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By Burnham E. Field

TAE chemical industry is constantly looking for new materials which either are more resistant to corrosion than those now available or have improved physical properties to meet the requirements of higher temperatures and greater pressures. Attack by acids is-one of the more important forms of corrosion-and in the last few years the development of acid-resistant alloys has been quite rapid. Perhaps the most notable example is that of nitric acid, 'the problem of which has largely been solved by the chromium-iron and chromium-iron-nickel alloys. Sulfuric acid may be handled in lead, iron, or the iron-silicon alloys, depending on conditions. As to hydrochloric acid, no metal or alloy can be called entirely satisfactory for handling. this acid under plant conditions.1 The results of our investigations on the resistance of the nickel-molybdenum alloys to hydrochloric acid have been confirmed by those of Guertler, Rohn, Schulz, Jenge, and others,' but thus far only one such alloy has approached commercial production in Germany; this contains approximately 15 per cent. chromium and 7 per cent. molybdenum with the remainder chiefly nickel. Dr. S. W. Parr, as far back as 1914, developed a complex alloy known as "illium," with a nickel base and containing some molybdenum.3 Dr. Parr was primarily interested in an alloy for lining bomb calorimeters, and while illium does show good resistance to acid it is too expensive for general use. Two United States

Jan 1, 1929

By Cyril Smith

ALTHOUGH alloys of copper and silicon were examined several years ago,1 and their excellent mechanical properties were shown, it was not until C: B. Jacobs2 introduced manganese in small quantities to the alloys that they became of commercial importance. A few years ago The American Brass. Company took over the patents and commenced to manufacture the alloy under the name "Everdur." The present study of the constitution of the ternary system was undertaken in order to reach a fuller understanding of the behavior of the alloy. REVIEW OF PREVIOUS WORK ON, THE BINARY SYSTEMS There have been no papers published dealing with the constitution of the ternary system, although some tests of the mechanical properties have been described,3 which indicate that there is a change insolubility with temperature.

Jan 1, 1930

By William G. Kegel

Apart from a usable product and good mining conditions, the greatest asset for a profitable coal mining organization is an effective mine maintenance program. The first step in achieving this is to have good mechanics-or men who want to be mechanics and are interested in knowing ,more about the design and control of the machines in their charge. A good mechanic's knowledge and ability result from ambition, curiosity, and determination. Starting with these qualities, the aspiring mechanic can launch his career by learning all he can about mechanics, electricity, and hydraulics. Though the path is rough, the end result is rewarding. Mining machinery probably receives as much, if not more, abuse as any other heavy equipment in use today. Considering the conditions under which much of the repair work must be done, it is essential that the mine operator has the best men and tools to perform the work. Mining machines, from their inception, have utilized the electric motor ; and down through the years of mechanization, this power source has undergone many changes to better adapt it to the job. The first motors used were direct-current (d-c) motors since d-c power was the most economical power source for mining at the time of early mechanization. These motors were large open-type machines which are seldom used in modern mining. Because of the mine environment, the d-c motor has been reduced in size to better suit the application in mining machines and is now manufactured with dust-tight or explosion-proof enclosures. The d-c motor is constructed with either (or both) series and shunt fields located on the stationary part of the motor (stator) and an armature coil wound on the rotating part of the motor (rotor). Power is supplied to the armature by brushes which are held stationary and make sliding contact with the armature. The brushes requires regular and careful maintenance because worn or defective brushes will cause heat or arcing which can destroy the motor. D-c motors can be used as d-c generators when mechanical power is supplied to them by the rotating

