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By Albert J. Phillips

When brasses containing from 61 to 62.5 per cent. copper are very rapidly cooled from temperatures near their melting point to below 0" C., unusual results are obtained. These results are quite unexplainable from a consideration of the old copper-zinc constitutional diagram but they can be satisfactorily explained by means of the diagram revised by Genders and Bailey1 (Fig. 1). Experiments on a 60/40 Brass If an alloy containing 60 per cent. copper is heated to any temperature between approximately 760' C. and its melting point, it will consist entirely of beta. Upon slowly cooling, alpha will start to separate just below 760" C. Since this alpha will contain nearly 65 per cent, copper, the beta will be impoverished by its separation. As the temperature decreases the composition of the separating alpha will approach approximately 61 per cent. and the beta in contact with the alpha will maintain an equilibrium composition approaching 54.5 per cent. copper. If the rate of cooling is extremely slow, especially at the lower temperatures, stable equilibrium will be established by diffusion through the alpha and beta so that eventually 85 per cent. of the alloy will consist of alpha containing 61 per cent. copper, while 15 per cent. will be beta containing 54.5 per cent. copper. With a faster cooling rate diffusion cannot keep apace and the constituents will be cored, the alpha varying from 65 to 61 per cent. copper and the beta from 60 to 54.5 copper. In this case the amount of alpha will be less than 85 per cent. and the beta will be increased correspondingly. The general structure thus obtained is illustrated in Fig. 2. When a more rapid rate of cooling is effected by quenching in water, the alloy is retained largely in the beta form. However, the crystals of beta are usually outlined with dark fringes which at high magnifications are found to be very fine alpha-beta structures almost martensitic in appearance. The separation of this fringe can be greatly suppressed

Jan 1, 1930

By Zay Jeffries

IT has been known for a number of years that certain aluminum alloys could be hardened by quenching from a temperature of about 500° C. Immediately after quenching the total increase in hardness is not marked, but the hardness increases gradually so that after about 4 days, it has reached a maximum. The actual increase in hardness probably continues for weeks or even months, but in order to detect the differences after 4 days, it is necessary to make tests at rather long intervals. So far as is known to the authors, Alfred Wilm was the first to discover these properties in aluminum alloys.1 The aluminum-copper alloys are amenable to this treatment and the addition of magnesium makes the heat-treatment effect more pronounced. Until recently heat treatment of aluminum alloys has been confined to the worked alloys in the form of sheet or extruded products. The alloy that has been most used in this connection is known commercially as duralumin and has about the following composition: copper not exceeding, 6 per cent.; magnesium not exceeding, 2 per cent.; manganese not exceeding, 1 per cent.; commercial aluminum,2 balance. A typically good alloy in this range consists of: copper, 4 per cent.; magnesium, 0.5 per cent.; manganese, 1 per cent.; commercial aluminum, balance. This alloy can be rolled into sheets or extruded; and in this condition it can be heated in the ordinary furnace atmosphere to a temperature near 500° C. and quenched in water. After about 4 days it will have the following physical properties: tensile strength 55,000 to 60,000 lb. per sq. in. (3866 to 4218 kg. per sq. cm.); elongation in 2 in., 15 to 20 per cent. No harmful effects of the furnace gases or even the air, if the heating is affected in an electric furnace in an air atmosphere,

