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By John V. Beall

Early this year at the University of Arizona in Tucson, a survey was made of student opinion about the minerals industry. Over 100 of the three page questionnaires were completed and these were analyzed by the following categories: 40 Mining Engineering students, 20 Geological Engineering with 2 Geophysical Engineering students, 15 Geology students, 7 Metallurgical Engineering, 26 Underclassmen, 29 Graduate students and a composite of 84 total students. Not all of the results of the survey were predictable. After graduation there is a strong preference toward going to work in the mineral industries. The next most popular options, but trailing the first choice greatly, was graduate work or employment in another industry. A smattering of other choices were for teaching, government or research. None checked the box for drop out.

Jan 1, 1971

By J. H. Frye, J. L. Scott, J. W. Woods

THERE are at least two effects of temperature on the stress required to produce plastic flow. 1) Metals plastically strained for the same amount at different temperatures possess different stress-strain curves and different internal structures (e.g., nature and density of imperfections). 2) There is both experimental and theoretical evidence that the stress necessary to produce plastic flow may vary with temperature even though the internal structure remains constant.1-5 Much of the data in the literature is difficult to interpret because these two effects are simultaneously present. In the work reported here, they are considered separately. Standard 0.505 in. tensile specimens were prepared from high-purity Mond nickel and OFHC copper. Nickel specimens were annealed in hydrogen at 1150°C for 30 min and furnace cooled. This produced an average grain diameter of 1.4 mm. Copper specimens were annealed in vacuum at 525°C for 6 hr and furnace cooled. This produced an average grain diameter of 0.11 mm. Nickel tensile specimens were prestrained in tension at 500°K, whereas copper tensile specimens were prestrained in tension at room temperature. All specimens were cooled to 74°K and heated to room temperature. After these treatments all of the tensile specimens of a given set possessed identical structures. All specimens were returned to the tensile machine and tested at various temperatures and constant cross-head speed. Many of the tensile curves showed well defined yields but, in order to minimize personal judgment, the yield was always chosen as the stress corresponding to 0.2 pct plastic deformation. Results are summarized in the graph of yield vs temperature of test, Fig. 1. All of the specimens corresponding to any one line have had identical treatments and, therefore, have identical internal structures. Thus, each line gives the relation between yield stress and temperature for one constant internal structure. The lowest line, which is for annealed nickel, shows no measurable variation of yield with temperature. This is similar to Blewitt's6 results on copper single crystals, but a variation in yield with temperature was found by Andrade and Henderson' in single crystals of nickel, and by Car-recker and Hibbard8 in annealed polycrystalline copper. The three other lines, which are for prestrained materials, show that there is a linear relation between yield stress and temperature when the internal structure remains constant. Such a relation might be expected from a rate equation such as that of Kauzmannl on the assump- tion that the activation energy is either independent of or linear with temperature. These results would also be expected if the shear moduli of copper and nickel are linear functions of temperature for, as Cottrell and Stokes have pointed out," in all dislocation theories of strength the flow stress appears proportional to the shear modulus of the material. In copper and nickel, since the modulus of elasticity decreases roughly linearly with increase in temperature," it is probable that the modulus of shear also decreases approximately linearly with increasing temperature. A detailed discussion of the effect of these and other factors on the temperature dependence of flow stress in face-centered-cubic metals has recently been given by Seeger.4

Jan 1, 1958

By Leo Wolrnan

IN the relations that exist between capital and labor in this country, there is a bright as well as a dark side. After many years of distressing conditions of labor and a plentiful supply of propaganda, it is doubtful that the doctrine of the class struggle, however defined and stated, has been embraced by any influential and numerous elements of our population. Extreme and uncivilized methods of conflict, whether they be the labor spy as used by the employer or the sit-down strike by organized, labor, have come to be abandoned as the result of the pressure of sober and distinterested public opinion. Unwise terms of our law of trade unions and the unbridled zeal of its administrators show some slight signs of being revised in the light of 'experience and the protests of the law's own beneficiaries. At the point where labor policy touches economic conditions, the two powerful factions in the American labor movement appear to look with a less friendly eye on the bewildering succession of economic experiments and to have a deep nostalgia for a simpler and more prosperous economy.

