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By R. E. Head, Virgil Miller

"Under existing conditions in the treatment of oxidized lead ores containing small quantities of molybdenum no provision is made for the recovery of the molybdenum. Considerable quantities of this important element are lost in the slags of the lead smelters and constitute an economic waste. There is little or no probability that slag dumps containing molybdenum in small quantities could be economically treated for the recovery of the element, and steps for the prevention of waste in this respect must be taken prior to smelter treatment.Wulfenite, lead molybdate (PbMo04), and molybdite, molybdic ocher (Mo03), are the molybdenum minerals most abundantly found in deposits of oxidized lead ores. Wulfenite contains 39.3 per cent molybdenum trioxide and 60.7 per cent lead oxide; molybdite contains 66.7 per cent molybdenum and 33.3 per cent oxygen. Plumbojarosite, argentojarosite, cerussite, and occasionally anglesite are commonly associated with wulfenite ores, and the oxidized iron content is usually fairly high.The recent discovery and development of a body of wulfenite ore in the Star district near Milford led to a cursory microscopic examination of samples of the ore, followed by a few preliminary tests which had for their object the separation and recovery of the lead and molybdenum in separate products.The microscopic examination showed that the samples used in the work were composed of wulfenite, plumbojarosite, and a small quantity of cerussite, and indicated that the iron content was quite high. The ore was porous and yellowish-brown; crystals of wulfenite appeared to be quite uniformly distributed through it, and this mineral and plumbojarosite (Pb0.3Fe203.4S03.6H20) apparently accounted for the major part of the lead content, although lead"

Sep 1, 1928

By James J. Olson

This report summarizes the results of a review of foreign coal mining literature conducted under the Bureau's Advancing Coal Mining Technology program. In addition to a discussion on the historical development of mechanized longwall systems, and the current state-of-the-art method in Europe, this report summarizes the previous and ongoing Bureau efforts to adapt longwall technology to U.S. conditions. The bibliographic section of this report, divided into major categories such as mine design, face management, roadway development, strata control, powered roof supports, coal winning, conveying, and automation, contains over a thousand individual entries. The purpose of this report is to provide U.S. mining engineers with background information on longwall methodology and equipment developed in foreign countries (principally Europe). The Bureau of Mines, as part of its Advancing Coal Mining Technology program, is funding R&D projects to demonstrate that the longwall mining method, successfully used in the deep mines of Europe, can boost productivity and improve safety in certain U.S. mines.

Jan 1, 1977

By K. A. Natarajan, S. Usha Padukone

"An industrial waste liquor having high sulfate concentrations was subjected to biological treatment using the sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) Desulfovibrio desulfuricans. Toxicity levels of different sulfate, cobalt and nickel concentrations toward growth of the SRB with respect to biological sulfate reduction kinetics was initially established. Optimum sulfate concentration to promote SRB growth amounted to 0.8 - 1 g/L. The strain of D. desulfuricans used in this study initially tolerated up to 4 -5 g/L of sulfate or 50 mg/L of cobalt and nickel, while its tolerance could be further enhanced through adaptation by serial subculturing in the presence of increasing concentrations of sulfate, cobalt and nickel. From the waste liquor, more than 70% of sulfate and 95% of cobalt and nickel could be precipitated as sulfides, using a preadapted strain of D. desulfuricans. Probable mechanisms involving biological sulfide precipitation and metal adsorption onto precipitates and bacterial cells are discussed.IntroductionIndustrial effluents from hydrometallurgical and mineral processing operations often contain high sulfate and metal concentrations posing significant disposal problems, which require urgent solution to avoid serious environmental contamination. In such waste liquors, sulfate and heavy metals such as cobalt, nickel, zinc and iron originate from the chemical or biological oxidation of exposed sulfide minerals. Reduction of sulfate and precipitation of toxic metal ions from industrial wastes is essential from the viewpoint of environmentally acceptable waste disposal and recovery of associated strategic metals.Many of these heavy metals are essential for metabolic activity of bacterial cells at low levels. But they exert toxic effects at concentrations encountered in polluted water. Removal of toxic metals through biological reduction of sulfates from industrial waste waters have been practiced for several decades. Metal remediation through common physicochemical techniques such as oxidation-reduction, chemical precipitation, filtration, electrochemical treatment, evaporation, ion exchange and reverse osmosis processes is expensive and not suitable in the case of voluminous effluents containing complexing organic matter and low metal concentrations. Further, strong and contaminating reagents are used for desorption, resulting in toxic sludge and secondary environmental pollution. Biotechnological approaches can be more efficient and cost effective for detoxification of such effluents. Biotreatment/ bioremoval offers several advantages over conventional chemical and physical treatment technologies, especially for diluted and mixed contaminants. Biological detoxification, which involves the use of microbes to detoxify and degrade environmental contaminants, has received increasing attention in recent years (Iwamoto and Nasu, 2001). In addition, valuable metals can be recovered from metal sulfide sludge (Boonstra et al., 1999)."

