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By J. D. Mooney

(San Francisco sleeting, September, 1915) THE accompanying chart has been drawn for the convenience of engineers as a means of quickly determining the correct number of plies of conveyor belts operating under specific conditions. The calculations are based on the average safe strength (factor of safety, 15) of the various standard rubber conveyor belts. The, calculations assume maximum loading conditions; that is, the belt is considered as carrying the greatest load that it will handle without spillage at ordinary belt speeds. This not only produces the most economical operating conditions, but also the maximum tension in the belt. The chart is a graphical representation of the formula: p = kgW (L + 1OH) Where, p = the correct number of plies k = a constant, depending on the type of drive g = the weight in pounds per cubic foot of material handled W = the width of the belt in inches L = the length of the belt in feet (approximately twice the center distance). H = the difference in elevation between the head and tail pulleys, in feet. For a simple drive, with a bare pulley, k = 1/250,000 For a simple drive, with a rubber-lagged pulley, k = 1/300,000 For a tandem dive, with bare pulleys, k= 1/375,000 For a tandem drive, with rubber-lagged pulleys, k = 1/455,000 The chart is drawn for a simple drive, with a bare pulley (k =1/250,000;

Jan 9, 1915

BUFFALO C E Moyer, Chairman (Buffalo, N Y ) R M Jordan, Vice-Chairman H A Morlock, Secretary CHICAGO M E Nickel, Chairman (Chicago, Ill) A M Kroner, Vice-Chairman W R McLain, Secretary-Treasurer

Jan 1, 1960

THE solid nonmetallic inclusions that are present to some extent in all commercial steels have been variously designated. In early references they were usually called slag inclusions, and. this terminology is still retained to some extent. On the premise that all nonmetallic matter produced in a metallurgical process is slag, this can be justified. We have come to think of slag, however, in a more restricted sense, and calling these particles slag inclusions is further objectionable because it fosters the erroneous concept that they are actually incorporated portions of furnace slag. Rarely is this true. The term sonims (coined from solid nonmetallic impurities) was proposed many years ago but never came into common use. In general the term "nonmetallic inclusions" seems to be satisfactory and adequate. NATURE AND CONSTITUTION OF NONMETALLIC INCLUSIONS From the standpoint of origin, inclusions fall naturally into two classes: (1) those that occur as a result of reactions taking place in the body of the molten or solidifying metal and (2) those that result from the mechanical incorporation of refractories or other materials with which the steel comes in contact. The former are by far the more numerous and have been called indigenous, natural, or native inclusions. The latter are by their very nature sporadic in occurrence and have been called exogenous, accidental, adventitious, or foreign inclusions. They are often referred to as the "slag stringer" type, though here also the material is not likely to be furnace slag. Substances Found in Inclusions. Nonmetallic inclusions are composed principally of oxides and sulphidea but carbides and nitrides sometimes play an important role. In the case of indigenous inclusions the reactions by which these particles are precipitated from the molten or solidifying steel may be caused by (1) oxidation such as may occur during refining or during tapping and teeming, (2) deoxidation by added alloys, (3) change in equilibrium constants as the steel cools to the freezing temperature, (4) decreased solubility with lower

Jan 1, 1944

By Allen V. Heyl

This old district is a major zinc and lead source and minor copper and barite source. Ores are chiefly in the Galena Dolomite and in limestones and dolomites of the Decorah and Platteville Formations, all of Middle Ordovician age. Locally, deposits have been mined from Lower Ordovician dolomites and Upper Cambrian sandstones. Small deposits of lead, zinc, and iron sulfides have been found in Upper Ordovician Maquoketa Shale and in Lower and Middle Silurian Edgewood, Kankakee, and Hopkinton Formations. No post-Precambrian igneous rocks are known in the region, and the granitic and metasedimentary Precambrian basement rocks unconformably underlie the district at depths of 1500 to 2000 feet. The strata are gently flexed and faulted, probably largely the result of gentle compressive and rotational adjustments in the underlying crystalline basement, especially along lineaments between basement blocks. Folds of three orders ·of magnitude are recognized, and many related reverse, strike-slip, and normal faults of small to moderate displacements are present. Zinc-lead deposits are commonly linear, arcuate, or elliptical in plan. Most ore occurs as vein fillings in fractures and as breccia fillings and lining vugs, but some is in bedded replacements and impregnations of wall rocks. The ore is in shears, small reverse and bedding- plant faults, joints, and solution-slump structures related to intermediate and small folds. The main primary minerals in their general sequence of deposition are quartz, illite, dolomite, pyrite, marcasite, cobaltite(?), sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, millerite, barite, and calcite. Wall-rock alterations include solution of the carbonate rocks, silicification, dolomitization, clay alteration, and sanded dolomite. Oxygenisotope, trace-element, lead-isotope, and sphalerite- stratigraphy studies are in progress. Fluid inclusions in sulfide and gangue minerals are filled with concentrated brines at 120° to 40°C. Sulfides are directly replaced by supergene minerals above the water table at 50 to 100 feet in depth. In this relatively cool climate and limestone environment, smithsonite is in pseudomorphs after sphalerite; solution transport and redeposition of supergene minerals are rare. Ore genesis is postulated by rising hot-water solutions-a mixture of heated connate, magmatic, and meteoric waters.

