AN IMPROVED COMPOSITION FOR THE PRO- TECTION OF WOOD METAL OR OTHER MATERIALS FROM FIRE OR INJURIOUS ATMOSPHERICAL EFFECTS
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Harris Lake at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th February 1882. A communication
from abroad by Johann Wildi of Suhr Switzerland and Johann Schambeck of
Münich Bavaria.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED COMPOSITION FOR THE PRO-
TECTION OF WOOD METAL OR OTHER MATERIALS FROM FIRE OR INJURIOUS
ATMOSPHERICAL EFFECTS." A communication from abroad by Johann Wildi of
Suhr Switzerland and Johann Schambeck of Münich Bavaria.
The danger caused by the liability of the woodwork in buildings to become.
ignited can be much diminished by the use of proper coating or covering compo-
sitions or substances, and various proparations for this purpose have heretofore
been used or proposed. These preparations are however either too costly, or
they become ineffective in course of time, or do not adhere firmly enough to the
surface of the wood coated therewith. A coating preparation of soluble glass has
been recommended as especially efficacious, but it has not been practically
successful for the reason that it possesses all the defects above referred to. Soluble
glass, is however of great utility when used only as a medium between other
substances which should afford the actual protection, and it is thus employed in the
present Invention.
In carrying the said Invention into practice I make a composition consisting of
the following ingredients viz-Twenty (20) parts of finely ground glass; twenty (20)
parts of finely ground porcelain; twenty (20) parts of any kind of stone in the form
of powder; ten (10) parts of burnt lime; thirty (30) parts of silicate of soda
(soluble glass) of from about thirty six (36) to forty two (42) % as generally used
in cominerce.
The solid ingredients are pulverized as finely as possible, then washed and
passed through a hair sieve, and thereupon thoroughly mixed when still wet, with
the soluble glass, by which means I obtain a mass which is of syrupy consistency
and which may be used as a coating either alone, or, if preferred in combination
[Price 21

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with some colouring material. The addition of the lime tends to render the mass
more suitable for coating purposes, than it would otherwise be whilst by uniting
with part of the silicic acid of the soluble glass, it forms a further medium for the
other substances.
The proportion of each single constituent part, except that of the soluble glass
which remains constant may be varied, and any one of them may be replaced by
any one of the others excepting that it is necessary for the object in view to always
retain the lime; and generally speaking, it is found from experiments that the
materials and proportions above stated are the best.
Instead of silicate of soda, silicate of potash may be employed. I prefer however
the first named substance by reason of its cheapness.
The composition is applied to the surface to be protected, by means of a brush in
as even and regular a manner as possible, like any other oil or size colour varnish.
The first coat at once hardens, and can be covered with a second coat after a period
of from six (6) to twelve (12) hours has elapsed. The coating then forms a homo-
geneous stone-like cover which adheres very firmly, and affords an absolute protection
against the action of fire.
This composition or varnish is applicable not only for the protection of the
woodwork in buildings, but also for the protection of many other substances.
Railway carriages for instance may be so coated and will thus have the advantage
of being fireproof. The said composition or varnish will find an especial application
in ship building, as by neaus thereof ships can be made watertight and fire-proof
should the usual tar. coating, so very inflammable be discontinued. Whilst this
composition renders combustible objects fire-proof it forms also an excellent pro-
tection against rust, and can therefore be used for coating iron bridges, railings, iron
railway sleepers, and many other objects in lieu of oil colours or other materials. It
also adheres very firmly to the iron, and never exfoliates for the reason that it
forms a layer impenetrable to atmospheric action.
-This-improved composition can be manufactured at an exceedingly small cost.