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By D. B. Hobbs, L. W. Kempf, R. S. Archer

SILICON is one of the most important elements in the metallurgy of aluminum. It is always present in small amounts in the ordinary grades of "pure" aluminum, and hence in all alloys made therefrom. Within the last few years binary alloys containing up to 13 per cent. of silicon have come into extensive use for castings. Silicon is also added, beyond the amount present as an impurity, in alloys containing one or more other elements such as copper, manganese, magnesium and nickel. The binary aluminum-silicon alloys are not yet heat treated to any extent in commercial practice, although, as will be shown, their properties are affected to a very considerable degree by heat treatment. There are other aluminum alloys that develop higher strength, but the special characteristics of the silicon alloys may well lead to the application of heat-treating processes on a commercial scale. The role of silicon in the heat treatment of aluminum alloys is more important than would be indicated by consideration of the binary alloys alone, because many of the alloys that are heat treated in regular commercial practice contain some silicon in addition to that derived from the aluminum ingot as an impurity. Among these may be mentioned the heat-treated 195 alloy castings, and the wrought alloys 25S, Special 17S and 51S of the Aluminum Co. of America, and the German wrought alloy, Lautal. It is the purpose of this paper to present the results of experimental work and the conclusions derived therefrom regarding the heat treatment of the binary aluminum-silicon alloys. The products heat treated included forgings, chill castings and both "normal" and "modified" sand castings. REVIEW OF LITERATURE The literature on the heat treatment of aluminum-silicon alloys is not very extensive. The following review gives the principal references of which the authors are aware, in which appreciable information may be found.

Jan 1, 1928

By J. L. Tokich, A. R. Troiano

Since 1921, when Hull1 discovered that cobalt can exist in the face-centered cubic and hexagonal close-packed modifications, the transitions that occur in cobalt have been extensively studied. It is generally agreed that on heating the hexagonal lattice changes to the cubic structure at ternperatures ranging from 400° to 500°C although considerable doubt exists as to the exact temperature. Data concerning the temperature of the transformation on cooling are much less concordant and their interpretation has not been satisfactory. The study is further complicated by the fact that many investigators have reported the existence of a high temperature allo-tropic change in the range 850 to 1020°C, at which the cubic lattice reverts to the hexagonal modification. The transition on cooling, which has been reported as Occurring at various temperatures from approximately 400 to 100°C, is of particular interest. Troiano and Greninger2 have recently suggested and considered the possibility Of allotropic transformations occurring in pure metals by a shear-type, diffusionless (martensite) transformation. The case of cobalt was specifically discussed and certain observations of previous investigators evaluated in terms Of this type of Of Table 1 briefly outlines the methods and results Of previous investigators Of the transformation temperatures of cobalt. Materials and Methods The major portion of this investigatioll was performed with cobalt sheet containing a total of 0.2 pet impurities with carbon present to the extent of o,I pct. After melting in an induction furnace under an atmosphere of hydrogen, the carbon con. tent analyzed 0.03 pct. Some observations were repeated with hydrogen reduced cobalt compresses analyzing 99.9 pet pure. No significant variations in results were observed employing the as-received sheet, the remelted stock, or the cobalt compresses. Filings for X ray diffraction analysis were sealed in evacuated glass ampoules. Pyrex glass tubing was used for temperatures below (600°C and for higher temperatures clear fused quartz was satisfactory. After appropriate heat treatment at various ternperatures, the specimen ampoules were furnace cooled, air cooled or quenched by crushing under distilled water. This allowed a range of cooling velocities from less than one degree C per set to greater than 1,0oo°C per sec. X ray diffraction patterns were taken with a Debye camera and filtered characteristic cobalt K-alpha radiation. The of of the existing phases was roughly approximated by visual examina-