Jan 1, 1968

By G. B. Gould, F. M. Gibson

IN DECEMBER, 1934, the joint Committee on Fuel Values, of the American Institute of Minim and Metallurgical Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, submitted a preliminary report, which briefly stated its conclusion that it was not possible to devise any formula for the valuation of coal, based upon the various physical and chemical properties, that would be generally applicable. That report also listed those chemical and physical properties of coal that are generally recognized to have some effect on its use in steam plants, and those physical characteristics of steam plants which affect, in one way or another the relative importance of the properties of coal used in them. Since then, the Committee has considered and discussed in greater detail the interrelationship of the properties of coal and plant characteristics. The conclusions of the Committee are summarized below, with certain recommendations regarding engineering procedure, which will promote the collection of more easily correlated observations with respect to this subject, and thus advance more rapidly the accumulation of data capable of general application.

Jan 1, 1936

By V 9. 0 / 300 dpi

ATHOUGH turquoise mining was, so far as we know, the first large, well-organized mining operation,' gem mining, from the Roman con-quest of Egypt until the opening of the South African pipe diamond mines some 50 years ago, was largely carried on' by individuals 01' small companies in a relatively primitive way. Now" however" gem mining does not yield in efficiency or in scale of operations to the mining of other mineral products. In 1926 the diamond mines of the world milled some 9,000,000 cu. yd. and produced 0,43 cu. yd. diamonds, a remarkable example of concentration. The Premier Diamond Mining Co. up to Oct. 31, 1927, had milled 116,455,550 loads (each of 16 cu. ft.) from which 26,-217,144 carats of diamonds" worth £29,897,971 2s, 9d., were recovered. The Burma Ruby Mines, Ltd., operating sever-al alluvial mines in Burma in 1911-12, mined and milled 1,479,845 truckloads of gemmiferous earth for 15c. per load. We of the industry can there-fore, with good grace, disclose some of the myths and also describe some of the primitive mining methods of the, dark ages of our industry. The methods, so far as I know, were not patented, and if they were, the patents have expired, so that engineers in other branches of the art are free to use them if they see fit.

Jan 1, 1928

By H. Foster Bain

(San Francisco Meeting, October, 1911.) [SECRETARY'S NOTE.-This paper, presented in oral abstract, at the San Francisco meeting, was not at first supposed by Mr. Bain to be required for publication in the Transactions; and the excursion to Japan, in which he took part, immediately after the San Francisco meeting, delayed his presentation of the manuscript. After his return to San Francisco, Mr. Bain, in view of the importance of his paper and its discussion, kindly furnished it in full. The delay in its publication (since it was received in April last) has been due, partly to the circumstance that other contributions had meanwhile acquired the "right of way," and partly to the consideration that, the situation contemplated in Mr. Bain's paper having remained practically unchanged, the paper and its discussion would not lose force or timeliness by this lapse of time.-J. S.] No acute observer of public affairs can have failed to observe a growing disposition on the part of the public to change emphasis in government from political equality to social justice. When our own government was founded it was felt to be sufficient to secure to each individual the fullest possible freedom of opportunity, and such a scheme was excellently adapted to the rapid development of a large territory having a small population. As the number of people in a given area increases, there are more points of contact and conflict; each must move in a smaller orbit, and there must be more regulation. Germany is making faster progress in industry than is any other country. The principal reason is the insistence there on team-play. In Germany there are fewer multimillionaires and more socialists (spelled with either a big or little " S ") than in any other of the leading countries; but Germany wins trade and is steadily improving the conditions of life for her citizens. To some, the change from the freest individualism is welcome; to others it is intensely unacceptable. To this fundamental difference in view-point may be imputed much of the vigor with which the controversy regarding coal-lands has been waged. That present conditions in Alaskan coal-fields are extremely unsatisfactory is generally recognized, but there are wide dif-