Jan 1, 1981

A tentative plan for the Colorado Meeting has been formulated as follows: One day will be spent at Denver, one day at Colorado Springs, one day at Cripple Creek, a trip by automobile to the top of Pike's Peak, one day at Pueblo, one day at Leadville. All the principal mines and mills of the districts mentioned will be visited, including the gold mines in Cripple Creek, the lead, zinc, and steel works. of Pueblo, the production of ferro-molybdenum by electric furnace at Leadville, etc. Special arrangements are being made for the social entertainment of ladies at all points; one evening at Colorado Springs will be devoted to a reception and dance, and the usual dinner will he given on another evening. The following papers have already been accepted for the Colorado Meeting, and some have already been published: Fireproofing Mine Shafts by the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. By E. M. Norris. (March Bulletin.) Air Blasts in the Kolar Gold Field, India. By E. S. Moore. (March Bulletin.) The Use of Coal in Pulverized Form. By H. R. Collins. (April Bulletin.) Coal Mining in Washington. By F. A. Hill. (April Bulletin.) Carbocoal. By C. T. Malcolmson. (May Bulletin.) Gaging and Storage of Oil in the Mid-continent Field. By O. U. Bradley. (March Bulletin.) An Interpretation of the So-called Paraffin Dirt of the Gulf Coast Oil Fields. By A. D. Brokaw. (April Bulletin.) The Theory of Volcanic Origin of Salt Domes. By. E. DeGolyer. (May Bulletin.)

Jan 5, 1918

By L. Mair

A STUDY by J. R. Low, Jr.1 on the effect of quench aging on the Charpy-impact specimens of semikilled 1020 steel disclosed that a decrease in cooling rate from 1275°F raised the transition temperature. This was demonstrated in his investigation by controlling the cooling rate of impact specimens to duplicate that of a heavier plate and com- paring the properties with air-cooled specimens and quenched specimens. The transition temperature of the samples that had been cooled at a rate estimated to be similar to that of an air-cooled 3/4 in. plate was approximately 45ºF higher than the quenched samples. The transition temperature of the air-cooled series was between that of the slow-cooled and the quenched series. On the basis of this work, it appeared that the cooling rate of plates after rolling in a hot mill would have a bearing on the brittle fracture of the

Jan 1, 1955

By F. R. Brotzen, D. L. Davidson

ALTHOUGH much effort has been devoted to the problem, the nature of plastic flow in bcc metals is still not fully understood. Some of the difficulties encountered stem from the scarcity of information on orientation effects and the uncertainty as to the glide system in these metals. In an attempt to provide some of this information, the present investigation was carried out, using zone-refined molybdenum single crystals deformed in tension and in direct shear. Considerable evidence exists to indicate that the primary slip system for molybdenum is (110) <111>.1,2 Figs. 1 and 2 indicate that this is, indeed, the case for direct shear at room temperature (see Ref. 3 for a description of the shear-testing equipment and procedure). Moreover, from Fig. 2, the shear stress on the (123) is lower than that on the (112). This would be the case if, as has been suggested,4,5 slip on these two planes is in reality com-

Jan 1, 1965

By R. W. Gurry

WHEN a steel in the austenitic state, with all its carbon in solution, is maintained, at constant temperature, in contact with a gas that removes the carbon from the surface, vet without otherwise altering the composition of the steel, the change in weight of the specimen, after any period of exposure, is a direct measure of the amount of carbon it has then lost. The purpose of the present paper is to show how, by application of established mathematical reasoning based on the fundamental diffusion law and on certain postulates, this loss of weight yields a complete picture of the distribution of carbon throughout a specimen of regular shape after any period of exposure, with all the accuracy required in any practical occurrence of decarburization. Precisely the same is true for the gain in weight during the reverse process of carburization, or for the gradual gain or loss of any element, so long as the steel comprises only a single phase at temperature, provided always that the experimental conditions conform to the postulates. The change in carbon content from surface to center of the specimen is always continuous, when everything is in solution, even though under the microscope the decarburized zone (or carburized rim) may appear to be sharply defined. The experimental procedure is described and some typical results are presented, which are then interpreted by application of the diffusion law. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Initially an endeavor was made to follow the gain of weight during the process of carburization in a hydrogen-toluene atmosphere, but it was soon found that the specimen became coated with graphite, which could not be removed without some loss of metal; therefore it was decided to continue carburization until the steel was saturated throughout, to remove all graphite from the surface of the specimen, and then to follow the loss of weight during decarburization in a moist hydrogen atmosphere at the same temperature as that used for carburizing. The carburizing procedure has been described in an earlier paper;1 it suffices to state here that the carburization lasted about 140 hr. at 760°C. (1760°F.) and 44 hr. at 1110°C. (2030°F.), these periods being long enough-on the basis of the calculations presented later-to ensure that the specimen was about 9.99 per cent saturated at each temperature. The speci¬men was a cylinder about 3.8 cm. long and 0.475 cm. in diameter; the materials were carbonyl iron, a commercial low-metalloid iron, and a steel with 3.6 per cent nickel and the usual proportion of other elements. The fully [carburized] specimen, after cooling at the top of the furnace tube, was placed in a lathe and sandpapered to remove all graphite; then the diameter was measured with a micrometer caliper, and the initial weighing (corresponding to complete saturation) was made. By means of a

