IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Scott, of Grove Villa, Sydenham, in the County of
Kent, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF STEEL."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Scott at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th January 1880.
JAMES SCOTT, of Grove Villa, Sydenham, in the County of Kent, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL."
My Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of steel from ordinary
iron or steel scrap.
For this purpose I take iron or steel scrap, advantageously horse shoe scrap, and
cut it into small pieces, each piece to weigh about two ounces more or less, but I
do not confine myself to the weight of such pieces. These pieces I put into
crucibles or pots, advantageously the old crucibles from steel melters. I place in
with these pieces such quantities of charcoal or other such carbonizing materials as
are necessary to blister or cause cementation of the scrap.
I then cover the crucibles with clay covers and keep the crucibles at a high
red heat for twenty four hours in the flues or line the inside of the annealing stove
therewith. By this means the blistering or cementation is obtained by utilizing
the spent heat of such furnaces or stoves.
The uniformity and time of blistering or cementation depends on the weight of
the pieces of scrap, but if pieces of the size described, viz., about two ounces in
weight be used the time of blistering or cementation requires not more than twenty
four hours; but if pieces weighing over two ounces the time of blistering or
cementation is in accordance. This being part of my process I melt in the usual
way of steel melting and fluxing as known to the trade.
I also obtain a similar result by placing one or more crucibles charged as above
described in a steel melting furnace and allow such time for blistering or
cementation, I then urge the heat up to the point necessary for steel melting.
Steel made according to this part of my process requires great care and attention
in annealing before being submitted to the operation of the hammer.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Scott in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th July
1880.
JAMES SCOTT, of Grove Villa, Sydenham, in the County of Kent, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OE STEEL."
My Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of steel from ordinary
iron or steel scrap.
For this purpose I take iron or steel scrap (advantageously horse shoe scrap
unmixed with other scrap) and cut it into small pieces, each piece to weigh about
two ounces more or less, but I do not confine myself to the weight of such pieces.
These pieces of scrap iron I put into crucibles or pots, advantageously the old
crucibles from steel melters, which I thus utilize economically as they are usually
destroyed as waste. I place in with these pieces of scrap such quantities of
charcoal or other such carbonizing materials as are necessary to blister or cause
cementation of the scrap, as is well understood.
I then cover the crucibles with clay covers, and I keep the crucibles at a, high
red heat for twenty four hours in the flues or line the inside of the annealing stove
therewith. By this means the blistering or cementation is obtained by utilizing
the spent heat of such furnaces or stoves.
The uniformity and time of blistering or cementation depend on the weight of
the pieces of scrap, but if pieces of the size described, viz., about two ounces in
weight be used, the time of blistering or cementation requires not more than
twenty four hours. But if pieces weighing over two ounces, the time of blistering
or cementation is in accordance. This being part of my improved process I transfer
the blistered or cemented scrap into new crucibles and melt in the usual way of
steel melting and fluxing as known to the trade. (In making new crucibles or
pots I grina up the old ones and use about one fourth of same in combination
with the new materials employed.)
I also obtain a similar result by placing one or more new crucibles charged with
iron scrap, as above described, in a steel melting furnace and allow a suitable time
for blistering or cementation, I then urge the heat up to the point necessary for
steel melting.
Steel made according to this part of my process requires great care and attention
in annealing before being submitted to the operation of the hammer.
I further produce steel ingots of first quality in one operation, viz., I make
crucibles of such size and form (advantageously square) tapering at bottom and
turned in at top. These crucibles I place in the furnace charged with small cut scrap
iron (advantageously horse shoe scrap) as before described. I then place with the
scrap iron about 1 oz. charcoal to every 3 lbs. of scrap or thereabouts, and about
1 oz. of common salt to every 10 lbs. or thereabouts of the whole weight of scrap,
then closely cover the crucible and allow the time of blistering or cementation to be
carried on, this part of the process being completed when the cementation takes
place. I then increase the heat of the furnace allowing the blistered scrap to
become molten. I then remove the cover of the crucibles and flux with spiegel-
eisen and ferro-manganese, not limiting myself to exact quantities as it depends
entirely on the quality of the steel required, which may be either bard, medium, or
soft in accordance with the following proportions or thereabouts:-
The charge for first mixture of hard steel consists of horse shoe scrap iron 56
pounds, spiegel-eisen 1 pound, ounces and manganese 4 ounces.
For medium steel-iron scrap 56 pounds, spiegel-eisen 1 pound 4 ounces, and
manganese 6 ounces.
For soft steel-iron scrap 56 pounds, spiegel-eisen 1 pound, and manganese 8
ounces.

page_text: The cover being replaced on the crucible I allow the fluxing to be carried on and
leave the crucibles in the furnace to slack down with the heat. By this improved
process I obtain an ingot of first quality steel and free from honey-comb as is well
known to be the result when melted steel is poured into open moulds.
The ingots thus made in the crucibles, the latter are then broken away and the
ingot is hammered or rolled to the sizes required.
Having thus described the nature of my improvements and the manner of
performing or carrying the same into practice, I would have it understood that I
do not claim any particular or separate parts of the processes hereinbefore described
which are well known and in common use, but what I claim is,-
First. The improved manufacture of steel from iron or steel scrap by utilizing
the old crucibles or melting pots in the process of cementation or blistering previous
to melting the same in new pots or crucibles, whereby economy in cost of manu-
facture is effected, as hereinbefore described.
Second. Econonizing the process of blistering or cementation in the manufacture
of steel from iron scrap by utilizing the otherwise waste heat of melting, annealing,
or other furnaces in this process, substantially in the manner hereinbefore
described.
Third. The improved manufacture of steel from iron scrap by the combined
processes of cementation and subsequent melting in the same crucible or pot,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
I also claim the cementation and melting of iron scrap in crucibles corresponding
in size and form with the ingot made and allowed to cool therein, substantially in
the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Lastly. I claim the improved manufacture of steel of different degrees of hardness
and quality from horse shoe scrap iron unmixed with other scrap iron, substantially
in the manner herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Scott, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
JAMES SCOTT. (L.S.)