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By R. J. C. MacDonald

"The first recorded discovery of placer gold in Canada was on the Chaudiere River in Quebec's eastern townships in 1832 and the first major production came from placer deposits in British Columbia in 1858 (Verity 1974). Placer deposits were the major source of gold until the late 1890's, although lode deposits were found in Nova Scotia in 1862. In 1896 the Klondike Gold Rush commenced with the discovery of gold by Henderson and Carmack in the Yukon. The peak was reached in 1900 when over one million ounces of gold valued at approximately $22.3 million were recovered. With the exhaustion of the easily accessible deposits, more capital intensive operations were necessary such as those initiated in 1906 by the Yukon Gold Corporation. This giant dredging operation continued to produce until 1966. Today only a few small operations remain.The development of Canadian lode gold mining began in earnest around 1900 when the railroads were opening up the interior and western part of the country. At this time many discoveries occurred, particularly where mineral outcroppings were near surface. Tremendous impetus for exploration and the reopening of former producers followed the elimination of the gold standard by Great Britain around 1931, and more importantly the United States in 1933, with subsequent stabilization of the price of gold at $35 per ounce in 1934. Prior to this the price of gold was basically unchanged since 1717, approximately, $20 per ounce (Verity, 1974; Green, 1973).The depression of the 1930s adversely affected most industries, however for the gold producers it was a very profitable time. Prices of materials and equipment declined and labour was cheap and plentiful. Interest in gold mining was further stimulated in 1936 when a three year tax exemption was declared for all new metal mines. In 1938 a decline in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar benefitted the industry. The second world war provided yet again further incentive for gold production and in 1941 Canadian gold production reached a high of approximately 5.4 million ounces. This figure was not surpassed until 1991 when approximately 5.6 million ounces were produced (Natural Resources Canada, 1996 )."

Jan 1, 1998

By Ernesto Bacigalupo

Kallpa Generación S.A. (Kallpa) es una empresa dedicada a la actividad privada de generación de energía eléctrica, ubicada en el distrito de Chilca, provincia de Cañete, Lima que opera la central termoeléctrica del mismo nombre. En ese sentido, el presente texto describe el proyecto de conversión a ciclo combinado que va desde el ciclo simple a ciclo combinado de la C.T. Kallpa. Este ciclo consiste en la coexistencia de dos ciclos termodinámicos (ciclos de producción de energía mediante vapor y gas) en un mismo sistema, de manera que el calor que genera uno, lo aprovecha el otro omo fuente térmica. Asimismo, la principal ventaja de utilizar el ciclo combinado es su alta eficiencia, ya que se obtienen rendimientos superiores al rendimiento obtenido operando en ciclo simple.

Sep 14, 2009

By Paul Schmidt, John Barber

This paper discusses the determination of cutoff grade (COG), including all revenue and cost factors and how to apply the COG in the world of engineering studies and mine planning for underground mines. It provides the engineer with important considerations and practical methods to establish COG and methods of using the COG in the work of mine planning, including the application of Mineable Stope Optimizer (MSO) software which is available on several 3D mine planning packages.

Feb 1, 2024

By William Rawles

THIS report is the first of a series planned by The Mineral Inquiry, organized by the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers to make factual studies of the world's mineral resources in their political and international relations. The efforts of The Inquiry are directed toward filling certain notable gaps in available information, without duplication of many other investigations touching this field which are being conducted by other organizations, public and private. Much of its work is indirect-suggesting topics for study by other individuals and organizations and aiding in their planning and correlation. The present report is designed to show the nationality of the commercial control of mineral resources, in addition to the geographic distribution of production by nation-in other words, the overlapping of political and commercial control. Detailed accuracy cannot be claimed for the figures presented. For some companies division of ownership by nationality has been very difficult to ascertain, as many companies are reluctant to dis-close the extent of their holdings in other corporations, and the impossi-bility of tracing all stock ownership is obvious. Also there are frequent changes in the distribution of. stock control. The percentages given rep-resent only the participation that has been identified definitely, even though it is known in some cases with fair certainty that larger interests exist, as, for instance, American participation in foreign chromite companies. In bringing together these figures we have had the cordial co-operation of the United States Bureau of Mines, the United States Geologi-cal Survey, the Mineral Division of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, the Brookings Institution, and of many specialists connected with the mineral industries covered. The report does not cover the entire list of minerals. Coal, although it is one of the most important minerals, was omitted because , not more than one or two per cent of the world's production comes from mines that are owned by companies foreign to the countries where the coal is produced. Others, such as gold, are omitted because sufficient data have not yet been accumulated. It is hoped that some of these may be covered in subsequent reports. It is not our purpose here to discuss the significance of the figures sub-mitted, but only to point out the general nature of the problems on which they have a bearing.

