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By Fred H. Perfect

The thermite process, now approximately 80 years old, has heretofore been practiced in ceramic vessels. This paper outlines the successful production of several million pounds of alloy produced in zuater-cooled copper vessels. THE high temperatures necessary to produce fluid high-alumina slags have probably discouraged earlier workers from attempting to utilize water-cooled vessels. The following is a report of the successful application of this method, together with a report of the physical and chemical problems which had to be solved to make the process practical. About 1955, when Reading Alloys was more concerned with the production of ferrotungsten than with most other types of alloys, it was found to be exceedingly difficult to predict the reaction rate that one would experience from one tungsten ore to another . This difficulty was increased for two reasons: the physical state of the ore as received was seldom uniform, and the size of the mass to be reduced is a very important factor in developing the proper mix for the final reaction rate and temperature. For example, the reduction of ferric oxide with aluminum would theoretically produce temperatures of about 2600°C, and, in spite of the losses due to radiation, the energy is quite sufficient to produce a very fluid slag and iron effecting a very clean separation. On the other hand, the reduction of ferrous oxide with aluminum, while it is not as energetic as the first reaction, nevertheless should give temperatures above 2000"C, which should cause separation of alumina and iron, but, in practice, this is not the case and good fluid slag is not obtained. The heat of reaction, calculated from the thermo-dynamic heats of formation of the constituents of the reaction, offers a convenient guide to the feasibility of a thermite reaction. Thus, the values listed in Table I can be used as an approximate guide for estimating the results which may be expected in the reduction of various oxides and combinations of oxides using aluminum as the reducing agent. As a generalization, those reactions releasing approximately 600 cal per g of total mass represent the lower limit at which to expect separation of slag and metal. On the other hand, those reactions which release 1100 to 1200 cal per g are too violent to be used successfully without the addition of considerable inert material, such as lime, fluorspar, and so forth. Reaction rate is also a very important factor. This, of course, is governed very largely by the sizing and intermingling of the oxidant and reductant and by the starting temperature of the reactants. This is why those figures shown in Table I can only be a general guide. Further, it must be understood, that by adding powerful oxidizing agents, such as nitrates, chlorates or metallic oxides, such as molybdenum trioxide or chromium trioxide, certain problems respecting low temperatures are not necessarily solved. This is true in the addition of oxidants, such as sodium chlorate. By adding too high a concentration of sodium chlorate as a booster for a particular reduction, explosions are generated. Generally, they are of an intermittent type so as to give a Roman Candle effect to the reduction itself; with each surge resulting from a minor explosion more and more material is thrown

Jan 1, 1968

Remarks Of Mr. Robert W. Hunt, General Superintendent, Albany And Rensselaer Iron And Steel Company., Troy N. Y. - In discussing Dr. Dudley's two most interesting papers, I feel a natural hesitancy in disagreeing with conclusions formed after such careful and conscientious work. But I think he has made his deductions from too meagre premises. The analyses of but twenty-five samples are entirely too few to justify the establishment of so important a formula. When we consider that he indirectly proposes to regulate an interest amounting, even at the present low prices, to over $20,000,000 per annum, we may well hesitate before accepting a formula based upon the chemical and physical analyses of but twenty-five steel rails. Dr. Dudley touches the keynote in referring to the proposed labors of the Government Test Commission. They based their hopes of attaining success upon the chemical and physical analyses of a very large number of samples, and in the only branch of investigation which the short-sighted policy of Congress has allowed them to complete, i.e., chain cables, we find that a dozen, twenty-five or one hundred tests gave no satisfactory results. It was only after many hundreds that they were enabled to draw conclusions. There are so many circumstances bearing upon the life of a rail, that the task of extracting a correct result seems herculean. I presume I am right in stating that in our Northern latitudes early winter and spring months witness the breaking of the greatest number of rails, thus seeming to prove that an unstable road-bed has much to answer for. Then, again, broken and flattened wheels must be taken into account, but I am convinced that more rails have been broken by the treatment which they received before leaving the rolling-mill * The remarks of the participants in this debate have been written out by the speakers, and are here given without any attempt to retain the order of the dis¬cussion. While the report does not, therefore, preserve the vigor and spontaneity of the debate, it is believed that it gains in value by giving the matured views of the speakers. The continuation of this discussion at the Pittsburgh Meeting, May, 1879 (beginning with remarks of Mr. Cloud on page 401), is appended for convenience of reference.-T. M. D., Sec'y

