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By Farzad Khodabakhshi, Adrian P. Gerlich

"Multi-pass friction stir processing (FSP) was performed to fabricate a new Al-Mg-Graphene nanocomposite. Microstructural developments and distribution of graphene were studied by using electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. In the stirred zone (SZ), grain structure was refined down to about 2 µm attributing to the operative dynamic restoration mechanisms and the locking effect of graphene phase. As a result, the yield strength of Al-Mg alloy was improved more than two times due to incorporation of graphene nano-sheets. Also, the indentation hardness resistance of nanocomposite was increased up to ~60%.INTRODUCTION Aluminum-matrix nanocomposites have garnered significant in recent years due to their superior performance and potential advantages for several industrial applications including the automotive and aerospace sectors. Among various reinforcing nano-materials, carbon-based structures featuring sp2 or sp3 hybridization bonds have been found to offer considerably improved physical and mechanical properties. Such carbon allotropes form at micro- and nano-scales including; graphite, carbon nano-tube (CNT), nano-fiber, and graphene. The potential of two-dimensional (2D) carbon materials was introduced in 2004, with the development of graphene as an alternate 2D allotropic form of the carbon structure with a honey-comb lattice at the atomic-scale. It has been shown that it is currently among the strongest materials ever tested with an intrinsic tensile strength of 130 GPa and Young’s modulus of 1000 GPa, and also offers unique thermal and electrical properties.To fabricate metal-matrix nanocomposites reinforced by graphene nano-sheets with typical metallurgical processing techniques, some attempts have been reported in the literature for various solid-state techniques including; hot rolling, mechanical alloying, and friction stir processing (FSP) of pre-cast plates or surface dispersed graphene oxides. The main challenge in those methods was to facilitate the considerable high temperature and pressure for attaining a uniform dispersion of the nano-sheets during the consolidation process. In most cases, significant difficulties have been reported in obtaining a uniform dispersion of graphene within the metal matrix. Among various techniques for production of metal-matrix nanocomposites, FSP has attracted significant attention as a method of surface modification since it was first reported by Mishra et al. In this process, a non-consumable rotating tool is plunged into the surface of material for the aim of microstructure modification. Extreme material plasticity is induced without melting as a result of friction between the tool and workpiece. Frictional heating and severe plastic deformation induced by the FSP process enables metal matrix nanocomposite fabrication by softening the base material and mechanical stirring to disperse the reinforcing nano-materials into the matrix."

Jan 1, 2017

By D. Markwart, B. Volk

Anode effects are a phenomenon of the aluminium electrolysis process which produce potent greenhouse gases called PFCs (CF4, C2F6). With concerns surrounding global warming, and increasing regulation of GHG emissions, anode effects have become a significant sustainability issue for aluminium producers. In modem smelters, sophisticated computer control and automated alumina feeding systems allow for very tight control of the alumina concentration in the electrolyte and thus very low anode effect frequencies. Older smelters, however, do not have these systems and must either invest heavily to obtain them, or find other, innovative ways to reduce anode effect frequency. This paper will present the integrated approach to anode effect reduction used in the Vertical Stud Soderberg (VSS) potlines at Kitimat Works. Through an innovative combination of simplified signal analysis, modified alumina feed control logic, anode effect prediction, and anode effect prevention using a pager based communication system, Kitimat W arks has been able to make significant reductions to its anode effect frequency.

Jan 1, 2006

By H. Lachmund, R. Bruckhaus

At Dillinger Hüttenwerke/Germany steel production of grades for linepipe applications especially for sour service has a long tradition. The BOF process after replacement of the vessels is optimized by a newly developed lime addition model and variations in lance tip geometry. Equipped with three state-of-the-art VOD tank degassers metallurgical requirements of lowest contents of e. g. sulphur, nitrogen and hydrogen can be achieved. Three continuous casting machines of vertical bending type with solid core even improve already high levels of cleanliness. The vertical part corresponds to the metallurgical length of 12 to 15 m and therefore assures a maximum of cleanliness after solidification before bending. Slab thickness up to 400 mm can be produced with model controlled dynamic soft reduction. The accurate alignments of the casters assure minimized segregation and microporosity. Surface and internal cracks can be avoided by special cooling, bending and straightening strategies.

