IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING COPPER, ZINC, TIN, AND THEIR COMPOUNDS, AND IN OBTAINING METALLIC COMPOUNDS OR ALLOYS SUITABLE FOR VARIOUS USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL PURPOSES
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew Linmere Dowie, of Glasgow, in the
County of Lanark, North Britain, Merchant, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING COPPER, ZINC, TIN, AND THEIR COMPOUNDS,
AND IN OBTAINING METALLIC COMPOUNDS OR ALLOYS SUITABLE FOR VARIOUS
USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL PURPOSES."
Sealed the 8th October 1870, and dated the 16th April 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew Linmere Dowie
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 16th April 1870.
I, ANDREW LINMERE DOWIE, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
3 North Britain, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING COPPER, ZINC, TIN, AND THEIR
COMPOUNDS, AND IN OBTAINING METALLIC COMPOUNDS OR ALLOYS SUITABLE
FOR VARIOUS USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL PURPOSES," to be as follows, that is
to say:
This Invention has principally for its object the obtaining of various
metallic compounds or alloys possessing properties adapting them in a

page_text: superior manner and very advantageously as compared with ordinary
metallic compounds of the same and in some cases of greater cost for
various useful and ornamental purposes.
And in carrying out the Invention copper, zinc, tin, and their com-
pounds are subjected to improved treatment, which facilitates their
combination in proportions differing from any hitherto adopted and in a
manner to yield quite novel and superior results.
In making a compound which may be designated No. 1, according to
this Invention, 12 pounds clean copper and 32 pounds old brass are
melted together in a crucible in a brassfounder's melting furnace, or in
any other suitable furnace heated with coke and coal in the proportion
of one part coke to two coal. When the metals are melted 2 ounces
sodium chloride or rock salt are added in a granular or powdered state
and afterwards 4 pounds tin. The mixture is kept well stirred whilst
36 pounds clean zinc are gradually added to it, and the crucible is kept
closed thereafter for about 5 minutes; there is then added an intimate
mixture consisting of 1 ounce potassium nitrate and ounce pearlash,
and afterwards an intimate mixture of ½ ounce carbolic acid and ounce
manganese; the mixture is then cooled or partially cooled and remelted,
and there is added an intimate mixture consisting of ounce ammonium
carbonate and ounce tartar; the whole is then maintained steadily
for a few minutes at a heat sufficient to keep it quite fluid, but without
burning it, when it can be run into moulds.
For compound No. 2, melt 32 pounds clean copper and add 2 ounces
sodium chloride or rock salt, or 1 pound oyster or other marine shells.
Keep well stirred and add gradually 32 pounds clean zinc, and afterwards
from 2 to 4 pounds tin according to hardness required; then add an
intimate mixture of 1 ounce potassium nitrate and ounce pearlash,
in five minutes afterwards add an intimate mixture of ounce ammo-
nium carbonate and ounce carbolic acid; stir well and cast or run
into bars.
For compound No. 3, melt 11 pounds clean copper with 4 pounds
compound No. 1, and add gradually and whilst stirring 15 pounds clean
zinc, afterwards add an intimate mixture of ounce potassium nitrate
and ounce manganese; stir for a few minutes and cast, remelt, add
an intimate mixture of ounce potassium nitrate and ounce manganese,
and afterwards add ounce tartaric acid.

page_text: For compound No. 4, melt 26 pounds clean copper and add gradually
with stirring 20 pounds clean zinc; then add an intimate mixture of
1 ounce potassium nitrate and 1 ounce manganese; maintain in a
liquid state for a few minutes but without burning, and keep stired.
Add as a flux an intimate mixture of ounce borax and ounce tartar,
and run into bars. After solidifying remelt, and add gradually with
stiring 6 pounds clean zinc, and then an intimate mixture of 1 ounce
potassium nitrate and 1 ounce manganese; keep stirred for some minutes
and cast.
For compound No. 5, melt 24 pounds clean copper and add gradually
with stiring 18 pounds clean zinc; then add an intimate mixture of 2
ounces potassium nitrate and 2 ounces manganese; stir well and cast.
If wanted hard, remelt after cooling, and add an intimate mixture of
1 ounce carbolic acid and ounce ammonium carbonate; stir well and
cast, using hellebore as a flux if necessary.
For compound No. 6, melt 3 pounds clean copper with 4 pounds old
brass, and gradually add with stiring 3½ pounds clean zinc; then add
ounce bismuth or its oxide, and afterwards 31 pounds clean zinc,
finishing with ounce tartaric acid.
Compounds Nos. 4, 5, and 6 may be run into water and be remelted
with advantage.
Compounds Nos. 3 and 5 melted and mixed in equal proportions make
a suitable metal for heavy bushes and bearings.
Compounds Nos. 2 and 4 melted and mixed in equal proportions make
a useful intermediate metal.
Compounds Nos. 1, 2, and 3 make good bell metals when remelted
with the addition of an intimate mixture of ounce potassium nitrate
and from to ounce manganese, being fluxed, if required, with
ammonium carbonate and borax or with hellebore and tartar. No. 1
may
have 2 pounds clean copper added to it; Nos. 2 and 3 may be
mixed in equal proportions.
In making any of the compounds the zinc or zinc and tin may be
melted separately and be poured quickly into the crucible instead of
being put in in the solid state and added gradually as described.
In cases where a certain amount of hardness or brittleness is wanted