Jan 9, 1919

By Francis C. Krauskopf, Carl E. Swartz

Metallurgists differ considerably in their opinions regarding the effect, if any, of small amounts of iron pyrites, or other iron compounds on zinc sulfide ores during the roasting operation. As a result, the literature on this subject expresses many conflicting ideas. The ore, previously crushed to pass through a 1-mm. screen, dries in the roasting kiln, losing water up to 200° to 300° C. At 150° C. iron pyrites begin to lose sulfur. As the temperature increases, while the ore is passing to the hotter part of the furnace, the sulfur burns to sulfur dioxide, leaving the metals as zinc oxide and ferric oxide. These two substances then interact to form zinc ferrite, a compound, yellow brown in color, having the general characteristics of a spinel. Like magnetite, another spinel, zinc ferrite is insoluble in alkalis and dilute acids. As a result, when leached with 10 per cent. sulfuric acid solution, zinc values tied up in this compound remain behind History In the electrolytic recovery of zinc from its ores, the roasted ores are usually leached with a 10 per cent. sulfuric acid solution. When the zinc ore contains iron pyrites as an impurity in an appreciable amount, the actual yield of metallic zinc is much lower than a theoretical calculation would indicate. Further, losses of zinc are, in a rough way, directly proportional to the amount of iron pyrites or other iron compounds present. When the iron is present in the ore in an isomorphous relation to the zinc, as in the case of a marmatite, a greater amount of zinc remains insoluble than when present as a true pyrite or marcasite. Work on the insoluble residues obtained from leaching of the calcines shows that the zinc lost is intimately tied up in this residue. Some investigators have suggested a definite compound, such as zinc ferrite; others merely a mixture of zinc and iron compounds. As early as 1851, Pelouze(')' prepared calcium ferrite by fusion of calcium oxide and ferric oxide. Ebelman, 2) about the same time, prepared

Jan 1, 1928

By R. E. H. Pomeroy

Early in 1917, it became evident, owing to existing and pending market conditions, that a substitute for crude petroleum must be found for firing the smelter furnaces. After a review of the plants then existing, it was deemed advisable to depart from their practice and to adopt the following described system of distributing pulverized coal to the furnaces. The principal advantages of the proposed system, which influenced this decision, were: (I) Equal safety; no pulverized coal is stored at the furnaces; (2) greater ease of operation, furnace fires being controlled by regulating valves in burner branches, as in gas firing; (3) better organization; all machinery, including pulverized coal feed, is under one roof, and the organization is separate from the furnace department; (4) greater cleanliness; all machinery is under vacuum; (5) greater flexibility of application, the coal and air mixture can be piped where needcd. The design of the plant is the result of the combined efforts of the local engineering staff and of the machinery manufacturers. Many new features were embodied in this design to insure greater safety, cleanliness, and efficiency of handling. After 14 months of continuous operation, the plant has proved entirely satisfactory. The building is of structural steel, covered with corrugated steel, with many windows and is painted light gray inside and out. The building floor is of concrete with ample drains to the sewer, and the building is equipped with fire and service water piping. Fig. 1 shows the east side of the building and the incline conveyor from the raw-coal bins. The plant is operated entirely by electric power. All alternating current is 550 volts, 3-phase, 60 cycles. The pulverized-coal feeding niotors and control mechanism are operated by 220-volt direct current supplied by motor-generator sets in the building. Autamatic push-

Jan 1, 1921

By H.A. Schwartz

From time to time, one of the authors has had occasion to investigate the graphitizing reaction and has published the results mainly as discussion' of the work of other investigators. In view, therefore, of the diversity of both observations and interpretation, it seemed well to attempt, a revision of the entire subject in the Research Laboratory of the National Malleable Castings Co. The work consisted of a careful study of a single, impure, iron-carbon alloy. The material, which may be considered typical low-carbon white cast iron of the malleable industry, was an air-furnace iron of the following composit,ion: carbon 2.30 per cent., silicon 1.20 per cent., manganese 0.29 per cent., phosphorus 0.156 per cent., sulfur 0.048 per cent. The freezing range extended from 1213' to 1132' C., the latter figure agreeing with Gontermann's data.2 We have attempted to define the equilibrium diagram of this alloy, in the stable condition as related to the mctastable diagr,aui,- from a temperature somewhat below the euteetic freezing point to a temperature l>clow Arl and for a graphitic-carbon content from practically notliing to the original total rarbon of the specimen (see Fig. 6). More csp~c~ially we desired to locate the line in the stable diagra~n corrcspo~idi~lg to thc Ac, line of the metastable syst,ern, which is designated by analogy, thc At, line (t, from tcrnpcr carbon); also to dctermirle the locat'ion of A tm witah respect, to Acm t,o~vard their lowcr extremities at Arl in ordei to determine whether or not graphitization is completed by th~ separation of an iron-carbon entectoid analogous to pearlite in the iron-cementite system. This would involvc furthcr a colnparison of thc locations of Ihc stablc and met.astable 41 points. As the carbon concelltrations of thc solid solutions of the two syste~~ls are probably not, identical, an explanation of t>lieir differences and of thc,

