Stanislas Sorel
Encyclopedia
Stanislas SorelStanislas Sorel (born 1803, Putanges, France
; died 18 March 1871, Paris
) was a French
engineer
, raised the son of a poor clock-maker.
Sorel filed a patent on 10 May 1837 for a "galvanic
" method of protecting iron from rust by either coating it in a bath of molten zinc
or by covering it with galvanic paint. This was the precursor of modern hot-dip galvanizing
.
In 1867, Sorel made a new form of cement
from a combination of magnesium oxide
and magnesium chloride
, which had a remarkable capacity to bond with and contain other materials. Sorel cement
as it is known has been used for grindstones, tiles, artificial stone
and even artificial ivory
(e.g. for billiard balls). It is stronger than the more usual Portland cement
, but its poor water resistance and corrosive qualities make it unsuitable for construction applications.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
; died 18 March 1871, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
) was a French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
, raised the son of a poor clock-maker.
Sorel filed a patent on 10 May 1837 for a "galvanic
Galvanization
Galvanization is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel or iron, in order to prevent rusting. The term is derived from the name of Italian scientist Luigi Galvani....
" method of protecting iron from rust by either coating it in a bath of molten zinc
Zinc
Zinc , or spelter , is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
or by covering it with galvanic paint. This was the precursor of modern hot-dip galvanizing
Hot-dip galvanizing
Hot-dip galvanizing is a form of galvanization. It is the process of coating iron, steel, or aluminum with a thin zinc layer, by passing the metal through a molten bath of zinc at a temperature of around 860 °F...
.
In 1867, Sorel made a new form of cement
Cement
In the most general sense of the word, a cement is a binder, a substance that sets and hardens independently, and can bind other materials together. The word "cement" traces to the Romans, who used the term opus caementicium to describe masonry resembling modern concrete that was made from crushed...
from a combination of magnesium oxide
Magnesium oxide
Magnesium oxide , or magnesia, is a white hygroscopic solid mineral that occurs naturally as periclase and is a source of magnesium . It has an empirical formula of and consists of a lattice of Mg2+ ions and O2– ions held together by ionic bonds...
and magnesium chloride
Magnesium chloride
Magnesium chloride is the name for the chemical compounds with the formulas MgCl2 and its various hydrates MgCl2x. These salts are typical ionic halides, being highly soluble in water. The hydrated magnesium chloride can be extracted from brine or sea water...
, which had a remarkable capacity to bond with and contain other materials. Sorel cement
Sorel cement
Sorel cement is a non-hydraulic cement first produced by Frenchman Stanislas Sorel in 1867.The cement is a mixture of magnesium oxide with magnesium chloride with the approximate chemical formula Mg4Cl268, corresponding to a weight ratio of 2.5–3.5 parts MgO to one part MgCl2...
as it is known has been used for grindstones, tiles, artificial stone
Artificial stone
Artificial stone is a name for various kinds of synthetic stone products used from the 18th century onward. They have been used in building construction, civil engineering work, and industrial uses such as grindstones....
and even artificial ivory
Ivory
Ivory is a term for dentine, which constitutes the bulk of the teeth and tusks of animals, when used as a material for art or manufacturing. Ivory has been important since ancient times for making a range of items, from ivory carvings to false teeth, fans, dominoes, joint tubes, piano keys and...
(e.g. for billiard balls). It is stronger than the more usual Portland cement
Portland cement
Portland cement is the most common type of cement in general use around the world because it is a basic ingredient of concrete, mortar, stucco and most non-specialty grout...
, but its poor water resistance and corrosive qualities make it unsuitable for construction applications.
See also
- Friedel's saltFriedel's saltFriedel's salt is an anion exchanger mineral belonging to the family of the layered double hydroxides . It has affinity for anions as chloride and iodide and is capable to retain them to a certain extent in its crystallographical structure....
- Salt-concreteSalt-concreteSalt-concrete is a construction material that is used to reduce the water inflow in mining shafts in salt mines. It is composed of 16% cement, 39% halite, 16% limestone powder, 14% water and 15% sand.-History:...