Science: New Steel

Machine builders have always wanted a steel that had a soft core with a hard surface or “skin.” Such a steel would furnish an enduring wearing surface and yet be easy to shape. It would be invaluable to makers of motor cars, typewriters, adding, sewing, knitting machines—wherever wearing parts are needed. Metallurgists have produced soft, shapable steels. They have devised hard steels which were expensive to “work.” But not till last week did any one announce a steel with all the desiderata of the machine builder.

Metallurgists for the Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. of Pittsburgh have devised this new steel, which they have named “Jalcase.” It possesses a “triple combination of fast machining, casehardening and forging properties.”