Improvements in the Manufacture of Fire-resisting and Water- resisting Slabs, Bricks, or the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 10th May, 1900-Accepted, 16th June, 1900
PROVISIONAL DIE
Improvements in the Manufacture of Fire-resisting and Water-
resisting Slabs, Bricks, or the like.
communication by The Firm of SIMMONS & BOCKS, of Munich and Obergries,
near Lenggries, in the Empire of Germany, Fire Brick Manufacturers.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester,
both in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer.
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
The foundation materials for making fire and water resisting slabs and bricks
by the present invention are asbestos treated in a rag engine and cement.
These two materials are thoroughly mixed in combination with suitable adhesive
substances and with the addition of certain filling materials and ingredients
which are capable of increasing the fire-resisting and eventually also the water-
resisting properties and are agitated to form a thick paste. They are then
pressed in suitable moulds, a core of strong or weak wire netting, jute, canvas
or the like being if desired inserted. The slabs, bricks, or the like formed in
this manner are then dried and then are suitably employed for their purposes
after they have been (if desired) further impregnated with waterglass, sulphate
of alumina or the like for producing or increasing the water-resisting qualities.
The process herein before described may be carried out in various ways in
order to suit the object and the degree of fire-resisting and water-resisting
The following examples may be taken as
qualities or capabilities desired.
samples of these processes.
FIRST EXAMPLE.
The digested asbestos and cement are thoroughly mixed with zinc oxide as
recently furnaced as possible with the addition of weak glue water to form a
paste. The mixture takes place preferably in a suitable stirring apparatus,
5 200 parts of asbestos being taken to about 70 parts cement and about 30 to
100 parts of zinc oxide. A core is then coated on both sides with this mass,
which is preferably effected by means of a suitable scraping or spreading device
or the like, said core consisting of strong or weak wire, wire netting, jute,
canvas, muslin or the like.
30
The plates coated in this manner with the substance are then exposed to
such a strong pressure in a roller press that the layers or coating of the sub-
stance on both sides is thoroughly combined or felted through the core with
one another and with the said core.
This latter process is essentially assisted if an addition of glue be made to
35 the above mentioned mixture. The conveyance into the press takes place by
means of an endless band impregnated with a metallic chloride solution.
After having been pressed, the slabs or blocks are dried and then impreg

page_text: nated with sulphate of alumina for the purpose of imparting water-resisting
qualities. A second pressing then takes place until the block has become
thoroughly hard, after which the slabs or blocks are polished or coloured
according to the purpose for which they are required.
The blocks or slabs formed in this manner, on account of their fire-resisting
and water-resisting qualities and because they are thoroughly resistant to the
influence of all temperatures and moisture, are particularly suitable for covering
portions of buildings, the inflammability of which necessitates a protection
against fire, or which are to be protected against the influence of temperature.
The slabs made by the above process may be formed of any size and thick-
ness and be hard or flexible without danger of breakage.
It may also be observed that for certain purposes and under certain circum-
stances the coating of the core or strengthening piece on one side only with
the above mentioned mixture will be sufficient, but the process is not changed
in any way thereby.
SECOND EXAMPLE.
To one part of asbestos there is taken part of cement, ½ part of sulphate
of alumina and part of zinc oxide or other suitable substance which may
be regarded more as a filling material (gypsum or minerals resembling gypsum
are however entirely unsuitable). Each of these materials is finely pulverized
and then thoroughly mixed and a thin paste is formed by the addition of water.
The cement to be employed (Portland cement) must only set very slowly. With
this paste a wire netting (the core) is coated and the plate made by spreading
in the same way as pasteboard, after which it is pressed, of course before the
cement is quite set.
The pressure is repeated at intervals, first in layers when the separate coat-
ings are applied (wet pressing), and then by means of hydraulic presses when
the desired thickness of the slab or brick to be made is reached, and finally
a dry pressing with heated rollers, which has mainly for its object to smooth
the surface.
Slabs and blocks made in the above described manner even when exposed
to the long continued action of a thin flame or jet flame (900° C.) do not show
the slightest trace of catching fire or charring and show themselves as an
absolutely incombustible and fire-resisting product. They also show no change
ander the action of water even if subjected to strong heat immediately after
being thoroughly wet. It is thus a material which corresponds to the highest
requirements as regards safety from fire and resistance to water, which is of
the highest importance for coatings or coverings of all kinds for buildings.
