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By Henry Fay

The erosion of guns is a complex problem which can be solved only by a detailed study of all the factors involved. In the present paper it is proposed to submit the results of observations and experiments which have extended over several years. Certain facts have been established and preliminary reports have been published.' Conclusions have been reached since then which, it is believed, are worth presenting for the purpose of promoting discussion, and with the hope that ultimately the whole truth will be known. The particular phase of the problem which will be presented here is the hardening of the inner surface of the gun tube. It has been known for a long time that after firing a large caliber gun for some time, the surface of the metal becomes hard and brittle, cracks, and wears away.2 The character of this phenomenon may be learned by an examination of some results which are typical, obtained from a detailed study of a 12-in. gun. The gun was trepanned and rings representing various sections of the gun were cut out for examination. The first ring represented the metal at the muzzle end, and the other rings were removed at approximately 120, 240, 325 and 337 in., respectively, toward the breech end. The appearance of the surface of the metal in the different sections is shown in Fig. 1. The greatest amount of wear and maximum amount of hard surface layer was found in section marked E, which is nearest the powder chamber and at the beginning of the rifing; the maximum amount of cracking in D; the maximum amount of copper deposition in C. Section B showed heat cracks on both lands and grooves, and section A showed heat cracks on the driving edge of the lands only. There was much flow of metal in both sections E and D, and there was progressively less effect noticeable toward the muzzle end. The polished cross-section of these same pieces is shown in Fig. 2. The extent of the erosion is greatest nearest the powder chamber, and diminishes toward the muzzle end.

Jan 1, 1917

YEAR OF ELECTION 1944. SELWYN GWILLYM BLAYLOCK Trail, B.C., Canada 1922. FEDERICO GIOLITTI Torino, Italy 1917. HERBERT HOOVER New, York, N. Y. 1941. DANIEL COWAN JACKLING San Francisco, Cal if. 1939. HENRY KRUMB New York, N. Y. 1942. ESSINGTON LEWIS Melbourne, Vic., Australia 1921. C. McDERMID London, England 1942. PAUL DYER MERICA New York, N. Y. 1913. EZEQUIEL ORDONEZ Mexico City, Mexico 1938. A. M. PORTEVIN Paris, France. 1937. JOHN V. W. REYNDERS New York, N. Y. 1937. GEORGE S. RICE Washington, D. C. 1911. ROBERT H. RICHARDS Cambridge, Mass. 1934. T. A. RICKARD Victoria, B.C., Canada

Jan 1, 1944

By Lyle L. Marsh, David L. Douglas

CORRELATION was made between the heat treatment and hardness of three U-Ti alloys ranging in composition from 8.5 to 50 atomic pct Ti. The following important observations were made: 1) A direct quench of y U-Ti solid solution resulted in the formation of a hard martensitic phase in low-titanium alloys. 2) Subsequent tempering initially increased the hardness by the precipitation of a fine dispersion of U2Ti; further precipitation of U2Ti with tempering time eventually resulted in softening. 3) High-hardness levels were obtained also by isothermal transformation of an 8.5 atomic pct Ti alloy at 400º and 500°C. 4) The crystal structure of the phases present at the solution-treating temperature (one region in the phase diagram excepted) and the temperature within a given phase region affected the hardness of both quenched and isothermally transformed alloys. Introduction It has been known since 1887 that the mechanical properties of metals were dependent upon their microstructure. Sorby pointed out in that year that annealed gray iron castings were softer than chilled iron castings by virtue of the graphite which had replaced hard cementite in the microstructure. Over the years, interest has increased in the effect of microstructure on the mechanical properties of metals, and now high-strength levels may be achieved by bringing about the dispersion of a second phase or by other microstructural adjustments. The nature of a second phase in an alloy strongly influences the properties. For example, the size, shape, amount, and distribution of a second phase plays a very important role in the ultimate properties of an alloy. Microstructural control is achieved by heat treatments. Hence, any alloy system of potential use should be understood in terms of its response to heat treatment and the resultant effects upon the properties.

