FLUX

(Eng. and Fr.; Flu , Germ.) signifies any substance capable of promoting the fusion of earths or metallic ores by heat. White flux is the residuum of the deflagration in a red hot crucible, of a mixture of two parts of nitre, and one of cream of tartar. It is in fact merely a carbonate of potash. Black flux is obtained when equal parts of nitre and tartar are deflagrated. It owes its colour to the carbonaceous matter of the tartaric acid, which remains unconsumed; the quantity of nitre being too small for that purpose. The presence of the charcoal renders this preparation a convenient flux for reducing calcined or oxidized ores to the metallic state. Limestone, fluor-spar, borax, and several earthy or metallic oxides are employed as fluxes in metallurgy. FLY POWDER; the black coloured powder obtained by the spontaneous oxidize ment of metallic arsenic in the air. FODDER; is the name of a weight by which lead and some other metals are sold in this country. It varies in its amount in different parts of the kingdom; being in North umber land estimated at 21 cwts., and in other counties 22, 23 or even more cwts. FONDUS; is the name given by the French to a particular style of calico printing resembling the rainbow, in which the colours are graduated or melted ( fondus ) into one another, as in the prismatic spectrum. See Paper hangings , for a description of the proce . FORGE; (Eng. and Fr.; Feuer , Germ.) is the name either of the furnace, where wrought iron is hammered and fashioned with the aid of heat, or the great workshop where iron is made malleable. The former is called a smith’s forge, the latter a shingling mill. See Iron . IMG:4147767755307473660_illo0511.png:Forge Fig. 466. represents a portable truck forge of a very commodious construction. A is the cylindric leather bellows, pre ed down by a helical spring, and worked by means of the handle at B , which moves the horizontal shaft C , with its two attached semicircular levers and chains. D , is the pipe which conducts the blast to the nozzle at E . The hearth may be covered with a thin fire-tile or with cinders. F is a vice fixed to the strong rectangular frame. This apparatus answers all the ordinary purposes of a smith’s forge; and is peculiarly adapted to ships, and to the execution of engineering jobs upon railways, or in the country. The height is 2 feet 6 inches; the length is 2 feet 9 inches; the width 2 feet. Weight about 2 cwt. FORMIATES; are compounds of formic acid , with the salifiable bases. Many of them are susceptible of crystallization. FORMIC ACID; ( Acide Formique , Fr.; Ameisensäure , Germ.) exists in the bodies of wood ants, a ociated with the malic or acid of apples. The artificial formation of this animal secretion, is one of the most remarkable triumphs of modern chemistry. If 10 parts of tartaric acid, 14 of black oxide of manganese, 15 of concentrated sulphuric acid, and from 20 to 30 of water be mixed and distilled in a retort, formic acid will be the liquid product; while carbonic acid will be disengaged. It may also be generated from other mixtures. This acid is transparent and colourle , of a pungent sour smell, a strongly acid taste, of specific gravity 1·1168 at 60° F., and may be re-distilled without suffering any change. It contains in its most concentrated form 19 3 ⁄ 4 per cent. of water. The dry acid, as it exists in the formiates , is composed of 32·54 carbon, 2·68 hydrogen, and 64·78 oxygen; or of two volumes carbonic oxide gas, and one volume of vapour of water. It reduces the oxides of mercury and silver to the metallic state. It has not hitherto been applied to any use in the arts. FORMULÆ, CHEMICAL, are symbols representing the different substances, simple and compound. | Name. | Formula. | Oxygen = 100. | Hydrogen = 1. | | Oxygen | O | 100·000 | 16·026 | | Hydrogen | H | 6·2398 | 1·000 | | 2H | 12·4796 | 2·000 | | Nitrogen | N | 88·518 | 14·186 | | 2N | 177·086 | 28·372 | | Phosphorus | P | 196·155 | 31·436 | | 2P | 392·310 | 68·872 | | Chlorine | Cl | 221·325 | 35·470 | | 2Cl | 442·650 | 70·940 | | Iodine | I | 768·781 | 123·206 | | 2I | 1537·562 | 246·412 | | Carbon | C | 76·437 | 12·250 | | 2C | 152·875 | 24·500 | | Boron | B | 135·983 | 21·793 | | 2B | 271·966 | 43·586 | | Silicon | Si | 277·478 | 44·469 | | Selenium | Se | 494·582 | 79·263 | | Arsenic | As | 470·042 | 75·329 | | 2As | 940·084 | 150·659 | | Chromium | Cr | 351·819 | 56·383 | | 2Cr | 703·638 | 112·766 | | Molybdenum | Mo | 598·525 | 95·920 | | Tungstenium | Tu or W | 1183·200 | 189·621 | | Antimony | Sb | 806·452 | 129·243 | | 2Sb | 1612·904 | 258·486 | | Tellurium | Te | 806·452 | 129·243 | | Tantalum | Ta | 1153·715 | 184·896 | | 2Ta | 2307·430 | 369·792 | | Titanium | Ti | 389·092 | 62·356 | | Gold (aurum) | Au | 1243·013 | 199·207 | | 2Au | 2486·026 | 398·415 | | Platina | Pt | 1215·220 | 194·753 | | Rhodium | R | 750·680 | 120·305 | | 2R | 1501·360 | 240·610 | | Palladium | Pd | 714·618 | 114·526 | | Silver (argentum) | Ag | 1351·607 | 216·611 | | Mercury (hydrargyrus) | Hg | 1265·822 | 202·863 | | 2Hg | 2531·645 | 405·725 | | Copper (cuprum) | Cu | 395·695 | 63·415 | | 2Cu | 791·390 | 126·829 | | Uranium | U | 2711·360 | 434·527 | | 2U | 5422·720 | 869·154 | | Bismuth | Bi | 1330·376 | 213·208 | | 2Bi | 2660·752 | 426·416 | | Tin (stannum) | Sn | 735·294 | 117·839 | | Lead (plumbum) | Pb | 1294·498 | 207·458 | | 2Pb | 2588·996 | 414·917 | | Cadmium | Cd | 696·767 | 111·665 | | Zinc | Zn | 403·226 | 64·621 | | Nickel | Ni | 369·675 | 59·245 | | Cobalt | Co | 368·991 | 59·135 | | 2Co | 737·982 | 118·270 | | Iron (ferrum) | Fe | 339·213 | 54·363 | | 2Fe | 678·426 | 108·725 | | Manganese | Mn | 355·787 | 57·019 | | 2Mn | 711·575 | 114·038 | | Cerium | Ce | 574·718 | 92·105 | | 2Ce | 1149·436 | 184·210 | | Zirconium | Zr | 420·238 | 67·348 | | 2Zr | 840·476 | 134·696 | | Yttrium | Y | 401·840 | 64·395 | | Beryllium (glucinum) | Be | 331·479 | 53·123 | | 2Be | 662·958 | 106·247 | | Aluminum | Al | 171·167 | 27·431 | | 2Al | 342·234 | 54·863 | | Magnesium | Mg | 158·353 | 25·378 | | Calcium | Ca | 256·019 | 41·030 | | Strontium | Sr | 547·285 | 87·709 | | Baryum | Ba | 856·88 | 137·325 | | Lithium | L | 127·757 | 20·474 | | Natrium (sodium) | Na | 290·897 | 46·620 | | 2Na | 581·794 | 93·239 | | Kalium (pota ium) | K | 489·916 | 78·515 | | Ammonia | 2N 2H3 | 214·474 | 34·372 | | Cyanogen | 2NC | 329·911 | 52·872 | | Sulphuretted hydrogen | 2HS | 213·644 | 34·239 | | Hydrochloric acid | 2HCl | 455·129 | 72·940 | | Hydrocyanic acid | 2HNC | 342·390 | 54·872 | | Water | 2. | 112·479 | 18·026 | | 2H | | Protoxide of nitrogen | 2. | 277·036 | 44·398 | | 2N | | Deutoxide of nitrogen |. | 188·518 | 30·212 | | N | | Nitrous acid | 2... | 477·036 | 76·449 | | 2N | | Nitric acid |.·.·. | 677·036 | 108·503 | | 2N | | Hyposulphurous acid |. | 301·165 | 48·265 | | S | | Sulphurous acid |.. | 401·165 | 64·291 | | S | | Hyposulphuric acid |.·.·. | 902·330 | 144·609 | | 2S | | Sulphuric acid |... | 501·165 | 80·317 | | S | | Phosphoric acid |.·.·. | 892·310 | 143·003 | | 2P | | Chloric acid |.·.·. | 942·650 | 151·071 | | 2Cl | | Perchloric acid |::: | 1042·650 | 167·097 | | 2Cl | | Iodic acid |.·.·. | 2037·562 | 326·543 | | 2I | | Carbonic acid |.. | 276·437 | 44·302 | | C | | Oxalic acid | 2... | 452·875 | 72·578 | | 2C | | Boracic acid | 2::: | 871·966 | 139·743 | | 2B | | Silicic acid |... | 577·478 | 92·548 | | Si | | Selenic acid |.. | 694·582 | 111·315 | | Se | | Arsenic acid |.·.·. | 1440·084 | 230·790 | | 2As | | Protoxide of chrome | 2... | 1003·638 | 160·840 | | 2Cr | | Chromic acid |... | 651·819 | 104·462 | | Cr | | Molybdic acid |... | 898·525 | 143·999 | | Mo | | Tungstic, or wolfram acid |... | 1483·200 | 237·700 | | W | | Oxide of antimony | 2... | 1912·904 | 306·565 | | 2Sb | | Antimonious acid |.. | 1006·452 | 161·296 | | Sb | |.... | 2012·904 | 322·591 | | 2Sb | | Antimonic acid | 2.·.