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By A. M. Gaudin

Jan 1, 1962

By Eugene W. Pearson

In a marked departure from conventional practice, the Power Plate process combines the two unit operations of leaching and electrowinning into a single continuous step for direct recovery of copper from sulfide concentrates, cement copper, copper scrap, and copper oxide slurries. Considering how environmental controls are pre- venting development of smelters for additional capacity or new construction, the Power Plate process provides a welcome pollution-free alternative to the smelting-electrorefining routes. And its low capital investment and low operating costs also recommend it to copper producers who are now using or investigating various hydrometallurgical methods.

Jan 12, 1974

By Lawrence Addicks

Discussion of the paper of LAWRENCE ADDICKS, presented at the San Francisco meeting, September, 1915, and printed in Bulletin No. 104, August, 1915, pp. 1471 to 1484. L. D. RICKETTS, New York, N. Y.--In the Southwest we have stored up millions of tons of tailings in which the copper exists partly as sulphide and partly in an oxidized condition. Mr. Addicks' first paper suggests a, likely process for the treatment of such material. His second paper 1 deals with the recovery of copper from clear solutions of notable strength, and such solutions may come from the sulphating roast or direct from the leaching of completely oxidized copper ores of which vast deposits are known to exist. What strikes me particularly about the latter paper is the keen perception shown and the clear manner in which the writer has attacked the fundamental principles of the process. He calls your attention to the fact that ferrous sulphate is necessary in the electrolyte and is an ideal depolarizer; that sulphurous acid must be, used to reduce the ferric sulphate produced and thus prevent re-solution of copper at the cathode; that mechanical agitation in the cell, in order to bring the ferrous sulphate in contact with the anode and the copper in contact with the cathode, is essential to efficient work; that lead anodes are

Jan 12, 1915

By C. K. McArthur

The subject of classification is so broad that this discussion is confined to what the author believes is of prime importance in connection with proper grinding and classification. The years past have witnessed many noteworthy changes in fine grinding and classification, which have been accompanied by a readjustment of ore-dressing flowsheets for the preparation of better ground and/or sized products at an expenditure of less power, steel and maintenance than formerly. Nowhere in the industry is more being done in the way of experimental work to lower costs than in grinding circuits, because, at best, grinding costs are high. Recent years have indicated that, on the average, finer grinding has a real application. Without careful preparation of the process feed, no operation can be highly efficient or successful. In an earlier paper, the findings of an extensive survey at representative concentrators were presented1. Also, in the year of 1935, a technical discussion was given by Dr. J. V. N. Dorr (Some Notes on Classification Trends in America) before the Chemical, Metallurgical and Mining Society of South Africa In both papers mentioned, much has been said regarding flowsheets, grinding and classification. The author is very familiar with these papers, having had considerable to do with the actual operation of the flowsheets, as well as large mills and classifiers in the work described. Some data from the second paper have been included in the following discussion. Circulating Load In this particular paper it seems advisable to deal with the classification phases of the work that to a major extent govern the success of any closed-circuit grinding unit. The question has often been asked in connection with a closed circuit: "What circulating-load ratio should be carried?" This is really an

Jan 1, 1939

By C. K. McArthur

The subject of classification is so broad that this discussion is confined to what the author believes is of prime importance in connection with proper grinding and classification. The years past have witnessed many noteworthy changes in fine grinding and classification, which have been accompanied by a readjustment of ore-dressing flowsheets for the preparation of better ground and/or sized products at an expenditure of less power, steel and maintenance than formerly. Nowhere in the industry is more being done in the way of experimental work to lower costs than in grinding circuits, because, at best, grinding costs are high. Recent years have indicated that, on the average, finer grinding has a real application. Without careful preparation of the process feed, no operation can be highly efficient or successful. In an earlier paper, the findings of an extensive survey at representative concentrators were presented1. Also, in the year of 1935, a technical discussion was given by Dr. J. V. N. Dorr (Some Notes on Classification Trends in America) before the Chemical, Metallurgical and Mining Society of South Africa In both papers mentioned, much has been said regarding flowsheets, grinding and classification. The author is very familiar with these papers, having had considerable to do with the actual operation of the flowsheets, as well as large mills and classifiers in the work described. Some data from the second paper have been included in the following discussion. Circulating Load In this particular paper it seems advisable to deal with the classification phases of the work that to a major extent govern the success of any closed-circuit grinding unit. The question has often been asked in connection with a closed circuit: "What circulating-load ratio should be carried?" This is really an

