This process is well called the "water-pail forge." It comes from Belgium and has scarcely been tried out. The metals to be heated are fastened to the negative pole of the circuit and immersed in a bath of an electrolyte, such as potassium carbonate solution. The current when turned on flows from the positive pole through the solution, and returns by way of the metal piece as a negative terminal. The solution begins to decompose, depositing hydrogen on the metal piece in a thin film. The metal piece becomes red- or white-hot, and is protected from the solution by the hydrogen film. As soon as the proper heat is reached, as told by the color of the metal, the pieces are taken out of the solution, and welded or hammered together on an anvil with a hammer.

The advantage of this process is that the metals are perfectly cleansed from grease, dirt, and oxid by the bath, and are protected by the hydrogen film.

The disadvantage is that the heat is not easily controlled. While the working of the hot metal must be done by hand in the air where the metal will soon oxidize.

This process is not likely to have a wide industrial application.