Jan 1, 1958

By V. R. Garfias, A. C. Fernandez

Despite artificial curtailment in all the fields of Mexico during 1937, owing to strikes and other disturbances, the production of crude petroleum aggregated approximately 46,738,000 bbl., showing a substantial increase of about 5,571,000 bbl. over the preceding year. Most of this increase occurred in the Poza Rica area, where, although only two wells were completed during the year, production increased from 14,162,000 bbl. in 1936 to 18,634,000 in 1937. While production in the South fields (Golden Lane) remained practically stationary, the output in the heavy-oil district of the Northern fields showed an increase of 1,930,000 bbl., because production had been considerably curtailed during 1936. Production in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec decreased about 596,000 bbl., owing to labor disturbances. Crude run to stills in local refineries increased from 34,000,000 bbl. in 1936 to 36,650,000 in 1937. Exports of crude and refined products were approximately 22,700,000 bbl., or 500,000 bbl. less than in 1936. Domestic consumption, excluding ships bunkers, reached a total of 20,000,000 bbl., which shows a small increase of 200,000 bbl. over the. previous year. Domestic demand for gasoline is estimated at 3,400,000 bbl. for the year, which represents an increase of 500,000 bbl. over 1936. In all, 60 wells were completed in Mexico during 1937, as compared to 70 in 1936 and 74 in 1935. In proven areas 52 completions resulted in 25 producers and 27 failures. In the Northeastern area near the United States border, five gas wells were drilled, all of which were producers; one of them, in Camargo, came in with a daily production of 20,000,000 cu. ft. of gas. One well, resulting in a failure, was drilled in Las Uvas, Coahuila, and three wells were completed in Quebrache, to the southeast of the heavy-oil district, resulting in two small producers and one failure. TWO more wells drilled in San SebastiBn, east of the Golden Lane, were failures. Fields Northern Fields (Heavy-oil District).—A total of 11 producers and 22 failures was completed in the proven areas of the Northern fields, as compared to 16 producers and 25 failures in 1936. In the Altamira

Jan 1, 1938

By C. S. Simons, G. Major-Marothy, M. A. K. Grice, D. A. Dahlstrom

The vacuum filter operating variables that influence cake moisture are discussed. The influence of temperature control, particularly through application of steam to the cake, is emphasized. Results of pilot plant studies on filtration of fine hematite concentrates are presented and discussed, and are shown to support the theoretically-derived conclusions. Results on fine magnetite concentrates are also used to support the argument. The relative merits of disc and drum filters from the standpoint of cake moisture are discussed. Moisture content has always been recognized as one of the most important properties of concentrates used as pellet plant feed. Most iron ore concentrates are produced by wet methods, and are finally de-watered on filters. Obviously, a real economic advantage accrues to the ability of control the moisture content of the filter cake within the range required for optimum pellet production. Another consideration, also, has been receiving increasing attention recently. Transoceanic shippers of concentrate cargoes are critically assessing the hazards of excess moisture. The nature and magnitude of these risks have been described, ' and it appears that their elimination may require that residual moisture be somewhat lower than the limit for proper pelletization. Coarse, very free-filtering materials, such as the products of spirals, are usually best handled on top-feed types of machines. The moisture content of the cake may be held at a specified value by proper design and operation, taking into account cake thickness, air-flow rate, and drainage time. Fine-grained concentrates, with which we will be concerned here, must be filtered on Drum or Agidisc machines. With many of these materials, it is possible, by proper design, to meet cake moisture requirements with a conventional filter station. The first installations to produce high-grade pellets from magnetic taconites fell in this class. In fact, the design criteria were developed in connection with operations of Reserve Mining Co. at Silver Bay, inn.,2 and these have been verified repeatedly in other mills. The trend today, however, is toward the production of more difficultly dewatered concentrates. This is due on the one hand to the increasing attention being given to non-magnetic ores, which tend to be far slimier, and therefore much more retentive of moisture, than the magnetites. On the other hand, the pressure to improve the grade of the magnetic ores is leading to finer grinds, which also are more difficult to dewater. In the latter case, the decision to improve grade in an existing operation by finer grinding for better liberation may lead to two unattractive alternatives: 1) substantially higher bentonite consumption, plus the risk of poorer quality pellets, from high cake moisture, or 2) installation of a thermal dryer. There is, however, a third alternative. In recent papers by two of the authors3,4 it was shown that for many materials a significant decrease in cake moisture can be obtained by applying live steam to the cake face during the drying part of the filter cycle. Further, this limited drying appears to have distinct economic advantages compared to thermal drying. It is the purpose of this paper to explore the third alternative. To do this, the results of an extensive pilot study of steam filtration of a hematite flotation concentrate will be critically examined. This study was sufficiently broad so that a number of alternate suggestions (besides steaming the cake) for reducing moisture content were tested, and comparative data for both Drum and Disc filters were obtained. The work was particularly interesting since the concentrate has a high Blaine surface, and is therefore particularly difficult to dewater to the levels required. FILTER CAKE MOISTURE The significant difference between concentrate filter cake as discharged from the filter, a cargo of that same filter cake during or after shipment, and a green ball formed from that filter cake is in the relative volume of voids, or porosity. In every case, the material is a collection of small solid particles held together by the cohesive forces of a liquid. The physical properties of the aggregate are determined by the

Jan 1, 1967

By Albert Sauveur

IT is not without some hesitation, and even misgiving, that I venture into a discussion of the now classical Roberts-Austen Roozeboom diagram, lest I too fail, like so many other writers, in giving a satisfactory and logical explanation of these interesting curves. Roozeboom's original diagram is reproduced in Fig. 1. The generally accepted meaning of the various curves has been so often described before this Institute that it will suffice to recall it briefly before passing to my own interpretation of the changes involved.