Jan 1, 1923

By H. A. Schwartz

From time to time, one of the authors has had occasion to investigate the graphitizing reaction and has published the results mainly as discussion' of the work of other investigators. In view, therefore, of the diversity of both observations and interpretation, it seemed well to attempt, a revision of the entire subject in the Research Laboratory of the National Malleable Castings Co. The work consisted of a careful study of a single, impure, iron-carbon alloy. The material, which may be considered typical low-carbon white cast iron of the malleable industry, was an air-furnace iron of the following composit,ion: carbon 2.30 per cent., silicon 1.20 per cent., manganese 0.29 per cent., phosphorus 0.156 per cent., sulfur 0.048 per cent. The freezing range extended from 1213' to 1132' C., the latter figure agreeing with Gontermann's data.2 We have attempted to define the equilibrium diagram of this alloy, in the stable condition as related to the mctastable diagr,aui,- from a temperature somewhat below the euteetic freezing point to a temperature l>clow Arl and for a graphitic-carbon content from practically notliing to the original total rarbon of the specimen (see Fig. 6). More csp~c~ially we desired to locate the line in the stable diagra~n corrcspo~idi~lg to thc Ac, line of the metastable syst,ern, which is designated by analogy, thc At, line (t, from tcrnpcr carbon); also to dctermirle the locat'ion of A tm witah respect, to Acm t,o~vard their lowcr extremities at Arl in ordei to determine whether or not graphitization is completed by th~ separation of an iron-carbon entectoid analogous to pearlite in the iron-cementite system. This would involvc furthcr a colnparison of thc locations of Ihc stablc and met.astable 41 points. As the carbon concelltrations of thc solid solutions of the two syste~~ls are probably not, identical, an explanation of t>lieir differences and of thc,

Jan 1, 1923

By C. W. Gennet

Announcement was made in the spring of 1926 that the Boston & Maine R. R. Co. had contracted with the well-known German steelmakers, Messrs. Fried Krupp, for the manufacture of 15,000 tons of basic open-hearth steel rails at the Rheinhausen Works, for delivery to Boston, Mass. The manufacture of rails in the United States has for many years been almost a national pride, and as this feeling is chiefly the result of a long-time liberal and consistent patronage of American rails by American railroads, it is not strange that this somewhat unusual announcement should arouse more than ordinary interest. Since the end of the World War, the importation of foreign rail has been fairly large, principally because the newly created economic conditions have rendered some American competition more difficult, but the tonnage imported, for the most part, has been made up of small orders for miscellaneous use; and the contract referred to constitutes the largest single importation of foreign rail in over ten years. In 1915, the Algoma Steel Co. of Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, supplied the Illinois Central R. R. with 30,000 tons of rails,' and various other American roads with smaller amounts. In 1902, 1903 and 1904, large tonnages of rail from abroad were purchased, the Louisville & Nashville R. R. alone obtaining 30,000 tons from German mills. It is the object of this paper to present, in what is believed to be a new and concise form, figures showing the production and consumption of rails in the United States, and to record some of the testing and inspection results of the recent Krupp rails; also, to direct attention to two quite unique departures from American practice that were regular features of the Krupp process and which are worthy, it is thought, of careful study. Production and Consumption of Rails in the United States Table 1 shows the tonnage of rail produced in the United States and the amount imported, exported, and consumed by years since 1849. That, evidently, was the first year of record, for the statistics of the American Iron and Steel Institute and its predecessor, the American Iron and

