Search Documents

By Frank J. Tolonen

BENEFICIATION of iron-bearing formations is one of the major problems of research at the Michigan College of Mining arid Technology. Funds for this purpose hate been supplied by the State of Michigan supplemented by contributions of labor and some supplies from the Federal Government during the depression. The iron-mining companies have cooperated in securing samples and have also furnished much valuable information relative to the various formations.

Jan 1, 1937

C. P. Sandberg, London, Eng. 1 think we should all be grateful to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and to their chemist, Dr. Dudley, for spending so much time and money in order to solve an important question; nor are me less indebted to the public spirit which leads them to impart tlie experience thus gained. In Europe nothing similar has hitherto been done, either by a company or by any private individual. In England the great railway companies employ their engineers in other ways, and do not keep a chemist or specialist to study rails; bat even if they did they would probably not publish the results. The chief professional engineers are so occupied with their private practice of railroad construction generally, that they cannot be expected to devote their time and energies to so special a question. The German Railway Union has, in my opinion, missed the real object of its elaborate researches by falling into the error of specifying costly, impracticable tests for rails—tests at the same time which do not infallibly expose the impurities that may be in the rails under examination. There has, therefore, been nothing done on this side of the Atlantic in the way of exhaustive study to determine the best composition for steel rails. America should consequently have full credit for the enlightened example which she has set. I wish, however, to make a few remarks on Dr. Dudley's second paper,—& paper which follows very much upan the same lines of argument as the first red three years ago, upon which I have previously touched in my pabr on the same subject read at the meeting in August last. If Dr. Dudley had discovered a new metal he could hardly, I think, have taken wore pains to prove that he was correct in his first formula for the best chemical colnposition of steel rails. But I hare seen so much done in the way of proof by experiment that I am inclined to think that almost anything can be proved by experiments and by satnples. If Dr. Dudley would only give up his formula, which would not suit any country—not even America—

Jan 1, 1881

By Sir Robert Hadfield

Introduction.-I esteem it a great honor to be asked by this Institute to give them an address chiefly devoted to metallurgy. While it is with great regret that I find myself unable to be present to deliver this in person, I take this opportunity of wishing your society every success in its continued career of usefulness to the metallurgists of the great Republic. To be elected, eight years ago, along with Dr. J. E. Stead, F. R. S., as one of your Honorary Members, was a privilege which I greatly esteemed, for I consider that no society in America has done so much as ours for the advancement of metallurgy. Those who have Served our Society.-Where many have served so well, it is difficult, without appearing to make unavoidable distinctions, to select names from those of your members who have done so much for the cause we have at heart-the advance and progress of metallurgy. As typical, however, and not in any way meant as a complete list, there are among others the following names which in the past and to-day stand out prominently in this science of ferrous metallurgy. With most of those now mentioned I have personally come in contact, or by correspondence in some few cases, and have exchanged views, since I first came over to America 30 years ago. Holley; Jones; Weeks; Andrew Carnegie; Thomas Carnegie; Fritz; Sterry Hunt;. Egleston; Maunsel White and Taylor, who did so much for high-speed tool steel, and helped to revolutionize machine-shop practice; W. J. Taylor; Robert Hunt; Alfred Hunt of Pittsburg, who did so much in the early history of aluminum, and, alas! did. not live to see the wonderful progress which has been made in that particular branch of metallurgical industry; James Douglas; C. B. Dudley; Birkinbine; Howe; Metcalf; Barus; Langley; Raymond; P. H. Dudley; H. H. Campbell; W. R. Webster; E. D. Campbell; Talbot; Spilsbury; Gayley; Dinkey, under whose supervision and responsibility modern armor has been so successfully produced in this country, which the writer can testify from personal knowledge of , test results possesses very high Figure of Merit; Schwab; Kennedy; Wellman; Garrison; Wood; Moldenke; Webster; Swank; Unger; Richards; Sauveur; Strat-

Jan 5, 1914

By W. F. Mattes

The manufacture of steel rails in the United States upon a large scale may be roughly dated from the years 1875-76, and the same years witnessed an active movement among the railroads toward the adoption of heavier and improved patterns. In this movement each road was a law unto itself, and the "personal equations " of some scores of engineers were so freely injected into the calculations that patterns were multiplied in the most absurd and mischievous manner, until at length the burden upon the mills became wellnigh unendurable, and called forth a vigorous protest in Mr. Holley's paper,* read before the Institute in February, 1881. There were then regularly manufactured in the various mills of the United States, no less than 119 different patterns of steel rails, subject to current order, of which 64 per cent. were embraced under five weights per yard. Commenting upon these and other figures there given, Mr. Holley stated as the primary object of his paper, " to show that,, while this multiplication of rail-patterns is an annoyance and an expense to rail-makers, it is a source of immense loss to railway companies." Since 1876 the increase in gross annual tonnage upon our leading lines has been very great, and has been accompanied by an increase of wheel-loads and running-speeds. As the average weight of the rails of 1876 was by no means excessive, the growing deman Is of traffic have slowly driven the roads toward stiffer sections, inaugurating a movement that now promises to become epidemic. In 1876 a 67-pound rail was a first-class equipment; to-day everything under 75 pounds is light, and many 80's are coming into use. European practice has long been heavier than ours; in part because the higher cost of sleepers has led to an average of 3-feet spacing, instead of two-feet as with us. The old 84-pound double-header, and Sandberg's 80- and 89-pound rails, respectively 51/4 inches and 591/2 inches high, are reported common on English roads; and he is strongly advocating the general adoption of the 100-pounder shown in Fig. 7, with what success I have not learned, except that the Belgian government has ordered a lot. Mr. Sandberg points out the undesirability of frequent changes of pattern, and the recent rapid growth in traffic-requirements; prognosticates a continuance of this