Jan 1, 1949

By Ralph W. Smith

DEVELOPMENT of the lime industry- in Ste. Genevieve County began in a crude way in 1840. According to information furnished by the Missouri Bureau of Geology, in the early days small vertical kilns built of stone were used, and wood was the fuel. Modern development began in 1904 when one company introduced steel shells lined with firebrick. Within a few years two more companies erected similar plants, and in 1925 a fourth company began operations. Thus there are today four lime companies at Ste. Genevieve, all operating at high capacity and with a gradually increasing production. GEOLOGY The limestone of Ste. Genevieve County, which has the chemical composition and purity required for lime burning, is the upper 80 or 90 ft. of Spergen formation. The Missouri Bureau of Geology, in its geological map of Ste. Genevieve County, gives the Spergen formation a total thickness of 160 ft., but only the upper portion is pure enough for lime burning, with an average raw-stone analysis of 98.7 per cent CaC03; 0.35 Si02; 0.3 R203; 0.35 MgCO3; 0.3 S03. The Spergen, one member of the Meramac group, Iowa series, of the Mississippian system, underlies an area approximately 12 miles long north and south, by 5 miles wide east and west (Fig. 1) in Ste. Genevieve County. The entire eastern two-thirds of Ste. Genevieve County is sedimentary, the formations dipping gently toward the east on an average grade of about 4 per cent, or 2 ½ º. Thus the outcrops of the various sedimentaries run approximately north and south. A line running west from Ste. Genevieve crosses the outcrops of the sedimentaries, ranging from the top of the Mississippian to the Ozarkian geological system in a space of 12 miles. Thus with the gentle dip of 2 ½ º the 160-ft. thickness of the Spergen formation stretches out in its outcrop so that it is approximately one mile

Jan 1, 1938

By R. J. McNally

THERE are three primary plant nutrients—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—expressed in any fertilizer compound as percent N, percent P 2 O 5, and percent K 2 O, in that order. This article will be concerned with the first two. The chief source of P 2 O 5 is phosphate rock. As found in the western states phosphate rock is essentially tricalcium phosphate-calcium fluoride (fluor-patite). As such, it is quite water insoluble.

Jan 1, 1957

By Layson, W. C.

ACCORDING to the records, Phelps Dodge made its original entry into the production of copper in the oldest copper mines of Arizona at Morenci in 1881. The ore body now being mined as the Morenci open-pit, as outlined by churn-drill holes, diamond-drill holes, and underground workings, is estimated to yield 230,000,000 tons of ore averaging 1.06 per cent copper. This development will add 2,500,000 tons of copper to the 900,000 tons already produced in the district. Some five years ago preliminary development of the ore body began, with big-scale production planned including the erection of a new treatment plant to be built near the mine. Inasmuch as the Morenci open-pit was an entirely new project this required the grading of roads, establishment of mining benches, construction of railroad grades, building of railroad tracks, erection of shops, as well as the purchase of the necessary equipment to satisfactorily and economically maintain the schedules of production forecast. Along with the preparation of the main ore body it was also desirable to mine and deliver to an experimental mill a relatively small daily tonnage of typical ore.

Jan 1, 1942

Jan 1, 1947

Jan 1, 1947

By D. C. Lindley, D. H. Gaucher

The displacement of oil by water in a waterflood project is accomplished by the action of transient viscous, gravitational and capillary forces which drive fluid through interconnecting pore spaces toward production wells. The relative importance of each of these forces to the effectiveness of the displacement and the production history depends on properties of the reservoir itself and the manner in which it is operated. There has been considerable discussion'-3 concerning the importance of these factors and the extent to which they control the performance of individual waterflood projects. No data have been presented, however, to demonstrate the effect on waterflood behavior of variations in rock permeability, water-injection rates and mobility ratios in three-dimensional reservoir systems in which viscous, gravitational and capillary forces are allowed to assume the proper relative influence on fluid flow. Much information relevant to water flooding has been gained from the study of field case histories. But, the complexity of the systems involved, the difficulty of defining geometry and obtaining sufficient data, and the fact that the same reservoir is never flooded twice with the same initial conditions, all obscure the role of process variables such as rate. Further, mathematical calculations of waterflood behavior are restricted at this time by available mathematical techniques to highly simplified situations. Scaled models, however, do offer an approach at the present time to evaluation of the effects of the pertinent variables. Several investigators have predicted prototype reservoir behavior from observations of model waterflood performance under a variety of conditions. Two-dimensional aspects of waterflood pattern efficiency have been investigated by Muskat, Aronofsky, Dyes, et al, raig, et al,' and Rapoport, et al. he effects of gravity segregation, viscous fingering and permeability stratification have also been studied in two-dimensional models. Craig, et al," studied the importance of gravitational forces on frontal displacement in three-dimensional models with wells on a five-spot pattern. This work in- vestigates the tendency for water to segregate in homogeneous reservoirs because of gravity and to under-run the oil for a range of water-inject ion rates. The effects of permeability stratifications were investigated by these authors using miscible fluids to simulate water-channeling through permeable strata in systems of negligible capillary force. In this investigation, a three-dimensional model of a five-spot pattern flood was designed to represent typical prototype conditions, and the sand and liquid properties were selected so that capillary, gravitational and viscous pressure gradients were scaled. It was not, however, possible to achieve exact similitude regarding viscous fingering when the more viscous oil was used. The effects of rock stratification on waterflood behavior were studied by changing both the permeability ratio and the position of the more permeable sand stratum in a two-layered, horizontal model. For each type of stratification, constant-rate floods were performed and the rates were varied, in separate experiments, over a tenfold range. To observe the effect of mobility ratio on flood performance, two series of constant-injection-rate floods were performed on the most highly stratified reservoir at a water-oil viscosity ratio of one.

