CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN COATING OR COVERING METALLIC AND NON-METALLIC BODIES
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PETER
ARMAND le Comte de FONTAINE MOREAU, of 4, South Street, Finsbury, in
the County of Middlesex, English and Foreign Patent Agent for Inventions,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Fourteenth day of
March, in the twelfth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Peter Armand le Comte de
Fontaine Moreau, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her especial license, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Peter Armand le Comte
de Fontaine Moreau, my exors, adñors, and assigns, and such others as I,
the said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine Moreau, my exors, adiñors,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term of fourteen years therein
mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the Islands
of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Her Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
COATING OR COVERING METALLIC AND NON-METALLIC BODIES," communicated to me
from abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the
said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine Moreau, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to

page_text: be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited
Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will
more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine Moreau, do hereby declare that the
nature of the said Invention communicated to me, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, are particularly described and ascertained by the
following description thereof, that is to say,―
The improvements consist,―
Firstly, in preparing certain solutions for coating or covering metals, alloys
of metals, and other bodies with metals and alloys of metals, by means of
a galvanic battery; and in the new application of certain known solutions to
similar purposes, by means of the said battery.
Secondly, in coating or covering metals and alloys of metals, by immersing
them in certain solutions.
And for the better understanding of the several modes of carrying out the
Invention communicated to me, I will successively describe the several processes
by which I obtain the intended result,
Firstly, Coating by Galvanic Deposit.-I must premise by stating that
the first part of the Invention is subdivided into two series of chemical
combinations.
The first series is composed of the solutions Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7, and
the second series is formed of the two solutions 6 and 8. Besides the economy
in producing the first series of liquid solutions, they do not disengage any
injurious smell or gas, and are entirely free from any poisonous substance, an
advantage not possessed by the solutions generally employed to this day in
endeavoring to obtain the same results.
As to the second series of the first part of the Invention, composed of the
solutions Nos. 6 and 8, they are already known, (as herein-before stated, and
I therefore merely lay claim to the new application of them, as herein-after
described.
For Gilding Metals and Alloys of Metals.-First Solution. -The liquor
herein-after described is appropriate for every kind of gilding, though most
especially to gilding silver. To effect this I operate as follows, videlicet, I put
with a solution of one part of dry and neutral chloride of gold a solution
of soap made of Gayac pitch, which I pour in by degrees until it has ceased to
precipitate. I then dissolve the precipitate obtained in a gelatinous state (and
without it being necessary to wash it) in one hundred parts of hot water,
containing ten parts of caustic potash, or its equivalent of-caustic soda.

page_text: Second Solution. It is applicable to all kinds of gilding, but more especially
for gilding on bronze, and is composed as follows, videlicet:-I take one part
of gold, reduced to a state of oxide, chloride, or any other salt, which I dissolve
in two hundred parts of hot water holding in a state of solution twenty parts of.
caustic potash, or its equivalent of caustic soda. I then dissolve in that liquor
twelve or fifteen parts of sulphate of potash, or its equivalent of sulphate of
soda. The addition of these salts gives to the alkaline liquid (without which it
could not gild galvanically) the property of rapidly conducting the electric
fluid, which is the cause of the success of the operation. This solution seems
to operate still more favorably by the addition of ten or twelve parts of
sugar.
For Platining Metals and Alloys of Metals.-Third Solution.-Liquid appli-
cable to platining. I take one hundred parts of water, containing ten parts of
phosphate of potash, or its equivalent of phosphate of soda, and dissolve therein
at boiling point as much bichloride of platina and potassium as can be
dissolved in it. I operate with the battery at a hot or cold temperature,
though preferably when at 122° Fahrenheit, taking care to replace the
evaporated water.
For Silvering Metals and Alloys of Metals.-Fourth Solution.-I take one
part of silver reduced to a salt of any kind, but preferably in a state of carbon-
ate, and pour upon it with care a sufficient quantity of saturated solution of
carbonate of ammonia for dissolving the salt of silver. I add afterwards to the
solution one hundred parts of water holding in solution twenty-five parts of
carbonate of crystalized soda, or its equivalent of carbonate of potash. I can
also employ the bicarbonates of the two bases.
For Coppering Metals and Alloys of Metals.-Fifth Solution.-I take two
parts of metallic copper converted to a state of carbonate, and I add to it one
hundred parts of water, to which afterwards I add, in a heated state, as much
bicarbonate of soda, or its equivalent of potash, as can be dissolved in it, aud
I replace by fresh water that which is evaporated.
For Coating or Covering Metals and Alloys of Metals with Brass.-Seventh
Solution. For a coating of brass, or a metallic alloy of copper and zinc, in all
their proportions (I take a solution of carbonate of ammonia, being preferably
at ten degrees of the salt meter, and I add to it, in a cold state, as much of
any salt of zinc (but preferably salt of carbonate of zinc) as can be dissolved
in it.
Sixth Solution. Another solution for coppering. 1 use a solution of
cyamure of potassium, which I prefer at five degrees of the salt meter, and I
add to it, in a cold state, as much of any salt of copper (though I use preferably

