IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES OF CAST STEEL
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Fox, of Stocksbridge Works, Deepcar, near
Sheffield, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
ARTICLES OF CAST STEEL."
Sealed the 12th April 1878, and dated the 2nd February 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Fox at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd February 1878.
SAMUEL Fox, of Stocksbridge Works, Deepcar, near Sheffield.
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES OF CAST STEEL."
"IMPROVEMENTS
In the manufacture of a great variety of articles of cast steel it is desirable that
they should be composed at one or more parts of steel of a hard temper, whilst the
remainder is of a softer temper.
According to my Invention I form such articles from ingots formed by simul-
taneously pouring into a mould the two different tempers of steel, one for one or
more parts of the ingot of a hard temper and the other for the remaining portion
of the ingot of a softer temper; and to prevent the two tempers of steel from mixing
one with the other I place across the mould in which the ingot is being cast a
diaphragm or partition composed of a steel or iron plate, which may be previously
heated or not, as found necessary. The two kinds of melted steel are thus kept
separated from one another, and they each unite and adhere to the central partition
or diaphragm and form one solid ingot.
In the same way an ingot might be formed of more than two different tempers of
metal.
The ingots are subsequently forged or rolled to the form required.
The above described manner of manufacturing articles of cast steel is applicable
in the manufacture of armour plates and of tools of a great variety of kinds and of a
greater variety of other articles.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Samuel Fox in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd August
1878.
SAMUEL Fox, of Stocksbridge Works, Deepcar, near Sheffield.
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES OF CAST STEEL."
"IMPROVEMENTS
In the manufacture of a great variety of articles of cast steel it is desirable that
they should be composed at one or more parts of steel of a hard temper, whilst the
remainder is of a softer temper.
According to my Invention I form such articles from ingots formed by simul-
taneously pouring into a mould the two different tempers of steel, one for one or
more parts of the ingot of a hard temper and the other for the remaining portion of
the ingot of a softer temper; and to prevent the two tempers of steel from mixing
one with the other I place across the mould in which the layer is being cast a
diaphragm or partition composed of a steel or iron plate, which may be previously
heated or not, as found necessary. The two kinds of melted steel are thus kept
separated from one another, and they each unite and adhere to the central partition
or diaphragm and from one solid ingot.
In the same way an ingot might be formed of more than two different tempers of
metal.
The ingots are subsequently forged or rolled to the form required.
The above described manner of manufacturing articles of cast steel is applicable
in the manufacture of armour plates and of tools of a great variety of kinds and of
a great variety of other articles.
In practice I prepare ingot moulds of dimensions adapted to the work for which
the ingots are required; the ingots are usually rectangular, and the section is of the
same or nearly the same form and dimensions from end to end of the ingot, but this
may in special cases be varied. The ingot mould is grooved to receive the
diaphragm or partition, the grooves passing from top to bottom of the mould along
the two opposite sides, and being so placed that the partition, when in its place,
divides the mould into two compartments. The thickness of the partition will
vary according to circumstances, the size of the ingot, and the temperature of the
metal at the time of pouring. The general rule which I lay down is, the thickness
of the partition to be one-tenth of the thickness of the ingot, and this is right when
the temperature of the metal at the time of pouring is that at which the milder
sort of steel is usually poured from pots; but as there is considerable difficulty in
obtaining uniformity of temperature at the time of pouring, and as the temperature
may differ to some extent according to the quality of the steel, I vary the thick-
ness of the diaphragm or partition employed between the limits of, say, one-eighth
and one-twelfth of the thickness of the ingot, and when casting I take care to have
diaphragms or partitions of several thicknesses ready to hand, and one or other of
these is put into the mould to suit. the temperature of the metal. If too thin a
diaphragm or partition be employed there is a danger of its fusing and allowing the
two qualities of steel poured into the mould to mingle. On the other hand, if the
diaphragm or partition be too thick it will not be sufficiently heated by the molten
metal poured into the mould, and will unite with it in an imperfect manner.
I employ wrought iron as the material for the diaphragms or partitions, but steel
might be employed, although I do not prefer it. The surfaces of the diaphragms
should be thoroughly cleaned before they are used; for this purpose I cause them
to be pickled in water, rendered acid with sulphuric acid, and afterwards well
washed in fresh water before use is made of them. The mould is prepared in the
usual way by smoking with burning coal tar; this is done before the diaphragm is
inserted. I do not find it necessary to heat the diaphragms or partitions before
putting into the moulds, but this may be done if desired. In filling the mould
the two sorts of steel are poured simultaneously, each into the compartment
of the mould prepared to receive it, and care is taken to keep the level on the two

page_text: sides of the diaphragm as nearly the same as may be. Compound ingots if cast in the
manner described above and with ordinary and proper precautions to obtain them
sound can be rolled and worked in the same way as ingots cast from one quality of
steel only. For some purposes it may be desirable to employ two diaphragms in
the same mould forming two partings between steels of different qualities; this
may be done if 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 the production of
compound ingots to be used in the manufacture of articles of cast steel by
simultaneously pouring into a mould on either side of a diaphragm or partition
different qualities of molten steel which are prevented by the diaphragm or parti-
tion from mingling the one with the other, but which both combine with the metal
of which the diaphragm or partition is composed as to form a sound compound
ingot, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Fox, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this First day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.