Method of Heating Metals to be Welded, Forged, Soldered, Riveted, Perforated, Bent or the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Sept., 1897-Accepted, 4th Dec.. 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Method of Heating Metals to be Welded, Forged, Soldered, Riveted,
Perforated, Bent or the like.
مجھ
I, ROBERT DEISSLER of 2, Elsen Strasse, of Treptow near Berlin, in the Kingdom
of Prussia, German Empire, civil-engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The characteristic feature of the method hereinafter described resides in heating
metals to be deformed by means of a chemical process, i.e. by the combustion of a
metal or metals (such as aluminum, magnesium; a mixture of aluminum with, or
an alloy of aluminum and, magnesium; a mixture of aluminum or magnesium
with, or of aluminum or magnesium and, another metal or other metals) in the
presence of, or together with, oxygen-compounds, halogen-compounds, or sulphur-
compounds, of metals. By using one or the other of the compounds mentioned I
am enabled to regulate the temperature to be generated according to any require-
ment.
To give an example of the manner in which my novel method is carried into
practice I will suppose that a rivet is to be heated. The rivet is suirounded with
a mixture of aluminum (preferably finely pulverized) and an oxygen compound
of metal, for instance ferric oxide; said mixture is firmly pressed around and
upon the rivet, and is preferably secured against. falling off by a mantle of asbestos-
paste-board, moulding-sand or any other suitable substance. The thickness of
the layer formed out of the mixture mentioned is, of course, dependant on the size
of the rivet supposed, the latter have a diameter of about 17 millimeters, a length
of about 90 millimeters, and a weight of about 250 gramms, the thickness of said
layer should amount to about 4 millimeters, which is equal to a weight of about
135 gramms, about 30 of which are formed by aluminum. A rivet thus prepared
is shown in Figure 1.
The ignition of the mixture or mass may be initiated by a piece of magnesium-
band, but I prefer to make use of a special igniting-mass consisting of a pulverised
aluminum and of a compound containing oxygen, sulphur, or a halogen, and
adapted to easily give off this component. I name as examples of such compounds
baric peroxide and oxide of lead, but I wish it to be understood, that other com-
ponents of a similar property may be employed as well. The ignition of the igniting
mass itself may be effected either by a flame of any source or by a piece of
magnesium-band. The operation of igniting proceeds then as follows:
After the rivets or other parts to be heated are covered with one or the other
of the mixtures above-mentioned, and are prepared as above described, a small
quantity of the igniting-mass, preferably in the shape of a pill or similar body,
is placed upon the upper surface of the mixture, and is ignited so as to cause in
its turn the ignition of the mixture, and the commencement of the reaction
latter results in the formation of oxide, or sulphide, or halogenide, of aluminum,
whilst the respective metal separates in a molten state. This reaction proceeds
in very short a time (a minute or even less), and the rivets or other parts exposed
The

page_text: to the influence of the heat generated by, and during, said reaction get heated
up to the temperature requisite for allowing of their being deformed. If there
adhere residues to the rivets etc. they may easily be removed from the latter by
means of a hammer or other suitable tool.
It is obvious that the process may be carried out on nearly every place; neither
a coal-fire, nor an electric current, nor any other outer source of heat is requisite.
If larger pieces of metal, especially iron, are to be heated in the manner before
explained, there may be used crucibles of magnesium, for instance such as shown
in figure 2. Said crucibles may be produced by first shaping a suitable. piece
of wire-netting corresponding to the part to be heated, then covering the form
thus made with moisted magnesia, and letting the latter become dry. Hessian
crucibles and plumbago crucibles may also be used, but I prefer those of magnesia
because of their resistalsility against molting aluminic oxide; moreover, the
walls of such crucibles may be made as thick as one likes, and losses of heat can
thus effectively be avoided. To maintain the process, or the reaction respectively,
for a longer time fresh mixture may from time to time be added to the burning
one I have found it advantageous to form the mixture to be added into small
so-called briquettes. The process may well be rendered continuous by continually,
or intermittently, adding fresh mixture, or briquettes of the same respectively, to
the burning mass: rivets or other parts when sufficiently heated may then be
replaced by parts to be thus heated, and this may be repeated step by step. The
parts to be heated need thus be surrounded with the mass not from the beginning
but may be put into the mass whilst this latter is in full reaction. It is in this
case, it is true, more difficult to let the parts assume just the temperature necessary
for the kind of deformation intended, but this difficulty may well be done away
with by chosing the components of the mass, as well as the proportions of the com-
ponents in such a manner, that the temperature produced, or, more precisely, the
useful heat, is just that necessary for the kind of deformation intended for the
respective pieces of metal.