By W. M. Weigel

Economic deposits of barite occur in Missouri in two main districts. The most important, the Southeastern or Washington County district, is in the southeastern part of the state, mostly in Washington County with a small extension into the northeastern part of St. Francois County. Roughly, it embraces nine townships or about 200,000 acres and accounts for from 80 to 90 per cent. of the state production. The Central district, is in the central part of the state, includes most of Morgan and Miller counties, and parts of Camden; Benton, Moniteau and Cole counties. The area embraced is much larger than the Washington County district, but the deposits are more infrequent. The location and general area covered by the two districts is shown in Fig. 1. There is another small area in southern Franklin County but so far its production has been of small consequence. It might be considered as a northward extension of the Washington County field. An, area in the central part of Hickory County has also produced a small amount. The outline of the districts as shown indicates the general area in which deposits have been found. The total area covered by deposits of barite is only a small part of this, as, in the Central district especially, there may be miles of supposedly barren areas between ore-bearing areas of an acre or two in extent. The date when barite was first mined in Missouri cannot be definit stated, but the industry probably dates back to about 1860. The occurrence of barite was known long before this, as it was encountered in the lead mines in Washington County and mentioned by several earlier writers." Missouri is reported as producing 8000 tons in 1882 so it is evident the industry was well under way in the seventies in order to have arrived at this substantial production. By 1893 Missouri production had increased so that it ranked with that of Virginia, then the largest producer it increased until in 1914 Missouri accounted for about 65 per cent. of the total United States output.

Jan 1, 1929

By G. R. Speich, L. Zwell, H. A. Wriedt

HORNBOGEN1 has recently shown that it is possible to measure the degree of segregation accompanying cellular precipitation in ferritic Fe-Zn alloys by measuring the lattice parameter of the ferrite phase within the cell. In extending this work to study a wider range of composition and to evaluate the free-energy change accompanying the growth of the cells, the lattice parameter and the boundary of the a! phase in Fe-Zn alloys were redetermined to check the earlier work of Schramm.2 This appeared to be necessary since the Fe-Zn diagram has been drastically revised since the work of Schramm. Stadelmaier and Bridgers3 have recently shown that, contrary to prior belief: the y iron field is closed and the a phase boundary extends to an a + T + L peritectic at 782°C where peritectic a contains 42 at, pet Zn. The phase T in equilibrium with the a solid solution has a composition near Fe3Zn10 and a cubic 081 type structure.' The alloys were prepared by two different methods. In the first method carbonyl iron powder (400 mesh, 99.8 pet pure) and high-purity zinc powder (200 mesh, 99.99 pet pure) were mixed in a ball mill and then pressed in a die at 40,000 psi pressure to make compacts with a diameter of 5/8 in. and a thickness of l/4 in. These were sealed in evacuated quartz capsules, gradually heated to 1100°C over a period of 1 week (3 days at 600°C) 3 days at 800°C, 1 day at (1100°C), and then quenched in iced brine. For the alloys containing 23.4 and 30.1 at. pet Zn, the final homogenization anneals were performed at 1000" and 850°C) respectively, to prevent melting. In the second method, alloys were prepared by saturating high-purity iron millings (0.001 in. thick, 99.9 pet pure) in zinc vapor. For each alloy the impregnation was conducted at a fixed vapor pressure of zinc and a fixed temperature between 750' and 800°C. When saturated, the millings were quenched in water. The compositions of the alloys prepared by both methods are shown in Table I. The lattice parameters of the ferritic solid solutions were determined by comparing the 26 values of their 310, peaks (using Co Ka) or of their 211 , peaks (using Cr Ka) with those of corresponding peaks for high-purity a iron. The 20 values were measured at room temperature with an X-ray dif-fractometer (G.E.-XRD5). By using a fiducial value of 2.8664Å for the lattice parameter of pure a iron at 25oC,5 the lattice parameters of the zinc-bearing

