IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR WORKING OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN THE APPA- RATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Bristow Hunt, of Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OR WORKING OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN THE APPA-
RATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN." A communication from abroad by
Elbridge Wheeler, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States of
America.
Sealed the 3rd June 1879, and dated the 7th December 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Bristow Hunt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th December 1878.
BRISTOW HUNT, of Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. “IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR WORKING OF IRON AND
STEEL, AND IN THE APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN.' A communication
from abroad by Elbridge Wheeler, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United
States of America.
This Invention relates to certain improvements in working homogeneous iron and
steel, or those grades of iron and steel which are reduced to a fluid condition in
being converted directly or indirectly from pig iron; such for example as crucible
steel, Bessemer steel, Bessemer iron, and homogeneous iron or steel made by the
Siemens-Martin or other open-hearth process.
The improvements contemplate the working or reducing of such materials either
alone or in combination with iron or steel which has been produced by any other
process or processes whereby a product is obtained, which is either homogeneous
throughout, or is what commercially known as combination iron and steel, that
is, a mass homogeneous in part, and fibrous or of other character in part, or a mass
composed of different grades of homogeneous metal, one part or portion being high
in carbon, and another part being lower in carbon. These different grades of
homogeneous metal may be treated or worked with fibrous iron or steel, giving a
Pavine 621

page_text: product, which though in one body, possesses in its different parts some or all the
characteristic features of the metals used.
In carrying out the present Invention, a mould or casing of wrought iron or
other malleable metal suitable for the purpose is provided, the shape of this mould
or casing being adapted to the form of product required.
The thickness of material of which the mould is made must be determined largely
by the nature of the product, as will hereinafter appear.
In any case the inaterial must be strong enough, and the joints, angles, or corners
of the mould must be tight enough to retain the molten contents, not only when
they are poured into the mould, but also during subsequent treatment or working.
One end or side of the mould should be made removable for the purpose of
filling, or in lieu thereof a suitable opening should be made in one of the sides or
ends of the mould.
If a product is required, having substantially a uniform quality throughout, the
mould is filled with the desired metal while the latter is in a molten condition by
pouring or in any other convenient way. It is not essential that the mould be
filled at one pouring, or while all the contents of the mould are inolten, the metal
for instance may be poured in from time to time, until the desired quantity is
obtained.
If it is desired to mix a certain proportion of iron or steel, whether fibrous or
cast with homogeneous metal, it may be first arranged in the mould as desired, and
the molten metal poured in so as to fill the interstices between the solid portions
and complete the filling of the mould to the extent desired, or the mould may be
partially filled with metal of one grade, and metal of another grade be subsequently
added, thus forming an ingot in which different grades of metal are arranged either
miscellaneously or regularly in separate layers or divisions, the arrangement
depending upon the character of the product required.
When thus filled, the opening in the mould is closed by any suitable cap, cover,
or stopper, the latter being secured by rivetting, welding, banding, or otherwise, so
as to confine the contents of the mould during subsequent working.
The mould and contents are then placed in a suitable heating furnace and raised
to such temperature that the homogeneous or cast portion of the contents shall be
either in whole or in part in a state of fusion or semi-fusion. This can readily be
done without destroying the form or shape of the mould or casing, since the degree
of heat at which wrought iron fuses or becomes liquid is much higher than that at
which homogeneous iron fuses, and still higher than that at which steel fuses.
In this operation the mould or casing operates substantially as a crucible re-
taining the contents and excluding the air.
It is not essential that the joints or meeting parts of the mould be made air-
tight in the present instance; it is sufficient if they be made tight enough to retain
the molten metal when the latter is poured in, for in the subsequent heating when
the mould approaches a welding temperature, such joints may be readily welded by
the workman with the aid of any suitable implement.
The cover for the pouring-opening may be secured in the same manner.
When the mould and its contents are heated so that the homogeneous or cast
portion of the contents is partially or wholly in a fluid or semi-fluid state, it is re-
moved from the furnace and worked or reduced by hammering, by rolls, or by
squeezers to the desired form and size. During such reduction, the mould or
crucible still forms an air-tight case, and is with its contents uniformly reduced and
drawn out.
If it is desired that the product shall have a substantial coating of iron, it may
be secured by making the mould or casing of slabs or plates of a thickness propor-
tionate to the capacity of the mould and the extent of the reduction intended, while
if the coating of iron is not desired, the mould or casing is made of metal so thin,
that when reduced the iron covering shall practically disappear, becoming so thin
or attenuated that it may be readily removed by turning, planing, grinding, or
otherwise..

