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By R. E. Miner, J. K. Jackson, T. L. Wilson

A study has been made of the transformation kintetics and morphology in gas-quenched Fe-5 pct Ni alloys. Massive ferrite or nlurtensite was found to form at temperatures in agreement with earlier results. Surface Preparation appeared to have the greatest effect in determining the type of transformation Product formed. Grain size change, subgrain morphology, and dislocation densities of massive ferrite were essen-tinlly invariant functions of cooling rate. The mar-tens~tic structures were typical of transformation in austenite grains of the order of the sample thickness. BY introducing the idea of a massive transformation in dilute iron-base alloys, Gilbert and Owen in 1962 served to stimulate a closer inspection of phase transformations in ferrous systems.' A wealth of literature has followed concerned with the morphology,2-5 transformation mode,2'3'6-8 and thermodynamics of transformations.2,5,9 interesting controversies have resulted from the experimental observations; closer attention has been paid to the definition of massive transformations and still to be resolved is the Ms temperature of pure iron. The purpose of this note is to report some observations made in a detailed kinetic and metallographic examination of the transformations that occur in gas quenched Fe-5 pct Ni. The results are pertinent to the Ms extrapolations that have been made for pure iron and the observed substructure of massively transformed alloys. PROCEDURE The material used in this investigation was cast as a 5 lb vacuum induction melted, carbon deoxidized heat. The ingot was hot worked to a strip 0.10 in. thick, decarburized, and cold rolled to final thickness. Specimens were punched to sample shape and decarburized in wet hydrogen at 600°C. The chemistry of test specimens is indicated in Table I. Samples 1 by $ in., by thickness were resistance heated and rapidly cooled in an apparatus as illustrated in Fig. 1. Similar helium quenching apparatuses have been described previously;2,6'10 the distinguishing feature of this apparatus is the nozzle geometry. Twin nozzles with three convergent-divergent, sonic ports were mounted perpendicular to the specimen for quenching purposes. The specimen temperature was monitored with an intrinsic 3 mil chromel-alumel thermocouple spot welded to the specimen and con- nected to an oscilloscope. A single switch stopped the current flow through the specimen, opened a gas flow solenoid valve, and initiated an oscilloscope sweep. Cooling rates were read directly from a photograph of the oscilloscope trace and the quenching rates quoted later were made at a point immediately prior to transformation on the trace. All quenching studies were conducted either under a vacuum of 10"-5 torr or a helium atmosphere. The sample geometry was chosen large enough to permit optical and electron microscopy to be performed on samples. The samples were electropolished for both types of examination in a perchloric-acetic solution. Electron microscopy was conducted on a HU 11A microscope operated at 100 kv. Dislocation densities were determined at the same general operating reflection (110) on foils thick enough to produce Kikuchi patterns. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Transformation Temperature Observations and OD-tical Microscopy. The quenching results of this study are illustrated in Fig. -2(a). Samples which were treated in the as-decarburized condition transformed in a manner similar to that reported previously—a decrease in transformation temperature occurred as the quenching rate increased until a plateau region was reached. Within the scatter of the results obtained here, there was no break in the transformation temperature-quenching rate plot. This suggests no change in transformation mode. Further metallographic examination confirmed this observation. A martensitic transformation was obtained for similarly treated samples except that the surface was first electropolished. The Ms temperature was approximately 85°C below the plateau determined for the unpolished samples and cooling rates as slow as 2000°C per sec were adequate for producing marten-site. The transformation temperatures are in gen- / STRIP SAMPLE / COPPER I SAX/-/}' / CONNECTOR-----A f, SON|C poRTS AC LEADS 3j ]j"I rofe[ \ Mf/yinK/iKj''^ THERMOCOUPLE X-(^—iie"s*c? ' LEADS 1 INCH Fig. 1-—Schematic scction of gas quenching apparatus

