Improvements in the Manufacture or Production of Metallic Alloys.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in the Manufacture or Production of Metallic
Alloys.
I, ROBERT ABBOTT HADFIELD, of Sheffield in the County of York, Steel Manufacturer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the manufacture of improved metallic alloys containing
iron, carbon, manganese, and nickel, with the addition, in some cases, of chromium,
or of tungsten, or of both. For some purposes I manufacture an alloy of iron, carbon
up to about 1.5 %
a proportion of manganese exceeding 15 per cent. but not
exceeding 25 per cent., and nickel in any suitable proportion up to about 25 per cent.,
according to requirement. The proportions of nickel and manganese used depend
upon the bardness desired and may respectively be added in the form of the
inetals themselves or by using ferro-nickel and ferro-manganese or other suitable
combinations. The chromium and tungsten when employed may also be in the
metallic forms as near as may be or in the ferro alloys of these metals. The
percentage of each may be as high as 1-2 % or less.
I also in some cases make alloys with carbon up to 1 per cent., between 7 per cent.
and 25 per cent. of manganese and a proportion of nickel below 4 per cent. In other
cases I employ carbon up to 1.5 per cent., between 15 and 20 per cent. of manganese
and a suitable proportion of nickel up to 25 per cent.
The iron may be in any desired and suitable form, as for instance, steel making
pig iron, cast or wrought iron, steel or iron scrap, or a mixture of any or all of these,
and the subsequent process of treating the saine will depend on circumstances.
If the Bessemer or open hearth process be adopted in manufacturing my alloy, I
carry on the said process in the usual manner until the iron has been substantially
decarburized and desiliconized, and then add the other constituents of the alloy,
preferably in a molten condition. Or I may produce decarburized and desiliconized
iron, or steel, preferably mild steel, in the ordinary manner, by any of the usual
processes, and then add to it the other constituents of the alloy. When the crucible
process of steel making is employed the special constituents of the alloy may be
introduced at any stage of the operation.
I prefer to introduce the additions in a heated or molten state, so that after their
incorporation with the iron or steel the material may be ready to be run into ingots
or other desired forms. I prefer to melt the additions separately, pour same into a
suitable ladle, and then add the decarbonised iron or steel to this. This ensures
thorough mixture of the materials. The subsequent treatment of the alloy, whether
in castings or forgings, is determined by the intended application of the product.
One alloy according to my present invention is produced as follows:-To 84 lbs. of
decarburized and desiliconized iron or mild steel I add 15 lbs. of 80 ferro-
manganese, also 1 lb. of nickel, the resulting steel or alloy of iron containing 1.10 %
carbon, 1% nickel and 12 % of manganese. Another of my alloys is produced by
using the same substances in the same proportions as just given, except that only
5 per cent. of nickel is emploved.

page_text: Another of my alloys I produce as follows:-To decarburized and desiliconized
iron or mild steel I add 15 lbs. of 80% ferro manganese, also 2 lbs. of nickel and
2 lbs. of 60 % ferro-chromium, the resulting steel or alloy of iron containing
about 1.20% of carbon, 2% nickel, 1% chromium, and 12% of manganese.
These proportions inay however be varied according to requirement. I sometimes
use aluminium in the manufacture of alloys according to this invention.
In most of its proportions the product can be rolled or forged and is suitable for
castings, variations being made in its constituents according to the purpose for
which it is going to be used. In most of its percentage heating and quenching in
water considerably increases the toughness. The product is also practically non-
magnetic, which makes it of considerable service for special purposes.
Dated this 4th day of November 1896.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture or Production of Metallic
Alloys.
.I, ROBERT ABBOTT HADFIELD, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Steel Manufacturer,
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 the manufacture of improved metallic alloys containing
iron, carbon, manganese, and nickel, with the addition, in some cases, of chromium, or
of tungsten, or of both. For some purposes,
I manufacture an alloy of iron, carbon up to about 1-5 %, a proportion of manganese
exceeding 15 per cent., but not exceeding 25 per cent., and nickel in any suitable
proportion up to about 25 per cent., according to requirement. The proportions of
nickel and manganese used depend upon the hardness desired and may respectively
be added in the form of the metals themselves, or by using ferro-nickel and ferro-
manganese or other suitable combinations. The chromium and tungsten when
employed may also be in the metallic forms as near as may be, or in the ferro alloys
of these metals. The percentage of each may be as high as 12 % or less.
