IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE FROM METALLIC SULPHIDES OF COMPOUNDS SUITABLE EITHER ALONE OR AS AN INGREDIENT FOR MOULDING AND. FOR COVERING SURFACES, AND IN THE SEPARATION OF MIXED METALLIC SULPHIDES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Berger Spence, of Lombard Street, of the City of
London, Merchant, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
FROM METALLIC SULPHIDES OF COMPOUNDS SUITABLE EITHER ALONE OR AS
AN INGREDIENT FOR MOULDING AND. FOR COVERING SURFACES, AND IN THE
SEPARATION OF MIXED METALLIC SULPHIDES."
Sealed the 9th December 1879, and dated the 3rd July 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Berger Spence at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd July 1879.
JOHN BERGER SPENCE, of Lombard Street, in the City of London, Merchant.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE FROM METALLIC SULPHIDES OF COMPOUNDS
SUITABLE EITHER ALONE OR AS AN INGREDIENT FOR MOULDING AND FOR COVERING
SURFACES, AND IN THE SEPARATION OF MIXED METALLIC SULPHIDES."
My Invention consists mainly in combining metallic sulphides with sulphur,
and in the application of the material so produced to the manufacturing arts.
1 prefer to use natural metallic sulphides, either singly or mixed, and preferably
the sulphides of iron or sulphides of iron and copper. These natural ores I grind
to a fine powder and combine them with sulphur at the melting point of the
sulphur. On cooling, a material is produced of great metallic lustre and tenacity,
which I propose to designate as Spence's metal.
This material may be used for a great variety of purposes. Thus, for example,
when in a molten state it may be cast into various forms, such as statuary, vases,
columns, medallions, slabs and blocks, ornamental work for buildings, ornamental
and other types, ridges, gutters, and as a cement.
It may also be used as an enamel or paint for coating blocks and wall surfaces,
for the lining of cisterns, for the protection of metals from oxidation and of wood
from decay, for strengthening roofing slates and tiles, and drain and other pipes,
and for kindred purposes.
I also propose to employ this compound in the vulcanizing of india rubber and

page_text: equivalent gums, and for coating paper and textile fabrics, and in admixture with
tar, pitch, and fibrous material.
If-it-is-desired-to-alter the colour of the material I introduce any suitable
colouring matter._
When ground to a fine powder and mixed with oil a paint of great density and
-body-is-produced.-
For separating the sulphides of the metals (when combined) from each other and
from extraneous substances I allow the same when in a molten-state-to-cool-
gradually, and I thus obtain a crystalline or other deposit from which the fluid
portion may be run off. Or I may effect this separation by electricity or other
equivalent means.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Berger Spence in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd
January 1880.
JOHN BERGER SPENCE, of Lombard Street, in the City of London, Merchant.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE FROM METALLIC SULPHIDES OF COMPOUNDS
SUITABLE EITHER ALONE OR AS AN INGREDIENT FOR MOULDING AND FOR COVERING
SURFACES, AND IN THE SEPARATION OF MIXED METALLIC SULPHIDES."
My Invention consists in combining metallic sulphides with sulphur, and the
application of the material so produced to various purposes in the arts.
In carrying out my Invention I prefer to use the natural metallic sulphides,
either singly or mixed, but preferably those of iron and copper. These natural
ores I grind to an impalpable powder, and combine them by any suitable mechanical
means with the sulphur while the sulphur is at a melting point. On cooling, the
compound will possess great hardness and tenacity and will have a metallic, lustre.
This compound I propose to designaté as Spence's metal.
The proportion of the sulphur combined with the metallic sulphide or sulphides may
vary from ten to forty per cent, according to the quality of metal it is desired to
produce, but I have found that for general use the addition of about thirty per cent.
of sulphur will give good and useful results, a less proportion of sulphur producing
a harder metal, and a greater proportion a softer metal.
The material thus obtained may be used for a great variety of purposes, both
useful and ornamental. Thus, for example, when in a molten state it may cast into
various forms, such as statuary, vases, and medallions, columns, mouldings, cornices,
and other ornamental work for buildings, hip, ridge, or other tiles and gutters for
roofs, or slabs and blocks for building purposes generally, for making drain or other
pipes, either alone or in combination with other materials.
The material may also be used when in a molten state for filling in the jointa
between the tiles and between the lengths of gutter instead of mortar, cement, or
solder, or instead of lead for stopping the joints of pipes.
The material may also be employed for obtaining reproductions from complicated
works of art by casting in elastic moulds. It will also serve for taking impressions
from engraved copper or steel plates, or for making stereotype plates.
It may also be used in the place of cement for plastering purposes generally.
For this purpose I add only a small percentage of sulphur, which will give when in
a heated state a plastic material capable of being readily worked with a trowel.
It may also be used in the molten state as an enamel or paint for coating blocks
and wall surfaces, for the lining of cisterns, drain and other pipes, for the protection
of metals from oxidation and of wood from decay, and for kindred purposes; for
insulating telegraph wires, or for sealing bottles containing wine or other liquors.
The material may be applied with a brush to the various surfaces; or in the case
of pipes may be run through them in the liquid state. For insulating purposes the
wires are drawn slowly through a bath of the heated liquid, and for sealing bottles
the corks and necks are simply dipped therein.
I also propose to employ this metallic sulphide compound in place of sulphur
when manufacturing vulcanized india rubber and equivalent compounds. It will
also be useful for coating paper and textile fabrics for rendering the same impervious
to moisture. It may also be used in admixture with tar or pitch for making pave-
ments in place of asphalte. In some cases I may mix with the compound fibrous
naterial to increase the strength.
The color of the material which is naturally a dark grey or nearly black I modify
by introducing into the mixture any suitable colouring matter.
The material when cool and ground to a fine powder and mixed with oil will
produce a paint of great density and body.

page_text: For separating the sulphides of the metals (when combined) from each other and
from extraneous substances I allow the compound when in a molten_state_to_cool
gradually, and 1-thus obtain a deposit of the extraneous matters, the sulphides
remaining on the top. When reheated the sulphides may be run off and treated in
any convenient manner to separate the sulphides from each other.
Having now described the nature of my Invention for "Improvements in the
Manufacture from Metallic Sulphides of Compounds suitable either Alone or as an
Ingredient for Moulding, and for Covering-Surfaces, and-in-the Separation of Mixed
Metallic Sulphides," and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I
wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent I
claim,―
First. The manufacture of fusible compounds from metallic sulphides and sulphur,
as above described, and the application of such compounds to the various uses above
set forth.
Secondly. Separating metallic sulphides in the manner above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Berger Spence, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Third day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
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