Jan 1, 1970

By R. C. Schmidt, B. E. Kennedy

The Mont Klahoyo magnetite deposit is located about 600 km (373 miles) northwest of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. During an exploration period ending in 1977 an international joint venture group investigated the deposit and proved reserves of 670 Mt (739 million short tons) grading 36% iron. The deposit occurs at the northeast end of the Baoubly-Kiriao chain of Precambrian iron formations with associated amphibolites, pyroxenites, and gneisses of the Liberian Shield. The ore body is represented by a highly metamorphosed banded quartz-magnetite iron formation with alternating beds of iron silicates and quartz-magnetite. Amphibolite-pyroxenites and sillimanite-cordierite-garnet gneisses form hanging and footwall rocks. The iron formation has been folded into an elongated, overturned 2-shaped major drag fold with axes trending and plunging approximately northeast. Beds are vertical or dip steeply to the southeast. The ore zone has an average thickness of 130 m (427 ft) and outcrops intermittently over a distance of approximately 5.5 km (3.4 miles). Based upon detailed studies of drill cores and the results of ore dressing test work, eight stratigraphic units, identified as K- 1 to K-8, are recognizable in the iron formation. Four interbedded units are low grade silicate zones (silicate facies) while the remaining quartz-magnetite units are oxide facies, representing the important Mont Klahoyo deposit ores. Ore-bearing "K" units are subdivided further into 11 ore types, based upon their specific lithologies, iron content, and concentration characteristics. Identification of these ore types proved particularly useful to mine planning and flowsheet design. A cap of oxidized material overlies the primary quartz- magnetite iron formation, but no enrichment has occurred. It is thought that the Mont Klahoyo iron formations were deposited chemically in a volcanic environment as a siliceous iron formation with volcanism the primary source of iron and silica. Metamorphism converted the siliceous iron formation to a coarse-grained, quartz-magnetite-silicate iron formation.

Jan 1, 1983

By George A. Koenig

This new departure in assaying is the outcome of a long-felt desire to shorten the time required in muffle-assaying, as well as to do both crucible- and scarifi cation-work in one furnace. The first object in view was the gold-assay, which must always be a combination of the crucible- and muffle-work. The large lead buttons consume much time in their reduction by scorifying and cupelling. The Hoskins gasoline furnaces have been a great convenience, for years past, in that class of practice, where only one assay was required at a time. But even with them I found myself hampered, since the crucible-furnace only takes one crucible at a time, and my practice implies always duplicate assays. Another difficulty was to get the muffle up to the necessary heat and to maintain it at that heat. Whecever I had pumped myself into perspiration and out of breath, the question presented itself, " Is the muffle necessary to do this work properly ?" Hartmann and Plattner and all their blow-piping disciples have shown that very good results are obtainable by playing a direct flame upon the work-lead. Could this be done on the regular muffle-assay scale ? I placed a cupel upon a fire-brick, surrounded it with charcoal, and then played upon it with a Bunsen gas blow-pipe. The result was encouraging. With some care a 2.75-inch scorifier charged with 0.1 A. T. of a 100-ounce ore could be melted down and scorified without any apparent loss. I thought then of constructing a furnace with four blow-pipes in a row; but the combination of gas and charcoal seemed unpractical. Instead, I placed an F crucible, bottom up, in a Hoskins crucible-furnace. Upon this support I placed a charged scorifier. The rapidity with which a very refractory charge melted and scorified was simply amazing to me. Then a cupel was put in the place of the scorifier, the lid was moved sideways, and a blow-pipe was

Jan 1, 1899

By Herbert Kynor

BY THE term mechanical mining is meant that operation, or series of operations, that replace the hand methods of mining. The first undercutting machine to operate in anthracite was placed in the Butler mine of the Hillside Coal & Iron Co., Dec. 23, 1910, by the Sullivan Machinery Co. The first Jackhamer used in the anthracite field was installed at the Wadesville colliery of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Co. in Oct., 1912, by the Ingersoll-Rand Co. The first longwall conveyor was installed at the Dodge mines of the Delaware, Lackawanna, & Western Coal Co. in March, 1912. The first mechanical scraper equipment was installed in the Seneca mines of the Lehigh Valley Coal Co. in January, 1914. The amount of anthracite mechanically mined since the first mining machine was installed in 1910a is as follows: PENNA. COAL Co. D. L. & W., SCRANTON TEMPLE HUDSON YEAR AND HILL- TONS COAL Co., COAL CO., COAL CO., TOTAL. SIDE COAL TONS TONS TONS TONS AND IRON, TONS 1920 372,737b 367,000d 322,892 74,127 371,878 1,508,634 1919 950,786 no record 306,616 81,575 319,356 1,658,333c 1918 917,778 744,966 24,880 44,756 288,781 2,021,161 1917 757,940 838,800 5,050 57,279 164,180 1,823,249 1916 286,780 860,663 13,960 114,173 101,475 1,377,051 1915 428,819 592,169 8,253 1,029,241 1914 219,188 153,896 373,084 1913 171,505 171,505 1912 124,267 124,267 1911 40,319 40,319 1910 1,184 1,184 a. A slightly greater production than shown was obtained as the tonnage from individual operations is not shown. b. Decrease due to strike conditions in 1920. c. Does not include tonnage of D., L., & W. d. D., L., & W. decrease in 1920 due to having less mining machines in operation. There are about 150 undercutters in use in the anthracite region, 80 mechanical loaders, and 10 longwall conveyors.

