IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTING METALS AND METALLIC VESSELS FROM THE INJURIOUS ACTION OF OTHER METALS WHEN AT A HIGH TEMPERATURE.
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Michael Holroyd Smith, of Halifax, in the County of
York, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTING METALS
AND METALLIC VESSELS FROM THE INJURIOUS ACTION OF OTHER METALS WHEN
AT A HIGH TEMPERATURE.'
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Michael Holroyd Smith at
the Office of the Commissioners of l'atents on the 2nd December 1879.
MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH, of Halifax, in the County of York, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTING METALS AND METALLIC VESSELS FROM THE
INJURIOUS ACTION OF OTHER METALS WHEN AT A HIGH TEMPERATURE."
This Invention consists in protecting iron and steel from the injurious action of
or action on other metals with which they may be brought in contact while either
one or both of the inetals are in a heated state by providing such iron or steel with
a coating of magnetic or black oxide of iron. This coating may be formed upon
the metal in any manner which may be found efficacious. It is a well known fact
that the effect of superheated steam upon iron is to convert the surface of the iron
into magnetic or black oxide of iron. I find therefore that this coating may be
conveniently formed upon the metal by placing the articles to be coated in a
partially or wholly closed chamber or furnace, so constructed that its internal
temperature may be raised by means of external heat; the articles being so placed
that they are heated until their temperature is such that they are capable of causing
the decomposition of any steam or aqueous vapour with which they may be brought
in contact; if steam or aqueous vapour is now allowed to play upon or circulate
around the articles a coating of magnetic oxide of iron will be formed upon the
surface of the metal. If it is considered undesirable to lieat the articles to be
coated they may be simply placed in a chamber, either wholly or partially closed,
super-heated steam being allowed to play upon or circulate around said articles
until the coating has been produced. By the use of this Invention tanks, cisterns,
baths, ladles, and similar articles made of iron or steel, which are intended to
contain molten zinc, lead, tin, or kindred metals are made more durable, and at the
same time the inolten metals are kept pure because the coating of magnetic oxide
prevents amalgamation of the molten metals with the iron or steel. This fact
renders the Invention of great practical use in the ordinary galvanizing processes
in which, as now carried on, the iron tanks are rapidly worn or eaten away by the
action of the contained molten spelter, which spelter is also seriously deteriorated
by the amalgamation of the iron therewith.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Michael Holroyd Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st
June 1880.
MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH, of Halifax, in the County of York, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTING METALS AND METALLIC VESSELS FROM THE
INJURIOUS ACTION OF OTHER METALS WHEN AT A HIGH TEMPERATURE."
This Invention consists in protecting iron and steel from the injurious action of
or action on other metals with which they may be brought in contact while either
one or both of the metals are in a heated state, such protection being afforded by
providing the iron or steel with a coating of magnetic or black oxide of iron. This
coating may be formed upon the metal in any manner which may be found
efficacious. It is a well known fact that the effect of superheated steam upon iron
is to convert the surface of the iron into magnetic or black oxide of iron. I find
therefore that this coating may be conveniently formed upon the metal by placing the
articles to be coated in a partially or wholly closed chamber or furnace, so
constructed that its internal temperature may be raised by means of external heat;
the articles being so placed that they are heated until their temperature is such
that they are capable of causing the decomposition of any steam or aqueous vapour
with which they may be brought in contact; if steam or aqueous vapour is now
allowed to play upon or circulate around the articles a coating of magnetic oxide of
iron will be formed upon the surface of the metal. If it is considered undesirable
to heat the articles to be coated they may be simply placed in a chamber, either
wholly or partially closed, superheated steam being allowed to play upon or
circulate around said articles until the coating has been produced.
•
By the use of this Invention tanks, cisterns, baths, ladles, and similar articles
made of iron or steel, which are intended to contain molten zinc, lead, tin, or
kindred metals are made more durable, and at the same time, the molten metals
are kept pure because the coating of magnetic oxide prevents amalgamation of the
molten metals with the iron or stecl.
This fact renders the Invention of great practical use in the ordinary galvanizing
processes, in which ns now carried on the iron tanks are rapidly worn or eaten
away by the action of the contained molten spelter, which spelter is also seriously
deteriorated by the amalgamation of the iron therewith.
I do not broadly clain the conting of iron or steel surfaces with oxide of iron
by the process herein before set forth for the purpose of protecting such metals
from rust or corrosion, but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent
is,-
The herein before described improvements in protecting iron or steel tanks,
cisterns, baths, ladles, and similar articles from the injurious action of or action on
molten zinc, lead, tin, or kindred metals, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Michael Holroyd Smith, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord
M. HOLROYD SMITH. (LS.)