Jan 1, 1938

DAVE BARTLEY and Edwin F. Gray, miners, late of Shasta County, California, young, healthy, and "dead broke," arrived at Ely, Nevada, one evening in the summer of 1900. Before rustling jobs and going to work, they decided to look around the camp, and in pursuance of this plan they visited a number of claims owned by D. C. McDonald, Justice of the Peace and pioneer of the district. Among the claims he showed them were the Ruth (named after his daughter) and the Kearsarge. Both were regarded as possible gold or silver properties. For no very definite reason the two miners changed their plan and took a lease and option to buy the two claims for $3500. After the transaction was closed and the partners were alone, Gray asked Bartley what he thought of the ground. "If she's good for anything, it's copper" was the reply; and, so far as the records disclose, that was the first time that anyone ever thought of Ely or the Robinson mining district, as it was called, as a possible copper area. There were some slight surface indications of copper, but it is probable that the fact that Bartley had just come from a copper district had something to do with his predilection for a metal that was much despised around Ely. In any event, his hunch was good, and he spoke with the wisdom of an oracle. For thirty years prospectors had sought gold and silver around the camp. Several stamp mills and cyanide plants had been put up and a hundred shafts had been sunk, but fate had been indifferent in its rewards to the optimistic owners. Copper ore would have to be hauled by wagon, 150 miles down Steptoe Valley to the Southern Pacific Railroad, and there was scant hope of finding ore that would bear this cost. W. B. Graham, who ran the general store in Ely, grubstaked Bartley and Gray, furnishing them with food and mining

Jan 1, 1933

By W. F. Brace, James D. Byerlee

Although prediction of failure of rocks may be ultimately possible without knowing in detail how failure occurs, understanding of this process is certainly of fundamental interest in rock mechanics. Of the various failure mechanisms, probably brittle fracture is of greatest interest. Recent reviews have brought this subject nearly up to date (Hock,1 Price,2 and Jaeger 3) and here, we summarize certain recent developments. As our understanding of brittle fracture is derived almost solely from laboratory studies this will amount to a review of certain laboratory experiments. New studies in four areas are pertinent; these concern 1) the volume changes which accompany brittle fracture, 2) the propagation of cracks in compression, 3) certain frictional characteristics of rocks and minerals at high pressure, and 4) the law of effective stress for crystalline rocks. Our objective here is less to present an entirely consistent, complete picture of how a rock fractures than it is to emphasize gaps in our understanding and, thus, suggest areas that need further study. Progress is still painfully slow in this field and perhaps this approach will stimulate new work. OBSERVATIONS Although the behavior of large rock masses is most often the concern in rock mechanics, the number of large-scale experimental tests is still vanishingly small. Our experimental observations arc, by and large, still made on small, relatively flaw-free, rock samples. Here also we report the behavior of small samples.

Jan 1, 1967

By V. R. Degner

The trend in both the metallic and nonmetallic mining industry is toward processing increasingly higher tonnages of lower grade ores, thereby resulting in a growing interest in progressively larger volume individual machines in the flotation circuit. Because of the relatively high cost of large flotation machine development and evaluation, it is important to establish a rational basis by which the existing smaller flotation machine experience can be extrapolated to establish the configuration of the next larger family of flotation machines with a minimum of development modification in the field. This Paper reviews the R&D approach used in translating smaller flotation machine experience to the configuration of a 28.3 m3 (1000 cu ft) induced air machine. Internal cell hydrodynamic principles, which governed this extrapolation, and cell (liquid) surface and froth management considerations will be reviewed, and prototype machine mill tests will be summarized.