Jan 9, 1921

Jan 1, 1961

By Robin O. Williams

AN investigation has been made of the Ni-Cr system for the purpose of elucidating certain points, namely the nature of aging in both terminal solid solutions and the nature of the phase diagram. Information pertaining to solubilities and precipitation has been obtained. Experimentation Five alloys, Table I, were arc melted in a cold copper crucible using electrolytic chromium and car-bony1 nickel, both dry hydrogen treated. These 100 g buttons were homogenized 24 hr at 1300°C in dry hydrogen and air cooled. Powders were prepared by filing or pulverizing and subsequent heat treatment was done in vacuum or helium using titanium chips as a getter. Powder of —80 mesh was filed from the 60 pct Ni alloy quenched from 1000°C and was sealed in silica under vacuum using a 250 °C outgassing. After aging as indicated in Table I1 the lattice parameters were measured on the quenched samples using the standard cos" 6 extrapolation. These parameters are considered accurate to roughly 0.0001A. In all cases chromium lines of 2.8812 ± 0.0005Å at 30°C were found. Drastic quenching from sufficiently high temperatures produced very sharp body-centered-cubic lines in the first four alloys without indications of transformations. Temperatures to 1250°C were used. Solid samples less than 1/16 in. thick were quenched in water without transformation and the powders could be adequately quenched in small helium filled thin wall silica tubing using a water quench. For those powder samples which were quenched from the two phase field the relative intensity of the body-centered-cubic lines and the face-centered-cubic lines were estimated and extrapolated to give the indicated solubility data in Fig. 1. The data for the two higher alloys were somewhat limited, the plotted points being the lowest temperature where no nickel phase was found. Neither filing, abrading, pulverizing, nor cooling to —190°C produced any new diffraction lines for solid samples quenched from the single phase region, nor did the character of the body-centered-cubic lines change Single phase body-centered-cubic powders likewise did not change on cooling to —190°C. Also, samples which had some precipitation due to inadequate quenching showed no additional changes under these conditions. The first change apparent by X-ray diffraction form samples quenched almost fast enough to prevent precipitation was the diffuseness of the body-centered-cubic lines, particularly on the low angle side, For slower cooling rates the diffuse face-centered-cubic lines appeared. Work on the large grained castings showed profuse streaking through some of the Laue spots while oscillating patterns showed broad body-centered-cubic and face-cen-tered-cubic lines as well as some new lines. For the 23.6 pct Ni alloy the new lines corresponded to 2.16, 1.96, and 1.86A and were more similar in character to the face-centered-cubic lines than the body-centered-cubic lines. Samples which were air cooled gave only face-centered-cubic and body-centered-cubic lines which were still broad. One pattern indicated that face-centered-cubic (111) plane was parallel to a body-centered-cubic (110) plane. For those samples which were examined by light microscopy there were details which were not resolved. However, varied and beautiful structures were obtained. Fig. 2 is of an alloy quenched in a helium filled silica tube from the single phase region and shows particles associated apparently with dislocations which are arranged in low angle boundaries. Finer, general precipitation has also taken place within the grains. Figs. 3 to 5 show the variety of structures produced in these alloys on continuous cooling. It appears that there are four distinct modes of precipitation as evidenced by these, figures. Annealing these structures at higher tem-peratures in the two phase field gives structures as shown in Fig. 6, which shows nickel plates in the chromium matrix which reprecipitated nickel on a much finer scale of the final quench. Lower annealing temperatures and shorter times naturally give finer plates of the nickel-rich phase. Samples of the first four alloys were annealed for appreciable times between 900º and 1250°C and gave structures like Fig. 6. The relative amounts of the two phases were measured and extrapolated to give solubility data as indicated in Fig. 1. The point at 1250°C was deduced from data of Oxx.1 These and most of the other samples were checked for ferromagnetism but none was apparent. In fact, it appeared that the magnetic susceptibilities were not more than three times that for paramagnetic chromium. Discussion In Fig. 1 it is seen that the solubility of nickel in chromium can be represented by a slightly curved line on the usual log X vs 1/T plot, These data are believed to be accurate to roughly 5 to 10º. There is only fair agreement with the data of Taylor and