Jan 1, 1887

By Edward Wisser

The environment of an ore body is taken to mean not only its physical surroundings but every factor, passive or active, that conditioned the ore shoot, saving only the original composition of the solutions that formed the shoot. Collection of data related to the shape and characteristics of veins should be followed by correlation of the data and the formulation of generalizations regarding ore formation. The nature of the criteria used in arriving at these generalizations is discussed. Certain of the criteria, when used with an understanding of their underlying causes, become "ore- guides." In the course of his study the geologist must not confine himself to the immediate surroundings of the veins, but should attempt to work out the geologic history of events culminating in the crucial epoch for any mining district, the period of mineralization. The work may involve study of features far removed from the veins and related to them only indirectly. It commonly means thorough study of the geology of the entire region surrounding the ore deposits. THE following question has been suggested for discussion: [t] "Are there any criteria by which one can determine when mining operations have reached the roots of an ore deposit?" The question deals less with the roots of a particular ore body than with the lower limit of the vertical range within which ore bodies may be expected. It concerns a critical line upon the longitudinal vertical projection of a vein.[t] Below this line it is useless to look for ore shoots; above the line exploration below the bottoms of individual ore shoots may be justified. Can we learn to determine the position of such a line? In some multivein districts the line for any given vein may be approximated by simple interpolation or extrapolation. Where this is possible the bottoms of the lowest ore shoots in the various veins are points on an imaginary, gently rolling surface. The trace of this surface upon the vein is our critical line for that vein. The imaginary surface rolls so gently that it may be projected from two or more known veins to an unexplored vein near by. Here is a criterion for the bottoming of ore that has nothing to do with changes in the appearance of the vein in question; it rests solely on the depth at which the ore bottomed in adjacent veins. The method is not applicable in districts only slightly explored in depth, nor where the lower limit of the ore-bearing horizons

Jan 1, 1939

By C. P. Sandberg

C. P. Sandberg, London, Eng. 1 think we should all be grateful to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and to their chemist, Dr. Dudley, for spending so much time and money in order to solve an important question; nor are me less indebted to the public spirit which leads them to impart tlie experience thus gained. In Europe nothing similar has hitherto been done, either by a company or by any private individual. In England the great railway companies employ their engineers in other ways, and do not keep a chemist or specialist to study rails; bat even if they did they would probably not publish the results. The chief professional engineers are so occupied with their private practice of railroad construction generally, that they cannot be expected to devote their time and energies to so special a question. The German Railway Union has, in my opinion, missed the real object of its elaborate researches by falling into the error of specifying costly, impracticable tests for rails—tests at the same time which do not infallibly expose the impurities that may be in the rails under examination. There has, therefore, been nothing done on this side of the Atlantic in the way of exhaustive study to determine the best composition for steel rails. America should consequently have full credit for the enlightened example which she has set. I wish, however, to make a few remarks on Dr. Dudley's second paper,—& paper which follows very much upan the same lines of argument as the first red three years ago, upon which I have previously touched in my pabr on the same subject read at the meeting in August last. If Dr. Dudley had discovered a new metal he could hardly, I think, have taken wore pains to prove that he was correct in his first formula for the best chemical colnposition of steel rails. But I hare seen so much done in the way of proof by experiment that I am inclined to think that almost anything can be proved by experiments and by satnples. If Dr. Dudley would only give up his formula, which would not suit any country—not even America—

