Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 June 1881 — Rust Preventive. [ARTICLE]

Rust Preventive.

A new method of protecting the surface of iron from rust has been brought forward by Mr. Ward, of London. The new “inoxidizing” process, as it is termed, consists in combining a silicate with the metal by the aid of heat. Cast or wrought-iron objects are first coated, by painting or dipping, with a silicate glaze, which quickly dries, and the articles are then passed through a furnace, or rather oven. In this way the silicate composition is said to be fused and absorbed into the metal, which upon cooling is found to have assumed a dull, black appearance. The coating is said to be so far homogeneous with the metal as to protect it from any change from long exposure to the atmosphere ; and, at the same time, the silicate is not liable to disintegrate or separate from the iron. The articles treated in this manner may be ornamented by combining the silicate wash with any vitrifiable colors. Tn us smooth-polished colored surfaces may be produced upon iron, which, while possessing features distinct from ordinary enameling, yet present superior and more durable results than those obtainable by ordinary painting and varnishing.—Scientific American.