Jan 1, 1981

By David W. James, Howard Jones, George M. Leak

Conditions are described for producing, by primary recrystallization, a matrix suitable for the growth of large grains near (110)[001] orientation in silicon iron strip by secondary recrystallizaliun in a steep temperature gradient. The orientation distribution of these large grains is expressed in terms of rotational deviations about the cross-rolling direction, the rolling direction, and the normal to the sheet, the deviational spread increasing in that order. With the aid of cowplenientary published data on the orientation dependence of growth rate, it is shown that this observation is consistent with the oriented-growth theory of recrystallization lextures. It is conclutled that growth-rate and orientation-distribution data obtained in a steep thermal gradient should be used with caution to account for isothermally Produced recrystallization textures. SEVERAL authors have reported methods of growing large grains by re crystallization of a small-grained matrix in silicon iron 1- B and pure a cr The present study was a preliminary in the growth of single crystals and bicrystals for surface relaxation," grain boundary mobility, and grain boundary diffusion studies. The method was to control the growth of a seed crystal into a suitable primary re crystallized matrix by feeding through a steep temperature gradient. The driving energy for growth derived from the grain boundary energy released as the seed crystals grew into the matrix. Thus, stability of the matrix against normal grain growth was considered to be essential for success. It was known that the manganese sulfide dispersion present in commercial silicon iron performs this function during secondary recrystallization to the (110)[001.] texture.12 Hence commercial, rather than high-purity, material was used throughout. The paper describes the growth conditions for grains large enough to be used as seed crystals for further growth into single crystals. The orientation distribution of the seed crystals is analyzed and its significance for the theory of recrystallization textures is discussed. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Strip material was supplied by the Steel Co. of Wales, Ltd. The chemical analysis in weight percent was Si, 2.90; C, 0.015; Mn, 0.059; P, 0.011; S, 0.027; Ni, 0.032; 0, 0.009; Fe, balance. A gradient furnace of similar design to one described previously4 was loaned from B.I.S.R.A. It consisted essentially of a vertical water-cooled copper slot projecting downwards into the hot zone of a molybdenum furnace. Hydrogen was passed through the furnace to protect both heating element and specimen from oxidation. Strip specimens up to 8 cm wide and 0.2 cm thick were sealed into the furnace at the mouth of the copper slot. A coating of light oil on the strip surface maintained the seal during translation of a specimen. The maximum temperature gradient in the region just below the copper slot was 500°C per cm over 1 cm, with the hottest point controlled at 1175°C. Several large grains would usually grow by secondary recrystallization from the primary matrix when a specimen was immersed in the hot zone for about 30 min. A back-reflection X-ray camera was constructed to facilitate rapid and accurate orientation determinations of the large grains produced. It was possible to reproduce a standard geometry, with regard to strip and camera, without the tedium of careful alignment on each occasion. Specimens, typically 4 cm wide and 75 cm long, were cut with the longitudinal axis parallel to the rolling direction of the original strip. The surfaces were cleaned by immersion alternately in a hot aqueous solution containing 2 pct hydrofluoric acid plus 10 pct sulfuric acid and in cold 10 pct nitric acid. The nitric acid etch was just sufficient to reveal the grain structure. Rolling and annealing treatments to prepare the matrix (discussed below) were followed by growth of seed crystals in the gradient furnace. The matrix was transformed to a single crystal by growth of a selected seed crystal connected to the matrix by a thin neck. 4,5 Growth was promoted by controlled feeding into the gradient furnace. Several single crystals of controlled orientation were grown successfully from seed crystals by twisting the interconnecting neck in a reorien-tation jig.4 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Growth Conditions. A suitable matrix for growth of large grains was prepared starting from primary re-crystallized strip 1.9 mm thick. This was cold-rolled in two stages each being followed by a recrystallization anneal at 800°C for a few minutes. Such treatment gave the required growth matrix only if the two cold-reduction stages were each performed in several passes and in the following ranges: the first, 30 to 70 pct; the second, 10 to 50 pct. Immersion in the temperature gradient otherwise resulted in an equiaxed