page_text: antimony or its oxide may be added to the extent of from 1 to 5 per
centum of the total mixture. Oxide of manganese may be substituted
for manganese in any of the compounds; similarly soda salts may be
substituted for the potash salts.
Compounds Nos. 1 and 3 are very suitable amongst other things for 5
bushes and bearings.
Compound No. 5 is suitable for tubes and other articles requiring
toughness and strength.
Compound No. 2, which is silver-colored, and compound No. 4, which
is gold-colored, are very suitable for ornamental purposes as they are 1
susceptible of a high polish and do not tarnish easily.
The proportions of the various ingredients may be slightly modified,
but those herein-before specified are preferred.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Andrew Linmere Dowie in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 15th October 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ANDREW
LINMERE DOWIE, of Glasgow, County of Lanark, North Britain,
Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-third
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Andrew Linmere Dowie, Her special
licence that I, the said Andrew Linmere Dowie, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Andrew Linmere
Dowie, executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING COPPER, ZINC, TIN, AND THEIR COMPOUNDS, AND

page_text: IN OBTAINING METALLIC COMPOUNDS OR ALLOYS SUITABLE FOR VARIOUS USEFUL
AND ORNAMENTAL PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Andrew Linmere Dowie, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Andrew Linmere Dowie, do hereby
declare the nature of my said 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 has principally for its object the obtaining of various
metallic compounds of the same and in some cases of greater cost for
various useful and ornamental purposes.
In carrying out the Invention copper, zinc, tin, and their compounds
are subjected to improved treatment, which facilitates their combination
in proportions differing from any hitherto adopted, and in a manner to
yield quite novel and superior results.
In making a compound which may be designated No. 1, according
to this Invention, 12 lbs. clean copper & 32 lbs. old brass are melted
together in a crucible in a brassfounder's melting furnace, or in any other
suitable furnace, heated with coke and coal in the proportion of one
part coke to two of coal. When the metals are melted 2 ounces sodium
chloride or rock salt are added in a granular or powdered state, and
afterwards 4 pounds tin. The mixture is kept well stirred whilst
36 lbs. clean zinc are gradually added to it, and the crucible is kept
closed thereafter for about 5 minutes; there is then added an intimate
mixture consisting of 1 ounce potassium nitrate and ½ ounce pearlash,
and afterwards an intimate mixture of ½ ounce carbolic acid and ½ ounce
manganese; the mixture is then cooled or partially cooled and remelted;
there is added an intimate mixture consisting of ½ ounce ammonium
carbonate and ½ ounce tartar; the whole is then maintained steadily for
a few minutes at a heat sufficient to keep it quite fluid without burning
it, when it can be run into moulds.

page_text: For compound No. 2, melt 32 pounds clean copper and add 2 ounces
sodium chloride or rock salt, or 1 lb. oyster or other marine shells. Keep
well stirred and add gradually 32 pounds clean zinc, and afterwards
from 2 to 4 pounds tin according to hardness required; then add an
intimate mixture of 1 ounce potassium nitrate and ½ ounce pearlash; in
five minutes afterwards add an intimate mixture of ½ ounce ammonium
carbonate and ½ ounce carbolic acid, stir well, and cast or run into
bars.
For compound No. 3, melt 11 lbs. clean copper with 4 pounds com-
pound No. 1, and add gradually & whilst stirring 15 pounds clean zinc,
afterwards add an intimate mixture of ½ ounce potassium nitrate and
½ ounce manganese; stir for a few minutes and cast, remelt, and add an
intimate mixture of ½ ounce potassium nitrate and ½ ounce manganese,
and afterwards add ½ ounce tartaric acid.
For compound No. 4, melt 26 pounds clean copper, and add gradually
with stirring 20 pounds clean zinc; then add an intimate mixture of
1½ ounces potassium nitrate and 3 ounce manganese; maintain in a
liquid state for a few minutes but without burning & keep stirred, add
as a flux an intimate mixture of ½ ounce borax & ½ ounce tartar and
run into bars; after solidifying remelt and add gradually with stirring
6 lbs. clean zinc, and then an intimate mixture of 1 ounce potassium
nitrate and 1 ounce manganese; keep stirred for some minutes and cast.
For compound No. 5, melt 24 lbs. clean copper and add gradually
with stirring 18 pounds clean zinc; then add an intimate mixture of
2 ounces potassium nitrate and 2 ounces manganese; stir well and cast.
If wanted hard remelt after cooling, and add an intimate mixture of
1 ounce carbolic acid and 1 ounce ammonium carbonate; stir well and
cast, using hellebore as a flux if necessary.
For compound No. 6, melt 3 pounds clean copper with 4 pounds
old brass, and gradually add with stirring 3 pounds clean zinc; then
add 1 ounce bismuth or its oxide, and afterwards 3 lbs. clean zinc,
finishing with 1½ ounce tartaric acid.
Compounds No. 4, 5, & 6 may be run into water and be remelted
with advantage.
Compounds No. 3 & 5 melted and mixed in equal proportions make
a suitable metal for heavy bushes and bearings.

