Search Documents

By Chris Castle

Following the recent award of a prospecting license by the New Zealand Government, Widespread Energy Ltd. (Widespread) is focused on the acceleration of its exploration program in order to bring a potential phosphorite deposit to market in the near future. Rock phosphate is the primary constituent of most fertilizers that are manufactured and distributed in New Zealand. Field trials in the 1980s demonstrated that direct application of rock phosphate can result in a more effective fertilizer (than super-phosphate) with less environmental damage from run-off. At present virtually all of the rock phosphate used by the New Zealand fertilizer industry (approximately 1 million tonnes a year) is imported from Morocco. In recent years price increases of up to 12 fold (peak of $500/t) with massive increases in freight costs have bought to the forefront the economic opportunity to in part replace foreign imports with a local source of phosphate. The Chatham Rise phosphate deposits are relatively well understood, having being discovered during the 1950?s and it is estimated that approximately 100 years supply (at current requirements) is present at shallow depths. An estimated 100 million tonnes of rock phosphate is present within the license area based on previous private and publicly funded research. Widespread has engaged several parties to assist in the exploration planning to confirm the resource potential. Widespread has commenced investigating the feasibility of recovering the phosphorite nodules off the sea floor, and presently has several conceptual technical solutions under consideration and will advance the discussions with potential contractors during the exploration phases. Widespread is acutely aware of its responsibilities to conduct both the exploration program and extraction of the rock phosphate, in a manner that causes minimal disruption to the marine environment. To this end, the National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) ? a New Zealand Crown Research Institute has been engaged to assist in designing sampling and extraction methods that will minimize disruption to the seabed. All sampling and extraction activities are planned to be conducted with reference to the environmental guidelines published by the International Marine Minerals Society ?Code for Environmental Management of Marine Mining.? Widespread is conducting its project with a background of changing regimes to both the allocation and environmental management of its activities.

Jan 1, 2010

By J. B. Mackintosh

The general method which has been followed since the time of Heinrich Rose, and perhaps before, for the determination of phosphorus in iron and steel, is to dissolve the sample either in nitric acid, aqua regia, or some other oxidizing agent, in order to convert the phosphorus into phosphoric acid. In 1832 Rose* recommends HNO3, or aqua regia, preferably the former. Wohler, in 1854,† directs that the iron should be oxidized by burning in a stream of oxygen for the determination of carbon, and the resulting oxide of iron containing all the phosphorus as phosphoric acid be treated as an ore. In the fourth English edition of Fresenius' Quantitative Analysis,† pp. 666-667, we find directions to dissolve the iron in aqua regia or bromine; and, coming down to more recent times, we find F. A. Cairns § directing the employment of a boiling solution of potassium chlorate and hydrochloric acid for the oxidation and solution of the sample to be analyzed. It is unnecessary to multiply quotations from the literature of the subject, though they might be extended almost inclefinitely, since it would only be a repetition of the above mentioned series of methods in one form or another; and the references given have been selected to show how little essential variation there is in the type-methods of solution used. In fact it seems to be universally accepted as a necessary first step in the determination that some such method of solution should be followed. One chemist, however, struck out on a different line of thought, and to the Lest of my knowledge only one, M. V. Tantin, who, in