Special crucibles for the reception of the reaction-mass may be dispensed with
if the latter is mixed with a solution of a cementing-medium (for instance resin,
shellac, and the like), and is laid around the part to be heated in a moist state.
When dry, the mass represents a hard mantle which is not likely to fall off. This
mode of operation is specially suited for such cases in which crucibles and the
like prove inconvenient, and it allows of providing pieces of metal with the mass
a long time before use, or preparing them for store respectively.
The proportionally lowest temperature is obtained by the reaction with a sulphide,
for instance of lead or copper; the mass gets in such a case heated to redness only
whereas with oxygen-compounds temperatures may be reached that could up to now
be generated only by means of an electric arc.
There may be employed oxygen-, sulphur-, and halogen-compounds of any descrip-
tion: sand and glass-powder may also be used, as may also sulphates, such as
gypsum, and carbonates, such as marble. The aluminum or magnesium need not
be mixed with only one of the compounds mentioned up to this place of the present
specification, but two or more of the compounds, i.e. a mixture of them, may be
used as well; this depends partly on the degree of temperature required, partly
on whether or not the metal to be heated is to be prevented against the influence
of one or the other of a component of the mixture, or is, perhaps, in contrary
thereto, to be subjected to such an influence.
In general the components of a mixture of the kind in question are employed in
proportions corresponding to the law of constant proportion. An excess of a com-
ponent causes a reduction of the temperature, but this result may be brought about
also by inert bodies, for instance such as fluorspar, cryolite and the like, especially
if there is in the mixture a component with a great contents of oxygen. The
degree of temperature may, however, be determined or predetermined also by the
kind of bodies employed in the mixture, as afore mentioned.
In cases in which the cheapness of the mixture forms a particular important point,

page_text: I may compose the mixture either of aluminum and sand (silicic acid), or of
aluminum and gypsum, or of aluminum, gypsum, and sand. The mixture is in
such a case ignited preferably by aid of a special igniting mass, for instance by a
pill consisting of baric peroxide and pulverised aluminum. The pill itself may be
ignited by a blow-pipe or similar contrivance, instead of by a magnesium-band,
because the latter gets easily extinguished, or breaks off.
The metal-piece to be heated need not in any case be perfectly surrounded with
the mass, but may be covered with the same at a side only, as shown as examples
in figures 3 & 4. This modification of the method is especially suited for the union
of rods or bars. The free surfaces of the mixture may be covered with a layer
of moulding-sand, as represented in figure 3.
My novel method may also be used in combination with hard soldering, for
instance for connecting plates of sheet-copper, or fixing flanges or other parts to
such or other plates or sheets. In such a case, the reaction-mass is employed as
a substitute for a blast-furnace. The preparation of the metal pieces with borax
and hard solder is effected in the same way as otherwise.
The method may also be used for making defective pieces suited for use. This
is effected by covering the defective place or places with the reaction-mass, and
exposing them to the reaction, or to the heat generated during the same respectively,
so that the metal freed by the reaction, and separating in a fused state, flows upon
said place or places, and unites with the heated metal which is nearly fused. The
kind of mixture or mass should in such a case correspond to the kind of metal;
if, for instance, the latter is iron, the mixture or mass should be composed in such
a manner that the metal separating or freed is iron. If the quantity of the latter
does not, perhaps, suffice for filling up a cavity in the defective piece or part,
metallic iron may be admixed in a reduced state to the burning mass, so as to be
melted by the latter..
