SOLDERING ALUMINIUM, AND THE PREPARING OF ALUMINIUM FOR SUCH SOLDERING
Year: 1885

page_text: I, ORLANDO MORTON THOWLESS of Acocks Green in the county of Warwick
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for SOLDERING
ALUMINIUM, AND THE PREPARING OF ALUMINIUM FOR SUCH SOLDERING to be as
follows:
This invention consists of the soldering of the metal known as aluminium to like
or unlike metals, and of the preparatory processes by which the aluminium is
treated, or made ready for such soldering, and of the alloy or mixture necessary to
form the solder.
Hitherto I am not aware that aluminium has been soldered at all, it being
generally understood as being impossible, or at least so far as known methods have
been tried, but in this my invention I have successfully accomplished this, and
therefore consider the soldering of aluminium to be new. In carrying out my
invention I take the metal and immerse it in a bath of caustic potash, or some
other alkaline solution, or cyanide of potash diluted with water, and wipe it dry
on a clean cloth. The parts to be soldered should then be heated over an alcohol
flame, gas jet, or in any other convenient manner, and a small quantity of the
solder coated over the parts that are to be brought together and soldered.
This coating should be done while the metal is hot, but care must be taken not
to use so great a heat as to cause the aluminium to burn or run. The pieces are
then firmly wired or clamped together by any convenient or well known method,
and pieces of solder placed around the joints, when sufficient heat is applied to
melt the solder. A small metal tool is generally drawn around the parts being
soldered while the solder is in a molten state, for the purpose of making a clean
and neat joint and removing all superfluous solder. The soldered articles should
be allowed to cool gradually, and care must be taken in the heating of the metal,.
so that the solder is melted and not merely sweated or softened. The solder I use
can be varied somewhat in proportion, but I prefer to use the following:-Tin
55 parts, Zinc 23 parts, Silver 5 parts, Aluminium 2 parts. The Silver is first
melted, then the aluminium added; when these are fused, the tin is next put in,
and lastly the Zinc is added. The mass is immediately stirred up and poured.
This must be allowed to cool slowly before removing from the ingot. .
It will also be observed there is no flux used in this process.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Soldering Aluminium, and the Preparing of Aluminium for
such Soldering.
I, ORLANDO MORTON THOWLESS of Acocks Green, in the county of Warwick
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for SOLDERING
ALUMINIUM AND THE PREPARING OF ALUMINIUM FOR BUCH SOLDERING and in
what manner the same is. to be performed, to be particularly described and
scertained in and by the following statement :-
*
This invention consists of the soldering of the metal known as aluminium to
like or unlike metals, and of the preparatory processes by which the aluminium is
treated or made ready for such soldering, and of the alloy or mixture necessary to
form the solder.
Hitherto I am not aware that aluminium has been soldered at all, so as to form
a completely united and blended joint, it being generally understood as being
impossible, or at least so far as known methods have been tried but in this my
invention I have successfully accomplished this, and therefore consider the soldering
of aluminium to be new. In carrying out my invention I take the metal and
immerse it in a bath of caustic, potash, or some other alkaline solution, or cyanide
of potash diluted with water, then rinse it in clean water, and wipe it dry with a
clean cloth; The parts to be soldered should then be heated over an alcohol flame,
gas jet, or in any other convenient manner, and a small quantity of the solder
coated over the parts that are to be brought together and soldered.
This coating should be done while the metal is hot, but care must be taken not
to use so great a heat as to cause the aluminium to burn or run, The pieces are
then firmly wired or clamped together by any convenient or well known method
and pieces of solder placed around the joints, when sufficient heat is applied to
melt the solder. A small metal tool is generally drawn around the parts being
soldered, while the solder is in a molten state for the purpose of making a clean
and neat joint, and removing all superfluous solder. The soldered articles should
be allowed to cool gradually, and care must be taken in the heating of the metal
so that the solder is melted and not merely sweated or softened. The solder I use
can be varied somewhat in proportion, but I prefer to use the following:-
Tin 55 parts, Zinc 23 parts, Silver 5 parts, Aluminium 2 parts. The silver is
first melted, then the aluminium added; when these are fused the tin is next put
in, and lastly the zinc is added. The mass is immediately stirred up and poured.
This must be allowed to cool slowly before removing from the ingot.
I am
aware that numerous attempts have been made to solder the inetal
aluminium by using various fluxes and compounds; and various formulas have
appeared from time to time in scientific journals giving soldering fluxes.for this
purpose; such as Venice turpentine, Balsam of Capaiba, and also, Paraffine wax.
I however dispense with these substances, as I find that they are not only, not
necessary, but rather retard, than help the soldering to be perfect. But by my
method I cause the solder to coat over and sink into the aluminium, thereby
forming an alloy with the surface of the metal, in a more perfectly blended manner
than heretofore.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1st. The method of preparing the metal aluminium for soldering, and the soldering
of the metal aluminium to like or unlike metals, after the manner hereindescribed,
or any substantial imitation thereof.
2nd. A solder, consisting of parts of Tin, Zinc, Silver and Aluminium in the
proportions, or thereabouts, as hereindescribed.