Jan 1, 1942

By Edward H. Robie

PROBABLY nowhere in the United States or its possessions is mining development more active at present than in the Philippine Islands. Only a few years ago only one company was of any importance, the Benguet Consolidated. Now, five companies are paying dividends, five others have reached the producing stage, some seven others may produce this year, and a score or so are being actively developed. Gold production in 1933 was valued at about $8,000,000, last year at about $11,000,000, and this year an output valued at about $17,000,000 is envisaged. At the beginning of 1934 about 1750 tons of ore was being milled daily; at the end of the year, the tonnage was approximately 3400. In 1933 there were only thirteen Institute members in the Philippines; a year ago there were 27, and now there are 46. About fifteen thousand amen were employed in the mining industry last year, with mine payrolls amounting to $3,500,000. An immense amount of new machinery has been required. One difficulty has so far hindered gold-mine development to some extent-lack of adequate power. Each company therefore finds it necessary to generate its own power, and for this purpose diesel engines are generally adopted.

Jan 1, 1935

By W.M. Peirce

The present work has been done in an endeavor to correlate and complete the data on the constitution of alloys of zinc with other common metals, dealing exclusively, however, with the zinc-rich alloys in which the zinc content is between 90 and 100 per cent. This investigation has included the systems lead-zinc, cadmium-zinc, iron-zinc, copper-zinc, aluminum-zinc, nickel-zinc, manganese-zinc, cobalt-zinc, tin-zinc, and magnesium-zinc. The important ternary system zinc-lead-cadmium and the zinc corners of other ternary systems have been investigated in connection with this work but will not be dealt with here. Zinc does not form a single homogenous zinc-rich solid solution over any considerable range of concentration with any of the metals mentioned. A limited range of solid solubility is said, by previous investigators, to occur in several cases and certain effects on the properties of zinc are attributed (with varying degrees of consistency among different writers) to the presence of certain other metals dissolved in zinc. The increasing use of rolled zinc and the possibilities offered by zinc as a casting alloy in certain fields have made it essential to determine precisely these equilibrium relationships. In carrying out this investigation reliance was placed chiefly on two methods, conductivity measurements and microscopic analysis. The first method proved valuable in determining the existence and extent of solid solubility. The second method stands alone as a means of determining structural characteristics and supplements the first method in the measurement of solid solubility. The scleroscopic hardness of all conductivity specimens was measured partly for its value from the point of view of mechanical properties and partly as a check on the conductivity curves in indicating the limits of solid solubility. No hardness curves are included in this paper, for in no case were they important in arriving at the constitution of any system. Conductivity measurements were in all cases made on cold-rolled strips 0.020 in. thick and 0.5 in. wide, both as cold rolled and after an

Jan 1, 1923

By W. M. Peirce

The present work has been done in an endeavor to correlate and complete the data on the constitution of alloys of zinc with other common metals, dealing exclusively, however, with the zinc-rich alloys in which the zinc content is between 90 and 100 per cent. This investigation has included the systems lead-zinc, cadmium-zinc, iron-zinc, copper-zinc, aluminum-zinc, nickel-zinc, manganese-zinc, cobalt-zinc, tin-zinc, and magnesium-zinc. The important ternary system zinc-lead-cadmium and the zinc corners of other ternary systems have been investigated in connection with this work but will not be dealt with here. Zinc does not form a single homogenous zinc-rich solid solution over any considerable range of concentration with any of the metals mentioned. A limited range of solid solubility is said, by previous investigators, to occur in several cases and certain effects on the properties of zinc are attributed (with varying degrees of consistency among different writers) to the presence of certain other metals dissolved in zinc. The increasing use of rolled zinc and the possibilities offered by zinc as a casting alloy in certain fields have made it essential to determine precisely these equilibrium relationships. In carrying out this investigation reliance was placed chiefly on two methods, conductivity measurements and microscopic analysis. The first method proved valuable in determining the existence and extent of solid solubility. The second method stands alone as a means of determining structural characteristics and supplements the first method in the measurement of solid solubility. The scleroscopic hardness of all conductivity specimens was measured partly for its value from the point of view of mechanical properties and partly as a check on the conductivity curves in indicating the limits of solid solubility. No hardness curves are included in this paper, for in no case were they important in arriving at the constitution of any system. Conductivity measurements were in all cases made on cold-rolled strips 0.020 in. thick and 0.5 in. wide, both as cold rolled and after an