Aug 1, 1912

By Victor O. Strobel

Fire-brick hot-blast stoves have been the subject of frequent discussions at the meetings of the Institute; and although it is my object to elucidate some of the points in connection with this subject, I will not go into the specific features of all types, but more especially call attention to a new type recently designed by Mr. Fred. W. Gordon. As the economical production of a ton of pig-iron is a more essential feature than a large output, much depends, where fuel cannot be obtained cheaply, upon suitable apparatus whereby high temperatures can be maintained. Where iron-pipe stoves have been employed, the fuel-consumption reached one and a half pounds of fuel, and, when a larger output was desired, often two pounds, to the pound of iron produced. The temperature attained rarely exceeded 900' F., and that at the expense of frequent renewals of the pipes, which was not inconsiderable. The fire-brick hot-blast stoves of the past five or six years have clearly demonstrated their superiority over the old system. Of the accompanying drawings, Fig. 3 illustrates a four-pass regen-

Jan 1, 1886

By R. D. Pehlke, J. V. Gluck, R. L. Louvet

A study has been made of the effect of small additions of bismuth on the activity of zinc in dilute solution in molten tin. Free-energy interactions have previously been determined between zinc and various third elements where the solvents were molten bismuth or molten lead.'-4 In both of these solvents, the activity of zinc exhibits a strong positive deviation from ideal behavior (at 550°C y° for zinc in lead is 11.4 and for zinc in bismuth is 3.0). The present work, using tin as the solvent, is an extension to a case where the positive deviation is considerably diminished (y°Zn at 550°C is 1.63). Several previous investigators have studied the Zn-Sn binary system; however, little data is available in the range below 0.1 mole fraction zinc.5= Previous high-temperature galvanic cell studies in the Sn-Zn-Bi ternary system included the determination by Gluck and Pehlke of interactions in the bismuth-rich corner1 and separate investigations of the central region by Oleari and Fioriani6 and by Ptak and Moser.7 Yokokowa et al.8 conducted Knudsen effusion studies in the central region; however, their experiments at 625°K were conducted somewhat below the present experimental temperature range. Their results indicated an increase in zinc activity with the addition of bismuth. The present series of experiments was conducted in galvanic cells represented as follows: Zn Zn++ in LiCI-KC1 eutectic Zn + Bi in Sn (pure reference (fused salt electrolyte) (molten alloy) standard) The experimental apparatus. a multi-electrode system employing alumina crucibles and contained in a Vycor tube under a helium atmosphere, has been described previously, as have been the experimental procedures, precautions, and the methods of data reduction.1-4,- The experimental measurements were made over the range from 450° to 650°C. Between thirty and forty measurements were made in each run. The linearity of the electromotive force vs temperature relations was verified by linear regression techniques. The correlation coefficients exceeded 0.99. The experimental results summarized in Table I include the interpolated electromotive force at 550°C and the temperature dependence of electromotive force. Only results from stable and consistent cells containing more than 0.025 mole fraction zinc are reported. Attempts to run cells at 0.01 or 0.02 mole fraction zinc were not satisfactory. This is attributed to the closeness of the free energies of formation of the chlorides of tin and zinc. Calculations employing Wagner and Werner's criteria for displacement reactions10 indicated that reduction of the zinc content to 0.01 mole fraction places the cell near the borderline concentration for a 1 pct error in measured potential. The compositions shown in Table I are the actual weighed-in amounts. Previous experience has indicated that compositional changes during the running of a stable cell are negligible.' Over the range of compositions studied for the binary alloys, the activity coefficient of zinc was essentially constant indicating that Henry's law is followed to 0.05 mole fraction zinc. The temperature, OK, de-

Jan 1, 1969

BUFFALO C E Moyer, Chairman (Buffalo, N Y I R M Jordan, Vice-Chairman H A Morlock, Secretary CHICAGO M E Nickel, Chairman (Chicago, Ill ) A M Kroner, Vice-Chairman W R McLain, Secretary-Treasurer

