IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC ALLOYS OR COMPOUNDS "
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Alexander Dick, of 110 Cannon Street, in the City
of London, for an Invention of * IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
METALLIC ALLOYS OR COMPOUNDS "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Alexander Dick at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st December 1882.
1
16
.
GEORGE ALEXANDER DICK, of 110 Cannon Street, in the City of London,
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC ALLOYS OR COMPOUNDS "
This invention consists firstly in adding to alloys of copper with zinc commonly
known as brass but containing not less than 30 per cent and not more than 55 per
cent of zinc and from 70 to 45 per cent of copper a proportion of manganese copper
containing sufficient manganese that the improved alloy contains from 0.05 to 5 per
cent of manganese the copper so added with the manganese being reckoned as
forming part of the above stated proportions of from 70 to 45 per cent of copper.
The manganese hardens the alloy and makes it stronger and tougher whilst at
the same time it also gives to the alloy a better color, the manganese, however,
oxidises rapidly in remelting and I therefore frequently substitute phosphorus
for a part of the manganese the phosphorus being added in combination with
copper as phosphuret of copper the phosphorus thus added preventing the
manganese from oxidising during the melting process. The copper thus added
with the phosphorus in substitution of a portion of the manganese copper is
reckoned as forming a part of the above stated proportions of from 70 to 45 per
cent of copper
The phosphorus also increases the strength and hardness of the alloy but it
diminishes the malleability of the alloy and renders it unfit for forging when hot it
must therefore be used in very minute proportions.
The manganese copper and the phosphuret of copper which I use are those
generally known in commerce by such terms but the proportion of manganese or of
D
...

page_text: phosphorus present therein must be ascertained in order that the amount thereof
present in the perfected alloy shall be within the limits above named.
I thus substitute say 1 per cent of manganese by adding a quantity of phos-
phuret of copper containing say 0.1 per cent of phosphorus but in no case must the
proportion of phosphorus employed be more than one half the amount of manganese
contained in the manganese copper employed.
The manganese copper as also the phosphuret of copper may be added to the
brass or to the metals or either of them before mixing the same
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Alexander Dick in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1
23rd May 1883.
"
GEORGE ALEXANDER DICK of 110 Cannon Street, in the City of London
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC ALLOYS OR COMPOUNDS "
My said Invention consists, firstly, in adding to alloys of copper with zinc,
commonly known as brass but containing pot less than 30 per cent and not more
than 55 per cent of zinc, and from 70 to 45 per cent of copper, a proportion of
manganese copper, containing sufficient manganese to allow of the improved alloy
containing from 0.05 to 5 per cent of manganese, the copper so added with the
manganese being reckoned as forming part of the above stated proportions of from
70 to 45 per cent of copper.
And my said invention relates, secondly to the employment of phosphuret of
copper as a substitute for a part of the manganese copper herein before referred to.
The manganese hardens the alloy and makes it stronger and tougher, whilst, at the
same time, it also gives to the alloy a better color. The manganese, however
oxidises rapidly in remelting and I therefore substitute phosphorus for a part of
the manganese, the phosphorus being added in combination with copper as
phosphuret of copper. The phosphorus, thus added, prevents the manganeses from
oxidising during the melting process. The copper, added, as lastly described with
the phosphorus in substitution of a portion of the manganese copper, is reckoned
as forming a part of the above stated proportions of from 70 to 45 per cent of
copper.
The phosphorus also increases the strength and hardness of the alloy, but it
diminishes the malleability thereof and renders it unfit for forging when hot, it
must, therefore, be used in very minute proportions.
The manganese copper and the phosphuret of copper which I use are those
generally known in commerce by such terms but the proportion of manganese or of
phosphorus and manganese present therein must be ascertained in order that the
amount thereof present in the perfected alloy shall be within the limits above
named.

page_text: I substitute for about 1 per cent of manganese, a quantity of phosphuret of copper
containing about 0.1 per cent of phosphorus, but in no case must the proportion
of phosphorus employed exceed one half the amount of manganese contained in the
manganese copper employed.
The manganese copper and the phosphuret of copper, when employed, may be
added to the brass or to either the copper or zinc before the same are mixed.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of the said Invention and the
manner in which the same is to be performed I would observe in conclusion that
what I consider novel and original and therefore claim as constituting the invention
secured to me by the said herein before in part recited Letters Patent, are,
First. The manufacture of alloys or compounds by adding to alloys of copper
and zinc a quantity of manganese copper, in the proportions substantially herein-
before described and set forth.
And Secondly. The manufacture of alloys or compounds by adding to alloys of
copper and zinc certain proportions of manganese copper and phosphuret of copper,
substantially as hereinbefore set forth and described.
In witness whereof I the said George Alexander Dick have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twenty second day of May in the year of our Lord,
One thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
GEORGE ALEXANDER DICK (L.S.)