Jan 1, 1939

By Nicholas J. Grant, Robert F. Wilde

TAYLOR and Floyd's"" work in establishing phase diagrams based on the elements Ni-Cr-Ti-A1 has led to an understanding of the precipitation hardening mechanism in alloys based on these elements. Nordheim and Grant4 concluded that in simple alloys, and where the aluminum to titanium atomic ratio was such that less than three out of five aluminum atoms were replaced by titanium, the precipitate on aging is the face-centered-cubic Ni 3A 1 phase, called They further found that increasing amounts of hexagonal ? phase, Ni3Ti, precipitated from these alloys when the titanium content exceeded the solid solubility of both matrix and Ni3A1. For alloys of Ni-Cr-Ti-Al, in which the titanium and aluminum contents each ranged from 0 to 4 wt pct, the titanium-rich was superior for strengthening to either pure ?' or 7. It was also noted that the combined titanium plus aluminum content (atomic pct) was a direct measure of the high temperature strength and overaging temperatures for these alloys.4 The present investigation was undertaken to extend existing data on precipitation hardening in the more complex commercial alloys containing higher titanium plus aluminum, and with significant quantities of cobalt, molybdenum, and carbon. Experimental Procedure Reforging of As-Received Bar Stock—The alloys were received as ground, forged bar stock. Chemical analyses and the as-received bar diameters are shown in Table I along with the ASTM grain size after the various treatments. All stock except the Waspaloy was reforged to % in. diam to gain material and to facilitate machining of stress-rupture specimens. Forging was carried out at 2100°F, and discontinued when the bar temperature fell to 1800°F. Heat Treatments—For experixental simplicity it was desirable to heat treat all of the alloys at, the

Jan 1, 1958

By AIME AIME

THE papers presented at the geophysics session" on Feb. 17 were concerned largely with three aspects of the science. The first ones dealt with the transmission of elastic waves through the earth, then electrical methods came in for their share of attention and finally, the question of the teaching of geo- physics came up for the first time at these meetings. Also, for the first time, there was a symposium of mining men on the practical value of the new science. The paper (T. P. 267) entitled "Seismic Propagation Paths" was presented by Donald C. Barton in the absence of the authors. It dealt with an investigation of the speed of propagation of seismic waves. The latter travel in a straight line when proceeding at a constant velocity, but if the velocity increases at increasing depths, the line of travel becomes a curve. Under the assumption of the authors this curve is found to be the arc of a circle, and their paper gives calculations for reflected and refracted wave paths under these circumstances.

Jan 1, 1930

By John. C. Reed

THIS paper presents briefly some of the principal results of 3 ½ months field work during the summer of 1938 in the Chichagof mining district, southeastern Alaska. The report is preliminary and presumably will be followed later by a more complete report to be published by the Geological Survey. The paper is concerned principally with the structural geology of a block of steeply dipping graywacke as revealed underground in the Hirst Chichagof and the Chichagoff mines, the two principal mines of the district. The two mines have produced about $16,000,000 worth of gold and silver. The attitude of the graywacke, which is locally cut by dikes and sills of aplite, is remarkably uniform and trends about N. 62° W. The average dip is about 67° SW. The graywacke is cut by large faults, the best known of which are the Hirst and the Chichagof, whose average trends are about N. 30° W. and average dips about 75° SW. The faults at some places split into the bedding of the graywacke and at others are deflected from their normal trends for considerable distances along the bedding. The relative movements along the faults was northwest and up at about 30° for the south-west or hanging-wall sides. The ore bodies are elongate quartz lenses in the faults. Most of the quartz is mineralized but locally large quartz masses are too low grade to be mined. The emplacement of the ore bodies appears to have been structurally controlled in large part by the intersections of the faults with the bedding surfaces. Places where the faults split or are deflected appear to have been particularly favorable places for ore deposition. There has been some post-quartz movements along the faults but it is thought that such movements have not been extensive enough to greatly modify the original positions and shapes of the ore bodies.