page_text: Compounds No. 2 & 4 melted and mixed in equal proportions make
a useful intermediate metal.
Compounds No. 1, 2, & 3 make good bell metals when remelted with
the addition of an intimate mixture of ½ ounce potassium nitrate, and
from ¼ to ½ ounce manganese, being fluxed if required by ammonium
carbonate and borax or with helebore and tartar. No. 1 may have
2 pounds clean copper added to it; Nos. 2 & 3 may be mixed in equal
proportions.
In making any of the compounds the zinc or zinc & tin may be
melted separately and be poured quickly into the crucible instead of
being put in in the solid state and added gradually as described.
In cases where a certain amount of hardness or brittleness is wanted
antimony or its oxide may be added to the extent of from 1 to 5 per
centum of the total mixture. Oxide of manganese may be substituted
for manganese in any of the compounds; similarly soda salts may be
substituted for the potash salts.
Compounds Nos. 1 & 3 are very suitable amongst other things for
bushes & bearings.
Compound No. 5 is suitable for tubes and other articles requiring
toughness and strength.
Compound No. 2, which is silver coloured, and compound No. 4, which
is gold coloured, are very suitable for ornamental purposes as they are
susceptible of a high polish and do not tarnish easily.
I now proceed to describe more particularly the methods I prefer to
use in practically carrying out my Invention without restricting myself
to the precise details of manipulation or compounds stated, as these
may be considerably modified in the numerous branches of the trade
to which my Invention is applicable. I give as examples what I have
found to answer well for a few of the purposes to which I have already
applied my Invention.
In certain circumstances the copper, zinc, tin, or their compounds
may either be kept in a melted state throughout the entire process
(excepting the final remelting) or they may be subjected to repeated
meltings, constituting separate stages in the process according to this
Invention as illustrated in the said compounds Nos. 1 to 6. Or the
copper and old brass, or the zinc and tin, may be fused in separate

page_text: suited for each of the
Instead of the crucibles
crucibles, and treated with the chemicals
different purposes they are to be used for.
air furnaces having suitable openings to receive the different metals in
a melted state whereby they may be mixed together may be adopted.
The said openings are also intended for introducing rods to stir the
metals, as previously described. The fuel employed may be charcoal,
coke, or other fuel ordinarily used for melting brass.
One way of carrying out my Invention is to form a stock metal
suitable without further treatment for some purposes, but which having
been prepared with such a view may at any time be remelted with any
suitable metal or metals to form a particular alloy or compound. I now
procced to detail one modification for forming such a stock metal as an
example of the application of my improvements. Compound No. 1, as
already described, may be used as a stock metal, and on being remelted
from five to one hundred per centum of copper may be added in a state
of fusion in the second or compounding process. Or the said stock
metal on being fused may be run into the copper, or the copper &
stock metal may be melted together, or other metal or metals, such as
old brass, gun metal, or any compounds of like nature having similar
properties. From two to five per centum of antimony may be introduced
with or in place of the tin. The chemicals in all cases to be the same
for any metals fused or run into the stock metal as No. 1, and in the
same proportion of the new metals added, but in circumstances where
the quality requires to be changed, such as to make metal for bushes,
bells, and heavy bearings, the proportions of the ingredients must be
varied in practise. But by way of example a compound extremely well
suited amongst other things for bushes for high speed, bells, and such
like is made in the following proportions:-Copper twelve pounds, old
brass or gun metal thirty-three pounds, spelter thirty-two pounds, tin
four & a half pounds; the old brass and copper to be melted together, and
the spelter and tin to be fused and run into the crucible or air furnace and
properly stirred together. This being done I add one ounce nitrate of
potass and one-half ounce carbolic acid in union, and on being well stirred
quarter of an ounce carbonate of soda and quarter of an ounce of man-
ganese; I then run the compound into bars or moulds for further use as
a stock metal. This can be remelted with fresh copper making different
qualities of metals in proportion to the amount of copper used, by adding