page_text: When the mould is composed of comparatively heavy slabs or plates, and the
contents of the mould of steel, the ingot may be reduced to the form of an iron-clad
steel bloom, slab, or billet, and the latter may then be sold to manufacturers for
being worked up into various articles.
It is well known that it is impossible to heat uncovered ingot steel or ingot iron
to the welding temperature of wrought iron, without greatly injuring it by oxida-
tion, the latter being attended by great waste of metal, and causing the mass_to
assume a molecular condition, or in other words, a kind of friability. which precludes
any satisfactory manipulation of it by the hammer, or by rolls with the view of
uniting separate pieces together, or of welding together the opposite sides of pores
and seams once formed in the metal.
.
. In carrying out the present Invention, the mould or casing not only prevents the
access of oxygen to the contents, but it permits the heating of the same to an extent
impracticable with naked steel, but necessary in order to effect the welding of
separate pieces, or the solidification of single pieces by the closing of cavities,
seams, or openings.
When portions of the contents of the mould or casing are covered with rust, the
rust will be decomposed by carbon from the steel, the resultant carbonic oxide gas
escaping or commingling with the mass, as oxide of iron, as in the case of blown
Bessemer metal.
Another phase of chemical action which takes place during the treatment of a filled
mould by the above described improved process is, the action of carbon from the
steel on the wrought iron of the casing or mould, or upon wrought iron forming
part of the contents of the latter.
The effect of this is to convert the iron into cemented or blister steel, thereby
greatly improving its quality, while owing to the depletion of the adjoining steel of
a part of its carbon, the result is, that between masses of iron and steel united
according to this process, there is an intervening layer of metal sharing in the
qualities of both iron and steel.
The chemical action which takes place within the mould during the processes of
heating and subsequent manipulation cannot be fully determined, and the above
theories are advanced therefore simply as an opinion which may lead to the better
understanding of the nature of this Ivention.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Bristow Hunt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th June
1879.
BRISTOW HUNT, of Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR WORKING OF IRON AND
STEEL, AND IN THE APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN." (A communication
from abroad by Elbridge Wheeler, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United
States of America.)
This Invention relates to certain improvements in working homogêneous iron
and steel, or those grades of iron and steel which are reduced to a fluid condition
in being converted directly or indirectly from pig iron, such for example as crucible
steel, Bessemer steel, Bessemer iron, and homogeneous iron or steel made by the
the Siemens-Martin or other open-hearth process.
The improvements contemplate the working or reducing of such materials, either
alone or in combination with iron or steel which has been produced by any other
process or processes, whereby a product is obtained which is either homogeneous
throughout, or is what is known commercially as " combination iron and steel,"
that is, a mass homogeneous in part and fibrous or of other character in part, or a
mass composed of different grades of homogeneous metal, one part or portion being
high in carbon and another part being lower in carbon. These different grades
of homogeneous metal may be treated or worked with fibrous iron or steel, giving
a product which though in one body possesses in its different parts some or all the
characteristic features of the metals used.
In carrying out the present Invention a mould or casing of wrought-iron or other
malleable metal suitable for the purpose is provided, the shape of this mould or
casing being adapted to the form of product required.
The thickness of material of which the mould is made must be determined largely
by the nature of the product, as will herein-after appear.
In any case the material must be strong enough and the joints, angles, or corners
must be tight enough to retain the molten contents, not only when they are
poured into the mould, but also during subsequent treatment or working.
One end or side of the mould should be made removable for the purpose of filling,
or in lieu thereof a suitable opening should be made in one of the sides or ends of
the mould.
If a product is required having substantially a uniform quality throughout, the
mould is filled with the desired metal while the latter is in a molten condition by
pouring, or in any other convenient way. It is not essential that the mould should
be filled at one pouring, or while all the contents of the mould are molten; the
metal, for instance, may be poured in from time to time as convenience may
suggest, until the desired quantity is obtained.
If it is desired to mix a certain proportion of iron or steel, whether fibrous or
cast, with homogeneous metal, it may be first arranged in the mould as desired, and
the molten metal poured in, so as to fill the interstices between the solid portions
and complete the filling of the mould to the extent desired; or the mould may be
partially filled with metal of one grade, and metal of another grade be subsequently
added, thus forming an ingot, in which different grades of metal are arranged, either
miscellaneously or regularly in separate layers or divisions, the arrangement
depending upon the character of the product required.
