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By M. J. Spendlove, H. W. St. Clair

An automatic surface-follower mechanism was used to measure the surface temperature and the rate of evaporation of molten zinc while undergoing distillation at low pressure. At pressures of 50 to 100 microns Hg, the rate of evaporation may be 60 to 80 pct of the theoretical maximum corresponding to the measured temperature. The rate decreases rapidly at pressures above 100 microns Hg, to only 7 pct of the theoretical maximum at 2000 microns Hg. Measured temperature gradients at the surface are in agreement with theoretical gradients calculated from the heat of vaporization, rate of evaporation, and thermal conductivity of molten zinc. THIS paper covers a series of careful measurements of the rate of evaporation of molten zinc at low pressures, undertaken as a part of a general investigation on the separation of metals by distillation.' Preliminary results on the rate of evaporation of zinc were described in a previous publication.' The results of the preliminary study are as follows: 1—The observed rates of evaporation of zinc were as high as 0.60 g per sq cm per min, corresponding to 75 pct of the maximum rate as determined by the temperature of the metal. 2—The evaporation rate was decreased from 0.30 g per sq cm per min at a pressure of 25 microns to only 0.09 g per sq cm per min when the pressure was increased to 5 mm. 3—The temperature of the surface during rapid evaporation may be 35" to 100°C less than the main mass of metal. Observed temperature gradients at the surface are consistent with those calculated from the heat of vaporization and the thermal conductivity of liquid zinc. In the preliminary experiments, the rate of evaporation was determined from the loss in weight of the metal in the crucible during the test. This was compared with the weight of the condensate. Obviously, this method was subject to error because of some uncertainty as to the period of evaporation that should correspond to the loss in weight. Furthermore, this method did not permit taking into account probable variations in the rate of evaporation during the test. A more serious shortcoming was that the temperature at the evaporating surface was not known, so the maximum theoretical rate of evaporation could not be calculated accurately. To improve the precision of rate measurements and to allow accurate measurements of the surface temperature, a refined experimental technique was developed whereby the temperature and position of the surface could be measured accurately. This was done by an automatic surface-follower mechanism that gave a continuous record of the surface temperature and the amount of zinc evaporated. These data permitted an instantaneous determination of the actual rate of evaporation and the surface temperature throughout the test. Pure zinc (99.99 pct Zn) was used in all experiments. Description of Distillation Furnace The details of construction of the distillation furnace are shown in Fig. l. The furnace is enclosed in a large quartz tube open at one end. The open end of the quartz tube is sealed by means of a water-cooled head. The entire enclosure is vacuum tight. The connection between the water-cooled head and the quartz tube is sealed by means of a rubber gasket which fits tightly against the smooth end of the tube. The metal is heated by induced current set up in the molten zinc and the walls of the graphite crucible by means of a water-cooled induction coil outside the quartz tube. High frequency current is passed through the induction coil from a 6 kw mer-

Jan 1, 1952

By A. T. Tye

REGARDING the results of preferential flotation at Cananea, Weinig has stated that "The concentrating mill of the Cananea Consolidated Copper Company at Cananea, Mexico, furnishes an excellent example of modern flotation practice. The complete figures are given because they present so forcibly the advantages of modern selective flotation."' L. 0. Howard notes that "Perhaps the outstanding example so far published of improvements in results through the use of selective flotation is that at Cananea, Mexico."2 The following notes indicate the conditions under which the results were obtained at Cananea; also the effect of preferential flotation at the concentrator and at the smelter. In the majority of cases the full benefit of selective flotation is not fully realized, as the concentrates are shipped from the mill to smelters owned by other companies. The saving made at a certain concentrator by this method of flotation may be well understood but the saving resulting at the smelter from the results of preferential flotation at the mill is not so apparent, as the data are contained in the smelting records of some other company. Even at the smelter the great gains following preferential flotation may not be noted, as a variety of ores and concentrates from various sources are received and the difference from the changed concentrator operations of a certain mill may be obscured. As noted by Professor Weinig and Professor Howard, the results obtained at Cananea brought about a veritable metallurgical revolution at the smelter.