Jan 1, 1879

By E. C. Wright

FOR many years the cost of making pig iron and steel in the Birmingham district has been about the lowest in the United States. The close proximity of the important raw materials such as coal, iron ore, limestone, and the large available scrap supply made it possible to assemble all of the important ingredients necessary for steel- making with only nominal costs for transportation. Both iron ore and coal were being mined in this district at one time for about $1 per ton from underground operations. At that time mining wages were low everywhere and the labor rate in the South was considerably below that of other mining districts. This situation persisted until the emergence of labor unions as an economic and political force, emigation of southern labor to northern plants, and continued growth of industry in the South in the years following the depression of 1932. Since that time union organizing of miners and steel workers throughout the nation has increased labor costs in mining and steelmaking. This influence has been felt particularly in underground mining operations since the proportion of labor cost to total cost is still high. The previous advantage in basic labor rate in the South has been almost entirely eliminated by the equalization of labor rates in basic industries by national unions. Since 1945 these influences have been especially noticeable in increasing the cost of mining coal and iron ore in the South. The northern steel districts are still being largely supplied with iron ore from the Minnesota open-pit mines and the cost of this ore has not increased nearly as much as the cost of ore obtained from underground mines in Birmingham. A similar situation exists in coal mining; the thinner seams in Alabama are not so amenable to mechanization as the northern mines and, as a result, the output per man-day in southern mines is only about three tons of coal as compared to five or six tons per man-day in the large captive mines of West Vir-

Jan 1, 1950

Remarks of Mr. Robert W. Hunt, General, Superintendent, Albany and Rensselaer Iron and Steel Company., Troy N. Y.—In discussing Dr. Dudley's two most interesting papers, I feel a natural hesitancy in disagreeing with conclusions formed after such careful and conscientious work. But I think he has made his deductions from too meagre premises. The analyses of but twenty-five samples are entirely too few to justify the establishment of so important a formula. When we consider that he indirectly proposes to regulate an interest amounting, even at the present low prices, to over $20,000,000 per annum, we may well hesitate before accepting a formula based upon the chemical and physical analyses of but twenty-five steel rails. Dr. Dudley touches the keynote in referring to the proposed labors of the Government Test Commission. They based their hopes of attaining success upon the chemical and physical analyses of a very large number of samples, and in the only branch of investigation which the short-sighted policy of Congress has allowed them to complete, i.e., chain cables, we find that a dozen, twenty-five or one hundred tests gave no satisfactory results. It was only after many hundreds that they were enabled to' draw conclusions. There are so many circumstances hearing upon the life of a rail, that the task of extracting a correct result seems herculean. I presume I am right in stating that in our Northern latitudes early winter and spring months witness the breaking of the greatest number of rails, thus seeming to prove that an unstable road-bed has much to answer for. Then, again, broken and flattened wheels must be taken into account, but I am convinced that more rails have been broken by the treatment which they received before leaving the rolling-mill

