for manu-
facture of plumbers' supplies. Manganese is
added to impart soundness to the casting and
give good rolling quality, the amount used
being generally about one-tenth per cent.

A method of plating iron with aluminum has
been invented l)y S. Uyeno, Tokio, Japan,
which seems to give a real adherent deposit.
The iron to be plated is galvanized and then
dipped into a bath of molten aluminum, kept
between GOO anti 700 deg. C. The surface of
the article is rubbed with a steel brush during
this operation. Good results are said to be"
obtained after treatment two or three times.

October

THE BRJWSS WORU>

417

AUTOMATIC SCIENTIFIC
BUFFING.

Efficiency is the watchword in the modern
up-to-date manufacturing plant. A salesman
asks consideration of a new machine and the
purchasing agent promptly asks "What can it
do? How fast can it do it? At what ultimate
cost is the work done?".

Automatic Buffing Machine.

Buffing requires strength and skill. On many
pieces handled, their uniformity of size and
contour permits of mechanical handling in
groups or sets, the strength being provided by
the machine parts and the skill by the operative
adjustment.

The Automatic Buffing Machine Co. has for
six years made a specialty of automatic buffing
machines and in many instances has doubled
the output of the users on a great variety of
shapes. These machines are designed to
operate with any standard buff lathe save
when large work is to be handled.

An unskilled operator can be easily taught to
run the machine and can turn out from two

to four times the work done by an experienced
hand buffer and it is claimed that less buffs
are required to the same amount of work.

The company makes a study of possibilities
for economical handling of all shapes submitted
to it and the catalog recently issued presents
illustrations and data that will amply repay in-
vestigation. A copy of this can be obtained
promptly upon request to The Automatic
Buffing Machine Co., 58 Indiana St., Buffalo,
X. Y. Mention the "Brass World" when
writing.

IRON IN BRASS,

Iron is a dangerous impurity in brass and
copper alloys. Carbon is the interfering ele-
ment that prevents the true alloying of iron
and copper. All commercial iron or steel con-
tains more or less carbon. When iron or steel
finds its way into the crucible with brass chips,
it does not alloy, but forms into small nodules
and these nodules seem to absorb all the car-
bon in the surrounding metal, forming them-
selves into steel harder than the hardest chilled
tool steel. The real trouble does not manifest
itself until it goes to the machining of these
parts and castings. The edge of any steel tool
will break when it strikes one of these nodules.
Thousands of dollars' worth of tools have
been ruined in this way and the loss is
especially great when using automatic machin-
ery. Xumerous fluxes have been placed on the
market for removing the iron, but there does
not seem to have been any great success at-
tained through their use, either because of
their inefficiency or the lack of care on the
part of the operator. The magnetic separator
which removes the iron before heat treatment,
is claimed to be the most efficient method. The
Dings magnetic separator, manufactured by
the Dings Electro-Magnetic Separator Co.,
Milwaukee, Wis., has increased in use in brass
foundries and metal refining works where re-
moving iron from brass and copper turnings,
borings, punchings, washings, skimmings, fine
scrap, etc., is a necessity. The company is
issuing a new bulletin entitled Bulletin No. 25
which deals with the problem of separation of
iron in brass in a most thorough way and
gives a detailed description of the Dings
separator and fullest instructions for obtaining
efficiency in its use. A copy of this new
bulletin can be obtained upon application. Tell
them you read about it in the Brass World.

418

THE rJRASS WORLD

October

MANY EUROPEAN NATIONS

TO BE REPRESENTED AT

PANAMA EXPOSITION.

In answer to numerous inquiries, Charles C.
Aloore, President of the Panaaia-Pacitic Inter-
national Exposition which will open in Sun
I'Vancisco on I'"el)ruary 20, , lias issued
the following statement ;

"One month ago, the decision of the Pana-
ma-Pacific International Exposition manage-
ment not to postpone was first published. 1 Uc
development of events since then, in their re-
lation to the Exposition, all tend to confirin
the wisdom of that original decision.

"At the time the decision was made no word
had been received from any foreign nation as
to the effect on its plans caused by the Euro-
pean war, but it was hoped that at least those
nations not fighting would go on with their
plans. Later developments have proven that
hope well founded; in addition, we have
definite assurances from France, from Italy,
from Turkey and from Japan that their in-
tentions are unchanged. Holland has added
$300,000 to her original appropriation. Italy has
ordered work on her building and exhibits
rushed. Japan has asked for and received an
increase of space. The Argentine Republic
has increased its appropriation from $1,250,000
to $1,750,000.

"We shall undoubtedly lose some of the
promised exhibits from Europe, but not by any
means all of them and not by any means the
most important of them. Both Germany and
Great Britain will be represented by individual
exhibitors or by associations thereof.We shall
undoubtedly lose some of the promised entries
by European champions in the athletic events,
but the international character of those events
will not be lost. We may lose some of the art
treasures promised us for the Fine Arts
Building, but we shall gain others because of
the war.

"Of compensating gains we have many.
There is a very sbarp demand for space from
the manufacturers of this country, of South
America and of the European nations not at
war. The Exposition suddenly becomes an
important factor in an extraordinary economic
situation. It is seen to be the one, great, easy.
efBcient way by which American made goods
can be brought to the direct attention of the
distributors and consumers of South America
and the Orient. The latter are coming here in

force in to make the new individual and
commercial connections forced by the war.

"As regards attendance, every transportation
expert confirms the opinion that a continued
European war is likely rather to increase
travel to California in than to reduce it.

"The Exposition is 92 per cent ready to-day.
It will open February 20, as planned — and it
will be as planned, the most beautiful and most
interesting Exposition ever seen. There is no
reason to believe that the success of the Ex-
position, in any phase, w'ill be any less than
that which was so certain before the European
war broke out and it is certain to be even
more important connnercially than was ever
dreamed."

''SEND US A WIRE/'

"Send us a wire" is a common enough
phrase in these days of telegraph facilities,
l)ut it has special significance when addressed
to the Standard Underground Cable Co., Pitts-
burgh, Pa. This company makes it its business
to supply wires and cables to every conceivable
specification for every possible human require-
ment. Among the many "Standard" products
are wire rods, bare wire and cable, Colonial
copper-clad wire, magnet wire, rubber insu-
lated wire for a dozen different purposes, fibre,
paper and lead-covered cable, varnished cloth
cable, insulating tapes and sheets, jointing sup-
plies and armored cable. The company has an
excellent publicity department and it will
undertake to send to every user, actual and
possible, of wires and cables, a special
pamphlet or booklet on the type in which he
is interested. An examination of the com-
pany's literature will give the user a concise
and complete understanding of the many
points which have to be observed in wire and
cable purchases. A most attractive booklet is
the one on Colonial copper clad wire, giving
one an insight into the great care exercised in
manufacturing the company's products and the
skill required to adapt them to specific com-
mercial needs. Copies of all or any of these
books can be obtained upon application to the
company.

Copper is present in all commercial silver as
it is costly to remove the last traces of it and
it is not an injurious metal. This accounts for
copper being always found in old silver
plating solutions.

October

419

TRADE HAPPENINGS.

The Xew Era Lustre Co., manufacturer of
lacquers, 93 William St., Xew York City, was
the first company in the trade to adopt the
"Made in America" slogan on its letterhead.
Owing to the disturbed conditions in Europe,
material for the manufacture of lacquers is
not easy to obtain and the Xew Era Lustre
Co. has taken advantage of the situation by
heralding its ability to supply lacquers inde-
pendent of imported materials.

The Basic Mineral Co., Xorth Side, Pitts-
burgh, Pa., reports increasing use of its pro-
ducts, chief of which are the well known
"Keystone" fluxes for smelting all metals.
"Thermo-Titanium" for grey iron, semi-steel
and all ferrous metals, "Ferro-Ciarite" for
malleable iron and all hard metals and "Radio-
Ciarite" for all non-ferrous metals. Recent
orders have been received from the Smeeth-
Harwood Co., Chicago, the Standard Sanitary
Co., Toronto, Can., and inquiries from the
West show an increasing appreciation o f the
value ci th.ees products. Special liteiatur-"
on any or all of these can be obtained by ap-
plication to the Basic Mineral Co.

R. F. Lang, 8-10 Bridge St., Xew York
City, well known to the trade by his marketing
of the "Royal" products — 10 and 15 per cent
phosphor copper, manganese copper, 20 and
30 per cent silicon copper, 5 per cent phosphor
tin and prepared nickel salts — is announcing
to the trade that the difficulty of receiving
goods from European countries has been
overcome. The commencement of the Euro-
pean hostilities had necessarily caused some
delay and interruption of regular business.
Fortunately there is no further hitch in ob-
taining the products and there is every indi-
cation of increased demand for "Royal" goods.
Mr. Lang exhibited in Chicago his latest ac-
cession in the form of hydraulic bronze and
brass machine parts and plumber's brasses.

While the prices of most chemicals have
been advanced considerably as a result of the
European war the C. G. Buchanan Chemical
Co., Cincinnati, O., point out that their product

"Ferro-Case" which replaces cyanide in all its
applications to the case-hardening field, will
not be subject to any increase in price due to
fluctuations in the potash market. The same
conditions also apply to the company's "Sul-
phurette" for copper and silver oxidizing and
allied purposes, the firm assuring the trade
that present prices will be maintained, with no
desire to increase, whether justifiable or not.

The Turner Machine Co., - X.
Lawrence St., Philadelphia, Pa., manufacture
automatic cock grinders, molding machines,
key lathes, sand sifters and mixers, sprue
cutters and other foundry equipment. The
Turner patent automatic sand sifter and
mixer is one of the company's specialties.
With one-half horse-power required to run
the machine, one man sifts about sixty tons
per day. This and the other Turner products
are described and illustrated in the firm's
catalog, obtainable on request.

The trade will be interested to note that the
Celluloid Zapon Co., 200 Fifth Ave., Xew
York City, has just issued a beautiful booklet
in colors which shows the range of tints avail-
able in celluloid enamels issued by this com-
pany. These enamels are air-drying, watei
proof and do not fade through light action
and can either be dipped, brushed or sprayed.
The company has also issued a companion
booklet entitled "Zapons." This describes
briefly the history of the company and gives
a number of practical hints on the uses of
the different zapon products on wood and
metal. Both of these booklets should be in
the hands of every practical man in the trade
for reference. They can be obtained upon ap-
plication to the company.

A most valuable catalog for the trade to
possess is that of the Divine Bros. Co., polish-
ing engineers and manufacturers of buffing
and polishing wheels, Utica, X^. Y. This com-
pany points out that everything in this line
known to the trade is made by them, and even
this 64-page book in which apparently every

420

THE BRASH WORLD

October

known polishing wheel is described and il-
lustrated, does not show this firm's complete
line of these goods. Not only are descriptions
given, but also the reasons for using various
types of wheels, and the large amount of
general information concerning the art of
polishing makes the book a handy reference
work for all metal manufacturing concerns.

**THE FOREMAN'S HANDBOOK/'

CUTTING HOLES i^uR A LIVING.

James H. Rhodes & Co.. 87 Front St.. Xew
York C'ity, have recently published a helpful
manual of information upon the scientific
methods of cleaning metal surfaces, which can
be read with profit In- every electroplater. The
cleaning of the articles to be plated is a con-
stant problem, and inefifective cleaning has
been and still is responsible for many plating
troubles. The chief factor in this booklet is the
Carlsruhe German cleanser, which is offered
as an effective substitute for potash, soda,
naphtha, gasoline and whale-oil soap. "Carls-
ruhe" differs from products having a caustic
alkali for their active principle in that it is
an oxide with a metal base whose action is to
remove the grease without changing it into
a soap. Interesting information is given as to
the best methods of its use, and all phenomena
presented during the work of the cleanser are
dealt with in an instructive way. A copy of "The
Foreman's Handbook" can be ol)tained free
of charge from James FI. Rhodes & Co. Write
for it and mention the "Brass World" as the
source of vour information.

THE '*SLY LINE."

The slogan of the W. W. Sly ^Ifg. Co.,
Cleveland, O., is "Sly and Satisfaction." This
company for MS years has specialized in foundry
cleaning equipment. An attractive catalog is
being issued which describes the construction
features of the products of the company in
an interesting way. These machines are de-
vised to obtain the greatest economy in the
cleaning of castings and the Sly tumbling mills
are constructed in every form for this purpose.
Special circulars and catalogs are also issued
on sand blast equipment and cinder mills. By
writing immediately for this new literature,
you can become acquainted with the "Sly Line"
of modern foundry appliances. Mention the
Brass World when writing.

Putting a hole in anything is supposed to be
comparatively easy, but when the hole has to
be made in a certain place of a certain size
and with less tlian a thousandth of an inch
leeway, it does and should cost real money.

The J. W. Colgan Co., Boston, Mass.,
specializes in monogram and initial novelties
and machine saw piercing in metals of all
kinds for silver ware manufacturers, clock
makers, sign makers, leather goods and
jewelry jobbers. Countless opportunities
await the manufacturers of original goods,
and artistic effects can be added by pattern
production using the piercing method. A cut
in metal may easily mean a slice of profit.
Consult Colgan about it.

A ''CROWN" OF ACHIEVEMENT.

The regulation of current and voltage in
plating solutions is receiving considerable at-
tention by platers at the present time. Control
of forces at his disposal has always been man's
problem, and in the plating room it is es-
sential that the current should be regulated
regardless of the density of the solution or the
amount of the work in the bath at anv time.
The Crown Rheostat & Supply Co., Cul-
lom .\ve., Chicago, 111., has already placed on
the market a rheostat for nickel, copper, brass.
bronze, tin and galvanizing solutions with a
current regulation of from 2i to 50 amperes
per step and a voltage regulation from 1/10 to
ft volt divisions. The most recent apparatus of
"Crow'n" type is a rheostat made in szes
from 34 to 100 amperes for gold, silver and
black nickel with a current regulation in .■) to
2h ampere divisions and a voltage regulation of
1/10 volt division.

In gold and silver work the users have
found their ability to regulate the voltage so
closely that a few pieces can be plated as well
as a large amount of work in the tank at any
time without fear of blistering or burning the
work. A special folder has been issued which
is well worth study. This new literature can
be obtained from the Crown Rheostat &
Supply Co. upon request. When writing tell
them you read about it in the "Brass World."

October

421

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

ANTIQUE BRASS FINISH.

We are enclosing a sample of antiqne brass
finish which we are doing in considerable
quantities. What do you consider the best and
most economical way of producing the linish?

Dissolve 2 oz. of white arsenic to every gal-
lon of solution containing equal parts of hydro-
chloric acid and water. Boil for fifteen min-
utes or so to dissolve the arsenic. Use the
solution Avarm or hot in a stone crock. Xo cur-
rent is necessary and the color is obtained by
simply immersing the brass a few seconds.
Rinse and dry. To obtain the spots relieve on
the wheel, then lacquer.

CRACKING OF ALUMINUM PATTERN

PLATE.

In making aluminum match plates for pai-
terns, consisting of 2 aluminum to 1 zinc, we
find that some of the plates after a few min-
utes' use or even less, become brittle and
crack spontaneously. When made they are
soft and malleable. Can you tell me the cause
or give a formula for a light pattern metal
that will overcome our troubles?

We think you are pouring the metal too hot.
A better casting will be got from 9.5 aluminum,
o copper, making a stronger and lighter metal,
^lelt 5 lb. copper in a graphite crucible and add
10 lb. aluminum, stir well and pour into flat
bars. Then melt 8.5 lb. aluminum and add 15
lb. of alloy, bring to pouring heat, stir well
and pour.

USE OF CARBONATE OF COPPER AND

MURIATIC ACID DIP.

What is the carbonate of copper and nuiri
atic acid dip used for. and how is it carried
out ?

The copper and muriatic acid dip is used for
producing the smut in the background of ar-
ticles to be plated in the rose gold finish. It is
made and used as follows :

4 oz. sulphate of copper

8 oz. muriatic acid

3 oz. hot water.

Innnerse the articles m the solution for a few
minutes, then remove. A rose effect wall be
produced. Xow relieve the high light and
gild.

TROUBLE WITH NICKEL SOLUTION.

In preparing my nickel solution. 1 put 4 oz.
of soda into about 300 gallons of solution, in-
stead of using boracic acid. It does not brittle
the solution, but gives a scummy surface and a
dark background. Can you inform me how
to overcome this trouble?

The amount of soda used would have no ef-
fect on the large quantity of solution. The
trouble is probably that the solution has be-
come alkaline, and should be neutralized In-
adding sulphuric acid, a little at a time, till it
no longer afYects litmus. If your solution con-
tains no boracic acid, add 4 oz. for every .gal-
lon of solution in the tank, dissolving the acid
first in hot water before adding.

ACID-RESISTING METAL.

A\'hich mixture do you consider the best
acid resisting metal to be used in a miscel-
laneous assortment of castings?

For ordinary castings, valves, etc., the follow-
ing is the best all-round mixture for your pur-
pose, no zinc being used at all :

Copper SO lb.

Tin 9 lb.

Lead 10 lb.

.5 per cent. Phosphor Tin.. 1 lb.

GILDING SMALL ARTICLES.

We ha\ e a large number of small articles to
finish in imitation or rich gilt. Kindly give
us instructions as to doing this work at a low
cost.

The articles should be first cleaned and then
given a light copper deposit in a hot cyanide
copper solution. A light brass deposit is then
given, and then the goods are gold plated in a
hot gold solution. Only a very little gold is
used, the color of the brass approximating so
nearlv to the color required.

422 TFLE BRASS W^ORLI> Octobcn- lou

SEPARATION OF LEAD AND TIN. The goods are lirst brightened by tumbling

We arc having trouble in mixing the follow- or otherwise and then dipped into a solution

jj^„ allov • '^^ chloride of zinc, which is used as a flux

to make the tin adhere. Thev are then dipped

Copper 73 per cent. • . , , . , ■ , '■ , •

^. ^„ . in a bath of molten tm, which gives a com-

Tm 12 per cent. , , ,

plete though uneven coating.

Lead la per cent. ^ ^ / , , . , - . , ,

To produce the bright tinish, the spoons

The lead and tin do not seem to mix with the ^^^^^^^ ^^ retinned. In aimther kettle the tin

copper as we wish. Can you supply us with .^ covered with an inch or so of tallow as a

information concerning the correct way to nux ^^^^ ^j^^ ^^^^1^ ,^^^ ,^^1^ ^j^^gj^ ^^. ^^^^g^ ^^^

these metals. dipped into the tin, producing a bright and

The use of a small percentage of hve per t>ven finish. This result cannot be obtained

cent phosphor tin will prevent the separation without the use of two kettles,
of lead and tin in your mixture. Use two per

cent of this alloy in place of two per cent tin. GERMAN SILVER SCRAP.

A handful of salt should be used in melting pj^^^ ^^^^ ^ ^,^^ German silver scrap in a

the copper to prevent oxidation and separation ^^j^j^^^j fixture? Our solid nickel contains

of tlie metals. The molten metal should be oq per cent of cube nickel and I would like to

kept well covered with charcoal. ^^^^^, j£ German silver would cheapen the mix-

ture. If so, could I use 10 per cent German

BOWER-BARFF FINISH. silver and 10 per cent nickel?

How is the Bower-Barff finish made? As

we understand it, it is oxidized, lacquered and We do not see how you can use German sil-

then baked for a half -hour at about 350 deg. ver in your nickel castings unless you know

We get a good finish this way, but not a dead the analysis of the scrap German silver you

black. Is this the correct method? want to use. This might contain anywhere

■ ■ from 10 per cent to 25 per cent of nickel, the

The genuine Bower-P.arff finish on iron and balance copper and zinc. Now as German sil-
steel is obtained by heating the article red-hot ver contains nickel, copper and zinc, it will be
in a muffle furnace and passing steam in, necessary for you to know the metal content
producing black oxide of iron on the surface, of each in your scrap before you can use it
The heat required limits the use of this finish intelligently. If you do, it is simply a mat-
to only a certain class of goods. The process ter of figuring back your nickel mixture to
you mention is the imitation by means of a take the scrap German silver ; otherwise, leave
baking lacquer, which will be satisfactory if it alone,
you use the dead black kind. If you use the scrap German silver, add it

to your mixture after the copper and nickel in

OXIDIZING ALUMINUM. your pot begin to melt. Do not put it in the

Can vou inform me as to whether a success- POt at the same time as you put thenickel and

ful process of oxidizing aluminum has yet copper in, as you will burn the zinc out of

been found? >''"■■ ^'^'"''^P l^'^^^ore the other metals begin to

melt.

As far as we known, aluminum has not been

oxidized commercially, nor can it be done BLUEING STEEL GOODS.

successfully. Black laquers of various con- \Ye are having some trouble in blueing steel

ditions from dead black to black lustre are revolver parts with a solution of saltpetre and

used with success for coloring aluminum black, manganese dioxide, owing to the blue color

and any of the high-grade lacquer manufac- being easily rubbed oft'. The parts are first

turers will be able to satisfy you. polished, then thoroughly cleaned in gasoline

and boxwood sawdust. The parts are then put

TINNING OF SPOONS. on iron wire and inspected, and afterwards
I have a number of spoons to be tinplated. immersed in the solution of saltpetre and man-
Please let me know if there is a method of ganese dioxide, in the proportion of 9 salt-
depositing the tin by first dipping in a flux pet re to 1 manganese dioxide, at a tempera-
and then into molten tin. ture of 700 to 900 deg. F. They are agitated

October

THE BRASS WORLD

423

by dipping up and down in this solution, until
the desired dark navy blue is obtained. They
are then taken out and dipped into a vessel
of stagnant water, then into hot sal soda, and
lastly lard oil.

We would state that conditions make it nii-
possible for us to use a lacciuer on these parts.

A NEW CHARGING CAR.

We believe that the cause of the rubbing
off is that the color is too thin. If you allow
the goods to remain longer in the saltpetre,
keeping the temperature uniform, more depth
will possibly be obtained. The blue obtained
should be similar to that produced by heating
in the ordinary manner. Better results will
be obtained by dipping in oil instead of water
after coming out of the saltpetre, unless you
desire to harden the barrel.

RECLAIMING TIN FROM DROSS.

Can you give us any information regarding
the recovery of Straits tin from the drosses
produced from our dip tinning kettles? We
secure a large percentage of this, but a large
quantity is still left in the ashes. We have
used sal-ammoniac in the melting process
which assists to a certain extent.

We would suggest washing the ashes out
from the tin dross. The dross can then be re-
melted under a flux of sal-ammoniac, and
when melted a little phosphor-tin mav be ad-
ded.

BRONZE MIXTURE TO STAND WATER

COOLING.

We are taking up on a small scale the cast-
ing of bronzes for sculptors by the Cire Per-
due (lost wax) process, and find that cooling
the cast off with water immediately after cast-
ing lessens the scale formation. What compo-
sition of metal will best stand the rapid cool-
ing oft' without the liabilitv of cracking?

Use the following composition :

Copper 90

Tin 7

Zinc 3

The castings will crack more through being
taken from the sand too hot than through the
water quenching them. Special care is neces-
sary in handling them, no matter what mix-
ture is used.

The National Brake & Electric Co. have re-
cently installed in their foundry a number of
new pig iron charging cars which have proven
very satisfactory to foundry operation. They
were designed by the Orenstein-Arthur Koppel
Co., Koppel, Pa., and have proven very well
adapted for the work for which they are in-
tended.

New Pig Iron Charging Car.

The accompanying figure shows a type of
this car and, as will be noted, no track is
needed for this car, which can be run any-
where on the floor. On account of the end
wheels being higher than the center ones, the
car can be balanced and turned in its own
length on the center wheels. The floor is
made just wide enough so that the pigs of iron
can be piled crosswise, and they will project
sufficiently to enable the operator to easily
handle and move them.

NEW PLANT OF THE ABBOTT
BALL COMPANY.

The Abbott Ball Co., Hartford, Conn, re-
ports good prospects for extension of busi-
ness with its burnishing equipments. The
plant has been running full time and a new
plant for the manufacture of high-grade bear-
ing balls is now being put into shape by an
extra force of men. New machinery has been
installed and is running steadily and several
millions of these finished balls of different
sizes are already on hand, the products being
of an exceedingly high grade. Those interested
in steel balls for all purposes can obtain full
particulars upon application to the company.

424

OctolK-r

PATENT NOTES.

Method of and Apparatus For Annealing-
Metals.

Til this process the hot metal from the mold,
at a ihright cherry-red heat of from to
deg., is placed in a diiul)le-\valled chain-
l)er with pressnre exhaust, of construction
shown. Tlie chamber is then closed and the
air is exhausted therefrom. The heat of the
metal and the gases generated causes the air
with.in to expand, driving nuich of it tnit.

3 —

This lessens the amount of oxidation and re-
duces the rate of cooling of the metal, as a
more or less vacuum is ol)tained.

The method is stated to be particularly
adapted to iron and steel castings, but may
also be applied to copper and brass. The cool-
ing process becomes one of weeks rather than
days, and opportunity is given for the l)urnmg
out of any impurities that may l)e present. —
U. S. Patent 1,110,12:3. Sept. S, l'.)14. Frederic

Hart Fechtig.

Coatingr Metals.
In an invention for protecting and orna-
menting ahnuinum ;nid other metals, tliey are
first sprayed or rulilied with an aqueous mix-
ture of cliromic acid, oxalic acid, a scaling-
agent, anunoniacal nickel sulphate, precipitated
silicic acid, and tannic acid. This is effected
Ijy air mixed with hydrogen.

The metal is then washed and dried, and
coated successively with first a solution of
gutta-perclia, caoutchouc and nitrated castor

oil or etiuivalents, then with a solution of cel-
lulose and fatty acids such as acetic and lactic
acids, and a little tin or zinc chloride. The
coated metal is dried in hot air, and the coat-
ing liardened by means of formaldeliyde. —
I'.rilisli Patent n,7IT. Mav 20, I'.Hl. J. 'I'ronel.

Method of Manufacturing- Tutoular Metal
Casting's.

The object of the in\entioii is to enal)le the
use of rigid or metal cores which may be useci
man\- times, in the manufacture of metal
tubes, and to prox'ide materials for coating such
metal cores.

The metal core is coated with a luliricant
•vvhich does not melt at the working tempera-
tures employed, and which enables the core to
slide within the casting and lie witlulrawn after
the latter has sufficiently solidified. The mix-
ture found most suitable is obtained by adding
magnesium silicate to a ground mass of
mineral oil, soot, linseed oil and plumbago.
This coating prevents alloying or welding of
the core and the casting, as there is a tendency
to take place in the case of brass and bronze
castings.— U. S. Patent l.in,r,41. Sept. 22.
mil. Hugo Brosch.

Electroplating- Apparatus.

The invention is stated t(.) ]ie particularly ap-
plicable to apparatus in which work holders
are caused to traxel in a predetermined path,

tlic articles carried liy them lieing subjected to
treatment in different baths contained in vari-
ous tanks disposed in a curved path and under-
lying an endless chain by
are carried.

which the holders

October

THE BRASS WORLX)

425

The work holders, to increase their capacity,
are formed in a cylnidrical shape, with sur-
faces on all sides for receiving the articles.
Means are provided for rotating these holders
while in the vats and for moving same ver-
tically to remove from and replace in the vats.
— U. S. Patent 1,108,410. .Aug. 2.5, . Elmer
B. Stone.

Electrog^alvaniziiig" Solution.

The object of this invention is to provide an
electrolyte for galvanizing with zinc, permit-
ting the zinc to readily enter into solution
from the anode and freely deposit on the metal
at the cathode. The solution has been devised
especially to avoid the formation of gases
around the anode and cathode.

The solution consists of .5 parts iron sul-
phate, dissolved in water: 3 parts of either
zinc or aluminum acetate also dissolved in
water; 400 parts of zinc sulphate; and 6 parts
of aluminum sulphate. Enough water is added
to give the required density, 28 to 33 deg.
Beaume being the usual density needed. A
solution of 2 to G parts of manganese sulphate
may also be added. The absence of alkali and
the presence of acetates in the solution are
important factors in obtaining a smooth de-
posit from it. — U. S. Patent 1.109,181. Sept. 1,
. Guido Sacerdote.

Art of Soldering-.

This process relates to an improved method
of producing soldered joints between metals,
particularly thick pieces where it is essential

that the pieces should be limited accurately in
a predetermined relation, as in the cutting of
dies used for stamping out upper leather for
shoes.

The pieces to be soldered are arranged in
the required relation to one another, mag-
netically clamped to a fixed support and then
magnetized so as to clamp them together.
While thus magnetically clamped in the fixed
relation they are heated and solder is applied,
the parts being afterwards demagnetized. —
U. S. Patent 1,109,6.59. Sept. S, . .Albert R.
Brad en.

Electric Furnace,

This furnace consists of a stationary reduc-
tion chamber, below which is a tiltable crucible
in communication with it and so arranged that
when the latter is tilted, the reduction chamber
is substantiallv closed off. With former types.

of furnaces, difficulty has been experienced in
getting entirely rid of the slag, and in pouring
the molten metal from the furnace.

In this type, the ciucible can be tilted so as
to bring the slag level in line with the tap,
making it easy to draw off the whole of the
slag, after which the molten metal may be
poured.— U, S. Patent 1,108,924. Sept. 1, .
Tames W. Aloffatt.

A formula for aluminum solder said to give
good results consists of 69 tin, 25 zinc, and 6
aluminum. Tlie zinc is melted first, then the
aluminum is added and after removing the
crucible from the fire, the tin is added.

426

TlIE BRASS WORLD

October

WELDING BY THE THOMSON

ELECTRIC RESISTANCE

PROCESS.

BY W. H. HODGES.

The electric welding of iron and stee'I in
various forms has been going on since about
. Axles, tires, hub bands, rods and wire
are commonly electric-welded, as also are all
steel automobile rims today. All this work
consists in welding one end against anotner
end, although it may be in straight lengths or
in rings or lioops. Tramway rails in streets
are made continuous, and wire fencing and
wire mesh for concrete reinforcing are made
by the electric welding process as is well
known. •

Tliere is some seam welding; notably, the

butt welding of tubing of about

inch wall

and 2 inch or 3 inch diameter, and also cylin-
ders where the I inch thick edges are abutted
to form a cylinder used for kitchen boilers,
etc. There has also been some seam welding
of light sheet steel articles where the edges are
overlapping and the weld made by a roller
electrode running over this lap.

Another of the latest developments of the
process is what is known as the spot weld,
where light sheet metal articles are joined in-
stead of riveting. This lield is perhaps as
considerable as any of the electric welding
possibilities and is being rapidly extended.

The welding of brass and copper has, up to
a recent date, been practically confined to that
of wire. The soft copper wire for armature
winding is very quickly and satisfactorily
welded by the electric welding process as con.
pared with the ordinary brazing method. It is
difficult, however, to always get results in
welding hard copper, although reasonably
good results have been obtained in redrawing
brass when of about I inch diameter, which
lias been electric welded.

While by all other methods of welding the
heat is applied from the outside, this process
is distinguished from all other processes by
the fact that the heat is generated in the metal
itself at the joint and is practically confined
there, not being dissipated by radiation before
the weld is made ; neither does the heat run
back on the pieces to the detriment of the
stock near the weld.

Briefly, the process consists in making the
pieces at the joint a part of the secondary cir-

cuit. These pieces, being poor conductors, of-
fer resistance to the passage of the current and
the joint heats. When at a welding tem-
perature, pressure is applied to force the abut-
ting surfaces together, making the weld.

This always leaves more or less of a swell-
ing or enlargement at the joint, and in the case
of brass and coper wire, as well as high carbon
steel wire, this enlargement is more in the
form of a fin than a swelling. It can readily
be ground ofif and much of it knocked oft' with
the back of a file. There is no provision in
ordinary hand welding machines for reducing
this swelling or enlargement before the ar-
ticle is removed from the welding machine,
but in chain welding this swelling is reduced
in the machine by a press, folowing the weld-
ing operation.

