Nickel

A brilliant white metal, malleable, ductile, tenacious, and can be welded; takes a high polish. Does not readily discolour on exposure to the atmosphere. Is cleaned by immersion in dilute nitric acid. Used largely as an alloy to produce a number of varieties of white metals which go under different names, but are mostly similar to German silver. It is also used largely in electroplating.

Ormolu

The same as brass in all respects.

Osmium

A bluish-white metal, very rare. Infusible except in the electric furnace. Used for filaments of electric lamps and alloyed with iridium for the points of gold pens.

Pewter

A grey metal, very soft and malleable; takes a dull polish. Cleaned by polishing with some abrasive substance; turns a trifle darker but otherwise unaffected by the atmosphere. Can be soldered with a special solder which has a low fusing-point.

Phosphor Bronze

A light brown metal; takes a high polish. Can be cleaned by immersion in dipping acid. Can be soft soldered, silver soldered, and brazed. Used largely for engineering purposes, mostly cast work; does not become crystalline under repeated shocks or jars; resists corrosion by sea-water, and it is difficult to obtain a spark from it, consequently it is used in the factories where explosives are made.

Palladium

A white metal, very rare, untarnishable. Used in the manufacture of scientific instruments.

Platinum

A white metal, very malleable; takes a high polish, unaffected by the atmosphere; coefficient of expansion the same as that of glass. It can only be dissolved in aqua regia; unaffected by single acids. It is used for the filaments in incandescent lamps and high temperature work in chemical processes. Can be welded at a red heat.

Silver

The most perfect white of any metal; takes a high polish, very malleable. Cleaned by immersion in dilute sulphuric acid or in a solution of potassium cyanide and water; turns blue-black on exposure to the atmosphere, but is not corroded. Can be annealed by bringing to a dull red heat and cooling in air. May be soft soldered and silver soldered.

Silver Solder

A white metal with a yellowish tinge. Used only for joining metals. Different grades have different melting-points, and vary in colour.

Solder (Tinman's)

A white alloy. Used only for joining metals. By altering the proportions or adding bismuth or cadmium it can be made fusible at various temperatures. Used largely by tinsmiths and fused with the aid of a soldering iron, blow-lamp, bunsen burner, etc. Made in many qualities.

Spelter (Used In Brazing)

Zinc is often called spelter. A yellow or white metal, usually in the form of grains of various sizes. Used for joining metals, fused with the aid of a blowpipe.

Steels

See pp. 172-174.

Tantalum

A white metal, very rare, malleable. Used mostly for the filaments of electric lamps.