·. | 2112·904 | 338·617 | | 2Sb | | Oxide of tellurium |.. | 1006·452 | 161·296 | | Te | | Tantalic acid |... | 2607·430 | 417·871 | | 2Ta | | Titanic acid |.. | 589·092 | 94·409 | | Ti | | Protoxide of gold |. | 2586·026 | 414·441 | | 2Au | | Peroxide of gold |... | 2786·026 | 446·493 | | 2Au | | Oxide of platina |.. | 1415·220 | 226·086 | | Pt | | Oxide of rhodium | 2... | 1801·360 | 228·689 | | 2R | | Oxide of palladium |. | 814·618 | 130·552 | | Pd | | Oxide of silver |. | 1451·607 | 232·637 | | Ag | | Protoxide of mercury |. | 2631·645 | 421·752 | | 2Hg | | Peroxide of mercury |. | 1365·822 | 218·889 | | Hg | | Protoxide of copper |. | 801·390 | 142·856 | | 2Cu | | Peroxide of copper |. | 495·695 | 79·441 | | Cu | | Protoxide of uranium |. | 2811·360 | 450·553 | | U | | Peroxide of uranium | 2... | 5722·720 | 917·132 | | 2U | | Oxide of bismuth | 2... | 2960·752 | 474·49 | | 2Bi | | Protoxide of tin |. | 835·294 | 133·866 | | Sn | | Peroxide of tin |.. | 935·294 | 149·892 | | Sn | | Oxide of lead |. | 1394·498 | 223·484 | | Pb | | Minium |... | 2888·996 | 462·995 | | 2Pb | | Brown oxide of lead |.. | 1494·498 | 239·511 | | Pb | | Oxide of cadmium |. | 796·767 | 127·691 | | Cd | | Oxide of zinc |. | 503·226 | 80·649 | | Zn | | Oxide of nickel |. | 469·675 | 75·271 | | Ni | | Oxide of cobalt |. | 468·991 | 75·161 | | Co | | Peroxide of cobalt |... | 1037·982 | 166·349 | | 2Co | | Protoxide of iron |. | 439·213 | 70·389 | | Fe | | Peroxide of iron |... | 978·426 | 156·804 | | 2Fe | | Protoxide of manganese |. | 455·787 | 73·045 | | Mn | | Oxide of manganese |... | 1011·575 | 162·117 | | 2Mn | | Peroxide of manganese |.. | 555·787 | 89·071 | | Mn | | Manganesic acid |.·.·. | 1211·575 | 194·169 | | 2Mn | | Protoxide of cerium |. | 674·718 | 108·132 | | Ce | | Oxide of cerium |... | 1449·436 | 232·289 | | 2Ce | | Zirconia |... | 1140·476 | 182·775 | | 2Zr | | Yttria |. | 501·840 | 80·425 | | Y | | Glucina, or berryllia |... | 962·958 | 154·325 | | 2Be | | Alumina |... | 642·334 | 109·942 | | 2Al | | Magnesia |. | 258·353 | 41·404 | | Mg | | Lime |. | 356·019 | 57·056 | | Ca | | Strontia |. | 647·285 | 103·735 | | Sr | | Baryta |. | 956·880 | 153·351 | | Ba | | Lithia |. | 227·757 | 36·501 | | L | | Natron, or soda |. | 390·897 | 62·646 | | Na | | Peroxide of sodium |... | 881·794 | 141·318 | | 2Na | | Kali, or pota a |. | 589·916 | 94·541 | | K | | Peroxide of pota ium |... | 789·916 | 126·593 | | K | | Sulphate of pota a |.... | 1091·081 | 174·859 | | K S | | Pro to sulphate of iron |.... | 940·378 | 150·706 | | Fe S | | Persulphate of iron |...... | 2481·906 | 397·754 | | 2Fe S3 | | Pro to chloride of iron | Fe 2Cl | 781·863 | 125·303 | | Perchloride of iron | 2Fe 2Cl3 | 2006·376 | 321·545 | | Pro to chloride of mercury | 2Hg 2Cl | 2974·295 | 476·666 | | Perchloride of mercury | Hg 2Cl | 1708·472 | 273·803 | | Ferrocyanide of iron | Fe2NC + 2K2NC | 2308·778 | 370·008 | | Alum |.... + 2...... + 24 2. | 5936·406 | 951·378 | | K S + 2Al S3 + 24 2H | | Felspar |.... + 2...... | 3542·162 | 567·673 | | K Si + 2Al Si3 | FOUNDING of metals, chiefly of Iron. The operations of an iron foundry consist in re-melting the pig-iron of the blast furnaces, and giving it an endle variety of forms, by casting it in moulds of different kinds, prepared in appropriate manners. Coke is the only kind of fuel employed to effect the fusion of the cast iron. The e ential parts of a well-mounted iron foundry, are, 1. Magazines for pig irons of different qualities, which are to be mixed in certain proportions, for producing castings of peculiar qualities; as also for coal, coke, sands, clay, powdered charcoal, and cow-hair for giving tenacity to the loam mouldings. 2. One or more coke ovens. 3. A workshop for preparing the patterns and materials of the moulds. It should contain small edge millstones for grinding and mixing the loam, and another mill for grinding coal and charcoal. 