page_text: five pounds at a time up to 25 pounds, according to hardness or strength
required, or the metals being fused the second time I add 1 ounce of
nitre and ounce of pearlash. But I wish it to be understood that any
other chemicals having the same or similar properties may be substituted,
although I prefer to use those stated above.
I now point out some other modifications of my Invention and of their
application in practise. I take of old brass, gun metal, or such like
compounds one hundred per centum, and of new copper one hundred
p. centum, and fuse them together. On being melted I add one per
cent. of rock salt and of carbonate of potassium ground together;
I next add from 4 to 15 per cent. of new tin. Five minutes there-
after I add ground together one-sixteenth per cent. of nitrate of
potassium and one-sixteenth per cent. of ammonia for every five per cent.
of tin used. On being well stirred I add in a melted state 50 per
cent. of zinc or spelter, and stir two-sixteenths per cent. of a mixture
of tartar and cream of tartar, together with one to two sixteenths per
cent. each of pearlash and prussiate of potassium if hardness is wanted.
Finally it must be maintained at a moderate heat for about ten minutes,
taking care that it is not burned, being well stirred and skimmed. I
cast into moulds or bars to be used as a stock metal or otherwise with
any of the other alloys or metals to form any compound required.
Nitrate of sodium, or strontium, or of barium may be substituted for
the nitrate of potassium as vice versa in any of the preceding examples.
Scrap tinned iron plate may be used instead of the tin as given in this
example.
I will now give in detail the processes for treating the copper that is
to be used or melted with any of the alloys or compounds herein-before
described. I take a convenient quantity of copper and put it into an air
furnace with from five to ten per cent. (by weight) of oyster or other
marine shells mixed in the ordinary way with the fuel in use for smelting
purposes. When the metal is thoroughly melted I add one-fourth per
cent. of carbonate of potassium. After being stirred I tap it and I
cast it into bars or ingots, or it may be run into an air furnace or into
crucibles where the alloy is already fused to form the compound required.
Or the copper thus prepared by alloying it with the prepared metal
given as compound No. 1 a good bell metal is obtained, and bells having
different sounds can be produced of the same size and out of the same

page_text: moulds by alloying with the prepared metal quantities ranging from five
to thirty per cent. of the copper with one hundred per cent. of the
metal alloy or compound No. 1 by five pounds at a time according to
tone required. Tartar or cream of tartar having one-fourth of pearl-
ash may be used as a flux of about one to two sixteenths per centum, or
pearlash or borax mixed up in sawdust wood may be substituted as a flux.
I take one hundred pounds of the alloy or compound No. 4 previously
described, and on being fused or melted I add from five to fifty per
centum of the prepared copper herein-after described in fusion. I then
add one-sixteenth per cent. of iodine and a fourth per cent. of oxide
of manganese ground up together for every twenty-five per cent. of
the copper added. This makes a beautiful bronze metal of a fine gold
colour suited for many useful purposes. No. 5 compound previously
described may also be treated in the same way as No. 4 given above,
but I prefer to use one-sixteenth per centum of bismuth instead of
iodine with one-fourth per centum of oxide of manganese and ammonium
ground together in union. The metals in all cases must be well stirred
with an iron rod having copper attached to its lower end, the copper
end being introduced to stir the compounds. An iron rod may be used
where the color of the metal is of no consequence.
Bromine or
chloride of iodine may be substituted for the iodine, and manganese
for the oxyde of manganese. No. 5 compound treated in this way makes
a strong gun metal, and is therefore well suited for heavy bearings, guns,
and such like purposes.
What is herein-before termed prepared copper, as also what is termed
stock metal, or any of the alloys or compounds of prepared copper, with
other metals or alloys may be used for both large and small castings.
When used for large castings the metals may be melted in an air
furnace and treated as ordinary brass and cast into moulds either of
metal, green or dry sand, prepared clay or loam.
I also wish it to be understood that the various alloys or metallic
compounds herein-before described are specially suitable for the purposes
given as examples of their application, but alloys other than those
described in which copper, zinc, tin, or their compounds are chemically
treated in fusion by my processes can be made for a great many other
purposes besides those enumerated substantially in the manner herein-
before described.

page_text: Having now described and ascertained the nature and object of my
said Invention, and explained the means which I propose to employ in
carrying the various improvements into effect in practice, I hereby
further declare that I do not absolutely restrict myself to the precise
details of ingredients employed as chemical agents nor to the mani-
pulation of the same in fusing or compounding, as the details of both
may be modified, and for chemicals others having like properties may
be substituted in practice without departing from the principles herein
exemplified and upon which the said improvements are based.
In witness whereof, I, the said Andrew Linmere Dowie, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of October, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & seventy.
ANDREW LINMERE DOWIE. (L.S.)