Repairing metal-parts in a similar way has up to now been made possible only
by electricity; but such an electric procedure necessitates a great electric plant,
and can therefore be executed only in a large workshop having all the devices and
contrivances requisite for the particular kind of work.
The novel method may further be employed for perforating plates of metal. In
such a case a column of the reaction-mass (encompassed by a layer of moulding-sand)
is put upon the place where a hole is to be made into or through (see figure 5),
and is ignited in any of the ways above stated. The hole is formed by removing
the metal from the respective place either by melting or by a punch; in the latter
case the heating of the metal is interrupted before the point of fusion is reachel.
In the whole, the modes of application of the method are manifold; it is obvious
that all the modes of application possible in engineering and industry cannot be
stated in the scope of a specification, and I wish it to be understood than I do not
limit myself to using my novel method only for special sorts of work. My inven-
tion resides in the composition of the reaction-mixture or reaction-mass, and in the
employment of the same for heating metals to be deformed in any manner, irre.
spective of what kind of deformation it may be, or by the co-operation of what
mechanical or other means the deformation may be effected. An important point
of my method resides in igniting the mixture or mass not at a time throughout its
whole bulk, but only at a portion or point, and in letting the reaction automatically
proceed, and propagate, upon the other or main-portion by the heat developed by
and during said initial reaction..
In finishing my specification I remark that a part of the aluminum may be re-.
placed by carbon, provided, the latter be not injurious for the respective kind of
metal treated, or kind of work intended.
T
1000
ROBERT DEISSLER
Engineer

page_text: Method of Heating Metals to be Welded, Forged, Soldered, Riveted,
Perforated, Bent, or the like.
I, ROBERT DEISSLER, of 2 Elsen Strasse, Treptow near Berlin, in the Kingdom
of Prussia, German Empire, Civil-Engineer 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:-
The characteristic feature of the method hereinafter described consists in heating
metals to be welded, forged, soldered, riveted, perforated, bent or the like, by means
of a chemical process, i.c. by the combustion of a metal of metals (such as aluminium,
magnesium; a mixture of aluminium with, or an alloy of aluminum and, mag-
nesium; a mixture of aluminum or magnesium with, or of aluminum or
magnesium and, another metal or other metals) in the presence of, or together with,
oxygen-compounds, halogen-compounds, or sulphur-compounds, of metals. By
using one or the other of the compounds mentioned I am enabled to regulate the
temperature to be generated according to any requirement.
To give an example of the manner in which my novel method is carried into
practice I will suppose that a rivet is to be heated. The rivet is surrounded with
a mixture of aluminium (preferably finely pulverised) and an oxygen compound
of metal, for instance ferric oxide; said mixture is firmly pressed around and
upon the rivet, and is preferably secured against. falling off by a mantle of asbestos-
paste-board, moulding-sand or any other suitable substance. The thickness of
the layer formed out of the mixture mentioned is, of course, dependant on the size
of the rivet; supposing, the latter have a diameter of about 17 millimeters, a length
of about 90 millimeters, and a weight of about 250 gramms, the thickness of said
layer should amount to about 4 millimeters, which is equal to a weight of about
135 gramms, about. 30 of which are formed by aluminium. A rivet thus prepared
is shown in figure 1 of the drawings left with the provisional specification.
