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Jan 1, 1970

By C. O. Burgess, W. D. Forgeng

The results of an investigation of the ternary system iron-chromium-silicon were reported in 1936 by the present authors.l Partly for the sake of theoretical interest, and partly because of the possible commercial importance of these alloys, the present investigation was undertaken to determine the effect of some of the commoner elements likely to occur, deliberately or otherwise, in such alloys if made on a commercial scale. The elements thus added were carbon, nickel or manganese. The alloys studied were, therefore, parts of quaternary systems. This investigation was concerned primarily with the effect of these additional elements on the alpha-iron phase and the boundary between this phase region and the alpha plus sigma two-phase region. The sigma phase is a ternary solid solution based upon the compound FeCr. The work was performed mainly by X-ray methods, but a number of microscopic examinations were also made and are reported. While isolated alloys in the composition ranges studied may have been discussed in metallurgical publications, no systematic investigation of any assistance to us was found. Of the earlier work, the investigations on the iron-chromium-carbon system and on the chromium carbides by Westgren and his coworkers2'3 enabled us to identify the carbide phase. Several articles appeared after the present experimental work had been completed. Lucas and Wintrup4 determined the solubility of carbon in molten iron-chromium-silicon alloys. Tofaute and his coworkers5'6 have made detailed studies of the iron-chromium-carbon system, which will be referred to later. Materials and Methods Materials.—The iron, chromium and silicon used were essentially the same as those used in the investigation of the ternary system.l The

Jan 1, 1938

By C. O. Burgess, W. D. Forgeng

The results of an investigation of the ternary system iron-chromium-silicon were reported in 1936 by the present authors.l Partly for the sake of theoretical interest, and partly because of the possible commercial importance of these alloys, the present investigation was undertaken to determine the effect of some of the commoner elements likely to occur, deliberately or otherwise, in such alloys if made on a commercial scale. The elements thus added were carbon, nickel or manganese. The alloys studied were, therefore, parts of quaternary systems. This investigation was concerned primarily with the effect of these additional elements on the alpha-iron phase and the boundary between this phase region and the alpha plus sigma two-phase region. The sigma phase is a ternary solid solution based upon the compound FeCr. The work was performed mainly by X-ray methods, but a number of microscopic examinations were also made and are reported. While isolated alloys in the composition ranges studied may have been discussed in metallurgical publications, no systematic investigation of any assistance to us was found. Of the earlier work, the investigations on the iron-chromium-carbon system and on the chromium carbides by Westgren and his coworkers2'3 enabled us to identify the carbide phase. Several articles appeared after the present experimental work had been completed. Lucas and Wintrup4 determined the solubility of carbon in molten iron-chromium-silicon alloys. Tofaute and his coworkers5'6 have made detailed studies of the iron-chromium-carbon system, which will be referred to later. Materials and Methods Materials.—The iron, chromium and silicon used were essentially the same as those used in the investigation of the ternary system.l The

Jan 1, 1938

By T. D. Thomas

CONTENTS PAGE T. D. Thomas-Misfires in Anthracite Coal Mines 3 W. H. Forbes-Misfires in Bituminous Coal Mines 12 A. W. Worthington-Misfires in Non-metallic Mining (Limestone) 18 Misfires in Anthracite Coal Mines BY T. D. THOMAS,* LANSFORD, PA. (New York Meeting, February, 1929) IN THIS paper, major attention is given to misfires in mines where electric multiple shot-firing is the system used. Misfires are sometimes caused by one action or condition and at other times by a combination of two or more. They may be divided into two classes: (1) those caused by workers in the mines, (2) mechanical or manufacturer's causes. The second cause will be discussed first. MISFIRES CAUSED BY FAULTY DETONATORS The important part of an electric blasting cap, to the user where multiple shot-firing is done, ass in the steep-pitch, thick-vein, anthracite mines, is the bridge wire. In single shot-firing this factor is not apparent, but in mines where multiple firing is done any variation in the resistance of the bridge wire, where full or even rated battery capacity is required, will most likely cause a misfire The reason for this is obvious. If the resistance in the bridge wires is not the same, some of the detonators will fire because of their greater comparative resistance. Variance in resistance of bridge wires is caused by a slight difference in the diameter of the bridge wire, also to a difference in the composition of the bridge wires. Again, where the bridge wires have become rusted, there will be a variance in resistance. About the year 1922, one of the large coal companies was greatly alarmed by the number of serious and fatal accidents caused by misfires. The general manager issued an order that these accidents must be greatly reduced, and if possible, entirely prevented.