Jan 1, 1964

By John Chipman, Theodore B. Winkler

IN order to understand more fully the complexities of the reactions occurring between the liquid steel and the slag in the basic open-hearth steelmaking furnace, investigations in this country and abroad have turned to laboratory equilibrium studies. This paper is one of a series of reports on investigations being conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The experimental work was completed early in 1942. The slag systems found in the basic open hearth are very complex, being made up of at least eight major components and as many others whose effect might be classified as minor. The first two papers of the series, by Fetters and Chipman,l,2 as well as the paper by Taylor and Chipman,3 dealt with the simplest possible slag system that would resemble those found in the basic open hearth-the slag system consisting of CaO-MgO-SiO2-FeO. (Taylor's rotating induction furnace eliminated the necessity of contamination of the slag by MgO.) Having arrived at some reasonable conclusions regarding the physical chemistry of the reactions between molten iron and the simple slags at equilibrium, the next step was to investigate more complex slag systems. The major purpose of the present investigation was to determine what factors control the distribution of phosphorus between molten iron and the more complex basic slags at equilibrium, and to what extent these factors are influential. The slags used contained CaO, MgO, Si02, FeO, Fe203, P205, MnO, A1203 and CaF2, but not all of the slag samples contained all of these components at one time. REVIEW OF LITERATURE Although a number of interesting papers have been published on the subject of dephosphorization of an iron bath, there are as yet no results from laboratory studies that give thoroughly reliable information on the dephosphorization reaction. Even for the supposedly simple Fe-O-P system involving iron-phosphorus melts and iron oxide-iron phosphate slags, the experimental results are contradictory and no formulas have been established that adequately fit the equilibrium conditions. The Fe-O-P system has been studied by Schackmann and Brings4' von Samson-Himmelstjerna,5 Oelsen and Maetz,6 Bischof and Maurer,7 Diepschlag and Schürmann,8 and Herty,9 and the results of their investigations appear in Table I. A number of different equilibrium constants and distribution ratios

Jan 1, 1946

By Frank Rieber

THE discovery that strongly magnetic bodies localized near the surface of the earth could be detected by the distortion which they produced in the resultant magnetic field marked the beginning of magnetic surveying methods. From an original ability to detect bodies of magnetic iron ore and the like when located very close to the, surface, these methods have been extended until today they promise to give much information with regard to the structure of such slightly magnetic material as sedimentary rock containing only a very small proportion of iron.1 The recent extensions have been made possible through the development of more delicate instruments, and of methods for their use. From the original compass and dip needle, the design of apparatus has progressed until equipment Is typified by magnetic balances capable of measuring the components of the earth's field to an extremely high degree of accuracy. It seems unlikely that the limit of such instrumental development has been reached. Just as the change from compass and dip needle has enabled the location of relatively minor changes in magnetic materials, so additional developments in the direction of increased sensitivity, as well as in greater dependability and constancy of operation, should reveal positively many slight changes which either escape notice in the present surveys or are so small that they cannot with certainty be separated from uncontrollable errors due to inconstant operation of the equipment. The ability to read smaller and smaller variations does not mean, of course, that deductions as to the causes of these variations will be made as accurately and definitely as -is possible with the more pronounced anomalies.