Jan 1, 1933

By William Rawles

THIS report is the first of a series planned by The Mineral Inquiry, organized by the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers to make factual studies of the world's mineral resources in their political and international relations. The efforts of The Inquiry are directed toward filling certain notable gaps in available information, without duplication of many other investigations touching this field which are being conducted by other organizations, public and private. Much of its work is indirect-suggesting topics for study by other individuals and organizations and aiding in their planning and correlation. The present report is designed to show the nationality of the commercial control of mineral resources, in addition to the geographic distribution of production by nation-in other words, the overlapping of political and commercial control. Detailed accuracy cannot be claimed for the figures presented. For some companies division of ownership by nationality has been very difficult to ascertain, as many companies are reluctant to dis-close the extent of their holdings in other corporations, and the impossi-bility of tracing all stock ownership is obvious. Also there are frequent changes in the distribution of stock control. The percentages given rep-resent only the participation that has been identified definitely, even though it is known in some cases with fair certainty that larger interests exist, as, for instance, American participation in foreign chromite companies. In bringing together these figures we have had the cordial co-operation of the United States Bureau of Mines, the United States Geologi-cal Survey, the Mineral Division of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, the Brookings Institution, and of many specialists connected with the mineral industries covered. The report does not cover the entire list of minerals. Coal, although it is one of the most important minerals, was omitted because, not more than one or two per cent of the world's production comes from mines that are owned by companies foreign to the countries where the coal is produced. Others, such as gold, are omitted because sufficient data have not yet been accumulated. It is hoped that some of these may be covered in subsequent reports. It is not our purpose here to discuss the significance of the figures sub-mitted, but only to point out the general nature of the problems on which they have a bearing.

Jan 1, 1933

By William Rawles

THIS report is the first of a series planned by The Mineral Inquiry, organized by the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers to make factual studies of the world's mineral resources in their political and international relations. The efforts of The Inquiry are directed toward filling certain notable gaps in available information, without duplication of many other investigations touching this field which are being conducted by other organizations, public and private. Much of its work is indirect-suggesting topics for study by other individuals and organizations and aiding in their planning and correlation. The present report is designed to show the nationality of the commercial control of mineral resources, in addition to the geographic distribution of production by nation-in other words, the overlapping of political and commercial control. Detailed accuracy cannot be claimed for the figures presented. For some companies division of ownership by nationality has been very difficult to ascertain, as many companies are reluctant to dis-close the extent of their holdings in other corporations, and the impossi-bility of tracing all stock ownership is obvious. Also there are frequent changes in the distribution of stock control. The percentages given rep resent only the participation that has been identified definitely, even though it is known in some cases with fair certainty that larger interests exist, as, for instance, American participation in foreign chromite companies. In bringing together these figures we have had the cordial co-operation of the United States Bureau of Mines, the United States Geologi-cal, Survey, the Mineral Division of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, the Brookings Institution, and of many specialists connected with the mineral industries covered. The report does not cover the entire list of minerals: Coal, although it is one of the most important minerals, was omitted because not more than one or two per cent of the world's production comes from mines that are owned by companies foreign to the countries where the coal is produced. Others, such as gold, are omitted because sufficient data have not yet been accumulated. It is hoped that some of these may be covered in subsequent reports. It is not our purpose here to discuss the significance of the figures sub-mitted, but only to point out the general nature of the problems on which they have a bearing.

Jan 1, 1933

By William Rawles

THIS report is the first of a series planned by The Mineral Inquiry, organized by the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers to make factual studies of the world's mineral resources in their political and international relations. The efforts of The Inquiry are directed toward filling certain notable gaps in available information, without duplication of many other investigations touching this field which" are being conducted by other organizations, public and private. Much of its work is indirect-suggesting topics for study by other individuals and organizations and aiding in their planning and correlation. The present report is designed to show the nationality of the commercial control of mineral resources, in addition to the geographic distribution of production by nation-in other words, the overlapping of political and commercial control. Detailed accuracy cannot be claimed for the figures presented. For some companies division of ownership by nationality has been very difficult to ascertain, as many companies are reluctant to dis-close the extent of their holdings in other corporations, and the impossi-bility of tracing all stock ownership is obvious. Also there are frequent changes in the distribution of stock control. The percentages given rep-resent only the participation that has been identified definitely, even though it is known in some cases with fair certainty that larger interests exist, as, for instance, American participation in foreign chromite companies. In bringing' together these figures we have had the cordial co-operation of the United States Bureau of Mines, the United States Geologi-cal Survey, the Mineral Division of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, the Brookings Institution, and of many specialists connected with the mineral industries covered. The report does not cover the entire list of minerals. Coal, although it is one of the most important minerals, was omitted because not more. than one or two per cent of the world's production comes from mines that are owned by companies foreign to the countries where the coal is produced. Others, such as gold, are omitted because sufficient data have not yet been accumulated. It is hoped that some of these may be covered in subsequent reports. It is not our purpose here to discuss the significance of the figures sub-mitted, but only to point out the general nature of the problems on which they have a bearing.