Jan 1, 1929

By D. G. F. Hedley, S. N. Muppalaneni, J. W. Roxburgh

A stope and pillar method is used to mine the gently-dipping uranium bearing reefs, to a depth of 1000 m, at Elliot Lake, Ontario. A few isolated rockbursts have been reported in the 11 mines in the area during the first twenty-five years of operation. However, in March 1982 a series of rockbursts were initiated in the old mined-out workings at the Quirke Mine of Rio Algom Ltd. Detailed records of pillar deterioration and size of the affected area were kept both prior and subsequent to the occurrence. Seismic instrumentation was installed before and convergence stations shortly after the start of bursting. Observations indicate that the squat pillars failed violently where- as the slender pillars exhibit a less violent failure mechanism. Floor cracks and heaving are common, but the massive quartzite hanging wall strata is relatively undamaged although some roof falls have occurred due to local structure. The microseismic system accurately locates seismic events to f 20 m within the geophone array and it has been found that an accelerating convergence rate coincides with and in some cases precedes an increase in seismic activity. Displacement discontinuity and boundary element computer models have been used to estimate pillar stresses and areas of high stress concentration in an effort to determine the causes of rockbursts. Mine and pillar stiffness and energy balance concepts are used to explain cases of gradual and sudden pillar failures at Quirke Mine.

Jan 1, 1984

Jan 1, 1969

By Nathaniel Arbiter, Chas. H. Behre

Two outstanding factors characterize most undertakings in the mineral industries: (1) mineral deposits are not equally distributed over the earth but are localized by natural processes, and (2) the mineral industries are largely based upon wasting assets. Neither of these factors is invariably true, for a few mineral materials, such as water, are essentially world-wide and others are replaced periodically by processes not unlike crop production. Indeed, with some, such as the salts in the sea, the supply is cyclic in short or long periods, whereas others, like water, though locally or periodically in short supply, are essentially inexhaustible. But to the extent that most minerals are limited to certain areas and are "permanently" consumed, any industry founded upon them, by implication, demands great care in planning for the most effective extraction-the essence of wise and conservative expenditure. Several less unusual yet also truly fundamental factors in the economics of the mineral industry are those involving (1) the various kinds and properties of mineral materials, which influence their use; (2) their geologic and geographic availability; and (3) the 'techniques unique to their discovery, exploration, and utilization. This chapter is designed primarily as a brief background for later ones and as a summary of the several unusual or at least special factors and of their effect upon the economics of the mineral industry. The social and political and especially the economic aspects of the industry are the main subjects of this volume and are dealt with in extended fashion in subsequent chapters. Fundamental Characteristics of Mineral Deposits DEFINITIONS Minerals are naturally occurring compounds of nonliving matter, each technically defined as having ( 1 ) a chemical composition that may vary

Jan 1, 1964

By Hugh O?Neill

IN PREVIOUS papers,1 the author has reported the results of experiments on the straining in tension of a single crystal test piece, about 0.6 in. long, of vacuum-melted electrolytic iron containing 1.8 per cent. of silicon. The crystal was originally in the "as cast" condition, and was stressed slowly along a tetragonal axis so that slipping along conjugate gliding planes finally transformed the original cylindrical portion into a pair of fracture wedges. One of these fracture wedges was sectioned along the stress axis in a plane at right angles to the edge of the wedge. A metallographic study of this plane of -section led to the conclusion that slip had taken place in the (111) direction along (112) planes making a V shape with the stress axis. The present paper describes the results of scratch-hardness tests conducted on the same section, in order to determine the distribution of strain hardness therein, followed by annealing, and considers the resulting variations in hardness. These observations supplement those made by Krivobok2 on similar material reduced 25 per cent. by hammering (i. e., by impact) in the cold. In order to investigate ageing effects, two small crystals of the same alloy were also tested.