Jan 1, 2015

By Munive L

As a result of commissioning No.5 B F, 2670m3 inner volume, in March 1972, the largest B F in Australia; new expertise in maintenance, furnace operating practices and design have been obtained. This experience has also been extended to the other furnaces. A series of operating problems were con- fronted; all parts of the furnace, including the hearth side walls and bottom,were adversely affected. In December 1977, serious hearth wall wear was detected at No.5 B F, and a potential hearth breakout was averted. Hearth wear in No.4 B F was discovered in March 1979, and emer- gency underhearth cooling was installed to reverse an extremely advanced hearth bottom erosion. Hearth behaviour of No.5 B F oampaign 1972-1978 and`No.4 B F campaign commencing 1972, has been studied and discussions on the causes, effects and measures undertaken to protect the hearths are presented in this paper.

Jan 1, 1981

With the theme of û æUnderground Ore Handling SystemÆ, Kopanang Mine completed an extensive project on a specific system with technologies for the handling of ore from a dedicated drawpoint to the shaft system. The intended rail haulage tramming system had to be capable of handling the shaft design and Life of Mine (LOM) requirements. Kopanang is an AngloGold Ashanti gold mine situated in the province of the Free State in South Africa. In the Sotho language the name æKopanangÆ means to come together as a team. ItÆs an appropriate name given that 25 companies worked on this project. The future focus at Kopanang is to establish four mining levels between 3 to 4 km south-west of the shaft and two mining levels to the west. The mine has an expected life of almost 20 years and capital was approved in order to access this reserve to establish the infrastructure to handle the ore, hence this exclusive rail haulage tramming system of close to R40 million (SA rands), which took three years to construct. Apart from the fact that this system had to be capable of handling 6500 t per shift at a depth of over 2 km over a length of 3.2 km, some of the major considering factors were: safety, economic factors with improved labour productivity, efficiency and reliability, risk termination, and ergonomics. The system comprises two 20 t locomotives operating in a double header configuration from a dedicated draw point to a dedicated tip area for the reef and waste ore. With the objective of handling high speed and high capacity, this 200 t payload train is capable of running at 35 km/h powered from a 500 volt ac overhead line. Each loco consists of two 90 kW dc motors with ac/dc power conversion on the locomotive. For the system to operate at this speed, the rail system is constructed with Class 1 rails over the entire hauling distance. The tipping mechanism is unique and the span of 11 hoppers each with a load of close to 20 t is capable of tipping the pay load of 200 t in about 20 seconds hands free.

Jan 1, 2005

By M. Khaled, K. Abdel Rahman, M. Khattab

Helwan limestone quarry is located at a distance of 35 km (21.7 miles) to the south of Cairo downtown. Drilling and blasting operations are used to extract the limestone for the Helwan Cement Company (HCC). In 1980’s a new urban community was constructed adjacent to the quarry. This situation led to shifting of the old quarry 5.0 km (3.1 miles) to its current location, to avoid causing blasting problems to the new community. Unfortunately, the new quarry is opened in a highly faulted area, with weak zones of brittle materials. The drilling and blasting crew is facing many difficulties due to the geological complexity along these zones. Moreover, the extension of this community towards the new quarry makes the control of ground vibrations is very important.