Jan 1, 1933

By T. Egleston

THE works of the Ore Knob Copper Company are situated in the county of Ashe in the northwestern part of the State of North Carolina, about ten miles from the Virginia line, at an elevation of 4600 feet above the sea. The nearest railroad station is at Marion, Smythe County, Virginia, about forty-five miles distant. The roads from the railroad to the works have been constructed by the company for the transportation of their material, and are very hilly, and in certain seasons of the year in bad repair. Transportation is therefore always limited and never easy, although it is done by contract at a very low price. The main difficulty with the transportation is not so much its cost as the fact that it puts a limit to the production of the works. These unfavorable conditions make it necessary for the owners of the mine to smelt their ores and to send to market nothing except the metal, which alone will bear the cost of transportation. The mine was opened previous to 1860, but has only been worked systematically during the last five or six years. The vein is a fissure vein from ten to twenty feet in thickness in the gneiss of the

Jan 1, 1882

It is a pleasure and a privilege to be with you for the Annual Conference of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.The inaugural meeting of The Institute was held in Adelaide in April, 1893. Through the kindness of your President, who passed on to me several publications concerning The Institutute I have been able to glance back over the eighty years in which The Institute has served both the profession and Australia.In that record, many names of great distinction caught my eyes. When one reads the list of past presidents of the The Institute since 1893 and the list of those to whom The Institute Medal has been awarded, one reads the headings of a biographical dictionary of the Australian mineral industries. Many famous names are there-men from the great mining companies, engineers, scientists, metallurgists and geologists. Simply to read the names is to recall great enterprise and great achievement. Going over those names one hears the echoes of the inspiring story of the establishment of the Australian steel industry, the electrolytic zinc inq.ustry, all the major developments in the mining of coal, gold, copper, silver and lead, the treatment of difficult ores, the geological exploration of a cqntinent, the discovery of uranium, bauxite, petroleum, nickel, the establishment of the alumina industry and finally the mammoth earthmoving operations of today. The list of names is a chronicle of great men who did a mighty work. They stand like milestones in the progress of a nation.When one reads further and runs down the titles of some of the papers published in the Proceedings of The Institute even a layman like myself can appreciate the dramatic developments in mining and metallurgy that have transformed the whole practice of the mineral industries in our land. Australians have made some notable innovations and discoveries both in mining techniques and in the processing of ores. The history of mining is not only a story of the discovery of the mineral resources of this continent but of adventurous steps taken to perfect new ways of mining the ore and extracting the metal.I read with great admiration the presidential address given by Sir Maurice Mawby in 1968 and wa...

Jan 1, 1973

By Hang Goo Kim

A mathematical analysis based on equilibrium modeling has been developed to describe the distribution behavior of minor elements such as Pb, Zn, Bi, Sb, and As among gas, slag and recovered copper phases during the reduction of copper oxide in slag cleaning with CO gas. The results show that large fractions of the impurities transferred to slag during smelting or converting are recycled to the recovered copper metal. It is also shown that there is a limit to the recovery of copper from slag because iron oxides are also reduced to form a copper-iron alloy at low oxygen potentials. The effects of various operating parameters such as temperature, the activity of FeO, the initial amounts of the elements in the slag and CO content in process gas, on the behavior of these minor elements are discussed. The predicted results were compared with the results of a pilot plant operation in which pulverized coal was used as a reductant. Consistent trends between the two cases were obtained.