Jan 1, 1927

By AIME AIME

ONE hundred and eighty-three A.I.M.E. members, W. S. Morris with an excellent technical program, John Suman, "oil" President of the Institute, and a Texas norther blew into Dallas for the fall meeting of the Petroleum Division at the Adolphus Hotel, Oct. 16-18. and the most successful result will give future meeting committees a high mark to equal. People were still talking of the terrific heat the week before and it was quite noticeable that with the lowered temperatures, the members were in fine fettle for the technical sessions. The total attendance on Friday noon was

Jan 1, 1941

By AIME AIME

THE iron and steel activities of this meeting opened on Monday morning with the steel melting session," with G. B. Waterhouse in the chair and A. L. Feild as vice-chairman. N. A. Zeigler's paper, on "Gases Extracted From Iron Carbon Alloys by Vacuum Melbing," created considerable interest and the discussion in general was most favorable. H. W. Gillett and Louis Jordan of the Bureau questioned the method of analysis for oxygen and C. H. Herty, Jr., and J. M. Gaines, Jr., I , expressed their surprise at the large amount of oxygen with the high ,carbon alloys. Whether the gases found existed as gas in blowholes or as oxide inclusions was also a moot point. A paper by C. D. King, on "Basic Open-Hearth Yields," was an extremely interesting and valuable contribution. It was discussed by C. E.Kinney and A. L. Feild and numerous questions were asked throughout the presentation. Mr. King then presented a critical analysis of the losses together with novel methods of calculating them. A paper by C. H. Herty, Jr., and J. M. Gaines, Jr., on "Unreduced Oxides in Pig Iron and Their Elimination in the Basic Open-Hearth Furnace," followed. The question of silicates and oxides in pig iron created much discussion, notably by Henry Hanson and W. J. MacKenzie, who gave figures on chipping cost as a function of blast-furnace practice.

Jan 1, 1929

By William Laird

The predominent method of coal mining in the United States for years has been room-and-pillar mining. The reason for this has been the advantages of room-and- pillar method which is a relatively flexible system and its capital investment. The room-and-pillar method permits some selectivity in mining, especially where gas wells, faults and possible coal quality may be a factor. The mobility of continuous and conventional mining equipment used to develop entries may also be used for retreat mining of rooms and pillars. Longwall mining of coal takes place along a long straight face, or wall, blocked out between two butt or panel entries. The long faces or walls are normally projected in lengths of 61 to 183 m (200 to 600 ft) in this country. The longwall method of mining had its beginning in the United States during the 1800's. During that period, pack wall and wood posts were used for roof support. The longwall face was mined by miners using picks to undercut the coal. To keep the coal face from turning over, short wood posts called sprags were set in a slant position as the coal face was undercut to the depth of two to three feet. When the under-cutting cycle was completed, the sprags were removed to permit the coal to fall from the roof pressure. The longwall mining of coal did not take a firm hold during the 18009s, and room-and-pillar prevailed. In the early 19009s, steel jacks were introduced, and along with it, the modified caving theory. In March of 1950, a retreat longwall mining system, utilizing a plow, manually operated props, wood cribs and chock releases, was installed in one of Eastern Associated Coal Corp.'s mines.