Jan 1, 1886

By Sanford Belden

My topic, Recent Developments in the Design of Electric Mine Locomotives and Mining Machinery, does not require me to go into a general review of electricity as applied to the mining industry. Interesting as that subject always is, what I might say in regard to it, by way of introduction, would be unnecessary use of your time, since such facts are familiar to all. First, we will consider the recent development of the electric mine locomotive. We may well pause for a moment to reflect upon its importance to the coal-mining industry of to-day. With the dawn of the electrical age its advent was inevitable. Our practical interest is aroused not so much by the first crude effort as by the great efficiency attained during the 30 or more years since the electric locomotive made its first appearance. To judge accurately what it means to coal mining, and through coal mining to the industrial field at large, we would have to know how many of these locomotives are in use throughout the country and their aggregate daily performance, and then compare the results with what could be expected with other forms of power. Such data are lacking, but it requires no statistician to make it evident that the electric mining machine is a tremendous factor in modern progress, and that without it the work of the world could never have reached its present magnitude. Not only has the electric mine locomotive served its own special branch of usefulness, but incidentally it has solved in the main the whole problem of electric transportation. It is but a step from the triumph of a 25-ton locomotive leading a long train of loaded coal cars from a mine to the electrification of common carriers. We may or may not be near any great change in this respect. Economical reasons may hold it back for an indefinite period. But the fact remains that in the development of our mine locomotives we have met this larger emergency, in mechanical type and efficiency, whenever it may come.

Jan 6, 1914

By J. P. Burland

The paper describes a number of recent case histories in the United Kingdom where field instrumentation and measurements have played a major role in the design and construction of excavations, piles and foundations. It is shown that the design and construction procedures for deep excavations in London Clay are based almost entirely on the results of field measurements. Examples are given of successful application of such measurements. The present understanding of the behaviour of bored piles in stiff clays and their design is based on a number of instrumented pile loading tests. The results of these tests have led to a radically new concept of pile design in which the piles operate at their full shaft capacity under working loads thereby resulting in considerable savings in design and construction. Some examples of the successful application of this concept are given. Finally it is shown that the present knowledge of the stiffness properties of chalk is based entirely on field observations. An example is given of how direct field measurements were used to solve a foundation problem at the base of a coffer-dam in chalk.

Jan 1, 2010

By A. J. Williams

"IntroductionAN EXCELLENT paper entitled Potash Discoveries in Western Canada (l) was presented to the 1948 Annual Meeting of the C.l.M. by L. Heber Cole, of the Department of Mines and Resources, Ottawa. In the intervening three and a half years, the search for oil and gas in Saskatchewan has added considerably to the information available on the occurrence of potash. It is the purpose of this paper to summarize the additional data. For greater clarity, it may be useful, first, to recapitulate some of the highlights of Mr. Cole's paper.Underlying the western plains of Canada there is a large deposit of sodium chloride, believed to be of early Devonian age. Associated with the sodium chloride are certain potash salts, primarily 'sylvinite,' a mechanical mixture of sodium chloride (halite) and potassium chloride (sylvite) crystals. The potash salts, when present, are usually near the top of the salt formation, though in at least one well they were found near the central part of the deposit. Cole reported on some seven wells in Saskatchewan which had encountered appreciable amounts of potash; these were the Ogema, Radville, Davidson Nos. 1 and 2, Prairie Salt Nos. 1 and 2, and Verbata wells. Depth of potash from surface ranged from 7,653 feet in the Radville well to a minimum of 3,466 feet in the Verbata well. Such depths do not compare favourably with those at which the potash is found in mines in the United States, France, and Germany, where about 1,000 feet is the average. The greatest concentration of sylvite encountered was in the Verbata well, where a bed 11 feet thick carried the equivalent of 21.64 per cent K20."

Jan 1, 1952

By S. E. Phillipson, S. Romberger

The Late Miocene San Cristobal Ag-Zn-Pb deposit represents syngenetic and epigenetic mineralization with low- and high-sulfidation characteristics. The geology of the deposit is characterized by barren dacitic ring fracture domes, mineralized resurgent rhyodacite domes, strongly altered and mineralized tuffaceous lacustrine sedimentary rocks and an extensive crystal-lithic tuff debris apron. The orebody is hosted by intracauldron sedimentary rocks and breccias. Fluid inclusion data suggest that silver, lead and zinc were transported as chloride complexes and precipitated by cooling in veins from <5% (by weight) NaCl eq. fluids at 170° to 215°C. Silver spatially and perhaps temporally associated with resurgent rhyodacite was transported as a chloride complex and precipitated by increased H2S activity or increased fluid pH.

