Search Documents

By N. A. Ziegler

THE chief difficulty in determining oxygen in steels is its tendency to form a variety of compounds. Almost every element, found as an ingredient in steels, maybe expected to be present as an oxide. Some of these oxides have widely differing properties, and consequently behave differently when attempts are made to reduce them by the vacuum fusion method. As I pointed out in a paper published in the Transactions of the A.S.S.T., Vol. 20, No. 1, many experimenters are spending considerable time and effort in attempting to deter¬mine the degree of completeness of the above reactions, and hold different opinions on the matter. In studying this subject the following table, taken from Hodgman and Lange's "Handbook of Chemistry and Physics" may be used as a guide.

Jan 1, 1933

By T. E. Leontis

The specific effect of various rare-earth metals on the room- and elevated-temperature properties of magnesium has been evaluated. Alloys containing didymium exhibit the highest tensile and compressive strengths at room and elevated temperatures. All the rare-earth metals increase the creep resistance of extruded magnesium at temperatures in the range of 400° to 600°F, but the degree of enhancement depends on the temperature and on the concentration of the added metal. THE effects of rare-earth metals on the properties of sand-cast magnesium were discussed in some detail in earlier paper by the author.' The present paper deals with the effect of the same alloying elements on the properties of extruded magnesium. This investigation also had as its aim the development of a wrought alloy having a better combination of room-temperature strength and ductility and elevated-temperature strength and creep resistance than is found in magnesium-Mischmetal-manganese alloys, which have been reported earlier.2-5 The only known attempt to study wrought magnesium alloys containing pure cerium instead of Mischmetal was made by Mellor and Ridley.6 They found that in the form of rolled bars there is a definite, optimum cerium content for creep resistance at 200 °C and that the creep resistance of these alloys at 200 °C is significantly Improved by heat treatment at 550" to 580"C. In the present investigation the compositional variation in mechanical properties of the following alloy systems is presented: I—magnesium-Misch-metal. 2—magnesium-cerium-free Mischmetal. 3— magnesium-didymium. 4—magnesium-cerium. 5— magnesium-lanthanum. Alloys containing predominately praseodymium are not included in this series because of the lack of this material. Experimental Procedures The alloying ingredients used in preparing the alloys described herein are the same as those reported in the earlier paper.' Cerium-free Mischmetal is the rare-earth mixture remaining when the cerium is removed from Mischmetal, which contains all the rare-earth metals as they occur naturally in mon-azite sand, the ore from which Mischmetal is produced. Removal of both cerium and lanthanum from Mischmetal leaves what is commonly called "didym-ium," consisting predominantly of neodymium and praseodymium. Although the composition of the particular batch of each metal used may differ somewhat from the analysis presented previously, these differences are not great enough to warrant repeat- ing the specific composition of each material. The electrolytic magnesium used as the starting material in these alloys has the same typical analysis as that given in the earlier paper.' The alloys were prepared in small laboratory melts applying all the necessary precautions for alloying rare-earth metals with magnesium described by Marande.' Most melts were large enough to cast one 3 in. diam billet 10 in. long. In a few cases, particularly the didymium-containing alloys, the lack of sufficient amounts of the rare-earth metal limited the size of the billet to 6 to 8 in. All billets were scalped to a diameter of 2 15/16 in. and faced to a length of 9 ¼ in. as limited by the size of the extrusion container. The alloys were extruded into ½ in. diam rod on a 500-ton direct-extrusion press using a 3 in. container. The details of the extrusion step are: billet preheat, 925°F (2 hr); container temperature, 900°F; die temperature, 900°F; extrusion speed, 10 ft per min; reduction ratio, 36:1; and percent reduction, 97.3. The lower melting point of alloys containing didymium' necessitated reduction of the extrusion speed to 5 ft per min in order to prevent hot shorting during extrusion. Adequate lengths were cropped from both ends of each extruded rod to assure that all the material used for tests was extruded under uniform conditions. Tensile and compressive properties at room temperature are reported in the several conditions of heat treatment. The ASTM designations are used to distinguish these conditions as follows: T5—Direct age at 400°F (16 hr) T4—Heat treat at 950°F (4 hr) for alloys containing didymium T4—Heat treat at 1050°F (4 hr) for all other alloys T6—T4 + age at 400 °F (16 hr) The lower heat-treating temperature for alloys containing didymium is necessitated by the lower melting point of these alloys. All heat treatments were conducted in electrically heated, circulating-air furnaces. A protective atmosphere containing 0.5 to 1.0 pct sulphur dioxide was used for the high temperature heat treatments. Tension and creep specimens 6 Yz in. long and compression specimens 1½ in. long were cut from the extruded rod. A reduced section of ? in. diam was machined on the tension specimens, whereas on the creep specimens a reduced section of 0.450 in. diam