Jan 1, 2008

By T. Lux, H. -J. Krassnig, I. Filzwieser, E. Hecker, R. Degel, A. Filzwieser

Non-ferrous metals find their applications in smartphones, tablets and computers. These materials with their particular properties are the basis of our modern life. SMS group is well prepared for this huge market and for growing future challenges. A large contribution here is the new joint venture PolyMet Solutions that was founded by SMS group and Mettop, an Austrian engineering company, with the objective to develop new technical solutions for the primary copper production lines as well as for non-ferrous metals starting with the primary smelting of concentrate and ending with the electrolysis. PolyMet Solutions provides the process know-how whereas SMS group supplies the plants and equipment and Mettop the key components. SMS group and Mettop also cooperate in the field of tankhouse technology. Together with Montanwerke Brixlegg AG, Mettop has developed together with a parallel flow technology (METTOP-BRX Technology), allowing a current efficiency of above 98 % at a current density of 420 A/m², which is a milestone in copper electrolysis. For the secondary copper production route, SMS group and PolyMet Solutions developed an innovative refining furnace (PolyRefine) for the smelting and refining of copper scrap. The refined copper is directly charged to the Contirod line to produce copper rods and wires. The innovative cooling solutions of SMS and PolyMet Solutions come into play where furnaces have to stand the highest loads and stresses, for instance in areas of very high temperatures or temperature fluctuations, aggressive exhaust gases and slags, or at critical spots such as taphole areas. Custom-tailored cooling systems for furnace vessels make sure varying loads are compensated in a targeted and effective manner. The solutions include air cooling, spray cooling, cooling technologies with integrated copper elements such as CFM (Composite Furnace Modular) cooling systems, plate and finger coolers. The major innovation in the field of furnace cooling is the ILTEC (Ionic Liquid Cooling) Technology which paves the way for increased plant safety. This revolutionary, patented cooling technology is jointly marketed by Mettop and SMS group. It permits water-free cooling to be implemented and thus makes operation safe wherever it is applied. INTRODUCTION Non-ferrous metals or NF metals are changing the world. There is no modern industrial sector that can do without these valuable metals. Non-ferrous metals find their applications in smartphones, tablets and computers. These materials with their particular properties are the basis of our modern life. The importance of the non-ferrous metals market is reflected by two figures. In 2018, the production of non-ferrous metals was worth more than 237 billion Euros. This contrasts with 255 billion Euros of the value of iron and ferro- alloy production in the same year (International Organizing Comittee for the World Mining Congresses, 2018). Hence, the NF metal industry is almost as important as the iron and steel industry. SMS group is well prepared for this huge market and for growing future challenges. A large contribution here is the new joint venture PolyMet Solutions that was founded by SMS group and Mettop, an Austrian engineering company, with the objective to develop new technical solutions and to enhance customer value. The prices of nearly all metals have come under pressure during the past few years. Therefore, competitive technologies are regarded a crucial factor to achieve success in this critical market situation respectively to stabilize the market position.

Jan 1, 2019

By Suzann C. Ambrosio

Cameroon's mining industry continued to be dominated by crude petroleum. The value of petroleum output was estimated at $1 billion.2 The 1982 gross domestic product (GOP) was approximately $8.4 billion. During 1981, crude oil export revenues increased in value 30%, comprising approximately 56% of Cameroon's total export earnings. The 1982-87 5-year plan emphasized, hydrocarbon and agricultural development and targeted the exploitation of bauxite and clay deposits. New petroleum legislation was promulgated on November 26, 1982. Public Law No. 82-20 detailed hydrocarbon companies' obligations concerning oil and gas discoveries and exploitation. In general, the Cameroon Government has participated in joint ventures with private companies and has levied a 57.5% petroleum tax plus adjustable royalties. Exploration expenses were paid by concession holding companies, and the Government in the past has reimbursed 50% of expenses under certain conditions.

Jan 1, 1984

By Frederick Vickery

THE discovery of oil on the Goleta anticline has extended the petroliferous areas of California 18 miles west of the previous limit at Summerland and 35 miles south of the fields at Santa Maria. In each of these localities the oil is found in the Miocene-Pliocene strata, but as the oil at Goleta is found in the Sespe formation, which is generally considered as Oligocene or lowermost Miocene, the Goleta field extends the production of that horizon 52 miles west of South Mountain, the previous western outpost. Two horizons of high-gravity, paraffin-base oil have been found at shallow depths, and the exploratory well, Goleta No. 1, is now being drilled to test the productivity of an expected horizon in the Meganos formation. The Goleta structure is 12 miles west of the city of Santa Barbara and 2 miles north of the coast. Although it is within part of the old Spanish Rancho, Los Pueblos, it corresponds to T. 4 N., R. 29 W., S. B. B. and M., Santa Barbara county, California. The discovery well, Goleta No. 1 was drilled by the Miley Petroleum Ex-ploration Co. on the Tecolote ranch in the part of the Spanish grant corresponding to the sw. 1/4 of the nw. 1/4 of Section 3. Despite the apparent isolated position of the Goleta field, it is within the Ventura basin. The idea that the Ventura basin terminates at the ocean beach near the city of Ventura is neither sup-ported by the geologic structures nor the sequence of strata west of that city. This basin at the present time is known on the land as the Santa Clara valley and beneath the sea as the Santa Barbara channel. It extends westward to Point Concepcion. The Ventura basin, before the Miocene and Pliocene epochs of deformation, was much broader than at the present time. It is bounded by two lines of uplift, the Santa Ynez range on the north and the Santa Monica mountains with their extension, the Channel islands, on the south. Both of these ranges trend east and west. The Ventura basin and the mountains that bound it are part of a remark-able east-west orogenic unit, which interrupts the pre-vailingly northwest ranges along the Pacific Coast.