Jan 1, 1939

By C. S. Smith, Chih-Chung Wang

D. Turnbull—In the opinion of the writer the most interesting result described in this paper is that the distribution of tin with respect to solidification temperature has several fairly well-defined maxima. It appears that each peak may be associated with a catalytic impurity of some rather specific composition. Recently we have obtained some additional evidence in favor of this viewpoint in experiments on the supercooling of lead droplets coated with different surface films. The distribution of lead droplets, ostensibly coated with lead sulphate, with respect to solidification temperature exhibited two distinct and reproducible maxima, one at 20" supercooling and the other at 47". On the other hand, when the droplets were ostensibly coated with halide films, no solidification was perceptible until the aggregate was supercooled more than 55". Upon further cooling a single well-defined peak centering at 60" supercooling was observed. Since the particle size distribution was the same in these two sets of experiments it appears that the most reasonable interpretation of the results is that the sulphate surface film or its reaction products with lead are much more effective in catalyzing the nucleation of lead crystals than are lead halide films. C. S. Smith (authors' reply)—Dr. Turnbull's experiments with lead drops coated with various surface films are most interesting. However, before drawing conclusions from the cooling curves described in the paper as to the existence of a few nucleus types effective at a few different temperatures, one must consider the state of subdivision of the liquid metal. In the A1-Sn alloy used, the tin was not in uniform droplets but tended to collect in three distinct shapes—in long interconnecting prisms along grain edges, in somewhat elongated interdendritic branching pools. and in isolated droplets. A single nucleus will solidify only the metal in contact with it, and the heat evolved will be proportional to the connected volume. A uniform distribution of nuclei of random effectiveness in such an alloy will cause peaks on the specific heat curve on cooling, which correspond to the volume distribution of tin and tell nothing about the nucleus type. In any real alloy both effects will be combined, and it seems impossible at present to distinguish between them. M. B. Bever—The thesis of this interesting paper is supported by a combination of positive and negative evidence. The authors have shown that under certain conditions a liquid phase may undercool, if it is dispersed in a thoroughly discontinuous manner throughout a solid matrix. They also found that undercooling

Jan 1, 1951

By R. L. Andelin, J. D. Knight, M. Kahn

Self-diffusion in single-crystal tungsten and diffusion of rhenium tracer in single-crystal tungsten have been measured over the temperature range 2660° to 3230°C by direct sectioning and radio-chemical analysis of W185 and Re183 and Re184 tracers. The initial radioactive layer was produced on the diffusion specimens by bombardment with 9.0-mev deuterons. Diffusion heating of the samples in high vacuum was accomplished by induction heating. Temperatures were measured by optical pyrometry, and the system was calibrated ALTHOUGH a considerable body of experimental information has been accumulated on self-diffusion in solids, the major part of the detailed work has by reference to the melting points of tantalum (2996°C), molybdenum (2620°C), niobium (2468°C), and rhodium (1966°C). The diffusion coefficients for the two systems, obtained by least-squares analyses of the data, are well-represented by the equations thus far dealt with relatively low-melting systems. Diffusion studies on the high-melting elements niobium,1 tantalum,2,3 and tungsten4'5 have been limited to polycrystalline material, for which data interpretation and theoretical analysis are sometimes difficult. Only recently, a study has been made with single-crystal molybdenum.6 The present work deals with the measurement of self-diffusion in single-crystal tungsten at temperatures approaching the melting point (3410°c).7 Since the method chosen for producing the radioactive tracer layer-bombardment with deuterons—produced detectable isotopes of rhenium as well as of tungsten, the diffusion of rhenium was measured also.

Jan 1, 1965

Benjamin B. Thayer was elected as representative of the Institute on the John Fritz Medal Board of Award vice Albert Sauveur, whose term expires. Robert M. Raymond was confirmed as member of the, Engineering Foundation Board for two years in accordance with the By-Laws of the United Engineering Society. The following preambles and resolutions were passed: WHEREAS, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States is taking a vote, through the Chambers of Commerce, Boards of Trade and other constituent members of the National Chamber situated throughout the country, on the question whether or not the primary natural resources, comprising timber, the ores and deposits of useful metals, and' the deposits of minerals, which are a source of heat, light and power, should he exempt through remedial Congressional legislation from the restrictive limitations of the Anti-Trust Acts, and WHEREAS, a Committee of the National Chamber, the Chairman of which is a Past President of the American Institute of - Mining Engineers, has recommended favorable action upon this question, and

