Manufacture of Fireproof and Insulating Compounds,
Year: 1895

page_text: his Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands alter
Amendment (under Section 18 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883) as allowed by
the decision of the Comptroller General of the 16th day of February 1899.
Date of Application, 12th Mar., 1895
Complete Specification Lelt, 27th Sept., 1895-Accepted, 7th Dec., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Manufacture of Fireproof and Insulating Compounds,
I, ALEXANDER IMSCHENETZKY, of New Arsenal, 3 Simbirskaya Street, St.
Petersburg, in the Russian Empire, Captain of Artillery, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a new fireproof compound, which consists mainly of
asbestos, to which material are added two other classes of materials, one of which
serves to bind the compound together, while the other although also serving
as binding material, mainly serves for doing away with the porosity of the mass.
Other less important substances can also be added, for modifying the colour, the
specific gravity and the selling price of the compound &c.
As binding material for the asbestos I employ silica, either alone or in conjunc-
tion with such substances which when treated together with silica will give moro
or less perfect mechanical mixtures; as such materials may be used the oxides
and carbonates of some of the metals.
The porosity of the mass can be destroyed by saturating the same with boiled
oil, varnish, paraffin, stearine wax, resin, and the like, or mixtures thereof,
these substances being rendered liquid either by melting or by dissolving in a
suitable solvent. With this admixture however the mass is rendered of a less
fireproof nature. For retaining the fireproot property, I employ in place of the
above the solid residues of coal tar and rosin distillation, for mixing with the
compound in a powdered state; such residues, although having a cohesive action
when heated, no longer possess inflammable properties. If the material is not
required to be perfectly fireproof, the porosity may be destroyed by mixing
powdered rosin therewith, and then heating the inass.
The above mentioned ingredients can be combined in varying proportions,
and the compounds are applicable to a great variety of purposes, such as slabs
for covering floors, walls, ceilings, roofs, also for theatrical decorations, and for
fireproof building materials generally, also for fireproof strong rooms, and as
insulating material for electrical apparatus, secondary or primary batteries, and
for other acid-proof vessels.
**
I propose to term the said compound, when used for insulating and electrical
purposes, Megohmite," while for all other purposes I call it "Uralite."
The method of manufacturing the said compound is as follows.
Asbestos fibre, either alone or in combination with lime, chalk, magnesia, oxides
of aluminium or iron, or similar materials, is mixed with a sufficient quantity
of water to form a thin paste, which is then cast in moulds, slightly pressed and
dried. If the mass is required to be waterproof there may be added to the paste
a quantity of powdered rosin, either in its natural state. or after distilling off

page_text: the volatile constituents, the proportions of such addition varying between very
wide limits. After drying, the ina is saturated with silica, for which purpose
the silica is dissolved in any known manner, and the mass is immersed in the
solution until its pores or interstices are completely filled therewith. This
operation may be carried out in three different ways. First, by diretly impreg-|
nating the mass with silicic hydrate or silicic acid, in the form of a solution trob
which the silicic hydrate separates as colloid only after a certain time. Secon
by introducing the silica into the mass in the form of a compound such as
alkaline silicate, and then treating the mass with an acid. Thirdly by i
ducing into the mass substances that will convert the previously introd
soluble silicates into new insoluble silica compounds.
In the two first cases, the dried silicic hydrate will bind the asbestos partic
so intimately together as to convert the whole into a solid mass, which will possess
considerable strength, and will effectually withstand water, acids, and moderate
heat (below red heat) without disintegrating. In the last above mentioned
rasc, the asbestos fibres are not cemented together by means of pure silica, but
by the insoluble and fireproof silicates formed as described.
It will be obvious that instead of employing any one of the three methods by
itself, they may be used in combination.
The above mentioned silica solution for saturating the asbestos mass may be
prepared, for example, as follows. One part, by volume, of- water glass of
15° Bé is mixed with one part of sulphuric acid, of 20 Bé, and the asbestos mass
is saturated with this mixture. After a certain time the solution will be con-
verted into a gelatinous consistency in consequence of the formed colloidal calcic
hydrate. The mass is then subjected to pressure and dried.
Although the asbestos fibres will be bound together to such a degree by a
single saturation with silica and drying, that it will withstand the action of boil-
ing water, yet in order to afford it the requisite strength to effectually withstand
mechanical forces, it is advantageous to repeat the saturation process two or more
times, as the strength will be increased at each such treatment. When a
sufficient degree of strength has been attained by this means, the blocks may be
coated with paint, varnish &c. and if rosin has been mixed with the mass, this
is heated so as to melt the resin in order to effectually block up any pores, and
if it be desired to insure a perfect fireproof nature, the blocks may be heated
to a higher degree for distilling off any volatile constituents that may have
remained in the rosin. Before such heating, the blocks may be saturated with a
liquid waterproofing substance or one that melts at a lower temperature than
rosin, provided such substance is capable of combining with the rosin under
heating.
Dotad this 12th day of March 1895
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Manufacture of Fireproof and Insulating Compounds.
I, ALEXANDER IMSCHIENETZKY, of New Arsenal, 3 Simbirskaya Street, St.
Petersburg, in the Russian Empire, Captain of Artillery, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
My invention relates to a new fireproof compound, which consists mainly of
asbestos to which material are added two other classes of materials, one of which