Jan 1, 1879

By B. H. Bergstrom

The Gaudin-Meloy1 size distribution equation requires the evaluation of two constants, xo and r. The common log-log representation of a screen analysis as cumulative weight percentage passing versus size, readily yields the required constants as illustrated for curves A and B in Fig. 1. The 100% passing (y = 1.0) size is simply x,. If the straight portion of the curve be extrapolated to the 100% passing (y=1.0) abscissa, the intercept is the Schuhmann size modulus, k. The ratio of xo to the size modulus, k, is r as shown: The Gaudin-Meloy equation requires that the slope, a, of the size distribution approach unity in the finer sizes, as is the case for curves A and B. Often distributions are better characterized by slopes other than unity. The schuhmann2 equation is able to represent these distributions if the upper portions of the curves are ignored. Empirically, the Gaudin-Meloy equation can be modified to yield slopes other than unity by writing it as Here, a is the familiar Schuhmann slope, and xo is the 100% passing size. The value of r is still given by Eq. 2. Eq. 4 with its easily determined constants is more versatile than either the Schuhmann or the Gaudin-Meloy equations, since a wide variety of size distributions can be closely described. It is easier to fit than the Rosin-Rammler3 equation, and has the advantage that the top size, x,, is finite. REFERENCES A. M. Gaudin and T. P. Meloy: Model and a Comminution Distribution Equation for Single Fracture, AIME Transactions, 1962, Vol. 223, pp. 40 to 43. R. Schumann, Jr.: principles of comminution, I., size Distribution and Surface Calculations, AIME Technical Publication No. 1187, 1940. P. Rosin and E. Rammler: The Laws coverning the Fineness of Powdered Coal, J. Inst. Fuel, 1933. Vol. 7, p. 29.

Jan 1, 1967

By E. Northcott, I. M. LeBaron

Before describing the electrostatic processing of feldspar, it might be well to review some of the basic definitions and terminology of feldspars. The feldspar minerals constitute a group of alumino-silicates of potassium, sodium, and calcium. Barium feldspar sometimes occurs naturally but is very rare. Hardness varies between 6 and 6.5 and specific gravity between 2.5 and 2.8. Color is generally white or pale shades of red, yellow, or green. The approximate chemical composition of the principal feldspars is given in Table I. The albite (sodium aluminum silicate) and an-

Jan 1, 1959

By R. A., Pallanch

THOUGH the flotation of gold ores has come into the lime- light largely in recent years, it is not a product of recent economic conditions but rather as old as flotation itself. It could hardly be other- wise, since gold, when in the right state of comminution and surface condition, is one of the more readily floated of minerals. In early practice it was not generally recognized that gold was floated as well; it was - thought that the gold was bound up with sulphide minerals that floated, but now we know that free gold must have been floated as well.

Jan 1, 1935

By Sherwin F. Kelly

One of the most succinct and illuminating perspectives of the field of geophysical exploration to appear in recent years is an article by E. A. Eckhardt, in the magazine Geophysics for October 1949. Although his review covers the year 1948, many of the data presented are apropos to a review of 1949, and form a pertinent background for a consideration of current progress. He presents charts of the world-wide distribution of gravimeter and seismograph activity in oil exploration, which show that surveys in the United States accounted for practically 68%; of all gravity work and 80%; of all seismic activity. Canada ranked second, with a proportion of roughly 6%, in each case; South America accounted for about the same percentage of seismic work, and double that amount for gravity surveys. Within the United States, Texas and Louisiana were the scenes of the greatest activity, both claiming about 60% of all surveys by each method.

