A New or Improved Alloy of Aluminium, and Process for Making.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Alloy of Aluminium, and Process for Making.
same,
I, PIERRE EUGENE SECRETAN, of 16, Rue Drouot, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
Hitherto persons have only busied themselves with the manufacture of
aluminium bronze in a manner little studied and without establishing fixed laws.
All the attempts which have been made have been established by chance or
experiment and the alloys obtained up to 10% yielded very different results even
when identical as regards apparent constitution.
The alloys thus obtained have only been capable of use for two objects, viz.:
(1) in jewellery, for casting objects of art with the object of obtaining a colour
more or less similar to gold, and (2) in mechanical bronzes, more particularly for
bearings.
The hardness obtained with an alloy of 10% allowed ordinary bronze and
phosphor bronze for bearings to be advantageously replaced by it. But such was
the variability of the results obtained with these alloys in spite of their
identical composition that their industrial utilization had to be abandoned.
Persuaded however that great industrial results must be attained by the
alloying of copper and aluminium, and that it was possible to determine the
laws thereof, I have studied the question and have found that in order to obtain
homogeneous fixed alloys yielding always regular results as regards resistance,
elongation and limit of elasticity, it is necessary to employ not merely metals
more or less pure but metals actually and absolutely pure. Hitherto however the
aluminium of commerce has not been pure and what was sold as containing 99%
only contained in reality 96 to 97%; hence such different compositions and
results in the alloys.
It is absolutely necessary to employ (1) absolutely and chemically pure copper,
(2) pure aluminium, that is to say exceeding in purity 99.50% and containing
no sodium, (3) it is necessary to add to the elements hereinbefore specified a little
phosphorus and nickle in quantities not exceeding 01%.
The use of phosphorus has already been suggested in the manufacture of
aluminium bronze, but the proportions given were so elastic that it cannot he
On the other
admitted that the processes described have ever been carried out.
hand I am not aware that any of the bronzes thus obtained have been brought
into commerce.

page_text: State of phosp
On Copper
prosp
previously and which is added to the bath of molten copper in an already dilute
condition. This method of procedure is the only one which has yielded the best
results, the only one which ensures a perfect alloy.
The nickel must also be introduced in the form of an alloy of copper and nickel,
or of an alloy of aluminium and nickel, in such proportions that there is at the
maximum '01 of nickel. The alloy thus composed:
Copper
Aluminium
Phosphorus
Nickel
-
95
4-
.5
0005 at the maximum
'01
"
"
"
enables a fixed homogeneous metal to be obtained which yields always regular
results as regards resistance, elongation and limit of elasticity.
With small bars of alloys re-heated to a cherry red containing 3.5-5% of
aluminium I have obtained the following results:-
Sample No. 1 of copper alloyed with 3-5% of aluminium yielded 30 kilogrammes
as breaking strain, 13 kilogrammes as limit of elasticity and 32% of elongation.
The same sample with 00045 of phosphorus yielded as corresponding figures
337 kilogrammes of breaking strain, 15 kilogrammes as limit of elasticity and
343% of elongation.
Sample No. 2 of copper alloyed with 4% of aluminium yielded 30*5 kilo-
grammes as breaking strain, 11 kilogrammes as limit of elasticity and 46% of
elongation, but after the addition of 00045 of phosphorus it yielded as correspond-
ing figures 363, 162 and 46%
Sample No. 3 of copper alloyed with 45% of aluminium yielded 34.5 kilo-
grammes as breaking strain, 12 kilogrammes as limit of elasticity and 50% of
elongation, and after the addition of 00045 of phosphorus yielded as corresponding
figures 387 kilogrammes, 17 kilogrammes and 41%
Sample No. 4 of copper alloyed with 5% of aluminium which yieldea 368 kilo-
grammes as breaking strain, 12 kilogrammes as limit of elasticity and 53% of
elongation, yielded, after the addition of 00045 of phosphorus, the corresponding
figures 42 kilogrammes, 17.2 kilogrammes and 51%
By modifying a little the quantity of aluminium by nickel, I obtain also a
considerable improvement. Thus No. 4 comprising 95 copper, 4.75 aluminium.
25 nickel and 00045 phosphorus when re-heated at a cherry red heat vields
439 kilogrammes of resistance per millimetre and 45%, elongation and 20 kilo-
grammes as limit of elasticity, from whence it results that an addition of 00045 of
phosphorus to aluminium bronze increases considerably its qualities and that
the addition of nickel in any desired proportion not exceeding 1% maintains the
qualities of resistance and elongation but increases still by more than 20% the
limit of elasticity at high pressures or high temperatures.
Samples No. 4 after cold hammering yielded under experiments of traction-
(When cold) breaking strain 586 kilogrammes, elongation 7.6%, limit of
elasticity 527 kilogrammes.
(Re-heated to a dull red) breaking charge 43 kilogrammes, 35-8% elongation
limit of elasticity 267 kilogrammes.
In spite of the high return hereinbefore specified the metal may be worked and
bent perfectly when cold.
A metal has been long sought, which shall be soft, resistant, and of great limit
of elasticity not only when cold but also when heated, all of which are indispen-
sable qualities for the construction of locomotive furnaces, for high pressure
steam tubes and for tubes for superheated steam for torpedo, boats and also for