Jan 1, 1981

By Pol Duwez

IN the course of an investigation of the V-CO system, two intermediate phases were found. One of these phases corresponds approximately to the stoichiometric composition VCo and is isomorphous with the sigma phase in the Fe-Cr system.' The second phase has the composition V3Co; its crystal structure is described in the present note. The alloys were prepared by mixing the two metals in the powder form, pressing a small disk weighing about 5 g at 80,000 psi, and arc melting this disk on a water-cooled copper plate in an atmosphere of pure helium. The details of this technique have been described.' The vanadium powder was obtained from Westinghouse Electric Corp., Bloomfield, N. J. This powder is probably of very high purity, since when it is properly sintered or melted in the above-mentioned arc furnace, ductile specimens are obtained. The cobalt powder, from Charles Hardy, Inc., New York, contained 0.5 pct Ni, 0.1 pct Cr, and traces of Si and Fe. After melting, the V,Co samples were sealed in evacuated quartz tubes and homogenized for ten days at 800°C. Powder diffraction patterns were obtained with a 14.32 cm diam camera, using Ka copper radiation. The patterns were readily indexed on the basis of a primitive cubic lattice with a parameter equal to 4.675A. The density, determined by the immersion method, was 6.71 g per cu cm; hence the number of molecules per unit cell is approximately 1.95; i.e., 2. At this point, the possibility that the structure might be that of beta tungstena became apparent. The beta tungsten structure is described as follows: Space group 03,, — Pm3n 2 Co in (a) : 000; ?4lhYZ (hhl) reflection present only if 1 = 2n. Assuming this structure to be the correct one, intensities were computed by means of the usual eauation: 1 + cos220 I oc p F sin 0 cos 6 where F is the structure factor, 0 the Bragg angle, and p the multiplicity factor. The observed and calculated values of sin 0 and the intensities are given in Table I. The agreement between the observed and the calculated sin 0 is good and there are no flagrant discrepancies between the calculated intensities and those estimated visually. The (hhl) reflections for which 1 is odd are not observed, as required by the space group. In addition, the (410), (430), and (531) reflections are missing as expected, because of the special (a) and (c) positions in0%. However, six reflections—(llo), (220), (310), (411), (422), and (510)—which have very weak computed intensities were not observed. For these reflections, the structure factor is proportional to the difference between the scattering factors of the two atoms in the structure. Since the scattering factors of vanadium and cobalt are not very different, these reflections are weak. However, by using Ka chromium radiation, whose wavelength is just above the absorption edge of vanadium, the effective scattering factor of vanadium may be decreased by one or two units; consequently the difference between the cobalt and vanadium scattering factors is increased. It was, indeed, found that in a powder pattern taken with chromium Ka radiation, the three reflections (110), (220), and (310) were actually present. The three other reflections (411), (422), and (510), with spacings smaller than half the wavelength of chromium Ka, were obviously not obtainable with chromium radiation. All the experimental results appear to confirm the beta tungsten structure for V,Co. In this structure, each cobalt atom is surrounded by twelve vanadium atoms at 2.61A; each vanadium atom is surrounded by two vanadium atoms at 2.34A, four cobalt atoms at 2.61 A, and eight vanadium atoms at 2.86A. Acknowledgment This work was done at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract number W-04-200-ORD-455 with the Army Ordnance Department, Washington, D. C. The author wishes to thank this agency for the permission to publish the results of this investigation. References 'P. Duwez and S. R. Baen: X-Ray Study of the Sigma Phase in Various Alloy Systems. Symposium on the Nature, Occurrence, and Effect of Sigma Phase. ASTM Special Tech. Pub. No. 110, pp. 48-54. Philadelphia, 1951. 2 C. H. Schramm, P. Gordon, and A. R. Kaufmann: The Alloy Systems Uranium-Tungsten, Uranium-Tantalum, and Tungsten-Tantalum. Trans. AIME (1950) 188, pp. 195-204; Journal of Metals (January 1950). 3 M. C. Neuburger: The Crystal Structure and Lattice Constants of Alpha and Beta Tungsten. Ztsch. fiir Krist. (1933) 85, pp. 232-237.

Jan 1, 1952

By Frank H. Skelding

Still the world's largest producer, consumer and importer/exporter of minerals, the United States has, in recent years, become more and more aware of the many diverse forces that increasingly affect its ability to maintain free access to and trade in minerals, both domestically and abroad. The nation's growing dependence upon foreign sources of minerals in the face of mounting competition is causing many changes, not only in the mineral industries, but in national attitudes and policies as well. This paper examines the position of the United States in the world mineral economy relative to the significant trends that have and are developing. It attempts to define and evaluate the major present and future impact of these trends and to anticipate the probable effects upon the U.S. and its mineral economy.

Jan 1, 1976

By Chester S. Conrad

SEVERAL years ago Pittsburgh Consolidation Coal Co. intensified efforts to combat the hazard of mine fires. The program consisted of three parts in the order of likely accomplishment: 1) Purchase and installation of newer and more practical fire fighting equipment. 2) Establishment of trained fire fighting teams at every mine plant. 3) A drive to remove the causes of mine fires. Experimentation with alternating current on section equipment is a major development in this part of the program. Use of alternating current to power mining equipment had been recognized as being most practical from the standpoint of safety. A means to re- place the d-c traction motor is all that has delayed complete section mechanization with a-c power.