Jan 1, 1950

By C. Y. Wen, H. O. HOPMAN

l. INTRODUCTION. IN casting a thermal balance of the heat generated and absorbed in a blast-furnace treating lead-, copper- and similar non-ferrous ores, assumptions have always to be made for the values of the heat of formation of slag. ? Considering that the larger part of the charge introduced into the furnace comes out in the form of slag, the significance becomes apparent of a lack of heat-values for the singulo-silicate, which is the type of slags commonly made. The aim of the present investigation is to supply these heat-values as far as possible with the apparatus and the time available. The heats of formation of the ferrous and manganous bi-silicates have been determined by Le Chatelier; 1 those of some silicates other than iron and manganese by Tschernobaeff:2 finally Richards 3 gives a figure for a copper blast-furnace slag of known composition. The existing data and those resulting from the present investigation are assembled in Table VI. II. MATERIALS USED. The materials used in the experiments were silica, ferrous oxide, and calcium carbonate. Silica.-The silica sold in the market as chemically pure usually contains small amounts of magnesia, lime, and alumina, and is therefore not suited for the work. The pure material was obtained from clear quartz crystals from Arkansas, broken in a diamond mortar and ground in an agate mortar to pass 1 Comptes rendus, vol. cxx., p. 623 (1895); vol. cxxii., p. SO (1896). 2 Revue de Métallurgie, vol. ii., p. 729 (1905); Electrochemical and Metallurgical Industry, vol. iv., No. 2, p. 72 (Feb., 1906). 3 Electrochemical and Metallurgical Industry, vol. v., No. 7, p. 266 furls?, 1907;) ; Metallurgical Calculations, vol. iii.,.pp. 474, 475 (1908).

Jul 1, 1910

By C. W. Allen, B. D. Cullity, H. S. Choi

The torsional deformation of aluminum and magnesium crystals is investigated, with particular reference to the dependence of proportional limit on crystal orientation. The proportional limit is found to be governed by the average value of the resolved shear stress on the most highly stressed slip systems, but the proportional limit does not strictly obey a critical-resolved-shear-stress law. The behavior of a cylindrical single crystal stressed in tension is well known: plastic flow begins when the resolved shear stress on the most highly stressed slip system reaches a critical value. There is much less understanding of the effect of torsion on such a crystal and on the way in which the critical-resolved-shear-stress law should be applied to torsional deformation. In the present paper particular attention is paid to the dependence of plastic yielding on crystal orientation and lesser attention to the mechanism of flow after yielding has occurred. New work on aluminum and magnesium crystals is presented, and previous results obtained in this laboratory on magnesium1 are re-examined. STRESS DISTRIBUTION The problems involved in torsional deformation of single crystals are due entirely to the complexity of the stress distribution. In tension, if loading conditions are perfect, the shear stress on any particular slip plane is completely uniform over the entire area of that plane. In torsion, on the other hand, the stress on any selected plane in a particular direction varies not only from center to edge of the specimen but also around its perimeter. It is convenient to express the stress at any point in terms of t0, which is the shear stress acting at the surface of a cylindrical specimen on a plane normal to the axis and in a direction tangential to the cylinder. At point P of Fig. 1 this stress acts in the direction of axis 2 and is given by To = 2T/pr3 [1] where T is the applied torque and r the specimen radius. This stress can be resolved on any chosen slip system, and details are given in the Appendix. Let P be the point on the specimen surface where the stress is to be evaluated; P is defined by its angular distance A from an arbitrary reference line through 0 normal to the axis. his line is usually taken as the direction of incidence of the X-ray beam used to determine the crystal orientation.) Then the shear stress t, acting at P in direction Dona plane whose normal is N is given by Ts/TO = sin ? 0, cos ?d sin (?0, - ?) + cos ?, sin ?d sin (?d - ?) [2] where 0, and Od are the angles between N and D, respectively, and the axis, ?0 and ?d are the angles between the projections of N and D, respectively, on the transverse plane and the reference line through 0. By means of Eq. [2], the stress 7, acting in any given slip direction can be computed. In the previous work on magnesium1 only gross slip tangential to the specimen surface was considered, and this