Jan 2, 1917

By Eugene P. Pfleider

RECENT interest in germanium centers around its use as a semi-conductor of electricity in electronic devices. It is generally believed that germanium transistors, diodes, triodes, photocells, and rectifiers will largely replace the present-day vacuum tubes. The germanium electronic devices are much smaller, lighter, and more resistant to shock, and they require only a small fraction of current required for conventional devices. Hence only a small amount of heat is given off by the equipment. This development will require many times the quantity of germanium now being produced, which in 1948 was approximately 1000 lb' and was obtained almost entirely from zinc ores in Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. No one knows with certainty what the demand will be for ger-manium by 1956. It may be 40,000 lb.1 Known concentrations in zinc ores are not sufficient to

Jan 1, 1954

By W. T. Thom

Many able men have contributed to the subject of coal classification, and recent publications on the subject have indicated a crystallization of opinion in that connection which promises the development in the near future of a scheme of coal classification which will be of real and increasing value to coal producers and users, as well as to those interested in coal on more exclusively scientific grounds. It is obvious that such a classification must be simple; must be based upon readily ascertainable factors; and if properly developed will apply to the whole range of coals between peat and anthracite and not merely to certain types of coal. Many of the numerous schemes of classification proposed in the past have given quite satisfactory results when applied to the higher rank coals, but have broken down when applied to the younger coals of higher moisture, and, as previously pointed out by the writer,' this breakdown has been due to the practice of ruling out "moisture" as an essential component of the volatile matter reported in the customary proximate analysis of coal, whereas a review of the mode of formation and natural history of coal satisfies us that moisture is a normal and natural ingredient among its volatile constituents; and a knowledge of analytical practice shows that the "moisture" and "volatile matter" reported are both mixtures of moisture and volatile matter, rather than sharply differentiated distillation fractions. After an extended consideration of the subject the writer regards the conventional proximate analyses of coals as affording the information essential for a both practically and scientifically satisfactory c1assification—assuming that the coal samples compared have been collected and analyzed according to standard methods. Two variables are required for a workable classification, and these appear to be afforded by the calorific value and proportion of volatile constituents (including moisture) credited to the coal on an ash-free basis. The writer originally proposed that the figures used for classification purposes be those given for the "air-dried" and "ash-free" form of the proximate analysis,

Jan 1, 1930

By A. J. Bartlett

ISLAND Creek conditions are generally referred to as ideal; yet, as at all other properties, there are all known hazards of coal mining. The hardest of these hazards to combat is the human element. The basic thought in the minds of the management of these properties is to produce coal with the utmost safety, and it has impressed upon its supervisory force that it does not want a ton of coal unless it can be produced safely. This company has instituted a mine inspection department, which reports direct to the general manager, and all matters pertaining to safety come under the direction of this department. Through the medium of the inspection department, the management is kept in touch with the actual conditions existing in general at all mines. Inspections are made regularly and continuously; that is, at all times while the mines are in operation some sections of some mines are being examined. These inspections cover all active and inactive workings. Miners are con-tacted in their working places and other employees at their respective work. A thorough check is made to see that the state mining laws are complied with and that company safety rules are being observed. Night shifts receive the same attention as day shifts. All violations and dangerous practices are brought to the attention of the plant supervisory force with suggestions and recommendations; major hazards of emer-gency nature are taken up immediately with the management. Peri-odical inspections are also made of all tipples, preparation plants, dumping and hoisting equipment, to see that all machinery is properly guarded, and walkways and platforms properly fenced; conditions of equipment and mechanical defects are also reported. Reports of inspection are written in letter form and in such a manner as to give the management a picture-of the existing conditions at the time of inspection. Copies of inspection reports are forwarded; to the superintendents with the general manager's comments.