Jan 1, 2005

By G. F. Round

In order to obtain values of angle of shearing resistance and initial resistance for McMurray oil sand for use in general design calculations, the shear strength of this oil sand was measured in a controlled strain type tester, modified so that the rate of deformation could be varied between 0.01725 and 0.1869 inches per minute. Effect of temperature was investigated by adapting the equipment to operate at both 71 ° and 185 °F. The data are reported in terms of angle of shearing resistance and initial resistance for varying rates of deformation, composition and temperature. While the main sets of results reported here were obtained at a bulk density range of 108.7- 109.5 lb. / cu. ft., some results were obtained at a bulk density range of 101-102 lb. / cu. ft. Analysis of varance tables have been drawn up from the results obtained from least squares correlations and significance tests applied. It was concluded that oil content and temperature were significant variables for the degree of shear strength developed by the oil sand; increase of oil content and decrease of temperature each cause an increase in shear strength. The bulk density range 108.7 to 109.5 lb./cu. ft. gave angles of shearing resistance from 30° to 40° and initial resistance values of 0.37 p.s.i. to 0.85 p.s.i. For the bulk density range 101 to 102 lb. / cu. ft., lower values of shear strength were obtained, indicating that compaction density was also of importance

Jan 1, 1960

By S. Homulos

"Introductory and GeneralTHE Northwest Territories comprise all that region -of Canada lying between Yukon Territory and Hudson bay and north of the 60th parallel of latitude. For purposes of mine .administration the Territories are divided into three districts: Yellowknife, McKenzie, and Arctic and Hudson Bay. Mining recording offices for the respective districts are maintained at Yellowknife, Fort Smith, and Ottawa. The mine inspection for the entire area, and also for Yukon Territory, comes under the Federal Department of Resources and Development. Two mining inspectors are responsible for these inspections: the Chief Inspector of Mines, with headquarters in Ottawa, who makes trips into the north at least twice a year, and a Resident Inspector, stationed in Yellowknife.The Resident Inspector is constantly making inspections of active properties. This involves a considerable amount of air travel as the region is large and properties are widely scattered.Although there has been prospecting and staking of claims in each of the three districts of the Northwest Territories, actual mining has been conducted only in the Yellowknife district, and for purposes of this paper we are solely concerned with that district."

Jan 1, 1952

By W. J. Bennett

WHEN Dr. Horace Fraser, your President, invited me to speak to you today I advised him in confidence that I was leaving my present positions on April 30th. In the circumstances it seemed to me that this audience might prefer to have as its speaker one who wo.uld J1ave a continuing association with the atomic energy programme. Dr. Fraser was kind enough to suggest that my re-marks might he of special interest to you, since I would be able to sum up my views on the atomic energy programme. I hope that I will not disappoint him or you on that score. I am particularly pleased that my last public appearance in my present positions should be at the Annual Convention of the C.I.M. since, as all of you know, a very important part of my work has been in the mining field. As it happens, my first public address on the subject of atomic energy and its raw material -uranium -was made at your Annual Convention in Montreal in April, 1949. It seems fitting that my final address should also be made at this convention -nine years later.

Jan 1, 1958

By B. Wasmund, M. Parravani, M. Jastrzebski, Z. Coull

"One of the main drivers of overall profitability of pyrometallurgical vessels is refractory lining campaign life. Increased economic pressure to improve vessel life requires innovative solutions to the problem of refractory cooling. Hatch has recently developed a high-intensity, waterless cooling system that bridges the performance gap between external shell cooling and internal water-cooled copper elements. External shell cooling has a limited effectiveness in protecting the refractory lining, because it is thermally insulated from the hotface of the lining by its thickness. This situation does not improve until the lining itself has become worn near the end of the campaign. The patented technology developed by Hatch overcomes this problem by positioning high-velocity air-cooling channels within the lining, closer to the hotface where the cooling benefits can be realized throughout the entire duration of the campaign. The current paper presents the development and application of Internal Air Cooling technology as well as results from the pilot campaign in an operating commercial vessel. Various adaptations for this novel, cost-effective and inherently safe system are also discussed."