Jan 1, 1959

By H. N. Wolcott

AMONG the many cases of replacement of one mineral by another, that of quartz or silicates by pyrite, or even other sulphides, is not uncommon, but the reverse of this process does not appear to have been recorded, even if it has been observed. It, therefore, seemed to the writer that the case described below was worthy of record. FIG. I.-GROUND MASS OF CHALCOPYRITE (C) CONTAINING ROUNDED GRAINS OF PYRITE (P) SHOWING DIFFERENT DEGREES OF REPLACEMENT BY QUARTZ (Q), AND ALSO QUARTZ VEINLETS CUTTING THROUGH THE PYRITE. (PHOTOGRAPHED BY REFLECTED LIGHT.) The specimens described in this paper were obtained by R. B. Morton of Idaho Springs, Colo., from the Old Town Mine, in Russell Gulch, and are in the collection of Cornell University, where the writer studied them. In the rough, the specimens appeared to consist largely of chalcopy- rite, with some grains of tetrahedrite. The polished surface of some of

Jan 6, 1917

By C. E. Birchenall, G. Derge

IN studying the kinetics of slag-metal reactions, it has become increasingly apparent that a complete knowledge of all aspects of interface phenomena will be required to clarify these processes adequately. A part of the data required for all oxidizing slags used in the refining of impure iron to steel is the rate of exchange of iron between the slag and metal phases. The simplest equilibrium of this type is that between liquid iron and iron silicate slag when both phases are equilibrated with the silica crucible containing them. In this study, the exchange of iron between the two liquid phases has been measured by using radioactive Fe as tracer. The observed high exchange rate indicates the ease with which such interfaces may be crossed in refining processes. The experiments required for this study involved relatively minor and normal modifications of well established techniques. Melting was accomplished by induction heating in heavy walled, fused silica, rotating crucibles." Rotation was used to minimize dilution of the slag by crucible erosion. The melting stock was ingot iron. Slags were prefused in iron crucibles using chemically pure grade oxide reagents. The special conditions applying to the active iron additions will be described for individual experiments. Suitable precautions were observed with regard to protection against radiation hazards.' Identification of Activity This particular study was initiated several years ago, but held in abeyance because the radioactive iron available at that time contained a foreign activity which concentrated in the slag so as to mask the iron activity and render the results unin-terpretable. With the benefit of experiences from other studies, radioiron of suitable purity can now be prepared. As received from the Isotope Div. of A.E.C., the unit appears to contain Fe + Fe50 and a high activity cobalt. The cobalt and iron are separated by repeated ether extractions, and the purified iron stored for sufficient time for the Fe'7 44 day half-life) to decay to negligible activity, leaving only Fe as the active isotope. This was confirmed by the absorption curves for slag and metal samples from heat No. 1. In Fig. 1 the experimentally measured points for the absorption curves of slag and metal are fitted by the calculated slope of 5.8 mg per sq cm in aluminum, which corresponds to the Mn K doublet emission resulting from the capture of an orbital electron of Fe" by the nucleus. This shows that the radioactive species are the same in both slag and metal and identifies it as Fe55 Description of Individual Heats For the first heat, the radioactive iron was contained in the prefused slag. The active Fe55 had been precipitated with carrier and was added as Fe2O3 during fusion in the iron crucible. The charge of 500 grams of ingot iron was melted, the protective iron sleeve added, rotation started, and a prefused, inactive slag was added to allow the system to approach equilibrium. After about 5 min at temperature, the wash slag was skimmed and the active slag added. Initial slag and metal samples were taken as soon as the slag was molten. Additional samples were taken at indicated intervals thereafter. Slag samples were dipped with a small iron spoon and metal samples were sucked into 1/4 in. ID silica tubes. The slag and metal samples were pulverized and mounted for radioactive counting. The slag samples were analyzed chemically for FeO. Temperature was read after the last slag sample by immersion of a Pt-Pt-Rh thermocouple protected by a fused silica sheath. Since no significant variation of rate with temperature was observed