By C. H. Mathewson

MicrOscopic metallography has been exploited quite well enough to bring about a very general understanding that the typical metal or alloy is composed of minute crystalline particles blended into a coherent rnicrostructural rnosaic. One does not have to be a specialist in metallography to realize that the properties of such an aggregate are essentially a summation in appropriate form of individual effects derived from the shape, size, placement or orientation and cohesive characteristics of the component particles. It is clearly of great importance to consider the various forms of discontinuity which may occur at the boundaries between these crystalline particles. When a number of particles each possessing the same orderly arrangement of atoms are brought together into a close-fitting system of purely haphazard contacts, not unlike a handful of snowflakes compacted into a snowball, the particles are said to possess random orientation. There are no generally accepted views concerning the arrangement of the atoms or the constitutional reaction between atoms where one crystal meets another, but these contact regions are characterized by strength rather than weakness and it is customary to require the presence of many rather than few boundaries in preparing metal for useful service. Under certain circumstances all of the particles in a metal may be nearly alike in orientation. Other general tendencies of orientation may be associated with particular forms of mechanical and thermal treatment. In contrast with these cases of fortuitous or statistical diversity of orientation, we often find adjacent particles united along a plane which possesses a grouping of atoms belonging equally well to both structures. This, of course, determines a fixed relationship between the two orientatjions and it is always possible to derive one from the other by some form of- rotation or reflection prescribed by the symmetry of the crystal structure under consideration. Particles united in this manner are known as twin crystals although the term refers to the form of association rather than the number of individuals concerned.

Jan 1, 1928

Total U.S. mineral production reached an estimated $17.8 billion for 1960, 4 pct above 1959 and second only to the record high of $18.1 billion established in 1957. As a group, metals achieved a rise from $1.6 billion in 1959 to $2.0 billion this year, an increase of 28 pct. Similarly the value of nonmetallic production including fuels (i.e., natural gas, petroleum, natural-gas liquids, asphalt and related bitumens, carbon dioxide. anthracite. bituminous and lignite coal, peat, and helium) rose from $15.5 billion in 1959 to approximately $15.8 billion in 1960. However, this 2 pct increase in the total value of non-metallic production was due to an increase in the value of the fuels ($11.8 billion in 1959 to $12.2 billion in 1960) which offset a drop in value of the other nonmetallic minerals ($3.7 billion in 1959 to $3.6 billion in 1960).

Jan 2, 1961

By W. N. Poundstone, G. R. Spindler

A comprehensive report on extensive experimentation in degasification of the Pittsburgh Coal seam is presented. Detailed accounts of the procedures and results are given for permeability tests, vertical bore hole tests, measurement of gas flow from sealed drainage areas, horizontal rib hole tests, and water infusion tests. The removal of methane gas from coal seams in advance of mining is not a new idea with mining men—much attention has been given to the possibility for many years. In other parts of the world, a principal concern has been in the recovery and utilization of the gas and a number of successful projects have been developed in Europe and elsewhere. In this country, the principal motivation has been related to the safety aspect with some possible side benefits concerning costs and efficiency in mining as secondary objectives. To date, experimental work in this country has been largely or entirely exploratory to determine bed characteristics with respect to the liberation of combustible gases to investigate or establish the possibility of degasification in advance of mining and as an aid in projecting mine ventilation systems to provide for safe, effective and economical handling of combustible gases liberated during mining. With these objectives in mind, the School of Mines and Engineering Experiment Station at West Virginia University, in cooperation with the Christopher Coal Co. of Osage, W. Va., initiated some experimental work in May 1952 and the project has been more or less continuous since that time. The work has been centered entirely in mines of the cooperating company in Monongalia County, W. Va., and Greene County, Pa. LOCATION AND GENERAL CONDITIONS OF THE AREA The principal mining in the area involved is in the Pittsburgh coal seam which lies at the bottom of the Monongahela series of the Pennsylvanian. The Pittsburgh coal in the area is generally uniform in its structure and physical characteristics. The bed thickness averages about 7 to 8 ft and the coal has a characteristic blocky structure as the result of pronounced face cleats and definite, but somewhat less pronounced, butt cleavage. It is a medium volatile coal, averaging about 37 pct, and is marketed principally as a steam fuel and for metallurgical purposes. The Pittsburgh coal outcrops along the Monongahela River and dips gradually, but not uniformly, slightly north of west (about N75°W). The westward extensions of the bed, from the areas contiguous to the Monongahela River which have been heavily mined, constitute the principal reserves and are all well below drainage with the depth of cover increasing with the distance from the river. In general, with deeper cover, it may be expected that methane liberation will be more of a problem in future mining as compared to areas mined previously; therein lies the interest in possible de-gasification in advance of mining. Fig. 1 shows the Pittsburgh coal area in the vicinity of Morgantown in Monongalia County, W. Va., and Greene County, Pa., in which the experimental work discussed is located. Fig. 2 shows the contours on the Pittsburgh coal in the test area. It will be noted that the first two bore holes for the experiments were at the edge of a bench or terrace with considerable change in the gradient in the immediate vicinity of the test holes and that the same general condition applies to later test areas. Mining is intensively mechanized in the area and in the mines involved in the experimental work with corresponding rapid advance of working faces a typical characteristic. In the areas now mined the total methane liberation ranges from moderate to relatively heavy, but the actual face liberation is extremely variable and may range from practically