page_text: the manufacture of metallic cartridges for guns and cannons. My improved alloy
fulfils all these requirements and is perfectly suitable for these various purposes.
Dated this 19th day of October 1897.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.
A New or Improved Alloy of Aluminium, and Process for Making
same.
I, PIERRE EUGENE SECRETAN, of 16, Rue Drouot, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement: -
Hitherto persons have only busied themselves with the manufacture of
aluminium bronze in a manner little studied and without establishing fixed laws.
All the attempts which have been made have been established by chance or
experiment and the alloys obtained up to 10% yielded very different results even
when identical as regards apparent constitution.
The alloys thus obtained have only been capable of use for two objects, viz.:
(1) in jewellery, for casting objects of art with the object of obtaining a colour
more or less similar to gold, and (2) in mechanical bronzes, more particularly for
bearings.
The hardness obtained with an alloy of 10% allowed ordinary bronze and
phosphor bronze for bearings to be advantageously replaced by it. But such was
the variability of the results obtained with these alloys in spite of their
identical composition that their industrial utilisation had to be abandoned.
Persuaded however that great industrial results must be attained by the
alloying of copper and aluminium, and that it was possible to determine the
laws thereof, I have studied the question and have found that in order to obtain
homogeneous fixed alloys yielding always regular results as regards resistance,
elongation and limit of elasticity, it is necessary to employ not merely metals
more or less pure but metals actually and absolutely pure. Hitherto however the
aluminium of commerce has not been pure and what was sold as containing 99%
only contained in reality 96 to 97%; hence such different compositions and
results in the alloys.
It is absolutely necessary to employ (1) absolutely and chemically pure copper,
(2) pure aluminium, that is to say exceeding in purity 99'50% and containing
no sodium, (3) it is necessary to add to the elements herein before specified a little
phosphorus and nickel in quantities not exceeding 01.
The use of phosphorus has already been suggested in the manufacture of
aluminium bronze, but the proportions given were so elastic that it cannot be
admitted that the processes described have ever been carried out. On the other
hand I am not aware that any of the bronzes thus obtained have been brought
into commerce.
In order to enable the introduction of phosphorus into the bath to be effected
with certainty and regularity it is moreover of importance to add it, not in the
condition of phosphorus mixed with palm oil or other suitable product, but in the
state of phosphuret of copper or phosphuret of aluminium, which is prepared
previously and which is added to the bath of molten copper in an already dilute
condition. This method of procedure is the only one which has yielded the best
results, the only one which ensures a perfect alloy.

page_text: of of an alloy or aluminium and nickel, in such proportions that there is at the
maximum '01 of nickel. The alloy thus composed:
Copper
Aluminium
Phosphorus
Nickel
95
4-5
0005 at the maximum
.01 "
"
وو
enables a fixed homogeneous metal to be obtained which yields always regular
results as regards resistance,, elongation and limit of elasticity.
With small bars of alloys re-heated to a cherry red containing 35-5% of
aluminium I have obtained the following results: -
Sample No. 1 of copper alloyed with 3-5% of aluminium yielded 30 kilogrammes
as breaking strain, 13 kilogrammes as limit of elasticity and 32% of elongation.
The same sample, with 00045 of phosphorus yielded as corresponding figures
337 kilogrammes of breaking strain, 15 kilogrammes as limit of elasticity and
343% of elongation.
.
Sample No. 2 of copper alloyed with 4% of aluminium yielded 305 kilo-
grammes as breaking strain, 11 kilogrammes as limit of elasticity and 46% of
elongation, but after the addition of '00045 of phosphorus it yielded as correspond-
ing figures 363, 16-2 and 46%
Sample No. 3 of copper alloyed with 45% of aluminium yielded 345 kilo-
grammes as breaking strain, 12 kilogrammes as limit of elasticity and 50% of
elongation, and after the addition of 00045 of phosphorus yielded as corresponding
figures 387 kilogrammes, 17 kilogrammes and 41%
Sample No. 4 of copper alloyed with 5% of aluminium which yielded 36'8 kilo-
grammes as breaking strain, 12 kilogrammes as limit of elasticity and 53% of
elongation, yielded, after the addition of '00045 of phosphorus, the corresponding
figures 42 kilogrammes, 17'2 kilogrammes and 51%
From the above it results that an addition of '00045 of phosphorus to aluminium
bronze increases considerably its qualities and that the addition of nickel in any
desired proportion not exceeding 01 maintains the qualities of resistance and
elongation but increases still by more than 20%, the limit of elasticity at high
pressures or high temperatures.
Samples No. 4 after cold hammering yielded under experiments of traction-
(When cold) breaking strain 586 kilogrammes, elongation 76%, limit of
elasticity 527 kilogrammes.
(Re-heated to a dull red) breaking charge 43 kilogrammes, 35'8% elongation
limit of elasticity 267 kilogrammes.
In spite of the high return hereinbefore specified the metal may be worked and
bent perfectly when cold.
A metal has been long sought, which shall be soft, resistant, and of great limit
of elasticity not only when cold but also when heated, all of which are indispen-
sable qualities for the construction of locomotive furnaces, for high pressure
steam tubes and for tubes for superheated steam, for torpedo boats and also for
the manufacture of metallic cartridges for guns and cannons. My improved alloy
fulfils all these requirements and is perfectly suitable for these various purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The new industrial product herein before described forming an alloy com-
posed as follows: 94-95 of absolutely pure copper, 4 to 5 pure aluminium (that
is to say exceeding 99'50% in purity) 0005 of phosphorus, '01 of nickel.
2. The herein described process for making aluminium alloy, consisting in
introducing phosphorus into the bath in the condition of phosphuret of copper

page_text: or phosphuret of aluminium prepared in advance and added to the bath of molten
copper in an already dilute condition, and introducing nickel in the form of an
alloy of copper and nickel, or of aluminium and nickel in such proportions as to
form at the maximum 01 of nickel, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 13th day of July 1898.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.