Jan 1, 1928

By J. L. Gregg, C. W. Kuttner

ReceNtly there has been considerable interest in the production and use of extra hard alloys composed primarily of tungsten and carbon. Dr. Hoyt's recent paper1 gives a good description of these alloys and describes their performance when used as tools. There are a number of these alloys on the market sold under various trade names, and it is the purpose of this paper to describe the results of an investigation of the structure of five of these alloys by means of microscopic and X-ray methods. The samples studied were in the form of small tools or wiredrawing dies, which were either purchased or supplied as samples. They were in some cases not supplied by the original makers but were furnished by the agents in this country, and we wish to call attention to the fact that they may not be truly representative of the materials supplied under the various trade names No performance data are given and no inference as to the inferiority of one alloy as against any other is made. K. Schröter2 recently described methods for polishing alloys of this type for microscopic examination and has presented photomicrographs of several alloys. However, he did not identify their constituents or describe methods for their identification. Constituents and Their Identification As far back as 1915 attempts were made to utilize tungsten carbides commercially, but the great brittleness of these carbides made these first attempts unsuccessful. Later, successful dies were made by sintering the powdered carbides with small amounts of iron, nickel, or cobalt. Due to the high melting points of the tungsten carbides (2600" to 2800" C.), it is difficult to melt the carbides without volatilizing almost quantitatively the added element of the iron group. Inasmuch as the added metal does not exceed 20 per cent. and is usually present in much smaller amounts, some understanding of the tungsten-carbon equilibrium dia-

Jan 1, 1929

By C. W. Kuttner, J. L. Gregg

ReceNtly there has been considerable interest in the production and use of extra hard alloys composed primarily of tungsten and carbon. Dr. Hoyt's recent paper1 gives a good description of these alloys and describes their performance when used as tools. There are a number of these alloys on the market sold under various trade names, and it is the purpose of this paper to describe the results of an investigation of the structure of five of these alloys by means of microscopic and X-ray methods. The samples studied were in the form of small tools or wiredrawing dies, which were either purchased or supplied as samples. They were in some cases not supplied by the original makers but were furnished by the agents in this country, and we wish to call attention to the fact that they may not be truly representative of the materials supplied under the various trade names No performance data are given and no inference as to the inferiority of one alloy as against any other is made. K. Schröter2 recently described methods for polishing alloys of this type for microscopic examination and has presented photomicrographs of several alloys. However, he did not identify their constituents or describe methods for their identification. Constituents and Their Identification As far back as 1915 attempts were made to utilize tungsten carbides commercially, but the great brittleness of these carbides made these first attempts unsuccessful. Later, successful dies were made by sintering the powdered carbides with small amounts of iron, nickel, or cobalt. Due to the high melting points of the tungsten carbides (2600" to 2800" C.), it is difficult to melt the carbides without volatilizing almost quantitatively the added element of the iron group. Inasmuch as the added metal does not exceed 20 per cent. and is usually present in much smaller amounts, some understanding of the tungsten-carbon equilibrium dia-

Jan 1, 1929

By Bradley Stoughton

The regular, bottom-blown Bessemer converter of the present day is a modification of previous forms, and most of the latest proposed modifications of it are merely returns to former types which Ressemer discarded. That he tried almost every conceivable method of blowing iron, with tuyeres at almost every possible position or angle, is well known; and it is to be supposed that he was familiar with the advantages of each type, since he finally settled on that form which has not been improved upon hitherto, for the purposes for which converters will generally be used. Modifications have been tried along two lines: In the arrangement of tuyeres, and in the manner of carrying out the process with tuyeres still blowing vertically upward through the bath. While they have all failed in general competition with the regular modern type of vessel, some of them have found special fields in which they have held their own. The most notable example is in the steel-casting industry, and especially in that part of it concerned with the manufacture of castings which require very hot or very fluid metal, or supply a demand of constantly varying physical or chemical requirements. In this industry the small converters occupy a field between that of the crucible-process and that of the open-hearth process, arid have won a place for themselves in France, England, America, Russia and other countries, which they bid fair to retain until either a new method is discovered of producing cheaply very hot, fluid steel, or the open-hearth process is so improved that very hot steel may be made with it at lower cost of repairs to lining arid roof.