Jan 1, 1992

By W. G. Jeffery

"The mining and mineral industries have been, and remain, a major component of the Canadian economy. There are approximately 560 producing mining establishments of which there are some 130 metal mines and an equal number of non-metal mines, the balance being quarries for stone, sand and gravel. For 17 metals and minerals, Canada ranks within the top five as a world producer. There are 29 metallurgical plants. Employment in mining, smelting and refining was about 150000 in 1990. Mineral production, including coal, is about $20 billion. Exports up to the metal stage amount to $15 billion providing a positive trade balance of some $10 billion.The producing industry has a wide diversity of products. The companies range from small single mining operations to large multinationals. In terms of technology the industry has always been in the forefront of cost-effective practice, either using home-grown innovation or freely importing technology from around the world,The Mining Industry Technology Council (MITEC) makes an annual survey of the exploration and R&D expenditures of the senior mining industry that is the mining companies that are involved in mineral production from their existing mines. It does not include those companies solely involved in exploration using funds raised through equity sales.Table 1 shows the actual R&D and exploration expenditures as a per cent of sales. R&D shows a rising trend since 1988although the drop in value of output due to lower prices must be recognized as contributing to the increase. The point about this compilation is that the mining industry re-invests some 4070 of its sales in both exploration and R&D in order to sustain itself. Exploration for the renewal of metal inventories for future mining is a process unique to mining. It is not classified as R&D, and the necessity for this investment goes unrecognized by those who state that the industry does not do enough R&D."

Jan 1, 1993

By Kenji Sasaki

Tamano Smelter started its operation in January, 1972 adopting FSFE ( Flash Smelting Furnace with Furnace Electrodes ) type smelting furnace at a production capacity of 101,00Ot/y of anode copper and 285,00Ot/y of sulfuric acid. Since then, it had experienced several production expansion program, it had twice as production capacity as start. 196,000t/y of anode copper and 436.000t/y of sulfuric acid. This time, we have completed the plan for increasing production capacity up to 226,000t/y of anode copper and 510,000t/y of sulfuric acid, by the oxygen enriched operation. We carried out several improvements and modifications, changing of cooling system ill FSFE, enlargement of converter and anode furnace, and some progresses in sulfuric acid plant and environmental facilities.

Jan 1, 1993

By J. Chupak, D. J. Salley, G. L. Simard

Radiotracers were demonstrated to be of considerable value in a study of the interaction of dithiophosphate with galena. The interaction had characteristics of both chemisorption and chemical reaction, being complex because of the nature of the galena surface. Sorption was rapid and markedly reversible, and flotation occurred at relatively small amounts of dithiophosphate sorbed.

Jan 1, 1950

By Carrie Smith

In a major milestone for geoscience, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has unveiled the Cooperative National Geologic Map, the most detailed national-scale geologic map of the country to date. The project offers a fresh, layered look at the rocks and sediments that make up the United States. For geologists, engineers and mining professionals, it provides both a technical achievement and a practical tool that will help shape future exploration and landuse decisions across the country. The new map provides a regional view of geology both on and beneath the Earth’s surface. Using different colors to represent rock types and sediments, it allows users to toggle through multiple layers, revealing for the first time the surficial and quaternary deposits that lie above the bedrock. “This is the first national map to include multiple layers of mapped geology, the first built to be easily updated as new maps are published, and the first to be delivered in a user-friendly online interface,” said Joseph Colgan, a USGS research geologist who led the development team. The Cooperative National Geologic Map is a culmination of more than a century of collaborative mapping between the USGS and the nation’s state geological surveys. More than 100 existing maps produced by state geological surveys and the USGS over the past 40 to 50 years were combined and standardized to create the national data set. During its three-year creation, the USGS prepared digital data, built the system to bring the maps together, developed the web interface and underwent a review and approval process. Through this process, decades of fieldwork, analysis and digital cartography were brought together to provide both national and local expertise.

Nov 1, 2025

By J. F. Allan

The main conditions which affect investment in mineral exploration and development are compared in five countries currently considered attractive for mineral investment - Canada, the U.S., Australia, Brazil and the Philippines. The primary parameters - the probability of occurrence and discovery of mineral deposits and the short and long term viability of mineral development - are evaluated and compared on a relative basis by a form of factor analysis. This analysis indicates that of the five countries studied, Canada is second only to the United States in degree of favourability for mineral exploration and development.

