IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC ALLOYS OR COMPOUNDS."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Alexander Dick, of 110, Cannon Street, in the
City of London, for an Invention of “IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF METALLIC ALLOYS OR COMPOUNDS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Alexander Dick at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th December 1881.
GEORGE ALEXANDER DICK, of 110 Cannon Street, in the City of London.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC ALLOYS OR COMPOUNDS."
This Invention relates first, to an improved method of deoxidising the oxide or
oxides generally contained in copper and in the usual alloys of copper when mixed
with tin or zinc and at the same time of producing alloys of superior quality
possessing greatly increased tenacity or hardness or strength.
This I effect by the introduction into the copper or alloy, of iron in the form of
phosphuret of iron or in the form of iron combined with phosphurets of other
metals which when the iron and the phosphorus contained in those phosphurets
are melted together will cause them to combine in the form of phosphuret of iron
or the equivalent thereof. Secondly, to the manufacture of improved alloys or
compounds of copper by the addition thereto of phosphuret of iron or of iron
combined with phosphurets of other metals which when the iron and the
phosphorus contained in those phosphurets are melted together will cause them to
combine in the form of phosphuret of iron or the equivalent thereof in such a
manner that the whole of the phosphorus or a portion thereof remains in the
manufactured alloy or compound. Thirdly, to the addition of lead to the said last
mentioned improved alloys or compounds. It is to be noted that my present
improvements are in part founded on those described in the Specifications of
former Letters Patent granted to me and dated respectively the 8th day of June
1880 No. 2306 and the 18th day of December 1880 No. 5313.
For the purposes of this Invention I use phosphuret of iron or iron in com-
bination with phosphuret of copper or of tin or phosphurets of those metals or one
of them combined with zinc.
In some cases for instance I add to one part of heated or melted iron from one to

page_text: two parts by weight of phosphuret of copper or or phosphuret of tin and melt the
same together in which case the quantity of copper or tin in their respective
phosphurets so added will remain present with the phosphuret of iron formed. In
some cases I employ zinc and iron in the form in which it exists as refuse of
galvanising works consisting mainly of zinc with from 3 to 20% of iron which I
melt with the requisite quantity of phosphuret of copper, tin or iron containing the
requisite amount of phosphorus and cast into ingots which then are added to the
melted remainder of the copper if any required for forming the improved brass.
Allowance can be made in manufacturing the improved alloys or compounds above
referred to, for such quantity of copper or tin or zinc present by using a smaller
quantity of copper or tin or zinc than would be the case when no copper or tin or
zine is present with the phosphuret of iron. In some cases alloys of copper may be
selected which are of the nature above indicated as suitable and which contain a
less amount of copper, or tin, or zinc, so as to compensate for the amount of either
of such metals present with the phosphuret of iron. It must be noted that I do
not propose to use phosphorus except in such a manner as that it forms with
metals combined with it as above mentioned the phosphurets referred to.
A great
advantage obtained by the employment of phosphuret of iron is that it melts
at a comparatively low temperature, and is readily taken up by the copper or
metallic alloy.
In all cases the proportions of iron and phosphorus in the phosphuret employed,
must be ascertained, and must necessarily be varied with the object in view, thus,
if it be desired to introduce much iron when not much oxide is to be disposed of, a
phosphuret must be used which contains much iron and little phosphorus, and
vice versa; the oxygen of such oxide is taken up, in the melting process, hereinafter
referred to, by the phosphorus contained in the phosphuret (of iron) thereby forming
a slag which can be skimmed off the molten metal, whilst the iron is alloyed with
the copper or copper and other metals present. The quantity of phosphuret of iron
added is so regulated that the proportion of iron present in the perfected alloy
shall vary from about 01 up to 10 per cent., and the quantity of oxide in the
copper or copper alloy being known the requisite amount of phosphorus in the
phosphuret of iron, to deoxidise the same will be known to chemists. For instance,
to 100 pounds of gun metal containing 0-2 of oxygen I add from 1 to 2 pounds
of phosphuret of iron containing 8 per cent of phosphorus.
When it is desired to manufacture the before mentioned improved alloys or
compounds containing phosphorus I employ phosphuret of iron of the nature above
referred to, and in this case such phosphuret of iron must contain a larger
proportion of phosphorus than if required for deoxidising only. The phosphuret
of iron I add in such proportion that the quantity of iron present in the perfected
alloy shall vary from 0.1 to 10 per cent., and I select a phosphuret of iron con-
taining from 5 to 50 per cent. of phosphorus above the quantity thereof required
for deoxidising as above referred to. For example I add to 100 lbs. of ordinary
brass containing 0.15 oxygen 5 lbs of phosphuret of iron containing 20 per cent.
of phosphorus, or, to 100 lbs. of refuse of galvanising works of the nature above
referred to and containing 95% of zinc and 5 parts of iron, 10 parts of phosphuret
of tin or phosphuret of copper or phosphuret of iron.
o
The presence of phosphorus in the perfected alloy or compound renders the same
more fluid in its melted state and therefore fills the moulds more completely whilst
it can be remelted many times without losing any of its fluid nature when in the
melted state.