Jan 1, 1928

By C. R. Hayward

CARLE R. HAYWARD.-I do not want it understood that I think that the conclusion that the time of tempering temperature is immaterial has been definitely proven, but since these are the first definite figures put out, I thought before continuing on more work ourselves, it would be well to present them as progress and for information. J. A. MATHEWS, Syracuse, N. Y.-I think that if Prof. Hayward would consult the paper of Profs. Barus and Strouhal,1 1885, he would find about 250 pages, mostly figures, on this subject, in which they investigated the tempering effect by electrical and magnetic methods. There are so many figures in the paper that it is very difficult reading. One point particularly brought out was that even at a low temperature, such as the boiling point of alcohol, about 60° C., there is a tempering effect, increasing up to 4 hr. One reason they obtained those results, with which the present authors are at variance, was that they started with a high-carbon steel which hardens thoroughly, whereas the steel Prof. Hayward and his collaborator used was a comparatively mild steel which does not take a great deal of hardening. About 3 years ago Mr. Stagg and I published 2 a few figures bearing on the same subject, but we used .a low-carbon alloy steel of high tempering qualities and found a great deal of improvement, particularly in ductility, by continuing the drawing up to 4 hr. We used a chrome-vanadium steel showing after heat treatment 250,000 tensile strength. On short drawing, we got almost no ductility, but by continuing to 4 hr., we raised it to 12 per cent. I believe Prof. Hayward's results are due to using comparatively mild steel, whereas Prof. Barus used drill rod and carried out a, wonderfully exhaustive

Jan 4, 1917

By William G. Pariseau

Advances in numerical methods of analysis and computer technology during the past decade have brought many formerly intractable ground control problems within easy reach of present day graduate mining engineers. However, the new technology brings with it new problems. The identity of these problems are largely those arising from a lack of familiarity with the capabilities and limitations of the new technology. In this regard, the central problem in ground control planning is the calculation of ground motion associated with mining. The fundamentals of this problem leading to a form suitable for computer programming are therefore reviewed. Solution procedures in the broad sense including the gathering of input data and the interpretation of output are described. Computer program capabilities necessary for ground control analysis are discussed and the steps necessary to implement an analysis are outlined.

Jan 1, 1983

By Kenneth R. Hancock

Iron oxides are unique in that they are the only significant colored mineral found in a natural state suitable for use as a pigment after being pulverized to pigmentary size. The current world production of iron oxide pigments is estimated by the author to be between 499 and 590 kt (550,000 and 650,000 st) based on 1979 data. The fact that highly colored natural deposits of iron ore are found throughout the world accounts for its use in prehistoric man's artistic cave paintings. These early artists did not realize that they had established man's first paint test fence which now has some 20,000 years of exposure. In addition to abundance, constituting about 7 % of the earth's crust, iron oxides have the advantages of low cost, permanency, and are not toxic. Through the centuries, succeeding civilizations have utilized iron oxides as a major source for decoration and protection when coloring was desired. In the last century the chemical industry has improved on nature by developing a complete range of synthetic iron oxide pigments which surpass the pigments produced from natural iron ores in uniformity, color quality, and chemical purity. In the United States alone, the combined production of natural and synthetic iron oxides produced sales of over $28,000,000 in 1970 (Stipp, 1970) and increasing to $97 million by 1980 (Spinrad, 1980). Nomenclature With the increasing importance of the synthetic iron oxides it is necessary to make a distinction between the natural or mineral pigments and the synthetic pigments. Natural pigments are those products which are derived from selected ores and should not be confused with iron ores mined for steel production. Iron ores that are mined for steel must be capable of being mined and reduced to iron on a commercial basis. These ores are selected on the basis of iron content and processing economics. It is therefore unusual when iron ores for steel production are suitable for use as mineral pigments. Natural pigment ore sources are selected for their special physical-chemical properties and can command a premium price. Synthetic pigments, and in this instance iron oxides, are those pigments produced from basic chemicals. Through chemical synthesis pigmentary sized particles are produced as opposed to comminution, the major procedure common to all natural iron oxide pigments. Classification An important characteristic of a pigment is its color and, therefore, a logical separation can be made on this basis. A. Yellow Iron Oxide Pigments 1. Natural mineral origin a) Goethite b) Lepidocrocite c) Ochres d) Siennas e) Limonite 2. Synthetic pigments a) Goethite B. Red Iron Oxide Pigments 1. Natural mineral origin a) Hematite b) Siderite (calcined) c) Pyrites (calcined) 2. Synthetic pigments a) Hematite C. Brown Iron Oxide Pigments 1. Natural mineral origin a) Umbers b) Limonite (calcined) c) Siderite (calcined) d) Goethite (bog ore or sulfur mud) 2. Synthetic pigments a) Blends of hematite, goethite, and magnetite

Jan 1, 1983

By R. E. Zimmerman

Wide attention is being placed upon various methods for cleaning the fine sizes of bituminous coals. The author describes and analyzes the results achieved on wet concentrating .tables of modern design on unclassified feeds of - 1/2 in. particle sizes, including tests on high-sulphur coals.