Jan 1, 1958

By Robert Glass Cleland

[Incorporated under the laws of the State of New York OFFICE, 41) WALL STREET, NEW YORK 5, N. Y. Authorized4,000,000 shares $150,000,000.00 Outstanding-5,071,260 shares 126,781,500.00]

Jan 1, 1952

By F. E. Bash

PREVIOUS to the war, this country depended on Europe for its supply of a number of alloys of great importance in the manufacture of electrical apparatus and equipment. When this source was cut off shortly after the beginning of hostilities and the small stocks in the United States were exhausted, either inferior substitutes had to be used or the manufacture of the apparatus suspended. Since electrical equipment was of primary importance in the prosecution of the war, the substitutes had to be used until the composition and processes of manufacture of the alloys could be determined. Included among these alloys was one generally known as manganin, which is composed chiefly of copper and manganese and which, beside having a low-temperature coefficient of resistance, has a low thermal electromotive force against copper. These qualities make it valuable for the manufacture of electrical instruments and machines in which it is used in the shape of wire, rod, and strip. As a result of these circumstances, an investigation was started to deter mine how manganin could be made on a commercial basis so that a product of uniform quality and the necessary electrical characteristics could be produced. The object was to procure an alloy with temperature coefficient of resistance not greater than T 1 X 10-5 per ° C. and a thermal e.m.f. against copper no greater than that of the imported material. It is characteristic of manganin that the temperature-resistance curve is not a straight line but has a peak, which varies in position with different samples; it is most desirable, however, to have it at a temperature of 25° C. if possible. The coefficients of manganin from all records available ranged from a large negative to a large positive value. The composition as reported by different authorities is given in Table 1. Prof. Matthew A. Hunter, of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, made up a number of small melts of manganin in a graphite crucible and the one that he reported as having the best coefficient gave the following analysis: Copper, 83.6 per cent.; nickel 2.5 per cent.; manganese,-13.6 per cent.; iron, 0.3 per cent. An analysis of a sample of German manganin gave the following: Copper, 82.6 per cent.; nickel, 3.8 per cent.; manganese, 12.8 per cent.; iron 0.7 per cent.

Jan 9, 1919

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

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

Jan 1, 1941

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

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

Jan 1, 1941

By A. C. Fieldner

THE total annual energy production from coal, petroleum, natural gas and water power has been increasing at a fairly constant rate during the thirty years ending in 1930. But since 1913 the demand for the competitors of coal has increased at a rate faster than that for coal. During the last twenty years, the curve of coal production has had a generally horizontal trend; in fact, the 1930 production of coal was six per cent less than that of 1913. Economists attribute this loss of demand to greater efficiency in coal utilization and to displacement of coal by oil and natural gas. These two factors are about equally responsible, and it is evident that research has been intimately concerned with both. About sixty per cent of the bituminous coal mined in the United States in 1929 was used for generating steam, either in stationary or locomotive boilers. A decade ago seventy per cent or more was used for this purpose. This change is due largely to tremendous advances in fuel economy.