Jan 1, 1881

By J. A. Stachura

Continuous mining machinery provides the coal industry with one way to compete for a larger share of the total energy market. Various types of machines are discussed and some of the problems with continuous miners, encountered by operators, are reviewed. Equipment manufacturers are working with mine personnel to provide solutions for problems that arise. While coal production over the past 25 or 30 years has been on a horizontal plane, coal's share of the total energy market has declined. To participate more effectively in this total energy market, it is necessary to produce coal more efficiently. It is the obligation of all management, employes, and mining departments to gear the deep mining industry to the rapid progress and changing of today's modern industry. This can be accomplished in the near future with the selection of the proper type of continuous miner best suited to each operator's individual situation. In most mining operations there is tremendous incentive to undertake the continuous mining program. It can reduce the size of the mine greatly by permitting a minimum of working places; it makes pillar recovery work more efficient from the standpoint of overall cost, amount of coal recovered, and safety. The work force can be reduced materially permitting closer and more efficient supervision. It simplifies maintenance because equipment can be more readily standardized. The trend of the coal market favors the use of continuous mining machines. Although there appears to be a general feeling that continuous mining is still a relatively new program and will be slow in replacing conventional mechanical equipment, the fact is that tremendous strides have been made since the first machines were installed in 1948. This program is advancing at approximately the same rate that mobile loading machines replaced hand loading. From 1948 to 1955 there were approximately 450 continuous mining machines in service. In October 1959, a survey revealed that there were more than 700 continuous mining machines in service. Many operators have expressed a desire to undertake this program, but they feel that they could not do so at this time because of one or more of the following reasons: 1) the thickness of their coal seams, 2) seam characteristics, 3) soft bottoms, 4) bad roof conditions, 5) size consist, 6) insufficient flexibility in machines, 7) difficult ventilation problems, and 8) high maintenance costs. With the realization on coal about the same today as it was in 1948, or slightly less and since coal is still failing to participate to a greater degree in the total energy market, it is not surprising that the coal industry is desperately exploring more economical methods for deep mining. The manufacturers are aware that the coal industry is willing to invest in continuous miners if the equipment is built for maximum flexibility, will produce higher tons per man, and assure long life between overhaul programs. CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINES Before discussing details regarding the selection of a continuous miner, let us have a preview of some of the continuous mining machines which are available to the coal industry today. Jeffrey Manufacturing Co.: The machine shown is the Jeffrey 76 A.M. Colmol. This is their most widely used miner, and has been particularly successful in central Pennsylvania and in high-wall mining in western Kentucky. One of the outstanding features of this auger-type miner is its portability. The entire mining range can be changed from its lowest point to the maximum height without stopping the mining operation. Jeffrey 76 B.M. Colmol: This machine is similar to the 76 A.M. model; however, it is built bigger and stronger for a mining range of 50 1/2 to 72 in. This is the model that is now available (Fig. 2). Jeffrey has added two arms to the top row, omitted the odd arm in the bottom row, thus permitting a 50 pct larger throat opening. This eliminates one

Jan 1, 1961

By E. Ray Webb

A interest to geologists and to mining and petroleum engineers is a laboratory method for determining the dip and strike of sub- surface structures, as well as the direction of fault planes traversing them. The information is derived by making use of the magnetic properties of borehole cores which must show visible representations of bedding or fault planes. Complete knowledge of these factors aids greatly in the successful exploitation of both ore and petroleum deposits.

Jan 1, 1940

By G. Derge, L. D. Kirkbride

In recent years the problem of sulfur elimination in iron and steel-making has been of increasing importance. This interest has been due to the increasing amounts of sulfur coming into the system via raw materials. As a result, many investigations have been directed at obtaining information pertaining to the rate and mechanism of sulfur removal in the blast furnace as well as measuring appropriate thermodynamic quantities. Chang and Goldmanl as well as others2'3 showed that the process of sulfur transfer from molten carbon-saturated iron to blast furnace-type slags could be considered as two opposing first-order chemical reactions. Recently, Ramachandran et al.4 have shown that during desulfurization electrical neutrality is preserved in both phases and iron and silicon are transferred into the slag concurrently with the evolution of carbon monoxide gas. They concluded that the reaction s + c-+ (0)=(S) + CO(g) does not express the stoichiometry of the sulfur transfer process. As in all previous investigations, these authors studied the process of a net transfer of sulfur from metal to slag across a slag-metal interface. However, no experimental data have previously been obtained for the process of sulfurization. It was the purpose of this study to investigate the sulfurization process, i.e., net transfer of sulfur from slag to metal. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Apparatus—The equipment used in this investiga-tion was typical of that used by others.1-3The furnace was a high-frequency induction unit powered by a 35 kw Hg spark gap converter. Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the apparatus. A two-compartment crucible assembly was employed to melt the slag and metal charges; being similar to that used by Ramachandran,4 in size and design. The atmosphere was that produced by reaction of hot graphite with air. Temperature measurements were made by W-Mo thermocouples which were calibrated against a Bureau of Standards Pt - Pt 10 pct Rh couple. Temperature control was always good to * 5°C and in general was much better than this figure. Raw materials used in the experiments were C. P. reagent grade where possible. The silica used in the preparation of the slags was in the form of highly purified silica flour. Silicon and titanium additions