Jan 1, 2002

By J. W. McCammon

CRANGES in construction ideas and the continually rising costs of labour and conventional building materials, particularly since World War II, have prompted widespread investigations into the development and adaptation of new materials to meet the new requirements and to help reduce costs. Lightweight aggregates have been prominent in these investigations. The lightweight aggregates most commonly used today are foamed slag, cinders, pumice, diatomite, exfoliated vermiculite, expanded perlite, and bloated clay or shah. Lightweight aggregates contribute to the building industry in several ways: ( 1) in large structures the reduction in deadweight effected by the use of lightweight materials reduces the amount of reinforcing and structural steel necessary to support the structure; ( 2) the decrease in weight of lightweight blocks makes handling easier and faster; (3) pre-fabricated floor and roof slabs and tilt-up walls of lightweight concrete have become feasible and popular; ( 4) lightweight aggregate concrete has good nailability and is easily channelled; (5) concrete and plaster made with lightweight aggregate have good heat and sound insulation properties.

Jan 1, 1957

By Robert Hopler

It is the nature of the initial detonation to the powder around the cap which governs the greater or less effect of the explosion of the whole charge. The cap communicates to the first particles of powder a disruptive impulse, which, according to the nature and strength of the cap, more or less completely overthrows their equilibrium and decomposes the powder with great energy, setting up sympathetic vibrations that explode the particles of powder in turn by the violent disturbances or friction between them in a regular succession of impulses and decompositions, which, if started with sufficient energy, are of such intense heat and velocity that the rupturing force of the explosive is developed practically instantaneously. This detonation has already been shown to be not only the result of mechanical force, but a combination of extremely sudden chemical and dynamical reactions which set up vibrations to which different powders are more or less susceptible, and these explosive reactions will be propagated through the mass of the powder according to the intensity of the vibrations and the resistance with which their motion is opposed by the nature and consistency of the powder, whether it be difficult or easy to oxidize, soft and plastic like dynamite, or hard. If the initial detonation of the powder surrounding the cap is of the highest degree, the vibrations will be most intense and will be propagated further through the mass than by a poorer detonation. Hence the different degrees of detonation. Unless the first particles of powder are so thoroughly decomposed by a detonation of high order, or first degree, as to convey the necessary heat and energy to detonate the whole charge, the greatest force of the powder will not be developed. There will frequently be unbottomed holes or pieces of unexploded powder scattered about, or both, and the air in the mine will be contaminated with some obnoxious gases that have not been completely oxidized.