Jan 1, 1903

By Warnie Flint

PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENTS According to statistics compiled by the National Safety Council, US Bureau of Mines, American Medical Association, and other agencies, accidental injuries cause more deaths than all the leading diseases. NO one is immune to an accident. Probably the best way to describe an accident is to say that it is an unexpected happening. The automobile driver is not expecting a terrifying crash, the electrician does not expect to be electrocuted, nor is the coal miner expecting the roof to fall on him. All personal injuries will not result in death. There is a multitude of victims who are living proof of what accidents can mean to an individual-victims who are blind, paralytic, missing arms, legs, etc. In most instances the earning power of these individuals is gone, and they are utterly dependent upon family or welfare. For many years there seemed to be an attitude that prevailed in industrial America that accidents were inevitable, and that so many fatalities and injuries should be expected. This, of course, was utter nonsense. Since the birth of such organizations as The National Safety Council, American Society of Safety Engineers, and the US Bureau of Mines, much progress has been made in reducing accidents. The enactment of compensation laws greatly contributed to the progress that has been made. Does this mean that all accidents can be prevented? Unfortunately, it does not. Human psychology indicates that men will work unsafely or perform unsafe acts for the following reasons : 1) Lack of knowledge or skill. 2) Conflicting motivations, such as: (a) to be more comfortable, (b) to save time or effort, (c) to be accepted by a group. 3) Physical or mental condition. Nearly everyone desires his own safety, but not all individuals are willing to do what they know to do to insure their own safety.

Jan 1, 1981

By Carlos A. Aranda

The Smelting and Refining Department of Cerro de Pasco Corporation is located at La Oroya at an altitude of 3,720 meters (12,205 feet) in the Peruvian Andes. Producing lead, zinc and copper as well as twelve by-product metals and chemicals, the smelter is among the world's most complex. With the intake of high-bismuth ores in 1934, electrolytic lead refining by a modified Betts process was piloted and the plant went into commercial production in 1937 at a nominal capacity of 100 M.T. per day. After expansions in 1950 and 1963, nominal capacity has increased to 250 M.T. per day. Anodes spaced at 10.8 cm centre to centre and starting sheets are both set into the cells by overhead cranes. The asphalt-lined concrete cells are arranged in a Walker side-by-side configuration, and the electrolyte, circulating at 13 l/min./cell, is a solution of locally-produced hydrofluosilicic acid and lead fluosilicate. The corrosion cycle is limited to four days due to high impurity content of the bullion, which has successfully been treated at contents of up to 9% impurities. The cathodes are melted, drossed, and cast into blocks and pigs assaying 99.997 + % lead. The anodes with the blanket of slime adhering, are washed with electrolyte and condensate makeup water to remove the concentrated lead fluosilicate entrapped in the slimes. The slimes are then removed with high-pressure water sprays, centrifuged and sent to another plant for recovery of silver, gold, bismuth, selenium, tellurium, and antimony.

Jan 1, 1970

By T. G. Fulmor, William Wraith

What impelled The Anaconda Company to dismantle and move a concentrator 25 miles that was already operating at a rate of 35,000 ton per day? The answer to that question takes in almost exactly 49 years and perhaps 10 complete cycles of the metallurgical wheel in the Anaconda, Mont., mill. One could say with truth that the move is a logical next-step in the development of metallurgy in The Anaconda Co. In the old concentrator at Anaconda, the background story is unfolded: - Gravity separation by jigs, later supplemented with gravity tables, 1905. - Separate sand and slime froth flotation, 1915. - Acid bulk froth flotation, 1917. - Bulk alkaline flotation, 1926. - Alkaline flotation of total ore without sand- slime separation due to change in ore type. 1939.

