Metals; Their Properties And Treatment

PREFACE - TO NEW EDITION - OWING to the important changes which have taken place in the metallurgy of iron since this work was first published, it has been found necessary to rewrite entirely the portioc relating to that subject. In doing this, the opportunity has been taken to break down the unnatural barrier which in text-books usually exists between iron and steel. In the comparatively limited space available for the purpose it has been attempted to give a clear and consecutive account of the principles upon which this industry, of unsurpassed importance, is based. Since the successful extraction and treatment of metals, for the most part, depends on the nature and supply of fuel, and 7-ef cncto y lzaterials, n o hesitation has been felt in introducing chapters on these subjects into the present edition. No book on metallurgy would be complete without them. The greater importance which nickel and cobalt have recently assumed fully warrants the insertion of the few pages concerning them. The remaining alterations and additions do not call for special comment. It will doubtless be thought by some that many recent processes which have not been mentioned-the greater part only modifications of existing methods-should have received notice. vi Preface to New Editton. Many a process which is heralded with great trumpeti n g to - day, in two or three short years gives place to some other equally pretentious claimant, and is heard no more of, So must it ever be. I do not flinch fronl taking the responsibility of all such omissions, holding, as I do, that nothing, until it has stood the test of time, should find place in a work of this nature. For the illustrations to the part on gnseozrsfzrel, and for that of the Cleveland blast-furnace, I am indebted to Dr. C. W. Siemens, and to Messrs. E. A. Cowper, CV. Whitwell, and Windsor Richards respectively. Thc following illustrations are froin electrotypes kindly furnished by the publishers of the works from which they are taken, viz...