An Improved Metallic Alloy.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 10th May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 9th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 22nd Apr., 1893
TROYIDIONAL DIVIFICATION.
An Improved Metallic Alloy.
I, CHARLES FREDERICK HENGST of No. 20, Burwash Road, Plumstead in the
County of Kent, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention consists in a metallic combination by fusion, or an alloy, the
proportionate parts or ingredients of which may be varied so as to increase the
ductility of the resultant alloy, or to render the same capable of withstanding a
considerable tensile strain.
In carrying my invention into effect I preferably use an alloy of 60% of copper,
38% of zinc and 2% of aluminium, and I may use as a flux any metal that is readily
oxidisable at the ordinary temperature of the atmosphere, when exposed thereto
under conditions of heat and the admixture of the ingredients as aforesaid.
By using an excess of copper I may increase the hardness and reduce corre-
spondingly the ductility of the alloy, and by slightly varying the proportions of the
aluminium and the metallic flux-I may manufacture a metallic alloy that is capable
of being rolled, shaped, tooled, cast, or forged, into any required conformation, for
any purpose to which such an alloy can be suitably applied.
The metallic flux hereinbefore referred to, which in a heated state is readily
oxidised by exposure to the atmosphere under normal conditions, causes the external
surface of the casting, forging or stamped form of the alloy to be coloured, and
further, impervious to any atmospheric action, or in the case of immersion in fresh
or sea water no deteriorating action can take place.
Thus, I am enabled to use the improved alloy according to my invention which
may term promethium for any purpose to which a ductile or an elastic metal
or alloy is at present employed. For instance, I may employ a grade of proportion
of the before mentioned ingredients for purposes of electrical conduction as for
switch faces or contact-surfaces, and by further grading the proportion of the
metallic ingredients I may construct springs or tools, parts of instruments or the
like that are not in any way affected by magnetism, but are quite effective in
fulfilling the object of application.
Dated this 4th day of May 1892.
FREDK. WALKER,
11, Furnival Street, Holborn, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Metallic Alloy.
I, CHARLES FREDERICK HENGST, of No. 20 Burwash Road, in the County of
Kent, Engineer, 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 consists in a metallic combination by fusion, or an alloy, the
proportionate parts or ingredients of which may be varied so as to increase the
ductility of the resultant alloy, or to make the same capable of withstanding a
considerable tensile strain.

page_text: In carrying my invention into effect, I preferably use an alloy of 60 per cent. of
copper, 38 per cent. of zinc, and 2 per cent. of aluminium, thus,
Connon
and I use as a flux a metal that is readily oxidised, such as sodium or potassium.
I first melt the copper in a crucible or the like, and preferably melt the zinc in
another crucible, adding it to the copper when melted, or I may add the zinc
gradually to the melted copper. When, in either case the copper and zinc are
incorporated, I remove the mixture from the fire, and add the aluminium when the
mass has slightly cooled. When these three ingredients are fully incorporated
I take a sufficient quantity of metallic sodium in a pair of tongs or other holder
and stir the liquid mass until the surface becomes, as it were, flooded by the flux.
The quantity of this latter is too slight to be counted as an ingredient and is used
according to judgement, sufficient being employed to flood the surface, of whatever
area, as aforesaid. By varying the proportions of the ingredients various degrees
of hardness may be obtained, although the proportions herein set forth are
preferred. The action of the flux is not only to increase the tenacity of the metal
alloy, but also to render it impervious to deterioration by exposure to atmospheric
air, sea water, or any slightly acid or alkaline solution.
The alloy so produced may be cast in ingots for commerce, forged, rolled, stamped
or moulded into any desired shape or conformation.
Thus I am enabled to use the improved alloy according to my invention, which
I may term promethium or titanic metal, for any purpose to which a ductile or
an elastic metal or alloy is at present used. For instance I may employ a grade of
proportions of the beforementioned ingredients for purposes of electrical conduction,
such as switch faces or contact surfaces, and by further grading or varying the
proportions of the metallic ingredients, I may construct springs or tools, parts of
instruments and the like that are not in any way affected by magnetism, but are
quite effective for the purpose of application.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
First. The combination by fusion of copper, zinc, aluminium, and sodium or
potassium substantially as and for the purposes herein described and set forth.
Second. In smelting or casting the combination or alloy referred to in the
preceding claim, the use of a metallic flux that is readily oxidisable substantially
as described.
Dated thin and day of 1009