4. A vast area, called properly the foundry, in which the moulds are made and filled with the melted metal. These moulds are in general very heavy, consisting of two parts at least, which must be separated, turned upside down several times, and replaced very exactly upon one another. The casting is generally effected by means of large ladles or pots, in which the melted iron is transported from the cupola, where it is fused. Hence the foundry ought to be provided with cranes, having jibs movable in every direction. 5. A stove in which such moulds may be readily introduced, as require to be entirely deprived of humidity, and where a strong heat may be uniformly maintained. 6. Both blast and air furnaces, capable of melting speedily the quantity of cast-iron to be employed each day. 7. A blowing machine to urge the fusion in the furnaces. Fig. 467. represents the general plan of a well-mounted foundry. a , is a cupola furnace of which the section and view will be afterwards given; it is capable of containing 5 tons of cast-iron. a′ , is a similar furnace, but of smaller dimensions, for bringing down 1 3 ⁄ 4 tons. a′ ′ , is a furnace like the first, in reserve for great castings. b , b , b , b , a vast foundry apartment, whose floor to a yard in depth, is formed of sand and charcoal powder, which have already been used for castings, and are ready for heaping up into a substratum, or to be scooped out when depth is wanted for the moulds. There are besides several cylindrical pits, from five to seven yards in depth, placed near the furnaces. They are lined with brick work, and are usually left full of moulding sand. They are emptied in order to receive large moulds, care being had that their top is always below the orifice from which the melted metal is tapped. These moulds, and the ladles full of melted metal are lifted and transported by the arm of one or more men, when their weight is moderate; but if it be considerable, they are moved about by cranes whose vertical shafts are placed at c , d , e , in correspondence, so that they may upon occasion transfer the load from one to another. Each crane is composed principally of an upright shaft, embraced at top by a collet, and turning below upon a pivot in a step; next of a horizontal beam, stretched out from nearly the top of the former, with an oblique stay running downwards, like that of a gallows. The horizontal beam supports a movable carriage, to which the tackle is suspended for raising the weights. This carriage is made to glide backwards or forwards along the beam by means of a simple rack and pinion mechanism, whose long handle descends within reach of the workman’s hand. IMG:4147767755307473660_illo0516.png:Foundry By these arrangements in the play of the three cranes, ma es weighing five tons may be transported and laid down with the greatest precision upon any point whatever in the interior of the three circles traced upon fig. 467. with the points c , d , e , as centres. c , d , e , are the steps, upon which the upright shafts of the three cranes rest and turn. Each shaft is 16 feet high. f , f , is the drying stove, having its floor upon a level with that of the foundry. f′ , f′ , is a supplementary stove for small articles. g , g , g , are the coaking ovens. h , is the blowing machine or fan. i , is the steam-engine, for driving the fan, the loam-edge stones, k , and the charcoal mill. i′ ′ , are the boiler and the furnace of the engine. k′ , workshop for preparing the loam and other materials of moulding. l , is the apartment for the patterns. The pig-iron, coals, . are placed either under sheds or in the open air, round the above buildings; where are also a smith’s forge, a carpenter’s shop, and an apartment mounted with vices for chipping and rough cleaning the castings by chisels and files. Such a foundry may be erected upon a square surface of about 80 yards in each side, and will be capable, by casting in the afternoon and evening of each day, partly in large and partly in small pieces, of turning out from 700 to 800 tons per annum, with an establishment of 100 operatives, including some moulding boys.