In manufacturing the improved alloys or compounds above described the
phosphuret of iron is either melted with the copper or gun metal or brass or
with the copper or tin or spelter forming either of those alloys or when the
phosphuret of iron is formed by the employment of phosphuret of copper or
phosphuret of tin as herein before described. the copper or gun metal or brass
or the copper or tin or spelter forming either of those alloys may be added to the.
phosphuret of iron when it is in a molten state after having been so formed.

page_text: When brass is the copper alloy selected, I prefer to manufacture the improved
alloys or compounds in the following manner, I first melt the phosphuret of
iron (either pure or produced by melting phosphuret of copper or phosphuret of tin
with iron or with the galvanising refuse containing an ascertained proportion of
iron as herein before described) gradually adding the spelter or rest of spelter
thereto, and I cast this mixture into ingots which are added to the melted copper
in the usual proportions that is to say about one part by weight of spelter to
1 to 2 parts by weight of copper.
My said Invention further consists as above stated, in the addition before, after
or during the addition of the phosphuret of iron, used in forming the improved
alloys or compounds, referred to under the second head of my said Invention, of
from 2 to 10 per cent. of lead to gunmetal or brass contained in the said improved
alloys when it is intended to use them for bearings. Gun metal, however, frequently
contains a small proportion of lead and in such case allowance must be made for
the lead present when adding lead as lastly referred to.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Alexander Dick in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th June 1882.
"s
GEORGE ALEXANDER DICK, of Cannon Street, in the City of London.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC ALLOYS OR COMPOUNDS."
My said Invention relates first, to an improved method of deoxidising the oxide
or oxides generally contained in copper and in the usual alloys of copper when
mixed with tin or zinc and at the same time of producing alloys of superior
quality possessing greatly increased tenacity or hardness or strength. This I
effect by the introduction, into the copper or alloy, of iron in the form of phosphurot
of iron or in-the-form-of-iron-combined with phosphurets of other metals which
when the iron and the phosphorus contained in those phosphurets-are-melted-
together will cause them to combine in the form of phosphuret of iron or the
equivalent thereof. Secondly, to the manufacture of improved alloys or compounds
of copper by the addition thereto of phosphuret of iron or of iron combined with
phosphurets of other metals which when the iron and the phosphorus contained in
those phosphurets are melted together will cause them to combine in the form of
phosphuret of iron or the equivalent thereof in such a manner that the whole of
the phosphorus or a portion thereof remains in the manufactured alloy or compound.
Thirdly, to the addition of lead to the said last mentioned improved alloys or
compounds. It is to be noted that my present improvements are in part founded
on those described in the Specifications of former Letters Patent granted to me, and
dated respectively the Sth day of June 1880 No. 2306, and the 18th day of
December 1880 No. 5313.
For the purposes of this Invention I use phosphuret of iron or iron in combination
with phosphuret of copper or of tin, or phosphurets of those metals or one of them
combined with zinc.
In some cases, for instance, I add to one part of heated or melted iron from one
to two parts by weight of phosphuret of copper or of phosphuret of tin and melt
the same together, in which case the quantity of copper or tin in their respective
phosphurets, so added, will remain present with the phosphuret of iron formed. In
some cases I employ zinc and iron in the form in which it exists as refuse of
galvanizing works, consisting mainly of zinc with from 3 to 5 per cent of iron
which I melt with the requisite quantity of phosphuret of copper, tin or iron
containing the requisite amount of phosphorus and I then cast the so produced
phosphuret of iron or its equivalent into ingots which then are added to the melted
copper or remainder of the copper, if any, required for forming the improved brass.