Jan 1, 1963

By John B. Hastings

THE occurrence of such a large amount of gold in the Hartsel granite, even though the surmised existence of similar areas is not new, brings freshly to mind the pegmatite type of magmatic differentiation lately brought again to attention by occurrences at Silver Peak, Nev., described by Spurr; and in Alaska, described by both Spurr and Brooks. In both localities graunitic rocks or dikes are thought to pass into metalliferous quartz-veins. An interesting association in this connection is the occurrence of diamonds in residual pegmatitic clay of San Juao de Chapado, Brazil, described by Derby :1 (P. 142) "Bodies of pegmatite are quite common in the older rocks of Brazil, both in the. diamond regions and elsewhere, occurring not only in the gneiss and granite, but in the schistose series as well. Those that have been examined are dike-like in their mode of occurrence and granitic in composition." (P. 143) "The question of the eruptive or secretionary origin of pegmatites has long been a subject of discussion among geologists. . . . The recent studies . . . seem to have clearly established that most if not all of them are essentially eruptive masses, though possibly modified in some way by aqueous agencies. Even before becoming acquainted with the literature of the subject this view had seemed to me to be the only acceptable one as regards the typical pegmatites of Brazil." What is pegmatite ? J. F. Kemp says ". . . veins or dikes-it is an open question which is the more correct term-are met formed of very coarsely crystalline aggregates of the same minerals that constitute granite. These are called pegmatite and in them is the home of graphic granite, the curious intergrowth of quartz and feldspar, such that a cross fracture of the blades of quartz suggests cuneiform characters. . . . In regard to the larger veins or dikes it seems improbable that true igneous fusion could have afforded such coarsely crystalline aggregates, and so we are forced to assume such abundance of steam and other vapors, i.e, mineralizers, as to almost, if not quite, imply solution."

Jan 5, 1908

By D. W. Smith, Robert F. Mehl

It has been shown by numerous studies that the orientations of new metal crystals are determined by the orientations of the crystals in the original matrix, whether these new crystals are formed by recrystalliza-tion, by precipitation from solid solutions, or by transitions in the solid state. The orientations of crystals formed by recrystallization of cold-worked metals that bear preferred orientations are occasionally simply related to the initial preferred orientation; often, however, the relationship is not simple, but complicated and obscure in origin.1 The orientations of crystals formed by precipitation from solid solutions have been shown by many studies in this and other countries to be determined by the orientation of the crystals of the solid solution stable at the higher temperatures, though here again complicated cases have been found and no general theory is available.2 Related to this latter class are the relationships found in crystals formed by suppressed transforma-

Jan 1, 1935

By D. W. Smith, Robert F. Mehl

It has been shown by numerous studies that the orientations of new metal crystals are determined by the orientations of the crystals in the original matrix, whether these new crystals are formed by recrystalliza-tion, by precipitation from solid solutions, or by transitions in the solid state. The orientations of crystals formed by recrystallization of cold-worked metals that bear preferred orientations are occasionally simply related to the initial preferred orientation; often, however, the relationship is not simple, but complicated and obscure in origin.1 The orientations of crystals formed by precipitation from solid solutions have been shown by many studies in this and other countries to be determined by the orientation of the crystals of the solid solution stable at the higher temperatures, though here again complicated cases have been found and no general theory is available.2 Related to this latter class are the relationships found in crystals formed by suppressed transforma-

Jan 1, 1935

WE the undersigned, being all persons of full age and citizens of the United States, and a majority residents of the State of New York, desiring to form a corporation pursuant to the provisions of the Membership Corporations Law for the purpose of incorporating, as provided in Section 6 of Article I. of said law, the existing unincorporated association known as American Institute of Mining Engineers, do hereby make, acknowledge and 6le this Certificate for that purpose, and do Certify as follows: I. That the American Institute of Mining Engineers is an unincorporated association organized and existing with the object of promoting the arts and sciences connected with the economic production of the useful minerals and metals and the welfare of those employed in these industries by means of meetings for social intercourse and the reading and discussion of professional papers, and to circulate by means of publications among its members and associates the information thus obtained. 11. That the persons duly appointed or designated to manage the affairs of said association are designated by the rules thereof Members of its Council; that the under- signed are all members of said Council as the same was constituted on the 29th day of December, 1904.