Jan 1, 1961

By A. Styka, G. Fischer, S. Tour

Described herein are the results obtained during research work involving coating titanium alloys with molybdenum by vapor-deposition methods. Results show that the method can be used successfully to deposit hard adherent wear-resistant coating of methodmetallic molybdenum on titanium or titanium alloys without changing the microstructure of the titanium base. PRODUCTION and use of titanium and its alloys have increased tremendously in the past few years. The physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of this engineering metal have caused considerable enthusiasm among metallurgists and engineers. However, as with all materials, there are some drawbacks. For example, titanium is susceptible to seizing and galling on wearing surfaces. In order to produce a good wear-resistant surface, many investigations have been conducted evaluating oxidizing, carburizing, nitriding, carbonitriding, sili-conizing, and chromizing of titanium. All of these processes require high temperatures for rather extensive periods of time. It has been possible to produce hard surfaces on titanium and its alloys by a number of these processes at the expense of a deterioration of the physical properties of the base material. A practical solution to the problem of providing titanium and titanium alloy parts with a satisfactory wear-resistant nongalling surface must be one that does not involve excessive temperatures for long periods of time. Sam Tour & Co. Inc. has completed a research and development contract for the United States Army Ordnance Corps on vapor deposition of molybdenum on titanium and titanium alloys. On the basis of results obtained from the research program, titanium alloys can be coated successfully with molybdenum to provide a hard wear-resistant surface without harm to their base mechanical properties. The remainder of this article is a description of the techniques used to apply the coating and the results obtained from wear tests on molybdenum-coated titanium. Theory Basically, the technique used was the application of molybdenum by a vapor-deposition method, thermal decomposition of molybdenum hexacarbonyl [Mo(CO)] with hydrogen as the carrier gas. The selection of this method was based chiefly on the following considerations: 1—low plating temperature which would minimize excessive grain growth, 2— low decomposition temperature of the carbonyl, 3— possibilities of controlling the hardness of the plate by adjusting the carbon content using the plating temperature and pressure as the primary variables, 4—use of high vacuum, thereby avoiding unnecessary oxidation and other complex reactions with the atmosphere. Free energy data1 show the strong tendency for titanium to combine with O2 N2 or carbon from normal temperatures to temperatures above its melting point. To maintain the titanium in a film free condition, the use of as high a vacuum as possible is indicated. The literature' indicates that the reaction product of hydrogen with titanium is unstable in vacuum at around 400°C. 5—Although it is indicated from the thermodynamic standpoint that there is little possibility of removing carbon from either titanium or molybdenum, the work of Lander and Germer -ndicates that the use of a suitable H,/CO ratio is somewhat effective in minimizing carbon deposition. 6—Availability of molybdenum carbonyl. In the simplest form, the conditions of equilibrium3 in chemical reactions involving decomposition of carbonyl are as follows: Mo (CO) ? Mo + 6CO 2CO * C + CO,. The plating rate is proportional to the rate of evolution of CO from the decomposed carbonyl, i.e., it is proportional to the pressure of the gaseous decomposition products. Carbon released from CO gas is the significant constituent for the variability of the physical properties of the product. High carbon deposition is favored by increasing pressure. Limitations are imposed in the selection of plating temperature and pressure. Excessive temperature re-

Jan 1, 1956

By Stuart St. Clair

In view of the great interest shown in the oil possibilities of Kentucky, one is impressed with the paucity of reliable literature on the oil fields of the state. A few brief reports by the Federal and State Geological Surveys are about the only reliable data available. When the estimated production figures, for 1918, are published by the U. S. Geological Survey, they will show a revival of the oil industry in the Blue Grass State during the past half decade. There will also be an increase in the production for 1919 and 1920, at least. Although as an oil-producing state Kentucky is small, compared with some of the other oil states, the present production and the area of undrilled proved territory is large enough to classify it as one of the important oil states of the Union. This paper will be confined to the Irvine District and the immediately adjoining areas which have been prospected with varying success. The Corniferous limestone or Irvine sand is the oil-producing formation in the area discussed. In my divisional nomenclature, the Irvine District includes the Irvine field, which extends from the town of Irvine eastward toward Campton; the Big Sinking area, which joins and lies to the south of the eastern part of the Irvine field; the Beattyville area, which lies to the north and northeast of the town of that name and joins the Big Sinking area; and the Ross Creek pool, which lies to the southwest of the big production and across the Kentucky River. Except for the Ross Creek pool, the main producing area is bounded on the east by the L. & E. R. R. and on the west and south by the Irvine Branch of the L. & N. R. R. Winchester and Lexington form the gateways and Torrent on the east, Irvine on the west, and Beattyville on the south are the principle entrances to the main fields. Evelyn, on the L. & N. R. R., south of Irvine, is the point of entrance to the Ross Creek area. Geology The geology of the Irvine District is very simple. The rock formations with which the oil man should acquaint himself lie between the lower measures of the Pennsylvanian sandstones and shales and the Devonian or Corniferous limestone, or Irvine formation. Only a very brief description of these formations will be given, as they have been described fully by E. W. Shaw.'