page_text: Jamue of coppery as can be dissolved in it, then I add a snga
excess of cyamure of potassium.
Process for Coating or Covering with Brass.-Having set the galvanic
battery at work, I pour either the fifth or sixth solution, at discretion, into the
trough, and having placed any article, as a test to be covered, at the negative
pole, I then pour the seventh solution into the trough by degrees until I obtain
the desired shade, which I can vary from rose to a gold colour, and pass
through every degree of hue to the palest brass colour. If I make use of the
fifth solution the operation of producing a brass colour coating will possess all
the advantages of the series of the first division of this first part of the Inven-
tion, as herein-before mentioned. If I employ the sixth solution, which
belongs to the series of solutions composing the second division of this first part
of the Invention, the operation proceeds quite as well, but prevents the incon
veniences herein pointed out, which arc, however, modified by being combined
with the seventh solution of the first series. I would here observe that the
solutions of zinc employed until now for producing the simultaneous deposit of
the two metals (copper & zinc) of which brass is composed, by means of their
mixture with the solutions of bicyamure of copper and alkali, when employed
to produce coppering, possess many disadvantages which I have entirely
obviated by means of the new chemically combined solutions herein-before
described in the scries of the first division of this first part of the Invention,
and I find them, in addition, to answer perfectly well in a cold state. which is
a great benefit to the large manufacturers. The above deposit is applied on
zinc, iron, steel, cast iron, and on all other metals and alloys of metals in
general, as well as upon non-metallic bodies, having previously been coated
with the proper intermediate preparations."
Process for depositing galvanically Lead and Tin upon Sheets of Zinc and
Sheets of Iron, and also Tin and Brass upon Lead.-I am well aware that the
deposit of these metals or metallic alloys, one upon the other, by means of the
galvanic battery, is already known, but all the processes hitherto described
or employed are defective, and no manufacturing result has ever been obtained
from their application. I have however succeeded in removing every obstacle
by the method herein-after described, videlicet:-Before covering with lead or
zinc it is necessary to deposit on the sheets of iron or zinc, by means of gal-
vanic or other known processes, a light coat of copper or brass, then to wash
the articles operated upon with pure water, and to expose them to the air as
short a time as possible. This preliminary coating being effected, I proceed
with the other parts of my process.
Bath of Tin.-Eighth Solution.-I dissolve iu one pint and three quarters

