IMPROVEMENTS IN COATING OR COVERING IRON WITH LEAD
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Anthony Graham, of 66 Coleman Street, in the
City of London, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COATING OR COVERING
IRON WITH LEAD"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Anthony Graham at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th November 1882.
JAMES ANTHONY GRAHAM, of 66 Coleman Strect, in the City of London,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COATING OR COVERING IRON WITH LEAD"
The object of my Invention is to coat or cover the surface of iron with a layer
of lead of any desired thickness, for the purpose of protecting the iron from the.
action of water or any chemicals which have the power of attacking iron, bub
which have little or no action upon lead, in such a manner that the two metals shall
be firmly united together.
The surface of the iron to be coated is first thoroughly cleansed from oxyde or
other impurities by any of the well known methods, aftor which the piece of iron
is placed preferably on a level surface in a heating chamber, or it may be heated
from the under side.
A strong solution of what is commonly known as chloride of zinc (which may
be acid or neutral) is caused to flow on to the surface to be coated, so as to
completely cover the same, and the iron is then raised to a slightly higher
temperature than that required to melt lead.
Molten lead is then poured on the surface to be coated, and the temperature
maintained until the chlorides (which are visible on the surface in the form of a
acum) cease to rise.
This operation may be hastened by agitating the molten lead by any suitable
means,
The piece of iron is then allowed to cool, when the lead will be found solidified
and firmly attached to the surface of the iron.
The surface of the lead is then washed in order to remove the chlorides, and if
desired the coated metal may be passed through rollers so as to give a uniform and
homogeneous surface to the lead covering.
When desired to make a lead joint between two iron surfaces, the surfaces will
be treated in a similar manner and the lead caused to adhere to both as above
described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Anthony Graham in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th May 1883.
JAMES ANTHONY GRAHAM, of 66 Coleman Street, in the City of London,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COATING OR COVERING IRON WITH LEAD
"
The object of my Invention is to coat or cover the surface of iron with a layer
of lead of any desired thickness, for the purpose of protecting the iron from-the
action of water or of any chemicals which have the power of attacking iron, but
which have little or no action upon lead, in such a manner that the two metals shall
be firmly united together.
The surface of the iron to be coated is first thoroughly cleansed from oxyde or
other impurities by any of the well known methods, after which the piece of iron
is placed preferably on a level surface in a heating chamber, or it may be heated
from the under sido.
A strong solution of what is commonly known as chloride of zinc (which may
be acid or neutral) is caused to flow on to the surface to be coated,..so as to
completely cover the same, and the iron is then raised to a slightly higher
temperature than that required to melt lead.
- Molten lead-is then poured on to the surface to be coated, and the temperature
maintained until the chlorides (which are visible-on the surface in the form of a.
Bcum) cease to rise,
This operation may be hastened by agitating the molten lead by any suitable-
means.
The piece of iron is then allowed to cool, when the lead will be found solidified
and firmly attached to the surface of the iron.
The surface of the lead is then washed in order to remove the chlorides, and if
desired the coated metal may be passed through rollers or otherwise subjected to
pressure, or beaten so as to give a uniform and homogeneous surface to the lead
covering.
I wish it to be understood that by the word iron, I desire to include any of the
various forms or conditions which such metal may assumo, such for example as in
its treatment by any suitable process for the production of steel, and the application
of my invention will not be materially affected by any particular condition of the
metal, even when alloyed with other metals, in which latter case it will only be
necessary to treat the surface to be coated with lead, so that a practically pure
surface of iron may be exposed to the action of the chloride of zinc.
When it is necessary to coat a surface of iron that cannot conveniently be placed
in a horizontal position, means will have to be provided whereby the lead may be
retained in its position whilst in the molten state, and until it has become solid.
When desired to make a lead joint between two iron surfaces, the surfaces will
be treated in a similar manner and the lead caused to adhere to both as above
described.
Instead of using a solution of chloride of zinc, the same may be applied in a
solid form, and after it has been fused the lead might also be placed on the heated
surface to be coated, in a solid form if desired.
Having described the nature of my invention I wish it to be understood that I
do not confine myself to any special mode of carrying the same into effect, but
what I claim is :-
The coating of iron with a covering of lead of any required thickness, by treating
the surface with what is commonly known as chloride of zinc, and then raising the

page_text: temperature of such surface to or above the melting point of lead, thereby fusing
the chloride of zinc on the surface, and afterwards applying a suitable quantity of
lead thereto and allowing it to remain thereon until it has solidified, all substantially
as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Anthony Graham have hereunto set my
hand and seal this tenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty-three.
Witness.
JAMES ANTHONY GRAHAM (L.B.)
HERBERT. J. ALLISON Fel. Inst. P. A.
41 Southampton Bdgs.
Holborn.