Jan 1, 1937

ALBERT Ladd Colby, who died suddenly of influenza at Torquay, England, on Apr. 30,1924, was born in New York City, on June 26,1860. He was educated in the public schools of New York, at the College of the City of New York, and received the degree of Ph. B. from the Columbia School of Mines in 1881. He continued his studies at Columbia, acting occasionally as assistant to Prof. C. F. Chandler, until 1883. For the next three years he was Assistant Professor of Chemistry in Lehigh University; then head chemist and metallurgical engineer of the Bethlehem Steel Co., at Bethlehem, Pa., occupying the latter position until 1903. As head chemist his active and inventive mind devised several improvements in apparatus for increasing the rapidity and accuracy of the analytical work; as metallurgical engineer, he was, from time to time, in charge of the blast-furnace, open-hearth, bessemer, and puddling departments; he had entire charge of the inspection, assignment, and economic use of all metallurgical materials, and he early gave his attention to the formulation of specifications for metallurgical materials—an activity in which he long held a distinguished part in this country, and as a representative of his own country in England and Europe. He also sewed as expert for his company in patent suits, again laying the foundation for valuable service later as a consulting engineer. In this latter capacity he was excelled by few, if any, contemporaries in the iron and steel industry. His mind was ingenious, thorough, clear, and keen, both in the preparation of evidence and its presentation to the Court. He very quickly appraised the value of evidence, or of an answer to a question, and knew how to secure the infermation, either from the available literature of any language, or by special researches or plant studies. In the executive control of literary research for patent purposes, his long training, infinite capacity for digging through long series of articles in English, German or French, and clear formulation of the vital subject matter for the guidance of assistants, made him invaluable. He was also an adept in collecting information on special branches of his profession. For example, when the science of metallography began to assume importance, he made the first really comprehensive bibliography covering the literature of all siderurgical countries; for the newly formed International Nickel Co. he gathered all the information extant on the subject of nickel steel, both in the literature and in the minds of experts in America and Europe. Two books testify to the thoroughness of his work in this capacity, vie.: "American Standard Specifications for Steel,"

Jan 1, 1924

By Horace Pops

Martensitic transformation has been studied during cooling and heating in ß-phase Cu-Zn alloys to which small additions have been made of Ni, Ag, Au, Cd, Ga, In, Si, Ge, Sn, and Sb. The start and finish of the martensitic reaction and the variation of transformation temperature with third-element content were determined by electrical-resistivity measurements from alloys which had either constant zinc contents or constant values of electron concentration. All of the third elements, except nickel, lowered the transformation temperature if the results were plotted along the lines of constant zinc contents in each ternary system. A significant difference in the rate of lowering of the transformation temperature per atomic percent of the third element was observed for elements which had the same nominal valence. No systematic variation of transformation temperature with the valence of the third element was observed. It is suggested that the observed increase in transformation temperature for nickel-bearing alloys is due to the transfer of electrons from the conduction band of the alloy to virtual bound states. However, electron concentration is not the most important factor controlling the instability of the 0 phase. The transformation temperatures of the ternary alloys can be predicted from the following approxilnate expression: Ms (°K) = +3280 - 80 Zn + 8 Ni - 30 Ag - 12 Au - 140 Cd -90 Ga- 145 In - 80 Ge -175 Sn - 120 Si - 150 Sb MOST binary ß -phase alloys based upon the noble metals copper, silver, and gold are unstable at low temperatures and transform spontaneously by a martensitic reaction. This transformation has been studied recently in the ordered bcc ß'-phase Cu-Zn binary al1oys1,2 where the transformation temperature is below the room temperature and decreases with an increase in zinc content. It has been reported that the transformation temperatures can be raised above room temperature by small additions of a third element such as silicon3,5 or gallium,4,5 but no quantitative study has been made. The transformation temperature of different binary alloys can be altered by third-element additions. For example, it was shown that nickel and copper may have a large effect on the Ms temperature of CU-Al6 and Au-cd7 alloys. The present investigation was made to determine systematically the influence of various third elements on the martensite-transformation temperature of Cu-Zn ß-phase alloys. Since these alloys have an electronic origin,' alloy compositions were chosen so that the transformation temperatures could be determined at constant zinc contents or at constant values of electron concentration. I) EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Ten ternary alloy systems were obtained by adding nickel, the noble metals silver and gold, and some B-subgroup elements to a Cu-Zn matrix. These are arranged according to their rows and columns in the Period Table as follows: Each ternary alloy was prepared by melting and casting weighed quantities of high-purity metals (99.99+ pct) in sealed quartz tubes under a partial pressure of helium to make a 4-g ingot. The molten alloys were shaken vigorously and then quenched in water. Since the weight loss was negligible, the compositions of the ingots after casting and annealing were assumed to be the same as the nominal compositions. The ingots were homogenized after casting in helium-filled Vycor tubes for 24 hr at temperatures between 750" and 810 C and quenched into brine. Metallographic examination revealed that all alloys were homogeneous, poly crystalline ß-phase alloys, and that the grain size was in the range 1 to 5 mm. Electrical-resistivity measurements were made to determine transformation temperatures of the ternary alloys during continuous cooling or heating. Transformation temperatures of the ternary alloys can be determined by electrical-resistivity measurements since the resistance of the martensitic phase is much higher than that of the 0' phase. The technique has been described previously in connection with a study of Au-Zn alloys.9 The reproducibility of transformation temperature was approximately ±6°C. II)RESULTS A hysteresis was always observed in electrical-resistivity curves and was usually less than about 12°C.