THIRD EXAMPLE.
Fire-resisting coating in the form of plates 3/10ths mm. in thickness rolled
in rolls similar to linoleum for covering floors in inner or outer walls on wood
or cross beam constructions, also in the form and thickness of parquetry, is
made in the following manner:
The substance employed consists of asbestos, cement, waterglass and sulphate
of alumina, which ingredients are mixed in variable quantities according to
the thickness, hardness and fire and water resisting capabilities required and
with a special preparation yielding an incombustible material. A good mixture
from every point of view is afforded by one part asbestos, part of cement,
part of waterglass and part of sulphate of alumina. In order to avoid
fracture the plates are made in a spreading or pasteboard machine according
to the method described in the first example or some other suitable one, a wire
or other suitable fabric or network being inserted.
FOURTH EXAMPLE.
The product made according to the following example is more particularly

page_text: The substances and quantities employed for this object are me
The treatment takes place in the ordinary
described in the third example.
tile-making machines, wire network if desired being also pressed into the tiles
or bricks.
When dry the bricks thus made are subjected to an impregnation
for the purpose of rendering them water-resisting by means of a mixture com-
posed of three parts of alum, one part of sugar of lead, part of soda. The
finished bricks or tiles are treated with this mixture if desired under pressure
or vacuum.
1800
Improvements in the Manufacture of Fire-resisting anu
resisting Slabs, Bricks, or the like.
communication by The Firm of SIMMONS & BOCKS, of Munich and Obergries,
near Lenggries, in the Empire of Germany, Fire Brick Manufacturers.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester,
both in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, 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 foundation materials for making fire and water resisting slabs and bricks
by the present invention are asbestos treated in a rag engine and cement.
These two materials are thoroughly mixed in combination with suitable adhesive
substances and with the addition of certain filling materials and ingredients
which are capable of increasing the fire-resisting and eventually also the water-
resisting properties and are agitated to form a thick paste. They are then
pressed in suitable moulds, a core of strong or weak wire netting, jute, canvas
or the like being if desired inserted. The slabs, bricks, or the like formed in
this manner are then dried and then are suitably employed for their purposes
after they have been (if desired) further impregnated with waterglass, sulphate
of alumina or the like for producing or increasing the water-resisting qualities.
The process herein before described may be carried out in various ways in
order to suit the object and the degree of fire-resisting and water-resisting
The following examples may be taken as
qualities or capabilities desired.
samples of these processes.
FIRST EXAMPLE.
Ο The digested asbestos and cement are thoroughly mixed with zinc oxide as
recently furnaced as possible with the addition of weak glue water to form a
paste. The mixture takes place preferably in a suitable stirring apparatus,
200 parts of asbestos being taken to about 70 parts cement and about 30 to
100 parts of zinc oxide. A core is then coated on both sides with this mass,
5 which is preferably effected by means of a suitable scraping or spreading device
or the like, said core consisting of thick or thin wire, wire netting, jute,
canvas, muslin or the like.
The plates coated in this manner with the substance are then exposed to
such a strong pressure in a roller press that the layers are coatings of the sub-

page_text: stance on both sides are thoroughly combined or felted through the core with
one another and with the said core.
This latter process is essentially assisted if an addition of glue be made to
the above mentioned mixture. The conveyance into the press takes place by
means of an endless band impregnated with a metallic chloride solution.
After having been pressed, the slabs or blocks are dried and then impreg-
nated with sulphate of alumina for the purpose of imparting water-resisting
qualities. A second pressing then takes place until the block has become
thoroughly hard, after which the slabs or blocks are polished or coloured
according to the purpose for which they are required.
The blocks or slabs formed in this manner, on account of their fire-resisting
and water-resisting qualities and because they are thoroughly resistant to the
influence of all temperatures and moisture, are particularly suitable for covering
portions of buildings, the inflammability of which necessitates a protection
against fire, or which are to be protected against the influence of temperature.
The slabs made by the above process may be formed of any size and thick-
ness and be hard or flexible without danger of breakage.
It may also be observed that for certain purposes and under certain circum-
stances the coating of the core or strengthening piece on one side only with
the above mentioned mixture will be sufficient, but the process is not changed
in any way thereby.
