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

156 THE METALLURGY OF ANTIMONY.
The following gives a comparison of the prices of the three kinds
of paint in actual use,* the rates being taken from the Revue des
produits chimiques:—
White lead, 100 kilos, t at 61 fr. . 61 fr.
Oil, 30 „ 140 ,f . . . 42 „
130 kilos, cost 103 „
100 79*20 ,,
Zinc white, 100 kilos, at 82'50 fr. . • . . . 82*50 fr.
Oil, 60 „ 140 ,, •. . " . . 84*0 „
160 kilos, cost 166-50 ,,
100 104*05,,
Antimony white, 100 kilos, at 85 fr. . . . . . 85 fr.
Oil, 50 „ 140 ,, 70 ,,
150 kilos, cost 155*5 ,,
100 „ . . . . . 103*66,,
Experience shows that the following ratio must be taken for painting
a given surface with the three kinds of paint, separately—
Kil. Kil. Kil.
Zn : Sb : Pb=100 : 120 : 130.
But, in order to obtain the same hue for the three cases, experience
shows that it is necessary to apply :—
1 coat of lead at 102-96 fr 102'9frfr.
2 coats of antimony at-124-39 fr 248*78,,
3 „ zinc at 104*05 fr 312*15,,
From these it can be seen that antimony white is a good substitute
for white lead, from the point of view of hygiene and technology.
M. G. Eyvert recommends the following process } :—Carbonate of
soda is melted with a mixture oi antimony and saltpetre or sodium
dioxide, and a solution of sulphate of alumina is used to treat the
waters of lye-washing. Good results can also be obtained by
treating antimony oxide, together with pulverised bauxite, with
silicate of soda, the product being treated with lye-washing and
be solved." Also the Chambre de Commerce de Mon.tlu$on adopted, Oct. 13, 1901,
the proposition to replace the use of lead paint by that of antimony white, and to
encourage the general public to use it from the hygienic point of view. With
regard to this question, consult La Crise die Plowli par Gr. Hyvert, 1901.
* Taken from La Crise du Plomb, p. 28.
t 1 £r. = 9f pence ; 1 kilo. = 2* lbs.
$ French patent, June 18, 1901.