IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CAST STEEL
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Nevill, of Ferryside, in the County of
Caei mai then, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
CAST STEEL"
Sealed the 24th May 1878, and dated the 5th December 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Nevill at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th December 1877.
WILLIAM HENRY NEVILL, of Ferryside, in the County of Caermarthen
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CAST STEEL."
"IM-
Hitherto, as far as I am aware, cast steel has been produced by the fusion of
converted steel in pots, with or without the admixture of other ingredients I
have discovered however that by reversing these two processes, that is, by recar-
bonizing fused metal, I obtain a high quality of steel at a considerably reduced
cost.
In carrying my Invention into effect I take metal that has been made by the
ordinary Siemens or Bessemer processes, and after the necessary forging and rolling,
or either of these separately, and after having brought the metal into the required
size and form, I submit it to a recarbonizing process in closed vessels, or as nearly
so as I am able to obtain them. These vessels may be of cast or wrought iron, or
of clay of sufficient strength, and the carbonizing materials may be the ordinary
substances used in the cementing process as at present carried on.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Henry Nevill in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
June 1878.
WILLIAM HENRY NEVILL, of Ferryside, in the County of Caermarthen.
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CAST STEEL."
"IM-
Hitherto, as far as I am aware, cast steel has been produced by the fusion of
converted steel in pots or crucibles, with or without the admixture of other
ingredients. By reversing the usual order in which the processes of conversion and
fusion are carried on, that is, by recarbonizing fused metal, I obtain a high quality
of steel at a considerably reduced cost.
In carrying my Invention into effect I take metal that has been made by the
ordinary Siemens or Bessemer processes, and after the necessary forging and rolling,
or either of these separately, and after having brought the metal into the required
size and form, I submit it to a recarbonizing process in closed vessels, or as nearly so
as I am able to obtain them. These vessels may be of cast or wrought iron, or
fire-clay, or other material capable of resisting the requisite heat, and the car-
bonizing materials may be the ordinary substances used in the cementing process
as at present carried on.
I profer however to carry on the operation in wrought-iron vessels, about 5%, or
3/, of an inch thick, and of such a form as will best suit the purpose for which the
steel is intended. I have used them from 3 to 5 feet in length, and from 6 to 10
inches square, but I do not confine myself to these dimensions.
The covers are made to project beyond the sides of the box so as to admit of their
being firmly fixed with keys, or wedges, or other suitable means, and the interstices
afterwards filled with wet clay or other suitable material, rammed in tightly.
The process may be carried on in an ordinary reverberatory or gas furnace, and
will require such a time and degree of heat as the purpose for which the steel is
wanted may render necessary.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the mode in which
I carry the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is,
improving the manufacture of cast steel by recarbonizing fused metal, substantially
as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Nevill, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.