Jan 1, 1954

By D. W. Lillie

Property changes produced by irradiation of Al-0.4 wt pet Li alloys at 270°C to a burnup of 0.155 pct of all atoms are described. Metallographic evidence of the formation of internal pores and the concentration of gases at grain boundaries is shown. Some conclusions are drawn concerning desirable property characteristics for resistance to radiation swelling. RADIATION induced gases are of great practical significance in nuclear engineering since they affect the behavior of fissionable fuels and control rod materials. In fuels the gases xenon and krypton are the major offenders, producing serious em-brittlement at low irradiation temperatures and gross swelling at high irradiation temperatures. In control rod materials containing boron, the production of helium from the B 10 (n, 0) Li7 reaction produces similar reactions. Since the trend in reactor design is for operation at increasingly high temperatures, the phenomenon of high-temperature swelling by these induced gases has been the subject of considerable recent study. The objectives of such work have been to obtain engineering information and quantitative data on the effects in specific fuels and control rods and to obtain further understanding of the mechanism of gas damage so that more intelligent corrective steps can be made. Analogue systems are often useful for the latter objective and in this case alloys containing Li are suitable in view of the reaction Li6 + n - He4 + He 4. Both products are gases and no serious radiation problem is produced to complicate post irradiation handling. Considerable caution is, of course, necessary in any operations in which tritium release is possible. The present program was initiated to provide a detailed study of the effects of He + H3 generated by irradiation in Li-bearing alloys. The results on Mg-Li solid solution alloys have been reported elsewhere.' This paper presents information on irradiation of an A1-0.4 pct Li alloy in which the lithium was present as highly enriched Li6 in order to maximize the radiation burnup. PROCEDURE The original intent in the selection of the alloy content was to have Li in solid solution at all temperatures. It became apparent, however, that the solubility of Li in A1 was substantially lower than that reported in the original reference consulted.' This was substantiated by the work of Nowak3 who reported solubility of less than 0.01 pct Li at 100°C. The alloy used (0.4 pct Li) was therefore two phase at room temperature. The irradiation temperature was estimated to be about 270° C, and at that temperature all or almost all of the Li would be soluble under equilibrium conditions. The precise state of the alloy under irradiation is not known. Aluminum used was 99.996 pct purity (max. impurities Si 0.002 pct, Mg 0.001 pct, Fe 0.0005 pct, and Cu 0.0005 pct). The lithium was obtained from Oak Ridge National Laboratory; 96.1 + 0.1 pct of the lithium was ~i~, but chemical impurities were 0.25 pct Ca, 0.05 pct Fe, 0.02 pct Na, 0.02 pct Cu, 0.01 pct Sr, and 0.01 pct Ba. The two metals were melted in an alumina crucible in a resistance heated furnace in an atmosphere of helium. A l-in. ingot was cast in an iron mold, machined to %-in. round, hot swaged (350°C) to 0.080-in. round, cold swaged to 0.060-in. round, and finally cold drawn to 0.040-in. round. Four-inch wire lengths were then cut and annealed at 250°C for 4 hr in helium. Irradiations were carried out in a VT hole in the Argonne CP-5 reactor. The wires were held in an aluminum jig, sixteen wires per capsule, and were maintained in a helium atmosphere for maximum heat transfer. Eight wires of pure aluminum and eight of Al-Li alloy were placed in each capsule. Argome Laboratory statements were accepted as establishing flux and exposure levels. These were based on previous experience and flux map-

