At the Franco-British Exhibition the Societe des Plaques et Pouches a Souder, J. Laffitte exhibits some specimens of their welded articles of iron and steel.

The welding agent used consists of thin welding plates, principally of copper, chequered and sectioned so that they may easily be divided by hand according to requirement, or of a flux in form of a powder, different for welding, brazing, tempering, and which is sold in tins. The welding plate is placed between the two pieces to be welded together, put into the ordinary coal fire and heated, and then hammered together. The use of these welding plates, it is said, ensures in every case an absolutely homogeneous weld, equal to the original metal.

In exceptional cases, where the rigidity of the plate does not lend itself to the work to be done, such as cementing a flaw, welding in a hole, etc., the welding powder is successfully employed.

Fig. 31. - Endurance Regulator.