Jan 1, 1923

By Leon Borgman, Michael P. Lipkewich

Orebodies at or near the surface are generally amenable to open pit mining. The development of a mining program involves designing an ultimate pit and a production schedule. This pit maximizes total profit while the production schedule maximize6 the present value of the property. Optimum pit limits can be approximated by two-and three-dimensional numerical techniques. These techniques presuppose that the mineralized area has been sufficiently sampled to allow a reasonably accurate prediction of grade at any spatial location.

Jan 1, 1969

By F. M. Lewis, J. F. Myers

The paper reports the development of a large, slow speed ball mill closed circuited with a hvdro-scillator. This increased grinding efficiency 28 pct over conventional units. AS the title indicates, this is a progress report for the first year of experimental operation of a relatively large diameter, slow speed ball mill with 1-in. balls, with and without various classifiers, and including a hydroscillator. Several years ago the authors came to the conclusion that if any further progress were to be made in our flotation process, an understanding of the chemical and physical reactions and the control thereof, in the grinding circuit, was essential. It may be stated, at this point, that the preparation of a correct feed for the flotation process is still the number one objective of our grinding studies. This progress report deals with grinding "per se," and not with the chemical and physical reactions as the result of grinding. Prior to this time we had taken the naive position, that since grinding had been practiced by the industry for some fifty years or more, it had been well exploited and developed by a host of investigators. Consequently, we had given the matter only superficial attention. At the start of our study, we were aware of the fact that some difference in opinion existed, but we were not prepared for the controversial evidence that developed nor for the extent to which the experts differed in their viewpoints. There seemed nothing else to do but to tour the continent and decide for ourselves what was right and what was wrong, read all the published literature and visit with anyone who had ideas about the matter. This we did over the next few ensuing years. Since our study has met with some measure of success, we report, herewith, these data that ultimately they may be of help to other investigators. In 1944 it became necessary to increase our grinding capacity and at the same time to grind the sulphide portion a little finer. This provided the impetus to put our ideas into effect. As has been previously described, our grinding flowsheet at that time consisted of a 6x12 rod mill, followed by two 5x10 ft, and one 6x12 ft trunnion overflow ball mills, with conventional rake classifiers. Naturally, we first considered all the possibilities of altering or adding to the existing equipment. It became evident that if any appreciable increase in grinding efficiency could be obtained, it would pay to scrap the existing small mills and classifiers and install one big mill with adequate classification. Trying to determine just how much more efficient a big mill could be, in which were incorporated all

Jan 1, 1951

By J. F. Myers, F. M. Lewis

The paper reports the development of a large, slow speed ball mill closed circuited with a hvdro-scillator. This increased grinding efficiency 28 pct over conventional units. AS the title indicates, this is a progress report for the first year of experimental operation of a relatively large diameter, slow speed ball mill with 1-in. balls, with and without various classifiers, and including a hydroscillator. Several years ago the authors came to the conclusion that if any further progress were to be made in our flotation process, an understanding of the chemical and physical reactions and the control thereof, in the grinding circuit, was essential. It may be stated, at this point, that the preparation of a correct feed for the flotation process is still the number one objective of our grinding studies. This progress report deals with grinding "per se," and not with the chemical and physical reactions as the result of grinding. Prior to this time we had taken the naive position, that since grinding had been practiced by the industry for some fifty years or more, it had been well exploited and developed by a host of investigators. Consequently, we had given the matter only superficial attention. At the start of our study, we were aware of the fact that some difference in opinion existed, but we were not prepared for the controversial evidence that developed nor for the extent to which the experts differed in their viewpoints. There seemed nothing else to do but to tour the continent and decide for ourselves what was right and what was wrong, read all the published literature and visit with anyone who had ideas about the matter. This we did over the next few ensuing years. Since our study has met with some measure of success, we report, herewith, these data that ultimately they may be of help to other investigators. In 1944 it became necessary to increase our grinding capacity and at the same time to grind the sulphide portion a little finer. This provided the impetus to put our ideas into effect. As has been previously described, our grinding flowsheet at that time consisted of a 6x12 rod mill, followed by two 5x10 ft, and one 6x12 ft trunnion overflow ball mills, with conventional rake classifiers. Naturally, we first considered all the possibilities of altering or adding to the existing equipment. It became evident that if any appreciable increase in grinding efficiency could be obtained, it would pay to scrap the existing small mills and classifiers and install one big mill with adequate classification. Trying to determine just how much more efficient a big mill could be, in which were incorporated all