Jan 1, 2015

By James A. Robertson

"This paper is the result of a continuing investigation begun in 1953 by government geologists and mining companies. Previous work is reviewed and the development of several stratigraphic nomenclatures and correlation schemes is traced, culminating with the interim report of the Federal-Provincial Committee on Huronian Stratigraphy formed in 1966.The stratigraphy, structure and correlation of the Huronian rocks of the Blind River area and the region between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury are reviewed. The area is underlain by three Precambrian units: (1) the Archean greenstones and granites, (2) the Huronian sedimentary and volcanic rocks and (3) the post-Huronian intrusive rocks. The Huronian rocks, largely quartzite and conglomerate with greywackes, argillites and carbonates, were laid down in shallow water transgressing over the eroded Archean basement. Thickness and facies changes indicate a northwesterly source, northerly overlap and deposition controlled by basement topography. Polymictic conglomerates, occurring at least at three horizons, represent tillites and are associated with varvites with dropped clasts. These are best developed in the Gowganda formation, which varies from a continental glacial environment in the north to a marine glacial environment in the southeast.There were at least three phases of post-Huronian igneous activity, probably related to several periods or phases of late Precambrian deformation and metamorphism: (1) sills of Nipissing diabase and rather younger diabase dikes; (2) the Cutler Granite and Croker Island Complex; and (3) dikes of Keweenawan olivine diabase.Copper mineralization is associated with the Nipissing diabase. The uranium ores are found in pyritic quartz-pebble conglomerate near the Huronian Archean unconformity, particularly in ancient valleys; they are considered to be placer deposits modified by later events. Uranium production from the Blind River camp to the end of 1966 was 128,160,096 pounds U308 valued at $1,203,840,848 derived from 56,077,179 tons of ore grading 0.11 per cent U308.Within the Blind River and adjacent areas, future discoveries will probably be the result of costly systematic deep-drilling programs accompanied by detailed geologic studies of the type carried out by oil companies and probably computer-oriented."

Jan 1, 1969

By George S. Rice

Foreword Explosion hazards differ widely in the mines of different fields or coal basins. They also differ as between different mines in the same basin or fold, because of variations in gas entering the mines, and because dust conditions and explosion hazards are affected by the mining methods employed and the organization of the work. It is unquestionably true, however, that there are greater differences in explosion hazards in mines of different coal fields or basins than between different mines of the same field or basin. In these respects, the coal fields and individual mines in Alberta are not exceptional. The same conditions obtain in various countries where coal is mined, and are found in single States, as for example in Colorado, where coals are mined ranging in character from sub-bituminous to anthracite, and in attitude from flat horizontal to steeply pitching beds. The U.S. Bureau of Mines, at its experimental mine near Pittsburgh, Pa., has made large-scale tests of the relative explosibility of dusts of coals, ranging in rank from Wyoming sub-bituminous coal containing 19 per cent moisture, to anthracite from Pennsylvania, and including samples from a mine in the Crowsnest Pass district, B.C., and from a Vancouver Island mine. The Bureau has also made similar tests of the dust of coal from a Yorkshire mine which the British Safety-in-Mines Research Board uses as standard.

Jan 1, 1927

By M. Sengupta

International trade in minerals plays a very important role in the economic growth of many nations. Several less developed countries a1•e heavily dependent on their mineral exports for earning foreign exchange, which is needed for industrialization. Mineral exporting nations experience many problems in international mineral markets; the most important are tariff barriers, deteriorating terms of trade, instability in metal prices, etc. The formation of international mineral cartels to raise prices can be successful only to a limited extent and only for a short period of time.