Jan 1, 1967

By R. R. Boucher, O. J. C. Runnalls

A pronounced thermal effect has been observed on heating or cooling a1wninum-rich Al-U and Al-Pu alloys. From microscopic and X-ray diffractionstudies, the effectl has been attributed to trnsfor)nations in the inlemetallic phases UAl, and PuAl , involuing rearrangement or cluslering of vacancies The transformation obsrved in Al-20 wi oct U alloys occurred near the a Al-UAl4 eutectic tem-perature of 646°C making it difjicult to detect from heating curves. When cooling, howeoer, thermal mad X-ray analyses indicnted that the high-temperati~re phase labeled p UAL, precipitated initially during euitectic solidification. As solidification continued and after an induction period o-f 5 lo 20 tnin the nu-cleatiorz and growth of the low- twmperature phase, a UAl4 produced an euolution of energy which raised the observed alloy temperature by 1° to 2°C. in Al-Pu alloys the transformation occurred at 645°C, 5 deg below the eutectic solidification temperccture. The eslimated latent heat of transformation was 25 +5 cnl per g PuAl,. The high-tetnpevcl-ture forms of UAl, and PuAl, were easily 9-etccined by chill casting Al-U and Al-Pu alloys and on reheating the alloys the trcltzsforrnation to the a phase was sluggish even above 600°C. Separated single cryslals o-f UAl4, joy example, showed no evidence Of transformalion after heating for 16 hr at 620°C. The transformation rates increased yapidly enough with increasing temperature, however, that a a spontaneous liberation of energy lens observed on occasion when bealing cast Al-20 wt pet U to neal- the RECENT phase studies on A1-Pu alloys have indicated that earlier reported equilibrium diagrams should be modified to take account of several poly- morphic transformations in the intermetallic compound PuAl,.' During the course of the latter work an unexpected heat evolution was observed while cooling a solid alloy consisting of a mixture of a aluminum and PuA1,. The evolution occurred at 645°C, y below the a A1-Pu A1, eutectic solidification temperature. Subsequent thermal-analysis experiments with A1-U alloys showed that heat was evolved there also at a temperature nearly coincident with the a A1-UA1, eutectic solidification temperature of 646°. A search of the literature revealed that similar thermal effects had been observed before for both A1-U and A1-Pu but had never been fully explained.2,3 The purpose of the present paper is to describe thermal-analysis and X-ray diffraction experiments which have led to the conclusion that the thermal effects are due to transformations which involve the rearrangement of vacancies in the intermetallic compounds UA1, and PuA1,. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The A1-U alloys were prepared by heating super-pure aluminum (99.99 pct +) obtained from the Aluminum Co. of Canada in a graphite crucible surrounded by an induction coil. At 1000°C high-purity uranium metal produced by the Eldorado Mining and Refining Co., Ltd. was dropped into the liquid aluminum and was dissolved completely within 15 min. The impurities in the uranium were A1—4 ppm, Ca-4, C-70, Cr-3, Cu-6, Fe-30, Mg-2, Mn-10, Ni-25, Si-25, and Zn-2. The A1-Pu alloys were prepared by reacting plutonium dioxide with liquid aluminum under cryolite (3 NaF . AlF,) for 10 min at 1100°C in graphite crucibles exposed to the air. The plutonium was 99.8 pct pure, containing trace impurities of Ca, Cu, Fe, Pb, Si, and Zn. The liquid alloys were usually poured into water-cooled molds to provide castings of uniform composition from which samples could be cut for heat treatment and thermal-analysis experiments.