Jan 1, 1950

By W. H. Bassett, C. H. Davis

ALTHOUGH brasses and bronzes have been made for ages, a systematic study of their physical properties has been carried out only during the years of the present century. Among these properties may be included those which are to be detected by means of microscopic examination; in other. words by the science of metallography. The earlier workers in this field, both in this country and abroad, gave their attention to steel. When the senior author explored the situation in 1902, there was little encouragement to be found in undertaking the study of the non-ferrous alloys. A start was made, and the metallography of the brasses and bronzes, as well as of the copper-nickel-zinc alloys developed materially under his direction. Annealing experiments were begun in 1902, and in the succeeding years the effect of temperature, and the influence of previous working, on the grain size of brass were studied. The conclusions so well known and widely published today were largely reached during those earlier years. . In 1905 the first complete annealing series were made. By this it is meant that brass and copper sheet, 5 B & S Nos. hard, was machined into tensile test specimens, then annealed under accurate control for 30 min. at temperatures up to the melting point of the material. Various determinations were made, including tensile strength and elongation in 2 in. There rapidly followed similar series on all of the copper-zinc alloys from 100 to 60 per cent. copper, on the bronzes, cupronickels, and on copper-zinc-nickel alloys. At this point there was published by Grard, in October, 1909,1 the very comprehensive and complete work on the tensile properties of cartridge brass, 90-10 copper-zinc, and electrolytic copper. The excellent photomicrographs in that paper illustrated the changes in structure produced by cold rolling as well as by annealing at different temperatures, but where Grard's work was confined to copper and to two alloys, the investigations in this laboratory have been over the entire fields of the commercial copper-zinc alloys, copper-tin alloys, representative copper-nickel and copper-nickel-zinc alloys as well as aluminum bronzes and others of a more special nature.

Jan 1, 1928

By J. W. Pugh, J. D. Nisbet

THIS study of the ternary has been made as one phase of a metallurgical investigation which began nearly four years ago in the General Electric Company's Research Laboratory in Schenectady, N. Y. The objective of this program is the discovery of new metallurgical information which will lead to the development of better high-temperature materials. Combinations of the four pure base elements—iron, chromium, nickel, and cobalt—are being studied at the present time. It is essential in an investigation such as this to know as much as possible about the constitutional diagrams involved. The study of the iron-chromium-nickel system has been made to this end. Preliminary Explanation of Experimental Procedure: In all, fifty-five alloys at steps of 10 at. pct were made for the investigation of this ternary. Several ternary alloys in the chromium rich corner had to be omitted because their extreme brittleness made testing impractical. All alloys were vacuum melted with hydrogen reduction and centrifugally cast. The apparatus and technique of this process has been described in detail by Nisbet.1,2 The purity of the alloys prepared in this way is considered to be quite good. Impurities are listed as follows: Pct Carbon.............................0.02 Oxygen................................0.02 Nitrogen.........................0.005 Magnesium..................0.03-0.05 Sulphur...........................trace Hydrogen....................trace Phosphorous..................trace Silicon........................ trace After casting, all samples were given a homo-genization treatment which consisted of holding them for 15 hr at 1150°C (2100°F) and water quenching. Testing was begun with the samples in this condition. The tests employed in the study of this system were (1) dilatometer, (2) hardness versus aging temperature, (3) tensile strength and elongation versus temperature, (4) microstructure analysis, and (5) electrical resistance versus temperature. Dilatometer tests were made at the rather rapid heating rate of 1093°C (2000°F) in one hour on a Bristol-Rockwell type instrument. Hardness data were taken on specimens cooled from 204", 427", 649°, 760°, 871°, 982°, and 1093°C under conditions which are thought sufficient to bring the specimens to equilibrium in all but the cases of the very sluggish transformations. Electrical resistance data for several specimens were taken for both heating and cooling conditions in a vacuum furnace especially designed for this work by D. W. Bainbridge, formerly of this laboratory. Provisions were made for heating and cooling standard specimens at a constant rate, while autographic records of resistance and temperature were made simultaneously. Micrographs of all the alloys were made in the quenched condition. Some question may exist as to how such physical values as hardness, tensile strength, and elongation were interpreted to indicate a change in phase. Original data were recorded on physical property versus temperature graphs, each of which was made from the data of a single alloy (fig. la). From these, another series of graphs were plotted with the physical property as a function of composition for constant temperatures (fig. 1b). Sharp deviations in the slope of these composition versus hardness curves often indicate a change in phase. The example of fig. 1 will serve to describe this experimental technique. The plotting of a single point from graph "a" to graph "b," and finally to the phase diagram "c," is illustrated. The location of the point on graph "b" is indicated as point (1). If all the alloys of the A-B binary system were solid solutions at temperature X, the hardness in this curve would be expected to rise at a fairly even rate as A is diluted with B to a maximum at some intermediate value between A and B, as

