The author described in the "Tetsu to Hagane" Vol. XIV, No. 7, p. 577-595 that the are welding of cast iron is practicable only when barium carbonate is used so as to retard the fusion of electrodes.
He now tested the effect of 48 elements besides barium, with the object of knowing the cause of retarding action.
He coated mixtures of equal quantities of graphite and carborundum and of compounds of various elements on wrought iron bars, and connecting these bars first to the positive and then to the negative pole of the generator, he deposited cast iron.
He measured the time, voltage, current and energy required to melt each electrode. He found that when the coated electrodes containing alkali metals or alkaline earth metals are connected to the negative pole of the generator, the fusion of the electrodes is regularly retarded in a successively increasing manner (i.e., greater energy is required), according as the atomic weight of either group increases. This action is especially marked with barium. The oxygen group produces an opposite effect, while halogen produces both effects. The other elements have no particular influence.
The author next tested the relationship between the quantities of barium compounds and their respective retarding effect and found that the very small quantities of them are sufficient.
The photograph of deposit metals obtained by connecting the electrodes to both poles of the generator, is shown.

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