Improvements in the Manufacture of Detonator Tubes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Apr., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 10th Jan., 1900-Accepted, 7th Apr., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Detonator Tubes.
I, OWEN WILLIAMS, of Mount Korong Road, Bendigo, in the Colony of
Victoria, Mining Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention has been devised for the purpose of providing an improvement
in the tube cap or cylinder in which the detonating or fulminating substance
is contained and which said tube cap or cylinder is usually termed a "detonator.
tube."
At the present time a disadvantage exists in, and a loss of gold occurs through,
the employment of the usual copper caps or tubes: inasmuch as, that when
they are exploded into fragments, such fragmentary matter becomes slightly
coated with finely pulverised mercury (formed or freed during explosion from
the mercurial composition of the fulminating compound contained in the deto-
nator) and disseminated throughout the ores. or exploded auriferous material.
Such copper forms an amalgamation with, and produces a "sickening" effect
upon, the mercury contained in the stamper boxes ripples or tables and causes
an interruption to or interference with the proper amalgamation of the gold
and quicksilver, and moreover tends to cause a loss of gold.
In my invention I employ an alloy of copper and metallic arsenic, preferably
associated together while the copper is in a molten state by the metallic arsenic
being dropped therein and subjected to a mixing movement. By experiment I
have found that about 91 per centum of copper with 9 per centum of metallic
arsenic produces a satisfactory non-amalgamatable alloy, that is to say, an alloy
which, whilst being sufficiently ductile for manipulation into tubular form,
is at the same time a proof against amalgamation with mercury, even under
frictional conditions. I may however vary the proportions of the metallic
arsenic to, or with, the copper for instance if it be desired that the cylinder
or tube be cast in lieu of being wrought I may then employ a larger propor-
tion of metallic arsenic, in some cases even to the extent of 40 per centum of the
said metallic arsenic to 60 per centum of copper.
ness
.
When employing the proportion first mentioned viz.:-91 per centum of
copper and 9 per centum of metallic arsenic the metal alloy thus produced may
be rolled, after annealing into sheets or plates to the required thick-
for the manufacture of the tube; от the said tube spun
pressed or otherwise formed into its shape under heat or annealed conditions.
I would have it understood that for the purpose of my invention I desire to
use as much of the metallic arsenic as possible; its maximum per centage in
the composition of the alloy being determined only by the minimum amount of
ductility required in the alloy produced by it with copper. As aforesaid if
the sheets are to be cast there is no reason against or objection to the said
metallic alloy being increased in its relative per centage as, in such case, ducti-
lity is not so necessary as when the said alloy is to be bent spun or pressed into

page_text: a tubular or cylindrical form. Whatever such last referred to proportion be
it must not be such that the tube, in its finished condition, and after final
annealing will break when squeezed upon the fuse when the latter has been
inserted into the tube' for firing purposes.
4
Dated this 104.
J
1900
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.
13; Temple Street, Birmingham, and 25, Cross Street, Manchester,
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Detonator Tubes.
I, OWEN WILLIAMS, of Mount Korong Road, Bendigo, in the Colony of
Victoria, Mining 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:-
This invention has been devised for the purpose of providing an improvements
in the tube cap or cylinder in which the detonating or fulminating substance
is contained and which said tube cap or cylinder is usually termed a
66 detonator
tube."
At the present time a disadvantage exists in, and a loss of gold occurs through,
the employment of the usual copper caps or tubes: inasmuch as, that when
they are exploded into fragments, such fragmentary matter becomes slightly
coated with finely pulverised mercury (formed or freed during explosion from
the mercurial composition of the fulminating compound contained in the deto-
nator) and disseminated throughout the ores, or exploded auriferous material.
Such copper forms an amalgamation with, and produces a "sickening" effect
upon, the mercury contained in the stamper boxes ripples or tables and causes
an interruption to or interference with the proper amalgamation of the gold
and quicksilver, and moreover tends to cause a loss of gold.
In my invention I employ an alloy of copper and metallic arsenic, preferably
associated together while the copper is in a molten state by the metallic arsenic
being dropped therein and subjected to a mixing movement. By experiment I
have found that about 91 per centum of copper with 9 per centum of metallic
arsenic produces a satisfactory non-amalgamable alloy, that is to say, an alloy
which, whilst being sufficiently ductile for manipulation into tubular form,
is at the same time a proof against amalgamation with mercury, even under
frictional conditions. I may however
vary the proportions of the metallic
arsenic to, or with, the copper for instance if it be desired that the cylinder
or tube be cast in lieu of being wrought may then employ a larger propor
tion-of metallic arsenic, in some cases even to the extent of 40 per centum of the
said metallic arsenic to 60 per centum of copper.
When employing the proportion first mentioned iz.-91 per centum of
copper and g Per centum of metallic arsenic the metal alloy,thus
produced may be rolled, after annealing into sheets or plates to the
required thickness for the manufacture of the tube; or the said tube spun
pressed or otherwise formed into its shape under heat or annealed conditions.
I would have it understood that for the purpose of my invention I desire to
use as much of the metallic arsenic as possible; its maximum per centage in
the composition of the alloy being determined only by the minimum amount, of
ductility required in the alloy produced by it with copper. As aforesaid if

page_text: the sheets are to be cast there is no reason against or objection to the said
metallic alloy being increased in its relative per centage as, in such case, ducti-
lity is not so necessary as when the said alloy is to be bent spun or pressed into
a tubular or cylindrical form. Whatever such last referred to proportion be,
it must not be such that the tube, in its finished condition, and after final
annealing will break when squeezed upon the fuse when the latter has been
inserted into the tube for firing purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
-
1. The improved detonator tube cap or cylinder, for containing detonating
or fulminating substance, constructed and formed from an alloy of copper with
metallic arsenic, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
2. In a detonating tube cap or cylinder, for containing detonating or ful-
minating substance, the use of a metallic alloy formed of copper and metallic
arsenic the proportions of each being varied to suit the method of production
or formation of the tube necessary for any particular requirement, substan-
tially as and for the purposes herein before described.
Dated thi 1011 .
1000
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, and 25, Cross Street, Manchester.
Agents.