Jan 1, 1967

By E. R. Buchanan, R. E. Reed-Hill, F. W. Caldwell

Poly crystalline zirconium tensile specimens containing a sizable fraction of grains unfavorably oriented for slip were deformed at 77°K to strains as high as 9 pct. The contributions of the various twinning modes to the observed strain were deter~nlned quantitatively using measured twin volume fractions and Schrnid orientation factors. The results indicate that at very small strains twinning can account for almost all of the observed strain. At higher strains slip becomes the dominant means of deformation. The most significant form of twinning was {1121}. PLASTIC deformation in polycrystalline aggregates is poorly understood even today. This is primarily because slip cannot be easily observed or studied in the interior of a metal. On the other hand, twinning can be discerned inside a specimen after deformation. Twinning studies can therefore often yield quantitative information about polycrystalline deformation not otherwise obtainable. This investigation uses the above aspect of twinning in determining the contributions of twinning to the strain during tensile deformation at a cryogenic temperature (77°K). Polycrystalline zirconium was used as the object of study. There are several reasons why this information should be of value. In contrast to many metals, both the strength and ductility of zirconium increase with a corresponding decrease in temperature. This may be related to the fact that twinning becomes more profuse and complex with decreasing temperature. Secondly, it has been discovered that certain room-temperature properties of zirconium can be greatly improved by about 1 pct prestrain at 77°K. These include an increase in tensile elongation in critical directions by over 50 pctl and a large mechanical hysteresis effect.2 Both effects are believed to be related to twins formed by prestraining: plastic twin-boundary movements accounting for the increased ductility, and anelastic twin-boundary movements for the internal friction. Thirdly, hexagonal metals which twin primarily on only the (1012) mode (such as beryllium, zinc, and magnesium), unlike zirconium, are very limited in ductility at cryogenic temperatures. Therefore, the significance of the various types of twinning in zirconium at cryogenic temperatures is of more than academic interest. Three twinning mechanism-s have beenobserved in quantity at WOK, {1012), {1121), and {1122). Each must be considered as a unique deformation mechanism because of their markedly different twinning shears and basically different angles between twinning and basal planes, as shown in Table I. It is therefore necessary to separately consider the role of each of these twins during plastic deformation at 77°K. Fortunately, each twin possesses unique morphological features which makes its identification possible on a properly prepared metallographic section. The use of the polarized microscope3 can also greatly aid in identification of the various forms of twins. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Arc-melted sponge zirconium plate, previously describedY4 was machined into 1/8 by 1 1/4 in. threaded-end, round tensile test specimens. These specimens were deformed to the desired strains in a liquid-nitrogen cryostat mounted in an Instron testing machine. The tensile axis was the transverse plate direction. This specimen direction resulted in large numbers of grains in orientations unfavorable for deformation by prism or basal slip. Deformed specimens were sectioned, mounted in epoxy cold-mount resin, ground on metallographic papers, electropolished, and anodized to provide surfaces sensitive to polarized light. Standard quantitative metallographic procedures5

Jan 1, 1965

By W. A. LaVenue, W. M. Houston

Pebble phosphate mines of Florida have been established from south of Hardee County to north of the Georgia state line, a distance of over 200 miles. Mining has been carried out on an ever-increasing scale since 1885, but phosphate deposits that can be mined on the economical standards of today, are confined in a roughly circular area about 30 miles in diameter, generally within Polk and Hillsborough Counties, in the central part of the State. The phosphate deposit, which is in the Bone Valley formation of Pliocene age, is covered by Pleistocene terrace deposits of unconsolidated quartz sand. The matrix is composed of approximately 1/3 clay slimes, 1/3 silica sand and 1/3 phosphate pebbles. The phosphate usually occurs as rounded pebbles, ranging in size from about 1 in. down to approximately 400 mesh. The phosphate may vary from well-defined hard pebbles to soft weathered rock. The color and character of the phosphate will range from smooth buff pebbles to black and white "salt-and- pepper rock." The screen size distribution varies considerably between locations; the recoverable phosphate may extend down to the 400-mesh size in some areas, while in others the phosphate may cut off sharply at about 35 mesh.