Jan 1, 1952

By H. R. Thresh

An oscillational vis cometer has been constructed to measure the viscosity of liquid metals and alloys to 800°C. An enclosed cylindrical interface surrounds the molten sample avoiding the free surface condition found in many previous measurements. Standardization of the apparatus with mercury has verified the use of Roscoe's formula in the calculation of the viscosity. Operation of the apparatus at higher temperatures was also checked using molten lead. Extensive measurements on five different samples of zinc, of not less than 99.99 pct purity, indicate i) impurities at this level do not influence the viscosity and ii) the apparatus is capable of giving reproducible data. The variation of the viscosity ? with absolute temperature T is adequately expressed by Andrade's exponential relationship ?V1/3 = AeC/VT , where A and C are constants and V is the specific volume of the liquid. The values of A and C are given as 2.485 x 10-3 and 20.78, 2.444 x 10-3 and 88.79, and 2.169 x 10-3 and 239.8, respectively, for mercury, lead, and zinc. The error of measurement is assessed to be about 1 pct. Prefreezing phenomena in the vicinity of the freezing point of the zinc samples were found to be absent. AS part of an over-all program of research on various phases of melting and casting nonferrous alloys, a systematic study of some physical properties of liquid metals and their alloys was undertaken in the laboratories of the Physical Metallurgy Division.1,2,3 The most recent phase of this work, on zinc and some zinc-base alloys, was carried out in cooperation with the Canadian Zinc and Lead Research Committee and the International Lead-Zinc Research Organization. One of the properties investigated was viscosity and the present paper gives results on pure zinc; the second part, on the viscosity of some zinc alloys, will be reported separately. Experimental interest in the viscosity of liquid metals has virtually been confined to the past 40 years. The capillary technique was already established as the primary method for the viscosity of fluids in the vicinity of room temperature; all relevant experimental corrections were known and an absolute accuracy of 1 to 2 pct was possible. Ap- plication of the capillary method to liquid metals creates a number of exacting requirements to manipulate a smooth flow of highly reactive liquid through a fine-bore tube. Consequently, the degree of precision usually achieved in the high-temperature field rarely compares with measurements on aqueous fluids near room temperature. However, the full potential of the capillary method has yet to be explored using modern experimental techniques. As an alternative, many investigators in this field have preferred to select the oscillational method. Unfortunately, the practical advantages are somewhat offset by the inability of the hydrodynamic theory to realize a rational working formula for the calculation of the viscosity. In attempting to overcome this restriction many investigators have employed calibrational procedures, even to the extent of selecting an arbitrary formula for use with a given shaped interface. However, where calibration cannot be founded on well-established techniques, the contribution of such experiments to the general field of viscometry is questionable. A critical appraisal of the viscosity data existing for pure liquid metals reveals a somewhat discordant situation where considerable effort is still required to establish reproducible and reliable values for the low-melting point metals. The means of rectifying this situation have gradually evolved in recent years. Here, the theory of the oscillational method has undergone major advances for both the spherical and cylindrical interfaces. The basic concepts of verschaffelt4 governing the oscillation of a solid sphere in an infinite liquid have been adequately expressed by Andrade and his coworkers.5,6 Employing a hollow spherical container and a formula, which had been extensively verified by experiments on water, absolute measurements on the liquid alkali metals were obtained. The extension of this approach to the more common liquid metals has been demonstrated by culpin7 and Rothwel18 where much ingenuity was used to surmount the problem of loading the sample into the delicate sphere. Because of the elegant technique required to construct a hollow sphere, the cylindrical interface holds recognition as virtually the ideal shape. On the other hand, loss of symmetry in one plane increases the complexity of deriving a calculation of the viscosity. The contributions of Hopkins and Toye9 and Roscoe10 have markedly improved the potential use of the cylindrical interface in liquid-metal viscometry. The relatively simple experi-

