IMPROVEMENTS IN CASTING AND TREATING STEEL INGOTS AND PLATES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Fox, of Stocksbridge Works, Deepcar, near
Sheffield, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASTING AND TREATING
STEEL INGOTS AND PLATES."
Sealed the 20th September 1878, and dated the 13th July 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Fox at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th July 1878.
SAMUEL Fox, of Stocksbridge Works, Deepcar, near Sheffield..
IN CASTING AND TREATING STEEL INGOTS AND PLATES."
"IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention has for its object improvements in casting and treating steel
ingots and plates.
In order to produce compound ingots or plates of steel, that is to say, ingots or
plates formed partly of steel of one quality or degree of hardness, and partly of steel
of another quality or degree of hardness, I employ a mould having a partition
fitted in it. I first fill one portion of the mould with melted steel of the one
quality, and immediately that this has set I remove the partition and I then pour
in melted steel of the other quality, which then unites soundly with the still highly
heated metal already in the mould.
I arrange the partition in the mould in an upright position, so that the joint or
union between the two qualities of steel in the mould may be made at a vertical
surface; thus any air bubbles or impurities rising to the surface of the metal will
not interfere with the soundness of the joint throughout.
I form the partition in separate parts and tapered, and I support it at the back
by springs, so that whilst fitting closely in the mould it may be withdrawn readily
and without loss of time.
In producing compound steel plates suitable for use as armour I first roll the casting
hot in the usual manner, and afterwards I improve its quality and reduce it further
by repeated cold rollings.

page_text: of my former Patent, No. 439, in the year 1878, where a diaphragm or partition,
which ultimately becomes part of the ingot, is employed to separate the different
qualities of steel.
When making armour plates of two qualities of steel, after casting I roll the
plate first in the usual manner whilst it is hot, and when it has been thus reduced
more or less nearly but not quite to the thickness required I roll the metal in the
cold state, and so effect the final reduction of the section. The cold rolling process
has the effect of hardening and improving the resisting power of the metal.
The extent to which the cold rolling process is carried may be varied. I consider
it best to reduce the thickness by cold rolling from ten to twenty-five per cent.,
according as less or more hardness is required.
During the cold rolling process the metal is annealed from time to time whenever
necessary.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim,—
First. Casting compound steel ingots in an upright position in moulds containing
a moveable partition capable of being withdrawn after one quality of metal has
been poured to leave a cavity for the other quality, substantially as described.
Second. The construction of the moveable partition, substantially as described
and represented in the annexed Drawings.
Third. Improving the quality of compound steel armour plates by cold rolling,
substantially as described.
In. witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Fox, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.