page_text: of a pint of common water, enough caustic potash, or its equivalent of caustic
soda, until the solution marks 8° or 10° by the salt meter. I then dissolve in
it as much protochloride or chloride of tin as can be dissolved at a heatof 158°
Fahrenheit, taking care at the same time to replace the water that evaporates.
I let the bath get cool, filter it, and ultimately add a small excess of caustic
potash or caustic soda. My bath being thus prepared, I immerse in it the zinc
or iron sheets, which have been previously subjected to the process above
described.
Bath of Lead.-Ninth Solution.-I proceed throughout for the preparation
of a bath of lead in a manner similar to the preparation of the tin bath hercin-
before described, excepting, however, that in the preparation of the bath of lead
I make use of litharge, or other compounds of lead, instead of the protochloride
of tin.
Application of Tin and Copper, or Brass, upon Lead.-This process is similar
in character to that already described for tinning, with the exception merely of
natural modifications to be effected, videlicet, the substitution of sheets of lead
for those of zinc or iron.
As to the previous and subsequent preparations to obtain the galvanic
deposit, the arrangement of the troughs, the disposition and operation of the
galvanic battery, they do not in any way differ from the means generally known
and in use.
Secondly, Coating by Immersion.-Tenth Solution for Coppering on Zinc.—
Firstly, I take copper in as pure a state as possible, and dissolve it in nitric
acid until the red (rutilantes) vapors cease to be disengaged.
Secondly, I make a solution of caustic potash in distilled or filtered water.
Thirdly, I heat borric acid with liquid ammonia at 22° (of Baume's areo-
meter). I pour into the solution of copper, not herein-before described, some
solution of potash No. 2, as before stated, until no more precipitate is formed.
This precipitate is an oxide of hydrated copper. I throw this mixed solution and
its precipitate upon a filter, where the oxide remains on the surface. I wash
it several times with fresh water, and it is then preserved for use when needed.
The oxide being thus prepared I mix with it the solution of ammonia already
saturated with as much borric acid as it can dissolve. This oxide is mixed
in such a quantity that some remains in an undissolved state. After causing
the mixture of ammonia, borric acid, and oxide of copper to boil during some
minutes, I take it off the fire and leave it to rest. I decanter and filter it, and
the liquid is then ready for use. I scour, as usual, the articles to be operated
upon in water impregnated with muriatic acid. I afterwards rub and dry

page_text: them in sawdust and then plunge them in the solution hercin-before described,
and leave them immersed during half, or at the utmost one minute, at the end
of which I wash them with abundance of water. The articles are thus covered
with a coat of copper so strong that any friction only renders it still more
brilliant. This liquid may be also applied with a brush. Let it be observed,
*that of course more the articles are in contact with the solution, more the copper
acquires thickness.
Other Processes for Coppering.--Eleventh Solution for Coppering.-I put
a solution saturated with sulphate of copper in pure water mixed with an equal
proportion in weight of ammonia, and I make the whole boil some minutes.
This solution coppers very well, but is not susceptible of covering with so
much thickness as the onc herein-before described, and succeeds well by
immersion only.
Twelfth Solution.-For brass coating I use ammonia saturated with chloride
of copper, in a state of powder, for brass coating, but it is not applicable to
objects of large dimensions.
Thirteenth Solution.-For coppering zinc and tin I use a solution of very
'concentrated sulphate of copper, to which I add a small quantity of sulphuric
acid. This process coppers tin very well, and the copper coating is very
hard on.
The operations for scouring, immersing, drying, and washing the articles are
the same, when using these two last solutions hercin-before described, as when
employing the eleventh solntion.
And having now described the nature of the Invention communicated to
me, and the manner of carrying the same into execution, I wish it to be under-
stood that I do not confine myself rigorously to the precise quantities and
degrees of the several chemical agents employed, reserving to myself the
faculty of modifying them according to circumstances. Nor do I lay claim to
the apparatus and agents herein mentioned separately, except for carrying out
the said Invention. But what I do claim as the Invention communicated to
mc, and intended to be protected by Letters Patent, is,―
Firstly, the preparation of the solutions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7, and the
application of the same, as herein-before described.
Secondly, the application of the sixth solutions to covering zinc and iron with
tin, as herein-before described.
Thirdly, the combination of the sixth with the seventh solution, for obtaining
a brass colour, as herein-before described.
Fourthly, the previous application of a light copper or brass coating, as a

page_text: edium for uniting with lead or tin the metals or alloys of metal on which
operate, either galvanically or by immersion, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine
Moreau, have hereunto set my band and seal, this Fourteenth day
of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and forty-nine.