Jan 1, 1965

By A. R. T. Denues

LIQUID-OXYGEN explosives commonly consist of a carbonaceous absorbent enclosed in a canvas wrapper and soaked with a liquid containing more than 90 mol per cent of oxygen. Investigation of these explosives in this country was initiated in 1917 by George S. Rice, then Chief Mining Engineer of the Bureau of Mines. The early development is summarized in two papers.1,2 Their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages were considered in a recent bulletin of the Bureau of Mines.,3 Other publications of this Bureau4, 5 treat the technology of these explosives and contain adequate references to pertinent literature. These investigations defined the properties of liquid-oxygen explosives and improved them greatly; however, an outstanding disadvantage is their high inflammability, a property of critical practical importance. These explosives as hitherto prepared are easily inflamed; the combustion resulting from an accidental ignition is particularly dangerous because of the ease with which it passes into detonation. For this reason the Bureau of Mines undertook a cooperative investigation, which has resulted in the development of fire-retardant treatment for the minimization or elimination of this hazard without materially impairing the explosive properties, including the ease of detonation. This presentation will offer a general description of the investigation and the outstanding results. Further phases will appear in subsequent short papers, and the entire investigation including the results of detailed experiments will be available in a forthcoming bulletin of the Bureau of Mines (Bull. 429). The effects produced by fire-retardant treatments of the carbonaceous absorbent and of the canvas wrappers were investigated separately, and the efficacy of combinations of these treatments with particular reference to the possibility of inflammation and to the development of detonation from inflammation was studied. The experimental explosive was pre¬pared from a granular carbonaceous absorbent and. the results described maybe more or less unique for such a material. An extensive preliminary

Jan 1, 1940

By R. W. Heckel

It has been shown previously that the effect of applied pressure on the density of a metal powder may be expressed by a relationship of the form:

Jan 1, 1962

Jan 1, 1920

By Suzanne T. Mathis, J. C. Ferm, J. T. Berger, W. Horger

A system of core logging and computerized entry and retrieval is described which permits accurate and rapid logging of core, cuttings and geophysical records derived from exploration and development bore holes. The system is so constructed that older drilling records can also be utilized. Output consists of conventional computer print out and graphic logs with a variety of scales, symbols and formats. Such logs can be used in constructing rock profiles which are necessary in property assessment and mine development.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. Absil, H. Dreissen

Upgrading low-concentration ores is of increasing importance today. The heavy medium cyclone process, due to strong centrifugal forces, effectively separates particles varying only slightly in specific gravity but widely in size. The paper discusses separation efficiency, assessment of that efficiency, and the influence of such factors as medium solids. The operating results of nine heavy medium cyclone plants, each handling a different mineral, are reported.

Jan 1, 1982

Perhaps, after years of concerted effort at a mineral prospect, your company has reached the stage of feasibility study. Detailed target investigations, drilling, bulk sampling, land acquisition, and engineering analyses are complete, and the deposit still remains an attractive investment possibility. Your company, after long study, decides to begin mine development-now, how do you convince lending institutions that your proposed operation will return their borrowed funds, plus interest, over the term of the loan?

Jan 12, 1978

By James J. Bean

Although determining and controlling specific gravity of operating medium in a heavy-media plant manually presents no problem, there are advantages to automatic recording and control. The two installations discussed employ the usual method of measurement. Pneumatic control with band control and reset features is used to regulate dilution water and hence specific gravity. Difficulties have been mechanical in nature and associated with obtaining a proper sample and maintaining tight air connections in bubble-tube piping.