Jan 1, 1921

By J. A. Goebel, S. Rosen

IN the NiAl phase diagram the NiAl (CsC1-type) phase field extends over a large composition range. At elevated temperatures the nickel-rich phase boundary extends to a composition of about 70 at. pct Ni, a value which is within 5 at. pct of the Ni3A1 (Cu 3 Au-type) phase boundary.' At room temperature, however, the maximum nickel content is only about 60 at. pct. Experiments have shown that alloys containing greater than 63 at. pct Ni when quenched from temperatures below 1000°C contain the equilibrium phases NiAl and Ni3A1. On the other hand, when these same alloys are quenched from temperatures above 1000°C and examined microscopically, a typically martensitic decomposition product appears in the microstructure as shown in the micrograph of Fig. 1. The structure of the martensitic phase has been determined by employing powder X-ray diffraction techniques to be an "ordered" AuCu type (Strukturbericht Llo, space group P/4 mmm - DL). The diffraction pattern of this phase differs from that of AuCu in the appearance of superlattice lines. The structure is shown in Fig. 2. The open circles represent nickel atoms and the half-shaded circles represent nickel and aluminum atoms which are randomly distributed. The sites represented by half-shaded circles would be occupied solely by nickel atoms at a stoichiometry of Ni3A1. The alloys used in this investigation were prepared from 99.99 wt pct Al and 99.99 wt pct Ni by arc melting charges of varying compositions in a water-cooled copper hearth using a tungsten electrode in a gettered argon atmosphere. In all cases chemical analysis agreed within $ at. pct with the nominal compositions of the alloys. Annealing treatments were carried out in a vertical resistance furnace through which a stream of argon gas was flowing. Specimens, which were wrapped in tantalum foil, were quenched by allowing the specimens to drop into a bucket containing iced brine. X-ray diffraction patterns were obtained from -325 mesh powder specimens by using a 114.8-mm

Jan 1, 1969

By R. M. Treco

THE thermal expansion of pure beryllium was first investigated by Hidnert and Sweeneyl in 1925 on a single cast specimen stated to be of 98.9 pct purity. A study of the coefficients of expansion by X-ray methods has recently been made by P. Gordon' on powder obtained from the Brush Beryllium Co. assaying 97 wt pct beryllium with about 2 wt pct oxygen as an impurity. The present work pertains to about the highest purity metal obtainable from the Brush Beryllium Co. This metal was in the form of lumps which were remelted and cast in a high-vacuum induction furnace. Expansion data in this paper deal with beryllium extruded into bars of rectangular cross-section 4x1/2 in. and the anisotropic expansivity of a large cast single crystal. Analysis of the cast metal after extrusion indicated a beryllium assay of 99.28 pct. Impurities were 0.170 pct Fe, 0.140 pct Al, 0.014 pct Mg, 0.086 pct Si, 0.020 pct Cu, 0.020 pct Mn, 0.007 pct Ni, 0.007 pct Ca, 0.080 pct C, 0.179 pct 0, (as BeO). Part I—Extruded Metal Thermal expansion measurements were obtained with a fused quartz-tube differential type dilatom-eter3 on specimens cut from the extruded sections in longitudinal and transverse directions. Specimens were machined to a diameter of 0.250 in. and a length of 3.000 in. One sample from each direction was vacuum annealed for 1 hr at 800°C. The dilatometer tube was placed in a vertical tube furnace having a uniform temperature zone which was twice the length of the sample. Average time for a complete thermal cycle to 500°C was 18 hr. Temperatures were observed with two chromel-alumel thermocouples attached to the sample about 1 M in. apart. The accuracy of temperature measure-ment was ± 0.25°C. An argon gas atmosphere sur-rounded the specimen to prevent oxidation of the beryllium. Samples were identified as shown in table I. Results - The original plan included measuring expansion up to 1000°C, but the first two runs on sample No. 5 showed that a permanent contraction occurred from

Jan 1, 1951

By C. F. Seaman, R. G. Clay

The mines of The Tennessee Copper Co. are in the Ducktown Basin, in southeastern Tennessee. The ore is a heavy sulphide consisting principally of chalcopyrite, pyrite and pyrrhotite and in places running as high as 95 per cent sulphur and iron. Operating mines are the Burra Burra and Eureka. Development ' of the Boyd ore body was started in 1940. Late in 1939 the decision was made to change from fuse and cap to all electric blasting and at the same time electric cap lamps were installed to replace carbide. These changes were made to improve the safety and working conditions in the mines. Both the Bureau of Mines and explosives manufacturers recommended electric blasting as a safety measure. Until that rime, electric blasting had been used only for shaft sinking and in places where it was absolutely essential for safety. Very few men had had experience in this type of blasting, as the places where it was required were those that also required direct supervision. It was necessary for the mining staff to work out methods, procedure, and equipment to be used. In this they were ably assisted by representatives of the explosives manufacturers. Many mistakes were made and it is the purpose of this paper to describe the original plan and installation, show the major difficulties encountered. the remedies applied, and present the practices now being followed. Comparison of costs of the two methods will also be discussed. About six months were required to make the change and eliminate fuse and cap blasting entirely. The first electric blasting stations were installed in November 1939 and the last fuse was taken underground in May 1940. A very unusual condition forced the use of fuse for a short time in one heading after May, but that will be discussed later. Original Equipment and Installation A power line is generally recommended as a source of current where permanent blasting stations are used. The plan worked out for electric blasting was to tap 220-volt alternating-current lines when they were available and use 250-volt direct current from the trolley wire at all other places. A blasting machine would be available at each shaft for places where there were no regular blasting stations and could be used if a regular station should fail. The equipment decided on was No. 16 duplex reinforced lamp cord for lines to within about 50 ft. of the working place and No. 20 lead wire from that point to the shots. An open double-pole, double-throw switch with slate base was put in the circuit, so connected that the down position would close the line to the shots 2nd the up position would connect it to the Iine from the power contactor. This switch was located in the circuit as close to the blast as was safe (should the shots explode when it was placed in the shooting

