Vol. 1 No.6 - Pg.1 - Col.4 - MINUTE OXIDATION OF POLISHED SURFACES OF METALS

MINUTE OXIDATION OF POLISHED SURFACES OF METALS.—It is not generally known that a polished surface of steel or iron contains an infinitesimal quantity of oxide. This is the fact, however, as can be clearly proved by a single experiment. If a polished plate of steel be immersed in mercury, no amalgamation will take place; or if a bar of steel be suddenly broken over mercury, and immediately immersed, the metals will not untie; but if it be broken under the surface of the mercury, they will be found to have malgamated perfectly: thus clearly demonstrating that fresh surfaces of these metals are slightly oxidized by even momentary exposure to the atmosphere. This fact was first observed by Fredrick Hassler.