page_text: serves to bind the compound together, while the other, although also serving
as binding material, mainly serves for doing away with the porosity of the mass.
Other less important substances can also be added, for modifying the colour, the
specific gravity and the selling price of the compound, &c.
As binding material for the asbestos I employ silica, either alone or in conjunc-
tion with such substances which when treated together with silica will give more
or less perfect mechanical mixtures; as such materials may be used the oxides
and carbonates of some of the inetals.
The porosity of the mass can be destroyed by saturating the same with boiled
oil, varnish paraffin, stearine, wax, resin, and the like, or mixtures thereof,
these substances being rendered liquid either by melting or by dissolving in a
suitable solvent. With this admixture however the muss is rendered of a less
fireproof nature. For retaining the fireproof property, I employ in place of the
above, the solid residues of coal-tar and rosin distillation, for mixing with the
compound in a powdered state; such residues, although having a cohesive action
when heated, no longer possess inflammable properties. If the material is not
required to be perfectly fireproof, the porosity may be destroyed by mixing
powdered rosin therewith, and then heating the mass.
The above mentioned ingredients can be combined in varying proportions,
and the compounds are applicable to a great variety of purposes, such as slabs
for covering floors, walls, ceilings, roofs, also for theatrical decorations, and for
fireproof building materials generally, also for fireproof strong rooms, and as
insulating material for electrical apparatus, secondary or primary batteries, and
for other acid-proof vessels.
I propose to term the said compound, when used for insulating and electrical
purposes, Megohmite," while for all other purposes I call it "Uralite."
The method of manufacturing the said compound is as follows.
Asbestos fibre, either alone or in combination with lime, chalk, magnesia, oxides
of aluminium or irou, or similar materials, is mixed with a sufficient quantity
of water to form a thin paste, which is then cast in moulds, slightly pressed and
dried. If the mass is required to be waterproof there may be added to the paste
a quantity of powdered rosin, either in its natural state, or after distilling off
the volatile constituents, the proportions of such addition varying between very
wide limits namely from 1% to 60% of the whole mass. After drying, the mass
is saturated with silica, for which purpose the silica is dissolved in any known
manner, and the mass is immersed in the solution until its pores or interstices
are completely filled therewith. This operation is carried out in the following
way, namely, by directly impregnating the mass with silicic hydrate or silicic
acid, in the form of a solution from which the silicic hydrate separates as colloid
only after a certain time, sufficient to permit the mass to be permeated by the
solution before the colloid silicic hydrate separates.
The above mentioned silica solution for saturating the asbestos mass may bo
prepared for example as follows. One part, by volume of water glass of
150 Bé is mixed with one part of sulphuric acid of 20 Bé, and the asbestos máss
is saturated with this mixture. After a certain time the solution will be con-
verted into a gelatinous consistency in consequence of the formed colloidal silicic
hydrate. If from the nature or size of the article this solution is found to act -
too quickly it should be made more dilute or the acid should be diminished.
The mass is then subjected to pressure and dried.
The dried silicic hydrate will bind the asbestos particles so intimately together
as to convert the whole into a solid mass, which will possess considerable
strength, and will effectually withstand water, acids, and moderate heat (below red
heat), without disintegrating. In the last above mentioned case, the asbestos
fibres are not cemented together by means of pure silica, but by the insoluble and
fireproof silicates formed as described.
It will be obvious that instead of employing any one of the three methods
by itself, they may be used in combination."

page_text: Although the asbestos fibies will be gether to such a degree by a
single saturation with silica and drying, that it will withstand the action of boil-
ing water, yet in order to afford it the requisite strength to effectually withstand
mechan cal forces, it is advantageous to repeat the saturation process two or more
times, as the strength will be increased at each such treatment. When a
sufficient degree of strength, has been attained by this means, the blocks may be
coated with paint, varnish &c. and if rosin has been mixed with the mass, this
is heated so as to melt the resin in order to effectually block up any pores, and
if it be desired to insure a perfect fireproof nature, the blocks may be heated
to a higher degree for distilling off any volatile constituents that may have
remained in the rosin. Before such heating, the blocks may be saturated with a
liquid waterproofing substance or one that melts at a lower temperature than
rosin, provided such substance is capable of combining with the rosin under
heating. For this purpose boiled oil or varnishes that become solidified by
oxidation, or melted substances such as stearine paraffin, wax and the-like which
are solid at ordinary temperatures may be used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
-
1. Manufacture by the process herein-before described of a fireproof com-
pound wherein asbestos fibres are cemented together by means of silica, which
acts directly as cementing medium; substantially as described.
2. The process of cementing together asbestos fibre by means of silica for the
production of a compound such as is referred to in the first claim, consisting in
introducing the silica as a solution from which the silica separates after it has
filled the pores of the mass, such separation taking place in the form of colloidal
hydrate; substantially as described.
3. The process of destroying the porosity of the compound referred to in the
first claim, by saturating the mass with suitable liquid or melted substances, or
by melting substances previously introduced in powdered form into the mass;
for the purpose of removing its porosity, substantially as described.
Doted this 07th day of Cantomb 1005
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.