Jan 3, 1950

By E. E. Duncan, G. Derce

REVIEW of the literature on hydrogen in steels indicates that inadequate consideration has been given to the influence of temperature gradients on segregation of this element. Even when segregation has been taken into account, the interpretation of the data has been seriously handicapped by incomplete understanding of the mechanism by which it occurred. Recognition of a mechanism which will be described as "thermal segregation" appears to rationalize many of the observed effects so well that it will be reported here with some preliminary experimental evidence. The complete quantitative evaluation of the factors controlling the mechanism will require extensive experimentation. The operation of the mechanism can be described in relation to fig. 1, which shows the temperature dependence of the solubility of hydrogen in iron at

Jan 1, 1951

By W. H. Pelton, P. G. Hallof

Outlining small pods of high-grade, massive sulfide, copper-zinc mineralization was the object of an intensive exploration program by Long Lac Mineral Exploration Ltd., near York Harbour, Newfoundland, Canada. Efforts to define the ore zones using surface dipole-dipole induced polarization techniques were not entirely successful due to the poor size-to-depth ratio of the targets and widespread disseminated mineralization. Additional information on the size and shape of the sulfide bodies was obtained by placing a current electrode directly within a mineralized drill intersection and systematically measuring the resultant potential on the ground surface. Some simple potential field sources were interpreted from the data and their validity has been shown by an extension to the underground workings.

Jan 1, 1973

By B. Y. Ekber, A. S. Gorbachev

The development of economically effective and safe methods of mining thick coal seams allow considerable coal reserves to be used as an energy resource all over the world.

Jan 1, 1979

By J. W. Robinson

The Jersey mine, owned by Canadian Exploration Ltd., has produced nearly five million tons of lead- zinc ore from a flat-lying replacement orebody. A room and pillar method of trackless mining has been used, leaving a checkerboard pattern of 40-ft wide panels, with the hanging wall supported by pillars from 20 to 40 ft in diameter. About 35% of the remaining ore reserve is tied up in pillars. The pillars in the north end of the mine are smaller than the pillars in the south end and each contains about 500 to 1000 tons of ore. The larger pillars in the south end contain from 2000 to 8000 tons of ore each. The pillars vary from 15 to 60 ft high, depending on the thickness of the orebody at any given point. They are irregularly shaped, and from 20 to 40 ft in diameter.

Jan 12, 1963

By William Glenn

That basic slag will rapidly destroy ordinary (i.e., siliceous) fire-bricks is known to every smelter; and the smelter of copper-ores in particular knows that any kind of slag occurring in his practice is destructive. From this fact arises the chief distress of those who attempt to smelt copper-ores in any manner of furnace constructed of bricks or stone, or other similar material. We have passed the fire-brick stage of our experience; and now, having entered upon the period of the water-jacketed cupola, we will employ no furnace other than that having steel walls, kept cool by water. But,, unfortunately, the bottom of a water-jacketed cupola, kept cool by another water-jacket, fails of its purpose, being thereby made so cold as to chill both slag and regulus to a degree not bearable. The situation is more or less ameliorated when the upper surface of the water-jacketed bottom is covered with fire-bricks, since, so long as they last, they prevent the molten material from contact with the cold bottom. My own observation leads me to suppose that most smelters construct cupola-bottoms of iron slabs, which are covered, to a greater or less depth, with fire-bricks. There are cupola-bottoms which

Jan 1, 1902

By Elliot Rexford

The quality of aggregate materials is of major importance in governing durability and permanence of concrete structures. The problem of selecting suitable aggregate materials is two-fold. Geological factors include the type and character of the aggregate source, presence of known or suspected reactive constituents, and presence of thermally incompatible materials. Laboratory investigations include petrographic studies, soundness and reactivity tests, and tests of thermal properties. The importance of each factor in the selection of satisfactory aggregate material is considered in detail.