When thus filled the opening in the mould is closed by any suitable cap, cover,
or stopper, the latter being secured by rivetting, welding, banding, or otherwise,
so as to coufine the contents of the mould during subsequent working.
The mould and contents are then placed in a suitable heating furnace and raised
to such temperature that the homogeneous or cast portion of the contents shall be
either in whole or in part in a state of fusion or semi-fusion. This can readily be

page_text: done without destroying the form or shape of the mould or casing, since the degree
of heat at which wrought-iron fuses or becomes liquid is much higher than that at
which homogeneous iron fuses, and still higher than that at which steel fuses.
In this operation the mould or casing operates substantially as a crucible,
retaining the contents and excluding the air.
It is not essential that the joints or meeting parts of the mould would be made
air-tight in the present instance; it is sufficient if they be made tight enough to
retain the molten metal when the latter is poured in, for in the subsequent heating,
when the mould approaches a welding temperature, such joints may be readily
welded by the workman with the aid of any suitable implement.
The cover for the pouring-opening may be secured in the same manner,
When the mould and its contents are heated, so that the homogeneous or cast
portion of the contents is partially or wholly in a fluid or semi-fluid state, it is
removed from the furnace and worked or reduced by hammering, by rolls, or by
squeezers, to the desired form and size. During such reduction the mould or
crucible still forms an air-tight case; and is with its contents uniformly reduced and
drawn out.
If it is desired that the product shall have a substantial coating of iron; it may
be secured by making the mould or casing of slabs or plates of a thickness pro-
portionate to the capacity of the mould and the extent of the reduction required;
while if the coating of iron is not desired the mould or casing is made of metal, so
thin that when reduced the iron-covering shall practically disappear, becoming so
thin or attenuated that it may be readily removed by turning, planing, grinding, or
otherwise.
When the mould is composed of comparatively heavy slabs or plates; and the
contents of the mould of steel, the ingot may be reduced to the form of an iron-clad
steel bloom, slab, or billet, and the latter may then be sold to manufacturers for
being worked up into various articles.
It is well known that it is impossible to heat uncovered ingot steel or ingot iron
to the welding temperature of wrought-iron without greatly injuring it by oxida
tion, the latter being attended by great waste of metal, and causing the mass to
assume a molecular condition, or in other words a kind of friability, which precludes
any satisfactory manipulation of it by the hammer or by rolls with the view of
uniting separate pieces together, or of welding together the opposite sides of pores
and seams once formed in the metal.
In carrying out the present Invention the mould or casing not only prevents tlie
access of oxygen to the contents but it permits the heating of the same to an extent
impracticable with naked steel, but necessary in order to effect the welding of
separate pieces or the solidification of single pieces by the closing of cavities, seams,
or openings, or the like.
When portions of tlie contents of the mould or casing are covered with rust the
rust will be decomposed by carbon from the steel; the resultant carbonic oxide gas
escaping or commingling with the mass as oxide of iron, as in the case of blown
Bessemer metal.
Another phase of chemical action, which takes place during the treament of a
filled mould by the above described improved process, is the action of carbon from
the steel on the wrought iron of the casing or mould, or upon wrought iron
forming part of the contents of the latter.
The effect of this is to convert the iron into cemented or blister steel, thereby
greatly improving its quality, while, owing to the deflection of the adjoining steel
of a part of its carbon, the result is that between masses of iron and steel united
according to this process there is an intervening layer of metal sharing in the
qualities of both iron and steel.
The chemical action which takes place within the mould during the processes of
heating and subsequent manipulation cannot be fully determined; and the above
theories are advanced therefore simply as an opinion which may lead to the better.
understanding of the nature of this Invention.

page_text: Such being the nature and object of the said Invention, I will now proceed to
describe more in detail the manner in which the same is to be or may be per-
formed or carried into practical effect; and in order that the Invention may be
distinctly understood I have annexed hereunto one Sheet of Drawings illustrative
thereof, and have marked the same with figures of reference corresponding with
those in the following description or explanation thereof, that is to say,-
On the annexed Sheet of Drawings are shown different forms of moulds adapted
to some of the uses to which the above mentioned improvements may be applied.
These moulds are by preference made of wrought iron, but when certain grades
of steel comparatively high in carbon are to be treated the mould may be cast of
what is commonly known as "homogeneous or ingot iron," and in such case the
mould may be made without joints or seams except at the pouring-opening. Any
malleable iron capable of resisting the heat to which the mould is subjected may be
used in making the latter.