Jan 10, 1927

By Donald Hurd, James Rowland, Richard Mainiero

In previous conferences the authors have reported on toxic fumes generated by the detonation of ANFO. The research reported here extends the earlier work to include an emulsion blasting agent and ANFO/emulsion blends. Explosive mixtures were shot in 4-inch Schedule 80 steel pipe (outer diameter 4.50 in (11.43 cm), inner diameter 3.83 in (9.72 cm)) in a chamber in the experimental mine at the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL). Following each shot, the fumes in the chamber were analyzed using on-line instrumentation.

Jan 1, 2001

By H. C. George

This bulletin deals with prime movers, power-transmitting machinery, and the surface equipment and methods used to pump oil wells. It does not discuss geological problems nor the methods and equipment used in drilling or at flowing oil wells. Much of the presentation is by photographs and drawings which are described in the text. Underground equipment and methods for pumping oil wells will be discussed in a later publication of the Bureau of Mines.

Jan 1, 1925

By Jos. R. Guiteras

This paper is one of o. series describing mining and milling methods and costs being published by the United States Bureau of Mines. It presents the results of a study of the Alice mine by the writer in December 1936. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Acknowledgment is made to J. Fred Johnson, mining engineer off the American Smelting & Refining Co., for permission to visit the property; and to Arthur F. Johnson, general superintendent at the property, for his friendly cooperation in contributing the information contained in the paper.

Jan 1, 1939

By David A. Hedderly-Smith

Sealaska Corporation, the Alaska Native Regional Corporation of Southeastern Alaska, was organized under the laws of the state of Alaska pursuant to the federal Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. Large areas of Sealaska's 630,000-acre (250,000 hectare [ha]) fee subsurface holdings are underlain by carbonate, and while much of this material is assumed to be common variety limestone and lesser dolomite, at least two areas in the Silurian Heceta Limestone contain high-quality limestone at tidewater. This limestone has many potential commercial uses. On northern Prince of Wales Island, about 90 miles (144 km) north-northwest of Ketchikan, resource development at Sealaska's Calder deposit has established a reserve of 13 mil- lion short tons (st) (12 million metric tonnes [mt]) of carbon- ate rock containing an average of greater than 98 percent CaC03, approximately 0.5 percent MgO, less than 0.5 per- cent Si02, and approximately 0.15 percent Fe203, with insolubles averaging less than 0.5 percent and an average Hunter Brightness of 92.07 for the -150 mesh grind (with a bright- ness cutoff of 90). The deposit is open at depth and to the south. Ultimate reserves will likely be several times those currently established. In 1998, Sealaska began mining the Calder deposit, with about 100,000 st (90,000 mt) produced, and also completed a marine terminal one half-mile (800 m) from the deposit. The terminal can load ships up to 680 feet (200 m) in length at a rate of 2,000 st (1,800 mt) per hour. 0 m) in length at a rate of 2,000 st (1,800 mt) per hour. On Dall Island at Breezy Bay, about 60 miles (100 km) southwest of Ketchikan, Sealaska has identified a limestone reserve in excess of 150 million st (135 million mt) that (based on 18 surface samples distributed evenly over about a section of land) contains about 98 percent CaC03, and less than 0.5 percent MgO, 0.5 percent Si02, and 0.15 percent Fe203. Brightness of the Breezy Bay carbonate is considerably less than at Calder. Five samples of brighter material from Breezy Bay returned brightness analyses in the high 80s and low 90s; average brightness is probably below the mid- 80s. Sealaska has also identified a deposit containing more than 19 million st (17 million mt) of similar rock near View Cove, a few miles south of Breezy Bay.