Jan 1, 1961

By George W. Neumann

The mines and concentrator of Brunswick Mining and Smelting Corporation are located in the northern part of the province of New Brunswick, approximately 20 miles distant from the City of Bathurst. Discovery of the No. 6 orebody by diamond drilling in 1952 was followed by the finding in March 1953, of the larger and higher- grade No. 12 orebody, approximately six miles to the north of the No. 6 deposit. Original development was financed by St. Joseph Lead Co., and included a small open-pit operation with a 10C ton per day pilot mill at No. 6 orebody, shaft sinking and underground development at No. 1; orebody, and an extensive program of laboratory and pilot plant metallurgical research on No. 12 ore. These operations were suspended in May 1958, and remained in standby condition until June 1961, when the equity of St. Joseph Lead Co. was purchased by a group headed by M. J. Boylen, K. C. Irving, Maritime Mining Corporation, and the Patino Corporation. Construction of a mine plant and concentrator at the No. 12 mine commenced in October 1962 and the concentrator was placed in operation in March, 1961b. Preparation of the open pit mine for production, construction of the No. 6 Concentrator to produce bulk Pb-Zn-Cu-Ag concentrate from No. 6 ore, and construction of an Imperial Smelting Process smelter at Belledune were started in 1964 and placed in operation in September 1966.

Jan 1, 1970

By J. Parke Channing

These days of great industrial and social problems in America produce many suggested solutions and great changes. The practical engineer and employer of labor views these problems differently from the labor leader or the social reformer, but as never before he is sincerely interested in solving them in a way that will be just to all. The inevitable tendency of the day is toward "industrial betterment," " safety," '(industrial education," " efficiency," and the many other things which have become so familiar to progressive employers. There is no longer any question that these things are worth while from both the human and economic standpoints. They "pay" in dollars and cents. The very center of final success in improving conditions and increasing the efficiency of workingmen must be the spirit of fairness and a knowledge on the part of the employer of how to deal sympathetically and intelligently with his employees. Every progressive employer knows how greatly he desires foremen, superintendents, managers and others who possess these qualities. On the other hand, we are all familiar with serious mistakes made by young graduates of engineering schools who have had no opportunity to develop these qualities, and who have no real appreciation of the worth of the workers. Indeed, one wonders whether much ill-feeling, labor difficulties, and many strikes could not be avoided if such men had the right attitude. Is there any way of remedying this condition? If this particular difficulty can be solved, if these young engineers, many of whom are our coming leaders of industry, can be given the right perspective and the right understanding of these other problems in addition to fair, sympathetic methods of handling men, many of our other problems will be solved—not at once, but gradually and permanently, as these men make good and become influential in paths of industrial righteousness and industrial peace. Many progressive employers of to-day have enlarged their own perspective and realize the great importance of enlarging the perspective of those who shall follow them. How can it be done? For seven years a movement has been making

