John Parry

On Hydrogen in Iron

AT the recent meeting of the British Association at Sheffield, Sir Norman Lockyer referred to the relationship between hydrogen and iron at stellar temperatures. Some observations of mine, made several years ago, are of interest in this connection. I also note that at the recent meeting of the Iron and Steel Institute, in a discussion on the influence of carbon in iron, it was suggested that the gases known to be present should also receive attention.

Solution Theory Applied to Molten Iron and Steel

I AM pleased to notice that the theory of solution of iron and steel has recently received attention, and that valuable work has been placed before us for consideration by Baron von Juptner (see recent proceedings of the Iron and Steel Institute).

Steel Works Analysis

CHEMISTS engaged in steel works have long been wanting a trustworthy manual adapted to their special requirements, and this work is the latest attempt to meet the want. The work is undoubtedly an advance on its predecessors, for, while it retains the best of the well-known processes, many newer operations are now, for the first time, published in a comparatively handy form. Everything that a steel works analyst may fairly be called upon to examine, finds a place in this volume. This applies more especially, perhaps, to the sections treating on the examination of chrome-iron, silicon-iron, nickel alloys, &c.Steel Works Analysis.By J. O. Arnold. (London: Whittaker and Co., 1895.)

Desulphurisation of Iron

THE elimination of sulphur from iron and the chemical reactions, whereby sulphur, in the presence of powerful basic materials, is removed from crude iron, has recently attracted considerable attention. There are many reasons for this; pure ores have become comparatively scarce, and to some extent the same may be said of the fuel or coke used in the process of smelting. And even if this be not strictly applicable in all districts where the manufacture of iron is pursued, yet it cannot be gainsaid that excessive competition, with concurrent low prices, have had an influence in rendering the strictest economy in the manufacture absolutely necessary, and thus in a measure preventing the free use of pure high-priced materials.

On the Carburisation of Iron

II.IN a previous communication (NATURE,vol. xlvi. p. 283) the problem of the distribution and absorption of carbon by iron has been discussed, and it has been shown that the process is akin to that of the solution of a salt soluble in water or an acid liquid, that at low temperature solution proceeds slowly, the solubility increasing with the temperature, until at the final high heat of Bessemer blown metal, or fluid nearly pure iron, the reaction is almost instantaneous; the carbon, and also manganese, contained in the spiegel-eisen used for this purpose diffusing throughout the fluid metal in a very short space of time. The same occurs when carbon only, in the form of charcoal or coke, is added in lieu of spiegel, as in the Darby process of carburising. By this latter process, however, about 30 per cent. excess of carbon must be added over and above the theoretical quantity required to insure a given percentage of carbon, for instance, ½per cent. For lower percentages the excess must still be maintained, but with a corresponding diminution of the total weight of carbon used. In some instances more than 30 per cent. is used, according to the methods of procedure. In practice this holds good and the quantity of carbon required can thus be regulated.

On the Carburization of Iron

THE conditions under which carbon combines with iron have been closely studied, and the observed phenomena fully discussed. Even now, however, it is doubtful whether true chemical combinations of carbon and iron are formed. It has been alternatively assumed that carbon is with difficulty soluble in iron, and that at low temperatures solution may proceed very slowly. In other words, carbon is not easily dissolved except at high temperatures; and it follows that if highly heated iron fully charged with carbon be cooled, a portion of the carbon must be precipitated in this state, existing simply as foreign matter in the metal, but that, on reheating, it may again enter into solution. Low carbon steels may be regarded as dilute solutions of carbon in iron; pig or cast iron as saturated; and intermediate grades may be termed moderately concentrated solutions.

The Iron Manufacture in America

IT is impossible, in the limited space at our disposal, adequately to review this remarkable book, in which no branh of a very comprehensive subject appears to have escaped the authors close attention.On the American Iron Trade and its Progress during Sixteen Years.By Sir Lowthian Bell (Edinburgh and London: Ballantyne, Hanson, and Co.)

The Chemistry of Iron and Steel Making

THIS work differs materially from the ordinary technological text-books with which we are so familiar. Throughout it is evident that the author has thoroughly utilized his varied experience and great ability to their fullest extent, resulting in the production of a mass of suggestive information valuable to the ordinary student, and affording matter for reflection, even to those who have for years made the chemistry of iron and steel a specialty.The Chemistry of Iron and Steel Making.By W. Mattieu Williams (London: Chatto and Windus.)