Thomson Bench Electric Welder.

The illustration shows a vertical form of
small bench welder which has been found very
useful in the welding of platinum ends on
small special steel and brass screws and bolts ;
also in the welding of platinum points, some-
times not larger than the head of an ordinary
pin, to brass springs. This machine can be
used for any small work where one kind of
metal is to be joined to another, either the
whole contacting surfaces of both metals being
joined together or a small piece being joined
to a piece of larger superficial area.

October 1!)14

T'lLE BRvVSS WORJLD

427

This machine is built in a variety of forms,
the opening between jaws being large or small
as required, and the electrodes are made to
hold the particular pieces which the machine
is to handle. The operation is automatic ex-
cept in the placing and removing of the article
to be welded. The foot presses the treadle
under the table, the upper jaw- opens, the
pieces are inserted, the foot is released from
the lever and the weld is made. The current
is cut out automatically at the right instant, so
that when the machine is properly set there is
no burning of the metal and the work is uni-
formly done.

The machine is about 13 in. by 17 in. by 23
in. high and weighs about 120 lb. It is manu-
factured by the Thomson Electric Welding
Co., of Lynn, Mass.

VENTILATION FOR THE FOUN-
DRY, THE FACTORY, AND
THE PLATING ROOM.

"METALLURGY."

"JNIetallurgy" has just been issued in its sec-
ond edition. It is the work of Henry Wysor.
B. S., Professor of ^letallurgy- in Lafayette
College. The aim and ideal of the author is to
set forth the history, practice and philosoph_\-
of metallurgy in a brief and clear manner. This
valuable book contains 29 chapters, 391 pages
and 104 illustrations. It deals with the physi-
cal properties of metals, refractories and
fluxes, heat measurement, fuels, furnaces, the
various smelting processes of metals and con-
cludes with an interesting chapter on alloys.
It is a condensed treatise for the use of all
those who desire to obtain a general knowledge
of the subject and is worth adding to the
book-shelf. It can be obtained for $3.00 from
the Chemical Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., or
from the Book Department of the Brass World
& Platers' Guide, Bridgeport, Conn.

PERSONAL.

E. St. Elmo Lewis, the well-known adver-
tising manager of the Burroughs Adding
Machine Co., Detroit, ]Mich., has accepted the
position of vice-president and general manager
of the Art ]Metal Construction Co., James-
town, N. Y.

J. F. Mossey, connected with the American
Brass Co's plants in Connecticut in the roll-
ing mill department, has recently moved to the
new plant of the American Brass Co. at
Kenosha, Wis. ^Ir. AIosse\- has demonstrated
his ability as an executive and his many
friends in Connecticut wish him all success
in his new enterprise.

In the old days we were told that if we did
not close our windows at night, the night air
would enter our bedrooms and fill us chuck
full of death-dealing microbes. We have
found out the fallacy of that. We have learned
that the open window is the safe-guard of
health ; in other words, the more air that we
can get pumped into us by night or by day,
the better w-e are off physically. Foul air
lessens the working capacity of all men.
Lessening the working capacity of the operator
in the foundry, the factory or the plating room
brings about sleepiness, sluggishness, in-
efficiency, incapacity and diminution of attend-
ance through sickness. The best ventilated
plant is likely to be the most efficient plant. Ven-
tilation has been said to be the first cousin to
good nature, good manners and good work.

The Cleveland Blow I'ii.c & Mfg. Co.,
W est 3rd St., Cleveland, O.. is an important
factor in the provision of good ventilation
under all operative conditions. The company's
vacuum ventilator is scientifically constructed
so that the air outlet is larger in area than the
air outlet in the roof. It is so built that no
back draft, rain or snow can be blown into the
building. It is of the standard type, having no
moving parts to get loose or rusty through
atmospheric conditions. The company makes
a specialty of installing cooling and ventilating
systems for plating rooms, factories and
foundries, and also installs dust-collecting
systems for tumbling mills, polishing and
buffing rooms and all places where dust is a
menace to the health of the worker. Literature
concerning the company's apparatus can be ob-
tained upon application. Kindly mention the
Brass World & Platers' Guide when w-riting.

428

October I'Ji-l

NEWS OF OUR NEIGHBORS.

The Delaware Metal Reliiiery has snid its A metal products company has begun the

factory building on Washington Ave., Phila- construction of $20,00() worth of buildings to

delphia, Pa., to l-'dward H. Trotter.

The Western Pattern .Mfg. Co. of .Mi.liuL-.
111., has amalgamated with the .SuUivan-KelK-y
Plating Co., Davenjjort, la. .Moline will be
the location of the new concern.

The Springfield llrass Co., ()., lias recently
moved to its new building on West .Main St.

Joseph and Jacob Lingle have opened a
nickel plating pl;uu on Rdison St., Antigo,
\\ is., whcrf they do repair work of ;dl kinds.

The Maiwunn (ierman Aluminum Co., Ash-
land. ()., is a rapidly growing business which
is about to add largely to its present plant.
One of its contracts is with the Bowman Co.,
Cleveland. ()., for ,f2()(),()()0 worth of alunnnum
ware a vear.

The .Marion Aluminum Hollow Ware Co.,
Marion, Ind., which was established in Febru-
ary in part of the ^Marion P>rass S: Bronze
Co,s building, is reported to l)e making good
headway, due to the high character of the
conipan_\-'s j)r(iducts.

The Wheeling Ceiling & Metal Co., Xorth
Warwood, W. Va., has begun the manufacture
of material used for ceilings in large buildingr..
About 150 men are expected to be employed
when the plant is working full time.

The \\ m. II. Jackson Co.. manufacturer of
bronze, brass and iron work, has removed to
its new plant at 335 Carroll St.. Brooklyn, X.
v., which occupies 140,000 sq. ft. of floor space
and is readilv accessible from New York Citv.

The U. S. Reduction Co., Chicago, III, is
sending to the trade a "From the Ore to You"
booklet as a herald of its anti-friction babbits
These are made under different formulas to
meet with all speed requirements in standard
grades, and specialties are manufactured to
serve exceptional needs. Special data can be
secured on application.

house Its machinery in Sarnia, Out.

The Paporte Pattern Works, La Porte, ind.,
has commenced operations in the Planett fac-
tor\- building.

The Henry C. Sniither Roofing & Sheet
Metal Co., 4;i0 S. Meriden St., Indianapolis,
liid., recently suffered damage to the extent
of .$2. .■.00 through fire.

The Hartman Ingot .Aletal Co., 2.">11-25;>1
W. 21st. St., Chicago, 111., after five years of
business progress, are increasing their plant
to double its capacity as a result of the great
demand for their products, more especially the
soft brass ingots used by the manufacturers of
plumbing goods. Mucli of the credit for the
company's growth is due to the enterprise and
personal attention shown by the manager of
the firm, Mr. John Hartman.

The Arthur H. Thomas Co., Philadelphia,
Pa., is sending out literature dealing with the
Xorthrup high-temperature electric furnaces,
for which the company is sole selling agent.
These furnaces are particularly adapted to the
melting of the precious metals, temperatures
up to ° C. and ° C. being obtained
with the large and small models respectively,
and by means of a cascade attachment a tem
perature of .° C. can be produced.

-A.. J. Corcoran. Inc., Xew York City, is
sending out literature to the trade concerning
its rectangular tanks for holding acids and
for galvanizers in which this company has
specialized for fifty years. These tanks are
guaranteed water-tight and require neither
paint, putty nor any other form of calking.
They are made of cedar, white or yellow pine.
white wood, spruce and oak, and are held to-
gether by iron tie-rods in such a manner that
it is impossible for the acid or other material
in the tank to come in contact with the iron
work.

October liil4

THE BRASS WORl-D

429

MEETINGS OF
AMERICAN ELECTRO-
PLATERS' SOCIETY.

Bridgeport — Meets on the third Friday of
each month at the "Brass World" office, 260
John St., Bridgeport, Conn. Secretary, Nelson
Barnard, 858 Howard Ave., Bridgeport, Conn.

SUPREME SOCIETY

Meets first week in June, , at Dayton, O.
Secretary, Walter Fraine, 507 Grand Ave.,
Dayton, Ohio.

BRANCH SOCIETIES.

New York — .Me-ts fourth P'riday of each
month at Broadway Central Hotel, New York
City, at 8 P. M. Secretary. Joseph Minges, 148
Schenk Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Rochester — Meets second Friday of eacli
montli at Hotel Rochester. Secretary. C. V.
Haring, 30G Dewey Avenue, Rochester, N. Y.

Toronto — Meets fourth Thursday of each
month at Occidental Hall, Bathurst and Queen
Streets, Secretarj-, Ernest Coles, P. O. Box 5,
Coleman. C)nT.

Philadelphia — Meets first Friday of each
month in the Harrison Laboratory Building,
University of Pennsylvania. 34th. and Spruce
Sts., Philadelphia, Pa., S P. M. Secretary,
Philip Uhl, North 29th Street, Philadel-
phia, Pa.

Dayton — Meets first and third Wednesday
at the Y. M. C. A., Dayton, Ohio. Secretary,
Alphonz Lamoureux, 500 East First Street,
Dayton, Ohio.

Newark — Meets first and third Friday of
each monlh, 8 P. M., 47 Bank Street, Newark,
N. J. Secretary, Charles A. Stiehle, 46 Madison
Avenue, Irvington, N. J.

Detroit — Meets first Friday of each month at
Pri.smatic H'all, 140 1st Street. Secretary, Geo.
J. Kutzen. 518 Alfi-ed Street. Detroit. Mich.

Chicagro — Meets fourth Saturday of each
month at Western Building, Randolph and
Michigan Aves. Secretary, H. E. Willmore. -Vjll
South Boulevard, Chicago, 111.

Indianapolis — Meets twice a month on Friday
evenings. Secretary, pro tern., J. C. Davenport,
349 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.

Buffalo— Meets the first Saturday of each
month at the University of Buffalo, at 8 P. M.
Secretary. John G. Murphy, 71 Dingens Street,
Buffalo, N. Y.

Milwaukee — Meets first Friday of each
month at Eagles Hall. 137 Second Street. Secre-
tary, E. C. Y'aeger, 962 Ninth Street, Milwau-
kee, Wis.

Cincinnati — Meets once each month at Den-
nison Hotel, Cincinnati, Ohio. Secretary,
F. H. Nordnian, 720 Froom Ave.. Cincinnati,
Ohio.

St. Douis — Meets on the fourth Saturday of
each month at Public Library Assembly
Rooms. Secretary, H. IT. Williams, 213 4
Nebraska Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

BRANCH NEWS.

The Xew York branch lield its regular
meeting at the Broadway Central Hotel on
Sept. 25, when a good attendance wa,s shown.
After the regular bttsiness, discussions of
various plating topics took place and samples
of nickel on zinc and nickel on steel, as well
as antique finish on hardware were demon-
strated. The latter was much admired and its
method of prodttction discttssed.

An interesting suggestion was made that a
set of formulas be made for assisting the
plater to test his chemicals in a simple man-
ner, so that he may know exactly what he is
using in the plating room. Mr. Voss volun-
teered a paper on the subject, wdiich will be
given at the next meeting on October 2:!rd.

AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY.

The 26th meeting of the Connecticut Valley
Section of the xA.merican Chemical Society wa?
held on Oct. 3, at Hartford, Conn. This
was the first meeting since the summer recess
and was well attended. "Electro-Cleaners" was
the topic and E. C. Scott, of the Solvay
Process Co., Syracuse, X. Y.,.;kvas the speaker.
An interesting discussion followed. The tisual
informal dinner preceded the meeting.

"ELEKTRIT/*

"Elektrit" is the name of a high-grade
manufactured abrasive, tests with which show
considerable saving in operative cost. With
emery, for instance, where 25 pieces are done,
35 pieces are finished with "Elektrit"'. Interest-
ing figures, showing a 40 per cent average gain
are furnished in a special leaflet issued by tlie
Hanson & Van Winkle Co., Newark, X. J.
Those interesting in the saving of abrasive,
glue, wheels and time can obtain a copy of
tliis leaflet for the asking.

A good cleaning bath for metals for electro-
platers is composed of 10 pounds sal soda, 3
ounces caustic soda, and 5 gallons of water.
This should be used boiling hot with direct cur-
rent which can be worked without fear of
tarnish and will eliminate difficulties from fill-
ing of the deposit.

430

October

NEW CORPORATIONS.

TIio Siiuthcrn Alctul Co., Richinund, \'a.,
has I>cen incorporated with capital stock $3,000
to $15,000 to engage in tlic junk l)usiness.
George Smith and II. T. King arc the officers
of the company.

'i"hc William Isensee Co., Portkmd, Ore.,
has been incorporated with $ capital by
Wm. Isensee, Wm. Isensee, Jr., and Philip
Schafer to manufacture and sell metal pro-
ducts.

The Cleveland Aluminum Casting Co., Cleve-
land. O., of which J. W. Lovell is a director,
has a capital of $10,000.

The Vale Light Co., Chicago, 111., capital
$30,000, has been incorporated by W. A. Cole-
man, Fred .A. Fishupp and James F. Hutchin-
son for the manufacture and sale rif metal
specialties.

The Aluminum Container Corjioration, Ful-
ton, N. v., with $100,000 capital, will take over
the plant and equipment of the Aluminum
Specialties Co. L'. W. Emerich, Claude E. Guile
and N. L. Whitaker are directors.

The Patterson Specialty Foundry Co.. AA'ar-
ren, ()., has a capital of $100,000 and is di-
rected by F. J. Patterson, J. W. Williams,
Frank Croissant, W. A. Megg and L. R.
Zinger.

The St. Louis Welding & Mfg. Co., St.
Louis, ]\lo., capital $1.50,000, will do a general
metal welding, forging, machine and foundry
business. The directors are Wni. M. Wirth,
Leo F. Ganahl and Geo. Becherer.

The Western Type Foundry has been or-
ganized under the laws of Illinois with a
capital of $150,000, of which $50,000 is to be
used in Missouri, with office in St. Louis.

The Alloy Metal Foundry Co., Belleville,
111., capital $3,500, has been incorporated by
W. G. E. Rolaff, Henry Reis, Hubert Hart-
mann, Jr., and Ernest E. Wangelin.

The Cnion .Metal Works, Chelsea, Mass.,
with capital of $50,000, has for directors
James II., Frank J., and John 11. I'arr.

The Enterprise Sheet Metal Works, Los
Angeles, Cal., capital $10,000, is directed by
C. S. I)e Fore, G. A. Ilamnicll and G. W.
Pearson.

The Johnson ]\Ieier Co., Chicagci, 111., with
a capital of $30,000, manufactures brass,
bronze, iron, etc., and products therefrom. The
directors of the company are Edward Johnson,,
Charles A. Meier and Wm. P. Thornton.

The Continental Process Corpn., Scar-
borough-on-Hudson, X. Y., capital $2,000,000,
will deal in metals, compounds, waste products,
chemicals and scientific apparatus. H. Carter,
W. Lyttle, and J. C. Rarr of Brooklyn. X. Y.,
are directors.

PATENT SUIT.

The International Spray Co., Inc., 208
Centre St., X"ew York City, is sending to the
trade the following comment on the suit
brought against it by the Eureka Pneumatic
Spray Co.

"Suit was brought by the Eureka Company
against the International Company and John
A. Georgio, its manager, for the alleged in-
fringement of a patent held by the Eureka
Company for upwards of twelve years. A
motion for preliminary injunction was argued
before Judge MaS'er on Wednesday, September
16, and the motion was denied. The denial of
the motion was apparently based upon the
showing made by the International Company
tliat tlie Eureka Company, although probably
ii\\ning this patent, never actually manufac-
tured under it. The patent has never been adjudi-
cated. The very strong showing made by the
International Company of the fact that no in-
fringement actually exists was also apparent-
ly a deciding factor. In fact, the Court, which
is ciuite unusual in such cases, rendered his de-
cision from the bench and, without reserva-
tion, denied the motion for a preliminary in-
junction against the International Company
and set the case down for trial in November,
so that the matter may be ciuickly disposed of>
In the meantime, customers of the Inter-
national Company will be protected to the
fullest extent possible and any suits brought
against such customers or users will be de-
fended by the International Company/'

THE

BDA&S WORLD

PLATERS' GUIDE

VOI^. X.

BR.IDOKPORT, CONN., NOVEMBER, 1Q14.

No. 11

A Monthly Journal Devoted to the
Art of Refining, Alloying, Casting, Rolling, Founding and Electro
Plating of all the Non-Ferrous Metals and their Alloys.

Published by the Brass World Publishing Co.,
260 John Street, Bridgeport, Conn.

FOUNDER,
MANAGING EDITOR,

ERWIN S. SPERRY
H. de JOANNIS

Subscription Price, Domestic, $1.00 Per Year. 10 Cents a Copy.
Canada, $1.25. Foreign, $1.50.
Entered as Second Class Matter in the Post Office at Bridgeport, Conn.

CONTENTS FOR NOVEMBER.

Aluminum Flux, A Xew ^57

American Electroplaters" Society 470

Awakening of the Brass Foundry 436

Bearing Metals, The Nature and Constituents of 458

Chemistry for Electroplaters, A Short Outline of the Principles of 461

Drop-Pouring Process of Casting 437

Editorial — What Are You Doing ? 432

Electric Brass Melting 445

Foundry Efficiency, Methods that Count for 465

Furnace for the Recovery of Metal Drosses, A Xew 456

Kerosene Torch, The Hauck 444

Lost Motion 455

New Corporations 472

New Technical Publications of Value 471

Occupational Disease in the Brass Trade 467

Patent Notes 451

Personal 455, 466

Plating with a Pistol 433

Plating, Burnishing and Drying, A New Barrel for 453

Questions and Answers 449

"Roberts-Austen, A Record of His Work" 441

Rotary Air Compressor, A New 464

Soldering Tool, The New Allen Gas 448

Spotting-Out Problem, The 442

Trade Notes 468

Use of Manganese 464

W^hite Metal Allov r. 452

433

November 191-4

EDITORIAL

_ I III ■■■111 lit TIT ■ HI III IN "' II' '" _'" _ "' '_" "J _ ■ ^H~ J .. ■■ ' • !■ - J ii I \ l< „ J

YOU CANNOT STAND STILL.

Self-satisfaction is a l)arrier to prot^ress of
indi\-i(luals or nations. Uonu' l.)ecanie satisfied
that w'hat it had conquered it could hold, and
thus gave Gibbon centuries later an oppor-
tunity to pay his debts by writing his famous
"Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." It
seems difficult for the average man to realize
that he cannot stand still.

Life is an endless procession of events.
Standing still really means dropping back to
the rear, for the procession of universal
functionings and happenings never stops. We
do well, most of us, if we contrive to keep in
step and hold our place. Energy, ambition
and intelligence can advance us, each gain
adding increased responsibility and demanding
from us added vigilance against attack. The
pedometer registers distance traveled and
every pedestrian on the Road of Life should
be equipped witli one and read it daily. How
many miles have you traveled to-day? You
don't know? What is your position in the
procession to-day? Remember that // has been
moving all the time.

If you could mention one thing in the uni-
verse that is fixed and unchangeable, there
might be an excuse for believing that standing
still is a possibility. You cannot think of any-
thing that is not changing, moving, integrating
or disintegrating. Forgetfulness or ignorance
of this great truth is the source of all failure.
We are all too ready to believe that evolution
ends zvith us. We have constituted ourselves as
the last word of the Darwinian theory. To
our discomtiture we find that the new genera-
tion is building a shelf for us in the universal
museum of antiquities.

Nothing stands still save in a relative sense.
The statue, fresh from the chisel of the
sculptor with all its beauty and perfection of
outline, is already in the hands of the great
iconoclast, Father Time. The perfect casting.

the siiotless plating, the rust-proof surface —
all finally yield before the attack of the ele-
ments. They cannot stand still.

The discovery of the fossil man at Galley
Hill in England has demonstrated that man
170,000 years ago differed but little from our
modern man in size, strength and intelligence.
The constant changes in man's method of life
and modes of thought have been in obedience
to the compulsion of environment, necessity
and climatic conditions. Such manifestations
of lilt man life as have alivays been, have
ceased to be as soon as they tried to stand still.
There are many people who are trying to stand
still in the non-ferrous and plating industries.

iVIen who do not join their state and national
associations are standing still.

Those, wdio having joined them, do not give
them active service, are standing still.

Men who do not subscribe to and read their
trade journals are standing still.

Price-cutters on goods and supplies in all
lines are standing stll.

Those who extend undue credits or accept
them are standing still.

.hid standing still means dropping back.

The issue cannot be evaded by the shutting
of the eyes or looking in another direction. The
train one has lost moves just as fast whether
one watches its disappearance or not. ^lany
people hate to admit they are in error. There
is no reason for disgrace in such acknowledg-
ment for they are in the best of company. The
greatest triumphs have been accomplished by
making mistakes, acknowledging them and
profiting by them. Marking time is impossible
as a method of progress. If you have been
classified in this editorial, your duty is clear.
If you are not, missionary work for the stimu-
lation of others is your burden. The message
is there and if we did not give it, we would
ourselves be standing still.

Xoveniber

433

PLATING WITH A PISTOL.

Probably the most interesting exhibit at the
recent convention in Chicago of the American
Foundrymen's Association was that devoted to
the Schoop metal spraying process. This pro-
cess has been in use in Europe for several
\ears. It has been developed to a high degree
of operative success and the Aletals Coating
Co. of America, People's Gas Bldg., Chicago,
111., is now introducing it to American manu-
facturers.

The operation of the apparatus is extremely
simple. As the illustration shows, it is really
a case of plating by means of a pistol. The
process which takes place consists in reduc-

Fig. 1. Method of Holding Pistol.

ing metallic wire to an impalpable dust by
means of an oxy-hydrogen flame and then
forcing these fine metallic particles with great
velocity against the surface of the object to
be coated.

The invention of this process is due to the
discovery made by Mr. Schoop, of Zurich,
Switzerland, that a lead bullet striking a
stone or cement would result in lead being
driven into the pores of the stone, establish-
ing as it were metallic roots in the stone base.
Repeated endeavors were then made to dupli-
cate this action in a commercial way until
the present method was discovered.

The mechanism within the pistol serves the
purpose of feeding the wire into the nozzle
of the torch. This nozzle consists of three
tubular parts. The central, tube contains the
wire. The next tube, encasing the central
tube, admits oxy-hydrogen gas, delivering it
at the nozzle point. The outer tube supplies
the compressed air to the projecting point.

The metal wire is fed forward at speeds
proportionate to the melting point of the metals
and just fast enough to allow the wire to be

Fig. 2. The Latest Type of Pistol.

disintegrated by the flame and carried to the
work by the air blast. The metallic dust is
thus held in suspension in the expanding gas
and is carried forward by the air pressure.
The rate of feed ranges from 10 to 18 feet per
minute. Fig. 1 shows the method of holding
the pistol during operation and the three con-
necting hose-pipes which deliver oxygen, hyaiu
gen and air from their respective containers to
the burner tube and blast nozzle, which are con-
centric. Perfect provision is made for the ab-
solute control of the gases. The oxygen and
hydrogen may be supplied from standard com-
mercial tanks, but in larger operations the
manufacture of these gases on the premises is
advisable for the sake of economy. The tank
pressure of the oxygen is 120 atmospheres and
of the hydrogen 20 atmospheres. The work-
ing pressure of these gases is 30 lb. to the
square inch. The compressed air is operated
at 100 lb. pressure and delivered at the rate of
35 cu. ft. per minute. Special care must be
taken to proportion the quantities of o.xygen,
hydrogen and air to the requirements of each

434

THE BRASS WORLD

November

metal and tlie wire feed is subject to similar
regulation.

Contrary to the observer's judgment, or the
reader's imagination, the metal is not applied
to the surface to be coated in a molten state.
The correct operating distance is from 5 to G
inches. At this distance, delicate tissues, such
as silk and paper, can be coated with any
of the metals without charring or injury. A
match may be coated similarly without ignit-
ing its tip. I'he spray may even be directed

ing bombarding particles unite with the first
arrivals and form homogeneous compact
bodies. It is supposed that the cool particles
of metal just before impinging with great
velocity on a hard surface are in an abnormal
physical condition. Due to the heat of col-
lision, they are vaporized and then condensed
and solidified on the relatively cold receiving
body. By osmotic pressure, the superficial
pores of the base are penetrated where affinity
fur the latter exists: otherwise, they are

Fig. 3. The Complete Schoop Metal-Spraying Installation.

on the hand without injury. This is explained
by the theory that the gaseous medium is much
larger in volume at any moment than the
metallic drop it has pulverized and is carry-
ing and the gases expand so rapidly that its
temperature is far lower than that of the
spray. A rapid exchange of heat takes place
between them, consolidating the molten parti-
cles and giving them a temperature far below
the melting point. If these particles made
impact against a surface to be coated in a
liquid state, they would splash and rebound.
As a matter of fact these particles impact and
interpenetrate the base freely and the succeed-

driven in by the pressure behind them. Ex-
amination of the sprayed deposits shows that
the coating is amorphous and vitreous
throughout.

The possibilities of this process appeal
strongly to the imagination and its applica-
tions are multifold. Protective coatings, deco-
rative coatings and detachable coatings are
the three important applications from a com-
mercial viewpoint. Rust-proofing with zinc
and lead, the covering of wooden work ex-
posed to the weather and covering parts of
metal to prevent cementation when carboniz-
ing, are easily and cheaply accomplished.

November

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

435

For decorative purposes, the held of the
Schoop process is extremely great. Plaster
statues maj- be bronze-coated at a nominal
cost. Wooden carvings can be metal-coated
to resemble hand-chased metal work. For
copjing mecals and making electrotypes, the
Schoop pistol can find profitable usage. Steel-
faced cuts may be made by coating the mold
with oil and then spraying.

Seven metals are most commonly used for
protecting or decorating surfaces — lead, zinc.
aluminum, brass, German silver, bronze and
copper. An idea of the cost of spraying metal
by this process can be obtained from the fol-
lowing figures and data. An operator can ap-
ply metal to objects at the average rate of one
square foot per minute. On soft metals the
coat can be applied with twice that speed. A
pound of lead can be sprayed in less than a
minute. The total cost of spraying the soft
metals, coating the work about 0.001 in. thick,
is less than two cents per square foot. This in-
cludes metal, labor and gases at "small-quanti-
ty" prices. The cost of coating other metals
than lead varies with the initial price of the
raw material and its relative hardness.

It is contended that the Schoop process can
be successfully used where electroplating is
open to objection. The electroplating bath has
limitations in the size of the article handled.
It exposes steel and iron to moisture and
chemicals and does not deposit all metals with
equal ease and convenience on articles regard-
less of their size and shape, nor on man\'
coherent substances used in the arts such as
wood, paper, leather, glass, stone, cement and
textiles on which thin, adherent, protective
coatings have often been desired.

The portability of the Schoop apparatus, the
safety of its operation, the certainty of metal-
lic application on all kinds of surfaces and
the cheapness of its protective and decorative
work w^ill undoubtedly contribute to the adop-
tion of the Schoop process in many trades at
an early date. The rights of the process in
the United States are controlled by the INIetals
Coating Co., which concern issues, licenses for
the use of the process rnd leases the spraying-
pistols. Lathrop Collins has charge of the
American business and is general manager of
the new company. Full information can be
obtained from the company as to the adapta-
bility of the process for special work contem-
plated by the inquirer. Fig. 2 shows the latest
form of pistol and Fig. 3 gives an idea of the
general method of installation and operation.

A USEFUL TEMPERATURE
CHART.

The W. S. Rockwell Co., 50 Church St.,
Xew York City, is sending out to the trade a
useful card, which should find a place near
the desk of every firm and business man in-
terested in heating operations. We reproduce
from this reference card a most valuable chart
which enables one to convert Fahrenheit tem-

.BECS IN CEN

""'^OflO

,aoO

peratures into Centigrade temperatures at a
glance. In addition to this, useful data con-
cerning hardening and tempering heats is
given in concise tabulated form. The com-
pany is able to supply complete industrial fur-
nace equipment, whether the heating is to be
done by fuel oil. producer gas, or coal. When
writing for this card Xo. 88, mention the Brass
World.

Extensive deposits of potassium sulphate
and carbonate have been discovered near Con-
dona, 40 miles northwest of Barcelona, Spain.
The deposits are of great thickness and begin
about 200 feet below the surface.

Deposits of pitchblende have been discovered
in the Gaya district of Bihar, India. At present
between 8 and 9 hundredweight have been
raised. Samples contained 83.39 per cent of
uranium oxide, and 260 to 315 milligrammes of
hydrated radium bromide per metric ton.

436

THE BRASS WORLD

November

THE AWAKENING OF THE
BRASS FOUNDRY.

BY THOS. ADAMS.

For years brass foundries have Ijcen
sceptical about using brass in ingot form and
have preferred to follow the old rule of their
forefathers and use scrap metal. A number
of these foundries are still using scraj). their
claim being that they know wdnat they arc
doing when they do so. As a matter of fact,
they arc making a great mistake and the writer
has been able to convince a number of our
largest foundries of the error of their way.

The scrap, they claim, can be purchased
cheaper. We will allow this to be the case.
Now comes the problem; in nine cases out of
ten they know not what classes of metals the
scrap contains, and many castings are ruined
on account of some careless furnace tender
using his so-called good judgment in the as-
similation of the scrap, and as a result tlie
castings have to be remelted and copper, tin
or zinc added to bring the metal uj) to a
healthy condition.

All this trouble can be avoided by l)uying
a composition or yellow brass ingot of known
analysis from a reliable concern. True, a
number of brass foundries have tried the ingot
brass without success, the metal they had pui
chased having yielded poor results. Conse-
quently they could not aiiford to experiment
further with ingot metal, when they could get
better results by using scrap. Unfortunately
these foundries had liought their ingot metal
from a concern which failed to turn out a
good ingot, and which perhaps claimed that
their metal was better than the next man's
ingot. It is unfortunate that we have a tew
people today turning out bad metal and ol>
taining good prices for same. However, their
days are numbered and they will no limger
be a pest to the market. There are a number
of good firms making ingots, who can be re-
lied upon, and the day is not far distant when
the brass foundry will use nothing else.

By way of illustrating the danger of using
scrap metal ; more or less of the scrap, after it
has been picked over carefully, will still con-
tain poisonous metals such as Tobin Bronze
and Manganese Bronze. These metals in cast-
ing form, after they have been subjected to
oxidizing, air, moisture and age, often re-
semble good red brass, and the keen eve of the

furnace tender overlooks this point, unless
he goes to the extreme limit of filing each in-
dividual piece, which is not at all an economi-
cal process. Whereas, if he has an ingot up-
on which he can depend he is saving much
time and expense.

-Another argument the brass foundries will
put up in this connection is this; their loss in
skimmings is greater by using ingots than by
using scrap. In this they are not entirely
wrong, because up to a year or so ago, the
people manufacturing red brass ingots were
none too careful in skimming their metal, thus
producing a rough face on the ingot, which
naturally would result in a larger loss in melt-
ing by the brass foundries than if the ingot
had a smooth surface. Manufacturing concerns
have been experimenting ahmg these lines, and
one or two have been successful enough to
eliminate all signs of oxidation on the face of
their ingots. These experiments cost money
and consequently the metal, although highly
valued, costs a good deal more than the metal
that has not undergone this special treatment.

However, Mr. Brass Foundry, don't be
afraid to use an ingot from a reliable house.
A'ou will not only be helping yourself, Init
you will be helping others to make a living.

PROCESS OF DETINNING.

