IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
" and in
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The manufacture of steel from oxide of iron ores, or from sand and furnace
slags containing oxides of iron, has been effected by melting the said ores, sand or
slags in a furnace composed wholly or partly of, or lined with, graphite or plumbago,
either alone or combined with some refractory material such as fire-clay. When
the said ores, sand or slags are thus melted, the oxides of iron contained therein
come in direct contact with the interior surfaces of the furnace and absorb carbon
therefrom in a quantity proportionate to the duration of such contact.
It has been ascertained by research and experiment that fine steel of different
grades may be made from Bessemer or open-hearth steel or from wrought iron
(ordinary scrap iron, for example) by melting the same in furnaces of the class
above named, without the addition of carbon or spiegeleisen.
The present invention, therefore, comprises an improved process of manufacturing
fine steel from Bessemer or open-hearth steel or from wrought iron, without the
addition of carbonaceous matter or fluxes, either by melting the steel or wrought
iron in a furnace composed wholly or partly of, or lined with, graphite or plumbago,
or by drawing or pouring into such furnace a chargo of molten Bessemer or open-
hearth steel directly from the converter, furnace or ladle. In either case, the metal
absorbs from the graphite of the furnace the requisite quantity of carbon to convert
it into fine steel of the desired grade, the percentage of carbon absorbed, and,
therefore, the quality of the steel obtained being determined by the length of time
the molten metal remains in the furnace.
By drawing or pouring the metal directly from the converter, furnace or ladle as
above described, I obviate the necessity for remelting the said metal.
As wrought iron will melt only when it has absorbed a certain proportion of
carbon, its conversion takes place almost at the moment of its attaining a molten

page_text: state. In the case of Bessemer or open-hearth steel, the conversion is speedily
accomplished, and it is difficult to state any precise period of time required for the
conversion. This can only be ascertained by experience.
By my improved process, I am enabled to produce fine steel from Bessemer or
open-hearth steel or wrought iron at a single operation, and without the addition
of carbonaceous material or fluxes as heretofore practised.
In order to render the material of the furnace or the lining thereof elastic, tough
and not liable to crack, I sometimes mix, with the graphite, coal-tar, bitumen,
asphalt or similar hydro-carbons.
If it is desired to de-phosphorize the iron or steel simultaneously with its
treatment as above described, I mix, with the graphite which is to form the
furnace or the lining thereof, calcareous or dolomitic substances, so as to form a
basic lining or surface in the furnace.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. The above described process consisting in melting Bessemer or open-hearth
steel or wrought iron in a furnace composed wholly or partly of, or lined with,
graphite or plumbago, mixed or unmixed with coal-tar, bitumen or similar hydro-
carbons or with calcareous or dolomitic substances, all substantially as, and for the
purposes, set forth.
Second. The modification of my improved process wherein the metal to be
treated is drawn or poured from, the converter, furnace, or ladle into the furnace
composed wholly or partly of, or lined with graphite or plumbago, as, and for the
purpose, set forth.
Duted this 25th day of October 1884.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.