Jan 1, 1976

By Curtin University Western Australian School Mines

"Curtin University’s Gold Technology Group has developed an online CIP/CIL simulation model called SIMCIL which has been used since 1999 to model and simulate industrial leach-adsorption circuits. Recently the model has been upgraded to include an integrated liberation-leach modelling (ILLM) approach which can be used to evaluate the impact of various process parameters (such as grind size, bleed to gravity etc.) and circuit configurations on leach-adsorption circuit behaviour and overall plant gold recovery. A new time-efficient ore characterisation methodology has been researched and developed to provide the required liberation-leach data used in the ILLM approach, which is implemented online for the modelling of gold operations. The model structure, modelling approach, and some scenarios are discussed.INTRODUCTIONCurtin University’s Gold Technology Group has developed an online CIP/CIL simulation model called SIMCIL which has been used since 1999 to model and simulate industrial leach-adsorption circuits. The model has recently been upgraded to include an integrated liberation-leach modelling (ILLM) approach. The ILLM approach provides the means to evaluate the impact of the gravity recoverable gold (GRG) characteristics of the ore (GRG content and liberation behaviour), various process parameters (such as grind size, bleed to gravity, etc.) and circuit configurations on the gravity gold recovery, leachadsorption circuit behaviour and overall plant gold recovery.A new time-efficient ore characterisation methodology has been researched and developed to provide the required liberation-leach data used in the ILLM approach. The data required for the ILLM calibration can be obtained directly from the 3 stage GRG test, leach tests and size-by-assay analysis of the 3 stage GRG test products, and leach test products.This paper describes the ore characterisation methodology, model structure, modelling approach, and the application of the ILLM."

Jan 1, 2016

By R Munoz, R González, J Vallejos, A Delonca

In panel caving in underground mines, it is essential to characterise and monitor the stress and stability state of production level pillars to ensure the extraction of the mineralised ore column and the safety of workers. Pilar Norte is a sector in the El Teniente mine that forms a pillar between the undercut fronts of the adjacent Esmeralda and Reservas Norte sectors. It exists in a high-stress environment, which may induce damage to the rock mass production pillars. Generally, numerical models are calibrated using observed damage in galleries. This procedure does not discriminate between the structural condition and/or the blasting damage effects. This paper proposes a technique that uses borehole cameras to measure stress-induced damage. This has the advantage of being at the intact rock scale, meaning that the effect of geological structures is negligible and the blasting damage factor is eliminated. Comprehensive geotechnical characterisation and tomography monitoring has been undertaken at Pilar Norte to describe and determine the rock mass behaviour of the production pillars. By combining analytical, empirical and numerical models, a correlation between the measured overbreak recorded by the borehole cameras and the stress level of the pillar was developed. The methodology can be routinely applied to estimate the stress state in the production pillars.CITATION:González, R, Munoz, R, Vallejos, J and Delonca, A, 2016. Characterisation and monitoring of the stress state of production pillars at El Teniente Mine, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 197–202 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By J. C. McCarthy, J. B. Stone

AT Fresnillo a series of veins that has yielded very large quantities of silver and other metals has been developed over a length of 6500 ft. and to a depth of over 3000 ft. In the course of this work striking changes in the mineralogy and metal content of the principal veins have been disclosed and are well illustrated by assay data and ore reserve calculations. This paper describes those changes and suggests their bearing on theories of ore deposition. LOCATION The Fresnillo mines and the adjacent city of Fresnillo are in the central part of the state of Zacatecas, 35 miles northwest of the capitol city of Zacatecas, once a great silver-mining center whose total production is said to place it fourth in the world. Another famous old silver district, Sombrerete, lies northwest of Fresnillo. Fresnillo is connected by a 5-mile branch with Fresnillo station on the Mexican National Railways line from Juarez to Mexico City. Lying near the southwestern edge of the central plateau of Mexico, Fresnillo is surrounded by a semi-arid rolling plain from which rise widely scattered low hills. One of these is Proano hill, an inconspicuous elevation rising barely 300 ft. above the plain, but in and around Proa[n]o hill are the Fresnillo mines, and it is marked now by a great gash cut by gloryhole mining. HISTORY According to an account written in 1834 by Francisco García, then Governor of the state of Zacatecas, Fresnillo was discovered in 1554, and a presidio was established there in 1568 to protect travelers on the road between Zacatecas and Sombrerete. Little is known of the earliest mining at Fresnillo. which seemingly began soon after its discovery, but by piecing together various accounts, it appears that mines there were working in 1717 and were notable active in 1751 under an administrator named Murguía, who left detailed notes describing them. In 1757, however, the mines became inactive because of difficulties with creditors and no doubt also because of increasing water troubles, and they remained abandoned until 1830. In 1830 the mines at Fresnillo became the property of the State of Zacatecas because the interest of Governor García had been aroused by the long disregarded notes of Murguía. Under Garcia's energetic leadership the mines were reopened, and silver production began in 1832 in spite of serious difficulties, including abnormal rains and an epidemic of cholera. In 1833 English capital was sought to allow installation of steam-driven Cornish pumps at the two principal shafts and to build the great hacienda de benefacio (the present Proano hacienda). The company formed in 1835 (Cia. Zacatecano-Mexicana) operated successfully until 1872, when its career was brought to an end by the political and economic disturbances