Jan 1, 1958

By W. C. MENDENHALL

THE problem of maintaining the mining industry is two-fold; finding new supplies in the face of increasing difficulties, and making such advances in the arts of extraction and preparation as to use supplies of lower grade. Progress in mining and reduction methods and in transportation makes ore today of that which was waste yesterday. These are the fields of the metallurgists and the transportation engineers. The geologists and mining engineers must work together on the problem of ore finding. As the old prospector fades from the scene, men with equal hardihood and patience and equal power to meet the physical obstacles which confront the seeker after ore, must take his place, armed with all that has been learned from human experience about the causes, the controlling conditions, the indications, and hiding places of the metals. Such a seeker is dealing with some of the most complex and obscure of natural phenomena. In nature's laboratory, tremendous forces are at work. Tempera-

Jan 1, 1926

Jan 1, 1894

By Owen F. Devereux

Two discrete types of microstructure me seen in cermets formed by the reaction: 4Al (liquid) + 3SiO2 (glass) — 2A12O3(a) + 3Si (solid) Relatively coarse-grained macroscopically isotropic specimens resulted from reaction with aluminum containing appreciable silicon, while macroscopically anisotropic fine-grained specimens were formed by reaction with aluminum low in silicon. Optical microscopy, electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction suggest that the anisotropic material contains gross areas in which submicroscopic grains of a A12O3 are oriented along radial lines drawn from the specimen surface. These lines are presumed to originate at defects in an otherwise protecting surface layer. A unique cermet is formed by the reduction of high-silica glass by molten aluminum according to the reaction: 4A1 (liquid) + 3SiO2 (glass) — 2A12O3 (a) + 3Si (solid) The free-energy change accompanying this reaction is -150 kcal at 800°C; the volume change (volume of A12O3 and silicon minus volume of SiO2) is +6 pct. The reaction product, however, contains aluminum metal as well as Al2O3 and silicon because some of the product silicon is dissolved in the aluminum bath and is replaced by aluminum in the structure. The product is a hard gray solid that retains the external dimensions of the original silica article. The system has been studied in the past, the investigations culminating in patents to George1, 2 and Saw-chuk., The former emphasize that this reaction is but one of a relatively broad class of such systems, while the latter demonstrates that a marked improvement in the gross physical properties of the cermet can be obtained by dissolving appreciable quantities of silicon in the aluminum reactant. The system has also been studied by workers at Rolls Royce Ltd.,4-6 who have patented the addition of small quantities of arsenic, antimony, bismuth, or phosphorus to the reactant bath to SO impede the reaction that glass fibers may be metal-coated by immersion in molten aluminum.

Jan 1, 1969

By A. Hellawell

Specitlrens of the Al-Ge eutectic alloy have been frozen unidivectionally at rates between 2.5 x 10-6 and 2.5 x 10-4 cm per sec and the structure examined by optical and X-ray methods. There is no epitaxial relationship between phases, the aluminum having random orientation and the germanium a preferred (011) fiber textuve. Lamellar colonies which are BINARY eutectic alloys occur between either silicon or germanium with the metals aluminum or silver. common in this alloy are constructed from axial and nonaxial (111) plates of germanium which are related by a variety of twin configurations. Irregular or globular regions of the microstructure are composed of continuous single crystals of each phase, the germanium being heavily twinned. There is limited solid solubility in these systems, and the eutectic phases all involve diamond cubic with fcc crystal structures. In the microstructures of these eutectic mixtures the silicon and germanium crystals exhibit an almost infinite variety of shapes which are notably sensitive to