In preparing these moulds it is advisable in many cases to give them a form
approximating to that desired in the finished article, especially when such forms
are irregular in outline. In such cases the subsequent reduction or working of the
ingot is preferably done by means of a hammer.
In Figure 1 is shown, in perspective, partly broken away, and in Figure 2, in
cross section, a rectangular mould or casing, with flanged sides and flat top and
bottom, in connection with flanged caps or covers at each end; the parts may be
secured together by rivetting or any other suitable means, and the cap at the
pouring-end may be held in place by any means which will ensure its retention in
place until the mould has become so highly heated that the cap may be welded fast
to the body.
Figure 3 shows a similar perspective view of a mould having a cylindrical body
with flanged caps or covers at the ends; and Figure 4 shows in perspective a
rectangular mould the body of which consists of a single plate bent to the proper
form, and having its edges secured, the body thus made being combined with flanged
top and bottom plates, which are held in place by bands.
Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a mould, the plates of which are secured toge-
ther by angle-irons arranged outside the mould, and Figure 6 is a mould in which
the plates are secured together by angle irons placed inside the joints.
Figure 7 shows one mode of arranging old rails within the mould preparatory
to pouring in the molten metal. In this case the mould is preferably open on one
side instead of at the end, in order that the solid part of the contents of the mould
may be more readily arranged.
Figure 8 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a cylindrical mould varying
in diameter, and adapted to form ingots for various kinds of shafting and other like
purposes. Figure 9 shows the ingot produced by this mould.
Figure 10 is a sectional view of another form of mould intended to produce a
cranked shaft in a crude condition.
Figure 11 is a perspective view, and Figure 12 a section, of a mould adapted for
the formation of tubular objects, the mould consisting of two concentric cylinders,
into the annular space between which the contents of the mould are introduced,
the ends of the mould being closed by flanged rings or by flanged caps or other
means.
When properly heated this mould and its contents may be reduced either by
rolling or hammering, and with or without a mandrel, to the desired hollow or
tubular product.
The mould of this character is especially available for the production of tubes of
iron with steel cores or linings, an example of such a tube being shown in Figures
13 and 14. Tubes of this class are especially adapted for the manufacture of
ordnance.
Figure 15 shows a method of piling intended especially for the production of
armor-plates and other plates having great resisting power. In this pile plates or
slabs of wrought-iron are combined with slabs, bars, or billets of iron-clad steel, the

page_text: latter being cross piled as shown. In reducing this pite a perfect weld of the various
parts is ensured owing to the iron coating of the steel. A good result may be
attained also by a pile consisting entirely of iron-clad steel bars cross piled in the
manner shown.
Other forms of moulds or cases may be made, but those shown are deemed suffi-
cient to enable skilled workmen to adapt the improved method of working metals
to their requirements, and also to illustrate what is now considered the best con-
struction of moulds for the purpose. If desired, the joints or seams of the moulds
may be rendered tight enough to retain the molten metal by packing the mould
with sand or luting its joints with clay or other suitable material.
Having now described the nature and object of the said Invention, together
with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as the Invention com-
municated to me by the above named Elbridge Wheeler,―
First. The mode herein before described of reducing ingot iron or ingot steel, that
is to say, enclosing it, either alone or with other metal, in a mould or casing of
malleable metal, and then heating and reducing the encased ingot thus formed.
Second. The mode hereinbefore described of reducing iron or steel, that is to say,
placing a piece or pieces of the metal in a malleable mould or casing, filling the said
mould or casing with molten metal, closing the opening, and finally heating and
reducing the encased ingot thus formed.
Third. A compound ingot consisting of a malleable mould or casing filled or
partly filled with malleable metal, the casing being such as to entirely enclose the
contents, and being adapted for reduction therewith, as specified.
Fourth. The combination of a malleable metal mould or casing having an opening
or gate as described, with a cover or cap adapted to said opening, so as to perma-
nently close the same and constitute a part of the mould or casing in the further
working of the same and its contents, as set forth.
Fifth. The hereinbefore described pile for armor-plates or like uses, said pile con-
sisting of plates, bars, or billets of iron-clad steel, cross piled, as set forth.
Sixth. The herein before described pile for armor-plates or like uses, said pile con-
sisting of plates, bars, or billets of iron-clad steel, cross piled, and combined with
plates or slabs of wrought-iron, all substantially as specified.
And, Seventh. As a new article of manufacture, a bloom, slab, or billet of steel,
having an exterior coating or covering of iron, as herein-before specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Bristow Hunt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventh day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
BRISTOW HUNT. (L.S.)