An Improved Metal and Method of Producing it.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Nov., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 26th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 15th Oct.,
1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Metal and Method of Producing it.
We, FREDERICK DONALD JAMES, Merchant, residing at Beaufort House,
Gloucester, and MINNIE BARNETT Fox, Spinster, residing at 10, Spa Road,
Gloucester, both in the County of Gloucester, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to metallic alloys, and has distinct reference to those in
which aluminium forms part.
The object of the said invention is to produce an aluminium alloy having all the
advantages of aluminium in respect of being non-corrosive, extremely light in
weight, and of extreme excellence in colour and strength, and which is considerably
cheaper than aluminium. This is accomplished by the introduction into the alloy
of phosphorus; the same being performed in a particular manner according to
this invention.
According to this invention a primary homogeneous alloy is first formed, com-
posed of copper, nickel, zinc, or other similar metals, and phosphorus, in propor-
tions ranging from fifty to ninety parts of copper, from two to twenty of nickel,
from five to twenty-five of zinc, and from two to ten parts of phosphorus, the
latter being the most important element of the alloy. The exact formula of the
parts or elements for this alloy will be determined by the character of the metal
required, both as regards its ductility or tenacity, and its strength and colour, in
order, when combined with the aluminium, to meet the necessities of manufacturers
in the various trades to which the resultant alloy specially lends itself.
Pure aluminium is now taken and to a hundred parts of this is added from five
to twenty parts of the phosphoric alloy previously described; the result being
an aluminium alloy perfect in colour and of equal strength either in a cast or
wrought condition: the latter being directly due to the primary alloy being
perfectly homogeneous before its union with the pure aluminium to form the final
metallic mixture.
The right is reserved to alter the proportions of the parts forming the alloy as
may from time to time be necessary, but the use of the phosphorus as an ingredient
is imperative.
According to this invention the phosphorus is introduced into the primary
mixture in a new way; the means employed consisting of a closed ended tube,
into which the phosphorus is placed, of the same metal as the primary alloy. The
said tube is lowered into the crucible containing the primary mixture at a certain
time when the said mixture is sufficiently cool to allow of same, the said tube
being well within the mixture. The mixture is then quickly stirred and gradually
the walls of the tube are acted upon and become porous and then after a time
entirely melt, which introduces the phosphorus to the mixture at the bottom of
the crucible and under the mixture's surface line. The amalgamation of the
phosphorus with the mixture then quickly takes place by a continued stirring.

page_text: The phosphorus can be introduced into the mixture to form the new alloy in the
ordinary way if necessary.
Dated this 19th day of November 1897.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
11, Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
Agents for Applicants.
An improved Metal and Method of Producing it.
We, FREDERICK DONALD JAMES, Merchant, residing at Beaufort House,
Gloucester, and MINNIE BARNETT Fox, Spinster, residing at 10, Spa Road,
Gloucester, both in the County of Gloucester, 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:—
This invention relates to metallic alloys and to their production, and consists in
the first part in producing an aluminium alloy having all the advantages of
aluminium in respect of being non-corrosive, extremely light in weight, but of
increased excellence in colour ductility and strength, and in the second part in an
improved method of introducing into the said alloy, or its primary parts, phos-
phorus, which forms part of its combination; this last part of the invention being
also applicable for introducing phosphorus into metal or metal alloys other than
that which constitutes the first part of this invention.
The aluminium alloy according to this invention consists of an ad-mixture of
pure aluminium and a primary homogeneous alloy in which is contained phos-
phorus the said primary alloy having as its component parts various metals
blended with phosphorus so as to suit the particular trades for which the resultant
aluminium alloy is desired, but in every case it must be such as to be perfectly
homogeneous before its union with the aluminium to form the final mixture.
The primary homogeneous alloy may be formed of copper, nickel, zinc, and
phosphorus, or copper, nickel, zinc, cobalt, manganese and phosphorus, or any
other similar combination containing phosphorus which will constitute an homo-
geneous ad-mixture.
As an example of this invention a primary homogeneous alloy is first formed
composed of copper, nickel, zinc, or other similar metals, and phosphorus in pro-
portions ranging from 50 to 90 parts of copper, from 2 to 20 of nickel, from 5 to
25 of zinc, and from 2 to 10 of phosphorus, the said range allowing the resultant
primary mixture to be considered both as regards its ductility or tenacity and its
strength of colour. The copper and nickel is first melted in a crucible and to
it is added the zinc, after which the necessary phosphorus is introduced.
Pure aluminium is now taken and to a hundred parts thereof is added from
5 to 25 parts of the primary homogeneous phosphoric alloy previously described,
the result being an aluminium alloy perfect in colour and of equal strength either
in a cast or wrought condition, the last named being directly due to the primary
alloy being perfectly homogeneous before its union with the pure aluminium to
form the final aluminium mixture.
According to the second part of this invention the phosphorus is introduced into
the primary mixture in a new way which will render the said introduction both
safe and satisfactory; it being understood that considerable difficulty is ex-
perienced and care is required in introducing phosphorus into a molten metal, on
account of its combustibility. This part of the invention will be illustrated by

page_text: three views in the accompanying sheet of drawings, the phosphorus being used in
its common stick form.
A case is formed (similar in shape to the one marked d in the drawings) from a
metal or an alloy of metal which is part of, or analogous to, the mixture of
copper, nickel and zinc in the primary homogeneous alloy, (for example German
silver) and into it is placed the phosphorus c, which may be in any form. The
case d is then closed so that no part of the phosphorus is visible, and preferably
so that its walls are of ever thickness all round the said phosphorus, and the
said case is then introduced into a pot or crucible, a, containing the molten ad-
mixture of copper, nickel, and zinc, so as to be well below or underneath the
surface line, the said case being stirred or moved round in the said fluid metal.
Almost immediately the case dis introduced into the metal in the crucible, the
walls of the said case being to melt and become after a time porous, and this
allows the phosphorus c to come gradually in contact with the body of molten metal
and be admitted into its combination, and this at a point well under the metal's
surface line, the case and the phosphorus after a time becoming wholly absorbed
by, and amalgamated with, the molten metal. The case containing the phosphorus
is sealed against admitting the molten metal to the last named until its walls
become thinned and rendered porous by liquifaction.
This method of introducing phosphorus to molten metals or alloys of metals is
applicable to metallic combinations other than those herein set forth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
First. An aluminium alloy composed of and by a homogeneous ad-mixture of
metals, or metal alloys, and phosphorus with pure aluminium in such suitable
proportions as to combine the general advantages of aluminium with increased
excellence of colour strength and ductility when either in a cast or wrought
condition
Second. An aluminium alloy composed of pure aluminium and a homogeneous
ad-mixture of metals, or metal alloys, containing phosphorus, in the range of
proportions substantially as described and set forth."
Third. The method of introducing phosphorus into molten metals or ad-mixtures
of metals, by sheathing the said phosphorus in a case of the material of the
molten metal or of a material analogous to it which will combine with the molten
mixture, and introducing the said case into the molten fluid well under the said
fluid's surface line so as to safely amalgamate the phosphorus by the walls of the
case liquifying or becoming porous, substantially as described and set forth.
Fourth. An aluminium alloy produced by first preparing a primary homo-
geneous metallic alloy containing phosphorus, and then afterwards combining the
said primary mixture with pure aluminium in approximate proportions, sub-
stantially as described and set forth.
Dated this foth day of August 10
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
11, Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
Also of Liverpool, London, and Manchester,
Patent Agents for the Applicants.