A N T I M O N Y : ITS HISTORY, CHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY ...

THE ANTIMONY PREPARATIONS AND THEIR USES. 151
(e) Other Alloys of Less Importance.—An alloy for making the
nails to be used in ships consists of : tin 50 per cent., lead 33 per cent.,
and antimony 17 per cent.; or 3 parts tin, 2 parts lead, and 1 part
antimony. It is specially resistant against the continued action of
water and atmosphere.
Metallic mirrors, buttons, etc., have been made from the following
alloys:—
Antimony, silver, copper, zinc.
„ tin, zinc, steel.
,, copper, iron, lead.
,, copper, tin, zinc.
,, copper, tin, lead.
Alloys of Antimony and Hydrogen.—Antimony hydride is rather a
chemical compound than an alloy, and is generally in the form of a
gas. As a solid alloy it can be obtained by sending a current through
a dilute sulphuric acid bath, the metal antimony being then negative.
The hydrogen thus disengaged unites with the antimony to form
brown flakes. If bichloride of mercury is introduced into the bath,
an alloy consisting of hydrogen, antimony, and mercury is obtained,
which becomes very unstable as soon as the galvanic current is
stopped. The phenomenon of dissociation is accompanied by a
development of heat and electricity, thus producing a reversing
secondary current. Although the study of this curious and delicate
reaction is still not far advanced, yet the results already obtained
promise well for its future use in thp manufacture of secondary poles
and ticcumulators.
Antimony Amalgam.—Mercury dissolves antimony in different
proportions, and forms white alloys, the fluidity of which decreases
proportionately as the percentage of antimony increases. When in
a solid state they are so fragile that they break up under the slightest
shock. They are of theoretical interest only.
Alloys of Antimony and the Alkalies.—Potash and soda are reduced
with great facility by carbon in the presence of antimony, forming
alloys which may contain the alkaline metals up to 25 per cent.
This alloy is ordinarily prepared by heating to red heat for two or
three hours a mixture of 6 parts of tartar emetic and 1 part of nitre,
or equal parts of antimony and roasted cream of tartar. The metallic
button thus obtained is very compact, greenish gray in colour, brittle,
and lamellar in structure. It possesses some of the properties of
potassium; when exposed to humid air it inflames rapidly; in water, it
sets the hydrogen free, leaving behind a residue of antimony, while
the potash remains in solution. In contact with mercury, the anti-