Jan 11, 1962

By Charles L. Elliot

Data on mining applications of geophysical activity in the Free World in 1964 have been made available to SME again this year by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. Worldwide data were collected as part of an annual service to the mining industry by the Committee for Geophysical Activity of SEG. Data are taken from 245 voluntary responses (53%) to questionnaires circulated to 463 company, government and university organizations engaged in mining geophysical operations and research all over the world. WORLD ACTIVITY Worldwide manpower utilization totalled 9323 professional man-months and $14.5 million was reported spent in mining geophysical activity in 1964. This is up from 9078 man-months and $12.6 million in 1963 and 8065 man-months and $12.8 million in 1962. Worldwide geophysical activity in terms of manpower utilization and expenditures is presented in the accompanying table.

Jan 9, 1965

By Nicholas J. Grant, A. W. Mullendore, Paul Predecki

The Duwez technique of splat cooling in which a molten droplet of metal is accelerated and made to impact on a cold, highly conducting substrate was investigated.- An apparatus for producing "splat" was constructed employing an explosive powder charge to accelerate the molten metal. Transport of the molten metal just prior to impact with the substrate was studied by means of high-speed photography. The molten particles are small spherical droplets from about 1 to 50 µ diameter. The average cooling rates for aluminum, silver, and a gold alloy splatted on nickel substrates at room temperature were determined experimentally and were found to vary from 18 to 5 x 10' C per sec. The heat-transfer coeficients for pure aluminum and pure silver splats cooled on nickel substrates at room temperature were found to be 2.7 to 6.8 and 13.6 to 54.2 cal per sec sq cm 'C (2 to 5 x 104 and 1 to 4 x 18 Btu per hr sq ft OF), respectively. Solidification rates in pure aluminum and silver splats were calculated. "SPLAT cooling" is a term describing a technique for extremely rapid freezing and cooling of molten metals and alloys to room temperature or below. The technique was developed by Duwez et al.' in 1960, and after refinement2 consisted in transferring a few tenths of a gram of molten metal to near sonic velocity to strike a suitably placed cold copper surface. Upon impact, the metal spread into a thin nonuniform film called a splat, about 10-4 cm thick. The splat particles produced in this manner were thin enough in some areas to be suitable for transmission electron microscopy, without further treatment, and, together with X-ray data, yielded a variety of structures which would be classified as follows: 1) supersaturated solid solutions (increase in solubility limit), 2) metastable crystalline stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric intermediate phases ( in Au-20.5 at. pct Si and in Au-14 at. pct Sb, respectively), 3) amorphous alloys, 4) retained high-temperature phases, 5) alloys having equilibrium phases present, but with unusual, markedly altered structures. The crystalline phases present in splats were usually extremely fine-grained and had low dislocation densities. Present interest in splat cooling centers around a study of the unusual structures produced by the technique, their contribution to alloy theory, and the possibility of the development of new or unusual properties. In addition, the technique is being examined for the production of bulk quantities of new high-strength alloys for low- and high-temperature use. Although a number of alloy systems have already been investigated by the technique, relatively little is known about the mechanism of splat formation and the physical conditions encountered by the metal during solidification and cooling. The purpose of this work was: 1) to determine the velocity, shape, and size of the molten metal droplets just prior to impact with the cold substrate; 2) to try to estimate or measure solidification rates, heat-transfer coefficients, and cooling rates in splats. EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUE Splatting Apparatus and Procedure. An apparatus similar to the type originated by Duwez et a1.,2 but employing an explosive charge to accelerate the molten metal, was used. A "Ramset" fastening tool (a gun normally used for driving studs into concrete, steel, and so forth) was mounted vertically above a resistance-heated graphite crucible as shown schematically in Fig. 1. A splat product was produced by melting a few tenths of a gram of metal at the position shown in Fig. 1, and then exploding a powder charge in the breach. The shock wave thus generated traveled down the barrel into the furnace, ejecting the molten metal through the 0.06-in.-diameter hole at the bottom of the crucible. The ejected metal was impacted on a high-conductivity metallic substrate where it formed a splat. High-Speed silhouette Photography. In order to investigate the size and shape of the ejected, molten metal just prior to impact with the cold substrate, high-speed silhouette photographs were taken, and are shown in Figs. 2 and 3. These photographs were obtained with the aid of an Edger-ton, Germeshausen, and Grier microflash unit and a submicrosecond flash drive equipped with a variable time delay. Two types of triggers were

Jan 1, 1965