Jan 1, 1915

By Joseph E. Pogue

Price is a complicated concept, for price is both a cause and an effect. This reciprocal aspect is commonly overlooked and the oversight is the source of many economic maladjustments. Price is the resultant of the ratio between supply and demand, but it differs from a mathematical concept of a proportion, by itself constituting an economic force which continuously alters the elements that determine the relationship. Price, therefore, is not merely the outcome of other forces but is in its own right one of the most powerful of economic agents. Price accordingly does not play a passive role; nor can it be sterilized or rendered inactive. In consequence, price cannot be fixed or at least kept fixed, except by the elimination of all freedom of choice on the part of producers and consumers. A primary objective of all economic activity is equilibrium. The same is true of a unit of economic activity, the single industry. The plane upon which equilibrium centers may shift in the course of time, but equilibrium itself is the point of departure and the point of return. If an industry is in equilibrium, that industry is operating effectively. The motivating forces of an industry—profits or the common good—are not to be confused with the prerequisite of equilibrium, but this mistake is often made. The producer is dominated by the profit motive; the consumer, or his collective representative, by the general welfare motive. No one is the advocate for equilibrium; that status is supposed to be arrived at automatically. If the forces of competition are perfectly free, such is the tendency. Equilibrium For the purposes of this analysis, equilibrium needs to be broadly defined and is conceived to involve: (1) balance between supply and demand; (2) internal equipoise amongst the elements within an industry; and (3) symmetry in respect to the whole economy. This definition implies flexibility and case of adjustment; a ready accommodation to change. Equilibrium does not postulate profits or nonprofits, social objectives or the lack of them. A decadent industry may be in equilib-

Jan 1, 1937

By Franz Wever

ACCORDING to Tammann,1 the explanation of the effect of mechanical deformation in producing changes in the properties of metals is one of the most important problems of physical metallurgy, taking rank with the study of the constitution of alloy systems; and this problem has long attracted-the attention of practitioner and scientist alike. Its solution was not advanced materially until Tammann2 set up his translation hypothesis with its crystallographic basis, while other hypotheses, such as the amorphous metal hypothesis of Beilby3 and Rosenhain,4 have been shown by more intensive studies to be less and less satisfactory. The principles of the Tammann translation hypothesis have proved to be useful even up to today and in spite of all of the recent accumulation of experimental data, while the differences of opinion which have arisen relate to the extent to which the hypothesis accounts for the observed changes in properties and to what extent further assumptions are necessary. Stimulated by the proposals of Tammann, there soon developed a lively experimental activity which aimed at the elucidation of the structural or crystallographic changes produced by the mechanical deformation of metals. Parallel movements of crystal "blocks" along definite crystal slip planes had already been observed by lowing and Rosenhain5 in 1900, in metals which had been moderately deformed but without shedding light on the crystallographic nature of the processes accompanying more severe deformation. The solution of this important problem was not advanced until a much later date, or until the methods of X-ray crystal analysis had become available. Shortly after the discovery of the diffraction of X-ray by crystals, symmetrical diffraction effects were

Jan 1, 1931

By B. H. Sage, R. T. Carter, W. N. Lacey

The phase behavior of a number of binary systems consisting of parafin hydro-carbons has been determined in recent years. In addition, the composition of the coexisting phases of mixtures of crude oil and natural gas has been investigated.~ However, the latter study did not include information concerning the influence of the concentration of a component upon its distribution between two coexisting phases. Owing to the paucity of such information it was considered desirable to investigate in some detail the composition of the coexisting phases in the methane-propane-n-pentane system throughout the greater part of the two-phase region at a tempera-ture of 100°F. Information of this nature also permits the establishment of the critical behavior of this ternary system. Method The compositions of the coexisting phases in this ternary system at 100°F. were deter-mined by withdrawing samples from a pres-sure vessel containing a heterogeneous mixture of the three components that had been brought 10 equilibrium by mechanical agitation at the desired pressure and tem-perature. The samples were withdrawn under such conditions that the equilibrium was not disturbed and the composition of each of the phases was ascertained by means of the conventional low-temperature fractionation procedure. The apparatus employed in this investi-gation was nearly the same as that utilized in an earlier study of the methane-pentane system.~ Several minor modifica-tions in the arrangement of the apparatus were made in the interest of simplifying the procedure and avoiding the possibility of condensation in the tubing connecting the equilibrium apparatus with the analyti-cal equipment. The pressures were meas-ured by means of a pressure balance with a precision of 0.5 lb. per sq. in. It is believed that the equilibrium pressure was ascer-tained with an uncertainty of not more than 2 lb. per sq. in., even though small varia-tions in pressure obtained during the withdrawal of the samples. The tempera-ture of the equilibrium equipment was maintained by use of an automatically controlled oil bath. The bath temperature was determined by means of a copper-constantan thermocouple, the electromo-tive force being determined by means of a potentiometric circuit of such a nature as to reduce the uncertainty of the tempera ture to less than O.I f. The fractionating column employed in the determination of the composition of the gas phase had a diameter of 0.12 in. and was approximately 4 ft. long, while the column employed in the analysis of the liquid phase was 0.18 in. in diameter and about 5 ft. long. Each column was equipped with the conventional constant-volume receivers, which were maintained at a constant temperature by means of an automatically controlled oil bath. In nearly every case the distillation in thr neighborhood of the transition between