Jan 1, 1976

By S. W. Henley

"Shaft sinking design is typically driven by what has been successful in the past and the availability of sinking plant. This document considers a project where the sinking design and methodology is unconstrained by conventional thinking and removed from the commonly held belief that a sinking methodology should be developed from available winding plant. Schedule was a key driver for the Project and led to an alternative sinking design that aimed to optimise sinking advance rates by specifying new winders that compliment known sinking plant while providing improved safety, redundancy and flexibility within each part of the sinking cycle. KEYWORDS Consistent, Efficient, Flexible, Improved, Innovative, Optimise, Redundancy, Safety, Schedule INTRODUCTION The project is remotely located in the South Gobi region of Mongolia on a brownfield site and the scope of work included the concurrent blind sinking and concrete lining of two (2) ventilation shafts to an approximate depth of 1,150 m at a finished diameter of 10 m and 11 m respectively. All sinking and lining operations to be completed as in-line activities, (no lining whilst other activities are undertaken). The project was schedule driven with a completion date set for the first quarter (calendar) of 2021 and there were no restrictions imposed on the successful Contractor with respect to their equipment selection. Existing sinking plant already onsite from three previous shaft sinking operations would be made available to the Contractor if required on an as is where is basis Sustained advance rates in excess of 2.4 m per day would be required in order to achieve the completion milestone, therefore the design would have to include contingency and demanded flexibility to account for equipment down time. Previous shafts that had been sunk onsite have utilised a single double drum kibble (bucket) winder (hoist) with a single excavator loading on the shaft floor into a large capacity kibble (bucket). DESIGN Mucking The sinking design centred on the mucking cycle given that this is traditionally the most restrictive part of the sinking cycle and typically accounts for one third of the overall sinking cycle. The Vertical Shaft Mucker (VSM) and/or diesel excavator are commonly used plant for shaft sinking that were under consideration. The use of Cactus Grabs was not considered given the higher risk associated with grab ropes and hoist failures."

Jan 1, 2019

By R. V. Fox, L. K. Sinclair, D. L. Baek

"In this study, rare earth elements were recovered from bastnasite concentrate and waste fluorescent lamp phosphors using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction with a nitric acid/tributyl phosphate adduct. Several pretreatment methods were used to alter the crystal structure of the source materials, and thus improve rare earth element recovery. Pretreatment methods included 1) dry roasting of the source material at 730oC, 2) decomposition with 50% sodium hydroxide solution at 150oC for 4 hours, and 3) decomposition with 12 M sulfuric acid at 300oC for 4 hours. Treated and untreated samples underwent supercritical extraction at 24 MPa and 65oC for 1 hour. Untreated bastnasite and phosphor samples showed <10% rare earth element recovery, but sodium hydroxide digestion resulted in >60% recovery for most rare earth elements. Dry roasting of the bastnasite concentrate was also effective, resulting in >60% recovery for cerium.INTRODUCTIONRare earth elements (REEs) consist of the 15 lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium. Scandium and yttrium are included because they are in the same group as lanthanum, appear in many of the same ore deposits as the rest of the lanthanides, and exhibit many similar chemical properties. REEs are used in a wide array of applications including electronics, magnets, catalysts, glass, and solid-state lighting (Xie, Zhang, Dreisinger, & Doyle, 2014). Because of China’s continued dominance of worldwide REE production, the United States Department of Energy has sought to diversify domestic supplies of REEs (United States Department of Energy, 2011). A key part of this strategy is the development of improved extraction methods for both ores and recycled sources.Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a promising technology for extraction and separation of rare earth elements. Contact with an acid adduct dissolved in supercritical carbon dioxide allows for the rapid extraction of REEs from solid matrices. Supercritical CO2 has several potentially useful properties as a solvent, including high diffusivity and the ability to tune solvation properties by adjusting pressure. Such tunability may have applications in separating the REEs once they have been extracted from the solid phase. Tributyl phosphate/nitric acid adducts (TBP:HNO3) are a particularly promising class of adducts for SFE extraction of rare earth elements. Using TBP:HNO3 adducts in supercritical CO2, several researchers have successfully extracted REEs from their oxides (Wuhua, Pijia, & Yongjun, 2010; Zhu, Duan, Xu, & Zhu, 2009). However, there is a complication in applying this technique to many types of ores and recycled sources: REEs are often locked in refractory minerals which are resistant to acid attack, resulting in limited recovery in supercritical extraction."

