3449. Use of Petroleum in Turning Metals

3449. Use of Petroleum in Turning Metals. A bronze composed of seven parts of copper, 4 of zinc, and 1 of tin, has been found to be so hard as to bo difficult to work, and yet of considerable value in certain ways when worked. Various methods have been attempted, aiming at effecting a ready working of this alloy, and M. Bechstein has recently, by soaking the alloy in petroleum, attained this desirable end.

3450. To Clean Bronze

3450.    To Clean Bronze. It was observed in Berlin that those parts of a bronze statue which were much handled by the public retained a good surface, and this led to the conclusion that fat had something to do with it. An experiment was therefore tried for some years with four bronzes. One, says our authority - Chambers' Journal - was coated every day with oil, and wiped with a cloth; another was washed every day with water; the third was similarly washed, but was oiled twice a year; and the fourth was left untouched. The first looked beautifully; the third, which had been oiled twice a year, was passable; the second looked dead; and the fourth was dull and black.

3451. Engestroom Tutania

3451.     Engestroom Tutania. Melt together 4 parts copper, 8 parts regulus of antimony, and 1 part bismuth. When added to 100 parts of tin, this compound will be ready for use.

3452. Tutenag

3452.    Tutenag. Melt together 8 parts of copper, 5 parts of zinc, and 3 parts of nickel.

3453. Kustitien's Metal for Tinning

3453.    Kustitien's Metal for Tinning. To 1 pound of malleable iron, at a white heat, add 5 ounces regulus of antimony, and 24 pounds of the purest Molucca tin. This alloy polishes without the blue tint, and is free from lead or arsenic.

3454. Expansion Metal

3454.   Expansion Metal. Melt together 9 parts of lead, 2 parts of antimony, and 1 part bismuth.

3455. Fluid Alloy of Sodium and Potassium

3455.      Fluid Alloy of Sodium and Potassium. If 4 parts sodium are mixed with 21/2 potassium, the alloy will have exactly the appearance and consistency of mercury, remaining liquid at the ordinary temperature of the air.

3456. Fusible Alloys

3456.     Fusible Alloys. Bismuth, 8 parts; lead, 5 parts; tin, 3 parts; melt together. Melts below 212° Fahr. Or: Bismuth, 2 parts; lead, 5 parts; tin, 3 parts. Melts in boiling water. Or: Lead, 3 parts; tin, 2 parts; bismuth, 5 parts; mix. Melts at 197° Fahr. The above are used to make toy-spoons, to surprise children by their melting in hot tea or coffee; and to form pencils for writing on asses' skin, or paper prepared by rubbing burnt hartshorn into it. The last may be employed as an anatomical injection, by adding (after removing it from the fire), 1 part quicksilver (warm). Liquid at 172°; solid at 140° Fahr.