Jan 1, 1968

By R. H. Jacoby, V. J. Berry, R. C. Koeller

The experimental phase behavior of several field gas-condensate systems, one field volatile oil system, and a series of synthetic systems having gas-oil ratios from 2,000 to 20,000 scf/bbl stock tank oil was measured. The data were used to calculate the depletion performance of the field systems at their respective reservoir temperatures and of the synthetic systems at various temperatures. The results of the performance calculations were used to prepare correlations of total stock tank oil and separator gas in-place, and the amount of each recovered by primary depletion. Data needed to use the correlations are initial gas-oil ratio, initial tank oil gravity, reservoir temperature and reservoir pressure. The correlations presented should be useful for estiinating recovery from reservoirs producing volatile oils or rich gas condensates having gas-oil ratios from about 2,000 to 30,000 scf/bbl of stock tank oil. INTRODUCTION Prediction of depletion performance for gas-condensate reservoirs usually requires extensive laboratory work or lengthy phase-behavior calculations. For many small gas-condensate bearing zones the expense of such work is often not justified. Furthermore, where large holdings are involved, it is useful to have estimates of future oil and gas production in advance of the results of a laboratory analysis, even if such work is ultimately planned. For these reasons, it would be of value to have a method for rapidly estimating the depletion performance of gas-condensate reservoirs from the type of field data usually available. Few data on the reservoir depletion performance are available for the purpose of developing correlations. The increasing number of gas-condensate discoveries and the advent of high-speed computers have stimulated the development of methods for predicting performance. Such calculated performance data have been shown to be reliable and are becoming accepted as a basis for reserve estimates and for engineering studies. It therefore seems satisfactory to use results of performance predictions themselves for the purpose of developing the desired correlations. Such an approach is described in this paper. Several rich natural gas-condensate systems (gas-oil ratios of from about 3,600 to 60,000 scf/bbl) and one natural volatile oil system were studied (2,363 scf/bbl). In addition, to provide a more systematic basis for correlating purposes, a series of related, synthetic reservoir fluid mixtures was also studied (GOR's from about 2,000 to 25,000 scf/bbl). The purpose of this paper is to show how the recovery of oil and gas by primary depletion may be estimated from surface gas-oil ratio, reservoir temperature and pressure, and tank oil gravity. procedure Experiments Companion samples of gas and oil were collected from the high pressure separators in nine different fields at the time of their discovery. These samples were each recombined in accordance with the respective producing GOR to reproduce the reservoir fluids. Eight of these fluids, designated F-2 through F-9, were rich gas-condensate systems at the respective reser-

The discovery of nickel at the Wallace Mine in 1846, recorded in the Report of Progress of the Geological Survey of Canada, 1.848-49, was not the first find in the Sudbury mining district. As long ago as 1770 a company had been formed to work the rich deposits of, copper whose existence was then known. .But it was during the first mentioned year that, incited thereto by fresh finds and a favorable report by Mr. W. E. Logan, then Provincial Geologist, two [ ] groups of Canadians organized "The Montreal Mining Company and "The Upper Canada Mining Company." By the former company the Bruce Mines Location' was purchased and work was immediately commenced upon it. The Wallace Mine acquired by the Upper Canada Mining Company, was abandoned after a shaft had been sunk and a few test pits opened.

Jan 1, 1907

By G. W. Jones

THIS paper describes experiments in which eight test samples of gelatin dynamite were fired in three different types of apparatus and the quantity and composition of the gaseous products of detonation determined. The special dynamites were so prepared that the oxygen balance of the samples varied from -35.0 to +6.0 g. per 100 g. of explosive, including the wrapper. By means of this graded series of explosives, the relation between oxygen balance and gaseous products of detonation could be studied explicitly. The effect of varying oxygen balance on explosive strength has been discussed in another paper.1 The apparatus employed in the work described in the present paper included (1) the Bichel gage, a steel bomb of 15-1. volume; (2) the Crawshaw-Jones confined detonation apparatus, a steel cannon from which the explosive is fired into a pipe of 90-1. volume; and (3) the Hercules tank, an apparatus in which the explosive is confined in a quartz block which is placed in a steel tank of about 4500-1. volume. A full description of the apparatus is given later. VARIABLES AFFECTING COMPOSITION OF DETONATION PRODUCTS The character of the detonation products of commercial explosives is governed in part by the same factors that affect the combustion products from explosive mixtures of air with gases or vapors. In either case, combustible materials-namely, carbon, hydrogen, and sometimes sulfur-are present and combined variously. In an exploding gas mixture the combustibles are oxidized by oxygen in the admixed air, whereas with explosives the necessary oxygen is provided by oxygen-carrying materials in the explosive ingredients.