Jan 1, 1933

By W. A. Backofen, B. B. Hundy

THE pole figure interpretation in a recent paper' on the torsion texture of copper was questioned in discussion,2 nd a simpler alternative interpretation was proposed. In the hope of reaching a positive decision in favor of one or the other, further studies were undertaken with 70-30 brass and Armco iron. This additional work has not answered all the questions about torsion textures, but the new pole figures do offer support for the original interpretation and show that the texture is more complicated than the alternative suggests. From the previous paper,' the appropriate method of describing the texture in a twisted bar is known to be a pole figure plotted on a plane tangent to the surface of the bar. The axes of the pole figure are chosen to coincide with directions in the tangent plane which are parallel and at right angles to the bar axis (the longitudinal direction, L.D., and the transverse direction, T.D.), for these directions define symmetry axes of the texture. Therefore any ideal orientation that might be selected to represent the texture gives the crystallographic plane parallel to the tangent plane and the crystallographic direction parallel to the axis of the torsion specimen. A unique texture was assumed in the original interpretation, and the four ideal orientations, (112) [111], (111) [112], (110) [001], and (112) [131], were used in its description. Of the four orientations, the first three provide possible slip directions along the direction labeled T.D. in the pole figure, which is one of maximum shear stress in a specimen being twisted. The alternative, however, simply considered the texture to be made up of two components, one a [Ill] alignment along the specimen axis with a random orientation about the axis as in the wire texture, and the other a superimposed orientation (110) [0011. Experimental evidence for this simpler interpretation was derived from two observations: 1—twisting did not alter the orientation of a single-crystal torsion specimen of a brass in which an octahedral plane was perpendicular (and a [Ill] direction parallel) to the axis, and 2—deformation bands with approximately the (110) [001] orientation were seen to develop in the crystal during the test. The new pole figures were obtained with a brass and an iron torsion specimen of 3/4 and 1 in. gage length diameter, respectively. After annealing, polishing, and twisting, seven rods, about 0.030 in. in diameter and with different orientations, were prepared from material near the surface of each specimen; these were required for the method of constructing pole figures by using a Geiger counter as developed by Norton.5 Since the shear strain gradient in plastic torsion is linear, it was readily computed that the material supplying the brass rods had been subjected to a shear strain of about 3.2, and that supplying the iron rods had received a shear strain of about 2. All details concerning specimen design, testing procedure, rod preparation, and use of the Norton technique can be found in ref. 1. Only this procedure was followed in working out the (111) and (100) pole figures for brass, Figs. 1 and 2. However, X-ray photograms were also involved in the construction of the (110) pole figure for Armco iron, Fig. 3. The photograms were made according to the conventional transmission diffraction technique using a small sheet taken parallel to the specimen surface and etched to a thickness of about 0.0025 in. They were especially important in locating the boundaries

Jan 1, 1954

By E. Buehler, H. J. Levinstein

The temperature ranges in which the three inter-metallic phases in the Nb-Sn system form have been determined and the composition and structure of two of the three phases has been established. The kinetics of the formation of Nb3Sn in cored wire samples has been studied in the temperature range of 800° to 1050°C. From 800°to 950°C the rate of formation increases by four orders of magnitude. The rate-controlling step for the formation process in this temperature range appears to be the diffilsion of tin through NbSn. At higher temperatu~es a change occurs in the mechanism of the formation process such that up to a temperature of 1050°C the rate of formation of Nb3Sn does not increase above the rate observed at 950°C. For temperatures helow 950°C the current-carrying capacity of the wire increases with increased percent reaction reaching a maximum value when the formation process is 90 to 95 pct complete. The maximum current-carrying capacity obtainable in this temperature range is independent of the temperature. Above 950°C tlze current-carrying capacity obtainable in the wire decreases with increasing temperature of formation. A model is proposed which accounts for the ohserved behavior. RECENTLY, Buehler et a1.l reported the results of an investigation of the process variables which influence the superconducting properties of Nb3Sn-cored wire. These results indicated that at least four variables affect the properties of the manufactured wire. These include composition, particle size of the starting powder mix, temperature of heat treatment, and time of heat treatment. In order to understand completely the role of these variables, it is necessary to have an accurate knowledge of the phase equilibria in the Nb-Sn system. At the present time, phase-equilibrium diagrams for the Nb-Sn system have been published by a number of investigators.2-5 The diagrams differ as to the number of phases present, the composition of the phases, and the temperature range of stability of the phases. The present investigation was undertaken in order to resolve these differences. Since the investigation of Buehler et al. demon- strated that the length of time at the temperature of heat treatment affected the superconducting properties of Nb3Sn, it is apparent that it is necessary to understand the kinetics of the formation process as well as the equilibrium conditions before a complete understanding of the system is possible. As a result, the kinetics of formation of the various phases in the system were also studied in this investigation. EXPEFUMENTAL PROCEDURE Diffusion couples and sintered powdered compacts were employed in the phase-diagram investigation. The diffusion couples were made by filling 1/8-in.-ID monel-sheathed niobium tubes with tin. The monel sheath was employed to facilitate drawing.' The tubes were then drawn to a tin-core diameter of 32 mils. Samples approximately 3 in. long were then cut from the drawn composite. The tin was drilled out of the ends to a depth of 1/4 in. and niobium-wire plugs were inserted into the ends and peened over. The monel was removed by etching in concentrated nitric acid, after which the samples were sealed in evacuated quartz bulbs and heat-treated in a resistance-wound tube furnace. The samples were quenched into ice water upon removal from the furnace. The diffusion couple samples were examined metallographically employing a chemical etching solution consisting of 10 ml of saturated chromic acid per g of NaF. In addition, two anodizing solutions were used for phase-identification purposes. The first was the picklesimer7 solution; the second consisted of equal parts by volume of 30 pct H2O2 and concentrated NH4OH to which 1 g of NaF was added per 25 ml of solution. The anodizing conditions for the second solution were 2 v and 100 ma with a tin cathode. The powdered compacts were made by pressing previously mixed powders of 99.9 pct pure Sn and 99.6 pct pure Nb supplied by the United Mineral Co. into cylinders 3/8 in. in diameter by 1/2 in. long. The cylinders were then sealed in quartz tubes and heat-treated in the same manner as the diffusion couples. The samples were examined metallographically and by X-ray diffraction techniques. Since it was desirable to be able to correlate the kinetic data with current-carrying capacity, the type of specimen chosen for this part of the investigation had to be a compromise between the optimum system for studying kinetics and one which was suitable for making current-carrying capacity