Nov 1, 1906

By J. M. Uys, T. B. King

The solubility of water in silicate melts of various compositions was measured. The basicity of the silicate did not appreciably affect the water solu-bulity at low-base content (acid compositions). Near the orthosilicate composition the solubility increased with basicity for silicates in which the cation displayed a weak ion-oxygen attraction and apparently decreased for those in which the cation showed a strong ion-oxygen attraction; metasilicates of the former class dissolved more water than those of the latter. Temperature had little effect on water solubility. The experimental results are interpreted on the basis of two modes of solution, the contribution of one decreasing, and that of the other increas -ing, with increased melt basicity. In the former, solution occurs through interaction with doubly-bonded oxygen atoms and in the latter, through interaction with singly-bonded oxygen atoms, or, in very basic melts, through reaction with free oxygen ions. THE hydrogen content of a steel melt is in a large measure determined by water dissolved in the slag. In some glasses water may be a major cause of "seeds". Water vapor in the furnace atmosphere is the primary source in both instances. A knowledge of the mechanism of water solution in silicate melts should help in assessment of practical methods for its control in steelmaking and glass refining. Walsh et a1.l measured the water content, expressed as hydrogen, of 40 pct lime-20 pct alumina-40 pct silica and 62 pct manganese oxide-38 pct silica melts as a function of the steam partial pressure, in equilibrium with the melt. Tomlinson 2 and, also, Russell3 investigated this relationship for a molten 30 pct soda-70 pct silica glass. In all three investigations, the solubility of water was found to be proportional to the square root of the partial pressure of steam. Moulson and Roberts 4 confirmed this relationship for a silica glass. On the basis of the square root relationship, Tomlinson2 and Russell3 interpreted the solution reaction as "network-breaking", similar to that expected on the addition of metal oxides to silica. Walsh et al.' postulated two possible modes of solution, one the mechanism suggested by Tomlinson and Russell and the other the reaction of the water molecule with an oxygen ion to form hydroxyl ions. These two modes of solution suggest opposite effects of melt basicity on water solubility. However, little appears to be known about the effect of melt basicity on water solubility. Walsh et a1.l found, in the lime-silica system, that the water content increased slightly with increased basicity. As these authors pointed out, this does not appear to be in accord with their further observation that slags containing little or no silica dissolve very little water. Kurkjian and Russell5 measured the effect of basicity on water solubility in alkali silicates in the composition range 15 to 45 mole pct alkali oxide. They found a minimum in the water content at about 25 mole pct alkali. This was interpreted on the basis of two concurrent solution reacZions; one in which solubility was proportional to the activity of doubly-bonded oxygen and, in the other, proportional to the activity of singly-bonded oxygen. The present work was aimed at establishing the effect of basicity on water solubility in silicate melts over as wide a range of compositions as practical. APPARATUS AND EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The silicate melt was equilibrated with a "carrier-gas" of accurately known water content, quenched, and analyzed for water by a vacuum fusion technique. Some pertinent details of the equilibration procedure, analysis technique, preparation, and handling of the silicates are given below. Gas-Silicate Equilibration. The apparatus used to equilibrate the melt with the gas mixture was similar to that used by Walsh et al.' but with some important modifications.6 Purification trains were provided for nitrogen and hydrogen; whenever air or oxygen was used as carrier gas the nitrogen purifiCation train was used with the copper furnace at room temperature. Gas flow rates were measured with capillary flow meters; bleeders filled with a mixture of dibromo and tribromo ethyl benzene (density about 2 g per cc) were used for convenience in controlling flow rates.

Jan 1, 1963

By Hermann Schmalzried, Carl Wagner

UPON heating a metal oxide or sulfide in H2, first only oxygen or sulfur is removed from the surface. Thus the metal/nonmetal ratio in the oxide or sulfide increases and the thermodynamic activity of the metal increases accordingly. For the formation of metallic nuclei, a certain super saturation is necessary, i.e., the activity of the metal must become greater than unity. Once nuclei of the metal have been formed, the supersaturation is supposed to decrease. Even under steady-state conditions of a reduction process, however, the activity of the metal inside an oxide or sulfide phase must be greater than unity in order to have a driving force for the individual steps of the reduction process. As an example, consider the reduction of Ag2S with a high mobility of cations and electrons. As shown schematically in Fig. 1, the reduction process involves the following steps:' 1) sulfur removal along the entire Ag2S surface in form of H2S, 2) migration of Ag' ions and electrons from the Ag2S surface to nuclei of metallic silver, 3) transfer of Ag+ ions and electrons from the Ag2S phase to the metal. For a finite rate of step 3, the activity of silver in Ag2S next to the Ag2S-Ag interface must be greater than unity. Moreover, for a finite rate of step 2, the activity of silver at the gas-Ag2S interface must be still somewhat greater. Theoretical considerations lead to the tentative conclusion that at least under steady-state conditions the supersaturation will be rather low.' To test this conclusion, the average activity aAg of silver in a Ag2S tablet about 2 mm thick with a diameter of 5 mm was followed as a function of time by measuring the electromotive force E of the cell Pt I Ag | Agl I Ag2S I Pt where AgI is used as a solid electrolyte in which only Ag+ ions are mobile. The activity aAg is calculated as aAg=exp(-EF/RT) Since the diffusion coefficient for transport of silver in Ag2S is very high (- 3 . l0-2 sq cm per sec),3 the average activity aAg is representative for both the bulk and the surface of the Ag2S tablet. Experiments were conducted at about 400°C. The cell was surrounded by an aluminum block in order to secure a uniform temperature and to eliminate thermoelectric effects. With the help of a potentiometer, first a potential of 0.16 v was applied to the above cell in argon in order to obtain a well defined initial state with a Ag/S ratio close to 2.000.~ Then the cell was disconnected from the potentiometer and a gentle stream of H2 was passed along the Ag2S surface. In view of the removal of sulfur in form of H2S, the electromotive force E decreased within 20 to 30 min to zero corresponding to a Ag/S ratio of 2.003 and became negative, indicating a value of aAg> 1. A representative plot electromotive force E vs time is shown in Fig. 2. The minimum of the electromotive force characteristic of the onset of