Jan 1, 2016

Introduction A Hypothetical Scenario: Suppose that your company&apos;s research department has developed a new device which represents a significant innovation. You would like to begin selling it as soon as possible. The new device has not been publicly disclosed. You&apos;re not sure about what type of intellectual property protection you should be seeking, or when you should be seeking it. As discussed below, assuming that the costs are worth it, a patent application probably should be filed before any public disclosure is made. In general, if you do not file a patent application prior to a public disclosure, you will lose rights. Major Types of Intellectual Property In this paper, intellectual property protection is broadly discussed. Practical steps which can be taken to minimize the possibility of losing intellectual property rights (and maximizing the possibility of benefiting from your company&apos;s intellectual property) are outlined at the end of this paper. The issues discussed in this paper are somewhat complex, because a number of outcomes are possible, depending on the facts. It is strongly recommended that you seek legal advice in your jurisdiction in connection with any particular circumstances relating to intellectual property rights. "Intellectual property" refers to a number of different types of rights. The major types of intellectual property are: (i) patents; (ii) trademarks; and (iii) copyright. Trade secrets are also usually considered to be a type of intellectual property, and they are also discussed in this paper because of their importance. In general, each of these types of intellectual property protects different subject matter, although there can be some overlap. Intellectual property rights are generally territorial in nature. The scope of protection of a type of intellectual property in a country (e.g., patent protection) depends on whether the specific national requirements for protection have been met.

Feb 1, 2008

By Farzad Khodabakhshi, Adrian P. Gerlich

"In this article, cold spraying process was utilized to coat the surface of AZ31 magnesium alloy with a layer of AA7075 aluminum alloy. Thereafter, friction-stir processing (FSP) was employed to enhance the microstructure and consolidate the deposited layer. The grain structure and phase morphology were studied along with indentation hardness before and after cold spraying and friction stir processing. The magnesium substrate had an initial hardness of 74 HV which increased to 102 HV after FSP due to refinement of grains to <2 µm. The aluminum coating layer, provided improved surface hardness up to 160 HV, which further increased to 173 HV after FSP was applied.INTRODUCTION Cold spray is a material deposition process which can be used for surface modification, since it deposits material on a metallic substrate with little heating by way of high velocity ballistic impacts. Using cold spray technology, it is possible to deposit a wide range of coatings with various thicknesses by controlling the characteristics of the feeding powder and metal substrate, gas temperature, gas pressure, powder feeding rate, nozzle geometry, and gun traverse velocity. This process has been recently employed for surface modification in various aircraft and automobile structural applications. This has led to a broad range of research using this process for production and modification of different metallic and non-metallic systems. In the present study, cold spray process was used to deposit a uniform layer of aluminum-zinc alloy (AA7075) on the surface of AZ31 magnesium alloy. This coating was subsequently treated by way of friction-stir processing (FSP) as a new post-spraying modification technique to enhance the structural homogeneity and densification of the coated aluminum layer. This method utilizes a non-consumable rotating tool with a specially designed shoulder and pin that is plunged into the surface of metal to be modified and then moved along the direction of interest. The localized frictional heating between the rotating tool and workpiece leads to softening of the materials around the pin, and material extrusion through a complex flow of material from the advancing toward the retreating side the tool. To the author’s best knowledge, only a few reports discuss the modification of a cold sprayed deposit by FSP process. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the cold sprayed layer and substrate before and after FSP modification were examined using optical observations (OM) and indentation hardness testing. Furthermore, the AZ31 alloy substrate alone was treated with FSP as well, for the aim of comparison to the processed coating."