Jan 1, 1951

By F. H. McDowell

For more than two hundred years Mexico has been enriching the world from her inexhaustible wealth of precious metals. From this source alone, over three thousand five hundred millions of dollars have been poured into the coffers of Europe and America. During these centuries the wants of the country in manufactured goods have been supplied from the mills and machine-shop of the Old World. English, French and German merchants in Mexico have vied with each other in their efforts to control the importing of these goods from their respective countries. The overthrow of Maximilian, the departure of the French and the restoration of the Republic, largely influenced by the strong stand taken by the United States Government during our own civil war, established a new order of things. Americans were encouraged to visit the sister republic, examine into the needs of the country, as well as its resources, and interest themselves in the work of development. More recently, under Presidents Diaz and Gonzales, liberal inducements have been extended to American capitalists to build railroads, open mines, erect reduction-works, raise cattle and improve the crude systems of agriculture. The Mexican Central Railway has been pushed south from the Rio Grande to the Capital, and, by its branches and connections, makes the whole mineral belt of the country accessible.

Jan 1, 1885

MEETING OF SAN FRANCISCO SECTION Twenty members were present at the meeting of the San Francisco Section, May 20, 1919. Chairman Bradley being in Alaska, vice-chairman, T. A. Rickard, presided. Prof. Frank H. Probert gave a short account of the activities of the governmental commission, consisting of himself, George S. Rice, and F. G. Cottrell, which recently visited Europe, and studied the coal, iron, salt, and chemical industries. When the work is finished reports will he issued. He gave a resume of the history of. the changes in nationality of Alsace-Lorraine and &apos;described the importance of the region for coal, iron, and potash. With the return of these provinces France will have an annual output of more iron ore than she has coke to smelt it with; hence, the importance of the Saar coal field. With these new mines France will take the predominant position in the iron and steel-industry formerly held by Germany. Many details were given of the devastated mines of France, and of their former value, production and the destruction that overtook them. Noteworthy is it that much of the damage was done as late as Oct. 28, 1918, for the express purpose of ruining the country industrially. The damaged area of the Valenciennes coal basin embraced twenty-four concessions, three were damaged by artillery bombardment, but have resumed operations since the&apos; armistice, nine had their surface: equipment destroyed by battle, pillage, and sabotage, while twelve concessions at the eastern-end of-the field suffered from wilful, systematic destruction. Of the 285 shafts in the district, 172 were flooded either by: turning surface streams into them, or, by wrecking the cuvellage; thus, admitting water and quicksand from the water-bearing strata above the coal measures. Two hundred and thirty-five surface plants were damaged, many of them to such an extent that they must be scrapped. These properties gave employment to 135,000 men before the war and, even admitting the remote possibility of getting workmen, the terrible destruction and devastation makes housing and living a difficult problem. It will probably be from 3 to 5 years before the mines are drained and information obtained as to underground conditions; to attain the pre-war output may require from 12 to 15 years.