The ignition of the mixture or mass may be started by a piece of magnesium-
ribbon, but I prefer to make use of a special igniting-mass consisting of pulverised
aluminium and of a compound containing oxygen, sulphur, or a halogen, and
adapted to easily give off one of these nonmetallic components. I name as examples
of such compounds baric peroxide and oxide of lead, but I wish it to be understood,
that other components of a similar property may be employed as well. The ignition
of the igniting mass itself may be effected either by a flame from any source or by a
piece of magnesium-ribbon. The operation of igniting proceeds then as follows:
After the rivets or other parts to be heated are covered with one or the other
of the mixtures above-mentioned, and are prepared as above described, a small
quantity of the igniting-mass, preferably in the shape of a pill or similar body,
is placed upon the upper surface of the mixture, and is ignited so as to cause in
its turn the ignition of the mixture, and the commencement of the reaction. The
latter results in the formation of oxide, or sulphide, or halogenide compound of
aluminium, whilst the respective metal separates in a molten state. This reaction pro-
ceeds in a very short time (a minute or even less), and the rivets or other parts ex-
posed to the influence of the heat generated by, and during, said reaction become
heated to the temperature requisite for allowing of their being treated as required. If
any residue adheres to the rivets etc., they may easily be removed from the latter
by means of a hammer or other suitable tool.
It is obvious that the process may be carried out at nearly every place; neither
a coal-fire, nor an electric current, nor any other outer source of heat being requisite.
If larger pieces of metal, more especially iron, are to be heated in the manner

page_text: afore explained, crucibles of magnesium may be employed, as for instance such as
shown in figure 2. Said crucibles may be produced by first shaping a suitable piece
of wire-netting corresponding to the part to be heated, then covering the form
thus made with moistened magnesia, and allowing the latter to become dry. Hessian
crucibles and plumbago crucibles may also be used, but I prefer those of magnesia
because of their resistability against melting aluminic oxide; moreover, the
walls of such crucibles may be made as thick as one likes, and losses of heat can
thus effectively be avoided. To maintain the process, or the reaction respectively,
for a longer time fresh mixture may from time to time be added to the burning
one; I have found it advantageous to form the mixture to be added into small
so-called briquettes. The process may well be rendered continuous by continually,
or intermittently, adding fresh mixture, or briquettes of the same respectively, to
the burning mass; rivets or other parts when sufficiently heated may then be
replaced by other objects, to be thus heated, and this may be repeated step by step.
The parts to be heated need not thus be surrounded with the mass from the beginning
but may be put into the mass whilst this latter is in full reaction. It is in this
case, it is true, more difficult to cause the objects to reach just the temperature
necessary for the kind of deformation intended, but this difficulty may well bo
obviated by chosing the components of the mass, as well as the proportions of the
components in such a manner, that the temperature produced, or, more precisely, the
useful heat, is just that necessary for the kind of deformation intended for
the respective pieces of metal.
Special crucibles for the reception of the reaction-mass may be dispensed with
if the latter is mixed with a solution of a cementing-medium (for instance resin,
shellac, and the like), and is laid around the part to be heated in a moist state.
When dry, the mass represents a hard mantle which is not likely to fall off. This
mode of operation is specially suited for such cases in which crucibles and the
like prove inconvenient, and it allows of providing pieces of metal with the mass
a long time before use, or preparing them for store respectively.
The proportionally lowest temperature is obtained by the reaction with a sulphide,
for instance of lead or copper; the mass gets in such a case heated to redness only
whereas with oxygen-compounds temperatures may be reached that could up to now
be generated only by means of an electric arc.
Oxygen-, sulphur- and halogen-compounds of any description may be employed,
also sand and glass-powder may be used, as may also sulphates, such as gypsum,
and carbonates, such as marble. The aluminium or magnesium need not
be mixed with only one of the compounds heretofore mentioned in, the present
specification, but two or more of the compounds, i.e. a mixture of them, may be
used as well; this depends partly on the degree of temperature required, partly
on whether or not the metal to be heated is to be prevented against the influence of
one or the other of a component of the mixture, or is, perhaps, in contrary thereto,
to be subjected to such an influence.
In general the components of a mixture of the kind in question are employed in
proportions corresponding to the law of constant. proportion. An excess of a com-
ponent causes a reduction of the temperature, but this result may be brought about
also by inert bodies, for instance such as fluorspar, cryolite and the like, especially
if there is in the mixture a component containing a large proportion of oxygen. The
degree of temperature may, however, be determined or predetermined also by the
kind of bodies employed in the mixture, as afore mentioned.
