US1459910A - Method of removing rust from metal articles - Google Patents

Description

Patented June 26, i923.

JULIAN S. GBAVELY, WYTHEVILLE, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO WINCHESTER RE- PEATING ARMS 60., OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION.

METHOD OF REMOVING RUST FROM METAL ARTICLES.

No Drawing T 0 wZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JULIAN S. GRAVELY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wytheville, in the county of l/Vythe and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Methods of Removing Rust from Metal Articles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention relates to an improved method of removing rust from metal articles, whether of iron alone, orof iron combined with other elements, or plated, the object being to provide a simple, convenient, effective and economical, rust removing method which will not corrode or otherwise affect the underlying metal in any degree, whereby the time, labor and expense of removin rust mechanically, as well as the mutilation of the underlying metal, is avoided.

With these ends in view, my invention consists in a method of removing rust from metal articles, consisting in subjecting them to the action of a solution of the ammonium salt of an organic acid, such, for example, as citric or tartaric acid, and then, after a due interval of time, washing off the resulting slime produced by the reaction of the ammonium solution upon the rusted surface of the article.

i In carrying out my invention, I prefer to employ a 10% solution of ammonium citrate in water, though I do not confine myself to this percentage, nor to the use of ammonium citrate, since many other ammonium salts of orgamc acids, such as the ammonium salt of tartaric acid, might be employed in substan; tially the same percentage. '1 do not, however, confine myselfto any percentage, since any percentage between about 8% and saturation will yield satisfactory results. A; solution below 8% is objectionable only because too slow in its action for its operation Application filed July 22, 1922, Serial No. 576,865.

to commercial advantage,-while the higher percentages, although efiective, may be considered objectionable on account of the expense of the salt. Preferably, the articles from which the rust is to be removed are immersed in the solution and left therein for a length of time, dependent upon the thickness of the coating of rust and upon the convenience of the operator. After the reaction of the solution upon the rusted surface is completed, the article is removed and washed with clean water, when it will be found free from rust and not attacked by the solution.

If preferred, the solution may be applied to the article by a brush, sponge, cloth, or other carrier, but by far the best results are secured by immersion, since, if the solution dries upon the article, it will be ineffective; One of the advantages proceeding from my 'method is that the article to be treated may be left in the solution indefinitely without harm. My improved method has been the ammonium salt of an organic acid, and 75 then, after a due interval of time, washing oil the resulting slime produced by the reaction of the ammonium salt solution upon the rusted surface of the article.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- JULIAN S. GRAVELY. Witnesses:

.Hnmam'rm M. Pnnme, 'ERIK S- :v n

plate or affecting the