Jan 1, 2007

By Donald A. Corrigan, John Chipman

It is shown that the heat of solution of nitrogen in liquid-iron alloys is Proportional to the interaction coefficient. This proportionality forms the basis for a method of predicting nilrogen solubility at any temperature when the interaction coefficient is knoun at 1600°C ov when the solubility is known at some one temperature. A method for predicting the solubility of nitrogen in liquid steels, including alloy steels, was proposed some years ago by Langenberg.&apos; Since the data available at that time were restricted to temperatures of about 1600°C, his predictions were similarly restricted. More recently, Nelssonz devised an approximate method for estimating nitrogen solubilities at higher temperatures. It is the purpose of the present paper to present a method by which the solubility of nitrogen at any temperature within the steelmaking range may be predicted from the known interaction coefficients at 1600°C. Nitrogen in iron and in all of the alloys to be considered here is known to obey Sieverts&apos; Law; hence the activity of nitrogen in an alloy of fixed composition is proportional to its concentration, here expressed in weight percent. The activity of nitrogen is defined as equal to its weight percent in the binary Fe-N solution at any temperature. Its activity coefficient in any alloy is the comparison being made at equal values of T and PN2. In all alloys the activity coefficient changes with composition, log fN being a linear function of the percent of alloying element at low concentrations. In the following calculations the alloy compositions are restricted to those in which this linear relation is exhibited. For most systems this is a fairly wide range, for example up to 5 pct V and to 10 pct Cr or Ni. For this composition range. complex alloy is the same as that in the Fe-N-j ternary solution. Langenberg&apos;s method of prediction was based on Eq. [3], the values of log fN for various additions being taken from a graph. Instead of using the simple addition indicated in Eq. [3], he used a more complex method suggested for Fe-S-j alloys by Morris and Buehl.3 For the composition ranges in which Eq. [2] is valid the two methods are equivalent. Nelson extended the prediction to other temperatures on the assumption that logfN is inversely proportional to absolute temperature. It may be shown that inverse proportionality would result if the partial molal entropy of nitrogen were unaffected by addition of the alloy element, an assumption which Nelson designated as a "regular" solution. It has been shown recently by the authors4 that this assumption is not a good approximation. The heat of solution of nitrogen (N2) in an alloy may be obtained if the solubility is known as a function of temperature. Measurements of this nature have been reported recently by Beer5 for Fe-Mn alloys, by Nelsson2 for Fe-C, by El Tayeb and parlee6 for Fe-V, and by Pehlke and Elliott7 for many alloys embracing a wide range of compositions. In connection with the work of the last named authors it is noted that their Fig. 22 gives the heat effect per half mole rather than per mole of N2. In using their data we have shifted some of their values slightly by using the best straight line in preference to their curve. Their data, supplemented by others from the literature, are summarized in Table I. In Fig. 1 the heat of solution of nitrogen is shown as a function of composition for the several alloy systems. The difference between the heat effect in the alloy. AH; and that in pure

Jan 1, 1965

By John F. Elliott, Robert D. Pehlke

The rate of reaction of nitrogen with liquid iron and with binary alloys of iron and Al, Cb, Cr, Ni, O, S, Si, and W were measured. The surface active elements, oxygen and sulfur, decrease the rate markedly. The other alloying elements have very little effect on the rate except when they function as deoxidizers, The rates of absorption and de-sorption were found to be equal. Several possible reaction mechanisms which may control the rate are considered. In order to describe completely the behavior of nitrogen in steelmaking processes, the mechanisms of mass transfer between the gaseous and liquid phases, nitrogen and iron, respectively, must be understood. A kinetic study to determine the nature of these mass transfer processes was undertaken, and the results of that investigation are presented in this paper. Specifically, the study was directed toward determining the influence of alloying elements on the rates at which pure nitrogen gas at constant pressure is absorbed and desorbed by liquid iron solutions: A previous paper1 reported measurements of the equilibrium solubility of nitrogen in liquid binary iron alloys. The experimental data are presented and discussed first and then several possible rate limiting mechanisms are considered. PREVIOUS RESEARCH The results of several investigations on the rate of absorption of nitrogen by liquid iron and iron alloys have been reported.2-14 There is little agreement on the rate coefficients among these studies because of the influence of geometry on the experimental system and of the purity of the liquid iron. The rate was found to be influenced by alloying content for the binary liquid iron systems: Fe-Al,2 Fe-C,4,6 Fe-Cr,4,5,8 Fe-Mn,5 Fe-Ni,5,8 Fe-O,9,10 Fe-O,9,10 and Fe-Si.2,6,7,11 Several investigators12"15 have reported that the rate of nitrogen absorption is increased in a reducing gas mixture and decreased in an oxidizing atmosphere. A mechanism for the retardation by oxygen of the absorption of nitrogen has been described by Naeser18 as the formation of an iron oxide film at the gas-metal interface. The film slows the absorption rate until it disolves in the metal, thus permitting nitrogen to enter the liquid iron. Karwat17 discussed the influence of oxygen in terms of the formation of gaseous molecules of nitrous oxide which represent a higher energy form than the nitrogen and oxygen or the oxidizing gas and consequently constitute an energy barrier for the process. Fischer and Hoffmann10 showed that the oxygen markedly reduces the rate of absorption of nitrogen, the rate constant being one order of magnitude smaller in liquid iron containing 0.15 to 0.24 pct 0 as compared to that in melts containing 0.001 to 0.02 pct 0. Although Chipman and Murphy2 reported that the rate of absorption of nitrogen in liquid iron was essentially independent of temperature, Eklund3 found that the rate increases strongly with increasing temperature as did Kootz4 and Saito.5,6 Karnaukhov and Morozov7 also reported a large temperature coefficient, but related it to increased stirring at higher power inputs in an inductively heated system. All of the authors above have treated their results assuming that the reaction is diffusion controlled, that the surface reaction is in equilibrium with nitrogen gas, and that a "first order" reaction takes place. Karnaukhov and Morozov7 and Humbert; who studied the rate of absorption in a closed system by observing pressure changes in the system as a function of time, concluded that their results best fit a diffusion-type analysis. This was further verified by von Bogdandy, Dick, and stranski18 and Fischer and Hoffmann10 who found the initial rate of