Jan 8, 1919

By Geo. T. Lynch

PALEOLITHIC MAN, laboriously shaping a stone implement in his cave, discovered that the dust irritated his eyes and nostrils and hindered his labors, whereupon, muttering a few incantations, forerunners of modern profanity, he removed himself and his work outside. There, ignoring the jeers of the hairy ?old-timers,? he turned his back to the wind and resumed operations in comparative comfort. Thus originated the dust problem in the mineral industries, and its solution. Despite long familiarity with the annoyance, danger, and loss occasioned by dust, little progress was made in the engineering solution of its problems until recent years. Some advance can now be reported but too many traces of ancient tradition and practice still remain. Considerable published information is available but only a part of this is of proved accuracy and utility. The greater portion is either misleading, being derived from too few cases to be of general application, or entirely erroneous, originating in guesswork, legend, or individual inspiration, divine or otherwise. The engineer, confronted with a dust problem, has neither the time nor the special training required to extract the values from this mass of low-grade. It is, therefore, desirable that we attempt to correlate the known values and to put them into a form upon which actual progress can be based. This discussion is, then, for the benefit of that engineer, particularly the engineer in the mineral industries and more particularly in ore-dressing plants, and is merely a gathering of facts already known but difficult to segregate.

Jan 1, 1938

By J. W. Richards

Plating iron with copper has received great attention from practical and scientific men, but, aside from the deposit secured by immersion of iron in copper salts, by electro-plating, or by welding together thin sheets of iron and copper, these efforts have met with no success. Failure of these efforts, in the production of copper plating, has been due to the fact that the conditions normally and necessarily present in the plating operation are antagonistic to the production of copper-plated iron. In most, if not quite all of them, a bath of molten copper has been used. The temperature of a molten copper bath is so high that the iron becomes oxidized before it can be immersed in the molten copper, and unless a protective flux for the molten copper is used, the surface of the copper will become oxidized, and, in any event, the plated iron will oxidize immediately on its being withdrawn from the molten bath. I recently had the pleasure of visiting the works of The Metals Plating Co. at Elizabeth, N. J., where I witnessed the plating of iron sheets with copper by a new process.l The plating metal is applied to the sheet in the form of a liquid mixture by means of rolls, such as inking rolls. The sheet, after being coated with the mixture, is automatically carried forward and deposited on a link-belt conveyor, which carries it through a furnace maintained at a temperature well above that of molten copper. The basic principle involved in this method lies in the application of the plating metal to the sheet while the sheet is cold and then melting the metal in place on the sheet under conditions which are favorable to the formation of the plating. Plating Mixture The liquid plating mixture is composed of either copper oxide or finely divided copper, or a mixture of both, ground to the consistency of a light varnish in a crude oil having an asphaltic base, of a specific gravity of from 14" to 16&apos; Be. The plating mixture which gives the best results

Jan 1, 1919

Discussion of the paper of E: D. Gardner, presented at the Salt Lake meeting, August, 1914, and printed in Bulletin No. 91, July, 1914, pp. 1467 to 1471. H. V. WINCHELL, Minneapolis, Minn.-There are two questions I should like to ask: First, does the Department still adhere to the decision made in the East Tintic case? Second, does the Department require placer ground to he of such value that, in the opinion of the Forest Service employees, it will pay to work, before admitting the location to be valid? T. C. HOYT,* Ogden, Utah.-With reference to the first question: the Department does not hold to that decision, as it was reconsidered by the Secretary Of the Interior, and the Department is governed by the decision of the Secretary Of the Interior, on those points always. The Department of Agriculture makes no decision as to what constitutes a sufficient discovery. The mineral examiners simply report their findings and Opinions. These are transmitted to the chief of the field division of the General Land Office, who in turn transmits the reports to the Commissioner Of the General Land Office, who decides whether the report raises an issue requiring a hearing. If a hearing is ordered, expert testimony is given on the question of the discovery, as well as the evidence of practical people who operate in the vicinity of the claim in question. As to the extent of placer values considered sufficient to justify a location, my answer will need a little amplification. I couldn&apos;t answer it directly for the reason that sometimes people resort to placer claim location as a means of acquiring land for Other purposes than placer mining, which makes it absolutely necessary that the government give close attention to the question of whether good faith has been shown, as it is the evidences of good faith that largely determine whether a report adverse to a claim shall be made. That is a difficult point to cover sometimes. For instance, in the region I have recently visited there are some 17 miles of a valley, from ¼ to ¾ mile in width, all covered by placer locations. It is valuable stock-grazing land, and is stocked at the present time. It also contains a stand of timber, and is on the watershed of an important stream-important from the fact that it furnishes the water supply to government storage reservoirs, and to pending reclamation and Carey Act projects. In this case the placer claims will not be disturbed as mere locations. They will simply remain there, and there will be no action with reference to them until the claimant asks for patent or, before patent, begins to denude that watershed and remove that timber. Then the government would direct that the mineral experts go on to the ground, examine it, prospect it, and submit their report, with a view to seeing if