A new method of removing tin from coated
metals has been invented by \'Vallace Savage,
Piedmont, Alabama. The inventor has dis-
covered that at a temperature below 68 deg. F.
and preferably at 32 deg. F., a coating of white
tin can be changed to the non-adherent gray
tin by the catalytic action of gray tin, ap-
plied in the form of a slimy mixture with a
solution of tin ammonium chloride. A mix-
ture of about lb. of gray tin is used with
a solution of 10 lb. of tin anunonium chloride
in 100 gal. of water. Agitation may be em-
ployed, or the coated material may be merely
moved through this slime.

A good French grey is obtained in the fol
lowing manner. Mix together 1 lb. sr.lphuric
acid and 1 gallon of water. Use cadmium as
both anode and cathode for about quarter of
an hour. Thi^; will be found a (juick grov de-
positing solution.

Xovember

437

DROP-POURING PROCESS OF CASTING.^

The Solution of a Difficult Brass Foundry Problem.
BY E. A. BARNES.

One of the most difficult problems that we
have had to solve was the successful produc-
tion of large Navy Bronze castings, averag-
ing 239 pounds apiece, in the form of hemis-
pheres (A) and hemispheres with the poles
dished in for perhaps one-half the hemispher-
ical depth (B). These bell-shaped castings
are peculiar in cross section in that they have

rather than the regular process in which both
the inside and outside of the pattern is used
for molding or printing purposes. The pat-
terns were therefore mounted on suitable
metallic follow-boards and equipped with
mathematically correct locating pins which
fitted receptacles in the special metal flask
bodies (C).

Fig. A.

a heavy webbed hub which shades into a very
thin wall, which in turn is bounded by a heavy
rim or periphery whereby two such hemi-
spheres are screwed together, forming a
spherical unit.

Patterns.

Due to the size, weight and peculiar shape
of the castings to be produced, it was decided
at the outset to use the match mold process

*Paper presented at meeting of American In-
stitute of Metals in Chicago, Sept. 7-11,

This process (as is well understood; elimi-
nates the cope, both parts of the mold virtual-
ly being drags, but of different forms and
size, so that when placed together the inter-
vening space is of the exact dimensions of the
casting desired (D).

Molds.
The molds are made from specially pre-
pared sand and are faced with graphite and
cement, Prussian red or some other modern
facing. The molds are baked in a drying oven
for about 8 hours at a temperature of 650 de-
grees Fahrenheit to remove the moisture.

438

THE BRASS WORLD

November

When the molds are assembled ready for the
casting process the runners and risers are
stopped -ttith oiled tissue paper to prevent as
far as possible the entrance of moisture from
the damp air of the foundry.

Pouring of Castings

In the first attempt at making these castings
the regular method of jiouring from crucibles
was tried, but after making many castings —
all of which were defective due to porosity,
cold shots and blemishes generally — it was de-
cided that the method of casting was wrong.
Many practical foundrymen, and experts were
consulted who suggested other mixtures, the

section of the casting. The original theory
worked on was that the heavy ring of the bell
should be fed with a heavy riser. Experience,
however, proved that the shrink head was at
times fed from the heavy ring and at other
times the heavy ring was fed from the shrink
head. Therefore small risers finally were
adopted because it was found best that the
metal in the runners should chill quickly and
seal the metal within the mold when it had
once entered. The use of small runners was
found to be of further advantage in that the
light nicked-in sprues could be quickly removed
bv a l)l()w from a hammer, while with the

Fig. B.

use of phosphorus, phosphor-tin, phosphor-
copper, patent fluxes and deoxidizers. All of
the suggested plans were tried out but with
practically no better results.

It was therefore determined to try the drop-
pouring method of casting and since its adop-
tion we have enjoyed a production of 98 per
cent, .good castings with the molding, baking
and other operations remaining the same as
originally planned.

Naturally it took quite a little experimenta-
tion to work out the details, to determine the
best size and number of rmmers, risers and
pouring heads because of the uneven cross-

heavy runners and gates it was necessary to
resort to the use of a power saw to remove
sprues from the castings.

The size of the flask in which these bells are
cast is approximately a 4i-foot cube; the
height of the riser — and overflow tubes used
is about 2 feet; the casting pot adds about li
feet more to the height, therefore it was found
necessary to locate the flask in a pit so that,
as a convenience in pouring, the top of the re-
ceptacle for the molten metal would come not
more than 3| feet above the floor level (E).

The casting pots used are made of cast iron
and are not lined with any refractory material.

November

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

439

but instead are painted with a suitable stop-
ping-ofif mixture. The vent at the bottom of Th

the casting pot is fitted with a stopper or valve lows :

PGuring.
e pouring operation is carried out as fol-

Fig. C.

Fig. D.

screwed lo'mTke il^^^ T''^ " ''' '°^' " '"'^ '^^^ '^ '''' ^^-^^^^^ >" ^^- P^^ and

screwed to make its extraction an easy mat- the riser tubes are put in place and cemented

with suitable cement to the sand of the mold.

440

THE BRASS WORLD

November 191-t

The joints between the pouring pot and the
riser tubes are also cemented.

The stopper is now inserted in tlie casting
pot and the necessary amount of molten metal
is poured in (F). Both the casting pot and
the crucible from which the metal is drawn
are kept covered witli hard wood blocks to re-

mixed with new metal for the next run. No
haste, however, is exercised in the removal
of the casting from the mold.

Annealing.
By the use of microphotography we have
ascertained that it is of great advantage to an-
neal these castings. Any tendency toward

Fig. E.

duce oxidation as much as possible. As soon
as the metal in the casting pot has become
quiet the boss molder inserts a bar in the eye
bolt of the stopper and withdraws the stopper
quickly. The entire molten contents of the

Fig. F.

porosity in the fillet at the junction between
the heavy and light sections seems to disap-
pear with annealing. In proof of this fact
two microphotographs are herewith submitted.
Photo No. 1 was taken from a section of the

Fig. 1. Unannealed.

pot descend the riser pipe rapidly and fill the
mold below.

A few minutes after the mold is poured the
casting pot and riser pipes are removed and
the metal remaining in them is knocked out
wdnle it is yet in a red hot condition so it can
be returned at once to the crucibles and be

Fig. 2. Annealed.

rim of one of these bells before the casting
had been annealed. Photo No. 2 was taken
from a section of the same piece after it had
been subjected to an annealing process for one
hour at 700° Centigrade.

It has furthermore been found of great ad-
vantage to dip these bells in a bath of tin kept

November

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

441

at a temperature of 600 degrees Fahrenheit,
the casting being allowed to remain in the
bath until it is thoroughly tinned and ex-
panded. This operation seems to take out all
the unnatural shrinks and leaves the bells in
much better condition to be machined and
liandled generally.

In conclusion we wish to emphasize the fact
that we have thoroughly tried out the con-
ventional methods of casting in the productien
of these large bell-shaped pieces, using all the
knowledge that has come from a wide ex-
perience in brass foundry work, and trynig
out many different kinds of mixtures, but
have found no combination of methods and
mixture that gives anything like the satisfac-
tory results that we now obtain from the
regular Navy Bronze mixture and the Drop-
process of casting, followed by the annealing
or tinning as described in this paper. Visiting
experts after having looked carefully over the
situation have agreed with us that this plan is
unquestionably the best solution of the prob-
lem. It has been an extremely interesting
problem to solve and we offer the results of
our experience in the hope that it may be of
help to someone who finds himself with a
similar problem of producing perfect bronze
castings of complicated form.

** ROBERTS- AUSTEN/'

A RECORD OF HIS WORK.

Most books that are issued to the long-suf-
fering public are devoted entirely to the pre-
sentation of what a man says. Some of them
tell what he does, but few of them combine
saying, doing and living in such perfect com-
bination as in the latest publication of the J.
B. Lippincott Co., New York City — "Roberts-
Austen : A Record of his Work." William
Chandler Roberts-Austen, in spite of the
handicap of extended nomenclature, the title
of "Sir", and several alphabets of degrees after
his name, has achieved the reputation of being
one of the foremost metallurgists of the age.
Until the time of his death, he was chemist
and assayer of the Royal jVIint of England ;
professor of metallurgy in the Royal School
of Mines; past-president of the Iron and Steel
Institute; editor and author of scientific books
and publications, and actively allied with every
association and society representing chemical
and metallurgical industries.

This new book differs from thousands of
other books in tliat it portrays the man and
his work with almost moving-picture faithful-
ness. It was during his work at the Royal
Mint that the result of his researciies on non-
ferrous alloys were given in lecture form.
Most valuable experiments dealing with the
temperatures of solidification of copper and
silver alloys, the relations between the fineness
of alloys of gold and copper and their densi-
ties, alternative methods of ascertaining the
fineness of gold alloys, and comparisons of
curves of conductivity and induction-balance
in the case of copper and tin alloys, served to
establish bases for further profitable researches
by many other workers in the field.

The history of alloys used for coinage is
presented for the first time in a complete man-
ner. A very interesting chapter is devoted to
technical instruction in metallurgy and the re-
lation between theory and practice in metal-
lurgy.

Of special value are the papers on tlie
hardening and tempering of steel and the
excellent notes on the metallurgy of iron and
steel. An interesting paper is "]\Ietals as
Fuel."

The new book contains 382 pages, 23 plates
and a figures. Students of and workers in
metallurgy can readily benefit by the possession
of such an important volume by reason of the
clear and arresting statement of fundamental
principles contained therein. The price of
the work is $G.OO and it can be obtained either
from the J. B. Lippincott Co., or from the
Book Department of the Brass World &
Platers' Guide, Bridgeport, Conn.

Nickel salts should not be allowed to crystal-
lize around the contact of the anode and the
hook. If this happens the current is inter-
rupted. The best forms of anodes are those
in which the hook is cast on the anode. There
is then no danger of an imperfect connection.

Lathe tools are now made which surpass in
hardness those of the finest special steels and
which will outlast them many times in cut-
ting metals. They are composed of an alloy
of cobalt, chromium and tungsten and are the
invention of Elwood Haynes of Kokomo, Ind.,
president of the Haynes Automobile Co.
These alloys are also used for cutlery and
take an edge equal to good steel yet are very
non-corrosive.

442

THE BRASS WORLD

Xovember

THE SPOTTING OUT PROBLEM.

BY LOUIS SCHULTE.

Over the "spottiiig-out trouble" in tlie elec-
tro-plating industry all over the world, much
has been written that would till thousands of
pages, and just as many (|uestions ha\'e been
asked as to how to overcome this trouble. In-
numerable suggestions have been made and
all up to the present have proven faihu'cs.

The old theory wh\ articles plated in an
alkali solution containing cyanide, spotted out,
especially porous castings, is that some par-
ticles of the cyanide would remain in these
pores which could not 1)C thoroughly rinsea.
and solutions especially with a higher concen-
tration of cyanide would have a tendency to
spot out.

I therefore state that the above theory is
being held and has been adopted by every
plater.and this is the reason why no remedy
could be found. To make it more clear, 1
will try to explain how I investigated and
succeeded in overcoming this trouble.

When I plated castings in a brass or bronze
solution in large quantities for one week or
one month I had no spotting. The solution
was then at rest for a wdhle and the next new-
lot of castings plated in the same solution
without any addition to the solution showed
spotting out. This led me to believe that it
was due to the foundry, either in the making
of the metal or possibly in using new sand
for the molds, so I put aside some of these
castings, and after several months plated the
same castings in the same solution and was
surprised to find that they did not spot. While
I was working at that time with quite a
large amount of work in the solution for an-
other manufacturer, I took the balance of the
castings set aside several months previously
and plated them in the soltuion, and they
spotted again. This was a puzzle to me.

Then I started a long series of investiga-
tions, still believing that cyanide was doing
the spotting, and therefore used all kinds of
acids, and chemicals, some mi.xed, others
alone ; and everj-thing possible was applied
to submit the plated articles in an electrolyte
with direct current, with positive current, and
also alternating current, but whatever I tried

*Read before the Chicago branch. Sept. 26,
, and published by permission of tlie
American Electroplaters' Society.

1 could not remove spotting from such plated
articles, by an acid or acid chemical combina-
tion rinsing.

T found that ordinary water, cool or hot,
would remove the spots sometimes for a
period of from 20 to 48 hours. This led me
to investigate and study whether there was
any possibility of luetal deposition or alloys
which would dissolve in water but not in
chemicals or acids.

Knnwing the outlines of chemistry and that
metals of the alkaline earths, potassium,
sodium and calcium, will dissolve in water,
this led me to experiment, adding first caustic
potash to a cyanide plating solution. After in-
vestigating in a copper cyanide solution, be-
fore experimenting, it worked excellently
without spotting. After adding one pound of
potash to 10 gallons of solution, the goods
spotted all over. The same experiments were
made in brass and bronze solutions with the
same results, and the goods spotted terribly.
In the brass solution the color was changed
to white and in the bronze solution to a gray-
ish green. To bring the brass solution back
to its proper color I had to add a large amount
of copper carbonate dissolved in cyanide and
still the goods were spotted.

I was then confident that the spotting out
was nothing but an electro-deposition of
metals of the alkaline earths and alloys from
the containing electrolyte. To satisfy myself,
I made the same tests over again, using new
solutions, to which I added caustic soda, with
the same results of spotting, and consequently
it was clear to me that the question recently
published in our trade journals whether to use
cyanide of potassium or cyanide of sodium,
was immaterial.

Knowing now liow to make a solution w-hich
would spot out, it was up to me to find out
how to overcoiue this spotting in the solution
containing the alkaline earth. I succeeded,
knowing that potassium or caustic soda will
decrease cyanide in any solution. I added
double or triple amounts of cyanide to the
solution, as potash previously added, and the
result was I overcame the spotting.

Therefore, "spotting out" is not the result
of two concentrated cyanides but simply a
matter of deficiency of cyanide. It is well
to know that a cyanide solution will contain
sooner or later a large amount of potassium
carbonate formed by the decomposition of the
cvanides. Through the electric current and

November l'J14

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

443

through the oxygen in the air, any older solu-
tion will always contain more potassium car-
bonate than a new one, and consequently the
older solution as a rule spots more quickly
than a new solution.

I found it expensive to add large amounts
of cyanide to tlie solution to simply overcome
the spotting-out. At the same time I followed
the extreme, for goods plated in such an elec-
trolyte peel and blister very easily. Therefore
I have made it a practice to cut down or pre-
cipitate from time to time the potassium car-
bonate from the solution. This can be done
with cyanide of barium or cyanide of calcium
(cyanide of calcium cannot be purchased in
the country). As these chemicals are very
expensive I used also single barium salts, such
as nitrate of barium or chloride of barium or
a mixture of the two ; dissolving a quantity
of these barium salts in hot water and pouring
same into the solution in the evening, stirring
it up well. In the morning, I removed by
siphoning the solution from the sediment or
residue which can be thrown av.-ay, as it is
useless.

In using a silver solution this sediment
should be strained through a filter. Xo fear
should be entertained that these barium salts
will cut or precipitate any metals. As to the
exact amount of cyanide wasted by adding
these single barium salts I cannot say. Put
the good solution back into your tank after
the residue (which is only carbonate of
barium and insoluble in water) has been re-
moved ; to this add a larger amount of
cyanide of sodium or cyanide of potassium
or a mixture of the two and the spotting is
overcome.

The reader may think that it should not be
necessary to remove the carbonate of barium
from the solution. This is true, if deeper
tanks are used without stirring up the residue,
as I have found that if this carbonate of bar-
ium comes into contact with the electric cur-
rent between the anodes and cathodes it may
possibly redissolve and thereby deposit.

Instead of siphoning the solution from the
sediment, especially from large tanks, I have
with success buried this carbonate as well as
other impurities by sifting clean sand into the
solution after the solution was at rest for a
day or so and have found this method as .good
as filtering.

It is very surprising that we platers have
not discovered this trouble before, as the

majority of us know from experience that
with goods plated with a higher current, and
especialh' in a mechanical plater where the
higher current and as a rule a higher percent-
age of cyanide is used, very little or no spott-
ing occurred ; and as a rule goods plated in a
mechanical plater are not as carefully rinsed
as goods plated in an open tank.

This led to the investigation to find out if
the electric current had something to do with
spotting out. After a long series of trials,
I found that the electric current had not only
a direct but also an indirect effect of spotting
out. inasmuch as the low current will allow
the deposition of the metals of the alkaline
earths much easier than the higher current,
for the simple reason that the higher current
forming a larger amount of hydrogen by
which water is set free as stated above, water
is a solvent of the metals of the alkaline
earth. This seems to furnish the reason why
porous metal goods spot out more than flat
articles, because the hydrogen on metal goods
will form on the higher parts of the metals,
where they are closer to the anodes or current,
and in the lower potential parts of the metals
there is little or no hydrogen formed. Metallic
sodium or metallic potassium together with
their impurities or alloys, will deposit, and
after drying and submitting to the sunlight
or the moisture in the air will appear in dark
spots.

During my investigations, I have found that
brass, bronze or copper solutions when used
warm are not liable to spotting out. This is
borne out by subsequent experiences with the
same solution when cold, in which under pres-
sure of time, electro-deposition was carried on
with a resultant spotting out. Stripping the
work of metal and repeating the operation n
the same solutions when rewarmed, produced
perfect work entirely free from spotting. A
warm solution has also the additional value of
keeping the anodes clean.

I may state here that many manufacturers
are opposed to using warm cyanide solutions,
believing that more cyanide would be wasted,
but platers know the contrary, as long as the
solution is not overheated. Cold cyanide solu-
tion always needs new additions of cyanide
to overcome the resistance of crystallization.

When a brass, bronze or copper solution
plates slowly and the goods become spotted,
look first at the anodes in your tank. If
the anodes are covered with a green deposit

444

THE BRASS WORLD

Xovember

in copper solutions then you have sufficient
metal, and cyanide should be added, if in a
brass or bronze solution the anodes arc
covered witli a white or t;rayish deposit, more
cyanide is needed. At the same time the color
indicates that you have an excess of zinc in
your solution, and copper with cyanide is tlie
next thing to add, providing that this white
deposit is not caused by an excess of sodium
bisulpliile, which often show up in solutions
low in cyanide. iUit in case the anodes are
covered with a dark deposit, which, in many
instances, cannot be removed by scouring or
acid dipping, in this you have the finest spott-
ing solution, low in metal and low in cyanide,
but plenty of car])onate of sodium and car-
bonate of potassium in same. My belief is
that the black deposit on this anode is notliing
but metals of the alkaline earth, as this metal
will deposit in a solution low in cyanide Ii.v
either current, positive or negative.

It may seem strange to some of the readers
that a larger amount of free cyanide will pre-
vent the deposition of the alkaline earths and
a deficiency of cyanide will not. Therefore 1
state that a rich copper solution with three
times the amount of cyanide will prevent even
the deposition of copper.

I will not forget to mention that solution:'
containing large amounts of anunonia will
spot more readily than solutions free from
anunonia.

I admit that there are spots at times similar
to cyanide spots on metals if the cyanide has
not been thoroughly rinsed from same, but
these spots can be easily recognized, as they
are different in appearance and easily removed
by a method of rinsing. The same applies to
spots caused through over-steaming potash or
lye tanks and thereby lilling the air with par-
ticles of same which settle on the articles,
causing discoloration and spotting.

I hope that the above article will be of
benefit and assistance to all my plater friends
and would suggest that each and every one
of you try these experiments and convince
vourselves of their correctness.

The relative aflinity of various substances
for oxygen is shown by the following list
with magnesium possesing the highest affini-
tive value — magnesium, calcium, aluminum,
strontium, barium, silicon, potassium, sodium,
manganese, zinc, cyanide of potash, iron,
phosphorus, and lead.

THE HAUCK KEROSENE TORCH.

A kerosene torch of new and noteworthy
design has recently been placed on the market
by the Hauck .Mfg. Co., Brooklyn, X. Y. This
instrument, which presents several interesting
features, has been especially designed to take
tlie place of the gasoline torch.

The most important feature is the construc-
tion of the bronze burner. The oil passage
ways are especially large and so arranged that
only one plug has to be unscrewed in order
to clean the whole burner instantly. By a
special oil-regulating valve the flame can be
adjusted to any size from 76 of our
September issue, a solution for stripping silver
is given, containing 5 gallons of water. As
will be easily understood from the subsequent
sentences, no water should be mixed with the
solution, which contains only sulphuric acid
and saltpetre.

An acid-resisting alloy is reported by an
English journal to have been found by S. W.
Parr, who claims it may be cast, drawn and
spun readily. His mixture is two-thirds
nickel, the remainder consisting of IS per
cent chromium, 8.5 per cent copper, 3.3 per
cent tungsten, 2 per cent aluminum, 1 per cent
manganese, and .2 per cent each of zinc, bis-
muth and silicon.

458

November

THE NATURE AND CONSTITUENTS OF
BEARING METALS.

BY R. R. CLARKE.

Continued from October issue.

However we are not sufficiently interested
in the argument to carry it further, and leave
the contention open for those wdio may care
to contend with it. That the 78-7-15 metal
was responsible for more or less concern in
actual daily foundry practice we are certain.
Of this we are also sure, that no copper-tin-
lead alloy of bearing mint ever gave the
foundryman less difficulty, or yielded a more
homogeneous casting, or indicated more clear-
ly without reaching the breaking point betw^een
lin and lead in copper than the 80, 10 and 10
product. Nor are we yet convinced that for
sterling worth in all around service any that
have succeeded it can advance many just
claims for superiority over it.

But more lead and less tin was the demand
and metal men had to comply. 78, 7 and 15
did not satisfy. Interested people wanted yet
more lead and they got part of it — somewhere
in their castings — in approximately copper G5,
tin 4, lead 30, nickel 1, or copper 63, tin 6-i
lead 30, ferro manganese i. With all due
respect to the sincerity of contrary opinion
candor compels us to say that in all our ex-
perience with alloys approximating the above —
and we have had 10 years therewith — ^we have
met with none that did not overtax the best
ordinary foundry practice in the prevention of
lead segregation and production of uniformly
solid and homogeneous castings.

Nor does this mean that we have tiled our
opinions against a 30 per cent lead product.
Rather we believe that such an alloy would be
ideal in many particulars. What Ave do con-
tend, however, is that the philosophy connected
with the realization of such in the formulae
referred to is not logical and fails to justify
claims made in their behalf. In short we be-
lieve that a more nearly molecular combine
would work out vast qualitative and manipula-
tive improvement : that a 30 per cent lead, 65
per cent copper, 4 per cent tin, 1 per cent
nickel particle would approximate an efficiency
in all particulars to which an excess of pure
lead embedded or distributed in a 70 per cent
tin-lead-nickel mass can never hope to attain.

But we must make room for the phosphorus.

Subject to fusing heat and atmospheric contact
most metals develop oxide and dross. Especial-
ly is this true in an alloy whose constituents
admit a wide margin between their fusing
temperatures. Such is the copper-tin-lead al-
loy. To the oxygen of the air there is no
mark more shining than a body of this molten
metal. Contact between the two calls forth the
deadly oxides and they develop in the face of
the greatest foundry precaution. If there be
any one place more than another where ox-
idized metal is not wanted it is in the bearing
alloy. Oxides weaken, harden the vicinity of
their location and develop a cutting, grinding
compound as they powder and mix with the
lubricant. The same in part can be said of
dross or burned up metal. To deoxidize and
cleanse the product becomes an important con-
sideration and to this task we assign the phos-
phorus. Its effect is noted in a cleaner, harder
metal apparently more liquid in its molten
state. Its introduction into the alloy, however,
presupposes more or less disturbance to the
lead. Especially is this true in the excess lead
product where the lead unalloyed is exposed
to the presence of the phosphorus. In alloys
containing from 6 to 10 per cent lead and no
zinc 1 per cent phosphorus will be found ef-
ficient; from 10 to 154 of 10 per cent phos-
phorus is a safe fiaure. Rxreedinsr 15 per cent
lead the alloy is better off in the absence of
the phosphorus altogether.

With the phosphorus addition, 80, 10 and 10
would change to copper 79. tin 10, lead 10
phosphorus 1 and the 78-7-15 to 77-J-7-15 and
h per cent phosphorus.

The use of nickel is sometimes resorted to as
a hardening and strengthening constitutent
this being its effect on copper. A nickel con-
tent in a bearing alloy howe\er should show
little more than a trace except in the high lead
type. Claims have it that nickel in small per-
centages tends to create or liberate gases
superinducing porosity in the casting, though
we are not personally aware of any insur-
mountable foundry difficulty arising therefrom.

To sum up on the bearing metal proper, lead,
tin, copper and nickel or lead, tin, copper and

November

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

459

phosphorus seems an all around better com-
bination than lead and copper alone. In short
a hardening and strengthening constituent is
almost essential and we are not much enthused
over a bearing alloy that does not contain at
least some tin.

For all-round hard knocks along with heavy
weight and speed, copper 79, tin 10, lead 10
phosphorus 1 is not yet to be dropped from
from consideration. Where the pressure is uni-
form and constant and the bearing surface
larger a more plastic product may be of greater
service, where conditions make lubrication
absent or scant the same can also be maintained
for the bearing of more antifrictional and
plastic nature.

From the extremes existent between 10 tin
and 10 lead and 4 tin and 30 lead there is ap-
parently a desire to escape. Modern tendency
seems to be to go back to less lead. Signs of
a reaction are in evidence. The casting diffi-
culties of the high lead product, the pitiful
failure of the auxiliary to make good its
claims, the qualitative deterioration of the
metal in remelting, the slow realization that
too much of a good thing warrants a little less
and the belated wisdom that when you get
something for nothing you pay for all you get,
all combine to counsel a more conservative
product.

The bearing lining alloy or "lining metal"
finds its application in positions where speed
and conditions create demands outside the
province of solid bearing efficiency. Both
plastic and antifrictional qualities can be
realized to a fuller extent in a lining than a
bearing metal, this being due to the support

afforded the lining by the solid back or shell
of the bearing and the warranted introduction
of an antifrictional element not judicious in
a copper-basic alloy.

This additional element is antimony and
combines satisfactorily with lead, tin, lead and
tin or lead, tin and copper when tin or lead
constitutes the base. Its effect on the alloy
is to harden, superinduce brittleness and im-
prove antifrictional qualities. In evaluating
the individual contents of these elements in
an alloy conforming to requirements it is im-
portant to know that tin and lead practically
arbitrate their qualitative differences when
combined in equal ratio, that antimony is
powerful to harden and make brittle and that
copper merely creates a more substantial
quality in the body. Thus lead parts with
practically all malleability in lead 85, antimony
15 ; tin and lead 50 and 50 is a medium be-
tween the two; with just 2 per cent of anti-
mony it is harder, less tenacious and not so
prone to adhere.

In spite of the suppressed adhesive qualities
of pure tin there are occasions when its worth
as a lining metal is beyond dispute. The author
had experience with a 1^ inch by 6 inch jour-
nal, running revolutions per minute, that
developed no end of wear and heating trouble,
through association with three substantial and
different alloys. Pure tin was finally resorted
to and during 3 months' service it gave no
trouble and at the end of that time showed no
evidence of unreasonable wear.

VVhe submit a few formulas of lining alloys
sanctioned by service and of sufficient range
to cover practical purposes —

Tin 00

Antimony 8

Copper 2

III

Lead %

Tin 7

A ntimonv 7

{ medium hard
-; malleable
/ antifrictional

fhard

I tough
slightly malleable
antifrictional

Lead 85

Antimony IS

Antimony 4

Lead 48

Tin 48

fhard

J not malleable
1 brittle
[antifrictional

I malleable

-; consistently hard

/ antifrictional

Of the solid or bearing alloys the following are often used:

Copper 7'»

Tin 10

Lead 10

Phosphorus 1

Copper 86

Tin 7

Lead 7

III

Copper 78

Lead U

Tin 10

Copper 65

Tin 4

Lead 30

Nickel 1

460

THE BRASS WORLD

November

For a nicdiuin l)et\vccn tlie high and low
level product the following is an expression of
our opinion:

Copper 75

Tin 6i

Lead 18

Nickel 00^

— or —

Copper 75

Tin 6h

Lead 18

Ferro-manganese OOJ

An example of the conditions under which
different alloys will apply can be seen in an
examination of the bearings on a modern
locomotive, tender and all. The locomotive
represents the closest study and most practical
effort, and can be safely taken as a criterion.

At a niile-a-minute clip the driving wheels
under heavy pressure revolve approximately
250 times : the trailer wheels under reduced
pressure make about 3G0. The "pony" wheels
turn approximately 550 and the tender wheels
the same. The "pony" wheels are under less
individual pressure though larger journals
are used in consequence of their greater run-
ning strain and importance.

Under the "pony" journal a bearing lined
with the alloy

Tin 90

Antimony 8

Copper 2

will often be approximately found. Under
the trailer wheels the same alloy will be found
efficient. Under the tender wheels a harder
product approximately lead 85, antimony 15
or lead 90, antimony 10 will answer. Under
the heavy drivers with their weight and strain
a solid, copper basic bearing is reciuired. Both
high and low lead alloys are used. Bearings
or "crown brasses" approximating to any of
the aforementioned alloys of copper base are
liable to be found.

From the coper basic alloys we have ex-
cluded zinc and antimony and from the tin or
lead basic, zinc, the antimony on account of its
producing brittleness, and the zinc for its heat-
ing tendency.

We shall conclude with a few words respect-
ing to some terms we have used.

The word "base" has been used in a quanti-
tative sense and not with respect to the criti-
cal or most powerful element.

In our reference to a homogeneous product
it must be understood that few metals combine
to form such in a chemical sense. The thing
is more conceptive than real. We have referred
to it in a comparative sense only.

In concIusi(m it should be stated that the state-
ments in this article in the main trace their
origin to experience and while they may con-
flict in detail with theoretical contentions they
have not been made with that purpose in view.

We accord to every man the right to his
own opinion and recall with satisfaction that
herein we have expressed only those to which
our faith adheres.

TREATING THE UNCLEAN.

In Oriental countries, the human "spotting-
out" problem is by no means uncommon. At
the sign of the first white spot of leprosy, the
unfortunate victim is compelled to herald his
comings and goings by the warning "Unclean !
Unclean !"

Metals, covered with "spotting-out" germs
are voiceless to announce their condition and
only eternal vigilance on the part of the plater
enables him to eliminate or minimize "spotting-
out" troubles. "Keep your metal clean" would
be a good motto for foundry and plating room
alike. Many experiments to obtain perfect
cleaning materials have been made and among
the most successful organizations specializing
in this work is the International Chemical Co.,
Camden, N. J. This important factor in our
industrial field styles itself boldly on letter-
heads and literature as "Cleaners for Metal
Work." The company claims to be the first
in the United States to manufacture chemical
potash and it has specialized in potashes of all
kinds for about fourteen years. During this
period of activity, countless cleaning problems
in plating, lacquering, japanning, tinning, gal-
vanizing, dipping, etc., have been encountered
and solved. The European war has brought
about a scarcity in real potashes of all kinds
and substitutes for them are being sought and
furnished as fast as the need becomes ap-
parent. The International Chemical Co. will
be pleased to receive inquiries on cleaning re-
quirements and offers its assistance in both
general and special cases.

November

461

A SHORT OUTLINE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY

FOR ELECTROPLATERS.-IV.

BY ALLAN J. FIELD.

Experiment 2.

The object of this experiment is the prepara-
tion of zinc carbonate from zinc and sodium
■carbonate.

The first step is to dissolve the zinc. Sul-
phuric acid being the cheapest of the acids and
zinc being readily dissolved by it, this acid is
generally taken for this purpose. If very pure
zinc is used it will be noticed that the action of
•dissolving in acids is very slow, and for this
reason zinc containing small impurities of
iron and other metals is used for the experi-
ment.

analyzed for zinc and carbon trioxide (CO3).
The zinc varied from 57.21 per cent to 57.43
per cent and carbon trioxide from 18.01 per
cent to 18.95 per cent. The slight variations
are probably due to errors in analyzing rather
than to the composition. Temperature then
did not alter the composition of the carbonate
as far as the author could ascertain from these
experiments.