Jan 5, 1964

By W. M. Myers

THE hydraulic properties exhibited by the calcination products of certain limestones were recognized at an early datemore than 2000 years ago. It was known that calcined limestone with the addition of other minerals would react with water and produce an insoluble and stable product. This material could be cast in desired forms or could be used as a cement for the unification of other materials in large masses or for bonding brick or masonry structures. Cements are essentially mineral glues and it is their ability to unify other materials plus their fluidity when first mixed with water, enabling the mass to assume any desired shape, that has made them so extraordinarily useful to modern industry. Like other glues, cements do not exhibit their maximum strength when used alone and only when mixed with proper aggregates do their optimum properties appear. The resulting concrete, a mixture of cement, mineral aggregates and frequently of reinforcing steel, exhibits the most desirable properties of the individual constituents with regard to tensile strength, stability and permanence. The speed with which such mixtures can be -prepared and installed in place with mechanical equipment has facilitated their adoption by the engineering profession concerned with the construction industries. The development and application of improved methods of manufacture have resulted in such economies that the finished product can be sold at a remarkably low price. In addition, the necessary raw materials are of such common occurrence and wide geographic distribution that the manufacture of cement was established in 34 of the 48 states by 1946. Plants under construction will add to this number. In recent years the industry has been characterized by the development of a number of new cements designed to possess special properties essential for use in unusual environments. These have introduced the use of some new raw materials and also have complicated the processes of manufacture. In the following pages, the major varieties of cement of commercial importance are treated in the chronological order of their appearance on the market.

Jan 1, 1949

By L. A. Geoffrion, R. H. Perkins, J. C. Biery

Densities of cerium metal and several lour-melting binary cerium alloys were measured over the range 25° to 800°C. A rolumeter, using NaK as working fluid, was used to obtain the data. The cerium, Ce-Co, Ce-Ni, and Ce-Cu alloys all exhibited an increase in density on melting, while a Ce-Mn alloy expanded on melting. FOR the proper design of a nuclear reactor, the change in density of the fuel with temperature must be known. This is especially important in a system utilizing molten fuel, such as LAMPRE (Los Alamos Molten Plutonium Reactor Experiment), since a relatively large change in density usually occurs during the solid-liquid transition. The fuel for LAMPRE is a Pu-2.5 wt pct Fe alloy with a melting temperature of 410°C. However, limitations in reactor design with this fuel have led to consideration of other plutonium-containing alloys for use in future generations of this type of reactor. Several ternary alloys containing plutonium and cerium as two components have satisfactorily low melting points. The system that at the present time appears to be most acceptable is Pu-Ce-Co; it exhibits little change in melting temperature with wide variation in plutonium concentration. Other alloys that have received some consideration contain nickel, copper, and manganese as the third constituent. The proposed fuel alloys are difficult to handle experimentally in the 25" to 800°C temperature range since they oxidize readily, react with many solvents, and contain a poisonous fissionable material. In addition, in this temperature range the alloys pass through the solid-liquid transition. Several techniques are available for measuring the densities and volume coefficients of expansion of solids or liquids. However, the only apparatus that appears suitable for measuring expansion coefficients over this temperature range and through the phase transition is a volumeter. In a volumeter, the indicating medium must be essentially inert to and insoluble in the material being studied. It must also possess a low vapor pressure over the operating temperature range, and its coefficient of expansion must be accurately known. One material that is satisfactory in nearly all of these respects is the alloy Na-78 wt pct K, which melts at -10°C and has a vapor pressure of 860 mm Hg at 800°C. This relatively high vapor pressure at 800°C requires an overpressure of an inert gas to prevent boiling. While a volumeter is capable of determining accurately the volume coefficients of expansion of materials, it cannot be used for absolute density measurements. Therefore, a density determination at a known temperature must be coupled with the volumeter measurements to give all the desired data. The weight-loss technique using immersion in bromobenzene at room temperature proved to be satisfactory. The preliminary work that was done on this experimental program involved developing and calibrating the equipment, and measuring the densities and volume coefficients of expansion of cerium and some low-melting binary cerium alloys. The complications that are caused with the introduction of plutonium into the system were avoided until the equipment was proved to be satisfactory and until experience was gained in its operation. It is this first phase of the experimental work that is described in this report. DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT AND OPERATING PROCEDURE The NaK volumeter is shown schematically in Fig. 1. Basically, the equipment consists of two weld-sealed stainless-steel containers of nearly identical volume. One container holds a tantalum crucible and the specimen being measured; the other contains a tantalum crucible and a tantalum specimen used as a control reference material. To avoid temperature gradients, the bombs are located in a copper block inside the furnace. Stainless-steel capillaries of equal length and volume connect each stainless-steel container to a glass viewing capillary. The stainless-steel containers, stainless-steel capillaries, and a portion of the glass capillaries are filled with NaK (22 wt pct Na-78 wt pct K). The NaK/gas interface in the glass capillary is viewed with a cathetometer which is accurate to *0.5 mm. The cathetometer readings are used to calculate the volume changes of the samples during a run. This volumeter is basically the same as that described by F. Knight in Plutonium 1960. 2 However, changes in equipment design and operating procedure were made to eliminate some major operating difficulties. These changes are summarized below. 1) In filling the manometer with NaK, gas was frequently entrained in the system. Evacuation of the system before filling failed to eliminate the en-