Jan 1, 1963

By A. W. Effinger

The Bureau of Mines used regression analysis and applied statistical methods in an effort to rationalize the results of an experiment examining the effects of certain variables on carbon deposition in a reservoir for thermal recovery of petroleum. Although none of the 15 trials of the original experiment resulted in the response of weight-percent of carbon regarded by the experimenter as adequate, values calculated using canonical analysis in two trials yielded responses 33 and 54 percent higher than the minimum acceptable figure. The actual responses differed by less than 3 and 6 percent, respectively, from the predicted responses. Methods are described for defining a path of increasing response based on the minimum point and the response surfaces and for defining a set of values for the parameters in question, which result in increased response, A detailed explanation of the mathematical process used in this analysis is presented in the appendix for ease in computer programing the technique.

Jan 1, 1970

By S. Fugleberg

As a result of research work done during the planning of the Kokkola zinc plant it was found that a very efficient cementation of impurities from the suspension obtained after leaching copper and cadmium cakes was achieved by adding zinc dust to the batch without filtration after the leaching. All elements nobler than cadmium are precipitated with the exception of lead, which must be removed in a separate step. Using pure zinc dust, free from noble metals, the cadmium sponge produced will only contain elements that can be re- moved from cadmium by meltrefining. The process is thus : 1. Leaching and purification 2. Removal of lead (with BaCO3) 3. Precipitation of cadmium sponge with pure zinc dust 4. Meltrefining of briquetted sponge with NaOH for removal of Zn (and others) The paper deals with the removal of the most critical elements, i.e. Co, Ni, As, Sb, Cu, Pb, T1 in the liquid phase and Zn and T1 in the melt. A survey is also given of the behaviour of most of the other elements normally found in Cd raw material, such as Ge, Te, Se, Sn, In, Ga. It is shown that in most cases the benefit of an electrolysis in Cd production is very limited. In Kokkola 99.998% Cd is achieved by this method, but in favourable cases it may be possible to come quite close to five nines.

Jan 1, 1973

By O. A. Carson

Introduction Although the equilibrium conditions of the copper-tin alloys have been the subject of a ?great amount of research, the equilibrium diagram is still in doubt. The first systematic investigation of the series was made in 1894 by Le Chatelier, who published a freezing-point curve. In 1895, Roberts-Austen and Stansfield published the complete liquidus and partial solidus curves, which they modified somewhat in 1897. Their liquidus as given in 1897 is essentially that accepted today (Figure 3). Haycock and Neville also published a liquid us curve in 1897. In 1898, William Campbell published a series of micrographs showing the changes in microstructure which accompanied the thermal changes of Stansfield? s diagram. The classic work on the bronze series was published by Heycock and Neville in 1903. Their diagram was based on both thermal and microscopic evidence, and is the first for this series of alloys which can be considered nearly complete. Further, it was the first bronze diagram in which any attempt was made to apply the phase rule in the interpretation of the thermal and microscopic results. That portion of Heycock and Neville&apos;s diagram covered by the present work is reproduced in Figure 7.

