Improvements in the Manufacture of Armour Plates and Projectiles..
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1897-Accepted, 22nd May, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Armour Plates and Projectiles..
I, JOHN WATSON SPENCER, of Newburn, Newcastle-on Tyne, in the County of
Northumberland, Steel 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:-
My invention refers to the manufacture of armour plates and projectiles which
have hitherto been made by forging or rolling iron or steel before submitting them.
to a process of carburization and hardening for the purpose of obtaining a superficial.
or partial hardness as may be desired.
In carrying out my present invention I cast the armour plate or projectile in steel'
to the size and form as may be required of a suitable material-with or without:
alloys to give the desired toughness in the body of the plate or projectile, I then
submit it, or them, to a process of carburization to ensure the requisite hardness.
in such parts as may be desired, without any work of the nature of pressing,
forging or rolling being put upon the material. After withdrawal from the-
carburizating furnace I then heat the carburized plate or projectile to a temperature
to ensure the amorphous condition of the structure of the material-which will vary
more or less according to the content of carbon and other metals and metalloids.
When the requisite temperature is assured I harden the plate or projectile by-
quenching with water or oil by any known process, or by cold air blast whereby
not only the required hardness of the surface is obtained but also the fine crystalline
condition of the material, resulting in the greatest cohesion and strength; which has
not been disturbed by irregular and partial heating and cooling and the continuity
of the material broken by the rough treatment in pressing, forging and rolling, or
the plate or projectile may be taken from the carburization furnace before it or
they have cooled down to the temperature when crystalization commences and
hardened in the usual way.
If necessary I heat the plate to a temperature to secure the amorphous structure
of the steel and cool before placing in the carburizating furnace in addition to the
quenching after carburization.
If required the plates or projectiles can afterwards be annealed or tempered.
By means of my invention an armour plate, or projectile, is thus obtainable at a
much less cost than when made by the usual method of manufacture, and of equal, if
not superior quality.
Again forging, rolling, bending and the like is rendered unnecessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it understood
that I do not claim the casting of armour plates nor do I claim carburization and
hardening thereof each process separately considered, but I declare that what I do.
claim is:
--
The manufacture of armour plates and projectiles by the combined operations of
casting and carburization and hardening in the manufacture of armour plates and.
projectiles, substantially as set forth as above.
Dated the 3rd day of February 1897.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56 Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.