🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 18
Stainless steel is usually thought of as just one type of metal.
But in reality, its properties change depending on what metals are mixed with iron and chromium.
The most common type is 304 stainless steel, which means it does not rust in normal conditions.
This type contains iron, chromium, and nickel.
It is used for things like pots and sinks, and in normal use, it almost never rusts.
However, seawater contains salt.
Because of that, it has chloride ions, which damage the protective chromium oxide layer that prevents rust.
So if 304 stainless steel is exposed to seawater for a long time, it can still corrode.
Because of this, another metal—molybdenum—is added.
This creates 316 stainless steel, which has much better resistance to corrosion in salty environments.
It is used in ships, marine plants, and medical equipment where strong corrosion resistance is important.
Among all metals created in the past world, this was one of the best materials for use in seawater.
“If I can make this… I can win the bid.”
For this competition, they needed to create strong pipes that would not rust in seawater.
And 316 stainless steel was the perfect solution.
“To make it, I need that molybdenite.”
The molybdenum needed for this could be refined from the molybdenite found in the Kalibore family’s land.
It was also useful for making many high-grade alloys.
So getting it was very important.
“But how do I get it…?”
Since it was newly discovered, they probably were not planning to sell it yet.
Just then—
“Are you interested in that ore?”
It was Targon Kalibore.
“Yes… I am. Is it possible to trade for it?”
“I can sell anything. But I have one question. What will you use it for?”
“Probably for research.”
“…Hmm.”
Targon’s expression became slightly strange.
“He doesn’t seem satisfied…”
“Alchemy research is important,” Targon said.
“But… maybe this is just the greed of an old man…”
He touched the metal plate on the wall, filled with the names of those who died in the mines.
“Sometimes I wonder… am I making money by sacrificing lives?”
“Am I sending people to their deaths for my own greed?”
Yujin stayed silent.
The words were heavy.
“Even if I go to hell, that doesn’t matter. But… I hope these ores can be used to save lives.”
“…I understand.”
Yujin nodded.
“This isn’t just about winning.”
Technology should make people’s lives better.
The pipes he was going to make would protect the Belmore territory’s water facility from seawater damage.
And nothing is more important than water.
“In the end… this will save people.”
Targon looked at him seriously.
“Then answer me again. What will you do with this ore?”
Yujin replied:
“I will create steel that does not rust even in the sea.”
“…What?”
Targon was shocked.
Even normal rust-proof steel was difficult.
Steel that would not rust in seawater sounded impossible.
“…I won’t ask further,” Targon said. “It might cause problems for you.”
“It’s fine.”
Even if others knew, they could not copy it.
Only Yujin could use electrolysis properly in this world.
And only he knew the correct alloy ratios.
“Still, I will keep it secret,” Targon said. “I swear on my family name.”
“Thank you.”
Targon nodded.
“If it can save lives… that is enough reason.”
“Good. I will trade this ore with you.”
“Thank you.”
“I cannot give it for free. But I will give you exclusive rights for five years. Is that fine?”
“Yes. That’s even better.”
They signed the contract.
The price was only about twice that of iron ore—very cheap compared to its real value.
“Also, this ore doesn’t have a name yet. Do you have any ideas?”
Yujin wrote without hesitation:
[Molybdenite]
“Interesting name,” Targon said.
“Very stylish.”
“…Really?”
Yujin was confused.
He had just used the name from his previous world.
***
After returning to the workshop, Yujin immediately started expanding the facilities.
This time, he needed to handle more metals and dangerous gases.
So he upgraded everything within his budget.
But during this process—
“There’s a problem.”
The chromium process was fine.
It involved crushing, roasting, melting, reducing, and then electrolysis.
But since he only needed ferrochrome (iron + chromium), he could skip the final step.
So that part was easy.
The real problem was nickel.
“I need a strong acid for nickel electrolysis.”
Electrolysis itself was not the issue.
The problem was that nickel extraction required dissolving materials using strong acid first.
Ideally, he needed at least 95% pure sulfuric acid.
But that level of purity did not exist in this world.
Aqua regia could work—but it loses strength over time and is not suitable for mass production.
But there was another way.
“Pentlandite contains sulfur… which produces sulfur dioxide.”
During heating, sulfur dioxide gas is produced.
This gas can be turned into sulfuric acid.
By capturing it and processing it with a catalyst, high-purity sulfuric acid could be made.
This process is called the contact process.
And the catalyst needed?
Molybdenum.
Which meant everything was ready—
Except one thing.
“There’s no way to collect the gas…”
In this world, air purification used magic artifacts that removed harmful gases completely.
That meant sulfur dioxide would disappear instead of being collected.
If he turned off the purification system, he would die from poison gas.
“If only I knew how to make artifacts…”
He already had the idea.
Using the basic wind magic “Wind,” he could create pressure differences and move gas into a container.
But—
No one in this world had ever thought of this method.
So such an artifact did not exist.
“Damn it…”
Just then—
“Young Master, a package has arrived from the Kalibore Magic Tower.”
Edgar handed it to him.
It was heavy.
“A package…?”
Yujin opened it.
“…What?”
He froze.
Inside was a magic book.
Its title:
[Basics of Artifact Design]
“Is today my birthday or something…?”