Temperature though, has a marked influence
on the settling of the carbonate. At a boiling
temperature it settles very fast and therefore
can be washed much quicker. At a boiling

The quantities of metal and acid to take for temperature all the zinc is precipitated out,

which is not the case when precipitation takes
place in a cold or warm solution, even if an
excess of sodium carbonate is added. The
only advantage wiien precipitation takes place
in a cold solution is that the carbonate after
drying is soft, whereas from a hot solution
it is hard. Another advantage when precipi-
tation is performed in a cold solution is that

the experiment can be figured from the
equation —

Zn + H,SO, = ZnSO, -f- 2H

65.37 98.086 161.44

1.00 1. 2.469

That is, 1 gram of zinc will require 1.
grams of sulphuric acid, 100 per cent, to dis-

solve it, (obtained by dividing 98.086 by there is very little foaming, that is to say,

65.37). The sulphuric acid to be used is about
■95.6 per cent, therefore it will require 1.
grams (1. divided by 0.956). As it is
easier to measure the acid instead of weighing
it out, the number of cubic centimeters that

carbon dioxide does not come off so vol-
uminously as from a hot soltuion ; much foam-
ing might cause a loss of the solution by
running over the sides of the vessel.
Experiments were also tried of pouring the

are equivalent or that weigh 1. grams is zinc sulphate solution into the sodium car-
found by dividing 1. by the specific gravity bonate and then reversing the operation,
of the acid, which is 1.842 ; the result will be These experiments were tried at 20 deg. C. and
0.852 c.c. also with boiling solutions. W'hen the zinc
After dissolving the zinc the second step is solution was poured into the sodium car-
to precipitate it with sodium carbonate. When bonate solution at 20 deg. C. the carbonate
sodium carbonate is used to precipitate zinc would not settle, but when the sodium car-
it does not form normal zinc carbonate, bonate was poured into the zinc it settled. It
(ZnCOs) but a basic zinc carbonate, that is a was found that at boiling temperature the best
mixture of zinc carbonate and zinc hydroxide, results were obtained when the zinc sulphate
the composition of which varies according to solution was poured into the sodium carbonate,
the temperature and dilution at which the that is, the carbonate settled faster and there
precipitation takes place. Several experiments was less foaming than when the operation was
were tried by the author to learn more about reversed.

these variations. The temperature was varied The following equation represents the re-

from 20 degrees C. to the boiling point, 100 action between the zinc sulphate and sodium

•degrees C. The resulting carbonates were carbonate.

3Na3C03 + SZnSO, + 3H,0 = [ZnC03. 2Zn(0H),. H,0] -f- SXa.SO, -|- 2C0, '

318. 484.32 342.158

0. 1. 0.

462

THE BRASS WORLD

November

The formula for the basic zinc carbonate
can be split up into groups which will readily
show the amount of zinc and carbon trioxide
that it contains ;

3Zn^57.31 per cent

C03=17.54 per cent

4 (OH) =19.88 per cent

H,0= 5.27 per cent

100.00

The percentages of zinc and carbon trioxide
agree quite closely with those in the experi-
mental carbonates that were made.

A basic carbonate containing more zinc
would naturally benelit the plater; it is there-
fore of interest if a method could be found so
as to have the zinc and sodium carbonate com-
bine in the proportions given in the following
equation.

5NaiC03+5ZnS04+3H,0=[2 ZnCO^

The carbonate on (li\'iding u[) into groups
contains : —

5Zn=r5y.55 per cent

6(OH)=:18.59 per cent

2C03=31.86 per cent

100.00

The zinc is 2 per cent higher than in the
carbonates already spoke of.

It is the intention of the author to continue
investigations along this line. Precipitation
from a boiling solution has been chosen as the
method to use in the experiment. The pie-
cipitation of all the zinc offsets all the good
points that precipitation from a cold solution
might have.

To Perforin the Experiment.

Weigh off 10 grams of metallic zinc, cut
into small strips. Place it in a 325 c.c. beaker,
add 50 c.c. of water, then add. 8.5 c.c. concen-
trated sulphuric acid, which is the correct
amount of acid to take to dissolve 10 grams of
zinc as figured from the equation. Cover the
beaker with a watch glass, then place it on the
wire gauze on the tripod ; heat gently with a
low flame so as to keep the zinc dissolving as
fast as possible. About 25 c.c. of water will
have to be added every hour to replace what is
boiled out. To dissolve all or nearly all of
the zinc, it will be necessary to keep it heated
for about six hours. The dissolving should
be continued long enough to insure that no
free sulphuric acid is left, as the latter will

react with the sodium carbonate, thereby re-
ducing the amount that is to precipitate the
zinc.

One part of sulphuric acid requires 1.
parts of sodium carbonate to form sodium
sulphate, whereas one part of zinc sulphate
requires only 0. parts of sodium carbonate.
TluTcfore very nuicli of an excess of acid will
reciuire very much more sodium carbonate to
be used for precipitation. When the zinc is all
dissolved or very nearly so the solution is de-
canted off from any insoluble and diluted to
200 c.c. with water. From the equation repre-
senting the reaction of zinc and sulphuric acid
it will be noticed that 1 gram of zinc will pro-
duce 2. grams of zinc sulphate or 10
grams of zinc will produce 24.696 grams of
zinc sulphate. Then from the equation of
sodium carbonate and zinc sulphate, 1 gram

3 Zn (OH),]+5Na,SO,-f3CO,.

of zinc sulphate requires 0. grams of
sodium carbonate for precipitation. Then
24.696 grams of zinc sulphate will require 16.2"
grams of sodium carbonate. Weigh out 16.2:
grams of sodium carbonate, then dissolve ni
water and dilute to 200 c.c. Transfer the
solution to a 900 c.c. beaker and heat this solu-
tion and also the zinc sulphate solution to the
boiling point. When both solutions are very
nearly boiling pour the zinc sulphate slowly
into the sodium carbonate, stirring at the same
time. After letting it stand for the carbonate
to settle, pour off into a test-tube a little of
the clear liquid and add a little sodium car-
bonate solution: then heat and boil for a
minute or two.

This test will show if more sodium car-
bonate is required, as it will precipitate any
zinc that is in solution. If all the zinc is pre-
cipitated, the beaker is filled with water, stirred
up completely and then allowed to settle, which
takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The water is
decanted of¥ as much as possible, without al-
lowing any of the carbonate to be lost. The-
beaker is again lilled with water and allowed
to stand until the carbonate settles, and water
poured off a second time. The carbonate is
washed in this manner about seven times or
until all of the sodium sulphate is washed
away from it.

A test for sulphate can be made by taking
10 c.c. of the water in a test tube and adding
about 5 drops of a 10 per cent solution of
barium chloride. (This is made by weighing.

November

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

465

off 25 grams of barium chloride, dissolving in
water and diluting to 250 c.c. ; the solution can
be kept in the reagent bottle, labeled barium
chloride.) The solution in the test-tube should
be slightly acidified with hydrochloric acid, so
as to prevent any precipitation of barium car-
bonate. If a white precipitate forms it will
be barium sulphate (BaS04) which is insolu-
ble in water. In such a case the zinc car-
bonate will require further washing. When
the wash water does not contain any sulphate
the zinc carbonate is transferred from the
beaker on to a filter paper in the glass funnel,
the paper being folded in the shape of a cone
so as to fit the funnel. As soon as the car-
bonate is drained free from water it can be
dried in an oven or other suitable place at a
temperature of about 55 deg. C. A higher
temperature is not recommended, as it might
cause a decomposition of the carbonate.

When dry, the carbonate could be weighed
to find how much of a yield. The theoretical
yield can be figured from the equation, that is,
1 gram of zinc sulphate produces 0. grams
of zinc carbonate, then 24.696 grams of zinc
sulphate will produce 17.45 grams of zinc car-
bonate. As it takes so much time to dissolve
the zinc to make zinc sulphate, the experiment
could be shortened by taking zinc sulphate
crystals and proceeding at once to precipitate
it with sodium carbonate. Weigh off 24.7
grams of zinc sulphate, dissolve in a little
water and dilute to 200 c.c. ; then weigh off
16.2 grams of sodium carbonate, dissolve in
water and dilute to 200 c.c. Proceed as in the
directions already given for heating, precipi-
tating and washing.

An analysis of the zinc carbonate can be
made later on when quantitative methods of
analj'sis are taken up. This experiment shows
clearly the chief impurity, that is sodium sul-
phate, that can be looked for in zinc car-
bonates. In fact the same rule applies to cop-
per carbonates, as copper sulphate is the
salt which is generally used to make the car-
bonate. Some carbonates contain basic sul-
phate, depending upon the method of precipi-
tation, and unfortunately it cannot be washed
out. Copper seems to be inclined to form this
basic sulphate, more so than zinc, and for
this reason more care has to be taken in mak-
ing copper carbonate that will be free from it.

SHARP PRACTICE IN MEDIEVAL
METALLURGY.

The war now raging round Antwerp brings
to recollection many historical occurrences in
connection with that city's varied existence.
In Antwerp was the richest city on earth
and one of the strongest. The Duke of Alva,
commander of Spain's conquering armies,
made it his seat of power. His failure to
pay his troops stationed at Alost caused a
mutiny and in the autumn of that year several
thousand Spanish soldiers entered Antwerp
and sacked it. From Xov. 3 to Nov. 6, a
scene of unimaginable horror was enacted. At
the end of the fighting, the mutineers had
slain 9,000 of the city's citizens and soldiers
and had seized $15,000,000 in money, jewels
and other treasure. The conquerors found
themselves enormously rich and proceeded to
dispose of their wealth in many strange ways.

F'or instance, one private soldier gambled
away ten thousand gold pieces in a single
morning. Another, more thrifty, forced an
Antwerp goldsmith to fashion his hoard of
stolen gold coins into a suit of armor, a sword,
scabbard, buckles, etc. Anticipating the popu-
larity of a black nickel finish he had this armor,
gilt-and-guilt-begotten, painted black, to look
like iron so that he would not be robbed.
When, months later, he tried to sell his prec-
ious armory, he found that the shrewd gold-
smith had made an alloy and had kept for
himself most of the gold. Thus has mind
always triumphed over matter and a little
knowledge of metallurgy proved to be
profitable.

OBITUARY.

We regret to report the death of Prof. Dr.
Adolf Martens, member of the Prussian
Academy of Science and Director of the Test-
ing Office in Berlin. Professor Martens was
Vice-president of the Council of the Inter-
national Association of Testing Materials. In
the work of this association, he was foremost
in his contributions of extensive knowledge
and valuable assistance. His name will be al-
ways remembered in connection with the pro-
gress of technical science.

464

THE BRASS WORLD

November

A NEW ROTARY AIR
COMPRESSOR.

A new type of rotary air compressor has
recently been placed on the market by the
Wcrnicke-Hatcher Pump Co., Grand Rapids,
Midi., and is claimed to possess noteworthy
advantages over other types.

The illustration shows the type "B" com-
pressor, which has a capacity of about 75 cu.
ft., requiring 20 H. P. at the drive shaft when
delivering tliis volume of air against 100 IIj.
gauge pressure.

USE OF MANGANESE.

Three forms of manganese arc in use to-
day in the brass, iron and steel industries, viz.,
pure manganese metal, ferro-manganese, and
manganese dioxide. Pure manganese, 98 per
cent carbon-free, is used direct by many
foundrymen with excellent results particularly
in the manufacture of cupro nickel, Germaii
silver and other nickel alloys. Ferro-manga-
nese, owing to the iron and carbon contained

In this machine both the rotor and the
rotor case revolve in the same direction and
at the same velocity, each on its own axis.
By means of shoes secured to the rotor and
vanes pivoted to the shoes and sliding in
slots in the case, the space between the rotor
and its case is divided into pockets. Driving
one revolution, each pocket expands, drawing
in air through an intake valve, and then con-
tracts, compressing and e.xpelling the air.

One of the most remarkable features pointed
out by the manufactures is the thorough cool-
ing by means of air alone, through radiation
over the whole surface of the revolving rotor
case.

Other advantages consist in the low power
consumption, the smooth quiet running with-
out variation in load, and the great portability
and ease of installation.

in it. cannot be used for this purpose, so that
in the case of benedict-nickel, where one-tenth
per cent of manganese is added to improve the
casting, it should be particularly noted that
pure manganese, and not ferro-manganese, is
implied.

The melting point of 97 to 98 per cent pure
carbon-free metallic manganese is consider-
ably lower than that of pure iron, the two dif-
fering by from 225 to 250 deg. C. A recent
booklet of the Bureau of Standards, Washing-
ton, D. C, No. 205, [Melting Points of Re-
fractory Elements, gives the following de-
terminations of melting points.

97 to 98 per cent pure manganese

metal carbon-free deg. C.

Pure iron to deg. C.

November

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

465

METHODS THAT COUNT FOR
FOUNDRY EFFICIENCY.

The leading brass manufacturing concerns
in the past few years have installed systems
and have had expert systematizers and cost
experts in their plants at enormous expense
in order to enable them to increase their pro-
duction and know what their goods cost to
manufacture. Every manufacturer ought to
know at all times what his product costs to
manufacture, to be able to market his goods at
a profit, and the numerous failures in brass
manufacturing in the past may be ascribed to
manufacturers selling their product at a price
less than the cost of production.

Co-operation of the different departments
with one another and working in harmony
at all times, will do as much to develop a plant
as any of the complicated and costly systems
that have been installed. The writer is a
firm believer in system, but it must be of a
simple order, and one that does not cut into
profits and cost an enormous sum to operate.

The brass foundry, viewing it from all
points, presents a unique problem in tiie
mechanical or manufacturing line. Tlie process
of work in the machine shop, finishing depart-
ment or pattern shop, is more or less mechani-
cal, and individuality stands out more
prominently than in the foundry, polishing
and bufiing departments. Mechanical ability is
not however, lacking in the latter departments,
and if the work produced were dependent
only upon the skill of the individual molder,
the efiiciency of that department would
measure up equal, at least, with other branches
of the plant.

The production of castings is dependent not
only on a mechanical process, but also on a
chemical process. Even with the most up-to-
date methods, it is impossible to individualize
mechanical ability, or to any degree of cer-
tainty, fix the responsibility for defective work,
and yet there is a reason for the loss of every
bad casting. Some one unit of the department
had failed to perform its part of the work
correctly.

Taking the question of defective castings
and their causes as an illustration, these mav
be due to the fault of the careless molder in
making the mold, or pouring it out. It jnay be
due to lack of care on the part of the core-
maker in making or vent'ng the core, or in
poor judgment in selection of sand unsuited to

the class of work to be produced. It maj-
have been due to poor tools and appliances.

A purchasing agent, in order to save a few
dollars and make a good showing for the
month, may buy a poor grade of scrap copper
or brass. This, through ignorance of the
melter, might be used for hydraulic fiitting.s
or goods that have to stand a severe water or
steam pressure and contain a certain percen-
tage of aluminum. The mistake might not be
discovered until the castings fail to stand the
test, when it is too late to correct the error.

Again the failure may have been caused by
poor furnace practice. The fault lies some-
where, and a systematic search or inquiry
should reveal the cause and fix the responsi-
bility upon someone.

In other departments, aside from the
foundry, mechanics can forge ahead of their
fellows and become experts in their particular
line. They can individualize their work and
reap the benefit of their skill. In the foundr},
however, all the skill possible for the molder to
possess could not prevent the loss of his work,
if the other units of the department failed to
do their part with equal skill. The foundry is.
in a class by itself in the mechanical world,
and instead of working for individual records,
cooperation and team work must be estab-
lished.

Every element and unit nmst work with one
purpose in mind for the success of the depart-
ment in the production of perfect work, not
part of the time, but all of the time. When
the machine or finishing department receives
perfect castings, they may cut the cost of
manufacture as high as ten per cent because
true and unwarped or swollen castings are
machined and handled more rapidly as they
fit the paws of chucks or jigs accurately in
the course of manufacture.

A certain class of work in a brass plant
and more especially in the foundry, is en-
trusted to unskilled help, to men who do not
understand or know the necessity of following
out to the letter the instructions given them,
who cannot see how far-reaching the effects
of their indifferent work may be and what loss
it may cast on the ability of the molder.

Such men cannot be blamed for something
they do not know, but they can be helped and
taught to perform their part of the work as
well as the necessity of attaining perfection
in it. To emphasize the necessity for team
work in the foundry, a lesson can be learned

466

THE BRASS WORLD

Xovemljer

from watching two football teams in a game.
The success of any team is dependent, hrst
on skill and second on team work, the latter
being just as necessary as the former. The
greatest responsibility in a football game rests
with the goalkeeper, but let him be ever so
skilled in his profession, he will go down to
■defeat if the other units of the team do not
support him.

There is no reason why any up-to-date brass
plant cannot be brought up to as high a
state of perfection as any other plant. AH ii
requires is to adopt the co-operative idea and
install an educational system that will bring
the various working units up to a thorough
understanding of their duties. Every man
must be taught to recognize and understand
the responsibility of his work and to do it
along this line. Every unit of the different
■departments must be impressed with the fact
that some one man's work, if improperly per-
formed, will lead to the loss of some particu-
lar job. The old foundry slogan, "any molder
is liable to lose a casting" was not coined be-
cause of a desire on the part of the molders
to admit that they lacked mechanical ability,
l)ut because it has always been recognized that
too many things entered into the production of
their work, some of which might easily prove
faulty. Molders, as a result, have recognized
that they were individually helpless in their
efforts to be perfect. It is a big task to bring
about perfection in a brass plant and more
especially in the foundry, but it can be done,
and up-to-date plants will do it for economic
reasons as well as for raising the efficiency of
the workmen.

That the molders would give such a move
their hearty support, goes without saying.
They would hail with delight any system that
would help them to attain greater perfection
and relieve them of carrying the burden of
responsibility for the production of defective
castings, for which in the majority of cases,
they are in no way responsible.

The men must, in viewing this question, get
one thought imbedded in their minds. If a
worker is not wholly to blame for poor work,
then from the same view-point, he is not de-
serving of all the credit for perfect work. The
same factors that entered into the production
of the imperfect castings, were apparent in the
production of the perfect work, with the ex-
ception that in the latter case, men worked in
unison and perfect team work was ac-

complished. He must also recognize that in the
face of all the skill he may possess and dis-
play in his work, his efforts may go to naught
because of the lack of skill displayed by one
or more of his team-mates, whose efforts are
just as essential as his own for the success of
the work produced. Without co-operation
there is discord and with it there is harmony.
Differences of opinion should be freely and
fully and fearlessly expressed, but at all times
stand ready to co-operate with and heartily
support the final judgment.

Efficiency.

PERSONAL.

A. J. MacDermid, representing the J. B.
Ford Mfg. Co., Wyandotte, Mich., has just
returned to New England after an extensive
trip in the West. During the last three months,
Mr. MacDermid has covered the states of
Illinois, Michigan and Ohio, visiting the lead-
ing plating plants in important centers and
where needed, making practical demonstrations
of the efficiency of the Wyandotte products
for the cleansing of metallic surfaces. Mr.
MacDermid has been exceedingly successful
during the past year in this work and a num-
ber of the leading plants in New England
are now using the Wyandotte specialties with
marked success. Mr. MacDermid's connec-
tion with the electroplating trade has extended
for several years as a supplier and salesman
of goods to meet every plating requirement.
There is every indication by his report, that
the Wyandotte sales throughout this country
will be doubled during the next few months.
Mr. MacDermid is aggressive and tactful and
is well received by New England electro-
platers.

-♦— ♦

The demand for enamelware in Madras,
India, is stated in a consular report, to be
steadily growing, it being cheaper and easier
cleaned than brass. Aluminum utensils are
also very popular in the presidency.

A medical journal recently reported a case
of lead poisoning traced to the use of pewter
spoons, which on analysis proved to consist
of 80 tin, 10 antimony, and 9.86 lead. Ten
per cent of lead is tolerated in this alloy in
certain parts of Europe, although, as in this
case, the metal gives a very distinct trace of
lead to food in connection therewith.

November

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

467

OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE IN
THE BRASS TRADE.

The Connecticut legislature during the ses-
sion of passed what is known as "An Act
Concerning Reports of Occupational Diseases",
which was approved April 22nd, . The
exact wording of this act states that any
physician "having knowledge of any person
whom he believes to be sufifering from poison
from lead, phosphorus, arsenic, brass, wood-
alcohol, mercury, or their compounds, or from
anthrax, or from compressed air illness, or
any other disease, contracted as a result of the
nature of the employment of such person, shall
within forty-eight sours, mail to the commis-
sioner of the bureau of labor statistics" a re-
port upon a blank furnished by the bureau,
concerning the necessary details of the case
under consideration. This act, it may be seen,
is very comprehensive, and covers the field of
occupational diseases completely.

Moreover, these reports are obligatory and,
from the wording of the act, a physician must
include all cases of which he has any
knowledge.

Copies of the act were mailed to physicians,
and attached to each was a blank report so
that the attention of practically every physician
in the state was turned to this measure.

Under date of Aug. 7th, , through the
courtesy of Mr. Patrick H. Connelley, Com-
missioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics
for Connecticut, the Brass World received the
following complete list of occupational diseases
reported since the above act went into effect.

DISEASES OCCUPATIONS

Lead poisoning.... 17 Wire Workers 7

Caison disease .... 1 Painters 4

Skin disease 1 Machinists 2

Eczema 1 Rubber mixers 1

Incipient phthisis . . 1 Solderers 1

Gun testers 1

Enamelers 1

Glass workers 1

Laborers 1

Book binders 1

From this, it is evident that occupations in-
volving the use of lead are the most prolific

in the production of occupational diseases.
This metal commonly causes toxic symptoms
under two different occupational conditions,
one of which is easily preventable, the other
less so. The first, is where a painter uses a
rich lead paint, and develops bad colic or
paralysis, which can be prevented by the work-
man thoroughly cleaning his hands, giving
special attention to the nails, immediately be-
fore eating lunch or any greasy food which
has to be handled in the process of eating.
The second condition is where paint has to be
removed by blast or sand-paper, causing more
or less dust, bearing lead in almost impalpable
form, which inhaled causes toxic effects. This
form of poisoning can best be prevented by
wearing a mask or a protective inhaler during
work.

There are likewise many other ways in the
arts by which lead may enter the system and
produce toxic symptoms. When it is also con-
sidered that a large number of operatives are
employed as metal polishers, one must con-
clude that either these operatives are well
protected by mechanical devices, or the disease-
producing power of the trade has been great-
ly over-estimated. Another fact stands out
conspicuously in these reports, which is, that
absolutely no cases are reported of either
brass or zinc poisoning, although Connecticut
manufactures fully 50 per cent of the brass
and German silver produced in this country.

Within the last five years much attention
has been directed to the brass casting and
allied trades by investigators, who have in-
formed us that these trades produce or lead up
to — we quote now from one of the leading
articles on the subject — brass chills; smoke
inhalations ; other acute sicknesses ; other
chronic sickness (respiratory, gastro, intes-
tinal) ; temperature variations and fatigue. It
would still seem as if this state of Connecticut
ought to demonstrate the truth of the above
assertions, if, of course, they are facts. Yet
as a matter of record and years of experience,
the local brass industries do not produce these
diseases nor have they ever been known so to
do. The brass producing lines are as well
understood in this state as anywhere, and if
characterized by peculiar diseases the fact
would undoubtedly be appreciated both by the
employers and employees.

468

Xovenilier

TRADE NOTES

The Warren Plalins Go's plant on Fonrth The Dayton W eldiny Co. has leased a plant

Ave., Warren, O., was completely destroyed in Springfield, O., and commenced operations
by fire on Octoher Sth. - on November 1st.

The Johnson Brothers, North Chicago, 111., Platers can dispose of their nickel anode

have broken gronnd for a new pattern factory scrap and nickel anode dust by selling it to

and brass foundry which will employ ten to g. :\r. Moers' Sons, 183 South St., New YorK

tiftccn nun at the sta'-t. City, who specialize in this scrap.

The West Bend Aluminum Co., West Bend,
Wis., is about to increase tlie muuber of Inif-
fing machines in use from six to nine.

}^IcCrea & Jones, Utica, N. Y., have estab-
lished a new plant at King St., for the
purpose of welding metals by the oxy-acety-
lene process. The plant is well equipped for
this work, and the best of fuel furnaces will
be employed in the plant.

The Detroit Saw and Brazing Works, At-
watcr St., Detroit, Mich., have been taken
over by Claude Frazer, who has equipped it
with the latest repair devices. .

The Reznor Stove Co., Mercer, Pa., has re-
ceived an order for 50,000 sheet metal tent
stoves burning kerosene or gasoline, to be
used by soldiers in the winter campaign in
Europe.

The Butler Mfg. Co., Minneapolis, Minn., is
erecting a $25,000 factory at 900-912 Sixth
Ave., where bridges and metal work will be
manufactured.

Epicassit is the name given to a protective
metal coating offered by Hess & Son, -3
Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. It consists
of tin alloyed with lead and zinc, reduced to
powder, and mixed with the Epicassit fluid,
which is evidently a fluxing liquid mixed with
the powder to a consistency of thick creamy
paint. It is applied with a stiff brush and
fluxed on by heating over a charcoal fire, with
a strong blow torch, or in an oven.

Herbert Cook has purchased the plant of
the Wheeling Plating Works, Wheeling, W.
Va., where he will continue the business on
similar lines as formerly.

The Sanitary Shipping Container Corp.,
Washingtou, D. C, has been organized by C.
A. Stallings, G. G. Loehler, and M. G. Van
Meter with a capital of $600,000 to manufac-
ture metal and wooden containers for the
shipment of perishable articles by parcels post.

The Newman ]\Ifg. Co., wduch has factories
at Cincinnati, O., New York, N. Y., and
Chicago, 111., has found it necessary, through
increased business, to add another floor to its
Cincinnati plant. The firm has been in busi-
ness 32 years and manufactures brass poster
frames, rails, easels and brass hardware for
theatres.

The A. M. Byers Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., has
recently completed a new galvanizing plant de-
signed for the Byers process of galvanizing
pipe by the hot process. Great care is taken in
this process to have the spelter and iron pipe
used of the highest quality and the equipment
is stated to be modern and eflicient.

The Stanley & Clements Foundry Co.,
Grand Rapids, Mich., has located at
Madison Ave., where it will manufacture brass
castings in the rough, to be finished by the
Wolverine Brass Co., the National Brass Co.,
and other local concerns.

Xovember

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

469

The Manhattan Specialty Co., G12 E. 83rd The Nolte Brass Co., Springfield, Ohio, is

St., New York City, has changed its name to about to erect a two-story addition to its plant
the Brass & Bronze Specialty Co. on West Jefferson St.

The Dyer Apparatus Co., manufacturer of
oxy-acetylene welding and cutting apparatus,
is now located in its new factory at 155 Brook-
line St., Cambridge, Mass.

The Standard Galvanizing & ]\Ifg. Co., 726
Canal Rd., Cleveland, O., plans to place on the
market a line of galvanized nails and tacks.

The Enterprise Brass Co., brass founders,
IMuskegon Heights, Mich., is preparing plans
for the erection of an additional plant.

The E.xcelsior Plating Co.'s plant on E.
Cliestnut St., near Market St., Lancaster, Pa.,
owned by Jnhn M. Kreider and A. Ro.'^s
Weaver, has been destroyed by fire with a
loss of about $5,000, largely covered by in-
surance.

The ratepayers of Smiths Falls, Ont.,
Canada, have passed a bylaw to loan the
Aluminum Castings Company, Ottawa, Ont.,
5-25,000. In return the compan\- will erect a
manufacturing plant there.

\V. H. Lehman has purchased his partner's
half interest in the plumbing and tinning busi-
ness of Lehman & Clinger, Bryan, O., and the
business will hereafter be conducted under
Mr. Lehman's name.

The reported discovery of platinum in the
Boss mine in the Goodsprings, or Yellow Pine,
mining district in Xevada, seems to be con-
firmed by the published assays of a reputable
•eastern firm. Palladium and gold also are
said to occur with the platinum, giving an
•ore of unusual value.

A second Pennsylvania Industrial Welfare
.and Efficiency Conference is to be held at
Harrisburgh, Pa., on Nov. 17-19. The pur-
pose of these conferences, the first of which
was held last year, is to enable employers and
employes in the state to work out in coopera-
tion, various industrial problems. A large at-
tendance is anticipated at the conference and
•exhibition of safety, welfare and efficiency
.appliances.

The Titanium Alloys Mfg. Co., Niagara
Falls, N. Y., is erecting an addition to its^brass
foundry.

The E. R. Caldwell & Son Brass Co., Syra-
cuse, N. Y., is building a foundry and machine
shop.

The Crescent Brass Works, Reading, Pa., is
about to build a one-storv aluminum foundry.

J. H. Sheppard will establish a plant on
West Railroad St., Elyria, O., for the manu-
facture of sheet metal products, specializing
in the products used by the fisherman along
the Great Lakes.

The Cleveland Welding ^Manufacturing
Co., W. 117th street, Cleveland, O., has
arranged to construct a foundry addition to
the present plant. Work will be commenced
immediately.

The Chicago Sheet Metal Co., is now lo-
cated at 824 W. 36th St., Chicago, where it
has available considerably increased capacity
for the manufacture of metal specialties as
well as equipment for tin-plating.

The Osborn Mfg. Co., Cleveland, O., has just
completed a three-story fireproof brick and
concrete addition which will be used for its
molding machine department and for making
special machinery. The building includes a
pattern shop, testing floor, office, and assem-
bling and erecting department.

The Ludlow .\uto Engineering Co.,
Ludlow St., Philadelphia, Pa., is introducing
a new German process of soldering and weld-
ing aluminum. The process is said to be sim-
ple and economical, and the company is able to
guarantee all work done in this manner.

The Montague Mailing Machine Co., 33
Short St., Chattanooga, Tenn.. has recently in-
stalled a new plating department in its factory.
The company manufactures automatic
machines for addressing, accounting and mail-
ing, and prides itself on the high quality of
the work produced and the skilled help em-
ployed.

4T0

THE BRASS WORLD

November :

MEETINGS OF
AMERICAN ELECTRO-
PLATERS' SOCIETY.

Bridg'eport — Meets on the third Friday of
each month at the "Brass World" office, 260-
John St., Bridgeport, Conn. Secretary, Nelson
Barnard, 858 Howard Ave., Bridgeport, Conn.

SUFBEMi: SOCTEirX

Meets first week in June, , at Dayton, O.
Secretary, Walter Fraine, 507 Grand Ave.,
Dayton, Ohio.

BRANCH SOCIETIES.

New York — JNletts t'uurth Friday of each
month at Broadway Central Hotel, New York
City, at 8 P. M. Secretary, Joseph Minges, 148
Schenk Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Rochester — Meets second Friday of each
month at Hotel Rochester. Secretary, C. V.
Haring, 306 Dewey Avenue, Rochester, N. Y.

Toronto — Meets fourth Thursday of each
month at Occidental Hall, Bathurst and Queen
Streets, Secretai-y, Frne.st Coles, P. O. Box 5,
Coleman, Ont.

Philadelphia — Meets first Friday of each
month in the Harrison Laboratory Building,
University of Pennsylvania, 34th. and Spruce
Sts., Philadelphia, Pa., 8 P. M. Secretary,
Philip Uhl, North 29th Street, Philadel-
phia, Pa.

Dayton — Meets first and third Wednesday
at the Y. M. C. A., Dayton, Ohio. Secretary,
Alphonz Lamoureux, 500 East First Street,
Dayton, Ohio.

Newark — Meets first and third Friday of
each month, 8 P. M., 47 Bank Street, Newark.
N. J. Secretary, Charles A. Stiehle, 46 Madison
Avenue, Irvington, N. J.