Jan 11, 1914

By C. N. Schuette

The material presented in this paper has been gathered by the writer during a long and varied experience on matters pertaining to the quicksilver industry. During the past 18 years he has visited practically all of the quicksilver mines of the United States and has had occasion to review the literature on quicksilver mining the world over. In a previous publication1 the conclusion was expressed "that the greatest opportunity for increasing the economy in quicksilver production lies in giving more attention to the geology of the deposits ... " The present paper is a contribution toward that end. Due to a lack of correlation of the observed facts, a great deal of confusion exists in the views of various writers concerning the mode of occurrence of quicksilver ores. This paper attempts to show that certain common factors underlie the formation of all quicksilver orebodies. It attempts to present a framework on which to marshall the observed facts and thus make clear the interrelation of various observations which at first sight appear to be contradictory. The material presented is fragmentary in many respects and it is hoped that readers familiar with the deposits mentioned may supply the deficiency. The reader is asked to refer to the publications cited for maps and additional information on the individual orebodies, as this review, in covering so much territory, must necessarily confine itself to a bare outline of the facts concerning each occurrence. The writer hopes that this paper will elicit comment and criticism from the many competent men interested in the quicksilver industry and to all of them he would express his indebtedness for the many courtesies that they have extended to him at various times in the past. Theory op Primary Concentration The mode of occurrence of any given orebody presents an individual problem to the miner engaged in exploiting it. No two orebodies are exactly alike in their geological relationships, therefore an understanding, in detail, of the geology is necessary if the orebody is to be exploited in the most economic manner.

Jan 1, 1931

THE discussion of this topic at the Open-hearth Conference at Detroit on Nov. 3, 1927, was opened by statements of the general principles involved, made by manufacturers of molds. Because of their general interest they are printed below. WILLIAM HAIL RAMAGE,* Hubbard, Ohio.-I did not come prepared to read a paper, thinking. the most I would be called upon to do would be to make a few, remarks by way of discussion. A number of our friends have pre-viously asked questions. similar to this which really does not permit a direct "yes" or "no" answer. If I may he pardoned for so doing, I believe it advisable to discuss rather what we consider the principal factors which in-fluence mold life. I think possibly a little undue weight has been given to the subject of the analysis of the metal. For the last eight years we have spent a lot of time, effort, and money investigating this very problem from a chemical, physical and microscopic standpoint. We have had the benefit of complete records and history of over 100,000 molds in service at a variety of plants and over long periods of time. Obviously, I cannot be so specific that I should divulge information that is really a trade secret. In our opinion the principal factors influencing mold life are: (1) design of the mold; (2) process of manu-facture, including workmanship; (3) care in the steel plant or what might be termed "the use or abuse" in the steel plant; (4) the analysis of the iron and the physical con-dition of it. Under normal conditions these factors are of importance in the order named, although in specific cases they might be rearranged in any order you choose. For instance, the best mold made can be destroyed in one or two pours by subjecting it to certain conditions which are occasion-ally met in steel plant practice. Obviously, in that case, nothing else matters but that one item. On the other hand, I have seen molds made of such a terrible design that it was a foregone conclusion it would have to be broken after the second pour of the ingot to get it out. In that case, nothing but design mattered. As to the effect of process of manufacture, let me cite a case. Some years ago there were two batches of molds sent to a certain company. They were the same sized molds, used under the same conditions and in the same kind of service. There were, 20 molds in each batch. The second batch sent gave ten times the life of the first batch. It is true that the design was changed a little, but not very much, and it was not. a bad mold to begin with. It is possible that the iron may have been better in the second consignment but not very much. In my opinion, it is con-servative to say that of the 900 per cent improvement in life, 5 per cent was probably due to better iron, 25 per cent to better design and the remaining 870 per cent to process of manufacture and workmanship.

Jan 2, 1928