Jan 1, 1963

By Fred Hellmann

IT IS hardly to be doubted that the opportunity within the grasp of the mine manager for beneficent and helpful action in relation to young engineers seeking employment under him is very broad and very big. It is my experience that a manager usually has a strong inclination to help along those who have chosen the career which he has selected for himself, and to aid them and support them as their steps tread the paths which his own feet have previously followed. He has .a strong sympathy for them in their efforts, he almost yearns to shield them from the mistakes into which he himself fell, and to assist them to avoid the pit-falls of which he knows by bitter experience. Yes, this tendency and inclination is strongly developed in most managers, and they would welcome the opportunity of extending the helping hand, if they knew precisely how best this could be done.

Jan 5, 1923

By Kenneth M. Ritchie

Mineral wool is a term applied to man-made fibers of silicate glass with useful properties resulting from their fibrous nature. In contrast with crystalline fibrous minerals such as asbestos, mineral wool fibers are amorphous, solid filaments produced by drawing from molten liquid and subsequent cooling. Chemically they are silicate glass with varying percentages of metallic oxides, especially those of aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron, and in glass wool, sodium, potassium and boron. Other elements such as manganese, titanium, sulfur, etc., result from their presence in the raw materials used and are not purposely added. In the United States, mineral wool is a generic term and may be applied to rock, slag or glass wool. In Europe, glass silk and silicate cotton are products in the same category, but the term mineral wool is less commonly used. Current usage is to ignore the actual source and to differentiate products on a composition basis; thus rock and slag wools have about 35-45 pct of silica, while glass wool has 54 to 60 pct. Much mineral wool of slag origin is called "rock wool," and this practice is increasing, although wool made of slag from lead or copper refining is often referred to as "lead slag wool." Its greenish-gray to greenish-black dark color, due to 5-25 pct Fe (reported as FeO), distinguishes it from "white" wools made from iron, blast furnace slag containing only 1-2 pct FeO or Fe203. Most mineral wool is used for thermal insulation against heat and cold; sound absorption and isolation are probably the next most important uses. Both its thermal and acoustic values result primarily from the physical structure of the heterogeneous mixture of fibers and air which is the form in which the fibers are first obtained and handled. For this reason, within fairly wide limits, differences in chemical composition are relatively unimportant, and for most conventional applications all types are competitive in properties and value. Mineral wool intended for extreme conditions of high temperature, acid resistance and special purposes must have a chemical composition which will insure the desired properties. This may differ greatly from that of ordinary wools; for example one product approximately 98 pct Si02 and another consisting of 50 pct A1203 and 50 pct Si02 are produced and sold for high temperature service up to 2000°F or more. These are considerably more expensive to manufacture and their cost limits their use. Historical The manufacture of mineral wool consists fundamentally of a process which subjects molten material to shear and/or tensile forces that draw them into fibers. The liquids are cooled at a rate which solidifies them quickly. As a solid glass they are technically super-cooled liquids since they have no true melting point. The drawing out of glass into thin rods, filaments and tubes was known from very early times, and present day continuous production of glass filament for textiles was evolved gradually by adapting hand methods to automatic machinery. Rock and slag wool manufacture had a somewhat different development. Early explorers reported finding filamentous material