Jan 1, 1943

By R. G. Clay, C. F. Seaman

The mines of The Tennessee Copper Co. are in the Ducktown Basin, in southeastern Tennessee. The ore is a heavy sulphide consisting principally of chalcopyrite, pyrite and pyrrhotite and in places running as high as 95 per cent sulphur and iron. Operating mines are the Burra Burra and Eureka. Development ' of the Boyd ore body was started in 1940. Late in 1939 the decision was made to change from fuse and cap to all electric blasting and at the same time electric cap lamps were installed to replace carbide. These changes were made to improve the safety and working conditions in the mines. Both the Bureau of Mines and explosives manufacturers recommended electric blasting as a safety measure. Until that rime, electric blasting had been used only for shaft sinking and in places where it was absolutely essential for safety. Very few men had had experience in this type of blasting, as the places where it was required were those that also required direct supervision. It was necessary for the mining staff to work out methods, procedure, and equipment to be used. In this they were ably assisted by representatives of the explosives manufacturers. Many mistakes were made and it is the purpose of this paper to describe the original plan and installation, show the major difficulties encountered. the remedies applied, and present the practices now being followed. Comparison of costs of the two methods will also be discussed. About six months were required to make the change and eliminate fuse and cap blasting entirely. The first electric blasting stations were installed in November 1939 and the last fuse was taken underground in May 1940. A very unusual condition forced the use of fuse for a short time in one heading after May, but that will be discussed later. Original Equipment and Installation A power line is generally recommended as a source of current where permanent blasting stations are used. The plan worked out for electric blasting was to tap 220-volt alternating-current lines when they were available and use 250-volt direct current from the trolley wire at all other places. A blasting machine would be available at each shaft for places where there were no regular blasting stations and could be used if a regular station should fail. The equipment decided on was No. 16 duplex reinforced lamp cord for lines to within about 50 ft. of the working place and No. 20 lead wire from that point to the shots. An open double-pole, double-throw switch with slate base was put in the circuit, so connected that the down position would close the line to the shots 2nd the up position would connect it to the Iine from the power contactor. This switch was located in the circuit as close to the blast as was safe (should the shots explode when it was placed in the shooting

Jan 1, 1943

By Paul M. Tyler

YEAR after year, the kaolin industry of the United States has been setting new production records and making better products. High-grade paper, pottery, and rubber clays are produced in this country mostly in the South. Georgia alone contributes over 70 pct and South Carolina almost 20 pct of the total domestic output. Residual kaolin is mined in North Carolina, highly plastic but naturally sandy Tertiary (Eocene) potting clays are worked in north central Florida, and good white clays are produced in several other states, but the main sources of kaolin or china clay have been numerous deposits in the Tuscaloosa (Upper Cretaceous) formation. This formation of generally sandy sediments is called the Middendorf member in older geologic reports and corresponds in age with some of the New Jersey clays. As shown in fig. 1, it crops out almost continuously in a generally southwesterly direction across South Carolina and Georgia and into Alabama. Clay is mined from this formation in all three states but the principal producing centers lie within about 10 miles of a straight line drawn between Aiken, S. C., and a point about 10 miles south of Macon, Ga. The white kaolins of the South were recognized and used prior to the Civil War but suitable treatment processes were not introduced until World War I when imports, chiefly from England, were curtailed. Although imports of high-grade clays were resumed after 1918, the domestic industry managed to treble its prewar production record during the early 1920's and has continued to grow. Whereas the 1909 to 1913 average total production in the United States was only 132,104 short tons valued at $705,352 f.O.b. mines, the output in 1948 was 1,-568,848 tons worth $19,756,738. Paradoxically, it seems in retrospect that the early failure of the American industry to meet foreign competition was due to the superior quality of our sedimentary clays in their natural state. Kaolin, of course, is the principal decomposition product of feldspars which originate in acidic igneous rocks such as granite, aplite, alaskite, granodiorite, quartz porphyry, etc. English china clays occur in residual deposits and before they can be marketed they have to be treated to remove accompanying quartz, mica, and other impurities. Notwithstanding the relatively crude methods employed, the final product is a beneficiated clay which is subject to a certain amount of technical control as to quality and uniformity. Although the naturally concentrated deposits in Georgia and South Carolina contain some of the finest crude white kaolin in the world, even it can be made better by suitable treatment. In recent years well over half of the high-grade china clay produced in the United States has been used in making paper. Some qualities of paper clays are still produced by the dry process, or air flotation, but the paper industry's specifications have grown so exacting that wet processing was adopted and more refined methods had to be perfected. Notwithstanding notable advances in clay-preparation technology during the past decade, or possibly because these advances have implemented and encouraged technologic changes in consuming industries, demand has grown for products of higher uniform quality than can be obtained from even the best natural deposits without rigidly controlled fractionation. Largely as a result of the wide adoption of machine coating for paper, the clay industry has been obliged not merely to eliminate virtually all mineral impurities but also to segregate the clay substance itself into narrow particle-size ranges. By extraordinary coordination of sales effort and production technology, several Georgia companies manage to market a wide variety of specialized joint products but the commercial success of many producers depends upon their mining only the best parts of their deposits and then skimming the cream of this almost pure clay in order to obtain a maximum yield of kaolinite finer than about 2 microns in maximum particle size and possessing low viscosity as well as the more familiar attributes of suitable color and brightness, or reflectance. To the casual visitor from another mineral industry, the kaolin mines and plants may appear to be