Jan 1, 1942

By S. P. Holt

The chief use of scrapers at this mine has been on lead ore of milling grade, clean and dry, in stulled stopes, 50-100 ft. long, 5-12 ft. high, and pitching 20-30°. Scrapers have also been used to fill these stopes with waste. The first scraper used (Fig. 1) is modified from a Cleveland-Cliffs design, being only 30 in. wide. It is light, weighing but 95 lb., handles well, and-digs itself in; but it spills part of its load on a long haul. It could be improved by lengthening the side plates, but because of the double bent angle irons, it is difficult to make at mine shops and has been discarded. Fig. 2 shows where the light angle irons have failed, spoiling

Jan 1, 1923

By S. P. Holt

The chief use of scrapers at this mine has been on lead ore of milling grade, clean and dry, in stulled stopes, 50-100 ft. long, 5-12 ft. high, and pitching 20-30°. Scrapers have also been used to fill these stopes with waste. The first scraper used (Fig. 1) is modified from a Cleveland-Cliffs design, being only 30 in. wide. It is light, weighing but 95 lb., handles well, and-digs itself in; but it spills part of its load on a long haul. It could be improved by lengthening the side plates, but because of the double bent angle irons, it is difficult to make at mine shops and has been discarded. Fig. 2 shows where the light angle irons have failed, spoiling

Jan 1, 1923

By A. U. Seybolt

The pressure-temperature relations required to maintain the existence of Si3N4 in silicon-iron of 0.44-11.7 pet Si have been partially explored. The critical data obtained have allowed the calculation of some thermodynamic quantities, and have shown evidence of an order-disorder two-phase field extending at 800°C from about l pet to 5.5 pet Si. THE presence of silicon nitride in electrical sheet, nominally about 3 1/4 pet silicon, balance iron, has been described by several authors'" but there has been some discrepancy among them regarding the identity of the nitride. Also, little has been reported on the quantitative thermodynamic prop- erties. In the work to be reported here, the nitride has been found to be more stable than described by Corney and Turkdogan." Several silicon nitrides have been described in the past, including SiN, Si3N4 and Si2N4 (see, for example, Abegg6 and Pascal7). However, the literature on nitrides other than Si,N, is all very old. No recent investigators using the more powerful tools available today have reported the presence of any nitride other than S3,N4. W. B. Hicke and L. R. Brantley8 in 1930 determined the dissociation pressure of Si3N4 which they made by reacting nitrogen

Jan 1, 1959

By John D. Sullivan

MAJOR technical advances seldom occur in a single year, and this is especially true with aluminum and magnesium where marked improvements in metallurgical processes and products took place during the war years. Nevertheless, the light metals and alloys, particularly aluminum, are advancing in commercial importance and are finding their niche in industry. New applications during the year have resulted from a better over-all knowledge of properties, handling, etc., rather than from revolutionary new developments.

Jan 1, 1948

By R. J. Woody

DESIGN of the most economic continuous counter-current decantation (CCD) circuit is based on selection of the number of stages and the wash volume that will give the minimum summation of the following items: 1) Capital and operating costs of the CCD circuit. 2) Capital and operating costs of the precipitation circuit. 3) Value of the dissolved product lost.

Jan 7, 1958

New York Meets first Wednesday after first Tuesday of each month. DAVID H.-BROWNE, Chairman, JOHN H. JANEWAY, Vice-Chairman. F. E. PIERCE, Secretary, 35 Nassau St., New York, N. Y. P. A. MOSMAN, Treasurer. LEWIS W. FRANCIS. Boston Meets first Monday of each winter month. HENRY L. SMYTH, Chairman. . ALFRED C. LANE, Vice-Chairman. HENRY A. WENTWORTH, Secretary-Treasurer, 60 India St., Boston, Mass. ROBERT H. RICHARDS, ALBERT SAUVEUR. Columbia Holds four sessions during year. Annual meeting in September or October. FRANK A. ROSS, Chairman. RUSH J. WHITE, Vice-Chairman. LYNDON K. ARMSTRONG, Secretary-Treasurer, P O. Drawer 2154, Spokane, Wash. FREDERIC KEFFER, FRANCIS A. THOMSON.

Jan 11, 1915