Jan 1, 2017

By Ray Holmes

This paper describes one approach in our search for greater stope efficiency and lower costs. The uppers technique with wagon drills in cut-and-fill stopes was commenced, on an experimental basis, in our Sudbury mines in 1961. To date, the method has developed into an accept-ed production operation. This technique minimizes the intermittent aspects of the drilling, blasting, mucking and filling operations associated with other cut-and-fill methods. However, studies show that not all cut-and-fill stopes are suitable for uppers, the governing factors being ore width, dip of the orebody, and ground conditions where large areas of unsupported back remain stable for ex-tended periods of time until rockbolting can be accomplished. Introduction F ALCONBRIDGE Nickel Mines Limited operates seven mines within a radius of 30 miles of the city of Sudbury, Ontario. These mines extend in depth from 1,500 to 6,300 ft. The ore consists of brecciated, massive and disseminated sulphides, and the ore minerals consist primarily of pentlandite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite. Widths are generally irregular and vary up to 150 ft. The ore dips at between 35 and 90 degrees.

Jan 1, 1965

By John Kostuik

"This paper discusses the outlook for uranium resources, and comments briefly on the measures needed to meet market objectives. Areas of recent exploration interest are also discussed.THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER has capably described the truly phenomenal growth in demand for energy from all sources. The basic factors -population growth and industrial development -which will create energy demand are so fundamental to national economies that the ascending energy demand curve will be little affected by short-term factors.Because of the economic and practical advantages of nuclear power and the degree of present acceptance by electric utilities, there is no doubt that uranium will be a principal source of primary energy in industrial countries -and this will happen within a decade. Indeed, during this period it will be the fastest growing source of energy, capturing, for example, more than half of the electric utilities' expansion in the United States by 1980. The ready availability of energy sources from domestic and foreign resources is so essential to industrial nations that the long-range outlook for their adequacy is of prime importance. There has been international concern about the availability of uranium resources at reasonable cost to adequately support and foster the development of the nuclear power industry. Canada, fortunate in having established reserves and a potential in excess of any forseeable domestic demand, can confidently look forward to being a principal supplier to the industry."

Jan 1, 1969

By A. C. Stevenson

"There are many critical application issues that affect all AC drives, but there are several that are absolutely mandatory for pulse width modulated (PWM) AC drives. If these rules are not followed, the drive system will have insulation, bearing EMI or noise problems. Pulse Width Output VoltageFigure 1 shows the output current of a typical pulse width modulated (PWM) drive. This is, of course, not a clean sine wave thus will have a lot of very significant harmonics. In fact, the harmonic spectrum is directly related to multiples of the carrier switching frequency plus side bands related to the basic output frequency. A typical spectrum for a PWM source bridge switching at 5 kHz is shown in Figure 2. Notice that the spectrum has multiples of the 5 kHz switching frequency and the number of side bands gets larger as the harmonic number increases.IGBT Switching TransientsWhenever we have PWM inverter switching, voltage transients are formed that propagate (usually at about half the speed of light) down the power cables to the motor just like in a radio frequency transmission line. If we do not terminate these transmission lines (motor cables) properly, the voltage pulses will be reflected when they reach the motor end and will be transiently increased up to twice their original amplitude.This transient voltage rise, shown in Figure 3, is important for three reasons:1. Insulation Voltage Stress — Higher voltage stress in the motor connecting cables and motor insulation will lead to a shorter insulation lifetime. If any of the voltage transient peaks exceed the insulation corona discharge level (partial discharge level), the insulation will gradually degrade with each voltage pulse. When it has been sufficiently degraded, it will then fail.Most new “inverter rated” motors have triple layer insulation which has a 1600 to 2000 volt partial discharge level. This will make them suitable to withstand the double voltage peak transient from a 600 volt inverter. It is wise to make sure of this fact, since a “standard” induction motor will only withstand about 1200 volts. Use of a standard motor in this application would shorten its life drastically. This can sometimes be as little as a matter of hours."

Jan 1, 2000

By R. M. Beauchamp

Base metal processing operations often treat process tailings and acid mine drainage using a high density sludge (HDS) water treatment process. Lime is used in this process, which reacts with existing sulfates to form gypsum. When a recycle stream is incorporated in the process, gypsum levels in recirculating water may build up and cause high levels of gypsum supersaturation. Precipitation of gypsum from the supersaturated process water causes many problems. It is speculated that gypsum may precipitate on sulfide minerals and silica gangues in the flotation circuit, resulting in decreased selectivity and recovery. An understanding of the determinants and nature of precipitation may provide solutions to mitigate the formation of precipitates and improve flotation performance. This study showed that both sphalerite and silica exhibited gypsum- or calcium carbonate-like behavior in the respective supersaturated solutions, indicative of a coating of calcium species on the mineral particle surfaces. The addition of copper sulfate and/or potassium xanthate had little effect on the precipitation of gypsum or calcium carbonate on the mineral particles. Sodium carbonate is encouraging as a method to minimize calcium species interactions on sphalerite/silica surfaces.

