[ Materials ]
[ Materials ]
Artist Michel Moglia performs with the fire organ and a flamethrower . Photo © U . Klausmann
Other important auditory signals come from marine and truck horns , which are made of Type 316 stainless steel . This material resists salty or highly polluted atmospheres associated with road salt and dense traffic – and delivers the powerful blast of a less-than-harmonious sound !
Bells to protect and be protected The range of metallic tinkling also finds an echo in the bells that hang on the collars of domestic animals . Unfortunately for would-be predator pets , small animals are warned by the jingling of the bells triggered by the slightest movement . This also scares bears away from bell-clad human hikers . Worn whatever the weather , be it polluted , wet , or salted fog , bells made of Type 316 stainless steel will likely outlive the outdoors enthusiast to which they are attached . Resisting corrosion and wear for decades , these bells are essential for many hikers and outdoors professionals . Finally , leather-clad bikers also equip their motorcycles with lucky bells , which protect against evil spirits said to line the roads . Hanging as close to the ground as possible , under their steel mount , in the smoke of the exhaust pipes , these Type 316 stainless steel “ punishers ” are neither afraid of pollution nor evil “ gremlins ”!
Fire Organ : The thermal chant of stainless steel A true sound sculpture , the “ Fire Organ ” is a dramatic reimagining of an experimental 19th century instrument . And the result is nothing less than spectacular ! A unique work created by a French artist , the massive firebreathing instrument on the island of Réunion faces a corrosive coastal environment combined with the heat of many gas burners . This “ beast ” of fire and sound is played preferably in semi-darkness to better ignite the senses and the imagination . The principle is simple : flows of hot air jets ignited by keystrokes rush into the tubes , which then vibrate , creating a real supernatural concert of sounds that range from animal-like cries to the dull rumbles of volcanoes .
The fire-shooting organ or “ pyrophone ” dates to 1873 when composer and musician Frederic Kastner first patented an “ exploding ” organ that used hydrogen and glass tubes . However , the inventor acknowledged a “ degree of danger ” in operating his invention and struggled to popularize it before an untimely death at age 30 . Almost 140 years later , the new Fire Organ uses 70 Type 316 stainless steel tubes , ranging from 2 m to 9 m in length ! Were it not for the miraculous corrosion-mitigating properties of the 2 % molybdenum found in Type 316 stainless steel , this beautiful instrument and its seaside concerts would not be possible . These sonic devices embody molybdenum ’ s humble contributions to the arts . In particular , the hardness of stainless steel allows for unique , crisp , precise sounds . Beyond precision , the anti-corrosive properties of molybdenumcontaining stainless steel help maintain safety . These steels can be trusted to pierce through salty sea fog to guide ships to shore , to provide warnings on early morning trucking routes , and to recall ( or repel ) animals over large distances .
36 Stainless Steel World March 2024 www . stainless-steel-world . net