Jan 1, 1941

By W. N. Lacey, R. T. Carter, B. H. Sage

The phase behavior of a number of binary systems consisting of parafin hydro-carbons has been determined in recent years. In addition, the composition of the coexisting phases of mixtures of crude oil and natural gas has been investigated.~ However, the latter study did not include information concerning the influence of the concentration of a component upon its distribution between two coexisting phases. Owing to the paucity of such information it was considered desirable to investigate in some detail the composition of the coexisting phases in the methane-propane-n-pentane system throughout the greater part of the two-phase region at a tempera-ture of 100°F. Information of this nature also permits the establishment of the critical behavior of this ternary system. Method The compositions of the coexisting phases in this ternary system at 100°F. were deter-mined by withdrawing samples from a pres-sure vessel containing a heterogeneous mixture of the three components that had been brought 10 equilibrium by mechanical agitation at the desired pressure and tem-perature. The samples were withdrawn under such conditions that the equilibrium was not disturbed and the composition of each of the phases was ascertained by means of the conventional low-temperature fractionation procedure. The apparatus employed in this investi-gation was nearly the same as that utilized in an earlier study of the methane-pentane system.~ Several minor modifica-tions in the arrangement of the apparatus were made in the interest of simplifying the procedure and avoiding the possibility of condensation in the tubing connecting the equilibrium apparatus with the analyti-cal equipment. The pressures were meas-ured by means of a pressure balance with a precision of 0.5 lb. per sq. in. It is believed that the equilibrium pressure was ascer-tained with an uncertainty of not more than 2 lb. per sq. in., even though small varia-tions in pressure obtained during the withdrawal of the samples. The tempera-ture of the equilibrium equipment was maintained by use of an automatically controlled oil bath. The bath temperature was determined by means of a copper-constantan thermocouple, the electromo-tive force being determined by means of a potentiometric circuit of such a nature as to reduce the uncertainty of the tempera ture to less than O.I f. The fractionating column employed in the determination of the composition of the gas phase had a diameter of 0.12 in. and was approximately 4 ft. long, while the column employed in the analysis of the liquid phase was 0.18 in. in diameter and about 5 ft. long. Each column was equipped with the conventional constant-volume receivers, which were maintained at a constant temperature by means of an automatically controlled oil bath. In nearly every case the distillation in thr neighborhood of the transition between

Jan 1, 1941

Falconbridge Nickel, the one-time subsidiary that grew up to swallow its own parent, Ventures Limited, in 1962, is not about to be left behind by rising nickel consumption. At a cost of several hundred million dollars, this Canadian firm has undertaken a series of new projects that will not only ensure its present share of the market, but also lead it into new areas of the nickel business. Although Falconbridge Nickel Mines Ltd. was not formed until 1928, it actually had its start in 1917- 18 with the discovery of a large, good grade nickel- copper deposit in Falconbridge, near Sudbury, Ontario. However, due to several factors, financing could not be obtained and the orebody lay fallow. It was not until 1928, when the Thayer Lindsley interests bought the property from the original owner, that it was developed.