Jan 3, 1950

By N. S. Keith

No one of the live subjects of the day, to which the attention of the mining engineer and metallurgist should be turned, is of greater practical interest to him than electricity in its applications to various mechanical, chemical, and metallurgical operations.. The object of this paper is to call the attention of my fellow-members and associates of the Institute to various new, as well as comparatively old, developments in the science and art of electricity which seem to promise results of advantage. Too many of the comparatively old applications have been neglected by the mining engineer, which, if he had given them a place among his appliances, would have assisted him greatly. The telegraph may be noticed as one. Its use is, however, confined to a person having skill in the manipulations of the key, the reading of the alphabet, and familiarity with the sounder. One of the simpler forms—the call-bell—has a range of application far greater as to distance and convenience than the old wire-pull, or the hoarse voice of the windlass-man or the bucket-dumper. A few Leclanche cells, two or more electric bells, and a mile or more of mire judiciously placed will put the superintendent, at his office, in communication with the foremen of his mills and mines, so that by the aid of a code of signals, great advantages may be gained without necessitating a knowledge of the Morse alphabet, or of the mechanical voice of the sounder. The telephone furnishes a means of communication be-

Jan 1, 1882

Jan 1, 1928

THE Annual Fall Meeting held in Chicago in conjunction with the celebration of a Centennial of Engineering brought forth a round of field trips and symposiums which did much to add to the store of information of the 240 who registered for the gathering. Instead of a scattered program, technical papers were grouped together in organized symposiums, where the particular importance of each report was enhanced by presentation in context. Despite the heavy accent on technical papers and informative field trips, those attending the meeting had ample time to enjoy the benefits of a visit to Chicago. The AIME dinner dance was held at the Palmer House, in the Red Lacquer Room. The Chicago Section played host Friday evening at dinner. The MBD held four sessions at the meeting headquarters, the Palmer House, September 4 and 5. Featuring the meetings was a review of taconite concentration and new theories on comminution. The first session opened with a paper on the Structural Features Which Effect the Concentration of Iron Formations, presented by F. J. Tolonen. The paper was centered upon the various members of the low grade iron formations of the separate Michigan districts. The study correlated macrostructure, microstructure, and concentration tests. [ ] Beneficiation Characteristics of Michigan Low Grade Iron Ores, presented by F. X. Tartaron, cochairman of the session, reviewed the work of his laboratory on the beneficiation of low grade ore taken from various strata of a deep shaft on the Marquette Range. The paper included data on flotation, gravity separation, magnetic separation, and combinations of these processes. The economics of low grade ore treatment generated great interest. Ty. Maki offered a compilation and correlation of field results with magnetic separators in ferrosilicon and magnetite medium recovery circuits. Following the morning session, 130 persons attended a luncheon, followed by a brief business meeting. Later, a film illustrating the grinding, separation, and pelletizing steps investigated by the Mines Experiment Bureau, was presented by H. H. Wade. T. E. Ban, and L. J. Erck gave a report on pelletizing which evoked much discussion. R. A. Limons presented a paper on the Mineralogy of Blast Furnace Sinter, for its author, H. M. Kraner. Friday sessions featured a new hypothesis for high speed drill rod milling and a new technical approach to comminution. Jack Myers commented that Consolidated's large rod mill was a hammer mill turned inside out. Steve Erickson described the use of Cyclones for Heavy Media Concentration of Iron Ore Fines. Bob Meaders gave a Progress Report on the Aerofall Mill. Shiou-Chuan Sun described an improved high frequency analyzer for studying the conductivity of suspensions of various minerals. L. A. Roe discussed a magnetic reflux condensor which enabled him to determine the degree of liberation of magnetic iron ores. Roy A. Johnson described a function of the hydroscilator in which the fan rake was eliminated in favor of a conical bottom. The Industrial Minerals Division sessions held September 5 and 6 and were well attended. The Friday morning session was particularly concerned with developments and advances in industrial minerals with special emphasis on the Chicago area. The first two papers dealt with transportation on the Great Lakes and fuel movement into the Chicago area. The third paper proved to be of great interest, turning the spotlight on the fairly new hydraulic mining methods introduced by a silica company in the Ottawa, Ill. field.

Jan 1, 1952