LITHIUM.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19832, 21 January 1930, Page 2

LITHIUM.

A METAL WHICH BLOATS

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SAN FRANCISCO, December 24

Production by the ton of a metal that floats like cork on water, the* latest achievement ot Amen "an mot:* I manufacturing, was revealed at the New York Electrical Society by Dr. \V. C. MacTavish, professor of chemistry at New York University. The substance is lithium, the world's latest metal, Mivery in colour, softer than lend, onehalt the weight of water, and such a x-eady mixer with other metals that its uses range from aviation to sweetertoned bells. Although recently produced commercially in Europe, lithium is still so rare that chemical catalogues at New York University quote it at 2-10 dollars a pound. The American achievement it, a quantity of production method, completed barely a month ago, making it, for about lo dollars a pound v holt-sale, and in ton lots. The big field of lithium is in alloys, the future of steel-making. It lows its softness when combined with some* other metals. It has made 1 ells of sweeter tone. It has increased the lilting power of helium gas by about K> per cent, by another of its peculiarities, which is sponge-like absorption ot gaseous impurities. Metallurgists are inclined to l>olieve that even at the lower pric© lithium must have a restricted uso on account of its cost..