Detroit — Meets first Friday of each month at
Prismatic Hall, 140 1st Street. Secretary, Geo.
J. Kutzen, 518 Alfred Street, Detroit, Mich.

Chicag'o — Meets fourth Saturday of each
month at Western Building, Randolph and
Michigan Aves. Secretary, H. E. Willmore.
South Boulevard, Chicago, 111.

Indianapolis — Meets twice a month on Friday
evenings. Secretary, pro tern., J. C. Davenport,
349 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.

Buffalo — Meets the first Saturday of each
month at the University of Buffalo, at 8 P. M.
Secretary. John G. Murphy, 71 Dingens Street,
Buffalo, N. Y.

Milwaukee — Meets first Friday of each
month at Eagles Hall, 137 Second Street. Secre-
tary, E. C. Yaeger, 962 Ninth Street, Milwau-
kee, Wis.

Cincinnati — Meets once each month at Den-
nison Hotel, Cincinnati, Ohio. Secretary,
F. H. Nordman, 720 Froom Ave., Cincinnati,
Ohio.

St. Iiouis — Meets on the fourth Saturday of
each month at Public Library Assembly
Rooms. Secretary, H. H. Williams,
Nebraska Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

BRANCH NEWS.

The regular monthly meeting of the New-
York branch of the American Electro-platers'"
Society was held at the Broadway Central
Hotel, Oct. 23rd. Three applicants were
elected to membership as follows: Mr. George-
Gehling, active member ; Mr. Thomas Brown,,
associate member; and Mr. Joseph Renter,
active member. A paper was read by ]\Ir.
Voss, explaining a simple method of testing
chemicals used in the plating room. It was-
decided to hold the annual banquet in con-
junction with the Newark branch on Satur-
day evening, Feb. 2()th, I'Jll, at the Broadway
Central Hotel. The next meeting will be-
held Friday evening Nov. 27th, at the Broad-
way Central Hotel.

The last meeting of the Bridgeport branch
was held on October Kith, at 260 John St.,
Bridgeport. Samples of plating over galva-
nized work were exhibited, and the discussion,
of this subject was deferred till next meeting.
A paper was read on the standardization of
electroplating experiments, and it was agreed
to send this to the editor of tlie Monthly Re-
view for publication, so that members of other
branches might consider the question. The
next meeting will be held on November 20th.-

The special cdnnnittees appointed to make
arrangements for the big annual banquet of
the Chicago branch in December are as fol-
lows :

Banquet Connnittee : E. Lamoureux, J. H..
Hall, J. P. Manz, H. H. Posbeck. H. E. Will-
more, C. B. Wrout and S. E. Huenerfauth.

Hotel Arrangements: E. Lamoureux and O..
E. Servis.

Provisions and Entertainments: H. H. Pos-
beck and C. B. Wrout.

Papers : H. E. Willmore and Louis Schulte.

Programs, Badges, Tickets : J. P. Alanz and
J. H. Hall.

F-inance: S. E. Fluenerfauth.

The use of manganese in the arts dates back
to the ancient Egyptians, who are believed to-
have used it in glass making as a decolorizer.

November

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

471

NEW SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
OF VALUE,

THE METALLURGY OF THE NON-
FERROUS METALS— One of a series of
treatises written by Associates of the Royal
School of Mines.

In this volume an effort has been made to
supply students and metallurgists with a con-
cise treatise dealing with the principles on
which the various processes which concern the
non-ferrous metals are based, and with the
manner in which the processes are carried out
in typical modern works. Many original il-
lustrations are given, as well as some of the
best from papers by well-known authorities
on the subject. — 195 illustrations, including 4
folding plates. 496 pages. 8vo. Cloth. $5.00.

A BRIDGE TO BETTER

PATTERN-MAKING

PRACTICE.

As soon as two towns grow up, one on each
side of a river, their respective inhabitants
feel the need of facilities of communication
and a bridge is built across the water. In-
creasing growth of either town or of both
will bring about the necessity of other
bridges.

Between the younger workers in any indus-
try and the technical treatises published con-
cerning it, representing two distinct com-
munities of effort, there flows always the
Stream of Uncertainty. Technical works are
chiefly written for the benefit of experienced
artisans and much elementary knowledge is
assumed to be the possession of the reader.
This assumption is often too wide-sweeping
to the detriment of the usefulness of the
work itself. As this becomes realised, mental
bridges of connection are sought for and it is
our pleasure to introduce a bridge of "Pat-
tern-Making", which will be welcomed by all
those interested in the work.

"Pattern-Making" is the joint production of
Frederick W. Turner and Daniel G. Town, in-
structors in pattern-making at the :\lechanics
Arts High School, Boston, Mass. It forms a
perfect thoroughfare to the better comprehen-
sion of other highly technical works on the
subject. Every foundry worker can invest in

this new trade product to profit. It can be
secured from John Wiley & Sons, New York
City, or from The Brass World Book Depart-
ment, for $1.05, postage prepaid. 88 illustra-
tions, 115 pages and cloth-bound.

A COMMERCL\L REGISTER OF
MERIT.

The 23rd annual edition of Hendrick"s Com-
mercial Register of the United States for
Buyers and Sellers has just been issued. It is
by far the most complete edition of this useful
work that has been published. Many new
features have been aded : thousands of trade
names and titles of identification have been
inserted and numerous duplications expunged.
"The Assistant Buyer", formerly published
by the Sullivan System, has been incorporated
with it, and the entire work has been thorough-
ly revised and improved in every detail.

This publication lists manufacturers of
everything made from iron, steel, brass,
bronze, copper, aluminum, platinum, zinc, lead,
etc., whether cast, rolled, drawn, pressed or
forged, including bar, plate, sheet wire,
structural and other shapes ; pipe, tubes, bands,
hoops, high speed, high carbon, tool and other
high grade steels, bolts, nails, nuts, rivets,
screws, rods, spikes, chains, shafting ,etc.
Makers of castings of every description from
all metals, including every machine, tool, fur-
nace, etc., required in their production, are
also included.

It numbers some 1,600 pages and contains
about 350,000 names and addresses, with up-
wards of 45,000 business classifications ; 138
pages are required to index its contents.

Hendricks' Commercial Register has been in
existence nearly a quarter of a century. It is
owned and published solely by S. E. Hend-
ricks Co., Inc., whose only address is 2 West
13th St., New York City. It is used exten-
sively throughout the United States and in
many foreign countries for purchasing pur-
poses by corporations, governments, associa-
tions, manufacturers, exporters, purchasing
agents and sales managers and it is considered
the best of all similar works published. The
price is $10.00, carriage charges prepaid from
S. E. Hendricks Co. Inc., Publishers. 2 West
13th St., New York, N. Y.

November

ADVERTISING INDEX.

Abbott Ball Co 11

Ajax Metal Co Rack Cover

Albany Cbemical Co 10

American 1 >rass Cn 4"3

Anllu.ny Co., Tbe II. .M :3(i

Apothecaries HTall Co 4

Automatic Bnllint; Macbinc Co 8

Bair.l Macbine Co 12

Balbacb Smellin.i; (K: Relining Co 41

Hartley Crucible Co., Tbe Jonatban 20

Basic Mineral Co ■-()

Beacb, J. \V. Co 41

Bennett-O'Connell Co 22

Bridgeport Crucible Co 5

Bridgeport Electroplate Co (i

Bridgeport Metal Treating Co fi

Bridgeport Testing Laboratory 7

Brown Instrument Co 17

Buchanan Cbemical Co., C. G 10

Buffalo Dental Mfg. Co 10

Burns Supply Co., E. Reed 19

Carboy Inclinator Co 11

Coignet & Co 2:!

Celluloid Zapon Co 1!^

Corcoran Inc., A. J 21

Crown Rheostat & Supply Co 21!

Cullen & Atkinson Co.. Inc V.)

Damard Lacquer Co 0

Davenport & Keeler, Inc ~

Detroit Copper & Brass Rolling Mills 42

Dixon Crucible Co., The Joseph 21

Eastern ^lachinery Co 24

Eclipse Air Brush & Compressor Co 7

Egyptian Lacquer Mfg. Co 10

Ele-Kem Co 2.'>

Electric Smelting & Aluminum Co 7 & ."30

Farrel Foundry & Macbine Co 22

Gautier & Co., J. H 1

General Bakelite Co 0

German American Stoneware Works 10

Goldschmidt Thermit Co Back Cover

Grasselli Chemical Co 11 & 41

Handy & Harman Front Cover

Hanson & Van Winkle Co 2 & 3

Harsbaw. l-'uller & Goodwin Co 17

Has.sall, Inc. John 41

Hegelcr Bros 41

Illinois Zinc Co 42

International Chemical Co 26

International Smokeless Powder and
Chemical Co 14

International Spray Co 10

Jackson Co., John J 41

Kalbfleisch Co., Franklin H 6

Lang, R. F 25

Lcavitt & Co., C. W 13

L'l lonimedieu & Sons, Chas. F 13

Maas & Waldstein Co 6

Michigan Smelting & Relining Co 22

Monarch Engineering & Mfg. Co 1

Moyer, D. B G

Munning-Loeb Co 15

Nassau Smelting & Retining Co 42

New Jersey Zinc Co 13

Ney Co., J. M., The 41

Niagara Alkali Co ; 19

Paxson Co., J. W 473

Pilling Brass Co 42

Rhodes & Co., James 11 11

Rockwell. W. S 23

Ivoessler & Hasslacher Chem. Co 9 & 16

Ross-Gould List & Letter Co 23

Ross-Tacony Crucible Co Back Cover

Root Co., C. J. 7

Sandoval Zinc Co 42

Seidel, R. B., Inc 13

Seymour ]\Ifg. Co 42

Sly Alfg. Co.. W. W 4

Smith Co., The ^^lorton B 41

Souther Engineering Co., Henry 7

Standard Underground Cable Co 42

Steiner, Emil L 19

Stevens, Frederic B 45

; Tolburst Alachine Works 14

Torrington Mfg. Co 21

j Tottenville Copper Co Back Cover

Union Polish Co 19

United States Nickel Co 49

Wliipple & Choate 41 & 49

Wiarda & Co., John C 24

Wvckoff Co., H. S 11

VOI^. X.

BRIDGEPORT, CONN.. DECEMBER. IQI4.

No. 12

A Monthly Journal Devoted to the
Art of Refining, Alloying, Casting, Rolling, Founding and Electro
Plating of all the Non-Ferrous Metals and their Alloys.

Published by the Brass World Publishing Co.,
260 John Street, Bridgeport, Conn,

FOUNDER,
MANAGING EDITOR,

ERWIN S. SPERRY
H. de JOANNIS

Subscription Price, Domestic, $1.00 Per Year. 10 Cents a Copy.
Canada, $1.25. Foreign, $1.50.
Entered as Second Class Matter in the Post Office at Bridgeport, Conn.

CONTENTS FOR DECEMBER.

American Electroplaters' Society 516

American Foundrymen's Association 489

Brass Founding Industry of San Francisco 490

Butt-Welding Wrouglit Iron & Steel Pipes 512

Chemistry for Electroplaters, A Short Outline of the Principles of 497

Cleaning Metals, A New Method of 484

Drying and Brightening Apparatus, The Tolhurst 495

Editorial — Contemplation of New Year Outlook 476

Electric Brass ^Melting 485

Electrodeposition of Nickel 499

Electrodeposition of Tin from Tin Salts of Mineral Acids 483

"Electroplating and Analysis of Solutions" 506

Electrotyping Baths, Bureau of Standards Circular on 496

From Amber to Dynamo •■ . . 503

Inside, Outside, Oxide ! 500

Metal Cleaning Compound 505

Metallizing Flexible Organic ^Material 512

New Aluminum Alloy 510

New Corporations 517

Non-Oxidizing Alloy 483

Patent Notes ' 509

Polishing Lathe, The New Hanson & Van Winkle 506

Practical Experience with Metal Cyanides 511

Questions and Answers 507

Sand-Blast Barrel. The Sly 489

Spotting Out 505

Trade Notes 514

Wear at the Joints 499

Welding Gas Mains at the Panama-Pacific Exposition 493

Wrought Iron Range Co.. The Ele;troplating Department of 477

476

December

EDITORIAL

A CHRISTMAS CONTEMPLATION

OF WHAT THE NEW YEAR

WILL OFFER TO US.

If we are sincere, we will not intentionally
wish each other a "Merry Christmas." We may
however, say it throngh force of habit, but
then we should have sense to retract it. With
80 per cent of the "civilized" races of men en-
gaged in self-destruction, the greeting "Merry
Xmas" would be as stupid as "nice weather
we're having" to a man wlio had just slid out
of a fire-chute from his burning fiat. Let us
wish each other a peaceful Christmas for a
change and hope for real happiness in the New
Year.

The Nezv Year wiU briny peace. The fires
of false patriotism, human greed and tradition-
al hatred will burn themselves out and from
their ashes shall rise a new European race,
humble in spirit, contrite of heart, cleansed in
thought and aspiring to the construction of
things as they ought to be rather than the re-
construction of the things that were. It is
fortunate that machines wear out, guns go
out of service, and men become physically ex-
hausted even in the work of killing other men.
Want of food, want of sleep, want of warmth
— these factors will prove more powerful in
hastening the time of cessation of hostilities
than bullets, bombs and battleships.

The Nezv Year cc/// bri)i(j business. There is
good reason for optimism. The history of past
conflicts of this kind points absolutely to a
period of reconstruction following an epoch
of catastrophe and the extent and duration of
the rebuilding is always proportionate to the
losses brought about in the tearing down pro-
cess. Ruined roads, destroyed bridges, shat-
tered railways, obliterated farms, public struc-
tures in heaps of debris — works of years torn
down in moments of savagery — all must be re-
placed unless we are willing to predict the re-
lapse of the European peoples into conditions
of semi-savagery. We cannot imagine that
for a moment. Europe will build again and

build better than before and we will be called
to supply many of Europe's needs. We must
be there with the goods.

The New ]'ear Zi'ill hriiu/ its fresh assHraiiee
of financial stability. Our farmers have har-
vested a five-billion dollar crop. The steel
situation has emerged from its stage of ser-
ious depression and is already showing a
marked improvement and the whole mineral
industrial outlook is brighter. The new federal
banking system is gaining in public approval
daily and money reserves will be available for
seasonal market needs as never before. The
best banks in the country are conforming their
dealings with their investors to the spirit of
the new protective currency idea.

The Nezi' Year zi'itl briny to us yreater in-
dustrial opportunity. Our development of
national business v.-ill be along the lines of
greater exporting of finished products and the
importation of raw materials rather than manu-
factured goods. The growth of the metallurgi-
cal industries will be marked by increasing
geographical distribution of manufacturing ef-
fort. In the mining of copper last year 2:^
states contributed and 28 states furnished iron
ores to the furnaces of the country. A recent
liulletin from the United States Geological Sur-
vey calls attention to the opportunities for ex-
pansion in the South through the combination
of coal and iron ore for cheap pig iron : in the
West by its hydro-electric possibilities for
cheap power for chemical and metallurgical in-
dustries : in the Rocky Mountain region by
virtue of its vast unutilized sources of sul-
phuric acid and eciually great unmined stores
of phosphate rock.

Of greater value than all, the New Year will
bring us a keener abhorrence of the purely
militant commercialism, with its disregard of
individual rights and absolute blindness to con-
sequences. We will develop cleaner and clear-
er business relationships with each other for
the upbuilding of a national prosperity devoid
of "boom" pyrotechnics, and therefore endur-
ing.

December

477

A PERFECTLY EQUIPPED ELECTROPLATING DEPART-
MENT IN THE LARGEST AND FINEST WROUGHT
IRON RANGE PLANT IN THE WORLD.

The man who wrote "It"s A Long Way to
Tipperary" did if after he journeyed to
Natural Bridge Ave., St. Louis, Mo. where the
magnificent new plant of the Wrought Iron
Range Co. is located. It is a day's trip and a
short day, so far as the passing of the time is
concerned. A visit to the company's plant is

present ornamental work on ranges at that
time not being dreamed of. The enterprise
grew steadily and the years ,-8:5,-85,-89 and
saw the erection of new and larger build-
ings to take care of the growth of the com-
pany's business. In it was decided that
the old factorv, which covered an entire city

Fig. lA. The Polishing Department.

something out of the ordinary and several days
could be passed with profit in inspecting the
many details in the various departments of this
great enterprise.

The company celebrated its 50th year of
business in . The Culver Brothers com-
menced selling iron ranges in . The first
ranges were made of grey iron and were de-
void of ornamentation beyond that producea
in the surface of the casting, the electroplater's

block, was too small to do business in and it
was determined in the erection of a new fac-
tory that ample provisions should be made for
the business of another quarter of a century.
Two years of investigation were taken to de-
cide the location of the new plant. One full
year was also devoted to studying the arrange-
ments of the various parts of the new plant
and the character of building construction
which offered the greatest facilities and con-

478

December

Fig. IB. A Section of the Tumbling Room.

Fig. 2. An Extensive Racking Room.

December

479

Fig. 3A. Plating Tanks for Range Castings and Reservoirs.

Fig. 3B. View ot Plating, Mixing and Cleaning Tanks.

480

THE BRASS WORLD

Dcccnil)cr

venience to a!l iiarts of tlic industry. During
the process of ni(i\ing tlie niacliin(.Ty from
the old plant to tlie new, this was done in such
a way that no department w^as ever out of
business by the moving operation, each machine
being placed immediately in position and set
to work in a short time after its arrival. So
tliorough was the planning that some of the
windows of the plant were really built in to
final position after the various machines were
installed, all possible adjustments being made
to determine the liest lighting for the oiierat-

(iie work, machining and assemblage are car-
ried on. .\ very important department is that
devoted to hotel ranges. These are made in
units and can be built up sectional bookcase
form to supply the cooking needs of the largest
hotels. The pul)lic knows the company best
through its "Home Comfort" ranges and it is
in the marketing of tiiese ranges that the elec-
troplater is called to do his finest work. The
illustrations presented to the reader in this
article are without doubt the finest view's of a
complete electroplating enterprise ever shown.

Fig. 3C. The Dynamos, Tilting Solution Mixer and Plating Barrel.

ors. The new plant covers 11* acres of ground,
has 200,000 sq. ft. of Hoor space and it is con-
structed with re-inforced concrete throughout.
The buildings are set diagonally so as to afford
the best shipping facilities and allowing of
landscaping on both sides of the plant and
relegating all storage and accumulations to the
rear of the plant.

Space will not alknv of ,an extended descrip-
tion of the splendid offices, employees' lunch-
room, ladies' rest room and the immense manu-
facturing courts where all punching, stamping.

Tliese photographs were all taken l)y natural
light and give perfect testimony of the won-
derful and healthful conditions under which
the work is being carried on.

iMg. 1 A shows the polishing department in
whicli. before nickel plating, all the castings
are brought to a highly polished state. These
grinding polishing lathes are of the latest im-
proved patterns and fitted with dust hoods
connected to a big ventilating exhaust fan in
the room below. At the right hand upper cor-
ner of this picture will be noticed a closed-in
section for the tumbling machinery.

December

481

Fig. 3D. The Electric Cleaning Tank. Scouring Brushes Barred.

Fig. 4. A Model Buffing Department.

483

THE BRASS WORLD

December

Fig. 1 P) shows a section of this tumbling
room. These are large, iron, slowly revolving
tumblers in which the smaller "Home Com-
fort" castings together with tumbling jacks are
allowed to revohe alxmt :M hours by which
time the\' are brought to a high polish. .\11
tumblers are also connected to the exhaust
ventilators. There is also another line of
large wooden tuml)lers in this room in which
castings, Ijars. etc., are cleaned or butted with
leather meal, before or after being nickel
plated as desired. There are lO tumbling
barrels in all.

Directly under the grinding room is a l)ase-
ment containing the main shaft from which
all the grinding wheels above are run inde-
pendently. Here is installed also the efficient
exhaust ventilating system which reduces dust
menaces to a minimum and blows the dust so
collected into large hoppers outside the build-
ing.

Fig. 2 illustrates an extensive racking de-
partment. This is located between the polish-
ing and plating department proper. The young
man engaged in the racking work also takes
care of the plating. They rack up between
batches. It is an interesting and distinctive
feature of this plant that all of the tanks are
emptied at the same tiine and filled in the
same way instead of the work being continu-
ous or semi-continuous as is customary in
most plating plants. This is possible by reason
of the special conditions under which the work
is handled by a steady slow current and the
regularity of the output. All castings are
taken to the plating room on trucks.

Fig. 3 A shows a series of plating tanks for
range castings on the right and for plating
reservoirs on the left.. A plated brass
reservoir goes with every range. There will
also be seen at the left a 150-gallon institution
coffee urn ready to be plated. The tank for
this kind of work cannot be seen as it is set
in the ground 8 ft. deep and 4 ft. in diameter.
We should imagine that the slogan around this
part of the plant would be "watch your step."

Fig. :•. l'> gives a view of the plating tanks
from the opposite end of the room and at the
furthest end will be seen the door through
wdiich all the goods come from the racking
department. In the center will be noticed a
100-gallon mixing tank, also the cleaning,
cyanide and rinsing tanks between the posts.

In Fig. :> C a good view is given of a corner
in the plating department containing the dyna-

mos, a 100-gallon tilting vessel for mixing
solutions and a mechanical plating barrel for
plating bolts, rivets and turn buckles. In the
foreground is shown the end of a special plat-
ing plant which is Cfpiipped with three mechani-
cal plating barrels.

Fig. 3 D. introduces the electric cleaning
tank. The company makes from 125 to 150
ranges each day and every range has 50 pieces
of plating castings which are run through this
cleaner, reverse current being employed. Wil-
liam Hamman, the foreman plater of the
Wrought Iron Range Co. states that he has
run this cleaner for several years with the
best of success. He has no use for scouring
l>rushes in this part of the plant. Ten double-
rod solution tanks are loaded in about 15 min.
These tanks, all built of concrete, are 9 x 3*
x 4 ft.

Fig. 4 shows a model buffing department
possessing all the lighting and ventilating ad-
vantages of the other departments and the
devices so necessary in this class of work.
These illustrations have been arranged so as
to duplicate the progress of the visitor from
the polishing to the buffing department. Every
care has been taken to cut out unnecessary
motion in the transmission of the goods
throughout the various operations. To Mr.
Hannnan is due much of the credit for the
perfect and systematic arrangement in the de-
partments under his charge. The entire equip-
ment was furnished by the Hanson & Van
Winkle Co., Chicago, 111. The current is sup-
plied by 2 H & \' W dynamos of and
amperes 'respectively, driven by Morse
chain from a fast speed alternating current
motor. The plating rom is equipped with all
kinds of necessary measuring devices so that
the work can be controlled at all stages of the
operation. Care has also been exercised to
provide copper wiring to carry sufficient
capacity of circular mills to provide for the
distrilnition of a maximum amount of current
without heating the buss bars and with the
least loss of current. The solutions can be
kept at any temperature desired by steam coils.
All fumes and vapors are carried away by ex-
haust fans. The Wrought Iron Range Co. is
to lie congratulated upon possessing such an
efficient electroplating department and we feel
sure that the publication of these pictures will
be stimulative to better conditions of the elec-
troplaler in years to come.

December 191-1

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

483

ELECTRODEPOSITION OF TIN

FROM TIN SALTS OF

MINERAL ACIDS/

BY FRANK C. MATHERS AND
BARRETT W. COCKRUM.

This paper gives the results of attempts to
obtain smooth, finely crystalline deposits of tin
salts of mineral acids. A very extended re-
search involving experiments with 179 various
combinations of conditions and compositions
of baths was made, but no entirely satisfactory
deposit was obtained.

The baths contained four per cent of tin as
stannous chloride, fluoride, perchlorate or fluo-
borate or as stannic chloride, about one per cent
of the free acids, respectively, and 0.0.5 to 0..5
per cent of various addition agents. Other salts
generally the ammonium salts of the acids,
were tried in some of the baths. The addition
agents which were tested were : — clove oil,
peptone, gelatine, glue, phloridizin, Barbadoes
aloes, sandalwood oil, residue from Curacao
aloes, tannic acid, levulose, eucalyptus oil,
catechu, benzoic acid, caffeine, pyrogallol,
formin, licorice extract, oxalic acid, salicin,
saponin, podophyllin, jalapin, digitalin, mor-
phine and gum Arabic. The current density
was 0.4 amp. per sq. dm. Alost of the experi-
ments were run at room temperature since a
temperature of 80^ C. did not materially im-
prove the deposits.

The best deposits were obtained at room
temperature from stannous fluoborate satu-
rated with clove oil or containing 0.1 per cent
digitalin and from stannous perchlorate con-
taining 0.1 per cent phloridizin. These deposits
were firm and free from loose trees or pro-
jections but they were very crystalline. Fig. 1
shows samples of these cathodes. The de-
posit from a perchlorate bath with glue is
shown for comparison. It is a better cathode
than was obtained from most of the other
baths.

The authors feel that no combination of the
salts, addition agents and conditions that were
tried in this work will give a good tin plating
or refining bath. Any further work on this
problem should be with new addition agents.

These baths contained four per cent tin, about
one per cent of free acid and other things as

*Paper presented at the 28th general meet-
ing of the American Electrochemical Society,
at Niagara Falls, Oct. 13, .

given below. The current density was 0.4
amp. per sq. dm. These cathodes, except the
one with glue, were the best that were obtained.

1. Stannous perchlorate, 4 per cent am-
monium perchlorate and 0.25 per cent phlori-
dizin.

2. Stannous perchlorate and 0.25 per cent
digitalin.

3. Stannous fluoborate saturated with clove
oil.

4. Stannous perchlorate and 0.25 per cent
glue.

NON-OXIDIZING ALLOY.

Sanmel W. Parr, Urbana, 111., in a patent
recently granted, (U. S. Patent 1,115,239),
claims to have invented a new alloy so resis-
tant to the corrosive action of moist oxygen or
of ordinary acids that it can be used within
calorimeters and exposed directly to the
calorimeter charge. Bomb calorimeters ordi-
narily used are made of steel with the inner
faces lined with platinum or gold plated copper,
having the disadvantages of high cost and
being easily damaged.

The new alloy has a composition of 63 parts
nickel, 5 parts copper, 20 parts chromium, 5
parts molybdenum, 2 parts tungsten and less
than 2 parts each of aluminum, boron and
manganese. It is claimed to have a very high
electrical resistance and resistance to corrosion,
and to have a tensile strength for unworked
metal of about 60,000 pounds per sq. in. It
may be used for valve seats and for the con-
struction of chemical vessels, taking the place
of platinum for certain purposes.

484

THE BRASS WORLD

December

A?NEW METHOD OF CLEANING
METALS.

A new method of and compound for, re-
moving scale, rust, oil or other impurities from
iron or steel, particularly sheet metal, wire
and screening, has been patented by Aron A.
Nelson, Chicago, 111. (U. S. Patent 1,114,635).
The process is such that cleaning can be con-
tinuously carried out. long strips of metal
being cleaned at a time.

One of the objects of the invention is to
avoid tlic use of acids of any kind, which the
inventor states have the objectionable effect
of attacking both the metal and the tank, ren-
dering the solution useless in a short time.
The cleaning of the article is performed not
in the electrolytic bath, but during the subse-
quent washing of the metal in water.

and away from the bottom of the pan and
provided at its lower ends with spaced rollers
14 extending into the fused sodium hydroxide
and beneath which the metal being cleaned
passes. Upon leaving this electrolytic bath,
the strip of metal passes over an idler roller
16, and then beneath spaced rollers 17, which
hold it beneath the surface of the water con-
tained in a second pan 18, this water being
maintained at approximately its boiling
point by a steam coil 19. From this second
bath, the strip of metal passes over a second
idler roller 20, and then beneath rollers 21,
which hold the metal beneath the surface of a
third bath contained in a pan 22, from which
bath it passes over an idler roller 23 and so to
a reel 24. This tliird bath is merely a galva-
nizing bath or, in case the metal is to be elec-
troplated, a second electrolytic bath.

/i^

In this process, the metal is first passed
through an electrolytic bath of fused sodium
or potassium hydroxide. Here the metal
itself forms the cathode and receives a very
thin film of sodium or potassium on its sur-
face. Thirty seconds is considered sufficient
time for immersion in this bath under ordi-
nary conditions. It is then passed through a
bath of hot water, where the alkaline metal
acts upon the water with great violence, suf-
ficient to remove all impurities from the sur-
face of the article treated.

As will be seen from the illustration, there
is an iron container 10, for the fused sodium
hydroxide bath, which is heated by the heater
11 of any suitable type.

The metal to be cleaned is passed through a
bath of fused sodium hydroxide 12 contained
in this container. In case a long strip of sheet
metal, screening or wire is being cleaned, the
metal is held licneath the surface of the bath
by a frame 13 mounted for movement toward

All of tlie- rollers beneath which the metal
passes should be adjustably mounted to in-
sure proper submersion of the metal in the
various batlis. These rollers may be mount-
ed upon a frame such as the frame 13 shown
in connection with the electrolytic bath of
sodium hydroxide or they may be supported
directly by the pans themselves as shown in
the other baths. The pan 10 is ' provided
with a binding post 25, and the frame 13,
supporting and in electrical connection with
the rollers 14, with a second binding post 26.
Conductor wires 27 and 28 lead from any
suitable source of electric current, such as a
generator 29 to the binding post 25 and 26,
respectively.

The sodium which combines witli the water
forms sodium hydroxide, which can be re-
covered by filtering, condensing and then
crystallizing. It can then be again employed
in the pan 10, very little of the electrolyte
being therefore wasted.

December :

485

ELECTRIC BRASS MELTING/

BY G. H. CLAMER AND CARL HERING.

Continued from Xovember issue.

This type of furnace is applicable to quite
small as well as to quite large sizes. We be-
lieve they can be made small enough to trans-
port to the molds, or to be applied to a pour-
ing ladle to keep the charge at a constant tem-
perature. Large sizes may be made by simply
increasing the number of heating holes, if any
difficulties should arise in making these holes
of larger capacity, which is not anticipated.
But our belief is that very large furnaces are
not as desirable as smaller ones of high power
giving the same daily output ; that is a matter
of choice of the owner.

Xo accurate tests have yet been made for
determining the electric power required per 100
pounds of various copper alloys, partly be-
cause this can be determined fairly only dur-
ing long, continuous runs on the same ma-
terial and with clean charging scrap, as a large
part of the charge is preferably retained in the
furnace for facilitating the melting of the next
charge. Another reason for not measuring it
was because the furnace has so far been used
for melting very light brass and bronze chips,
which gave trouble in the fuel furnaces. More-
over, in such a test, the temperature should be
carefully measured because the power required
depends quite considerably on the amount of
superheat desired, and this is different with
different foundrymen, depending largely on
their skill or lack of skill in casting quickly.

In melting many tons of these light, curly
and oily brass chips with much mechanically
mixed iron, we cast in the form of clean in-
gots, nearly 8 pounds per kilowatt hour, de-
livered to the furnace transformers, equal to
about 12.0 kilowatt hours per 100 pounds
poured: a considerable portion of this energy
went into the dross and was lost through the
open hopper, through which the cold charge
had to be "poked." Moreover, the trans-
formers were not working properly and were
wasting much heat, and in this particular fur-
nace there were four electrodes (for a two-
phase current), instead of only three (for a
three-phase current), which latter would be
more general, hence the electrode losses were

*Paper presented at the meeting of the
American Institute of Metals.

greater than they would be normally ; and the
electrodes had been proportioned for a mucii
larger current, hence were unnecessarily waste-
ful in heat loss.

Short runs, with clean ingot charges, indi-
cated that, even with these easily-avoidable
excesses in the losses, 10 pounds per kwh.
could be obtained in this furnace, hence, in
better designs, even still better efficiencies than
this can reasonably be expected. But, as said
above, this figure depends largely on the
amount of superheat required by the particular
foundryman.