Jan 1, 1964

By J. J. Gilman, T. A. Read

FOLLOWING the deformation 01 zinc monocrys-tals, sharply bent basal planes are observed near several types of inhomogeneities. Three of these in-homogeneities have characteristics which are quite regular so that they can be studied and analyzed. These are compressive kink bands, "deformation bands," and the inhomogeneities near end restraints. The present paper describes experiments in which "deformation bands" were artificially produced, and bend plane phenomena are discussed in terms of dislocation theory. Also, two new bend plane phenomena are described. The importance of bend plane phenomena in the deformation of crystals is not widely recognized. Many phenomena may be explained in a manner similar to the discussion in this paper. Jillson1 has pointed out that the "punching effect" in zinc is a bend plane phenomenon and is not caused by prismatic slip.' Bowles3 has suggested that they may be involved in diffusionless phase changes. Cahn4 has discussed the role of bend plane formation in the polygonization of zinc. Experimental Work Tensile Kink Bands: Because of the geometrical similarity between "deformation bands" and "kink bands" (compare Fig. 1 of this paper with Fig. 1 of the paper by Hess and Barrett"), the band shown in Fig. 1 of this paper will be called a "tensile kink band," and that shown by Hess and Barrett will be called a "compressive kink band." It is felt that the term "deformation band" should be reserved for banded structures in polycrystalline materials such as iron." Tensile kink bands seem to form spontaneously in aluminum crystals deformed by tensile loading.7-10 In zinc and cadmium crystals they do not form in good, carefully loaded specimens.'." However, tensile kink bands can be produced artificially in zinc crystals. The present authors did this by scratching one of the flat surfaces of triangular crystals transversely with a sharp needle. Natural tensile kink bands caused by inhomogeneities sometimes appeared in deformed crystals which were identical in appearance with the artificially produced ones. Zinc monocrystals were grown by the Bridgman method in graphite molds. Chemically pure zinc (99.999+ pct Zn) was used and the molds were sealed inside evacuated pyrex tubes during growth. The crystal cross sections were equilateral triangles with a typical base of 0.210 in. The artificial kink band shown in Fig. 1 is typical of tensile kink bands in zinc. The band lies between two bend planes which run from upper right to lower left and is inclined oppositely to the slip bands which are sharply bent at the two bend planes. The general form of the artificial tensile kink bands was independent of the scratch depth (1 to 5 mils deep) and also independent of which side was scratched. These variables did cause variations, however. Deep scratches produced more localized kink bands than light scratches. Also, if the angle between the slip plane traces and a transverse scratch varied appreciably among the three sides, then localization of the resulting kink bands also varied. Furthermore, if the slip direction lay nearly parallel to the scratched side, the band was more developed near the scratched side than at the opposite edge. Scratches produced tensile kink bands for crystal orientations from xo = 15" to x, = 75". Fig. 2 shows a scratched crystal after deformation. One triangular side lies in the plane of the photograph. The right hand tensile kink band was produced by a transverse scratch on the upper right side. The next two kink bands were the result of scratches on the front surface. The kink band at the left was caused by a scratch on the lower back side. All four bands have the same general form. A longitudinal scratch was also made on the crystal shown in Fig. 2 to determine the effect of a scratch on the critical shear stress. The critical shear stress of the scratched region was 33.9 g per sq mm compared to 24.4 g per sq mm for the un-scratched region above it. Fig. 3 shows Laue patterns of the crystal shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3a shows the pattern of the undeformed crystal. The orientation was x, = 21°, A, = 31". After deformation, Fig. 3b was made of the homogeneously deformed portion of the crystal. The spots are compact but split into two halves. This region was elongated 45 pct and its orientation was x = 14", X = 20"; the sine law predicts x = 14", A = 20.5". Fig. 3c was taken near the center of the middle tensile kink band of Fig. 2. The pattern shows a range of orientations and polygonization in this region. The spread in orientation was due to the fact that the basal planes were curved (see Fig. 1) rather than flat as in the ideal case. Some may also have been the result of elastic distortions and "local curvatures." The orientation range was x = 23" to 32", A = 30" to 42". It is apparent from Fig. 3 that the material inside and outside the kink band rotated in opposite directions with respect to the tension axis during deformation. The orientation calculated from the ideal configuration of Fig. 9,