Jan 1, 2001

By W. O. Philbrook, K. M. Goldman, G. Derge

THIS is the third in a series of papers from the Metals Research Laboratory dealing with the transfer of sulphur across the iron-slag interface in a carbon-saturated system. The first paper' showed that the transfer obeyed first-order kinetics. The second' presented detailed evidence in support of the three-stage mechanism: FeS(Fe) FeS(slag) FeS(slag) + CaO(sing) ? CaS(slag) + FeO(slag) FeO(slag) + C ? Fe + CO. This emphasized the role of an iron-sulphur complex as the transfer agent across the interface and as an essential intermediate in the overall process. The present paper shows the influence on the process of the individual elements, carbon, silicon, manganese, and phosphorus, the alloying elements normally present and of interest in commercial blast furnace operations, aluminum, which has a pronounced accelerating influence, and nickel and copper, which are common minor impurities in the raw materials. The experimental methods and procedures for interpretation of data are the same as described earlier.1,2 Induction heated, graphite crucibles were used, and sulphur-free slag was added to the molten iron containing sulphur and the selected alloy. Slag samples were taken at regular time intervals and analyzed for sulphur and other components of interest. The authors wish to state specifically that these experiments were not intended to simulate industrial blast furnace operations. However, they do represent a study of the kinetics and mechanism of sulphur transfer at the slag-metal interface under specified laboratory control of the major variables in the system. It is believed that the results can be usefully applied to the blast furnace if consideration is given to the differences which are known to exist between the two conditions. A rigorous evaluation of the accuracy of rate studies is difficult. Recognized sources of error include sampling and analysis of both slag and metal, temperature measurement and control, selection of zero time, composition of the gaseous atmosphere over the reaction system, and extraneous sources of sulphur from the graphite crucible and reagent materials. In this study carefully standardized procedures were followed consistently in order to minimize the errors. It is believed that the reproducibil-ity of duplicate runs indicates that errors have been rendered negligible relative to the observed effects from intentional variables. For example, original experimental points for duplicate runs are shown in Figs. 1, 2, 7, etc. In most cases in this paper the drawn curves represent an average of at least two heats. The spread in sulphur values at a given time ranges from 0.02 to 0.08 pct, which is a small frac-tioi of the total values ranging up to 2 pct S in slag. In the systematic study of the influence of alloy additions, each element was added over a range of concentrations. The two slags used in this study were designated as "acid" or 1530 and "basic" or 1545. They had the nominal compositions given in Table I. Rates were measured in the temperature range 1500" to 1650°C. Data will now be presented to illustrate the various features of the study. Silicon The first alloying element examined was silicon, because its presence is unavoidable in any silicate slag system through the reaction y/2SiO2(slag) + xM?y/2Si(liq.Fe) + MxOy where M is any reducing agent such as iron or carbon. It is known that the attainment of equilibrium by this reaction is extremely slow and probably not reached in the blast furnace." The influence of silicon on the final stages of the sulphur reaction has also been studied.' It has been shown5 hat silicon increases the activity of sulphur in iron. For such reasons silicon may also be expected to influence the kinetics of the reaction. The observed effects will now be described. The general procedure was to melt 530 grams of ingot iron in a graphite crucible, 3 in. OD, 2 1/4 in.

Jan 1, 1955

By Adolfo Pillihuaman Zambrano

Neste trabalho estudou-se a influência dos diversos aglomerantes nas propiedades mecânicas e no processo de redu?ão das pelotas auto-redutoras de cromita com o objetivo de obter uma boa resistência mecânica a quente, medidas após serem submetidas às temperaturas de 1173, 1273, 1373, 1473 e 1573K. Os aglomerantes ensaiados foram: bentonita, cal hidratada, melaço, carboxi-metil-celulose (CMC) e silicato de sódio. Inicialmente os materiais (cromita, ferro-silício, coque de petróleo e aglomerantes), foram caracterizados por análise química e granulométrica. Após isto, os materiais, foram aglomerados na forma de pelotas (P1 a P15), contendo teores variáveis de aglomerantes. Após a fabricação das pelotas, procedeu-se aos ensaios de laboratório; medindo-se a resistência a compressão da pelota verde, ao longo do tempo (por 28 dias), da pelota seca e após os ensaios de ciclos térmicos. Foram realizados também ensaios de crepitação e avaliação da redução à temperatura de 1773K. Após os ensaios ciclos térmicos e de redução, os produtos obtidos (escória e metal) foram analisados por MEV e EDS. A pelota P15 (4% de silicato de sódio como aglomerante) apresentou uma resistência a compressão, de pelota seca, de 5 kg-f/pelota, e após tratamento térmico às temperaturas de 1173 e 1273K, apresentou uma resistência a compressão de 15 e 15,5 kg-f/pelota, respectivamente. Nenhuma das pelotas ensaiadas apresentaram crepitação. A pelota P15 atingiu fração de reação unitária aos 10 minutos, a 1773K. Verificou-se também para estas condições a formação de escória, aos 3,5 minutos, prejudicando a reação CO/cromita.

