AUSTRALIAN ASBESTOS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1074, 10 March 1880, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN ASBESTOS.

(FROM THE AMERICAN EXPORTER. The discovery and development of asbestos mines in Australia is of recent date. About twelve mons ago, small samples of comparatively inferior quality from the surface of the mines in New South Wales, belonging to the Australian Asbestos company, were submitted to experts in Melbourne, and after being - thoroughly tested and carefully examined they were pronounced admirably suitable for rough manufacturing purposes, This encouragement induced the Company to further develop the resources of their property, and now, at a depth of about fifty feet, some splendid specimens of pure white asbestos of the silky amianthus species have been discovered, the fibres being very fine, perfectly flexible, and in some instances being of the uiflfsual length of two feet. Comparisons and experiments have been made with both the ordinary Italian asbestos and with the products of the above mine, which resulted in the Australian being pronounced far superior to the Italian, the latter mineral proving friable, and breaking into a black oily powder on being submitted to the action of fire, whilst the Australian asbestos, under the same teats, remained perfectly intact. The innumerable manufacturing purposes to which this mineral can be adapted will be obvious to all, when it is considered that it unites in itself these two special properties, namely, Absolute Incombustibility and Absolute Indestructibility. The manufacture of asbestos fibres was known to the ancients, who were well acquainted with its incombustible properties. Pliny, in his description of the ancients banquets, mentions the asbestos napkins being thrown into the fire cleansed, whilst asbestos cloth wrappers were made to preserve the sacred ashes of the dead during the process of cremation ; and it was also used in the manufacture of wicks for lamps in the sacred temples, and is now used for the same purpose by the natives of Greenland. This industry has again been revived during the last few years, and in various parts of the world works are now established for a variety of purposes, such as engine packing, non-conductiag composition for coating boilers, fire-proof bricks, crucibles, grates, cloth, lamp wicks, paper, &c. It is also extensively used for filling fire-proof safes. Powdered asbestos, when made into a thick paste with liquid silicate of soda, is used with great advantage for making joints, fitting taps and connecting pipes, and for filling cracks in retorts. This composition hardens very quickly, will stand any amount of heat, and prevents the escape of acid vapors, hence it is very servicible in the manufacture of nitric acid, sulphuric acid, and other corrosive products. It has also the advantage of being easily applied. For the preservation of important records, asbestos can be manufactured into paper, which is absolutely indestructible by fire or any other solvent. In manufacturing asbestos cloth the fibres are specially prepared by the action of steam to make them more flexible and to prevent them breaking. The power of asbestos to resist the action of heat makes it admirably adapted as a packing for piston rods of steam engines, and for similar purposes. Already specimens of Australian asbestos have been made in great Britian and Germany, and a small quantity to the United States, and additional shipments to each of these countries left Melbourne during August. There are four different qualities now ready for shipment, Nos. 1 and 2 prepared, and Nos. 1 and 2 unprepared. The difference between the unprepared and the prepared in this : in the latter all the silicia, &c., is removed. Samples of each quality of this valuable product can be seen, and prices obtained, at the office of the American Exporter 86; Duane] street, New York. The prices include delivery in either New York, Boston, or Philadelphia. Any additional information required can be obtained by addressing : James E. Denison, 123 and 125 Collins street west, Melbourne, Australia, general export agent for the Australian Asbestos Company.