Allowance can be made in manufacturing the improved alloys or compounds above
referred to, for such quantity of copper or tin or zinc present by using a smaller
quantity of copper or tin or zinc than would be the case when no copper or tin or
zine is present with the phosphuret of iron. In some cases alloys of copper may be
selected which are of the nature above indicated as suitable and which contain a
less amount of copper, or tin, or zinc, so as to compensate for the amount of either of
such metals present with the phosphuret of iron. It must be noted that I do not
propose to use phosphorus except in such a manner as that it forms with metals
combined with it, as above mentioned, the phosphurets referred to. A great
advantage obtained by the employment of phosphuret of iron is that it melts at a
comparatively low temperature, and is readily taken up by the copper or metallic
alloy,

page_text: a
In all cases the proportions of iron and phosphorus in the phosphuret employed,
must be ascertained, and must necessarily be varied with the object in view, thus if
it be desired to introduce much iron when not much oxide is to be disposed of, a
phosphuret must be used which contains much iron and little phosphorus, and
vice versa; the oxygen of such oxide is taken up, in the melting process, hereinafter
referred to, by the phosphorus contained in the phosphuret (of iron) thereby
forming slag which can be skimmed off the molten metal, whilst the iron is
alloyed with the copper or copper and other metals present. The quantity of
phosphuret of iron added is so regulated that the proportion of iron present in the
perfected alloy shall vary from about 01 up to 10 per cent, and the quantity of
oxide in the copper or copper alloy being known, the requisite amount of phosphorus
in the phosphuret of iron, to deoxidise the same will be known to chemists. For
instance, to 100 lbs of gun metal containing 0.2 of oxygen I add from 1 to 2 pounds
of phosphuret of iron containing 8 per cent of phosphorus.
When it is desired to manufacture the before mentioned improved alloys or
compounds containing phosphorus I employ phosphuret of iron of the nature
above referred to, and in this case such phosphuret of iron must contain a larger
proportion of phosphorus than if required for deoxidising only. The phosphuret
of iron I add in such proportion that the quantity of iron present in the perfected
alloy shall vary from 0.1 to 10 per cent., and I select a phosphuret of iron
containing from 5 to 50 per cent. of phosphorus above the quantity thereof
required for deoxidising as above referred to." For example, I add 100 pounds of
ordinary brass containing 0.15 oxygen to 5 pounds of phosphuret of iron containing
20 per cent. of phosphorus or, to 100 pounds of refuse of galvanising works of the
nature above referred to and containing 95 per cent. of zinc and 5 parts of iron,
10 parts of phosphuret of tin or phosphuret of copper or phosphuret of iron.
The presence of phosphorus in the perfected alloy or compound renders the same
inore fluid in its melted state and therefore fills the moulds more completely whilst
it can be remelted many times without losing any of its fluid nature when in the
inclted state.
In manufacturing the improved alloys or compounds above described the
phosphuret of iron is either melted with the copper or gunmetal or brass or with
the copper or tin or spelter forming either of those alloys or when the phosphuret
of iron is formed by the employment of phosphuret of copper or phosphuret of tin
as hereinbefore described the copper or gunmetal or brass or the copper or tin or
spelter formning either of those alloys may be added to the phosphuret of iron
when it is in a molten state after having been so formed.
When brass is the copper alloy selected, I prefer to manufacture the improved
alloys or compounds in the following manner, I first melt the phosphuret of iron
(either pure or produced by melting phosphuret of copper or phosphuret of tin
with iron or with the galvanising refuse containing an ascertained proportion
of iron as hereinbefore described) gradually adding the spelter or rest of spelter
thereto, and I cast this mixture into ingots which are added to the melted copper
in the usual proportions, that is to say, about one part by weight of spelter
to 1 to 2 parts by weight of copper.
My second Invention further consists, as above stated, in the addition before,
after or during the addition of the phosphuret of iron, used in forming the
improved alloys or compounds, referred to under the second head of my said
Invention, of from 2 to 10 per cent. of lead to gunmetal or brass contained in
the said improved alloys when it is intended to use them for bearings. Gun-
metal, however, frequently contains a small proportion of lead and in such case
allowance must be made for the lead present when adding lead as lastly
referred to.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention and
the manner in which it is to be performed I would observe in conclusion that I
do not claim separately the use of phosphorus or otherwise than combined with
the various metals above mentioned and used in the manner indicated but what

page_text: I consider novel and original and therefore claim as constituting the Invention
secured to me by the said hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent, is:-
First. The manufacture of the improved alloys or compounds formed by
combining iron and copper or iron and any of the usual alloys of copper with
tin or spelter by the employment of phosphuret of iron containing only sufficient
phosphorus to deoxidise any oxide or oxides contained in the copper or the said
alloys thereof and also a definite quantity of iron, substantially as hereinbefore
described and set forth.
Secondly. The manufacture of the alloys or compounds formed by combining
iron with excess of phosphorus combined with alloys of copper and tin or spelter,
substantially as hereinbefore described and set forth.
And thirdly. The manufacture of the alloys or compounds formed by combining
iron, phosphorus, lead and alloys of copper with tin or spelter, substantially as
hereinbefore set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Alexander Dick, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty third day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
G. A. DICK. (L.S.)