Catt Steel without Crucible. A new
method of producing cast steel, which
dispenses with fusion and conversion
in crucibles of melting pots, has recent
ly been brought to public notice. On
account of the superior cheapness and
quality of the' metal, the articles are
preferably manufactured from Siemens
Martin or Bessemer steel, rolled or
forged into the required form, then,
finished as to shape, they are placed in
iron boxes, and recarbonized by the
ordinary cementation process. It is
probable that the repeated heatings and
workings of the mewl during the pro
cess ot shaping tb article so thorough
ly expel tne occluded gases, the reten
tion of which in the iron invariably
creates blisters in all other cemented
steel, that a smooth and uniform sur
face may, in many instances, result;
but though this method may be exceed
ingly economical for the production of
a certain clasa or small articles, it may
reasonably be doubted if the character
of the grain of the steel can Oe uader
perfect control, and whether the pro
cess would appiy to manuiacturea
articles of any considerable size, or to
those of unequal thickness or parts
Experiments in the manner of packing.
however, may determine that some of
these objections may be overcome.