Jan 1, 1929

By Brian W. Mackenzie

In this age of advancing technology, mining companies are confronted with increasing competitive forces. The depletion of high-grade deposits and the development of substitute materials are intensifying market competition. The accelerating activity of petroleum companies in mineral exploration is increasing competition for deposits. At the same time, the trend in government policy is towards a reduction in traditional mineral-industry incentives. To succeed, the mining company must respond to these changing economic conditions by developing a decision-making framework that can effectively contend with the new opportunities and constraints. What are the elements of such a decision-making framework?

Jan 1, 1970

By David A. Martin

Resource based companies have been inundated with changes in government tax legislation during the past few years. To cope, capital investment planning analysts have turned almost completely to computer simulation modeling to react quickly enough to determine the effect on their companies&apos; major investment projects and on the projected financial picture of the companies. This paper will examine various royalty and tax structures as applied to coal, oil and gas, and minerals in the U.S. and Canada with particular emphasis on recent changes in the Canadian tax scene and their implications to capital project economic evaluation in other parts of the world.

Jan 1, 1977

The resources industry is unique in that the finite nature of resource deposits requires a participant to be constantly locating and developing new ones to replace those that are depleted. An effective growth strategy that enables new project developments to be brought on line in time and within budget is therefore of fundamental importance to any mineral resources company. This paper seeks to identify the role of the development project in the company&apos;s overall growth strategy and the key performance criteria that a development project must achieve in order to allow a company to meet its growth objectives.

Jan 1, 1997

An independent contractor is defined by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) as ?any person, partnership, corporation, subsidiary of a corporation, firm, association or other organization that contracts to perform services or construction at a mine.? Contractors that perform specific types of work are required to report the number of employees who work at coal mines and noncoal mines. Companies In 2007, a total of 2,999 contracting companies reported employment at coal mines to MSHA, or 35.7% of all independent contracting companies.

Aug 1, 2009

By D. Harrington

The fiscal year which ended June 30, 1932, although one of acute financial de ression was, nevertheless, one of distinct encouragement to those who have long struggled against the much too prevalent occurrence of accidents in coal mines, especially of coal mine fire and explosion dis- asters, both of which are now known to be readily preventable. Table 1 summarizes some important information about explosions in the United States coalies for the fiscal year which ended June 30, 1932, insofar as such information is available to the safety division of the United States Bureau of Mines, the personnel of which are under instruction to get in touch with and report on all mine explosions in their respective districts, including not only those occurrences with loss of life but also those in which for- tunately no lives, are affected. Table 1 gives data on 33 ignitions in 10 States with a total of 87 deaths for the year; the number of ignitions (33) is considerably groater than the number (26) for the previous fiscal year, and is exactly the aver- age number for the past four fiscal years; the mumber killed in the 33 ignitions (57) is materially lower than that (217) for the preceding fiscal year or the average (150) for the past four fiscal years. The States with the greatest number of deaths from explosions in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1932, were Virginia; 54; West Virginia, 11; Pennsylvania, 7 (6 being in anthracite mines); Alabama and Colorado, 4 each; Illinois and Kentucky, 3 each; and Maryland, 1. The greatest number of ignitions listod wes that for West Virginia, 7; then came Pennsylvania with 6 (2 being in anthracite mines); Alabama with 5; Colorado, Illinois, Tennessee and Virginia, 3 each; and California, Kentucky, and Maryland, 1 each. The 1931-32 record as given in Table 1 includes several States which were not listed in the previous year: Colorado, Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee,

Jan 1, 1933

By John R. Wolosick

MACROPILES are defined as ultra-high-capacity micropiles, with working loads in excess of 250 tons. The piles are typically 9-5/8 to 24 inch (244 to 610 mm) outside diameter. They are drilled and grouted in place, with either large diameter steel bars and/or steel pipe reinforcement. The piles are typically tested to twice the working load. Piles with working capacities of up to 500 tons and tested to 1000 tons have been installed. The paper discusses MACROPILE design philosophy, construction techniques, and two case histories where this innovative foundation system has been installed. Macropiles are descended from micropile technology pioneered in the early 1950s by Fernando Lizzi of Italy.