Jan 1, 1951

By R. F. Mehl, C. S. Barrett, A. G. Guy

INTRODUCTION IN the last few years this laboratory has published a series of papers on the mecha¬nism of age -hardening.14,1,6,11,20 Briefly stated it has been proposed that hardening is caused by lattice strains created by lat¬tice coherency between matrix and precipi¬tate; much experimental evidence has been advanced to support this thesis. The system Cu-Be is an attractive one to study. It is a system that exhibits marked age hardening; it ought to be subject to the type of analysis of structural changes hitherto explored and it is a prominent example of "discontinuous precipitation," which, though studied in other cases, 6,20 remains largely unexplained. This research shows that hardening in the Cu-Be system proceeds essentially as proposed earlier.14 Guinier-Preston zones have been observed to form on the {100) planes of the matrix; no transition lattice was found. Aging and overaging were ob¬served to occur most rapidly in the region of discontinuous precipitation-the grain boundary-apparently accelerated there by strain. The Constitution of the Cu-Be System The Cu-Be constitution diagram is shown in Fig I. The structure of the ? phase was determined by Misch16 as of the caesium-chloride type with a lattice con¬stant of 2.598 Å High temperature X ray photograms of 7.2 pct Be alloy made by Kossolapow and Trapesnikow13 led them to conclude that the structure of the P phase is simply disordered body-centered cubic with [ao] = 2.79 Å at 750°C. Previous Work The initial work on the age-hardening of Cu-Be alloys was that of Masing, Dahl, Holm, and Haase. Their numerous papers were published in book form in 1929, sub¬sequently translated.18 The effects of Be content, solution temperature, aging tem¬perature, and cold work on the hardness developed in these alloys were studied. An initial decrease in the electrical conduc¬tivity was observed when strips of a 2.5 pct Be alloy were aged at temperatures from 200 to 350°C; a wire of the same analysis failed to exhibit this decrease when aged at 350°C. A volume decrease of 0.6 pct oc¬curred during aging at 250°C. Microscopic investigations of quenched and aged alloys disclosed a regularly ori¬ented "striping" (ripples) on the a and on the ß grains. In the case of the ß the cause of the striping was held to be decomposition

Jan 1, 1948

By N. H. Emmons

An interesting development of copper blast-furnace construction has been brought about in adapting the blast-furnace to be a "burner" for sulphuric acid making. When the Tennessee Copper Co. first decided to construct an acid-plant, the standard type of brick-top furnace, supported by structural steel, was the only one in use at its plant. All the tests for temperature and strength of gas had been made on these furnaces, and had been satisfactory. When, however, the acid-plant was put on the flue, and the flue had to have a damper put in it to force the gas into that plant, troubles began. The furnaces were fairly tight, and for a few months the work was quite satisfactory. Fig. 1 shows the old type of furnace-top used at the start. It was soon found that this top would not stand the temperatures, particularly when dampered back, as was necessary to force the gas into the Glover towers. The structural steel, of which the furnace skeleton was constructed, warped and twisted so badly that it was not safe to use the furnaccs. This effect is shown by Fig. 2, which is a photograph of old No. 4 furnace, after the brick-work had been removed. It became apparent that a new type of top mas necessary and the engineering force was started on the design of a new furnace-top, with the result that a low top, with brick-lined flues at each end below the feed-floor, leading to the main concrete dust-chamber, was constructed. This furnace, No. 7, is shown in Fig. 3. The charging-doors are made of cast-iron sections, three sections to a door, and three doors to a side. A door to the furnace was made of east copper, but the heat was great that the copper bent readily, due to the jarring of its

Jan 1, 1911