It is not fair to any furnace to calculate the
actual efficiency in per cent, by comparing this
figure with the theoretical one, because the
latter is not known definitely and may be far
in error. Also, because the superheat required
by some foundrymen is far greater than that in
the assumed theoretical value. What actually
is of prime interest to the user is the cost in
cents per 100 pounds of good, saleable castings,
and this is not dependent on any doubtful theo-
retical values.

The economy of the electric melting could be
greatly increased by preheating the charge with
a fuel flame, preferably in an auxiliary furnace,
to only such a temperature at which no oxida-
tion takes place. Nearly half the melting heat
could thus be introduced into the metal where-
by the economy of the electric heating could be
nearly doubled. Such low temperature heat is
more cheaply produced by fuel, while the high
temperature heat is introduced into the metal
more cheaply electrically, hence this combin-
tion of both gives the best total economy.

Comparative costs with fuel furnaces can be
only crude because the data concerning them
differ so very greatly in different foundries.
But taking what appear to be fair general
averages largely from the recent Bulletin 73 of
the Bureau of Mines compiled by Dr. H. W.
Gillett, the following rough comparisons can
be made :

He concludes that the average loss of metal
in fuel furnaces is about 2.5 per cent per melt ;
it is probably greater in most foundries, and
this is the largest item of expense with fuel
furnaces, it is hardlv fair to the electric fur-

486

THE BRASS WORLD

December

nace to take it so low; but we will assume
this low figure and allow i per cent for the
electric furnace. Limiting this comparison to
only the fuel or current, the crucibles and the
loss of metal, gives the following per 100 lbs.,
assuming $4 per gross ton for the coke, and
tlie average value of the metal as 10 cents per
pound, based on the present low metal value,
ordinarily it averages about 50 per cent higher :

Pit, natural draft, coke, furnace: Cents

Coke, 45 pounds 8

Metal loss, 2.5 pounds 25

Crucibles 7

Total 40

Pit, forced draft, coke, furnaces:

Coke, 35 pounds 0.:5

Metal loss, 2.5 pounds 2.j.

Crucibles ~-

Total 38. 3

Tilting, forced draft, coke, furnaces :

Coke, 20 pounds '■>■*}

Metal loss, 2.5 pounds 25.

Crucibles 0.

Total 34.6

Open-Hamc, tilting, oil furnaces:

Oil, :; gal. at 4 cents 12.

Metal loss :i pounds 30.

Relining 1-2

Total (to which should be added the
cost of the compressed air blast) . . 43.2
Electric furnace :

Power at 1 cent, per kwh. and 10 lbs.

per kwh 10.

Metal loss 2 pound 5.

Relining 1-2

Total 17.2

Power at 1.5 cents per kwh. and 8 lbs.

per kwh 18.8

Aletal loss 2 pound 5.

Relining 1-2

Total :^5-0

The labor cost for charging, pouring and at-
tending to the operation of the furnace may be
the same, but the cost of starting the tires and
for the handling of the coal and ashes, are ab-
sent in tlie oil and electric furnaces and should
therefore be added to costs for the coke fur-

naces. In the wrought brass industry there is
a saving of labor with the electric furnace due
to larger ingots, which would no doubt be a
much greater item than the difference in cost
of melting.

In the above tabulated data, taking as an
average 38 cents per 100 pounds for coke fur-
naces and 20 for the electric, the saving in a
plant melting 20 tons per day, would be nearly
$22,000 per year of 300 days; or for oil furnaces
at 43.2 and electric at 20 cents, the saving
would be nearly $28,000 per year, which should
be credited to the first cost of the electric
furnace.

In estimating the cost of melting it is im-
portant to consider not only the price per kilo-
watt hour of the electric energy and the
other items tabulated above, but also the nu-
merous other factors like the cleanliness of
this "boiled" metal, the avoidance of oxidation,
or of the formation of sulphides, the possible
uniformity of temperature, the production of
any desired superheat, the possibility of casting
directly into the molds with its saving of labor,
the comfort of the laborers, the economy of
floor space, the increase of output by running
day and night, the absence of handling of
coke, ashes, oil, compressed air, etc., the saving
of time in starting fires, etc., all of which have
a money value also which may in some cases
be even a larger factor than the mere cost of
the power alone. On the other side of the ac-
count is the cost of the furnace, the cooling
water, its attendance (one man who could
easily attend to. several furnaces), and the re-
lining; under normal running conditions there
is nothing about the furnace which is con-
sumed or wears out except the lining; the
electrodes are not consumed. This furnace
gives the owners of a foundry increased op-
portunities to carry out what is known as
scientific management, or in other words to
get the best returns per dollar invested in the
plant and in its oiieration.

The present furnace could not be run to its
full capacity of 120 kw., but only to about 110,
on account of the transformers. By merely
changing transformers it is probable that it
could be doubled in the rate of melting, by
doubling the power input, as certain unexpect-
ed and favorable features have shown them-
selves after the furnace was started.

:\Ielting was done at night only, on account
lit lack of spare power in the works during the
(lav. The furnace was kept hot and at an even

December

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

487

temperature during the day with a little less
than 20 per cent of the full power. This figure
will become still smaller when certain easily
preventable losses have been avoided.

The hearth held about l.oOO pounds and
about half of this was retained to facilitate
melting the next charge. The shape of the
hearth was not good as it induced bridging of
the cold charge ; this and other details are
readily changed in new designs.

From the foundryman's standpoint the melt-
ing was quite satisfactory, and the ease of
manipulation and preventing loss of metal,

to be found out experimentally, and each trial
furnace had to be run to destruction to bring
out its weak points. Our scrap heap contained
probably about fifty furnaces. Furnaces of this
type must moreover be carefully calculated
and designed in their electrical parts or they
will not operate satisfactorily.

The troubles encountered in its development
were chiefly in finding the proper proportions
of the electric parts for which no precedents
existed and which could be determined only by
trial, involving the erection and destruction of
many experimental furnaces. The electric

leaves little to be desired. When closed there
was no sensible radiant heat from the outside.
Our workmen were found to be drying their
shirts by laying them on the top of the fur-
nace while the metal therein was at pouring
temperatures.

The development of this type of furnace in-
volved many difiiculties largely because it was
an entirely new and somewhat radical depart-
ure from existing practice, hence no precedents
existed. All the data for constructing it had

resistivities of the molten metals had to be de-
termined as they were not then known to the
art. The electrodes, which are of metal, are
necessarily liquid at their hot ends and solid
at the cold ends, hence must be carefully de-
signed and proportioned, so that on the one
hand they do not melt back too far, and on
the other hand do not carry off too much of
the heat. The undesirable circulation or wash-
ing of the metal at the hot ends of the elec-
trodes where thev join the heating holes, has

488

THE BRASS WORLD

Dcccni])cr

been avoided liy a special const ructinn of the
electrodes. The carHer trouljlcs witli tlie lining
were overcome after tinding suitable materials
and tamping them especially ct)mpact with a
pneumatic rammer. In brass furnaces the
possible trt)ul)les due to cracks in the lining
aruuiul the heating holes and electrodes where-
by electrical short circuits might occur by the
metal in the cracks, were completely overcome
by enclosing these parts of the furnace with
hoods made nf the tough plum])ago used for
making crucibles.

The outside of the 110 kw. furnace is shown
in I'"ig. 1. It is a two-])hase furnace. The two
transformers are seen underneath : they tilt
with the furnace. For each transformer there
are two vertical heating holes, thus making
each transformer independent of the other. A
three-i)hase furnace with three transformers,
three electrodes and three heating holes, would
be better. Fig. 2 is an outline and diagram-
matic vertical cross section in which 1\. are the
heating holes or resistors. In a later and better
design the hearth, electrodes and healing holes
are arranged as in Fig. 3, which makes the
relining and repairs of the heating holes easier
than when they are at the bottom, as they are
in Figs. 1 and 2. This improved form also per-
mits turning around the spout as a center
which is considered by many to be an import-
ant advantage, and which does not exist in
the form in Fig. 1. (See illustrations in
October and November issues.)

This furnace shown in Fig. 1 has been
criticized for being so large outside. These
large outside dimensions are not essential and
the furnace could have been made far smaller
for the same capacity of metal if desired, or
by using an outside lining of kieselguhr brick.
But thick walls ecK'//JUfi] + 2X0

749.16

1 gram of copper will require 0.()609 grams
of 100 per cent nitric acid (obtained by divid-
ing 126.036 by 190.71). The concentrated nitric
acid is 69 per cent HNO3, therefore it will re-
quire 0. grams (by dividing 0. by 0.09)
of this acid for 1 gram of copper. Also 1
gram of copper will require 1.543 grams 100
per cent sulphuric acid (obtained by dividing
294.258 by 190.71). The concentrated sulphuric
acid is 95.6 per cent and therefore 1 gram of
copper will require 1.614 grams (found by
dividing 1.543 by 0.956). As it is easier and
quicker to measure the acid, instead of weigh-
ing it out, the grams will have to be hgured to
equivalent cubic centimeters as follows. The
specilic gravity of 69 per cent nitric acid is
1.415 ; then 0. grams are equivalent to
0.676 c.c. (found by dividing 0. by 1.415).
In the same manner the number of c.c. of sul-
phuric acid required is found ; the specific
gravity of 95.0 per cent sulphuric acid is 1.842;
then 1.614 grams are equivalent to 0.S76 c.c.

Therefore the quantities of nitric and sul-
phuric acids to take for a certain number of
grams of copper will be the number of grams
of copper times the number of c.c. of nitric
and sulphuric acids as given above for 1 gram
of copper.

To Perform the Experiment.

Weigh off 15 grams of copper foil, cut in

into small pieces and place them in a 325 c.c.

beaker. Add 50 c.c. of water so that it covers

the copper; then measure out with a graduated

cylinder 10 c.c. concentrated nitric acid and
dilute to 20 c.c. with water; pour this mixture
upon the copper in the beaker. On account
of the acid being very dilute there will not be
any immediate action. Measure out 40 c.c.
of water into a beaker, then add 13 c.c. con-
centrated sulphuric acid very carefully. The
acid should always be poured into the water
and not the water on top of the acid, because
the water being lighter it will be thrown out
of the beaker as soon as it becomes hot and
starts to boil. After mixing the acid and
water pour it slowly into the beaker with the
copper. The solution will now be sufficiently
hot for the nitric acid to start to dissolve the
copper. A watch glass should be placed over
the beaker so as to help to retain some of the
water vapor by condensing it. In a short
time the brown vapor of nitrogen peroxide
will be noticed lloaling above the solution in
the beaker. As soon as the reaction begins to
slacken the beaker should be gently heated,
but not too much as there might be a loss of
nitric acid.

The heating should be kept up until all or
nearly all of the copper is dissolved, which will
take about 5 hours. The solution is boiled
down to about 80 c.c. and poured off from any
copper or insoluble material into the crystal-
lizing dish. Tt should be placed in a cool place
and left for a day or so to allow the copper
sulphate to crystallize out. The longer the
solution is allowed to stand the more crystals
will be obtained, as the water will be evapo-
rated off and crystals will be deposited. The
solution is poured off from the crystals, then
water poured over the crystals several times
to wash off any free acid. The crystals are
dried with sheets of It Iter paper. When they
are dry they can be put in a tightly sealed
bottle and their purity determined when quan-
titative methods of analysis are taken up.

The presence of nitrates in the crystals can
be shown by the blue color that is given with
diphenylamine. Place a very small quantity
of the (li[ihen\ lamine nn a watch glass and
add about 5 drops of sulphuric acid or enough
to dissolve it. Take some of the copper sul-
phate crystals and dissolve them in a small
quantity of water so as to have a strong
solution. Heat will probably have to be ap-
plied, as they are not readily soluble in water.
When they arc in solution, add a few drops to
the watch-glass: it nitrates are present a dark
blue color will be formed.

December

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

499

To use cupric oxide instead of the metallic
copper for the experiment, proceed in the fol-
lowing manner. From 15 grams of copper
18.776 grams of cupric oxide will be formed.
That is 18.8 grams of cupric oxide will require
1.3 c.c. concentrated sulphuric acid to dissolve
it.

Weigh ofif 18.8 grams of the c.p. cupric oxide
and transfer to a 325 c.c. beaker; add 50 c.c.
of water, then slowly with constant stirring
13.5 c.c. concentrated sulphuric acid that has
been diluted with 40 c.c. of water. The 0.5
c.c. of sulphuric acid is taken in excess as it
has been found that this quantity will give a
very clear solution leaving no insoluble. The
copper oxide will immediately be dissolved,
the solution is heated and water evaporated
off until it has a bulk of about 80 c.c. It can
then be poured into the crystallizing dish and
allowed to crvstallize.

ELECTRO-DEPOSITION OF
NICKEL.

Calhane and Gammage, in their investiga-
tions of the electro-deposition of nickel from
a solution of nickel ammonium sulphate, using
commercial nickel anodes, found that the cur-
rent efficiency was greater with stationary than
with rotating cathodes, while the amount of
iron deposited as impurity increased when the
cathode was rotated. The authors have con-
firmed these results, and, in the light of fur-
ther experiments, give a satisfactory explana-
tion of them as follows : From the solution of
nickel ammonium sulphate, which is neutral
or slightly acid, hydrogen will be deposited
first on the cathode. The solution in the
neighborhood of the cathode consequently be-
comes alkaline, and then, and only then, can
nickel be deposited. Thus the efficiency of
the deposition of nickel depends on the main-
tenance of an alkaline cathode film ; stirring
the electrolyte removes this alkaline film
more or less completely, depending on the et-
ficiency of the stirring, and thus the current
efficiency diminishes. It was further shown
that the efficiency can be started high and
maintained high by adding a definite amount
of ammonium hydroxide to the solution. The
fact that the iron content of a deposit formed
on a rotating cathode is greater than thai
formed on a stationary electrode is probably
due to meclianical occlusion of the precipitated

iron hydroxide from the alkaline solution. Thu
iron content of the anode does not materially
affect the efficiency. — Journal of Physical
Chemistry.

WEAR AT THE JOINTS.

We may paraphrase the oft-quoted assertion
that the strength of a chain is that of its
weakest link by saying the life of a brass
lining is limited to the endurance of its joints.
It is at the joints that the disintegration be-
gins: the fire clay at the joints begins to fall
out, and the fire, then, begins to work in. The
fewer the joints the lesser the danger.

It is possible to construct a good furnace
lining with fire brick made for that purpose,
but you are bound to have many joints.

It is just as possible to produce a better
furnace lining, with the number of joints re-
duced to a minimum, with the use of Stevens'
brass furnace linings and without greater first
cost and with longer life insured.

That is the cheapest kind of insurance, for
it costs nothing, insures against delay for re-
pairing, and cost of labor and material when
making frequent repairs. They are made to
fit different diameters and can be supplied on
short notice.

In running a brass solution hot, it is not
advisable to heat the solution to a high de-
gree. A warm solution works well, and
avoids the rapid dissipation of the ammonia
which takes place when a higher temperature
is used.

500

December

INSIDE, OUTSIDE, OXIDE!

BY R. R. CLARKE.

A (jiu-er title. l)ut it nnisl he admitted a fair
play on wurds. It is not for this we have
chosen it, however, bnt rather l)ecause it is
befitting and embraces in suggestiveness facts
and conditions over which many a weary
fonndryman has spent liis tronbled liours.

Inside, outside, oxide! What do we mean?
A foundry takes a contract for a certain num-
ber of brass castings, specifications expressly
stipulating that these castings shall be sound,
free from dirt, shrinkage and all semblance of
porosity : castings such as a finisher or plater
dearly loves to work with. Very well ; the
contract is taken. The first molds are care-
fully made, the metal melted, the cast made
and the castings cleaned. Close inspection
gives surface indications of more or less dirt
but it is hoped that the finishing limits will
show good, clean, solid metal. The castings
are then machined and found sadly disappoint-
ing. Under the most careful foundry manipu-
lation the castings are made again and the re-
sults found still not satisfactory. Finally dry
sand molds, skim gates, extra finish et al are
resorted to and found inadequate to specifica-
tion demands. Then for the ragtime ! The
molder looks puzzled, the foreman raves, the
superintendent demands. Look at the frac-
ture as it occurs in a casting clean and cold
broken. What are those rusty-red and brown
sections of "lifeless substance" beginning
at the surface and extending to the inner-
most parts of the metallic body? It is not
dirt, nor foreign ingredient; then what is it?
Inside, outside, all around oxide !

With this we open the question that demands
our concern at the very beginning. Briefly
stated that question is : WHiat, in a foundry
sense, is an oxide, what oxidized metal? We
have heard more than one foundryman ex-
press his soul-born convictions in answer to
these questions but the statements in many in-
stances could not with propriety be recorded
here. Not that we disagreed with the state-
ments, but rather that the reading public
might not find our style altogether to its liking.

In order that we may arrive at a practical
and logical conception of an oxide, let us con-
sider a few simple and ordinary facts bearing
on their development :

1. If we shut oft' all air from the fire in a

stove, the fire will gcj uut.

2. if we place a lighted candle in a vacuum,
the flame will go out.

li. If we place a lighted candle in a sealed
jar, the flame will gradually diminish, flicker
and die away.

4. If we i>lace a man in a cbjsed room, shut
off every ingress of air, the man's breathing
will become difficult, his circulation sluggish
and his body cold.

5. If we superheat a copper nr iron bar,
a brittle scale will form on the surface.

6. If we burn zinc in the air, a white
powder will be formed.

7. If we heat a piece of iron, inclose it in
pure oxygen, the iron will burn to powder.

8. If we expose a piece of iron to moist
air, through time the iron will powder to what
we call iron rust. \

9. If we examine the air in the sealed jar
or closed room, we will find that it has parted
with its oxygen.

10. If we examine the oxygen after the
iron has burned therein, we will find its quanti-
ty reduced.

11. If we examine the scale from the cop-
per or iron, the powder from the iron or the
zinc, or the rust of the iron, we will find that
they all contain oxygen.

12. If. we compare the iron rust with the
iron powder resuhing from burning iron in
pure oxygen, we will find them identical in
substance.

From these revealed facts important ques-
tions arise. The material universe holds
countless wonders and in their midst we are
yet but children prone to ask the why and
wherefore of many things. Thus we want to
know what became of the oxygen in the air
of the sealed jar or closed room. Scientific
investigation shows that it combined with the
carbon of the candle or tissues of the man
and produced carbon dioxide, or carbonic acid
gas. Likewise we naturally wonder where the
oxygen came from and how it ever got into-
the metallic substance from which came
powder, scale and rust; and how such a thin
fluid could make ingress into a metallic solid
and remain a part of the product. The an-
swer again is : it came from the atmosphere
and combined with tlie elements in a myster-

December

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

501

ions process, producing a changed substance
from which it would not part. The process
by virtue of which this combination is made
we call oxidation and the resultant product
an oxide.

Oxidation, then, simply means combining
with oxygen, and an oxide in a foundry sense,
or a chemical sense, or any other sense is
merely a compound of oxygen with some other
element. In consequence, oxidized metal is
metal with which oxygen has to a more or
less degree combined.

Oxygen is a tasteless, colorless, odorless
gas. Of all known elements it is the most
abundant and widely distributed, forming 46
per cent of the earth's crust, 88 per cent of
water and 20 per cent of air. It combines
with all single elements except tluorine and
the inert gases of the air and is one of the
most chemically active agents known. It has
in common with other gases the three physical
states; — solid, liquid and gaseous — is slightly
heavier than air and is takeij as a standard for
atomic weights.

As already stated, the term oxidation repre-
sents that process by virtue of which oxygen
combines with some other element. Such a
process in the majority of cases is beyond the

All oxidation belongs to one of two classes ;
namely, rapid or perceptible ; and slow or non-
perceptible. The burning of wood in the air
is an example of the former : the corrosion of
lead, magnesium, iron, copper, tin, zinc and the
decay of wood are instances of the latter. In
the former case the process is usually referred
to as combustion. In the main, combustion
and oxidation are similar though there are ap-
parent minor distinctions between them. Com-

yi''

Oxidized Metal and Oxide Scraped from Lip of
Ciucible, Immediately after Pouring.

^-: -^ ^^ ''* "*

Oxide Scale Developed by Exposing a Superheated
Casting to the Air.

physical and produces a chemically changed
substance: so that the oxide of any substance
differs essentially and chemically from that
substance. As a rule, metal oxides are exempt
from any further reduction by ordinary means,
in consequence of which oxides, generally
speaking, will not oxidize. It is, therefore,
obvious that a metal oxide is the "earth to
earth", "dust to dust", "ashes to ashes",
"spirit gone away", of that metallic element,
and this, in a foundry sense, is as definite and
logical as any conception thereof we could
hope to derive.

bustion is oxidation, though oxidation is not
always combustion in the commonly accepted
sense of the word combustion. Generally con-
sidered, combustion is oxidation accompanied
with light and heat. Assuming, however, —
and the assumption is perfectly warranted —
that light is generally a consequence of heat,
the distinction confines itself solely to the
heat feature. Now there is just as much heat
developed by the iron corroding to a scale or
powder as in burning to a scale or powder ;
the apparent difference being accounted for
in time and radiation. A man will develop
just as much heat in walking ten miles as in
running ten miles; the only difference being
that in walking the heat develops and escapes
normally, while in running it develops and
escapes abnormally and in less time. \\ here-
fore combustion and oxidization are prac-
tically the same, differing chiefly in that, in
the one, the process is so rapid as to develop
perceptible heat ; in the other, so slow that
the heat developed escapes perception.

502

THE BRASS WORLD

December

Air and water both contain oxygen, conse-
quentl\- slow oxidation is more rapid in tlie
pressure of moisture than in its absence. At
ordinary temperatures ox\-gen does not readily
combine with moist elements. That tempera-
ture at whicli any substance rapidly combines
with the oxygen of the air is called the "kind-
ling" temperature of that substance. As we ap-
proach this kindling temperature, evidences of
raiiid oxidation ])ecome more manifest. In fact
any rise in temperature in the presence of moist-
ure increases the intensity of slow oxidation in
evidence of which the well-known tendency
of vegetables to decay in the presence of heat
and moisture and the occurence of spontaneous
combustion in a mass of jute, cotton, coal or
grain during hot weather may be cited. In
tlie natural world there is continuity of law
and we believe there is also continiuty of con-
sequence, that by the same law of consequence
by virtue of which a vegetable will more in-
tensely slowly oxidize in the presence of heat
and moisture, so also will a metal or any other
oxidizing element.

^Moreover, oxidation is always weakest at
its beginning and increases in intensity with
extension of duration. From this we might
justly conclude that oxidized metal will con-
taminate and increase oxidation in good metal
just the same as a decaying apple will con-
taminate and increase oxidation in one not in
the process of decay. This, however, is
understood to apply in the case of introducing
oxidized metal into a body of melting or mol-
ten metal. These may be regarded as advanced
statements and broad assertions, yet we believe
them to rest on premises equally extensive,
all of which we have searched for to warrant
the conclusion that a war on metal oxides
neither begins nor ends with the melting and
pouring of that metal. The plan of campaign
must be wider, including everything from the
storage of metal to the removing or "shaking-
out" of castings from their molds. In this it
is scarcely necessary to state that metal storage
bins should be cool and dry and no foundry
practice should be tolerated that permits cast-
ings to be removed from their molds until they
have naturally cooled to a point below their
rapidly oxidizing temperature.

That temperature at which a metal passes
from its solid to its liquid state is known as its
fusing temperature. The "kindling" tempera-
ture of most metals does not meet with much

consideration usually, because that temperature
is in advance of the fusing point and beyond
the province of practical purpose. However,
the mere fact that burning sulphur supplies
sufficient heat to start complete oxidation of
iron in pure oxygen will fairly authorize the
conclusion, that at their fusing temperatures,
high degree metals or alloys will combine
with all the oxygen the air can supply to their
surfaces. That they do not completely oxidize
is more likely to be justly attributed to an
inadequate supply of the oxidizing clement and
the protection which the oxide on the surface
affords the metal beneath, rather than to any
disinclination of the metallic substances to
further oxidize.

Nearly all brass and bronze alloys contain
both "high and low melting degree" con-
stituents. As a general rule, low-degree fusing
elements are also low-degree kindling
elements : that is, metals such as zinc, tin, lead,
etc., will completely oxidize to an oxide in
temperatures where copper, iron, nickel, etc.,
will yield only to slow oxidation. In the case
of zinc, the fusing temperature is close to 420
deg. C. and the kindling not far in advance,
this latter point being far below the fusing
temperature of copper.

We cannot suppress the conviction, then,
that a fusing temperature is a dangerous
oxidizing temperature ; that higher tempera-
tures are still more dangerously so ; that, for
this, no metal should be exposed to a tempera-
ture beyond that absolutely essential to its
manipulative state nor exposed to that tem-
perature long, and that low-degree melting
elements should be accorded the maximum of
good foundry practice in their process of in-
troduction ; that is, tin, lead, zinc, etc., should
never be combined with copper in its melting
state; but added to the molten copper mass
just prior to pouring and then under surface
protection of the molten mass. The same
principle applies to all combustion of low and
high-degree melting elements.

To be Continued.

Carnauba wax used in the manufacture of
phonograph records, shoe polish, candles, etc.,
as well as in the plating room, is obtained
from the leaves of the carnauba palm, grown
in Brazil. About tons were exported
from that country in ]'.)]. 2.

December

503

FROM AMBER TO DYNAMO.

BY H. E. WILLMORE, )r,. B. S.

This marks the teg'mning' of a series of articles devoted to the setting- forth of the es-
sential facts concerning- electricity with which the plater should he thoroughly acquainted.
There has been hitherto no attempt made to deal with this subject in any more than a per-
functory way. The present introduction deals with static electricity. The succeeding' articles
will deal successively with the nature of the electric current, mag^netism, sources of elec-
tricity for plating-, measuring instruments, electric currents, types of motors and dynamos,
belts and their operative relationship, electrolysis and electrical design of a plating room. H.
E. Willmore, the authcr of this series of articles, has been connected for some years with one
of the largest electrical concerns in the United States, and his knowledge is based upon actual
practices, both from the generating and using departments of the electrical field. We feel sure
that this series will prove to be valuable to our readers and they are requested to send in
questions on any points which may need further elucidation.

Workers in the broad electrical field of to-
day are apt to subordinate even the simpler
theories and laws of electricity to the princi-
ples of practice. We, perhaps, build too often
upon foundations of which we know too
little. The electrician or wireman often knows
more about the underwriters' rules than he
does about the few fundamental electrical
truths upon which these rules are founded.
The electro-plater's profession may be likened
to a bridge built upon and joining two great
piers — electro-physics on one side and chemis-
try on the other. A great deal of benefit and
pleasure may be derived from a study of
either of these sciences, and it is with this
idea in mind that the author offers the sub-
sequent paragraphs upon elementary electri-
city.

Part 1 — Static Electricity.
The original discovery of what is now
known as a charge of electricity is sometimes
attributed to the Greek philosopher Thales.
who lived about 600 B. C, but there is good
reason to believe that a slight knowledge of it
existed before his time. It is a notable fact
that a superficial knowledge of electricity ex-
isted in pre-historic times and that that
knowledge concerned only the least useful
form, static electricity. By the latter part of
this statement I mean that with our present
knowledge static electricity is less easily and
less efficiently converted into other forms of
energy, such as chemical, mechanical or heat
energy. Nevertheless, it has played an im-
portant part in the development of our
knowledge and hypotheses concerning things

electrical, and for this reason, if for no other,
a brief study of static electricity will not be
out of place here.

Of what electricity is we can say little or
nothing, but many centuries of observation
have taught us a great deal concerning its
action. All that the ancients knew of electric-
ity was that amber when rubbed against their
clothing possessed a wonderful property of
attracting small pieces of thread, bits of
chaff and the like. Beyond this they ap-
parently never cared to go. Dr. Gilbert, in the
Elizabethan period, found that a number of
substances behaved like amber and he gave
to this property of such substances the name
"Electricity", meaning literally "the property
of amber."

Stroke the barrel of a fountain pen on your
coat-sleeve and bring it close to some small
bits of paper. One or more of the pieces of
paper will jump to the pen and remain there.
Shuffle across the carpet on a cold dry day,
then touch the gas jet or radiator and a
spark will pass. These are modern perfor-
mances of the wonders of ancient times. By
experimenting with various substances it may
be shown that different combinations will
produce different results: for instance, the
charge produced on the hard rubber barrel of
a fountain pen when rubbed with a silk hand-
kerchief behaves differently from that pro-
duced on a glass rod when treated with the
same cloth. This has resulted in a gradation
of the various substances, a brief list of whicli
is given in table I.

504

THE BRASS WORLD

December

TABLE L

POSITIVE ( + ).

Fur.

Wool.

Glass.

Cottcni.

Silk.

Wood.

Metals.

Hard Rubber.

Sealing Wax.

Sulphur.
NEGATIVE (— ).

It will be found that any substance m this
table will receive what has been designed as
positive charge when brought in close con-
tact with any substance following it, and will
receive a negative charge when anv substance

It may be readily shown that a charge
manifests itself only on the outer surface of
a body, and what [jrobably happens when a
charged body attracts an uncharged or neutral
one is illustrated in figure 1. Suppose A to
be the end of a glass rod which has been elec-
trified positively by rubbing with a silk cloth,
and P> an insulated conductor or a noncon-
ductor. The tendency is for a positive charge
to attract a negative charge to the near side
of B and to repel an equal positive charge to
the far side of B. The charge of A and the
negative charge of B are nearer than the
charge of A and the positive charge of B. The
result is that the force of attraction is greater
than that of repulsion and the neutral body
is attracted by the charged body, whether A
is charged positively or negatively.

If B is suspended by a thread it will swing
towards A until it touches A, when all or part
of its negative charge will be neutralized, and
it may bound away suddenly, owing to the re-

t t

+ +

■*^Positive Charge ; - = Negative Charge.

preceding it is used. In every case, therefore,
there are two equal charges produced which
are opposite in nature, one negative and the
other positive — the positive on one of the sub-
stances and the negative upon the other. But
as we shall see later, for a charge to manifest
itself upon conductors, it is necessary that the
conductors be insulated. All bodies which are
electrified alike, whether negatively or posi-
tively, repel one another, and any two bodies
which are electrified oppositely, one negatively
and the other positively, will attract each other.
Coulomb in showed that the force which
exists between electrified bodies depends upon
the strength of the charge upon each of the
bodies, the distance between them and the
medium through which the force must act.
Air is usually the medium. The existing
force rapidly diminishes as the distance be-
tween the charges is increased, being only one-
fourth as great for a two- inch distance as for
one inch, one-ninth for three inches, etc.

r/G.2.

pulsion of remaining like charges. In this
case tests will show that B has become posi-
tively charged. The success of such an ex-
periment as this depends largely upon the
ability of B to allow charges to flow from one
part to another, or of sufficient condensation
upon the surface of B to give the same results.
Similar experiments may be performed by
making use of a fountain pen and some
graphite particles scraped from a lead pencil.
Electrify the barrel of the fountain pen upon
your coat-sleeve and bring it near to the
graphite particles. The particles will pass
rapidly to the pen and away again, and after
they have given up their small charges to the
table they will again jump to the pen.

A consideration of these well-known actions
of electricity led Benjamin Franklin to pro-
pound his theory of the electric fluid, which
in different forms was the theory of many of
the early experimenters. Franklin thought
that bodies when electrified contained more

December

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

505

or less than a normal amount of the "electric
fluid." Dufay thought there were two fluids,
one positive and the other negative, and that
neutral bodies contained equal amounts of
each. As will be seen, many of the terms
used in the electrical science have been in-
fluenced by the concention of an electric tiuid,
and at the present time it forms an excellent
working hypothesis, assisting very material-
ly in a physical conception of the laws of
electricity.