Jan 1, 1954

By Harold R. Wampler, John L. Bolles, Adrian J. Broderick

Phelps Dodge's 60,000 tpd Morenci Concentrator has been in operation since 1942. The integrating of process control applications into the concentrator began in 1972. A process control system is presently on-line controlling 30 primary grinding circuits and all reagent additions. The system consists of a centralized control room process control Computer, on-stream X-ray analyzer, on-stream particle size analyzers and an operator interface. This paper describes the process control system's development, control concepts and its influence on the concentrator performance.

Jan 1, 1978

By V. B. Kurfman

Grain refinement of Mg-Al melts by carbonaceous additions has been attributed to nucleation by aluminum carbide. The effects of process and alloy variables are interpreted and predicted in terms of the dispersion and chemistry of this phase. The grain coarsening action of Be, Zr, Ti, R.E., chlorination, temperature extremes, and prolonged holding times is described. Measures necessary to insure an adequate dispersion of the catalyst are discussed. CARBON inoculation treatments have become fairly well known and used for grain refinement of magnesium alloys containing Al. Although there is general agreement that a nucleation process occurs, the process is not understood and the inoculants are used in a rather empirical fashion. The treatment is applied to the class of alloys containing 3 to 10 pct Al, i.e., AZ31A to AM100A. Typical methods involve melting, alloying, and adjusting the temperature to 1400° to 1450°F. Then 0.01 to 0.5 pct C as CaC2, C6C16, or lampblack is added by any convenient means, and the melt poured within 10 to 30 min. Investigators generally have been impressed by an assumed similarity of this refinement process to superheat grain refinement, which depends on heating approximately the same alloys to a temperature in the range of 1550" to 1650°F, then pouring promptly after the melt is cooled to the pouring temperature. Various predictions have been made that carbon refinement would replace superheating in commercial practice due to reduced process costs, but this replacement has not fully taken place because of production difficulties and conflicting observations. Davis, Eastwood, and DeHaven1 agree with Nelson2 and wood3 in suggesting that an excess of inoculant may be harmful. Wood however says that overtreat-ment is not a problem in production use of hexa-chlorobenzene inoculation, and Hultgren and Mitchell4 claim no evidence of harm from excess additions. Various grain coarsening reactions are known to occur, including the possibility of overtreatment mentioned above. Trace amounts of Be,2 Zr, and Ti may prevent refinement by either a carbon treatment or a superheat. Occasionally treatment with cl25 may cause coarsening, although the Battelle refinement process' uses a CC14-C12 blend. Grain coarsening also tends to occur on holding at temperatures below 1350°to 1400°F, especially after a superheat treatment, and for this reason Nelson2 stresses the desirability of a refinement method useful at lower temperatures for open pot melting practice. Since a carbon treatment can be made to work at temperatures below 1400°F, it seems desirable to investigate the mechanism of the refinement and the mechanisms of the coarsening reactions in order to establish control conditions for use in commercial production. The identity of the nucleating phase must first be established and then the factors affecting its chemistry and physical dispersion must be determined. THE IDENTITY OF THE NUCLEATING PHASE Davis, Eastwood, and DeHaven suggested that the nucleating phase in this system is Al4c3,1 but Mahoney, Tarr, and LeGrand8 disagree, largely because they found no evidence of the compound in alloys after carbon treatment and because there is no indication that aluminum carbide should be unstable over the temperature range used in the superheat treatment. This latter objection is based on the assumption that both the carbon treatment and the superheat treatment introduce the same nuclei. Electron diffraction studies have been made to identify the nucleating phase. Samples of grain refined A292 have been selectively etched SO that clean surfaces are obtained and so that secondary phases are in relief. Electron diffraction patterns from these surfaces have established that the carbon treatment of A292 introduces into the metal a large number of small, plate-like particles with a structure very similar to Al4C3. In most cases, the plate-like nature of the particles prevented positive identification but in the cases where the identification could be made the particles proved to be AIN A14C3. However, enough variation in lattice constants was observed so that all compositions from pure A14C3 to the 50:50 solid solution A1N.Al4C3 were probably present.14 In A14C3 and especially AlN.Al4C3 the A1 atoms occur in layers within which they have the same hexagonal symmetry and spacing as the Mg atoms in a single basal plane of a magnesium crystal. The solid solution spacing lies between the 3.16 of AIN and the 3.3? for Al4C3, in satisfactory agree-