Jan 1, 2006

By F. V. Lenel, G. S. Ansell, J. A. Dromsky

The growth of aluminum oxide particles in a nickel matrix was studied eve?. the temperature vange of 2140° to 2470°F. The instability of the dispersed alumina was shown to be independent of the crystal structure of the alumina. The activation energy for the growth of the dispersed alumina was found to be 84.7 1 2.0 kcal. The particle radius increased as a function of time. These results indicate that the growth is not diffusion controlled. It is believed that the rate controlling mechanism is the dissolution of the aluminum and oxygen atoms into the nickel lattice. THE strength properties of alloys which consist of a finely dispersed second phase in a metallic matrix depend upon the spacing between the second phase particles. It is therefore desirable to achieve very fine dispersions in these alloys. Furthermore, to retain the properties these very fine dispersions must be stable during fabrication and service of the alloys. The best known of the dispersion strengthened materials, the SAP type alloys, which consist of a dispersion of aluminurn oxide in aluminum, have exceptionally good stability up to the melting point of aluminum. There is evidence, however, that other dispersion strengthened alloys, even those consisting of refractory oxides in a metal matrix, may be less stable. This investigation is concerned with the stability of Ni-Al2O3 alloys in the temperature range in which these alloys are usually fabricated. The mechanical properties of Ni-Al2O3 alloys at elevated temperatures have been previously investigated by Crelnens and rant,&apos; and Gregory and Goetzel.2 The behavior of these alloys in stress rupture tests appears to indicate that at temperatures below 1800°F they are highly stable. There is some doubt, however, as to their stability at the higher temperatures used during the conventional fabrication. Cremens and Grant, in preparing their test alloys, cousolidated, by powder metallurgical techniques, nickel powders as fine as 0.13 µ diam and alumina powders as fine as 0.018 µ. Metallo- graphic examination of the alloys following fabrication revealed that none had interparticle spacings of less than 2 µ. Considering the size of the original component powder particles, it is likely that the dispersions coarsened during fabrication. Gregory and Goetzel, in their studies of extruded alloys of 80 pct Ni—-20 pct Cr matrixes with nonmetallic dispersion, observed a definite coarsening of the alumina dispersions in alloys sintered at 2280°F as cantrasted to those sintered at 2000oF. Similar observations on the spheroidization and growth of thoria particles finely dispersed in a nickel matrix were made by D. K. Worn and S. F. Marton.3 As a result of such coarsening, much of the effort expended in the preparation of very fine powder mixtures would be lost. The mechanical properties of the alloys which had experienced coarsening would be expected to be poorer than if the original dispersions had been retained. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Ni-Al2O3 alloys were produced from powder prepared by a coprecipitation technique. Aluminum hydroxide and nickel hydroxide were coprecipitated from chloride solutions of the metals. The mixed hydroxides were calcined to form metal oxides and the nickel oxide in the mixture was selectively reduced to nickel by treating it in hydrogen. Specimens were compacted from the resultant powder which consisted of a fine, uniform mixture of aluminum oxide and nickel particles. The compacts were sintered by resistance hot pressing4, a densification technique which requires exposure times of the order of only a second or less at elevated temperatures. A conventional sintering process was not used, since the temperature required for densification would have to be in the region in which the stability of the dispersion was to be studied. A series of hot pressed specimens were treated in hydrogen at temperatures from 2140o to 2470°F (1171o to 1355oC, for times up to 120 hr. Changes in the microstructures were studied by electron microscopy using the two-stage preshadowed carbon replica method.5 In performing a lineal analysis on a series of micrographs from each specimen it was found more convenient to determine the mean free path between alumina particles rather than particle radii as the parameter of growth. Although these quantities are directly proportional for only spherical particles, the alumina particles in these alloys

Jan 1, 1962