Jan 1, 1951

By Paul M. Tyler

YEAR after year, the kaolin industry of the United States has been setting new production records and making better products. High-grade paper, pottery, and rubber clays are produced in this country mostly in the South. Georgia alone contributes over 70 pct and South Carolina almost 20 pct of the total domestic output. Residual kaolin is mined in North Carolina, highly plastic but naturally sandy Tertiary (Eocene) potting clays are worked in north central Florida, and good white clays are produced in several other states, but the main sources of kaolin or china clay have been numerous deposits in the Tuscaloosa (Upper Cretaceous) formation. This formation of generally sandy sediments is called the Middendorf member in older geologic reports and corresponds in age with some of the New Jersey clays. As shown in fig. 1, it crops out almost continuously in a generally southwesterly direction across South Carolina and Georgia and into Alabama. Clay is mined from this formation in all three states but the principal producing centers lie within about 10 miles of a straight line drawn between Aiken, S. C., and a point about 10 miles south of Macon, Ga. The white kaolins of the South were recognized and used prior to the Civil War but suitable treatment processes were not introduced until World War I when imports, chiefly from England, were curtailed. Although imports of high-grade clays were resumed after 1918, the domestic industry managed to treble its prewar production record during the early 1920's and has continued to grow. Whereas the 1909 to 1913 average total production in the United States was only 132,104 short tons valued at $705,352 f.O.b. mines, the output in 1948 was 1,-568,848 tons worth $19,756,738. Paradoxically, it seems in retrospect that the early failure of the American industry to meet foreign competition was due to the superior quality of our sedimentary clays in their natural state. Kaolin, of course, is the principal decomposition product of feldspars which originate in acidic igneous rocks such as granite, aplite, alaskite, granodiorite, quartz porphyry, etc. English china clays occur in residual deposits and before they can be marketed they have to be treated to remove accompanying quartz, mica, and other impurities. Notwithstanding the relatively crude methods employed, the final product is a beneficiated clay which is subject to a certain amount of technical control as to quality and uniformity. Although the naturally concentrated deposits in Georgia and South Carolina contain some of the finest crude white kaolin in the world, even it can be made better by suitable treatment. In recent years well over half of the high-grade china clay produced in the United States has been used in making paper. Some qualities of paper clays are still produced by the dry process, or air flotation, but the paper industry's specifications have grown so exacting that wet processing was adopted and more refined methods had to be perfected. Notwithstanding notable advances in clay-preparation technology during the past decade, or possibly because these advances have implemented and encouraged technologic changes in consuming industries, demand has grown for products of higher uniform quality than can be obtained from even the best natural deposits without rigidly controlled fractionation. Largely as a result of the wide adoption of machine coating for paper, the clay industry has been obliged not merely to eliminate virtually all mineral impurities but also to segregate the clay substance itself into narrow particle-size ranges. By extraordinary coordination of sales effort and production technology, several Georgia companies manage to market a wide variety of specialized joint products but the commercial success of many producers depends upon their mining only the best parts of their deposits and then skimming the cream of this almost pure clay in order to obtain a maximum yield of kaolinite finer than about 2 microns in maximum particle size and possessing low viscosity as well as the more familiar attributes of suitable color and brightness, or reflectance. To the casual visitor from another mineral industry, the kaolin mines and plants may appear to be

Jan 1, 1951

By Robert I. Jaffee, Bruce W. Gonser, Eugene M. Smith

THERE has been little investigation of the gold-germanium binary alloys. Haughton1 does not mention any work on the system. In a review article commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of germanium, E. Einecke2 mentioned a gold germanium eutectic at 24 atomic per cent Ge (10.4 weight per cent) melting at 359°C., but did not give the source of his information. From measurements of electrical conductivity, J. 0. Linde3 estimated that at least o.6 weight per cent germanium is soluble in gold. The recent availability of germanium in this country in commercial quantities has led to interest in its properties and its alloys. This study is part of a program of investigation on germanium alloys; work on ternary alloys involving germanium and gold will be reported later. In this investigation, the composition and melting point of the Au-Ge eutectic reported by Einecke has been found to be substantially correct. Eutectic composition has been placed at 12,0 per cent germanium, however. An alloy of 10.4 per cent Ge, Einecke's value, was found to have a few gold dendrites in it. The eutectic temperature has been determined as 356.0 ± 0.5°C., slightly less than the temperature of 359°C reported by Einecke. The liquidus curves and the solid solubility of germanium in gold have been determined, and are shown in Fig. I. MATERIALS AND ALLOYING The germanium used in this investigation was prepared by the Eagle-Picher Lead Co. from pure germanium oxide, by reduction in clay crucibles with sodium cyanide. The regulus is quite pure, assaying over 99.9 per cent Ge. High-purity gold obtained from Handy and Harmon was used. Alloying was carried out in graphite crucibles in an atmosphere of purified hydrogen. The temperature was brought up to 1050° to 1100°C., and the metal was allowed to freeze in the crucible. Prepared in this way, the gold dendrites in hypoeutectic alloys were somewhat segregated at the bottom and sides of the ingot, and on the hypereutectic side the lighter primary germanium tended to gather at the top. Most of the alloys were made from virgin metal. Low-germanium heats were made by alloying pure gold with the eutectic. Melting losses were consistently a few milligrams or less, and the composition could safely be taken from the intended analysis. The 30 per cent and 50 per cent germanium heats for thermal analysis were made in part from remelted higher germanium heats, and they may be off composition as much as one per cent. Because of the high cost of materials, the weight of heats for thermal analysis were 15 to 20 grams and heats for metallographic, X-ray, and hardness specimens were 2 to 4 grams.