I also in some cases make alloys with carbon up 1 %, between 7 per cent. and
25 per cent. of manganese and a proportion of nickel below 4 per cent. In other
cases I employ carbon up to 1-5 per cent., and between 15 and 20 per cent. of manganese
and a suitable proportion of nickel up to 25 per cent.
The iron may be in any desired and suitable form, as for instance, steel making
pig iron, cast or wrought iron, steel or iron scrap, or a mixture of any or all of these,
and the subsequent process of treating the same will depend on circumstances.
If the Bessemer or open hearth process be adopted in manufacturing my alloy, I
carry on the said process in the usual manner until the iron has been substantially
decarburized and desiliconized, and then add the other constituents of the alloy,
preferably in a molten condition. Or I may produce decarburized and desiliconized
iron, or steel, preferably mild steel, in the ordinary manner, by any of the usual
processes, and then add to it the other constituents of the alloy. When the crucible
process of steel making is employed, the special constituents of the alloy may be
introduced at any stage of the operation.
I prefer to introduce the additions in a heated or molten state, so that after their

page_text: incorporation with the iron or steel the material may be ready to be run into ingots
or other desired forms. I prefer to melt the additions separately, pour same into a
suitable ladle, and then add the decarbonized iron or steel to this. This ensures
thorough mixture of the materials. The subsequent treatment of the alloy, whether
in castings or forgings, is determined by the intended application of the product.
One alloy according to my present invention, suitable for use in cases where a very
high tensile strength, say 50 to 65 tons per square inch with high elongation, say
25 to 50% are required is produced as follows:-To 84 lbs. of decarburized and
desiliconized iron or mild steel is added 15 lbs. of 80 % ferro-manganese, and 1 lb. of
nickel, the resulting steel or alloy of iron containing about 1-10 % carbon, 1 % nickel
and 12% of manganese.
Another of my alloys possessing high tenacity and high elongation I produce as
follows:-To 80 lbs. of decarburized and desiliconized iron or mild steel I add 15 lbs.
of 80 % ferro-manganese, also 2 lbs. of nickel and 24 lbs. of 60 % ferro chromium,
the resulting steel or alloy of iron containing about 1-20 % of carbon, 2 % nickel,
1% chromium, and 12 % of manganese. These proportions may however be varied
according to requirement.
Another alloy according to my present invention is produced by adding to 84 lbs.
of decarburized and desiliconized iron or mild steel, 15 lbs. of 80% ferro-manganese
and 24 lbs. of nickel, the resulting steel or alloy containing about 1.10 % of carbon,
2 % nickel and 12 % manganese. The increase in nickel gives an increased stiffness
or higher elastic limit to the alloy.
I sometimes use aluminium in the manufacture of alloys according to this
invention. It may be added in the form of the metal itself, or in that of its alloy
ferro-aluminium.
In most of its proportions, the new product can be rolled or forged and is suitable
for castings, variations being made in its constituents according to the purpose for
which it is going to be used.
In most of its percentages, heating and afterwards quenching the product in water
considerably increases the toughness. The product is also practically non-magnetic,
which makes it of considerable service for special purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The manufacture of alloys of iron with carbon up to 15 %, from 15 to 25 %,
and nickel up to 25 %, with or without addition of chromium, or of tungsten, or of
both, up to 12 %.
2. The manufacture of alloys of iron with carbon up to 15 %. manganese from
7 to 25%, and nickel below 4 %, with or without addition of chromium, or of
tungsten, or of both, up to 12 %.
3. The improved alloys hereinabove described.
Dated this 4th day of August 1907
W. LLOYD WISE,
46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.