SECOND EXAMPLE.
To one part of asbestos there is taken part of cement, part of sulphate
of alumina and part of zinc oxide or other suitable substance which may
be regarded more as a filling material (gypsum or minerals resembling gypsum
are however entirely unsuitable). Each of these materials is finely pulverized
and then thoroughly mixed and a thin paste is formed by the addition of water.
The cement to be employed (Portland cement) must only set very slowly. With
this paste a wire netting (the core) is coated and the plate made by spreading
in the same way as pasteboard, after which it is pressed, of course before the
cement is quite set.
The pressure is repeated at intervals, first in layers when the separate coat-
ings are applied (wet pressing), and then by means of hydraulic presses when
the desired thickness of the slab or brick to be made is reached, and finally
a dry pressing with heated rollers, which has mainly for its object to smooth
the surface.
Slabs and blocks made in the above described manner even when exposed
to the long continued action of a thin flame or jet flame (900° C.) do not show
the slightest trace of catching fire or charring and show themselves as an
absolutely incombustible and fire-resisting product.. They also show no change
under the action of water even if subjected to strong heat immediately after
being thoroughly wet. It is thus a material which corresponds to the highest
requirements as regards safety from fire and resistance to water, which is of
the highest importance for coatings or coverings of all kinds for buildings.
THIRD EXAMPLE.
A fire-resisting coating in the form of plates 3/10ths mm. in thickness rolled
in rolls similar to linoleum for covering floors, in inner or outer walls, on wood
or cross bean constructions, also in the form and thickness of parquetry, is
made in the following manner:
The substance employed consists of asbestos, cement, waterglass and sulphate
of alumina, which ingredients are mixed in variable quantities according to
the thickness, hardness and fire and water resisting capabilities required and
with a special preparation yielding an incombustible material. A good mixture
from every point of view is afforded by one part asbestos, part of cement,
part of waterglass and part of sulphate of alumina. In order to avoid
fracture the plates are made in a spreading or pasteboard machine according

page_text: o the method described in the first example or some other suitable one, a
or other suitable fabric or network being inserted.
FOURTH EXAMPLE.
The product made according to the following example is more particularly
suitable for a fire-resisting roof covering, in the form of tiles or roof plates.
The substances and quantities employed for this object are the same as those
described in the third example. The treatment takes place in the ordinary
tile-making machines, wire network if desired being also pressed into the tiles
or bricks. When dry the bricks thus made are subjected to an impregnation
for the purpose of rendering them water-resisting by means of a mixture com-
posed of three parts of alum, one part of sugar of lead, part of soda. The
finished bricks or tiles are treated with this mixture if desired under pressure
or vacuum.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated
to me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is;-
1. The process for making fire-resisting and water-resisting slabs, bricks, tiles
and the like, which consists in forming a paste of a mixture of asbestos and
cement in combination with a suitable adhesive substance (such as glue water),
and with the addition of certain filling materials and ingredients which are
capable of increasing the fire-resisting and eventually also the water-resisting
properties (such as zinc oxide, waterglass, sulphate of alumina and the like)
and then pressing same in suitable moulds, a core of wire-netting, jute, canvas
or the like being. worked in; whilst after the slabs, bricks, or the like have
been pressed, they may be impregnated with waterglass, sulphate of alumina
and the like for the purpose of producing or increasing the water-resisting
qualities, substantially as described.
2. A modification of the described process for making fire-resisting and water
resisting material consisting in a fabric or network of wire, fibrous substances
or both sides with a paste formed of a
and the like being coated on one
mixture of asbestos and cement combined with calcined zinc oxide and glue
water, then pressed and dried and afterwards impregnated with sulphate of
alumina and again pressed and dried substantially as described.
3. A modification of the described process for making fire-resisting and water-
5 resisting material, in which a mixture of asbestos, cement,, waterglass and sul-
phate of alumina is employed, said mixture being pressed into slabs, bricks,
tiles or the like, and a core of wire netting, sail cloth, jute or the like being
also inserted if desired, substantially as described.
4. A modification of the described process for making fire-resisting and water-
0 resisting material in which the slabs, bricks, tiles and the like are impregnated
with a mixture of alum, sugar of lead and soda for the purpose of producing
or increasing the water resisting-qualities of the products, substantially as
described.