Jan 1, 1942

By Joel N. Van Sant

An investigation was conducted to study possible sources of Utah refractory and structural clays that could be used for the manufacture of refractories and light or buff burning heavy-clay products. A field study was made and the clay samples tested to determine their firing characteristics. Results of the Bureau's work indicate many small noncommercial deposits of hypogenic clay occur in igneous rocks. Commercial hypogenic deposits are mostly halloysite clay developed by hydrothermal replacement of limestone. The high firing shrinkage of halloysite precludes its use as a refractory, however, halloysite produced at the Dragon Mine south of Eureka, is used for making oil catalysts. Clays and shales suitable for low heat duty refractory products are found in the Manning Canyon shale, in shales associated with coal bearing rocks, and in the Dakota formation. Some of the clays from the Dakota formation are also suitable for high-duty refractory products.

Jan 1, 1964

By W. Hodge, A. F. Haskins, R. M. Evans

Refractory boron compounds are shown to resist corrosion by molten zinc. Coatings were made from ferroboron and manganese boron by several methods: welding, hard facing, and pack diffusion; and techniques of coatings are very important. Mechanical failure of the diffusion coatings can be partially eliminated by applying them to type 416 chromium steels rather than carbon steels. Welded coatings made with a tungsten arc are better than those made by other welding methods. Sintered compacts of mixtures of iron and chromium borides developed strengths of about 30,000 psi. They resisted corrosion of zinc at 600°C and oxidation at higher temperatures. MOLTEN zinc rapidly attacks common metals of construction. The rate of attack is greatly amplified at temperatures over 500°C. However, there are many applications where it is necessary, or at least advantageous, to use metal construction, such as for galvanizing pots and zinc smelter equipment. Condensers and agitator linings used in continuous zinc smelting processes are eroded and corroded by violently agitated molten zinc. Pumps, tubing, and other parts to permit transfer of molten zinc would be desirable in many zinc handling operations. The development of metallic materials which are resistant to molten zinc also might permit its use as a heat-transfer medium in modern high efficiency power plants. In reviewing previous work on zinc-resistant metals, it was evident that most of the available data refer to corrosion at temperatures just above the melting point. Tungsten and high Mo-Fe alloys containing more than 80 pct Mo resist corrosion by molten zinc.', ' Imhoff states that because chromium is not attacked by zinc, chromium plating improves galvanizing pot life." Nitrided cast iron has been used in die-casting machines' where the molten alloy is 96 pct Zn and 4 pct Al. Other metals that have been suggested as of possible value for zinc resistance are columbium, tantalum, and titanium.V he corrosion of steel by zinc has been discussed by many authors,z, "2 None of these materials resisted corrosion by molten zinc at the temperatures used in this investigation, i.e., 600" to 700°C. I. Exploratory and Resistant-Coating Tests To make a study of zinc-resistant metals, exploratory tests were conducted to sort out roughly those materials which seemed most worthy of further development. This preliminary study included both solid metals and surface coatings. Exploratory Corrosion Tests in Molten Zinc—In initiating a study of this problem, numerous samples of metals and alloys were evaluated by dynamic corrosion tests made at 440 °C. Each metal was tested in its most readily available form, which, because of shape and size, was often unsuited for standard corrosion testing. The equipment used for dynamic corrosion testing of all materials, except in a few initial experiments, is shown in Fig. 1. Samples were tied to tungsten rods with tungsten wire, immersed in the zinc, and revolved at 12 rpm about the circumference of a 4 in. diam circle. Speed of travel was about 12.5 fpm. The molten zinc was protected from oxidation by an atmosphere of carbon monoxide, or, at a later period in the program, by a 9:1 mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen. When the effect of both molten metal and atmosphere was desired, the zinc level was lowered. Special high grade zinc was used in all of the corrosion tests. Corrosion losses for materials tested are shown in Tables I and 11. Whenever the materials were available in suitable form, the losses are reported in mils per year. It was recognized that weight losses on irregularly shaped specimens did not show the corrosion rate but the important consideration—poor resistance to corrosion—could be determined readily.

Jan 1, 1956