Aug 8, 2018

By D. H. Yardley

A major purpose of this contract was to evaluate a variety of dust suppressants to determine their effectiveness in mitigating dust from taconite tailings. During the course of the investigation tailings from pilot-plant tests of Minnesota copper-nickel ores became available and chemical binders were also tested for dust mitigation effectiveness on this mineralogically different material. Field-test plots were established on taconite tailings and wind tunnel laboratory tests conducted. The laboratory tests consisted of comparing treated and untreated samples at wind velocities of 40 mph using a weight-loss method and direct dust emission measurements. It was shown that the emission of fine dust from taconite tailings, in the range of 4.5 microns to 0.85 microns, could be reduced by 99 percent using certain chemical suppressants. It was also demonstrated that a straight water spray on coarse tailings (3/4" to + 10 mesh) reduced dust emission by 95 percent. Although eight different chemicals were tested, most of the tests were made using Coherex, ammonium lignin sulfonate and sodium silicate. These same dust suppressants were used, singly and in combination on almost 75 field-test plots. The Coherex appears to provide the best results in terms of economics and durability. Wind tunnel tests on treated and untreated Cu-Ni tailings demonstrated that applications of dust suppressants reduced fugitive fine dust by better than 99 percent.

Jan 1, 1980

By Jr. Herty

Ferromanganese continues to be an indispensable requirement in steel manufacture. Approximately 470,000 of the 80 per cent ferro-alloy was consumed in 1929 and increasing amounts will be required annually by the steel industry unless some satisfactory substitute is found. An average of 14 pounds of metallic manganese is used for each ton of steel produced, The principal use of manganese is for de-oxidation of the metal in the steel refining processes, although a considerable amount is also used for the production of special manganese steels. Unfortunately, domestic production of manganese ore is inadequate to meet normal peace-time requirements, not to mention increased abnormal war-time demands. The rather large quantities of low-grade manganiferous iron ores which occur in the Coruna Range in Minnesota have for a number of years greatly appealed to those interested in the development of a domestic source of the supply. The North Central Experiment station of the Bureau of Mines has made an elaborate study of the possibilities of the pyrometallurgical treatment of ores from these deposits and much of the valuable information secured by them has already been published.

Jan 1, 1930

By Li Shibo, C. Halls

The compositions of olivine, pyroxene and chromite from the Proterozoic ultramafic complex are analagous to those of cumulate ultramafic rocks of tholeiitic origin, suggesting that the parent magma may have been tholeiitic rather than komatiitic. The complex contains economically significant Ni-Cu sulphide mineralisation. The high sulphide/silicate ratio is best explained in terms of the segregation of sulphides from a large volume of magma, of which all but the ultramafic cumulate fraction has since been eroded. Platinum-group minerals that have been identified include sperrylite, moncheite, native platinum, froodite, merenskyite, michenerite and Pd-rich pentlandite lamellae exsolved from pyrrhotite. They are characteristically found in close association with chalcopyrite, either along the contacts between hydrosilicate and sulphide grains or in cracks within pentlandite and chalcopyrite, which may also be intergrown with galena. Crystallisation from a Cu-rich residual magmatic liquid also enriched in Pt, Pd, As, Sb, Bi, Te, Zn and Pb is postulated.