Jan 1, 1928

By J. A. Cahill, A. D. Kirshenbaum

Using an alumina or zirconia crucible with an alumina sinker or a molybdenum sinker coated with zirconium dioxide, the density of liquid iron was determined by the immersed-sinker method over the temperature range of 1800" to 2500°K. The density, with respect to temperature, is ex-Dressed by the equation Dg/cm = 8.523 - 8.358 X 10 T'K The molar Volumes and thermal coefficients of expansion were calculated. Iron, upon me1ting, was found to expand 3.5 pct. A basic knowledge of the physical properties of materials at high temperatures is becoming increasingly important. A check of the literature shows, that in spite of the importance of iron, very few measurements have been made of its physical properties in the liquid state. Density measurements have been made by Benedicks and his collaborators1g using the method of balanced columns, by Desch and smith4 using the immersed sinker method with an alumina sinker, by Lucas using the maximum bubble method5 and by Stott and endall' who used an alumina pyknometer. In the method of balanced columns, the difference in level of molten iron in two arms of a U-tube, together with the corresponding difference of pressure had to be measured. The formation of gas bubbles in one or both arms was a great source of error. These values are very erratic. They vary from 6.83 to 7.45 g per cm3 at the melting point (1805"~) and from 6.45 to 7.15 g per cm3 at 1890°K. Stott and Rendall determined the density at 1837"K, with a reproducibility of *0.2 pct. They used an alumina pyknometer fired to 1973°K. The vessel was filled in a vacuum furnace by immersion in the liquid metal. When thermal equilibrium was attained, the pyknometer was withdrawn, cooled, the ingot removed and then weighed. The chief disadvantage of the method was the difficulty of inserting the pyknometer without cracking it. The authors have been able to determine the density of liquid iron from its melting point up to 2500°K, by using the immersed-sinker method, with A1203 or ZrOz crucibles and A1203 or molybdenum sinkers coated with Zr02, Fig. 1. EXPERIMENTAL Apparatus. In these studies the source of heat was the carbon tube resistance furnace with an argon atmosphere described previously.7 Experimental runs were made using either Ala3 or ZrOz crucibles. The sinkers used were 1) pure A1a3 and 2) molybdenum coated with ZrOz. The crucible, 2 1/8 in. in diam and 3 in. high, was centered in the furnace on an Ala3 of Zr02 pedestal. The sinker, 1/2 in. in diam and 1 1/2 in. long, together with a counter weight, was suspended from an analytical balance into the melt by a molybdenum wire. Procedure. The procedure, as described previously,' consisted in measuring the weight loss of the sinker in the liquid iron while determining simultaneously the liquid iron temperature by means

Jan 1, 1962

By W. C. Hagel, J. H. Westbrook

THERE has been a recent revival of interest in the intermetallic compound AgMg as an experimental material for study of the physical and chemical properties of simple ordered structures. Studies of mechanical behaviors,1-4 diffusion,5,6 and thermo-dynamic properties7'8 have been reported. In several of these studies, heat treatments have been carried out in argon-filled silica capsules at temperatures as high as 750°C with no apparent adverse effects. The present authors were, therefore, startled to discover in the course of some yet unpublished work, that gross melting of near-stoichio-metric AgMg compositions occurred in such samples more than 100 deg below their melting point of about 800°C. This note is to report a brief series of experiments carried out to establish the reason for this behavior. Gross errors in sample composition and failure of furnace temperature controls were quickly eliminated as causes of melting. The first tangible lead came from chemical analysis of an AgMg sample which had melted during treatment at 750°C. A silicon content of 3.3 wt pct was found. Since satisfactory analyses had been obtained on the original as-cast ingot, contamination by diffusion and/or reaction with the fused silica capsule seemed a distinct possibility. A perplexing fact, however, was the apparently capricious incidence of the effect. Not only was it previously unknown, even in the experience of the present authors; but, in the early part of the present study, melting sometimes occurred and sometimes not with specimens treated under constant conditions. Indeed, one sample successfully survived a 750°C heat treatment and yet melted completely during the course of a subsequent anneal in an identical capsule at a lower temperature. To obtain evidence that silicon contamination could lower the melting point to the extent observed, the following experiment was performed. A series of ternary alloys was made up with a stoichiometric AgMg base and containing 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 1, 2, and 4 wt pct Si. Melting was done in MgO crucibles under a cover of argon gas. After holding 10 to 20 min in the temperature range 850° to 900°C, the alloys were allowed to solidify in the crucible and the temperature during cooling automatically recorded with a Pt/Pt-10 Rh thermocouple. Results from the cooling curves are shown in Fig. 1. Checks within 2 to 5C° were obtained upon repeated melting, cooling, and freezing. The whole series of cooling curves as well as metallographic examination of the melted alloys established that the AgMg rich portion of the AgMg-Si quasibinary is an eutectic-type system. The melting point of AgMg is lowered from approximately 820°C in the pure stoichiometric binary9 to about 710°C in the saturated intermetallic phase. Since second phase was observed in all samples on cooling to room temperature, the solid solubility of AgMg for silicon evidently falls rapidly with decreasing temperature as indicated schematically by the dashed solvus in Fig. 1. It is thus established that a silicon content