Jan 1, 1960

By D. C. Seidel, E. F. Fitzhugh

The Colorado School of Mines Research Foundation has developed a hydrometallurgical process for recovering nickel from oxidized ores, including both the iron-rich laterites and magnesium-rich, soft silicates. Known as the HSO-HTCP (Hydrothermal Sulfidization Oxidation-High Temperature Cementation in Pulp) Process, the system consists of feed preparation, sulfidization, oxidation, precipitation (cementation), and calcination and melting. This paper deals primarily with the sulfidization and oxidation phases of the process. Nickel sulfide ores lend themselves readily to concentration before smelting or pressure leaching, but neither of the major oxidized ore types — the iron-rich laterites and magnesium-rich, soft silicates-has been directly concentrated. Upgrading of crude ore in current practice is limited to cobbing lumps of the harder, lower grade rock (protore) from the softer, enriched silicate ore, because only a small percentage of the nickel in these ores occurs in discrete, contrasting mineral particles. There is no apparent mineralogical contrast in the superficial, iron-rich lateritic ores and, in fact, there is no firm assurance that the nickel atoms are within the lattices of the limonite minerals, or else irregularly adsorbed on the limonite. Within underlying, "rotten rock" silicates, occasional veinlets of gamierite and related nickeliferous silicates are found.' The gamierite veinlets, however, are only incidental, and the majority of the nickel atoms occur as erratic replacements of magnesium atoms in the micaceous chlorites of the ore mass. Pyrometallurgical processes account for nearly all the nickel currently being recovered from oxidized ores. Plants in New Caledonia, Oregon, Japan, Brazil and Greece smelt the ores to make ferronickels or a sulfide matte,2 and the ammoniacal leaching3 at Nicaro, Cuba, is preceded by a reducing roasL4 The only fully hydrometallurgical installation has been the politically ill-fated Freeport Nickel Co. enterprise, and this process was limited to lateritic ores.5p6 A hydrometallurgical technique which might handle both laterite and the typically richer silicate ores has been an enticing goal. The technique described here was developed at the Colorado School of Mines Research Foundation, Inc. on behalf of the Republic Steel Corp. It uses sulfur, heat, air and metallic iron to recover nickel from these ores. Inasmuch as the ores are treated as aqueous slurries, the cost of drying a plant feed that normally carried 30% or more moisture is eliminated, and there are no dust problems. Patent applications have been filed by Republic Steel Corp. on the procedures used for getting the metal into solution and on the subsequent recovery without liquids-so l ids separation of the slurry. It is referred to as the HSO-HTCP Process (Hydrothermal Sulfidization Oxidation — High Temperature Cementation in Pulp). THE PROCESS FLOWSHEET The results of various experimental studies have been combined to form the continuous flowsheet illustrated in Fig. 1. This flowsheet serves as a general pattern showing the sequence of the operations which include: (1) feed preparation; (2) sulfidization; (3) oxidation; (4) precipitation (cementation); and (5) calcination and melting. This paper deals primarily with the sulfidization and oxidation phases of the process. Feed preparation: In general, the silicate ores can be considered as earthy rather than hard, and preparation might be carried out before the addition of water in a trommel, or with water in a scrubber or log washer. This breaks up the earthy particles, allowing the hard lumps to be separated by screening. The oversize material from most ores is relatively barren and may be discarded. If there is occasion to control the iron-magnesium ratio in the plant feed, laterite, which normally breaks up readily into fine sized particles, and silicates are mixed in suitable proportions. The fine product slurry from the initial steps is mixed with elemental sulfur and fed to a conventional ball mill, although the amount of actual grinding that takes place is relatively small. The object of milling is to complete the disintegration to natural particle size and to produce an intimate mixture of the ore and elemental sulfur. This pulp, which is almost entirely -200 mesh, has a pH of about 7.0 and normally can

Jan 1, 1969

By V. D. O’Leary

The Anaconda Co. has two economic uses for the drainage water from its underground mines in the district of Butte, Mont. One is the precipitation of copper, which the company has been accomplishing at the Leonard precipitating plant for many years, and the other is the leaching of the Berkeley pit discard, where millions of tons of leach material have accumulated. The acidic mine drainage water is an ideal leaching medium for the latter purpose, but the solids and colloidal material suspended in the water must be removed before it can be applied to the low-grade Berkeley leach dump. For this reason, it is important for Anaconda to have an efficient means of cleaning mine drainage. Such a means has been found and tested at one mine and is now to be incorporated in a new central pumping station the company is planning at the 3900-ft level of the Kelley mine. This plant is to be activated in early 1967 and will replace the antiquated four-lift High Ore mine pumping plant which was designed and installed before tailing backfill was adopted. The new plant will feature eight pumps with a total capacity of 8000 gpm in a single lift against a total dynamic head of 4100 ft. For the most efficient and economical operation of the plant it is imperative that all possible mud be removed from the drainage water before pumping.

