A N T I M O N Y : ITS HISTORY, CHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY ...
A N T I M O N Y : ITS HISTORY, CHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY ...
A N T I M O N Y : ITS HISTORY, CHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY ...
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152 THE METALLURGY OF ANTIMONY.<br />
mony is isolated, while the potassium forms an amalgam with the<br />
mercury. An explosive alloy can be made by calcining for three<br />
hours a mixture of 100 parts of tartar emetic, 3 parts of lamp-black ;<br />
or 100 parts of metallic antimony, 75 parts of roasted cream of tartar,<br />
and 12 parts of lamp-black. The crucible used for this purpose must<br />
be coated with a thin layer of carbon to prevent adhesion. This alloy<br />
may be used in the manufacture of matches that are damp-proof.<br />
Cooke's Alloys.—Two crystallised compounds of antimony and zinc<br />
are known, with Sb2Zn3 and Sb2Zn2 as formulae. The former is prepared<br />
by melting together 57 parts of antimony and 43 parts of zinc.<br />
After carefully stirring the mixture, it is allowed to cool in the crucible<br />
until a crust is formed on the surface, which is then pierced and the<br />
liquid portion poured off. The interior of the crucible is then seen<br />
to be covered with magnificent prismatic crystals, terminating in<br />
points.<br />
The latter, Sb2Zn2, is prepared in the same manner with 68*5 parts<br />
of antimony and 31*5 parts of zinc (Fremy). These two alloys<br />
possess the property of decomposing water at 100° C.; thus, 200 grms.<br />
of Sb2Zn3 can set free 130 c.c. of hydrogen gas in ten minutes. This<br />
decomposition can be accelerated by adding a few drops of chloride<br />
of platinum : 200 grms. of Sb2Zn2 can then set free 244 c.c. of hydrogen<br />
gas in ten minutes. Cooke has recommended the use of these<br />
two alloys for the production of pure hydrogen in the laboratory.<br />
Reaumur's Alloys.—When a mixture of 70 parts of antimony and<br />
30 parts of iron is heated to a white heat in a crucible, the resulting<br />
alloy is very hard, white in colour, and slightly magnetic, the nardness<br />
being increased in proportion as the quantity of iron is increased.<br />
It is always formed when iron is used to excess in reducing antimony<br />
sulphide.<br />
Alloys of Antimony and Gold.—Antimony has such great affinity<br />
for gold that a very minute quantity of antimony vapour will modify<br />
its ductility. The alloys are straw-yellow, the fracture being grainy<br />
and dull, like that of porcelain. They are used in jewelry.<br />
Alloys of Antimony and Copper.—Equal parts of the two metals<br />
form an alloy having a beautiful violet colour.* In combination with<br />
tin, the alloy is used in industries.<br />
Alloys of Antimony and Silver.—They are white and brittle.<br />
Alloys of Antimony and Aluminium.—These alloys, discovered<br />
recently, have been, studied by M. Pe"cheux. Yon Aubel (1895)<br />
obtained the alloy SbAl, which melts at 1080°; L. Guillet (1902)<br />
obtained the alloys SbAl, SbAl3, SbAl4, and SbAl10, which turn to a<br />
* It is known as " reguhis of Venus."