Jan 10, 1968

By A. L. Holley

The application of scientific methods to the investigation of natural laws and to the conduct of the useful arts which are founded upon them, is year by year mitigating the asperity and enlarging the outcome of human endeavor. More notably, perhaps, are these the facts in that system of productive and constructive arts of which engineering is the general name. In metallurgical engineering especially, within the period of our own recollection, how rapid has been the rate and how wide the scope of progress: the scientific discovery and mining of metalliferous veins; the economical separation and reduction of ores of every grade; the production and regulation of high temperatures; the varied improvements in the manufacture of iron, in saved heat and work, in uniformity and range of products; and, most important of all, the creation and the utilization, to be counted by the million tons a year, of the cheap constructive steels. Wonderful as this range and degree of development may appear to the public eye, the close and thoughtful observer must, nevertheless, conclude that neither the profession nor the craft of engineering may congratulate themselves too complaisantly, but that they should rather acknowledge to each other the embarrassing incompleteness of the union between engineering science and art. There is a small school of philosophers whom we may designate as original investigators, men who come close to nature, who search into first principles, and who follow that scientific and therefore fruitful method by which the relations of matter and force are discovered, classified, and brought within the reach of practice. These wonderful men do not indeed create the laws of nature, as they sometimes almost seem to, but they go up into the trembling mountain and the thick darkness and bring down the tables upon which they are written.

By Burt C. Mariacher

To note that environmental considerations had a major im¬pact on the minerals processing industry in 1971 would be something less than a profound observation. The degree of its importance was demonstrated by MBD when it established the Environmental Committee as a new unit committee within the Division to achieve greater participation in exchange of information relating to the technologies and problems involved. It is appropriate and necessary to devote special attention to this timely aspect of minerals processing, as its influence penetrates the research, engineering and operations of almost all unit technologies that comprise minerals processing. The pollution abatement aspect of this industry has been such a dominant factor in recent years there is reason to wonder whether progress in unrelated technologies has been curtailed. Perhaps so, to some degree, but unit committee reviews presented in this article suggest rather that it would appear to have served as a catalyst for accelerated progress in development of new methods and improvement in more conventional ones. Present concepts regarding primary metal or mineral recovery and by-product potential may change considerably as a result of improved technology in waste product treatment.

Jan 2, 1972

By Reginald Williams

THE amount or value of the precious metals consumed in dentistry is probably amazing to most people. It falls very little short of that which is consumed in jewelry. Inasmuch as the ultimate destination is in the human mouth, dental alloys enjoy some importance because life and health depend upon restorations made with them. Prosthetic dentistry has made wonderful progress in the last few years. The manufacturers who supply the metals also deserve commendation. This industry which deals with metals to go into people's mouths is comparatively new. There is no literature on the subject, and little or no precedent by which to be guided. It was only by close cooperation with the dentist or prosthetic technician that desirable physical properties were produced, as nearly as possible, in the metals which were available and permissible. It is true that there were and still are conflicting opinions among the dentists as to the physical properties they require. Sometimes they request the impossible, such as alloys which are exceedingly stiff and springy, yet will bend or adjust easily. Even in this latter instance, progress has been made by supplying methods of heat-treatment whereby metals may be softened or hardened at will. (Figs. 1 and 2.) The demands made upon manufacturers are extremely varied. They must supply metals of tensile strengths ranging from approximately 30,000 to 100,000 lb. per sq. in. and over. The latter metals must be workable and in many instances capable of extreme deformation. They must not be affected by mouth conditions, nor should they oxidize greatly when molten, at red heat, or during a soldering operation. In addition to physical specifications, color demands must also be met. The firm of which I have the most knowledge manufacturers 11,553 standard stock articles of precious metals, taking into consideration formulas, finenesses, grades, colors, gages, lengths, sizes and weights. If special demands are taken into consideration, the number would be in excess of 25,000. Wrought metals are manufactured in a great many alloys of different sizes and shapes, such as plate, bar, rod, wire, sheet, strip, mesh and foil. There are also other products of importance.

Jan 1, 1928