Jan 9, 1966

By A. A. Smith, J. S. Smart, A. J. Phillips

The preparation of a sufficient quantity of high-purity copper for extensive laboratory use in the study of impurity effects has been an integral part of a research program in progress at the Central Research Laboratory of the American Smelting and Refining Co. for the past several years. Initially the degree of purity desired was that necessary to meet two essential requirements for experimental accuracy: (I) no impurity was to be present in the copper in an amount capable of producing a detectable effect on the properties to be studied, (2) even the minor changes in propertties caused by the addition of extremely small amounts of individual elements were to be measured without significant interference from contaminants. In the course of the investigation, evidence has accumulated to justify the conclusion that this copper is of exceptional purity; in fact, no impurity can be detected by any chemical method or spectrographic technique known to the authors. The present paper describes the method of production of the copper and presents some of its properties. Preparation oF High-purity Copper The elimination of impurities from commercial electrolytic copper is accomplished by a three-step purification process. The first operation consists of an electrolysis through a purified CuSO4-H2SO4 electrolyte using bagged anodes, low current density (5 amp. per sq. ft.) and low tem- perature (25°C max.). The electrolyte is prepared from commercial Cu2SO4 and is purified by heating the solution and adding I gram Fe as Fe2(SO4)3 to each 100 grams dissolved copper; sufficient hydrated oxide of copper, prepared from Cu2SO4 and NaOH, is supplied to precipitate Fe(OH)3, which carries down arsenic, antimony, tin, selenium, tellurium and other minor constituents. Silver and remaining traces of lead are removed by addition of Na2S to the acidified filtrate, which is then reatered after standing hot overnight. The cold solution is made up to 30 grams per liter Cu and 150 grams per liter H2SO4 and introduced without addition agents into the electrolytic system, which consists of a double row of hard-rubber battery boxes with the inside webbing and partitions removed, arranged in seven steps of ascending height. Electrolyte is uniformly supplied to the two highest cells by glass siphons operating from a constant-level reservoir, and flows by gravity through the bank of seven cells, entering each at the bottom and leaving at the top. Glass air lifts continuously supply the returning liquid to the constant-level reservoir for recirculation. Each cell contains three 4 3/4 by 4 3/8 by 1-in anodes cast from high-quality electrolytic wirebar copper, various lots of which have been used with equal success. The anodes are pinned to sheet copper hangars shaped to prevent crawl of the electrolyte to the multiple-wired bus bars—which would result in fouling of the contacts—-and hang inside wool flannel bags stretched over open wood frames. The deposit

Jan 1, 1941

By A. J. Phillips, A. A. Smith, J. S. Smart

The preparation of a sufficient quantity of high-purity copper for extensive laboratory use in the study of impurity effects has been an integral part of a research program in progress at the Central Research Laboratory of the American Smelting and Refining Co. for the past several years. Initially the degree of purity desired was that necessary to meet two essential requirements for experimental accuracy: (I) no impurity was to be present in the copper in an amount capable of producing a detectable effect on the properties to be studied, (2) even the minor changes in propertties caused by the addition of extremely small amounts of individual elements were to be measured without significant interference from contaminants. In the course of the investigation, evidence has accumulated to justify the conclusion that this copper is of exceptional purity; in fact, no impurity can be detected by any chemical method or spectrographic technique known to the authors. The present paper describes the method of production of the copper and presents some of its properties. Preparation oF High-purity Copper The elimination of impurities from commercial electrolytic copper is accomplished by a three-step purification process. The first operation consists of an electrolysis through a purified CuSO4-H2SO4 electrolyte using bagged anodes, low current density (5 amp. per sq. ft.) and low tem- perature (25°C max.). The electrolyte is prepared from commercial Cu2SO4 and is purified by heating the solution and adding I gram Fe as Fe2(SO4)3 to each 100 grams dissolved copper; sufficient hydrated oxide of copper, prepared from Cu2SO4 and NaOH, is supplied to precipitate Fe(OH)3, which carries down arsenic, antimony, tin, selenium, tellurium and other minor constituents. Silver and remaining traces of lead are removed by addition of Na2S to the acidified filtrate, which is then reatered after standing hot overnight. The cold solution is made up to 30 grams per liter Cu and 150 grams per liter H2SO4 and introduced without addition agents into the electrolytic system, which consists of a double row of hard-rubber battery boxes with the inside webbing and partitions removed, arranged in seven steps of ascending height. Electrolyte is uniformly supplied to the two highest cells by glass siphons operating from a constant-level reservoir, and flows by gravity through the bank of seven cells, entering each at the bottom and leaving at the top. Glass air lifts continuously supply the returning liquid to the constant-level reservoir for recirculation. Each cell contains three 4 3/4 by 4 3/8 by 1-in anodes cast from high-quality electrolytic wirebar copper, various lots of which have been used with equal success. The anodes are pinned to sheet copper hangars shaped to prevent crawl of the electrolyte to the multiple-wired bus bars—which would result in fouling of the contacts—-and hang inside wool flannel bags stretched over open wood frames. The deposit