In cases in which the cheapness of the mixture is of especial importance, I
may compose the mixture either of aluminium and sand (silicic acid), or of aluminium
and gypsum, or of aluminium, gypsum, and sand. The mixture in such a case is
ignited preferably by aid of a special igniting mass, for instance by a pill con-
sisting of baric peroxide and pulverised aluminium. The pill itself may be ignited
by a blow-pipe or similar contrivance, instead of by a magnesium-ribbon, because
the latter is easily extinguished, or breaks off.
The metal-piece to be heated need not in any case be entirely surrounded with

page_text: the mass, but may be covered with the same on one side only, as shown in examples
in figures 3 & 4. This modification of the method is especially suited for the union
of rods or bars. The free surfaces of the mixture may be covered with a layer
of moulding-sand, as represented in figure 3.
My novel method may also be used in combination with hard soldering, for
instance for connecting plates of sheet-copper, or fixing flanges or other parts to
such or other plates or sheets. In such a case, the reaction-mass is employed as
a substitute for a blast-furnace. The preparation of the metal pieces with borax
and hard solder is effected in the same way as otherwise.
The method may also be used for making defective pieces suited for use. This
is effected by covering the defective place or places with the reaction-mass, and
exposing them to the reaction, or to the heat generated during the same respectively,
so that the metal freed by the reaction, and separating in a fused state, flows on to
said place or places, and unites with the heated metal which is nearly fused. The
components of the mixture or mass should in such a case correspond to the kind of
metal to be welded,; if, for instance, the latter is iron, the mixture or mass should
be composed in such manner that the metal separating or freed is iron. If the
quantity of the latter does not, perhaps, suffice for filling up a cavity in the defective
piece or part, metallic iron in a reduced state may be added and admixed to the
burning mass, so as to be melted by the latter.
Repairing metal-parts in a similar way has up to now been made possible only
by electricity; but such an electric procedure necessitates a great electric plant,
and can therefore be executed only in a large workshop having all the devices and
contrivances requisite for the particular kind of work.
The novel method may further be employed for perforating plates of metal. In
such a case a column of the reaction-mass (encompassed by a layer of moulding-sand)
is put upon the place where a hole is to be made into or through (see figure 5),
and is ignited by any of the methods hereinbefore set forth. The hole is formed by
removing the metal from the respective place either by melting or by a punch:
in the latter case the heating of the metal is interrupted before the point of fusion
is reached.
In general it should be stated, that modifications in the application of my im-
provements, or improved method are manifold; it is obvious that all the variations
that are possible as to its application in engineering and allied scientific and mech-
anical industry cannot be stated in the scope of a specification and I wish it to be
understood, that I do not limit myself to using my novel method for special work only.
My invention resides in the composition of the reaction-mixture or reaction-mass,
and in the employment of same for heating metals to be treated in any manner,
as hereinbefore detailed, irrespective of what kind of deformation it may be, or by
the co-operation of what mechanical or other means the deformation may be
effected. An important point of my method resides in igniting the mixture or mass
not immediately or simultaneously throughout its whole bulk, but that merely a
portion of the same may be ignited, on this ignition effected from a given point,
thus causing or allowing the reaction to extend upon the other or main-portion
by the heat developed by and during said initial reaction.
Finally I remark that a part of the aluminium may be replaced by carbon, pro-
vided, the latter be not injurious to the respective kind of metal treated, or kind of
work to be effected.
1
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. The method of heating metallic objects to be welded, forged, soldered,.
riveted, perforated, bent or the like, such method being characterised by the
metallic objects being brought in contact with a mixture, consisting for a part of
aluminium, magnesium or of one or both of these substances together, and for the
other part of an oxide, a sulphide or a salt, or of two or all of these substances

page_text: together; the respective substances in a divided state prior to use and the mixture
of them being adapted to generate during its endothermic reaction the heat
necessary for the respective treatment of the metallic objects, as set forth.
