A New and Important Discovery.
It is safe to pronounce the following-described discovery a very marvelous one, adding the usual proviso—“if true.” The discovery claims to be a new process of producing, from our weak American ore, a quality of iron equal to the best grades of the imported article, at less than one half the expense; and also a quality of steel superior to the finest specimens imported from Europe, and that, too, at a cost but little exceeding that of common iron. If this is true, it is destined to entirely revolutionize the iron and steel business not only of this country, but of the whole world. And, more than this, it is destined to place the United States immediately in the van of all iron and steel producing countries, completely reversing the tide of trade in these articles by leading other nations to look to this country for a supply of these products, as we have heretofore looked to them. Iron and steel represent interests the value of which it is scarcely within the compass of figures to express; and to hold an advantage in these commodities, must prove a greater source of wealth to this nation than even the discovery of the gold fields of California. The secret of the process is this: An inexhaustible mine of what is called “Silicon Ore” has been discovered by Dr. Chas. M. Nes, in York Co., Pa., who has also discovered that by melting a certain quantity of this ore, with common iron, in a simple puddling furnace, a pure grade of iron is produced, and by varying the quantity of Silicon, the very finest quality of steel is produced by the same simple process. A company, called “The Nes Silicon Steel Co.,” has been formed, who have erected mills at Rome, N. Y., for the purpose of working and introducing the new process. A circular just received from E. Gulick, the manager of the company, says:— “We can make steel at a single heat, with invariable certainty, and uniformity, by the simplest, cheapest, and quickest process ever known, and of a quality not equaled in this or any other country.” The Ithaca (N. Y.) Journal makes the following statements respecting this new discovery, which will be of interest to all our readers. “When we consider the magnitude of interests involved in the manufacture of iron and the multiplicity of uses to which that metal is daily applied, it is evident that any process designed to produce a better and cheaper iron than that now in use, is a matter well worthy of earnest consideration. “Heretofore we have been compelled for all the finer qualities of iron and steel to depend upon foreign manufacturers. This has ever been a heavy burden on the industry of our country. It is now, through a fortunate, and, it would seem, providential discovery, rendered a useless one. We hold in our hands the philosopher’s stone. The problem to which the inventive genius of ages, to which untold wealth and countless lives have in vain applied—the great problem of cheap iron and steel is at length solved. “This solution is attained by the discovery of the silicon steel ore, the remarkable properties which it possesses, and the uses to which it can be and is applied. In it we find an agent capable of cleansing, purifying, and converting the iron extracted from our poorer and weaker American ores, so as to yield a product equal to the best Swedish iron. This alone would be a mine of wealth for American industry. But the benefit of the new discovery does not end here. By the use of certain proportions of the silicon ore, ordinary pig-iron can be converted into steel of any desired quality, from a low grade of railroad steel, to a quality absolutely exceeding the most celebrated English manufactures. “This steel is a new product. All other steel contains from one-third, to one and one-third per cent of carbon. The principle upon which the new process is based consists in eliminating the carbon to a very great degree, and in introducing silicon largely, forming a composition before unknown, which is called silicon steel.” “Should this steel be possessed of no other properties than other steel, and should the cost of its manufacture be great, it is still evident that the discovery would be very beneficial, and the manufacture a desirable investment, both because of the quality of the steel, and because it utilizes our American iron ores to a degree before impossible. But herein consists one great good of the silicon steel process. This steel can be produced by the use of a common puddling furnace and the ordinary machinery found in iron manufacturing establishments, at an expense very little exceeding that of iron. And silicon steel does possess manifold useful properties which attach to no other steel. It is uniform in manufacture. The same amount of iron and ore worked in the same way gives the same product every time. There is no danger of variation as in any other process. Silicon steel will weld on to steel or iron without a flux, which Bessemer steel will not do. The silicon ore is a good flux, perhaps the best known. It is therefore the only steel wherewith to make steel-capped rails. This steel, unlike any other, can be reheated a hundred times, and will not be burnt out. There is no large amount of carbon to burn out and leave mere iron, as in other steel. Silicon cannot be burnt. Silicon steel is fully as hard as other steel, and yet it will bend before it will break. It is tougher than any other. It is not largely affected by heat and cold. It has greater tensile strength than any other. It can be reworked more readily than other steel. It can be rerolled like old iron, when once worn out. From a watch-spring to a boiler-plate for the manifold uses to which steel is applied, it is by its peculiar properties better adapted to everyday uses than any other steel now made.” “Added to all other advantages is this: it has been found by actual trial that by the use of the silicon ore a greater yield of iron or steel can be made of the same material by at least six per cent, than in any other way. This is attained in consequence of its capacity for more thoroughly cleansing the metal from slag and cinders. In making refined iron the increased yield will often more than pay the slight increase in cost of production, to say nothing of the redoubled value of the product.” “To American capitalists, the silicon steel process affords a peculiarly valuable investment. It is the best, cheapest, rarest, and quickest method of making steel. It appeals largely, too, to patriotic impulses, as it gives the only true means of effectually utilizing the vast mineral wealth found in the iron ores of our own country.” “Now, all these are strong statements. It is not to be expected that they should be believed without proof. The Nes Silicon Steel Company, so called in honor of the inventor, Dr. Nes, are owners of the several patents under which the new discovery is applied. Under the able and efficient direction of Mr. E. Gulick, a large owner in, and the manager and attorney of, the company, they stand ready to prove the practical utility of their process. For this purpose they have started a mill at Rome, N. Y., where they make silicon steel. They invite all who desire to see the process to visit their works, where every courtesy will be shown them, and a full opportunity given to study the new method in all its bearings.” “There is an effort being made to establish a company for the manufacture of silicon steel in Ithaca, with every prospect of success.”