MANUFACTURE OF FIRE-PROOF AND WATERPROOF PLATES
Year: 1884

page_text: THE
I, JUNIUS NAGEL of 2 Negerlegasse, Vienna in the Empire of Austria, Chemist
IN
"IMPROVEMENTS
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
MANUFACTURE OF FIRE-PROOF AND WATERPROOF PLATES" and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, that is to say :-
In the Specification to Letters Patent granted to C. D. Abel on the 27th March
1882 N° 1468 for an invention communicated to him from Abroad by me, were
described a composition and process for the manufacture of fireproof and waterproof
plates by pressing a mixture of asbestos and oxide of zinc on nets of metallic wire
and treating with chloride of zinc and other substances. My present invention
relates to the manufacture of plates of the kind referred to, by substituting for, or
adding to the oxide of zinc, other materials acting in an analogous manner and
applying the mixture as I will presently describe.
The particular nature and relative quantity of the materials to be employed in
each special case depend on the desired consistency, density or porosity, the
absorbing power, the firmness and the degree of rigidity, to be given to the plates.
According to the above indicated conditions the metallic support of the mixture
of asbestos with the materials added thereto may consist either of a tissue, or net,
or plait made of metallic wires or of metallic wires in combination with some
fibrous substance. By practical experience one is soon enabled to choose the kinḍ
of support and material that best fits each particular destination of the plates.
In some cases it may be useful to substitute for the solution of chloride of zinc
employed for impregnating the plates, a solution of some other metallic chloride,
or a solution of sulphate of alumina or a mixture of the solutions of several metallic
chlorides. As all these impregnating solutions produce equally the uniting of the
asbestos and of the materials added to the same with the metallic support of the
plate into one solid body, the preference to be given to one of the impregnating
liquids before another will chiefly depend on prices.
The solution of the metallic chloride must be concentrated to a density of from
30° to 60° B. according to the thickness of the plate and to the per centage of
metal contained in the solution.
The manufacture of the said fire-proof plates is practically carried into effect as
follows: About 100 parts by weight of asbestos are mixed with from 75 to 350

page_text: parts by weight of oxide of zinc, or of magnesia, or of gypsum, or of lime, or of two
or more of the last named substances combined, and this mixture is put upon the
tissue or plait which serves as a support for the same, the mixture being, applied
either in a dry state or of a dough-like or pulpy consistency. The body so obtained
is then impregnated with a solution of a metallic chloride or with a solution of
sulphate of alumina. The said mixture of asbestos may also be mixed at once
with the impregnating liquid, so as to form a doughy or pulpy mass, and in this
state be put upon the metallic support.
The manipulations required for coating the aforesaid metallic support with the
asbestos mixture, which is either in a dry state or (in consequence of the addition
of water or solution of chloride of zinc) of a doughy or pulpy consistency, may be
effected either by hand or by some mechanical means. I have found nevertheless
the following proceeding to be the most advantageous and practical:
The asbestos is crushed in a rag engine or otherwise subdivided into fibres; it is
then mixed, by means of a suitable mixing apparatus, with the above mentioned
substances, previously pulverised. The mixture thus prepared is then passed
through one, two or more carding apparatus, by means of which it is applied upon
I both sides of the metallic tissue, net or plait, which serves as a support thereto.
The metallic support, thus coated with the asbestos mass, is then pressed by
means of rollers, around which an endless belt is passed; this endless belt passes
through a solution of some metallic chloride, or of sulphate of alumina and transmits
this liquid to the plates. The plates are then put in water in order to free them
from any surplus of chloride. For plates which have been treated with a soap
solution.or with fatty substances, in order to make them quite waterproof, the last
mentioned maceration in water is superfluous; plates of this kind are, if necessary,
impregnated with a solution of sulphate of alumina, whereby the formation of
sebates of alumina ensues, which are insoluble in water.
As already stated in the Specification of the before mentioned Patent No 1468
of 1882, the fireproof plates thus prepared, can be coated with some suitable
varnish, according to the purpose for which they are destined, or they may be
coated; before being dried, with some fireproof material, in order to increase their
size or weight, or they may be covered or printed over with various substances.
These fireproof materials may be added to the asbestos, when the aforesaid mixture
is prepared.
If it is desired, that these fire-proof plates, when exposed to a high temperature,
should obtain a hard and glazed surface, some powdered glass or some other flux
is added to the asbestos mixture. In order to retard, if necessary, the hardening
of these plates, a certain quantity of borates may be added to the asbestos
mixture.
If it is necessary or if desired, each separate plate may be composed of several
superposed metallic tissues or nets.
८
These fireproof plates can be employed for the following purposes: to prevent
the danger of fire in theatres and other public establishments, in industrial or
trade establishments, ships, railway carriages etc.; for this purpose it is sufficient
to cover with the said fireproof plates the wooden parts or all other easily
inflammable parts. These plates can also be employed by themselves, as for
instance, by forming of them stage decorations, curtains, coverings, hangings,
manufacturing appliances etc.; furthermore, they can be employed for 100f
coverings, as protecting coverings during a conflagration, or as a nieans of isolation
against high temperature, heat radiation, against the influence of water, especially
of sea water, against gases and hot steam, and for other analogous technical
purposes.
>>
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that
what I claim is :-
1. The herein described process of manufacturing fire proof and waterproof
plates, this process consisting in the application, either in a dry or wet condition,

page_text: -
upon a tissue or net or plait made of metallic wires or of metallic wires in combi-
nation with other fibrous substances, of a mixture composed of about 100 parts of
asbestos and of from 75 to 350 parts of oxide of zinc, or of magnesia, gypsum,
lime, or of a mixture of two or more of the said substances; the said net or tissue,
provided with the described coating being then pressed between rollers or otherwise.
and afterwards impregnated with a solution of some metallic chloride or with a
mixture of solutions of several metallic chlorides having a density of from 30° to
60° Beaumé or with a solution of sulphate of alumina; the plates thus prepared
being if necessary placed in a water bath in order to free them from any surplus
of chloride of zinc or of the other chloride employed, substantially as herein before
described.
2. An improved manufacture of fire proof plates consisting of a tissue or net or
plait of metallic wires or of metallic wires in combination with other fibrous
substances or of several superposed nets, webs or plaits, the said nets, webs or
plaits being coated on both sides with a compound of asbestos with oxide of zinc
or other oxide or mixtures thereof and prepared and treated in the manner set.
forth in the preceding claim.
3. The use of fire proof and waterproof plates prepared as herein before described
as coverings for objects that are to be protected against fire or against the influence
of high temperatures, of radiation of heat, of water, especially of sea water, or of
hot steam or gases, substantially as herein set forth.
4. The direct application of fire proof plates prepared as herein before described
for the manufacture of theatrical decorations, curtains, soffits and the like.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant,
28, Southampton Buildings
London, W.C.