Jan 1, 1962

V. H. GOTTSCHALK, Rolla, Mo. (written discussion*).-In connection with Mr. Waring's quotation of Urbain's work, attention may be drawn to a remark found in the report of the session of the Société de Chimie Physique,1 held in December, 1909, that, while all blendes contain gallium in larger or smaller quantities, those blendes carrying indium are generally free from germanium, and vice versa. Urbain, furthermore, . expresses his conviction that this behavior, being related to the condi-tions of deposition of the ore, should be an important factor in determining the origin and mode of formation of zinc blende deposits., In. searching the literature for the naturally expected sequel to these remarks, there is found a report on the extraction of germanium from blende, after many months' work, on a commercial scale;2 then a paper3 on some Spanish blendes, all containing cadmium, examined by Urbain's 'method (this paper contains, also, very important work on the com-position and color of blendes, as well as on the occurrence of organic .matter and of inclusions in such blendes), and a second paper on Spanish blendes in general, in which this original point of Urbain's concerning the relative quantities of the three rare elements is taken up.4 Angel del Campo finds that of 68 specimens examined, four only were entirely free of germanium, gallium, and indium;. 38 had small proportions, while 19 were notably, and seven relatively rich in the three rare metals. He found the relative frequency to be: gallium in 60, germanium in, 50, and indium in 38; all three occurred in 29 cases; germanium and gallium together in 18; gallium and indium together in four; germanium and indium together without gallium, in none; four had gallium only, three had germanium only, and one had indium only; in 23 it appeared feasible to extract these elements. Finally, it may be worth mentioning that the discovery of gallium in commercial aluminum5 brought forth two

Jan 1, 1918

By Joseph Newton

MUCH the same story can be told about the copper industry for the year 1944 as for the three preceding years. Operators report few or no technical changes at their plants and the main endeavor has been to maintain high production with existing equipment. No large new installations have been made to increase plant capacities and apparently over-all copper production has passed its maximum. The present decline in copper production results partly from the severe labor shortage. As is true of most industries; the outstanding fact about the copper industry during the past few years has been its tremendous and sustained production which has been maintained in spite of serious shortages in material. labor, and technical personnel. The figures in Table I give a concrete example of how production has been increased at one large smelter in the United States-the Garfield plant of the American Smelting and Refining Co. at Garfield. Utah. These figures, reported by W. G. Rouillard. superintendent. give the production of the Garfield plant for the five years 1940-44 inclusive. The total blister production

Jan 1, 1945