Jan 1, 1963

By J. A. Berger, G. W. Wiener

Several transition metal nitrides have been prepared and their saturation magnetization determined. On the basis of an atomic model of ferromagnetism involving a consideration of nearest neighbor interactions and the assumption that all atomic moments of the metal point in the same direction, it appears that the nitrogen interacts with d-shell of the transition metal in such a way as to reduce the magnetic moment. THERE is a large class of materials having metallic properties which are formed by a combination of hydrogen, boron, carbon, oxygen, or nitrogen with the transition metals. Several attempts have been made to establish the type of metal-nonmetal bonding in these interstitial alloys because it is believed that many of the physical properties of these materials are determined by the characteristics of this bond. Several of these alloys are ferromagnetic, and thus a powerful method is available for investigating the structures in a direct manner by measuring the saturation magnetization. The latter is a fundamental property of ferromagnetic metals and alloys which depends primarily on the electron distribution surrounding the atom. For the first row of transition metals, this refers specifically to the 3 d-shell. Since bonding involves the electronic configuration between atoms, there is reason to suppose that a relationship exists between ferromagnetism and bond type. In the case of the interstitial structures studied in this work, bonding will refer to the distribution of electrons between the transition metal and the nonmetal. Since these alloys have metallic properties, it is further proposed that any bonding interactions will involve the outer p-shell of the interstitial element and the incomplete d-shell of the transition metal. If this is the case, then the relationship between ferromagnetism and metal-non-metal bonding is established qualitatively. In order to investigate the subject quantitatively, certain transition metal nitrides were chosen because they have simple crystal structures, are ordered alloys, and are ferromagnetic. They also have sufficiently high saturation magnetization to be of technical interest. Currently there are two major theories of ferromagnetism, each of which has been applied to the interpretation of the saturation magnetization in terms of atomic structure. They are usually referred to as the band theory and the atomic theory. The former has found widespread application to the study of pure metals and certain solid-solution allays. However, it has not been applied to the interstitial structures or ordered alloys because it does not interpret the properties directly in terms of the crystal structure. The atomic theory on the other hand is especially suited to the study of interstitial structures because it permits an interpretation of ferromagnetic phenomena in terms of the crystal geometry. As has been pointed out previously, the nitrides have simple ordered crystal structures and, therefore, the choice of the atomic theory for the interpretation of the data is a natural one. One of the prime difficulties with the atomistic theory is that its mathematical justification is much more difficult, and for this reason its general acceptance will depend to a large extent on the value it has in explaining and predicting the results of experiment. Before the presentation of the theoretical basis for understanding the metal-nonmetal bond, it is useful to review the ideas existing prior to this work. Four different interpretations have been given to the metal-nonmetal bond. These are summarized as follows: 1—acceptance of electrons by the nonmetal from the incomplete d-shell of the transition metal, 2—transfer of electrons from the nonmetal to the incomplete shell of the transition metal, 3—no exchange of electrons between the two atoms, and 4— a resonating type of bond involving the p electrons of the interstitial atom giving rise to half bonds. Zener'-4 in a recent series of papers has proposed a new theory of ferromagnetism and has developed an explanation of the observed saturation magnetization of iron nitride (Fe,N) using the concept that nitrogen accepts electrons from the 3d-shell of iron. Jack," on the basis of atom size considerations in iron carbonitrides, has proposed that nitrogen transfers or donates electrons to the inner 3d-shell. He found that the effective size of the carbon atom was less than that of nitrogen and thus suggested that the interstitial atoms give up electrons. Kiessling" has studied the borides of several transition metal atoms and proposed that boron loses one p electron to the transition metal. He postulated that the additional electron added to the metal lattice compensates for the loss in metallic properties which results from the increased metal-metal atom separation. GuillaudT3" has proposed similar arguments from some recent magnetic studies he had made on manganese nitride. However, he did not base his conclusions on a quantitative argument. Pauling," in a recent paper, discussed electron transfer in in-termetallic compounds. He classified nitrogen as a hyperelectronic atom which can increase its valence by giving up electrons. He classified the transition metals as buffer atoms which are capable of either accepting or giving UP an electron. He pointed out that two factors are operating which promote electron transfer because they lead to increased stability. The first is an increase in the number of bonds, and the second is a decrease in the electric charges on the atoms. These ideas when applied to the interstitial nitrides would indicate a viewpoint favoring electron transfer by nitrogen to the transition metal. Hagg7s arguments in favor of no exchange are adequately summarized by Wells." Implicitly, Hagg