There are two modern theories explaining
the electrical phenomena — the ether theory and
the electron theory. The first of these is itself
based upon the well-founded theory of the
existence of a rare gaseous fluid which per-
meates all bodies and space in the universe and
is the medium for the propagation of light
waves. This ether is supposed to be capable
of strains in the locality of bodies, which
strains are manifested by electrical phenomena.
The second theory mentioned above, the elec-
tron theory, may be thought of as Franklin's
one fluid theory. This theory states that
electrification is due to negative particles,
called electrons. The particles are supposed
to be all alike, and experiments have shown
that the mass of an electron is about 1/ of
the mass of a hydrogen atom. When a body
is in a neutral state it has a certain number
of these electrons to a unit mass ; when it has
less than this number it is positively electri-
fied, and when it has more than this number
per unit mass it is negatively electrified.

The electron theory represents the present
idea of the cause of electrification based
largely upon the recent studies in radio-ac-
tivity, but for convenience the author will con-
tinue to use the terms positive and negative
charges in the parts of this subject which are
to follow.

SPOTTING OUT.

Editor of Brass World : —

I read with interest, Mr. Schulte's article
upon spotting out, and think he has a very
logical article regarding same. I note his use
of barium or calcium cyanide for precipitating
the potassium carbonate and agree with him,
that it gives excellent results. His statement
that he has used barium chloride or nitrate
for the same purpose is wrong, however, as it
would only result in forming potassium
chloride or nitrate, instead of potassium car-
bonate, and these would be just as bad as the

carbonate, if not worse; it also neutralizes
some of the free cyanide, amounting to a con-
siderable quantity in a large volume of solu-
tion, say 500 gallons.

This is in no sense a criticism, as I think it a
splendid article, but thought perhaps some
plater might be led to try the barium chloride
or nitrate in place of the cyanide, and in time
might cause himself trouble. I have the plea-
sure of Mr. Schulte's acquaintance and know
him to be an expert in his line.

Very respectfully,
Elmer W. Woodmansee.
Foreman Plater, Caille Bros., Detroit, Mich.

METAL CLEANING COMPOUND.

A treatment of iron or steel to prevent rust-
ing and to remove grease and oil before paint-
ing them, has been patented by Geo. D. Feidt,
Philadelphia, Pa. (U. S. Patent 1,119,781.)

The cleaning mixture consists of orthophos-
phoric acid and denatured alcohol, the propor-
tion 1 volume (87 per cent solution) of the
former, to 2 volumes of the latter (ethyl
alcohol), being suitable for ordinary sheet steel
work. A small excess of alcohol is desirable,
while the addition of 4 volume of carbon
tetrachloride destroys the inflammable nature
of the mixture.

The result of the action of the acid in this
alcohol is the formation of an alcoholic phos-
phate. This is painted over the metal treated,
and after a few minutes the metal is wiped.
The cleaner dissolves rust and changes grease,
etc., into harmless substances, which are wiped
ofl^, and a clean bright surface is provided.

OF INTEREST TO LACQUER
USERS.

The Anderson Chemical Co. has just taken
over the entire business of the New Era Lustre
Co., assuming all of the liabilities, assets and
commercial responsibilities. This change was
the result in part of the retirement of Mr.
Cobb, who was long connected with ihe New
Era Lustre Co. and who has disposed of his
interest in it.

The Anderson Chemical Co., Wallington, N.
J., has manufactured everything used
by the New Era Lustre Co. for the last two
years. Consequently, there will not be any
vital changes necessary in the manufacturing
arrangements. The absorption, however, of

506

THE BRASS WORLD

December

tlie New Era Lustre Co. 1iv the Aiulerson
Clieniical Co., will cnal)le llic Sales Department
to hamllc new business on a very nuicli broader
scale than bas been done before, and tbere arc
ample facilities for taking care of a large in-
crease in business. Tbe Anderson Cbemical
Co. was first formed in H)()',) and bas grown
steadily in importance ever since. It is now
one of tbe largest producers of amyl acetate
in America.

UNCENSORED FACTS CON-
CERNING THE WAR.

To get anytbing uncensored concerning con-
ditions in Europe is difficult. To be able to
read uncensored FACTS written by an Ameri-
can level-headed business man is a privilege
so rare that it is worth recording. Elmer R.
Murphey is the president of James H. Rhodes
& Co., New York City, and has just returned
from a European business trip, conducted
successfully in the heart of the war zone. As
usual, this commercial fighter got what he
went after. Arrangements have been made
by him which will enable the Rhodes customers
to secure supplies of the pumice stone, mag-
nesium chloride, cyanide of potash, caustic
potash, sponges, analine oil and analine salt
— all special Rhodes products of national re-
pute.

President Murphey is not only a shrewd
business man but he is a writer, though not a
writing dreamer.

To get a successful business man to write a
book of experience is almost an impossibility.
Failures always write books to show how mucli
they once did. The almost impossible has
happened and "Rhodes Colossus" is a neat
little book, delightfully written, profusely il-
lustrated and telling in a straightforward,
business-like manner what happens when one
tries to do business in the warring countries.
Everyone should read it. It can be obtained
free for the asking. Special information can
be obtained by letter. Write for tbe "Colossus"
now and mention the "Brass World."

"ELECTROPLATING AND AN-
ALYSIS OF SOLUTIONS/'

H. H. Reama, Brooklyn, N. Y., bad an idea
and has made it a fact. He had tbe idea that
the new generation of electroplaters would be

interested in a hand-book on electroplating and
methods of analysis of solutions used in plat-
ing and has produced the book containing
about 100 pages of formulas and useful data.
The price, $2.50, is a small sum compared to
the assistance obtained in time of need. The
index enables one to reach easily the formula
sought. A copy of the book would be a good
Christmas present for any plater to make to
himself or any manufacturer to give to his
plater. It can be secured from The Brass
World Publishing Co., 2G0 John St., Bridge-
port, Conn.

A PREVENTIVE OF POWER
THEFT.

Friction costs money for it steals power.
Polishing lathes have their being because of
frictional needs and it is the aim of every in-
ventor of this type of machinery to give all
the external friction possible at as low an
internal-friction cost as can be accomplished.
Hence the ball-bearing polishing lathe. The
illustration shows tbe latest production of the

Hanson & Van Winkle Co., Newark, N. J., a
polishing lathe with practically frictionless
bearings. These lathes are furnished in two
sizes for light and heavy work. The ball-
bearings are double self-aligning. An interest-
ing bulletin, telling how 25 per cent power con-
sumption can be saved and more work can be
obtained by writing to the company. There's
money in reading if you read well.

December

507

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Trouble With Black Nickel SoUition.

I am having trouble with my black nickel
solution. The work comes out of the bath witn
an iridescent sheen which I cannot overcome.
The solution is kept neutral and run at cur-
rent density of one volt. By running it hot
I get a uniform color, but not black enough.
Would carbonate of soda added to the bath do
any good?

If the black nickel solution plates gray or
streaked it usually indicates that too strong a
current is used, or that the solution is acid.
Your bath appears to be satisfactory, since
you have been successful in some instances.
Carbonate of soda may be used only for
neutralizing the bath, and an excess will have
a harmful effect. You can make the deposit
much blacker by dipping, after plating, in a
solution of perchloride of iron.

Gviii-Metal Finish.
I am seeking a good dead-black gun metal
finish for meshbags and lorgnette chains. Also
please inform me what is used to melt
jewelers' filings to separate the gold from
other metals, and leave the button at the bot-
tom of the crucible.

The oxidized silver finish will probably be
best for your meshbags, and is extensively
used for the purpose. Silver with a good sil-
ver deposit and then oxidize in a hot liver of
sulpliur solution, containing 3 oz. to the gallon.
Scratch-brush and lacquer.

Gold is separated from other metals by
simple melting, using borax as flux. The sil-
ver and copper present go with the gold into
the button, and have to be afterwards separ-
ated by treating with nitric acid, which dis-
solves out all but the gold.

Brown Metal.

Is there such a metal mixture as brown
bronze, or is the brown color only obtained by
chemical action?

There is no such mixture as brown bronze,
although many people believe that brown
bronze is brown clear through. The metal is

colored in various ways, but only on the sur-
face. Any good bronze or composition will
satisfy your purpose, and can readily be given
the correct shade of brown vou wish.

Iiead and Antimony Mixture.

What is the best way to melt lead and anti-
mony to form a mixture containing 87i of lead
and 12i of antimony? Would it be best to
make a 25 per cent mixture and then add equal
quantities of lead or would it be best to make
it the 12-2 mixture the first time?

We would advise melting the lead in an irou
kettle and the antimony in a crucible in a pit
furnace. When both are melted, mix them be-
fore removing kettle from fire. They should
be mixed just at melting temperature and no
higher and as the antimony takes longer to
melt, it should be started first. There will be
no trouble about melting the antimony if put
in a proper crucible under brass melting con-
ditions.

Pits in Old Silverware.

When old silverware is full of rust marks
and little pit holes is there any way to fill
these in before plating? They can be polished,
but sometimes they are too deep. Is there any
other method that we can use?

If the goods are badlj- pitted, there is no
other method than to grind out the pits. If not
too bad, plating in an acid copper bath,
sufficiently heavy to buff down, will help.

Copper Solution Plating- Hard.
What is the best substance to add to a cop-
per plating solution to make it work soft and
even? My solution, which I use cold at 16
deg. Beaume for plating iron tubing, works
hard and streaky, and I should like to know
if ammonia would improve the deposit.

You can improve the deposit by adding about
2 oz. of sodium bisulphite to the gallon of
solution. If this is insufficient, you should
reduce the current or add water to your solu-
tion, thereby increasing the resistance.

508

THE BRASS WORLD

December

Sparkling- Effect on Brass.

How can 1 obtain the sparkling l)rass effect
similar to the best class of hardware? My
work is both cast brass and tnlie brass. 1 liave
tried treating tlie castings witli dilnte muriatic
acid, and they come out mottled, liut do not
sparkle enough.

You will only get the effect you wish In
using a casting in which there is a good pro-
portion of tin. The casting is hung as anode
in an acid copper bath. The copper and zinc
plate off the surface, leaving- the crystalline
tin structure, which gives the mottled cft'ect.
It is then bright dipped in a mixture of 2 parts
sulphuric acid and 1 part nitric acid. To each
gallon of tin- mixture is added ] oz. nmrialic
acid.

Alloy For Hot Galvanizing-.

What is the composition of the alloy used
in the process of hot galvanizing? How is it
made and what is the method of using in the
galvanizing process?

An alloy of zinc and aluminum, consisting of
95 of the former to 5 of the latter, is used in
hot galvanizing. The aluminum is first melted
and the zinc added ; the mixture is stirred, then
poured into ingots and broken up. One pound
of the alloy is added to every hundred pounds
of zinc in the kettle. The object of the ad-
dition is to improve the coating of zinc, mak-
ing it whiter as well as more even.

Removing- Liver of Sulphur Oxidize
From Steel.

How can we remove the liver of sulphur
from steel stampings which are to be re-
coppered?

H the goods are lacquered, soak in In it
pota,sh solution till lacquer is removed, and
then immerse in a strong cyanide solution,
used warm. The liver of sulphur oxidize is
rapidly taken off, leaving the surface dead, so
that repolishing will be necessary.

Japanning- Hairpins.

The hairpins J am japanning come out very
rough and do not cover up very well. The
mixture I use consists of three dippers each of
japan and benzine and one dipper of turpen-
tine, with five spoonfuls of linseed oil. They
are baked for twent\ minutes at a temperature
of 450 to 575 deg.

There is evidently too much benzine in your
mixture, which is very volatile. The propor-
tions f)f benzine and turpentine should be re-
Ncrsed, making it :! dippers of japan, 1 dipper
of benzine, ;> dippers of tur])entine and 5 spoon-
fuls of linseed oil.

To obtain the best results, two operations are
necessary in jai)anning hairpins, .\fter clean-
ing and freeing from nil, they are placed in
the barrel and rolled with a little benzine for
a short time. .\ little japan is then thrown in
and they are rnllcd long enough to cover them
evenly, a light brown color being produced.
They are then taken out and spread upon wire
cloth trays and air-dried for two or three
hours: then they are given another thin coat-
ing in the barrel, .\fter again dumping on the
trays, they are put in the kilns and baked. The
heat is raised slowly to about 400 deg. F. whicn
temperature is attained in from two to three
hours. Cooling should also be gradual. A good
black color free from stains is the result. The
barrel must be washed clean with benzine after
each operation.

Chocolate Bro-wn on Brass.

Kindly give formula for a dark chocolate
brown finish on brass to have an oxidized ef-
fect.

We would suggest that you flash your work
in cojiper. h'or an oxidized finish as desired,
expose it to the copper treatment just long-
enough so that you can get your relieving
easily. The oxidized effect will be produced by
the usual liver of sulphur solutii;)n using 2 oz.
to a gallon of water. By scratch brushing you
can obtain anv degree of finish \-ou desire.

Mixture For Sig-n Letters.

Kindly supply formula for bronze for mak-
ii-|g- sign letters. We wish to have something
that will turn a dark brown color on exposure
to the air and with age.

A good n-iixture for your purpose is the fol-
lowing :

Copper 8S parts

Tin S parts

Zinc 2 parts

Lead 2 parts

This mixture has a fine bronze color, casts
well and runs sharply and sound fiir this class
of work.

December

509

PATENT NOTES.

Casting" Apparatus.

In apparatus for making die castings, means
are provided for handling molten metal so that
the dross which accumulates at the surface of
the material in the pot, is prevented from en-
tering the die or mold.

The apparatus consists of a melting pot with
which communicates a pressure tube by means
of an admission valve. Through a discharge

port the molten metal is discharged into a die,
a discharge valve opening and closing the port.
There is no direct connection between these
two valves, the admission valve serving to
open and close communication between the
pressure tube and melting point, while the dis-
charge valve is closed. The discharge valve
is automatically locked in its closed position
while the admission valve is open.— U. S.
Patent 1,110,659. Sept. 15. . William C.
Urban, Granite City, 111.

Process of Oljtaining- Tin Prom Waste
Tinned Metal.

This invention relates to an improvement in
the process of recovering tin by means of mix-
tures of chlorine and air. The chlorine gas is
supplied to a chamber charged with distribut-
ing bodies, such as Guttmann's hollow balls,

filled with air. In this manner a thorough mix-
ture of the gases is efifected, and this mixture
is drawn into the receptacle containing the
tinned metal, where the detinning operation is
carried out, with little danger of burning the
metal— U. S. Patent 1,116,176. Nov. 3, .
G. von der Linde, Germany.

reed-Meclianism for Galvaniziiig- Machines.

An apparatus for coating metal consists of
a pot for the coating metal, sets of rolls mount-
ed thereon so as to engage the sheets passed
through the pot. These rolls are cylindrical

in cross section and are arranged to contact
with the sheets at all points in their width.
Bearings are provided for the ends of the rolls,

510

THE BRASS WORLD

December

and intermediate hearings engage with the
outside rolls of the sets, supporting these rolls
between their ends. Arms pivoted on the pot
are adjustable so as to hold the bearings en-
gaged with the rolls. Sectional bearings en-
gage with the adjacent rolls of adjoining sets
at an intermediate point in their length, and
means are provided whereby these bearings are
moved and held in engagement witii the rolls.
— U. S. Patent 1,117,578. Xov. 17. .
Llewellyn Jones, New Castle, Pa.

Molding' Machiiie.

The object of this invention is to produce
means for operating patterns to facilitate the
work of forming sand-molds. The machine
comprises a flask support and two pattern
holders operable to release the sectional
pattersn from the mold section, with-
out rapping the patterns. The pattern
holders are telescoping and adapted to

support separable pattern sections. Cleans are
provided for operating these holders so as to
interlock and unlock these pattern sections, and
for sliding them so as to draw one of the pat-
tern sections from the ui)per portion of the
mold member and to draw the other pattern
member from the lower portion of the mold
member.— U. S. Patent 1,111,529. Sept. 22, .
William A. Denney, Quincy. 111.

Process of Separating" Metals rroni Ores.

This process of extracting copper, zinc, etc.,
from their sulphide or other ores, consists in
suspending the ores in anode compartment of
an electrolytic cell containing a dissolved elec-
trolyte such as sodium chloride. The cell is
depolarized by oxidizing any hydrogen ab-
sorbed by the cathode liquid before it comes in
contact with the anode liquid. A refractory
material such as graphilized carbon is used as
anode, and the depolarizing material is a mix-
ture of manganese dioxide, mercury and pal-
ladium black.— U. S. Patent 1,115,351. Oct. 27,
. Herman A. Wagner, East Orange, N. J.

A NEW ALUMINUM ALLOY.

A new malleable alloy consisting chiefly of
aluminum has been invented by Thomas A.
Bayliss, of Warwick, and Byron George Clark,
of London, England. The composition varies
between the limits of aluminum. 80 to 99, zinc,
. to 19.999 and cadmium, .001 to 10 per
cent. Two particular alloys given as examples
are : 1. Aluminum 91, zinc 8, cadmium 1 per
cent. 2. Aluminum 88, zinc 10, cadmium 2
per cent.

The method of manufacturing the alloy con-
sists in adding zinc and cadmium with or with-
out the addition of a suitable flux, to the molt-
en aluminum. The mass is maintained in
molten condition till the zinc and cadmium are
evenly disseminated, and is then allowed to
cool.

The alloy is claimed to be extremely tough
and strong and highly malleable when cast in
chill molds for rolling. When cast in sand
molds, the castings have a fine smooth surface
and can be readily machined, being suitable
for stamping ornamental objects, etc. It can
also be rolled into long lengths of 100 or 200
feet, or formed into strip wire.

A recent consular report from the tropics
calls attention to the rusting of metal buckles
and catches on linen trousers and other gar-
ments used in tropical regions, particularly
near the sea. The constant washing these gar-
ments must undergo, accelerates the rusting,
and the fabric soon becomes discolored and un-
sightly. The consular agent advises the re-
moval of all metal from such articles of
clothing, and the substitution of celluloid, bone
or porcelain devices.

December

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

511

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH
METAL CYANIDES.

BY A. N. THERIAULT.*

In my estimation the plating industry has
made a tremendous gain through its adoption
of metal cyanides. Their introduction has
brought about what has practically amounted
to a revolution of plating practice, not alone
because of the better class of work turned
out but chiefly because of the decided reduc-
tion in plating costs effected. By this I do
not mean a lower cost per pound of these
salts as compared with the cost of the carbo-
nates of copper and zinc, as the cost is really
higher. Despite this apparently higher cost,
my use of the metal cyanides shows that a
decided saving is brought about by the elimi-
nation of all waste matter in the bath and a
positive reduction of over one-half the amount
of cyanide necessarv in carbonate solutions.

the metal cyanides in the place of the carbo-
nates, but only after I have satisfied myself
that with their use I would obtain better re-
sults at a saving in cost.

The following photographs show results ob-
tained with the metal cyanides on ordinary
builders' hardware. Fig. 1 shows a wrought
steel door knob in a raw state exactly as it
reaches the plating room from the polishing
department. After this it is put through the
usual cleaning process. When rinsed it is
placed on a rack and put directly into a cop-
per solution made up of equal parts of copper
cyanide and sodium cyanide. This solution
is worked at 4 volts and the work is run for
about 20 minutes. It is then taken out and
rinsed carefully. Fig. 2 shows the knob after
plating and rinsing. The work is then put
through a sulphuret solution for oxidizing.
After it is oxidized it is again rinsed and
scratch-brushed with a steel-wire brush, after
which it is relieved with an S-in. buff. Fig. 3

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

As every plater knows, solutions made up
of carbonate of copper and carbonate of zinc
contain impurities and inert matter foreign to
the solution amounting to over 50 per cent,
while analysis has shown that the metal
cyanides contain metal and cyanogen only.
Copper cyanide contains ~0 per cent metallic
copper, and 30 per cent cyanogen ; zinc
cyanide tests 55 per cent metallic zinc and 45
per cent cyanogen. The elimination of these
impurities has made the regulation of the
plating bath more certain, contributing to
greater obtainable efiiciency with the metal
cyanides than with the carbonates. The im-
purities of the carbonates not only hinder
satisfactory working of the bath, but at one
time or other do a positive injury to the solu-
tion. After extensive tests, I have adopted

*Poreman Plater with Lockwood Mfg. Co.,
So. Xorwalk, Conn.

shows the finished knob, copper-plated, oxi-
dized and relieved. Fig. 4 shows a similar
door-knob, brass-plated. After the usual
cleaning and rinsing operation the knobs are
placed in a brass solution using copper and
zinc cyanide. For brass plating I run these
knobs for one-half hour at five volts. After
plating, they are then finished for polished brass
or rough brass effect. In a solution of about
150 gallons I run about of the above
knobs every half hour.

As previously stated, the metal cyanides
have been the source of considerable experi-
menting and my experience with them has
given me absolute confidence in their efficiency.
In fact, I have come to the conclusion that
they are indispensable to the plater who must
be absolutely certain of the condition of his
solution at all times, and must obtain perfect
results at a low and fixed cost.

512

THE BRASS WORLD

December

METALLIZING FLEXIBLE
ORGANIC MATERIAL.

BUTT- WELDING WROUGHT
IRON AND STEEL PIPES.

An improveiiieiil in the process oi metalliz-
ing organic material l)y passing it through the
electric held containing dust from the disinte-
gration of metallic electrodes in a vacuum, has
been i)atented by l\oI)ert Rafn, \'ureml)erg,
Germany. ( U. S. Patent 1,118,878). The im-
provement consists in increased adhesion and
economy of metal. This is stated to be at-
tained by the use of a drying oil wliich solidi-
fies to a varnish fdm on the fiber and h.xes the
metallic dust upon the surface of the object.

The oils suitable for this purpose are linseed,
poppy, mit and rliicinus oils, the latter being
preferred because of its low vapor tension and
the absence of odor in its products of de-
composition. A rather dilute solution of the
oil in benzol or alcoliol is used in the process,
so as not to impair the softness and fiexibility
of the fiber.

The object to be metallized is dipped in the
oil solution, the .solvent is evaporated off, and
it is then passed through the electrical field of
the metallizing apparatus. Simultaneously
with the process of metallizing, a transforma-
tion of the absorbed oil takes place, the active
light from the working electrodes bringing
about oxidation by the air still remaining.
With thick and bulky materials the oil in the
interior may be extracted by means of a sol-
vent.

The metallized article retains the flexiliility
of the original and is rendered proof against
the action of water. The surface remains free
from lacquer as is shown by its faculty of
being easilv amalgamated.

BY ALFRED BEAULIEU.

A new etching liquid for mild steel was
given in a paper read before the Iron & Steel
Institute of Great Britain by W. L. Rosenhain
and J. L. Haugbton, its composition being:

Ferric chloride 30 gms.

Hydrochloric acid 100 c.c.

Cupric chloride 1 gm.

Stannic chloride 0.5 giu.

Water 1 liter.

A cheap substitute for steel balls for ])urnish-
ing has been found in the small round punch-
ings formed when holes have been punched in
machine steel. They are prepared for the
work by first tumbling alone, the sharp corners
being thereby rounded otY.

The Thermit welding process provides a
means of joining wrought iron or steel pipes
anywhere in place, witlmut machinery, furnace,
electric power or hanunering.

The method has great value for welding pipe
coils in one piece, since the welds can be made
before or after the pipes are bent. The ends of
the pipes to be welded are first faced by means
of a special facing machine wliich is clamped
on the pipe. Only a few turns of the wheel
which controls the cutter is necessary to face
the pipe absolutely square and smooth.

After the pipes are properly faced, a special
clamp (designed by Mr. Fred Cohen, works
manager of the Goldschmidt Thermit Co.) is
used to hold the pipe ends lirmly together;
around the joint is placed a cast iron mold in
two parts, the upper one having a narrow gate
to admit the superheated mass.

The Thermit is ignited in a flat bottom cruci-
ble held with a pair of tongs. .After the re-
action the slag fills the upper part of the cruci-
ble and has three times the volume of the
superheated liquid steel, which collects at the
bottom when the whole mass is liquified.

The superheated liquid mass is then poured
into the opening of the mold. The slag, flow-
ing first, will adhere in a thin layer to the walls
of the nwld and the surface of the pipe to be
welded, and will pr(jtect it from contact with
the liquid steel which runs last. On chilling,
this layer of slag is easily knocked off. After
waiting for the ends to soften, the clamps are
drawn up and they effect the weld by squeez-
ing together the now plastic ends of the pipes.
In a few seconds the mold and clamps are re-
moved and a first-class weld is the result.

The welded pieces are as strong at the joint
as elsewhere. The Thermit is put up in paper
bags containing the quantity necessary to weld
a given section, which is called a welding por-
tion.

When it is realized that the welded joints,
obtained at so low a cost, are permanent, non-
leakable and never require attention, the ad-
vantage of the thermit process is at once ap-
parent. The necessary apparatus is light and
portable, being easily carried and handled.
Welding can be done in the field as cheaply as
in the shop, as no outside heat or power is
needed.

December

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

513

Pipe Facing Machine Open to Receive Pipe.

Pipes Held in Clamps. Mold Partly Assembled.

Welding Vertical Pipe : Showing Mold and Clamps on Pipe
Ready for Welding.

For this class of work the
process was found extreme-
ly efficient and economical
for all sizes of pipe up to
about six inches in diameter,
and it has steadily grown in
favor with refrigerating en-
gineers desiring a perma-
nent non-leakable joint for
ammonia pipe lines. It has
also been utilized extensive-
ly in the welding of high
pressure hydraulic pipe lines
and steam service lines. For
ammonia lines particularly,
the process offers a unique
advantage, as the cost of
welded joints is considerably
less than the cost of the
necessary Hanged connec-
tions required for mechani-
cal joints. This is due pri-
marily to recent improve-
ments in the art of welding,
and the perfection of a
special machine for facing
up the ends of the pipe and
preparing them for the weld
to be made.

All the ammonia pipes at
the new Alorrisson Hotel are
being welded by the Thermit
process, at the present time.
Two vertical lines, one H in.
and the other 3iin.. both
double thickness have been
tested and are entirely
jsatisfactory. The writer
welded a hydraulic line of
4 in. pipe for the Xew York
Central Lines at their West
Albany shops four years
ago; a test of 4,000 lb. per
sq. inch was applied, which
was found satisfactory. The
pipe has been in use ever
since that time.

December

514

TRADE NOTES

If i]i -m-

II III I" III

A new brass and copper fountlry bas been
built at Pennsgrove, N. J.

The New Jersey Zinc Co. bas commenced
the erection of a new addition to its plant at
Millport, Pa., at a cost of $300,000.

The Kohler Die & Specialty Co., Chicago,
111., is about to remove its plant to Fort
Madison, 111.

The firm of Smith, Brannan & Strein has
started business at 103 Oliver St., Newark, X.
J., doing all kinds of plating.

The Nolte Brass Co., Springfield, O., is
about to erect a two-story brick and steel ad-
dition to its plant.

The Balbach Smelting & Refining Co.,
Newark, N. J., has filed plans for the construc-
tion of an addition to its plant on Ave. R.

The Crescent Brass Works, Reading, Pa., is
about to construct an aluminum foundry at
Seventh and Bingaman Streets at a cost of
$200.

The brass foundry of the Haven Malleable
Castings Co., Cincinnati, O., manufacturer of
saddlery hardware, was recently destroyed by
fire, with a loss of $15,000.

The Victor Vacuum Cleaning Co., Philadel-
phia, Pa., having gone out of business, their
business is being carried on by W. D. Williams,
Machine Works, N. W. Cor. Jasper and E.
Willard St., Philadelphia, Pa.

J. P. Faiming, 078 Jefferson Ave., Brooklyn,
N. Y., maker of molds for casting solder,
babbitt metal and all kinds of white metal,
announces that he is about to dispose of his
old plant and establish himself in a new brick
building fully equipped with new and up-to-
date machinery and appliances.

The Maas & W^aldstein Co., Newark, N. J.
manufacturer of chemicals, will build an ad-
dition to its plant on Riverside Ave., and make
improvements in the present factory.

The Miami Brass & Foundry Co., Mc-
Donough St., Dayton, O., will shortly erect a
modern foundry on the north side of their
present building, at a cost of $10,000.

The plant of the American .Metal Products
Co., manufacturer of bronze castings, at
Thirty-first St. and Lisbon Ave., Milwaukee,
Wis., was recently damaged by fire to the ex-
tent of $8,000.

The partnership of Hegeler Bros., Danville,
111., has been reorganized into a new corpora-
tion called The Hegeler Zinc Co. The new-
firm announces that the business will be con-
tinued under the same management and with
the same policies. Julius W. Hegeler is presi-
dent of the company.

The Federal Name Plate & Novelty Co.,
732 Federal St., Chicago, 111., has originated
and patented a new process for making name-
plates of the high relief variety identical to
brass-cast plates, at a much lower cost, no
dies or engravings being required. These
plates are furnished in bronze, silver and
brass finishes, the backgrounds being of stipple
or fancy basket-weave patterns. Literature
dealing with the company's products may be
obtained on application.

The Westinghousc Flectric & Mfg. Co.,
East Pittsburgh, Pa., is issuing literature
describing the Westinghouse-Ventura Electric
Fans and the Westinghouse-Sirocco Blowers.
These instruments are being largely installed
in manufacturing plants for the purposes of
ventilating, cooling and exhaust. Full descrip-
tion, construction, applications, sizes, prices,
etc., of these appliances, are included in this
booklet.

December

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

515

The Waterloo Brass Foundry, Waterloo,
Iowa, of which B. Schultz is president, has
been incorporated to take over an existing
business.

The Justrite Mfg. Co.. Chicago, 111., manu-
facturer of hardware specialties, etc., has pur-
chased a site at Hawthorn and Southport Aves.
for a five or six story factory building, to cost
$100,000.

The Enterprise Brass Works, Muskegon
Heights, Mich., has acquired the plant of the
■defunct Wright. Hood & Cooper Co., and will
install its machine finishing and shipping de-
partments therein.

The Howard Specialties Co., Xew York City,
capital $10,000, will manufacture and deal in
metal specialties, razor strops, etc. Maurice L.
Brandt, Benj. Brandt and W. W. Brandt are
incorporators.

The New York & Hagerstown ]\letal Stamp-
ing Co., Hagerstown. Md., with $500,000 capi-
tal, will take over the Montrose Metal Casket
•Co., and manufacture all kinds of metal
stamped ware.

The Scovill Mfg. Co., manufacturer of
"brass goods, Waterbury, Conn., will raze the
buildings on its East Main St. property. Plans
are being prepared for a new factory to be
erected on the present site.

Platinum has been discovered in the ore
from the Aura Amingo property, Clark County,
Nevada. Operators throughout the district
are having their ores tested for the precious
mineral.

Vonden Steinen & Strombach have moved
their plant from Scott St. to 391 Mulberry St.,
Newark, N. J. They have also incorporated,
with a capital of $30,000, the Keystone Mfg.
Co., at the same address, to manufacture a
general line of steel and brass metal novelties.

Lewis Beyer, formerly with the Scott-Ullman
Co., has organized a company to manufacture
b)rass specialties, and has leased a section of
the Balkwill Bldg., Hamilton Ave., Cleve-
land, O., for factory quarters. Fifty men will
te employed.

Owing to the stoppage of potash shipments
from Germany, a company to be known as the
Farmers' Fertilizer Co., with $1,000,000 capital,
has been organized by the Pittsburgh Indus-
trial Development Commission, to manufac-
ture potash under a patented process, making
use of slag from Pittsburgh mills.