Jan 1, 1961

By R. E. Carter, C. Wagner, F. D. Richardson

By means of inert markers of radio-platinum, it has been shown that cobalt metal oxidizes by out-ward diffusion of cobalt atoms through the oxide. Oxidation rates have been measured at various temperatures and oxygen pressures and have been found to agree with the rates calculated from the Wagner equation and the authors' values for the diffusion coefficient of cobalt in the oxide. The distribution of radio-cobalt in growing oxide loyers has been accurately measured and found to be different from that predicted from the Wagner oxidation theory. Attempts have been made to measure the change of lattice parameter of the oxide with composition. SEVERAL investigators have shown that cobalt metal oxidizes according to the parabolic law,1-3 but no detailed study has been made of the oxidation mechanism. Cobaltous oxide has a metal-deficient lattice, but the defect concentration which is dependent on the oxygen pressure is only approximately known.' From the similarities in the structures of "CoO" and "FeO" and the rate laws governing the oxidation of cobalt and iron, Gulbransen- as suggested that cobalt, like iron," oxidizes by diffusion of cobaltous ions through the oxide layer. To substantiate this hypothesis, he has attempted to measure the oxidation rate of cobalt as a function of the oxygen pressure but has been able to report only that the rate depends on a "small" power of the pressure. On the other hand, Preece," Valensi,' and Arkharov' all have suggested from indirect evidence that oxygen diffuses through the COO to the metal-oxide interface. The present authors, in a previous paper,' have shown that the rate of diffusion of cobalt in cobaltous oxide is dependent on the oxygen pressure. In that investigation, they also found that cobaltous oxide disks made by complete oxidation of cobalt metal were porous at their centers (Fig. 5L, ref. 4). Both these facts strongly suggest that oxidation of the metal proceeds via outward diffusion of cations. In order to establish the mechanism unequivocally, oxidation experiments were made with inert radioactive platinum markers, and the dependence of oxidation rate on oxygen pressure was measured. In addition, an attempt was made to determine the form of the cation vacancy gradient, which the marker experiment showed must exist across a growing oxide layer. This was done by depositing radioactive Co on the surface of a cobalt disk and then measuring the tracer distribution across the oxide layer produced by partial oxidation of the metal. Finally, an X-ray examination was made in an attempt to find the expected change of lattice parameter of COO with oxygen pressure. Experimental The apparatus and materials used were substantially the same as those previously described by the authors.4 Marker Studies: The use of inert markers to follow oxidation reactions was first attempted by Pfeil" in 1929, and radioactive markers have recently been used by Davies et al.' In the investigation reported here, the markers were applied as an (NH4)2PtCI6 slurry in several thin streaks across both faces of four disks of cobalt metal 1 mm thick and 14 mm in diameter. The disks were then oxidized almost to completion at 1200°C in pure oxygen. After oxidation, they were mounted and sectioned and auto-radiographs were taken to locate the markers. Oxidation Rate: The oxidation rate of cobalt was measured at 1148°C at oxygen pressures ranging from 0.0055 to 1.0 atm and at 1000°, 1148", and 1350°C under 1 atm of oxygen. The rate was deter-

Jan 1, 1956

By R. L. Skaggs, D. T. Peterson

The effect of carbon in solid solution on the plastic behavior of thorium was studied by measuring the flow stress of Th-C alloys from 4.2" to 573°K and at several strain rates. Carbon was found to strengthen thorium primarily by increasing the thermally activated component of the flow stress. The strengthening due to carbon was directly proportional to the carbon content and decreased rapidly with increasing temperature up to 423" K. The flow stress also increased with increasing strain rate. The strengthening appears to be due to a strong short-range interaction between carbon atoms and dislocations. A yield point was observed in the Th-C alloys which increased with increasing carbon content. JTREVIOUS study of the mechanical properties of thorium has been confined largely to the measurement of the engineering properties. Work prior to 1956 has been summarized by Milko et al.1 who reported that additions of carbon to thorium sharply increased the room-temperature strength. In addition, the yield strength was observed to decrease rapidly over the temperature range from 25" to 500°C. In 1960, Klieven-eit2 measured the flow stress of thorium containing 400 ppm C. He found that over the temperature range from 78" to 470°K the flow stress was strongly dependent on temperature and rate of deformation. A drop in the load-elongation curve, or a yield point, was observed over most of the above temperature range. Above 470°K, the flow stress was nearly independent of temperature and strain rate. This strong temperature and strain rate dependence of flow stress is not generally observed in fcc metals. It is, in fact, more typical of the behavior reported for bcc metals. Bechtold,3 Wessel,4 and conrad5 have pointed out the striking difference between the commonly studied bcc metals and fcc metals in regard to the effect of temperature and strain rate on the flow stress. Zerwekh and scott6 studied the plastic deformation of thorium reported to contain 12 ppm C. They found that this material did not obey the Cottrell-Stokes law as expected for fcc metals. In addition, they found values of the activation volume smaller by an order of magnitude than expected for an fcc metal. They concluded that thorium was strengthened by a randomly dispersed solute. Thorium differs from many other fcc metals that have been studied extensively in that it shows a relatively high carbon solubility at room temperature. Mickleson and peterson7 report the solubility limit at room temperature to be 3500 ppm C. The lowest value reported is that of Smith and Honeycombe8 who report the limit to be 2000 ppm C at 350°C. The pres- ent investigation was a systematic study of the flow stress and yield point phenomenon of thorium over a broad range of carbon content, temperature, and strain rate. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The thorium used in this investigation was produced by the reduction of thorium tetrachloride with magnesium as described by Peterson et a1.' Chemical analysis of the original ingot after arc melting and electron beam melting is shown in Table I. Alloys were prepared by arc melting this thorium with high-purity spectrographic graphite. Threaded specimens with a gage length 0.252 in. diam by 1.6 in. long were used for the constant stress or creep measurements. These specimens were machined from rod which had been cold-rolled and swaged to % in. diam. Tensile specimens were prepared by swaging annealed 3/8 -in.-diam rod to 0.102 *0.001 in. The as-swaged wire was cut to lengths of 2 in., annealed, and the center 1-in. gage length elec-tropolished to 0.100 ±0.001 in. The specimens were gripped for a length of 3 in. at each end by a serrated four-jaw collet which was tightened by a tapered compression nut. No slipping occurred in the grips and negligible deformation was observed outside the 1-in. gage length. Both the creep and tensile specimens were annealed at 730°C under a vacuum of 1 x X Torr. The resulting structures consisted of equiaxed recrystallized grains with a grain size of 3200 grains per sq mm for the tensile specimens and 2200 grains per sq mm for the creep specimens. After the specimens were prepared, samples were analyzed for nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen. The results of these analyses are given in Table 11.