Jan 1, 1956

By T. Egleston

ALTHOUGH the success of metallurgical operations depends so largely on the possibility of finding proper refractory materials, which enter so prominently into the cost of their operations, it can hardly be said that our knowledge of them is in a very satisfactory condition, or even that we know very much about them, beyond a few facts which have been gathered through their use. Experience, as a general thing, is an excellent master, but the requirements of * This article was written at the suggestion of the Committee of the Institute on Refractory Materials, with a view of calling attention to the anomalies and difficulties of the subject. It was hoped that its discussion would eventually lead to the appointment of a Commission, by the great metallurgical interests of the United States, to investigate the whole subject, since it is believed that a better and cheaper artificial product can be made than any now in use, and that many other important incidental results would be accomplished by such an investigation.

Jan 1, 1876

By Robert L. Haffner

When mining operations of The Eagle-Picher Co. began in the Illinois-Wisconsin zinc mining field in 1949, all underground loading of broken ore and waste was by caterpillar-tracked machines. Beginning in 1956 rubber-tired end-loaders were brought in; ultimately they completely supplanted the tracked units. End-loaders proved to have the mobility needed for the mining conditions and additional merit in auxiliary capacities. Eagle-Picher operates five mines in this area; two are entered by shafts and three by inclined adits. Several ore zones, some of which are attenuated over a considerable distance, are worked from the same entry. Consequently underground haulage roads connecting or following these orebodies have attained great length. In addition, working places are often widely separated because of the character of the mining operations which include pillar recovery and extending haulage connections into old workings. At one mine, the haulage distance is 5000 ft on either side of the shaft, at another the maximum one-way distance is 8400 ft, and at another the present road system of 6800 ft is expected to reach 10,000 to 12,000 ft.

Jan 6, 1962

By AIME AIME

S ULFURIC acid made in the United States during the last four years has averaged approximately 7,000,000 tons of 50" B6 acid a year. This is double the production of the year 1913. About 66 per cent of the acid is made from sulfur, 16 per cent from pyrite, 13 per cent at copper, lead, and zinc smelters, and the remainder from miscellaneous sources it her the chamber process or the contact process, (at some plants both) is used. In 1923, the contact process accounted for nearly 30 per cent of all the sulfuric acid made in this country and since then it has been increasingly employed. It was first introduced here in 1898, and has always .proved less expensive than the chamber process for the manufacture of .acid of high concentration and purity, but the latter produces acid of low strength suitable for many industries.

Jan 1, 1929

By Joseph J. Yancik

In Moscow, the delegation received a briefing on the Soviet coal industry from First Deputy Minister Vladimir Fedanov. A similar briefing was given to us on the Donets coal basin by Deputy Minister S. Saratikyanz of the Ukrainian Coal Ministry. Lengthy technical discussions were held with the mines staff and research personnel at the institutes we visited. In addition, we had detailed discussions with key staff members of two combinats; Donetskugol and Tulaugol. In all these meetings, principal topics were matters of safety related to hazards associated with face mechanization, coal transport, methane gas control measures, gas outbursts, coal and rock outbursts, fire fighting and control, explosion suppression and control measures, and other related hazard factors. There was also much discussion on miner training, miners' attitudes toward safety and accident prevention practices, and preparation and enforcement of safety rules and regulations. It would be helpful to briefly review Soviet coal production statistics for comparison purposes with the U.S., and for the purpose of referencing some of the delegation findings mentioned in this report. For an excellent, comprehensive picture of Soviet coal production and other related fuel statistics, the reader is referred to Strishkov's, et d. report.1 Strishkov's estimates agree with the numbers given us by Coal Ministry officials except in clean coal tonnage. The figures of 604 million mt of clean coal out of a total production of 655 tons raw coal in 1972 is much higher than Strishkov's estimate of 375 million mt clean coal.

Jan 7, 1974