Jan 1, 1941

By H. Cecil Spicer

THE results described in this article are based on field work conducted during the periods April-May, 1939, and May-July, 1940. The United States Potash Co. is mining potash on Government land under a permit from the Department of the Interior and the geophysical investigation was completed under a cooperative arrangement made between that company and the Conservation Branch of the Geological Survey. The writer, a member of the Section of Chemistry and Physics of the Geologic Branch, was assigned to this investigation. Four definite objectives were in mind for the geophysical work in the studies over the salt deposits. The first was to determine the measure of success that could be attained in this type of work with the resistivity methods that were to be employed. These methods had been introduced into the work of the Conservation Branch by Benjamin E. Jones for the investigation of dam sites, and have been used under his direction by the author for such work. If the method proved to be applicable, an effort was to be made to contour the top of the salt beds and also the other formation boundaries known to be present in this area. Salt-water aquifers were to be studied in an effort to determine their boundaries, and an attempt was to be made to delineate the potash-bearing beds. EARLIER STUDIES Others have made, and reported, resistivity studies over saliferous deposits in different areas. Friede1 and Messrs. Schlumberger2 reported geophysical work performed in the discovery of the salt domes of Alsace; Carrette and Kelly3 described the geology of the same area. Leonardon and Kelly4 published a resistivity curve obtained over the Hettenschlag dome, and a further discussion of this same area was given by the Messrs. Schlumberger5 in a communication. Messrs. Alty6 described studies on salt deposits in which the single-probe method was used. Sinerez7 mentions that electrical methods were tried over salt deposits in Spain. Geoffrey and Charrin8 show a resistivity curve obtained over marl, gypsiferous marl and salt which is similar to that obtained over the New Mexico salt deposits. Kelly9 reported resistivity work performed with the ground comparator of Zuschlag over the salt deposits near Syracuse, N. Y., where the Salina formation is at a depth of 700 to B00 ft. Some structural studies on the potash basin of Alsace are described by Poldini.10 Another single-probe resistivity study, made over salt deposits in New Mexico, is briefly described by Heiland,11 through the courtesy of Harry Aurand, of the Midwest Refining Co.

Jan 1, 1941

By H. Cecil Spicer

THE results described in this article are based on field work conducted during the periods April-May, 1939, and May-July, 1940. The United States Potash Co. is mining potash on Government land under a permit from the Department of the Interior and the geophysical investigation was completed under a cooperative arrangement made between that company and the Conservation Branch of the Geological Survey. The writer, a member of the Section of Chemistry and Physics of the Geologic Branch, was assigned to this investigation. Four definite objectives were in mind for the geophysical work in the studies over the salt deposits. The first was to determine the measure of success that could be attained in this type of work with the resistivity methods that were to be employed. These methods had been introduced into the work of the Conservation Branch by Benjamin E. Jones for the investigation of dam sites, and have been used under his direction by the author for such work. If the method proved to be applicable, an effort was to be made to contour the top of the salt beds and also the other formation boundaries known to be present in this area. Salt-water aquifers were to be studied in an effort to determine their boundaries, and an attempt was to be made to delineate the potash-bearing beds. EARLIER STUDIES Others have made, and reported, resistivity studies over saliferous deposits in different areas. Friedel1 and Messrs. Schlumberger2 reported geophysical work performed in the discovery of the salt domes of Alsace; Carrette and Kelly3described the geology of the same area. Leonardon and Kelly4 published a resistivity curve obtained over the Hettenschlag dome, and a further discussion of this same area was given by the Messrs. Schlumberger5 in a communication. Messrs. Alty6 described studies on salt deposits in which the single-probe method was used. Sinerez7 mentions that electrical methods were tried over salt deposits in Spain. Geoffrey and Charrin8 show a resistivity curve obtained over marl, gypsiferous marl and salt which is similar to that obtained over the New Mexico salt deposits. Kelly9 reported resistivity work performed with the ground comparator of Zuschlag over the salt deposits near Syracuse, N. Y., where the Salina formation is at a depth of 700 to 8oo ft. Some structural studies on the potash basin of Alsace are described by Poldini.10 Another single-probe resistivity study, made over salt deposits in New Mexico, is briefly described by Heiland,11 through the courtesy of Harry Aurand, of the Midwest Refining Co.

Jan 1, 1941

By W. H. Davitt

While it is true that taxes, especially income taxes, whether they be federal, state, or local, are not usually thought of as a "cost" of doing business, it is equally true that these tax costs do reduce the distributable profits just as much as the cost of power, supplies, or labor. Therefore, the consideration given to taxes is often as important as that given to other costs. Hopefully you will recognize that, within certain limits, taxes can be controlled to an economic advantage. The tax laws as now imposed are quite complex. Many of these laws and the regulations thereunder involve many factual determinations, technical considerations, and specialized valuations that can best be made by people trained in the specific area concerned. A substantial amount of a tax liability turns on the proper consideration given to issues involving facts and principles which are peculiarly engineering in nature. The importance of these "engineering" issues in tax administration has been significantly increased in recent years by our rapidly advancing technology, automation, stepped-up mineral and oil exploitation, new industries such as electronics and nuclear power, and the extension of percentage depletion to all minerals. These specialized requirements incorporated in the law are so technical that full consideration can not be given by people with a non-engineering background.

Jan 7, 1974

By Carl E. Swartz

For many years kettles used in the melting and refining of lead and other nonferrous metals and alloys have been made of cast iron. The logic of this probably lies in the fact that cast iron has been known as a material of construction for vessels of this type much longer than steel, and satisfactory fabrication from it has been more easily accomplished and better understood. As the capacity of lead refineries has increased, it has been only natural to increase the size of kettles. Today kettles of 150 to 250 tons are not uncommon. As the size of the kettles increased and better shapes were designed, the uniformity of material of construction became more important. Records kept over comparatively long periods of time have shown that the length of service of kettles has not been uniform. Many causes contribute to this and the importance of each has not yet been evaluated. Kettle design, kettle setting, method of firing and material of construction have been changed from time to time to obtain better service, but the variation in length of service is still great. A kettle may fail during the first few heats or may last through more than one thousand heats. The purpose of this article is not to present the conclusions of a finished piece of research on kettle manufacture and use, but to present a series of observations made over considerable time in the hope that others will publish data and that all may be correlated into a logical scheme which will result in better service and longer kettle life.