Jan 1, 1969

James W. Neill, Pasadena, Cal. (communication to the Secretary*):—Professor Hofnlan's paper brings the art up to date. As I was one of the pioneers in this business, I beg to give the following incomplete data regarding my efforts in this line. In the year 1883, while I was in charge of the smelting-operations at Mine La Motte, Mo., there mas at the concentrator an unusually large protluction of a middle product, locally called " iron," which carried considerable values in nickel and cobalt, and which it was desirable, for this reason, to treat by itself. The works could not spare a furnace for the purpose; and to handle this product I improvised a " roast-hearth " from an old " lead-hearth." This was a small cast-iron furnace of the uslial construction, about 2 by 4 ft. in dimensions, with a hollon- cast-iron back, through which the wind circulated before entering the tuyeres. I had a cast-iron grate made to fit this hearth, and placed it tlush with the lip, or apron, and above the tuybres. On this grate, which had round holes about 0.25 in. in diameter, and a total surface of about 20 by 40 in., I roasted the nickeliferous pyrite product; starting the fire with kindling, then adding charcoal, and then gradually feeding the sulphides with a shovel, so as to cover the fire, choke down blow-holes, and get an even bed. Blast at a pressure of 3 or 4 oz. was supplied by a Can-blower. When a cake of roasted material had formed, it was removed with a steel bar, or fork, to the lip of the furnace, and thence into a wheel-barrow. The fine material which had renlained unmelted, but very hot, on top of the cake would promptly ignite when the cake was broken up and removed. The fire would then be covered with fresh material and

Jan 1, 1911

By K. A. Gschneidner, O. D. McMasters

DgIel-ential thermal, nretallographic, and X-ray paramzetric methods were used to establish the Yb-Pb phase dingram. The terminal solid solubilities in the system are less than 0.2 at. pct. Lead additions lower the 792°C transformation tewzperature of pure ytterbiun~ at 787°C by means of an inverted peritectic veaction. Ytterbium additions raise the 327oC melting point of lead to 329°C by means of a perilectic reaction. Three intermetallic compounds Yb2Pb, YbPb, and YbPb, melt congruerttly at 1246", 1116o, and 740°C. respectively. YbsPb3 forms by a peritectic reacliorz at 1250°C. YbzPb crystallizes in the PbCh (C23) type structure and the orthorhombic latliceo constants are a, = 7.478. bo = 5.225, aud C0 = 9.549A. YbsPbs crystallizes in the hfnsSi3 (D8a) type structure. The hexa~nal lattice constants for this phase are a, = 9.325 and co = 6.92d. YbPbl crystallizes in the cubic AuCU3 (Ll2) type structure with a: = 4.8628 + 0.0008A. YbPb is diwrorphic with the structure change occurring al 507°C upon healing. The crystal structures of the two forttzs were not determined. Eulectic reactions occur at 5.1 at. pct Pb and 769oC, 41.5 at. pct Pb and 1086oC, and G8.0 at. pct Ph and 717°C: RELIABLE information concerning the alloying behavior of most of the rare-earth metals is scarce. A systematic study of the rare earth-lead alloy systems now in progress is an effort to supply such information. Determination of the phase diagram of the Yb-Pb alloys is the first step of this study. Variations in the valence of normally divalent ytterbium may be studied by comparing the characteristics of the Yb-Pb alloys to those of the trivalent rare earth-lead and of the divalent alkaline-earth-lead systems. Of particular interest are the melting temperatures of the intermetal-lic compounds since these are known to be high relative to the melting points of the constituent metals. Crys-tallographic and magnetic susceptibility data for the rare earth-lead alloys are to be included in the comparative study. Results from this and subsequent investigations should provide a better understanding of alloy formation. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Materials. The major impurities in the ytterbium and lead used in this investigation are listed in Table I. The lead was obtained from Cominco Products, Inc., and was specified to be 99.99 pct pure. The ytterbium was prepared in this laboratory by the lanthanum reduction of the oxide followed by a distillation of the ytterbium. Alloy Preparation. The alloys were prepared by

