Meanwhile, Manganese Steel could probably also be used to manufacture weapons.
Joseph vaguely remembered that cannon barrels in later generations seemed to have been made of Manganese Steel.
Before Converter Steelmaking could be perfected, they could only first try producing small quantities of Alloy Steel using Crucible Steelmaking combined with Reflectory Furnace refining.
The output would certainly be extremely low, but if it was used only to meet the needs of Steam Engine piping and cannon barrels, it should barely be enough.
At most, the cost would be exceedingly high. With military products, there was often no way to consider the price.
After instructing Vandale on the Alloy Steel experiments and repeatedly stressing the confidentiality requirements, Joseph hurried back to Paris without stopping—ten days later would be the day this year's Supreme Louis Prize winners were announced, and he had to return to present the awards.
Originally, he had wanted his father to handle it, but the latter had clearly suffered a bout of social anxiety and insisted that the development of the Steam Forging Machine had entered a critical stage and that he did not want to be disturbed.
Thus, Joseph could only do it himself.
When Joseph emerged from the Ironworks, he saw Leroy quickly approach and bow to him.
Joseph was not surprised. Eman had reported to him earlier that the president of the Academy of Sciences had arrived in Namur at noon. He had likely feared disrupting Joseph's inspection, so he had waited outside all along.
"You're here about the Supreme Louis Prize, I presume?" Joseph nodded to Leroy and pointed toward the carriage. "Please, get in."
A moment later, the Crown Prince's convoy headed south.
Inside the carriage, Leroy handed Joseph a list. "Your Highness, this is the final list of this year's Supreme Louis