Jan 12, 1993

By John Wulff, J. H. Hollomon

The opinion has been widely held that the corrosion of alpha brass occurs by the selective solution of zinc. As late as 1939, Fink1 and Evans2 suggested that in the initial stage of the corrosion the selective solution of zinc produces copper-rich areas, which subsequently act as cathodes that facilitate the deposition of copper. Previously Abrams3 had shown that most of the copper found on corroded brass was re-deposited and not residual, although he did not consider the nature of the initiation of the corrosion process. Enough data exist to indicate that any metal surface is sufficiently heterogeneous to provide the anodes and cathodes necessary for the initiation of corrosion.4,5 Thus, for alpha brass we need postulate not an initial selective solution of zinc, but only the existence of local differences in electrochemical potential. The heterogeneity responsible for potential differences may arise from oxide and other films as well as from alloy concentration gradients. Even though selective corrosion may be possible in some alloy systems, previous data on alpha brass as well as the experimental work reported in this paper do not require this supposition. Bengough and May16 in a discussion of Abrams' paper, first suggested the addition of small amounts of arsenic (0.03 per cent) to a1pha brass to prevent the redeposition of copper (dezincification). This suggestion was later substantiated by Nixon.7 In their studies of the inhibiting influence of arsenic, Evans and Fink were led to the selective-solution hypothesis in order to explain the initial corrosion of such alloys. They believed that an arsenic film covered anode areas and prevented the formation of copper-rich spots capable of acting as cathodes for the deposition of copper. They did not consider, however, the mechanism by which the arsenical film was formed. Bengough and May,a in another publication, suggested that the commonly found gray or black arsenical film may act to: (I) carry oxygen to the brass surface, (2) increase the discharge potential of copper on brass, (3) precipitate cuprous chloride from colloidal suspension in chloride solutions. Masing9 assumed that the film found upon arsenical brass was metallic arsenic. His measurements of hydrogen overvoltage of bulk arsenic led him to believe that the inhibition of dezincification occurs because the overvoltage of a brass surface is lowered by the arsenic film. He reasoned that this film would permit the more rapid reduction of hydrogen at the cathode, which would prevent the redeposition of copper. In a recent paper,10 we have pointed out that the film formed during the corrosion of arsenical brass and copper in stagnant solutions is essentially arsenious oxide (As2O3),

Jan 1, 1942

By John Wulff, J. H. Hollomon

The opinion has been widely held that the corrosion of alpha brass occurs by the selective solution of zinc. As late as 1939, Fink1 and Evans2 suggested that in the initial stage of the corrosion the selective solution of zinc produces copper-rich areas, which subsequently act as cathodes that facilitate the deposition of copper. Previously Abrams3 had shown that most of the copper found on corroded brass was re-deposited and not residual, although he did not consider the nature of the initiation of the corrosion process. Enough data exist to indicate that any metal surface is sufficiently heterogeneous to provide the anodes and cathodes necessary for the initiation of corrosion.4,5 Thus, for alpha brass we need postulate not an initial selective solution of zinc, but only the existence of local differences in electrochemical potential. The heterogeneity responsible for potential differences may arise from oxide and other films as well as from alloy concentration gradients. Even though selective corrosion may be possible in some alloy systems, previous data on alpha brass as well as the experimental work reported in this paper do not require this supposition. Bengough and May16 in a discussion of Abrams' paper, first suggested the addition of small amounts of arsenic (0.03 per cent) to a1pha brass to prevent the redeposition of copper (dezincification). This suggestion was later substantiated by Nixon.7 In their studies of the inhibiting influence of arsenic, Evans and Fink were led to the selective-solution hypothesis in order to explain the initial corrosion of such alloys. They believed that an arsenic film covered anode areas and prevented the formation of copper-rich spots capable of acting as cathodes for the deposition of copper. They did not consider, however, the mechanism by which the arsenical film was formed. Bengough and May,a in another publication, suggested that the commonly found gray or black arsenical film may act to: (I) carry oxygen to the brass surface, (2) increase the discharge potential of copper on brass, (3) precipitate cuprous chloride from colloidal suspension in chloride solutions. Masing9 assumed that the film found upon arsenical brass was metallic arsenic. His measurements of hydrogen overvoltage of bulk arsenic led him to believe that the inhibition of dezincification occurs because the overvoltage of a brass surface is lowered by the arsenic film. He reasoned that this film would permit the more rapid reduction of hydrogen at the cathode, which would prevent the redeposition of copper. In a recent paper,10 we have pointed out that the film formed during the corrosion of arsenical brass and copper in stagnant solutions is essentially arsenious oxide (As2O3),

Jan 1, 1942