Jan 1, 1968

Jan 1, 1933

By A. T. Sweet, C. E. Plummer, H. W. St. Clair, S. F. Ravitz

The ammonium sulphate process for recovering alumina from clays was proposed by Rinman, Buchner, and others many years ago, and more recently various modifications have been investigated both here arid abroad.l-Is The process, as it is being investigated by the Bureau of Mines, involves the following essential steps: (I) sulphating the alumina in the clay by baking with ammonium sulphate at approximately 4m°C., (2) leaching with water to extract aluminum sulphate and ammonium sulphate, (3) crystallization of ammonium alum, (4) conversion of the alum to aluminum hydroxide by the ammonia gases given off during the baking, and (5) calcining the aluminum hydroxide to alumina. The over-all reaction between kaolinite (the most important alumina mineral in most clays) and ammonium sulphate during the baking step may be expressed as follows: Al2O8.2SiO2.2H2O + 4(NH4)2SO4 = (NH4)2SO4.A12(SO4)3 + 6NH3(g) + SH2O(g) + 2SiO2 [i] There is definite evidence. as is shown later. that the aluminum occurs in the baked product as anhydrous ammonium alum rather than as aluminum sulphate, provided the baking temperature is not much above 4o0°C. It is probable that the reaction takes place in the following steps: (NH4)2SO4 = NH3 -(- NH4HSO4 [2] Al2O3.2SiO2.2H2O + ;}NH4HSO4 = A12(SO4)3 + 3NH3 + 5H2O + 2SiO2 [3] A12(SO4)3 + (NH4)2SO4 = (NH4)2SO4.A12(SO4)3 [4] In onc modification of the process, the ammonium sulphate is first decomposed according to Eq. z, and the clay is treated with the resultant ammonium acid sulphate. Reaction I is highly endothermic. On the basis of the best available data, the following values have been estimated for the changes in heat content and free energy in calories per mol: -AH = 331,040 - 34T -AF = 331~040 - 78.3T log T - 671.8T The heat required' at 25OC is 320,900 cal. per mol, or 5650 B.t.u. per pound of alumina. The theoretical equilibcium pressure of NHa, based on the free-energy equation given above, increases very rapidly as the temperature rises above 3o0°C., and reaches one atmosphere at 43s°C. Ammonium alum solutions are almost ideal for crystallization. A saturated solution of ammonium alum contains 126. grams of AlzOa per 1000 grams of water at 90°C. and only 16.5 at 20 C. Hence most of the alum crystallizes out when the

Jan 1, 1944

By H. E. McKinstry

MOVEMENT on a fracture of irregular shape can cause local widening of the fissure and thereby offer freer channelways for circulation of ore-depositing solutions. This influence, coupled with large areas of wall rock available for reacting with ore solutions in brecciated and shattered ground can account for locally active deposition of metals and the resulting ore shoots. Such irregularities in the fracture system may be caused by local variations in the strength of rocks and by pre-existing lines of weakness, especially if these stand at favorable angles to certain components of the fracturing stress. Therefore correct interpretation of the mechanics of fracturing should permit deductions as to structurally favorable places on unexplored portions of the vein system.

Jan 1, 1941