The Reinhold Noflux Aluminum Solder Co.,
53 Demarest St., Newark, N. J., is making
announcement that on acount of extensive
laboratory improvements, prices on the Rein-
hold solders are being reduced. Special at-
tention is being called to the noflux aluminum
solders, combination solders and die-casting
solders made by this company. Special in-
formation on any of these can be obtained
upon request.

There's nothing more exasperating than
glue which won't "glue." Coignet & Co., 17
State St., New York City, claim they have
the essence of "Stickumatuity" in their
special glue brands — -"Extra Star" and "Grand
Prix." These are extensively used for abra-
sive and polishing use. They combine light-
ness of body with great adhesive strength
which fit them specially for these purposes.
They also withstand a very high degree of
heat which adds materially to the durability
of the wheels and belting upon which they are
used. Glue this information on the walls of
your memory and when in need, write Coignet
for special data and prices.

OBITUARY.

Joseph H. Glauber, general manager of the
Glauber Brass Mfg. Co., Cleveland, O., died
recently at Seattle, Wish., during a western
business trip.

PERSONAL.

Royal F. Clark, for the past six years fore-
man plater of the plating department of
Thomas J. Dunn Co., New York Cit}-, has
taken charge of the plating, polishing and
lacquering departments of the Eagle Glass and
Mfg. Co., Wellsburg, W. Va.

516

THE BRASS WORLD

December

MEETINGS OF
AMERICAN ELECTRO-
PLATERS' SOCIETY.

Bridg-eport — Meets on the third Friday of
eacli month at the "Brass World" office, 260
John St., Bridgeport, Conn. Secretary, Nelson
Barnard, 858 Howard Ave., Bridgeport, Conn.

SUPBEME SOCIETT

Meets first week in June, , at Dayton, O.
Secretary, Walter Fraine, 507 Grand Ave.,
Dayton, Ohio.

BRANCH SOCIETIES.

New York — Meets fourth Friday of each
month at Broadway Central Hotel, New York
City, at S P. M. Secretary, Joseph Minges, 148
Schenk Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Rochester — Meets second Friday of each
month at Hotel Rochester. Secretary, C. V.
Haring-. 30G Dewey Avenue, Rochester, N. Y.

Toronto — Meets fourth Thursday of each
month at Occidental Hall, Bathurst and Queen
Streets, Secretary, Ernest Coles, P. O. Box 5,
Coleman, Ont.

Dayton — Meets first and third Wednesday
at the Y. M. C. A., Dayton, Ohio. Secretary,
Alphonz Lamoureux, 500 East First Street,
Dayton, Ohio.

Newark — Meets first and third Friday of
each month, S P. M., 47 Bank Street, Newark.
N. J. Secretary, Charles A. Stiehle, 46 Madison
Avenue, Irvington, N. J.

Detroit — Meets first Friday of each month at
Prismatic Hall, 140 1st Street. Secretary, Geo.
J. Kutzen, .'.IS Alfred Street, Detroit, Mich.

Chicag-o — Meets fourth Saturday of each
month at Western Building, Randolph and
Michigan Aves. Secretary, H. E. Willmore,
South Boulevard, Chicago, 111.

Indianapolis — Meets twice a month on Friday
evenings. Secretary, pro tem., J. C. Davenport,
349 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.

Buffalo — Meets the first Saturday of each
month at the University of Buffalo, at 8 P. M.
Secretary, John G. Murphy, 71 Dingens Street,
Buffalo. N. Y.

Milwaukee — Meets first Friday of each
month at Eagles Hall. 137 Second Street. Secre-
tary, E. C. Yaeger, 962 Ninth Street, Milwau-
kee, Wis.

Cincinnati — Meets once each month at Den-
nison Hotel, Cincinnati, Ohio. Secretary,
F. H. Nonlinan, 720 Froom Ave., Cincinnati,
Ohio.

St. Iiouis — Meets on the fourth Saturday of
each month at Public Library Assembly
Rooms. Secretary, H. H. Williams,
Nebraska Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

BRANCH NEWS.

The Newark branch of the American Elec-
troplaters' Society will celebrate the conclu-
sion of a year's work and the beginning of a
new year's activity Ijy a whist contest and a
dance. This function will be held at Oraton
Hall, Broad and Bridge Sts., Newark, N. J.
on Friday, Jan. 15, at 8:15 p. m. Tickets,
including wardrobe, will be $.50. There is
every expectation that this meeting will be the
best attended yet held by this progressive
branch of electroplaters.

The New York branch held their November
meeting at the Broadway Central Hotel on Nov.
27. The by-laws were read for final adoption
and the committee discharged with thanks.
The banquet committee promises a great suc-
cess for the annual banquet to be held Feb.
20th.

The "spotting-out" problem was discussed
from various points of view and Air. Thomas-
Brown promised a paper on the subject in the
near future. Mr. Voss promised a continua-
tion of his paper on testing plating-room
chemicals.

A meeting of electroplaters of Cleveland and
vicinity was held at the Y. AI. C. A., Cleveland,
O., Nov. 21, . The meeting was called to-
order by Richard H. Sliter, with a few re-
marks on the benefits to be derived from mem-
bership of the society.

W'm. D. Scott was appointed chairman pro
tem ; Chas. Werft, secretary pro tem. H. J.
Ter Doest addressed the meeting on the ad-
vantages of the American Electroplaters''
Society. He was afterwards congratulated on
the preliminary work he had accomplished in
securing such a large and enthusiastic atten-
dance of platers. Every plater at tlie meeting
who was eligible to do so, made application'
for membership, and the secretary, IMr. Werft,
was instructed to apply to the supreme society
for a temporary charter.

The second meeting of the branch was held'
in the same building on Dec. 5th., at which of-
ficers were elected. Papers on nickel plating,
were read and discussion followed.

December

517

NEW CORPORATIONS.

The Gladium Co., New York City, with
capital of $50,000, has been incorporated by
Julius Epstein, Wm. P. Buchler and Jos. B.
Kalmuk to manufacture foundry and factory
supplies, metal goods, etc.

The Randall-Philpott Plating Co., Cleveland,
O., incorporated by George H. Randall and
others, has capital of $10,000.

The Canton Brass Foundry Co., Canton, O.,
with capital $20,000, has been incorporated by
F. D. Held, F. W. Bond and others.

The Chicago Architectural Bronze Co.,
Chicago, 111., with capital stock $2,500, will
manufacture and deal in architectural bronze,
brass, iron, etc. Edward Berg, Oscar Presto
and Ivan Ericson are the incorporators.

The Columbia Sanitary ^Ifg. Co., Louisville,
Ky., capital $100,000, will manufacture castings,
enamel ware, sanitary and plumbing products.
George H. Laib, Philip F. Laib, W. G. Probst
and W. B. Young are the incorporators.

The Metal Products Co., Goshen, Ind., with
$10,000, capital, will manufacture metal pro-
ducts. The officers are Wilson L. Rood, A. C.
Alichael and S. O. Xofziger.

The Southern Metal Co., Richmond, Va.,
has been incorporated with capital of $15,000,
bv Geo. Smith and W. W. King.

The Grand Island Culvert and :Metal Works,
Grand Island, Neb., capital $25,000, has been
incorporated by Chas. T. McElroy and others.

The Aluminum Plateware Co., Newark, N.
J., with capital $100,000, has been incorporated
by P. C. Stone, J. M. Opp, and E. E. Sturges.

The Pine Bluff Welding Co., Pine Bluff,
.Ark., has been established at Fourth and ]\Iis-
souri Sts., by F. B. Cowan, O. D. Glenn, and
W. S. McClellan. The company will specialize
ill welding cast iron, brass and aluminum by
the oxy-acetylene process.

The Metal Spinning Co., Wilmington, Del,
capital $30,000, will buy, sell and deal in brass,
steel, etc. John McKibbur, Harry J.

iron.

Davis and George E. Peters are incorporators.

The Metals Mould Compressed Casting Co.,
with capital $12,500,000, has been incorporated
at Dover, Del.

The Sterick-Webster Cooker Co.. Jersey
City, N. J., with capital $100,000, will manufac-
ture aluminum steam cookers. C. \\ . Sterick,
J. Webster and ^l. Lovell are the incorporators.

United German Silver Co., Stamford, Conn.,
capital $100,000, will manufacture brass, copper
and silver goods. The incorporators are James
G. :\Iackay, William T. Finney, and Warren F.
Crissy.

The Shiloh -Metal Co., Shiloh, O., capital
$10,000 capital, will manufacture metal pro-
T. W. Page and others for the manufacture of
metal specialties.

The C. C. Fonts Co., Middletown, O., with
$75,000 capital, has been organized by C. C.
Fonts for the manufacture of metal products.

The Toledo :Metal Alfg. Co., Toledo, O.,
capital $60,000. will manufacture stacks, storage
outfits and tanks. Joseph F. Grosswiller is
president of the company.

:M. Goldschmidt & Co., Chicago, 111., capital
$25,000, has been incorporated by A. and M.
Goldschmidt and Julius Phillips, for the pur-
chase, manufacture, assembling and dealing in
electrical motors, appliances, etc.

The Pullman Weather Strip Co., Chatta-
nooga, Tenn.. has been formed with a capital
of $30,000 to deal in metal strips. R. L. Brad-
ford and L. B. Way, of Norfolk, Va., are of-
ficers of the company.

The National Color Co., Wilmington, Del.,
has been formed with capital $250,000 to carry
on the business of mining, milling, concentrat-
ing, smelting and refining metals of all kinds.

518

December

ANNUAL INDEX

VOL. X

of Die-Casting
Alloys

90. 13

Alumimim and

— A —

Air-Brush —

The "Eclipse"

The "Isco"

Alloys —

Nomenclature of Non-ferrous

Railway Bearings, Used in . .
Altior —

Process
other
Aluminum —

Alloy '.;^;^

Alloys ] 0, 273,

Around Steel, Casting

Core Building for

Electro-Deposition of

Flux for 324 34S

Method of Soldering

Nickel-Plating

Solder

Amperage —

A New Method of Regulating in the
Plating Room

Current Regulation

Discussion on Regulating

In the Plating Room. Discussion of

Regulation of

Andrus, Elrskine, Death of

A New Continuous Chart Recording In-
strument, Brown

Annealing —

Brass in Brass Rolling Mills

Importance of Proper

Oxidation of Metals During

Anodes, Surface vs. Weight

Antimony in White Metal, Rapid and Ac-
curate Method for Determination of
Ashes, Foundry

— B —

Barrel, Plating

Bearing, Metals

Metals — Nature and Constituents of. .

Railway 43.

Belt Lacing

Black Coating on Iron and Steel

Boissier Mechanical Electro-Plating Ap-
paratus

Brass 322. 328, 337, 394,

Annealing with Wood

and Bronze, Complete Analysis of

Ashes

Castings, Hard, Yellow

Cartridge

Electric Melting of

Finisliing in India

Founding Industry of San Francisco...

Foundry

of Future

Notes

Practice

2S4
2.59

281

9 1 O

o 1 o

510
283
270

89
17.5
457

5 ()
135
141

o o •>

285

2;.D
378

3
229
153

182
324

Foundry
Furnace
Furnace
Iron in
Mellen

ture

Melting, Electric 391,

Mixtures, Low Brass, High Brass, Muntz'

Metal, Gilding and Bronze

Machine, Process of Manufac-

458
111

128

33 4
403

o
o

170
260

19
258
485
294
490
436

51
261
300
142

415
445

Plumbing and Steam, Improving

Quality of 309

Season Cracking of, through Press' Work 17

Season Cracking on 34

Sheet Composition, Government . . . . 54
Shop, The Use of Soft Headed Hammers

in a 289

Brightener for Brass Solutions, Carbo-
nate of Nickel 22

Bronzes and Brasses, Complete Analvsis

^ of ••.-. .'... 170

Compositions, The Determination of.. 127

Formulas 932

Buffiing. Automatic ] ' 417

Butt-Welding "Wrought Iron and Steel

Pipes 512

— C —

"Capitol" Salts 44s

Car, Platform [[\ jqI

Carbonate of Copper —

The Advantageous Use of 307

Question 374

Carlionate of Nickel as a Brightener' . . . .' 22

Carbon Dioxide, Use of in Casting 6

Carboy Rockei-, Munning Doeb . 63

Casting 3^6, 370, 437

Aluminum Around Steel 270

Cathode Frame, A Novel 176

Celluloid Zapon Co. Developing a New

Manufac^turing Center 294

Chemistry for Electroplaters 315, 377, 407, 461

For Electroplaters, Short Outline of . . . ' 497

Chloride of Gold or Platinum, Making of 7

Cinder Mills, Sly 420

Cleaners for Metal Work —

International Chemical Co 460

Cleaning Iron or Steel for Tinning or

Galvanizing 19

Cleaning Metals, New Method of ....... 484

Cobalt Tin Alloy 293

Coloring Metals —

New Method 314, 273

Combustion Efficiency ' 373

Compressor, A New Rotary Air 464

Convention —

Allied Foundrymen's Association Held in

Chicago September 7th to nth 351
American Electrochemical Society, The

25th General Meeting " 185

American Electroplaters' Society 215

American Society for Testing Materials
Held at Atlantic City. N. J. June 30-
July 3, . Seventeenth Annual

Meeting 257

Electroplaters of New York and Newark
Convene, Feb. 21, at New York

City 79

Papers 397

Society of Connecticut lOlectroplaters

Formed Ill

Conveyor 394

Copper —

A Practical Method fur the Recover.v

from Low Grade Tailings 197

Alloys, Approximate Melting Points of 98

Electrolytic Production 57

December

THE PLATERS' GUIDE

519

Mining Industry of Butte, Mont

Tempered

Core Building: for Aluminum Casting ....
Corrosion of Iron and Steel, Prevention

Costs, Discussion of Plating

94, 137, 195, 239,

Cracking-, Brass

Refractory Metals on Rolling

Crucibles

F'urnace, The Kroeschell-Schwartz

Gyrating Flame

Holder, Walter's Gooch

New Dixon

Current Regulation 222, 338,

Discussion of Regulation of Amperage

in the Plating Room 222,

Cyanide — •

In Electroplating Soltuions, New Method

for the Determination of

Melting of

Metal, Practical Experience with

Silver and Copper

Solutions, The Standardization of ....

138

489

271
328
132
366

159

271

349

259

183
21

511
16

144

— D —

Detinning, Process of 110, 436

Die Casting —

Altior jr'rocess of Die Casting Alumi-
num and other Alloys 313

Electroplating Zinc Alloy 55

Dip for Silver Plating, Quick or Blue .... 22

Disease Among Brass "^^orkers 467

Drop Pouring. Process of Casting 43 7

Drosses, Metal 456

Drying and Brightening Apparatus, Tol-

hurst 195

Dynamo, From Amber to 503

— E —

Editorial — •

Brass Furnace Practice 300

Contemplation of New Tear Outlook... 476

EfHciency Center 210

Effect of the European War on Ameri-
can Business 344

Money Situation 390

Return to Business Norinality 252

Taking Care of the Machine 166

Using the Mails to Best Advantage. ... 78

Wanted — A Censor? 189

You Cannot Stand Still 432

Efficiency —

Foundry- — Methods 465

Electric Brass Melting 391. 445, 485

Furnace, Experiments on the Use of . . 116

Electro-Galvanizing —

Iron Pipes 29

Solution 5

Electricity, Elementary for the Electro-
plater 503

Electrolytic Process for Copper 57

Electro-Platers, First Get-Together Din-
ner of Bridgeport 181

Second Meeting of Connecticut 129

Societv of Connecticut Ill

Electroplating 114, 369

Plant of the Felt & Tarrant Co 167

Zinc Alloy Die Castings 55

"Electroplating and Analysis of Solu-
tions" 506

Electrotyping Baths, Circular on 496

"Elektrit" 429

— r —

Finish, Dark Green Gold 256

Flasks, Means for Filling 83

Flux —

Aluminum 45 7

Melting Brass T\"ashings 284

Yellow and Red Brass 276

Foundry —

Efficiency in the Brass Foundry 307

Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation
Foundry, Quincy, Mass., The New

Coke Furnaces of the 287

Foreign Plated-Ware Industry 117

Foundry —

Future of Brass 51

Keeping a Record of any Peculiarities

in the Brass 266

Foundryman, An Important Factor in the

Evolution of the Modern 177

Furnaces —

Combination Tool Room 262

Fore River Sliipbuilding Corporation

Foundry, Quincy, Mass., The New

Coke 287

Lining, Stevens 499

Non-Ferrous Metals, Rockwell Tilting

Reverberatory 235

Notes, Brass 261

Recovery of Metal Drosses 338, 456

Stevens 455

— G —

Gallium, A New Source of 40

Galvanized Products, Tests for 65

Galvanizing —

Better 136

Machine 379

Gold —

Chloride Manufacture 7

Deposition of, on Soft Metal, Made of

Antimony and Dead 152

Finish, Dark Green 256

Solution, Simple Way to Make 40

Golden Carrot Color of Stop-Cocks 374

Graphite from Old Crucibles 6

Grinder. An Improved Swing Frame .... 267

— H —

Hammers in a Brass Shop, Use of Soft

Headed 289

Handling Heavv Material Without a

Crane 101

Heroult, Paul Louis Toussaint 228

Hose and Metal Tubing 323

Hydraulic Pressure 337

— I —

Improving Operating Conditions in Core
Department of a Brass Manufacturing

Plant 417

Iron in Brass 142

— K —

Keel Plate of the --Lawley Cup Defender" 132

— ^ —

Lacquer from Chinese AVood Oil 26

Lacquering Bedstead Tubings 29

Lathe. Careful Use of a Motor 95

Liquid Metal, Apparatus for Spraying , . 272

Losses of Metal in Melting ' 380

— M —

Machining White Metals 187

"Manfecual" — A New Alloy 247

Manganese 464

Bronze Castings, An Interesting Alloy

for the Perfecting of '. 277

Bronze Castings 6

Material for Tanks Containing Dilute

Acil 270

Melting, Electric Brass 445

Brass and Bronze 380

Melting Point of Naval Brass 138

IMelting Points of Copper Alloys 98

Alercury Notes 118

Metal Cyanides, Practical Experience with 511

Metallic Ores, Theories on the Origin of. . 276

Metallizing Flexible Organic Material... 512

Metallizing — ^Lace 382

Porous Materials 2 72

Metallurgy 463

Metals 370

Cleaning Comi^ound 505

Internal Strains 228

Machining, TVniite 187

New Method of Uniting 156

Secondary — Description of a Modern

Plant for their Treatment of 225 •

520

THE BRASS WORLD

December

Mexico, A Brass Foundry in 403

Miller, C. M., Fluxologist 233

Miralite 190

Holder's Sand-Coating- Macliine G2

Moyer — •

New Office 455

Mueller Mfg-. Co. I^td., Sarnia, Ont.. The

Canadian Plant of the H 211

— N —

Naval Brass, Melting- Point of 138

Niagara Allcali Co 2S

Nickel —

Composition Alloy, Non-oxidiizng 483

Nickel or (^jbalt. How to Make. Finely

Divided ". 40

Nickel, Electrodeiiosition of 499

Nickel Plated Kust Proofing 2r.

Nickel-Plating Aliuniniini 135

Nickel Salts, Doiibl(> l.r,

Nomenclature of AUons 90. 133, 281

— O—

Oxidation — "Inside, Outside. Oxide" 50(1

Oxidation of Metals during Annealing. . . 153

— P —

. Packing- Press 337

Panama Exposition 418

Non-feri-ous Metal and Electroplating

Industries Well Represented at the.. 268

Phosphor Copper 338

Phosphorus Tin, Preparation of 150

Pickling- 20, 21

Pickling Machine, The Mesta Improved . . 126
Pickling Solutions, Maintaining the Acidity

of Brass 263

Pipe Welding at Panama Pacific Ex-
position 490

Plant I>escription —

The Evolution of a Commercial Force —

H'anson Van Winkle Co's Plant 301

Plating and Polishing Under Sanitary
Conditions by Advanced Mechanical

Methods 264

Plated- Ware, Foreign 42

Industry, Foreign 117

Platform Car 101

Plating 433

And Polishing Plant, Well Equipped —

Wrought Iron Range Co 477

Establishments, Equipment and Main-
tenance of 130

Plating Room. Troubles in 110

Platinum —

Chloride Manufacture 7

Deposit in Germany 64

Molding of 11

Platonite. Pattern Plate Material 14

Polishing Dathe, H. & V. W 506

Pouring Molten Metals, A New Apparatus

for 145

Protective Coating 372

Pyrometer —

Brown 97

Improved Method for Checking the . . . 231

— Q—

Quicksilver 386

— R —

Radium, Supply of 60

Rebabbitting, Polishing and Buffing

Lathes. A Substitute for Clay 145

Rheostat, Crown, A New Tank 220

Roberts — Austen 441

Rolling, Cracking of Refractory Metals on 132

Rusting of Iron and Steel 414

Rust-Proof —

Coating on Iron and Steel 24

Nickel Plated Steel or Iron 25

Process, The "Zi-Lead" 227

— S —

Sales Department of Plating 96

Salesmen 350

Sand Bath, the Use of 7

Sand-Blast Barrel, Sly 489

Sand-Coating Machine, Molding 62

Sands, Possibilities of Utilizing Waste

Foundry 253

Sawdust Separator or Fanning Mill 382

Season Cracking on Brass 84

Brass, Effect of Press Work '. 17

Selling- Electroplating 395

Shaker, The Duplex 25 9

Silica, Relation of Aluminum to '. 348

Silver —

Cyanide, Use of 2

Paint For Depositing [ 327

Plating Soltuion, Use of Silver Cyanide

in 2

Production Breaks all Records 93

Skimmings 324

Solder, .\luminum 141

Soldering —

Iron 54

Paste — Burnley's 10

^ Tool 448

Solutions —

Maintain the Acidity of Brass-Picklinj^r 263
New Method for the Determination of

Free Cyanide in Electroplating 183

Specifications —

For Non-ferrous Metallic Products .... 59
Wrought Non-ferrous Materials — Some

Considerations Affecting 318, 345

Spelter Shakes vs. Milk Shakes 125

Sperry, Erwin Starr, Death of 41

Spotting Out 442, 505

Spray, Aeron-izing Metal and Wood .... 284

Sprayers 335

Spraying Metals 433

Standardization of Cyanide Solutions .... 144

— T —

Tableware, Making of 23

Tacliometer, New Bristol Electric 174

Tailings, A Practical Method for the Re-
covery of Copper from Low Grade . . 197
Tanks Containing I^ilute Acid, Material

For 270

Temperature Chart, Useful 435

Test for Metallic Protective Coatings . . . 372
Testing Machine —

A New Hardness 190

The Derihon Portable Hardness 106

Thermometer, New Brown Resistance . . . 288
Tin —

A New Method of Recovering 125

Cans. Reclamation of 28

Determination of in Bronze and Com-
positions 127

Electrodejjosition of, From Tin Salts of

Mineral Acids 483

Mined in the United States 59

Tinning- —

Brass Parts 283

Iron or Steel, Hof 20

Torch, Hauck Kerosene 444

Toronto Electro-Platers' Exhibition .... 122

Truck, A New Tank 333

Tumbling Barrel 347

Type Metal Proves a Success 83

— V—

Vacuum Cleaner in Factories 27

Ventilation —

Natural 288

Plating Room 427

Swartwout 266

— W —

Washings, A. good Flux for Melting Brass 284

Welder, A New Portable Arc 323

Welding 426

Butt, Wrought Iron and Steel Pipes. . . . 512

By the "Thermit" Process 278

Oxyacetylene of Gas Mains 493

White Metal 452

Wire-Drawing Machine, New 273

Wolverine Brass Works, Its Human

and Industrial Sides 123

Wood for Annealing Brass 3

— Z —

Zinc 394

And Aluminum Alloy 508

Extraction from Residues 61

December

521

SPECIAL INDEX TO

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
DEPARTMENT

FOUNDRY.

— A —

Alloys —

Advice on Making iy-i

For Hot Galvanizing- o08

Aluminum — ■

Alloy For Face Plates 3(6

Analysis of Shot Aluminum and Pat-
tern Alloy Aluminum 191

Bronze, Non-corrosive 31

Casting Around Steel 241

Casting Specifications 103

Cores For Aluminum Castings 192

■ Cracliing of Aluminum Pattern Plate . . 421

Iron in Aluminum Ingots 449

TrouV)le with Aluminum Castings 375

Yellow Brass Without Aluminum 275

— B —

Brass —

Best Quality Drawing 14 .

Blow-holes in Brass Casting 45u

Castings 193, 274

Hard, Ornamental 68

Mixture For Large Condenser-Pump

Runners 193

Soft. Ornamental 68

Trouble with Brass For Lanterns 275

Yellow Brass Castings 31

Yellow Without Aluminum 27o

Bronze —

Formula for Sign Letters oO i

To Stand Waaler Cooling 423

Soft, Ornamental 68

Statuary 450

Brown Bronze? aO i

— C —

C 3- s t i n s"

Blow-holes in Brass Casting 450

Brass 193, 274

Cores For Aluminum Castings 192

German Silver 191

Pattern Metal 450

Smoke Holes 193

Trouble with Aluminum 375

Cobalt—

Oxide Reduction 30

Copper —

Adding Silicon o i a

Copper and Spelter —

Mixing 449

Cupro-Nickel 31

— G —

German-Silver —

Alloy 325

Casting I9i

Scrap 422

Lead and Antimony Mixture 507

Lead and Tin —

Separation 4^z

— M —

Manganese Bronze —

Remelting Skimmings 450

Metal-
Special For Ladle 192

Metal Formula-3 —

Aluminum Castings 103

German Silver Castings 103

Rose Metal 30

Trolley Wheels 103

T\'hite Metal, Pattern Casting 30

Yellow Brass Electric Light Fixtures.. 316

— N—

Nickel —

In German Silver 68

Non-Corrosive Alloy —

Monel-metal 31

Phosphor bronze 31

Cupro-nickel 31

Aluminum Bronze 31

— P —
Patterns —

White Metal Unsatisfactory 31

Phosphor Bronze 31

Platinum —

Furnaces for Melting 30

Pitting—

Brass Castings 31, 104

— T —

Tin —

Reclaiming Tin from Dross 423

L'se in Steam Metal Valve Composition 68

Trolley "Wheels —

Alloy for 103

— V —

Valves —

Shrinkage of Steam Metal 68

-♦— •■

ELECTROPLATING.

— A —

Aluminum —

Acid Electric Cleaner for Aluminum. . . . 37fi

Alloy to Withstand Hot Soapy Water. . 241

Cleaner and Polisher 192

Dark Oxide on Stamped 146

Oxidizing 422

— B—

Black —

Ammonia for Gold Initials 102

Black Nickel Solution, Trouble "With.... 507

Brass —

Antique Brass Finish 421

Blue Finish on Bright Brass Pieces . . 376

Brass Solution 102

Brown (Chocolate) on 508

Brown Finish on Brass Label 242

Brush Brass Finish 376

Crystalline Finish on Sheet Brass .... 326

Dip 194

Finish for Sheet 194

Flemish 149

Grease on Brushed Brass Finish 193

How to Remove from German Silver . . 148

Plating Light Brown 69

Sparkling Effect on 508

Steel Color 191

Verde Antique on Brass 68

Yellow Brass Formula, Cheap 69

Bronze —

Finish 241

French, Discoloring- of 146

Greenish-Brown Finish 147

Bushing Metal —

Cycle-Car Fan 325

— C —

Casting —

Aluminum Around Steel 241

Cleaning —

Steel Shells for Nickelling 146

Copper —

Acid Copper Solution Turned Green . . 274

Acid Solution 149

Cyanide Solution 274

Dip 194

522

THE BRASS WORLD

December

Plating Dark 69

Plating on Machined Cast-Iron Surface 147

Plating Steel 325

Solution for Plating 103

Solution Plating Hard 508

Core —

Oil Core Sand Mixture 211

Cyanide of Silver —

Preparation of 148

— D —

Deadening Polisli on iron Chain 102

Dip —

RfTective For Brass and Copper 194

Formula For Bright Dip 193

Itecoverv of Gold Froin Gold liips .... 274

Scaling Dip 148

To Brighten Tempered Steel For Brass

Plating 193

Use of Carbonate of Copper and Muria-
tic Acid Dip 421

Galvanizing 191

— F —

Finish —

Antique Brass 421

Black Finish on Steel 2 11

Black Oxidf for Hand Mirrors 147

Blue Finish on Bright Brass I'icces . . . 376

Bower-Barff 422

Bronze 241

Brown on Brass Dahel 242

Brush Brass 376

Crystalline on Sheet Brass 326

Dihiculty in Securing a Dense-Black

Finish 375

For Sheet Brass 194

Frosty White 449

Goods Formerly Plated 14 8

Grease on Brushed Brass 193

Tiffany Green 148

Verde Antique Base 274

— G —

Galvanizing —

Alloy for Hot SOS

Barrel Plating 105

By Dipping 191

Iron or Graphite Kettles 30

Solution 104

Zinc vs. Lead 30

German Silver —

Pickle ^-If

Removal of Biass from 148

Gold —

Cheap without Electric Current 191

Green Gold 69

Recovery of From Old Gold Dips 2.4

Whitish Streaks l*^'"'

Gilding —

Small Articles 121

Green —

Verde Antique o''

Arsenic Green 69

Gun Metal — ^^^

Finish 68, 50 <

Formula for Watch Cases 1''2

On Steel 69

— J —

Japanning Hair Pins 508

— L —

Lacquering —

Black Lacquering 31

Shells 11^

— M —

Metal —

Acid-Resisting 421

Monel Metal —

Electrodeposition of 80

— N —

Nickel —

Dark, How to Overcome 30

Deposit Turning Black 450

Plating Soft Deposit 69

Saving Nickel Solution 102

Solution Working Too Fast 326

Stripping of 31, 69

Nickel Strips from Copjier 68

Trouble with Nickel Solution 421

Nickeling —

Briglit 449

Nickel Plating —

Zinc 241

— O—

Oxidizing Finisli, How to Remove from

Steel 508

— P —

Pickle —

German Silver 449

Pickling —

Metal Goods 103

Pitting —

Nickel-Plated Articles 146

Nickel Solution 192

Plating —

CMieap Gold PlisUing witliout IClctric

Current >. 191

Copper Plating St^,il 325

Dark Orange or lieci Rose on 14 Iv Gokl

Jewelry 192

Galvanized Work 449

Nickel-plating Zinc Castings 241

Sr)ots After NicUel-Plating 325

Strii)ping of Stoel Shells for Nickel

Plating 194

To Brighten Tempered Steel for Brass

Plating 193

Trouble with Nickel Solution 421

Use of Sodium Cyanide 193

Using The Verde Green Solution 148

Platinum —

Plating 68

Plating Soltuion 148

— R —

Retinning —

Copper Utensils 147

Rusting —

Knives 377

Rust Proofing —

On Steel 31

— S~

Scale —

Silverware 275

Silver —

Dark Deposit on 102

Estimation of Silver Chloride in Silver

Solution 149

Silver Determination 31

Silverware, Pits in Old 507

Solder —

Not Flowing Freely 242

Soldering —

Black Iron 377

Spotting' Out

Plating 104

Springs —

Crvstallized in Nickel Plating ^03

Steel —

Black Finish 241

Solution For Etching Steel 450

Blueing Steel Goods 422

Stop Cocks —

Golden Carrot Color 274

Stripping —

Nickel from Various jNIetals 69

Nickel Stripping 31

The Silver From Headlight Reflectors 3 76
— T —

Tanks —

Material Containing Dilute Acid 192

Tinning —

On Steel Pins 69

Smooth Bright Finish 146

Spoons 422

— V —

Verde Antique —

Color 326

Finishing 274

Formula 68

Using Solution 148

— W —

Wire —

Galvanized "U^ithout Lustre 242

Wire Wrenches —

Blueing 375

— Z —

Zinc- —

Zinc Plates in Boilers 377

^■■iii

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