Jan 1, 1931

By James H. Allen

The development of large diameter rotary drilling techniques and equipment in the last nine years has been the main factor for the rapid advancement made by this method of shaft construction. In 1959, less than 5000 ft of large diameter hole was drilled in the United States for the mining and construction industries. By 1967, large diameter hole footage had increased to 117,000 ft. Part of the increase in footage for holes drilled represents AEC requirements due to the discontinuance of atmospheric testing of nuclear devices. The increase in footage for holes drilled for the mining industry can be attributed to cost savings of shaft construction by rotary methods as compared to conventional blasting methods. Until the late 1950's most large diameter holes were drilled with positive displacement rig pumps or air compressors, direct mud or air circulation, conventional sized oil well drilling strings, and multipass reaming techniques. In some very soft formations it was possible to run a pilot bit with one or more hole openers in tandem to drill the hole in a single pass. The main problem with single pass drilling using tandem hole openers was in providing sufficient circulation fluid for proper hole cleaning through conventional sized drill pipe.

Jan 11, 1968

By A. J. Lena, M. F. Hawkes

Changes in hardness, tensile properties, microstructure, electrical resistance, and X-ray diffraction effects indicate that lattice strains are necessary for the embrittlement of ferritic stainless steels when heated for relatively short times at 475°C (885°F). It is suggested that 475°C (885°F) embrittlement is due to the accelerated formation of an intermediate stage in the formation of s under the influence of these strains. FERRITIC stainless steels (low carbon alloys of iron with more than 15 pct Cr) are subject to two forms of embrittlement when heated in the temperature range of 375° to 750°C. The embrittlement which occurs after long time heating between 565" and 750°C is well understood; it is caused by the precipitation of the hard, brittle s phase. Sigma is an intermetallic compound of approximate equi-atomic composition with an extended range of formation in Fe-Cr alloys. The maximum temperature at which this form of embrittlement can occur is dependent upon chromium content; and is approximately 620°C for a 17 pct Cr steel and 730°C for a 27 pct Cr steel. The other form of embrittlement occurs after relatively short heating periods in the range of 375" to 565°C; in the higher chromium steels, hours may be sufficient as compared to months for s embrittlement. This phenomenon is not at all well understood and several controversial theories have been proposed. The rate and intensity of embrittlement increase with increasing chromium content but the maximum rate occurs at 475°C re-gardless of chromium content. As a result of this, the phenomenon has been termed 475°C (885°F) embrittlement. The effect of 475°C embrittlement on the properties of ferritic stainless steels has been thoroughly reviewed by Heger.1 The embrittlement causes a pronounced decrease in room temperature impact strength and ductility, a large increase in hardness and tensile strength, and a decrease in electrical resistivity and corrosion resistance. Microstructural changes accompanying embrittlement are minor and difficult to interpret with a general grain darkening, appearance of a lamellar precipitate, grain boundary widening, and precipitation along ferrite veins having been reported at various times. With the exception of reported line broadening, X-ray diffraction studies by conventional Debye analysis of solid samples have been of little value. BY making use of electron diffraction methods, Fisher, Dulis, and Car-roll' have recently shown the existence of a chromi-um-rich, body-centered cubic phase in 27 pct Cr steels which had been aged at 482°C (900°F) for as long as four years. Two types of theories have been advanced to account for the embrittlement. The first of these requires the precipitation of a phase not inherent in the Fe-Cr system with various investigators suggesting a carbide,3 nitride,3 phosphide,4 or oxide." Theories of this type have difficulty accounting for the influence of alloying elements on the embrittlement and for the facts that a minimum chromium content is necessary for embrittlement and the intensity of embrittlement increases with increasing chromium content. The second type of theory that has been proposed relates 475°C embrittlement to s phase formation which is inherent in the Fe-Cr system. An assumption of this kind can adequately explain the influence of alloying elements, for they exert an effect on 475°C embrittlement similar to that on s phase for-mation as can be seen in Table I. The minimum chromium content is essentially the same for both phenomena and it has been shown12,13 that s is a stable phase in the embrittling temperature range. In addition, it has been reported14,15 that pure alloys embrittle to the same extent as commercial type alloys. There are, however, several factors which have prevented complete acceptance of a s phase theory. Foremost of these is that the embrittlement can be removed by reheating for short time periods above 600°C, which in the higher chromium steels is within the stable s region. No s has ever been observed after one of these curing treatments, nor has any s been found as a result of embrittlement at 475°C. In addition, the simple precipitation of s cannot explain the time-temperature relationships for reactions between 350°and 750°C. This behavior is shown schematically in Fig. 1. Newell 16 and Ried-rich and Loib4 have shown that 475°C embrittlement follows a C-type curve as illustrated, while Short-

Jan 1, 1955