STAINLESS STEEL

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 120, 6 February 1923, Page 8

STAINLESS STEEL

IMPORTANT 1 )E V ELOPMENTS. Stainless or rustless steel, which, it may be remembered, was invented in Great Britain, has hitherto been used chiefly for cutlery, golf clubs, mirrors, and other easily manufactured articles. Vigorous efforts have, however, been made to extend its uses still further, and considerable success has attended the attempt of British manufacturers to overcome the considerable difficulties of working stainless st-eel into a variety of forms. A leading firm has now been able, after a long, series of experiments, to manufacture stainless steel tubing. The tubes so far produced do not exceed fit teen feet in length, and are about three inches in diameter, and this triumph is expected to be welcomed with enthusiasm by the makers of condensers and similar appliances where tubes are used in conjunction with water and steam. The corrosion of condenser tubes is the cause of so much -waste that, although stainless steel tubing is likely to bo more expensive at first, it may prove to bo much more economical in the long run. It is hinted, however, that, stainless tubing is being made in quite a novel manner, which will reduce the number of processes, and in consequence the manufacturing cost. Another important development is the use of stainless steel in diving suits, which have hitherto been made of copper. The use of those suits will finally decide whether this steel will remain untarnished by full exposure to sea water. Still another application is in connection with electric fires. A British company has produced several stainless steel fires which have t.bo advantage that they radiate heat with undiminished efficiency, and require no cleaning.