Amalgams. Substances formed by mixing quicksilver with another metal. Alloys containing quicksilver. Mercury unites with most of the metals by mere contact, forming amalgams. These are employed for various purposes in the arts, as silvering, gilding, coating mirrors, etc..

3533. Amalgam of Gold for Gilding Brass, Copper, etc.

3533.    Amalgam of Gold for Gilding Brass, Copper, etc.. Place one part grain or leaf gold in a small iron saucepan or ladle, perfectly clean, then add 8 parts mercury, and apply a gentle heat, when the gold will dissolve; agitate the mixture for one minute with a smooth iron stirrer, and pour it out on a clean plate or stone slab. When cold it is ready for use.

3534. To Gild with Gold Amalgam

3534.    To Gild with Gold Amalgam. For gilding brass, copper, etc.. The metal to be gilded is first rubbed over with a solution of nitrate of mercury, and then covered with a very thin film of the amalgam. On heat being applied, the mercury volatilizes, leaving the gold behind. A much less proportion of gold is often employed than the above, where a very thin and cheap gilding is required, as, by increasing the quantity of the mercury, the precious metal may be extended over a much larger surface. (See No. 3394 (Solution for Cleaning Brass Chains).)

3535. Amalgam of Silver for Silvering Metals

3535.    Amalgam of Silver for Silvering Metals. Prepare in the same way as amalgam of gold, but substitute silver instead of gold. (See No.3533.)

3536. To Obtain Pure Silver in Powder

3536. To Obtain Pure Silver in Powder. The best process to obtain pure silver in powder, is by adding copper to a dilute solution of silver in nitric acid, until all action ceases. The silver is precipitated in a fine powder. Before using the silver powder to prepare amalgam, it must be thoroughly washed until the water ceases to have any acid taste, or litmus paper is unchanged by it. (See Nos. 3212 (To Obtain Pure Silver), etc..) The silver in this form, besides being necessarily purer, amalgamates more readily with the quicksilver.

3537. To Make a Solution of Silver

3537. To Make a Solution of Silver. Dissolve a silver coin in slightly diluted nitric acid. Mexican coin is preferable, because it is purer. (Sec No. 3213.)

3538. Amalgam for Silvering the Insides of Convex Mirrors, Glass Globes, etc.

3538.     Amalgam for Silvering the Insides of Convex Mirrors, Glass Globes, etc.. Lead and tin, of each 2 ounces; bismuth, 2 ounces; mercury, 4 ounces. Add the mercury to the rest in a melted state and remove from the fire; mix well with an iron rod. This amalgam melts at a low heat, and is employed for silvering the insides of hollow glass vessels, globes, convex mirrors, etc.. The glass, being well cleaned, is carefully warmed, and the amalgam, rendered fluid by heat, is then poured in, and the vessel turned round and round, so that the metal may bo brought In contact with every part of the glass which it is desired to cover. At a certain temperature this amalgam readily adheres to glass. (See Nos. 3545 (Amalgam for Silvering Glass Ornaments), and 3614.)