Jan 1, 1965

By Waldemar Lindgren

Introduction To the miner, as well as to the geologist, the eastern part of Cuba is a most interesting region. Here we find, in contrast to the moderate relief predominating elsewhere in the island, an imposing mountain range, the Sierra Maestra, extending east and west parallel to the coast, its precipitous front facing the blue Caribbean Sea.. In a geological sense this range is largely an unknown land, the only well-explored region being that in the vicinity of Santiago. The range also contains the most important mineral deposits of the island. They comprise, first, a series of iron deposits yielding a partly hematitized magnetite with low content of phosphorus; second, a remarkable copper-bearing vein at El Cobre; and third, various manganese deposits. Probably more deposits will be found, for the larger and western part of the range is as yet little explored and its slopes are covered by a thick tropical jungle. The following notes are based on a short visit by the senior author in January and February of 1914 to the mines at Daiquiri, El Cobre, and Mayari. For many courtesies and great assistance he is deeply obliged to Charles F. Rand, President of the Spanish-American Iron Co.; to George W. Pfeiffer, General Manager, and to the several members of his staff.

Jan 10, 1915

G. R. GOHN. l-1n Table I11 of The Sager, Brown, and Mears paper, which was presented on the screen, data were given showing the results of accelerated corrosion tests of certain magnesium alloys. Mention was made that these were carried to a certain time which was used as a measure of failure but no mention was made as to the period of time. I would like enlightenment on that. G. F. SAGER (Author).-In reply to Mr. Gohn's question regarding the times of exposure for the accelerated stress-corrosion tests referred to in Table I11 of our paper, which shows the correlation between accelerated and atmospheric stress-corrosion tests on magnesium alloys, I can say that we usually run the accelerated tests on such alloys for at least 500 hr. We feel that this is long enough to reveal any marked susceptibility to stress-corrosion cracking. In the case of the atmospheric tests on such alloys, we have not yet decided how long we should expose the specimens. Most of them are being exposed for indefinite periods and a good many of our specimens have now been exposed for several years. We may want to continue some of the tests for five or ten years. The period of six months mentioned in connection with the times of exposure for the atmospheric specimens was a rather arbitrarily selected minimum time for which specimens had to be exposed before we counted them with those that had not failed. A fairly large number of magnesium- alloy specimens have been exposed in the atmospheric stress-corrosion tests at var-

Jan 1, 1945