Jan 1, 1945

By Henry F. Adams, Guy H. Ruggles

In this paper the authors aim to chronicle the experience and salient points brought out in changing flotation reagents at a concentrator which had probably been using a minimum amount of oil at a minimum cost per ton, to a more complicated system requiring a partial chemical control. The original oils were coal tar and pine oil. The new reagents are lime, xanthate and pine oil. It was found that there were no insurmountable difficulties and eventually the cost of the new reagents per ton of ore proved to be very little more than that of the old. Lime Plant When the question of handling lime came up there were two propositions open: (1) to handle the lime dry; (2) to handle it wet in the form of an emulsion. Granting that a dry lime feeder would function properly, delivering lime uniformly, the chief objection was the dust that would be raised when these feeders were being charged or operated, as the only possible location was on a gallery beneath which men were working. With this objection the handling of lime as an emulsion seemed to be the better scheme. The lime plant which was first installed was for experimental work on one section. This was gradually changed and developed until it was of sufficient size to accommodate 20 sections. The various changes will not be discussed and the following description deals only with the fully developed plant. Crude as it is, and perhaps somewhat expensive to operate, the lime-handling plant has been quite successful. Much has been learned which will pave the way for a better installation in the future. Burnt lime is received loose in standard gage box cars. This is the product of the kilns and has had no screening or sorting. A grab sample is taken from each car as it is unloaded. An average of the analyses of samples from 44 cars gave the following: Available CaO Total CaO, Oxide and Hy- MgO, Fe²O³ + Al²O³, Insoluble, Per Cent. drate, Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Pek Cent. 88.3 79.2 1.6 ' 1.3 2.2

Jan 1, 1928

By Robert I. Jaffee, Bruce W. Gonser, Eugene M. Smith

There has been little investigation of the gold-germanium binary alloys. Haughtonl does not mention any work on the system. In a review article commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of germanium, E. Einecke2 mentioned a gold-germanium eutectic at 24 atomic per cent Ge (10.4 weight per cent) melting at 359°C., but did not give the source of his information. From measurements of electrical conductivity, J. 0. Linde3 estimated that at least 0.6 weight per cent germanium is soluble in gold. The recent availability of germanium in this country in commercial quantities has led to interest in its properties and its alloys. This study is part of a program of investigation on germanium alloys; work on ternary alloys involving germanium and gold will be reported later. In this investigation, the composition and melting point of the Au-Ge eutectic reported by Einecke has been found to be substantially correct. Eutectic composition has been placed at I2.0 per cent germanium, however. An alloy of 10.4 per cent Ge, Einecke's value, was found to have a few gold dendrites in it. The cutectic temperature has been determined as 356.0 6 ± 0.5°C., slightly less than the temperature of 359°C. reported by Einecke. The liquidus curves and the solid solubility of ger- manium in gold have been determined, and are shown in Fig. I. Materials and Alloying The germanium used in this investigation was prepared by the Eagle-Picher Lead Co. from pure germanium oxide, by reduction in clay crucibles with sodium cyanide. The regulus is quite pure, assaying over 99.9 per cent Ge. High-purity gold obtained from Handy and Harmon was used. Alloying was carried out in graphite crucibles in an atmosphere of purified hydrogen. The temperature was brought up to 1050" to iioo°C., and the metal was allowed to freeze in the crucible. Prepared in this way, the gold dendrites in hypoeutectic alloys were somewhat segregated at the bottom and sides of the ingot, and on the hyper-eutectic side the lighter primary germanium tended to gather at the top. Most of the alloys were made from virgin metal. Low-germanium heats were made by alloying pure gold with the eutectic. Melting losses were consistently a few milligrams or less, and the composition could safely be taken from the intended analysis. The 30 per cent and 50 per cent germanium heats for thermal analysis were made in part from remelted higher germanium heats, and they may be OR composition as much as one per cent. Because of the high cost of materials, the weight of heats for thermal analysis were 15 to 20 grams and heats for metallo-graphic, X-ray, and hardness specimens were 2 to 4 grams.

Jan 1, 1945