2. The method of heating metallic objects to be welded, forged, soldered,
riveted, perforated, bent, or the like, such method being characterised by first
bringing the metallic objects in contact with a mixture consisting for a part
of aluminium, magnesium, or of one or both of these substances together; and
for the other part of an oxide, a sulphide, or a salt, or of two of or all these sub-
stances in a divided state prior to use, and a mixture of them being adapted to
generate during its endothermic reaction the heat necessary for the respective
treatment of the metallic objects, as set forth.
3. The method of heating metallic objects to be welded, forged, soldered,
riveted, perforated, bent or the like, such method being characterised by first
bringing the metallic objects in contact with a mixture consisting for a part
of aluminium, magnesium, or of one or both of these substances together; and
for the other part of an oxide, a sulphide, or a salt, or of two of or all these sub-
stances together; and, second, heating a small portion of the mixture to the
temperature of reaction, and transfering this temperature and reaction successively
and automatically to the adjacent parts of the mixture, and thus igniting the whole
mass by the parts being already in reaction, as set forth.
4. The method of heating metallic objects to be welded, forged, soldered,
riveted, perforated, bent or the like, such method being characterised by first
bringing the metallic objects in contact with a mixture, consisting for a part
of aluminium, magnesium, or of one or both of these substances together; and
for the other part of an oxide, a sulphide or a salt, or of two of, or all these sub-
stances together; and second, igniting the mixture by aid of a similar mixture
adapted to come more easily in reaction, as set forth.
5. The method of heating metallic objects to be welded, forged, soldered,
riveted, perforated, bent or the like, such method being characterised by first
bringing the metallic objects in contact with the mixture, consisting for a part of
aluminium, magnesium, or of one or both of these substances together, and for the
other part of an oxide, a sulphide, or a salt, or of two of, or all these substances
together: and, second, igniting the mixture by the aid of an auxiliary mixture
composed of pulverised aluminium and peroxide of barium, as set forth.
6. The method of heating metallic objects to be welded, forged, soldered,
riveted, perforated, bent or the like, such method being characterised by the
metallic objects being enclosed within, a mixture consisting for a part of aluminum
magnesium, or of one of or both these substances together, and for the other part
of an oxide, a sulphide, or a salt, or of two of, or all these substances together
and, finally, of a cementing medium for the respective substances; said substances
in a divided state prior to use, and the mixture of them being adapted to generate
during its endothermic reaction, the heat necessary for the respective treatment
of the metallic objects, as set forth.
7. The method of heating metallic objects to be welded, forged, soldered,
riveted, perforated, bent or the like, such method being characterised by first
bringing the metallic objects in contact with the mixture consisting for a part of
aluminum, magnesium, or of one of or both of these substances together, and for the
other part of an oxide, a sulphide, or a salt, or of two of or all these substances
together; second, heating the mixture to the temperature of reaction, and, third.
adding fresh mixture to that being already in reaction, so as to lengthen the time of
reaction as necessary for the respective treatment of the metallic objects, as set
forth.
8. The method of heating metallic objects to be melted, welded, forged, soldered,
riveted, perforated, bent or the like, such method being characterised by the
metallic objects being brought in contact with a mixture consisting for a part of
aluminium or magnesium, or of one or both of these substances together, and for
the other part of an oxide, a sulphide, or a salt, or of two or all these substances

page_text: together, the respective substances in a divided state prior to use, and second, heating
a small portion of the mixture to the temperature of reaction, the mixture being
adapted to generate during its endothermic re-action, the heat necessary for the
separation of a metal in a molten state added to, or extracted from the mixture,
for the purpose of soldering or otherwise repairing, faulty places in the metals,
as set forth."
Dated this 21st dor of Anoush 1907
ROBERT DEISSLER
Civil-Engineer and Patent Agent,
Business Address; 38, Alexander Strasse, Belin, C., Germany.