Process for Obtaining a New Metallic Alloy.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 26th May, 1891-Accepted, 22nd Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Process for Obtaining a New Metallic Alloy.
I, THEODOR HELD, Manufacturer of Metal Wares, of Menden, Westphalia, in
the German Empire do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows :-
This invention has for its object, to produce an alloy which resembles gold,
which when exposed to air containing ammoniacal or acid vapour, will neither
oxidise nor change its colour, which can be rolled and worked like gold, and is
much cheaper than precious metals.
For this purpose I employ copper and antimony, in the approximate proportion
of 100 to 6. About 100 parts of copper are melted and raised to a certain tem-
perature, after which about 6 parts of antimony are added. When the antimony is
molten and intimately mixed with the copper, a small quantity of ashes from char-
coal, and of calcarcous spar (kalkspath) is added, in order to reduce or avert the
porosity of the resulting composition, thus serving to produce an alloy of great
density.
Dated this 26th day of August 1890.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Process for Obtaining a New Metallic Alloy.
I, THEODOR HELD, of Menden, Westphalia, Germany, Manufacturer of Metal
Wares, 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 :-
This invention relates to the manufacture of a metallic alloy resembling in
appearance and therefore suitable for use as a substitute for gold, and which does
not become oxidized or lose its gold-like appearance even when exposed for a long
period to the action of air containing ammonia or acid vapors, is capable of being
rolled and worked; and is much cheaper than metallic compositions and alloys
heretofore employed as substitutes for gold.
The alloy consists of copper and antimony in or approximately in the proportions
of 100 parts by weight of copper to 6 parts by weight of antimony, and is produced
by adding antimony in, or about in, the said proportion to molten copper when the
said molten copper has reached a suitable temperature.
When the antimony thus added has also become melted and intimately alloyed
with the copper, there is added to the fused mass while the same is still in the
melting crucible a quantity of ashes or dust from charcoal and calcareous spar to
form a flux. Suitable proportions to employ are 40 grammes of charcoal dust &
25 grammes of calcareous spar to 1 kilogramme of melted metal.
This addition of flux has the effect of making the alloy close grained and of
obviating the porosity it would otherwise possess.
The alloyed produced as described can be rolled, hammered and soldered; and
not only has it when polished the appearance of gold but moreover it has con-
siderably greater toughness and hardness.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. The manufacture of a metallic alloy having the appearance of gold, by
melting copper, adding to it whilst in a molten state antimony substantially in tlie
proportions hereinabove stated, and to the molten mixture adding ashes from
charcoal and calcareous spar.
2. The manufacture of the new material, copper alloyed with antimony, in the
proportions set forth, as herein described.
Dated this 26th day of May 1801
THEODOR HELD.
By L. W., per F. B.