Jan 1, 2006

By A. R. Khodabandeh, T. Nematkhah

Correct selection of forging parameters is very important to produce sound superalloy parts. In this investigation nickel-iron base superalloy IN901 successfully forged and seal spacer, which is a part of airplane with about 11 kg weight has been produced. Forging has been performed on the basis of hot compression results, which show deformation above 1100°C associated with dynamic recrystallization (DRX) which can increase the workability of material. On the other hand annealing at 1100°C decreases the flow stress during hot compression, and then increases the material formability. Then billets annealed at 1100°C in electrical furnace for 24 hours and reheated again to 1100°C before forging. Initial square cross section billet with 128mm side and 202mm length forged immediately after reheating by 80MN mechanical press. Specimens forged in five steps: upsetting, three steps molding and finishing. Preformed and molded specimens reheated in electrical furnace before later step of forming. Finally specimens trimmed by 1 OMn mechanical press and hot set by hydraulic press and then cooled in air to room temperature. Results show that reheating temperatures has been selected correctly because there isn&apos;t any surface crack and die cavities filled completely by forging material. Material flow has been carried out properly and there isn&apos;t any defect in critical points especially in extradoses and intradoses. Microstructural examinations show that grain boundaries contain Ti-rich globular particles that formed during cooling.

Jan 1, 2006

By J. Cui, Z. Meng, W. Zhao

"The decomposition of rare earth concentrates containing bastnasite and monazite by alkali solutions has been investigated. A slurry of the rare earth concentrate and the alkali solutions was calcined at different temperatures. The impacts of calcination temperature on the decomposition of rare earth minerals, the oxidation of cerium, the deportment of fluorine and phosphorous, and the adaptability of the method to the different grades of rare earth concentrate were all studied. A possible technique for comprehensive recovery is proposed in which the chemical elements such as rare earth, fluorine, phosphorus, calcium, iron and thorium could be recycled or recovered. INTRODUCTIONThe liquid alkali decomposition method is an important technique for the decomposition of mixed rare earth concentrates. The technique is relatively clean compared with the sulfuric acid roasting method. However, its operation is intermittent rather than continuous. The two-step solid-liquid reaction and the subsequent water washing make it not very suitable for mass production and application. An important reason for the disadvantage is that an additional process of ""calcium removal by acid leaching"" is needed for the technique. The content of calcium in Baotou rare earth concentrates is usually 6-12%. The requirement of the current technique is that the content of calcium should be reduced to about 0.2% after the calcium removal process. Otherwise, the decomposition and leaching of rare earth will be affected. Therefore, calcium removal by acid leaching is a necessity before the alkali decomposition process is carried out. Research on different alkali decomposition techniques has been conducted with prior calcium removal by acid leaching (Xu, 1995; Yu, 1993; Han, Li, Chang, Liu & Xu, 1985). There have been some investigations of direct decomposition of the bastnasite (Feng, Pan & Li, 1998; Zhao, Zhang, Yang & Liu, 2002)and monazite (Sun, Li, Li, Su, Zhao & Liu, 1998; Zhou, 2005) by alkali-liquid, however, all studies were carried out in solid-liquid reaction system, and continuous calcination studies have not been reported.This paper investigates the process of direct decomposition of Baotou rare earth concentrates by continuous calcination with concentrated alkali. Using the rotary tubular electric furnace, the mixture of rare earth concentrate and concentrated alkali solution were decomposed continuously. Satisfactory decomposition results were achieved. A method for clean processing and comprehensive resource recovery from Baotou rare earth concentrates is proposed."

Jan 1, 2012