Jan 1, 1965

||Abad, Leopoldo F., Min Engr, Div of Mines, Bureau of Science Manila, P I '23 Abadilla, Quirico A, Geol, Lago Pet Corp Box 172, Maracaibo, Venezuela '20 ||Abbey, Robert Graham, The W W Sly Mfg Co Train Ave, Cleveland, Ohio '21 Abbott, A. N., Mines Supt, Mazapil Copper Co, Ltd Concepcion del Oro, Mexico '23 Abbott, Clarence E., Mgr, Mines & Quarries, Tenn Coal, Iron & R R Co, 1242 Brown Marx Bldg, Birmingham, Ala. '04 Abbott, Louis Benjamin, Chief Engr , Consolidation Coal Co , Elkhorn Div Jenkins, Ky. '16 Abbott, Robert R., Met Engr , Peerless Motor Car Co Cleveland, Ohio '12 ||Abbott, Wells Osborn, Ray Consolidated Copper Co Hayden, Ariz. '23 Abeel, George H, Jr., Cons Min Engr 4612 West 17th St , Los Angeles, Cal '18 Abel, Albert E., Asst to Pres, Valley Mould & Iron Corp Sharpsville, Pa. '19 Abernathy, George Elmer, Prof of Geol & Min , Kansas State Teachers College, Pittsburg, Kans. '20 Abey, Hiroshi, Min & Met Engr, Min & Met Dept, The Higher Technical School, Osaka, Japan. '17 ||d'Ablaing, Philip R, Chem , Anaconda Copper Min Co Great Falls, Mont '25 Aborn, Robert H , Research Assoc., Mass Inst of Tech Cambridge, Mass '19 Abouchar, Sylvain Sley, Min. Engi & Geol , care of S H Sekaly, 13 Rue El Nimr, Cairo, Egypt '17

Jan 1, 1923

By D. A. Thomas, E. S. Meieran

Tungsten wires were examined by transmission electron microscopy after drawing and after high-temperature annealing. Drawn wire consists of highly elongated grains called fibers, whose long axis is parallel to [110]. Each fiber is ribbon-shaped, with the wide dimension of the ribbon parallel to (001) and the narrow dimension parallel to (110). Furthermore, most fibers are bent about [I10] and twisted along their length. The fibers are divided into cells, which in some cases contain a platelet substructure lying on (110) planes. The misorien-tations of these platelets accumulate to allow the macroscopic twist of the fibers. During annealing, several competing reactions occur, starting at different temperatures and progressing at different rates. Among these processes are fiber-boz~ndary migration, polygonization, dislocation rearrangement, and possibly impurity segregation. The fiber-boundary migration accompanied by the formation of transverse boundaries during polygonization leads to an equiaxed grain structure although recrystal-lization does not occur. There is a relationship between the flow stress of the wires and their average subgrain width in the form sy = s0 + kyd-1/2 . Also, there appears to be a relatio'nship between wire ductility and the formation of transverse boundaries during annealing at about 800°C. THERE have been many investigations of the structures and properties of tungsten wires1-4 due to their commercial importance for use as lamp filaments. The structural studies have so far been limited to optical microscope and replica electron-microscope studies. due to the difficulty of .-me- paring from wires thin foils which can be examined by transmission electron microscopy. However, this difficulty has been recently overcome,5 and it is now possible to examine tungsten wires by transmission electron microscopy as well as by other techniques. In this paper, the structure of drawn tungsten wire is described, as are the changes in the structure during high-temperature annealing. Some discussion of the relationship between structures and properties is also given. EXPERIMENTAL MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES Commercial 0.030-in.-diam doped tungsten wires drawn at progressively decreasing temperatures between about 1400° and about 800°C were examined. The composition, mechanical properties, and optical microstructures are described in detail elsewhere.' All experimental materials were vacuum-annealed for 10 ot 30 min at temperatures at 100°C intervals between 700° and 2000°C. Specimens were thinned for examination in the Siemens Elmiskop I electron microscope by the method of Meieran and Thomas.5 STRUCTURE OF AS-DRAWN WIRE The optical microstructure of as-drawn tungsten wire has been described by Peck and Thomas.7 They observed that wire in longitudinal section consists of highly elongated grains called fibers whose width varies between 1 and 10 µ, while in transverse section the fibers appear to be elliptical in cross section and bent about their common [110] wire axis. They explained this unusual appearance as being due to the drawing of a bcc material with a [110] texture, and predicted that the wide and narrow planes of the fiber cross section would be parallel to (001) and (110), respectively. The fibers apparently bend about the [110] axis during drawing to maintain grain boundary continuity during drawing. Transmission electron microscopy offers a way of checking these predictions as well as providing a more detailed picture of the wire structure. Figs. 1, 2, and 3 are typical electron micrographs of

Jan 1, 1965

By T. F. Witheree

The Fletcherville Furnace was built in 1864 and 1865, making its first blast from August until October of the latter year, when it was blown out to prevent its " bunging-up." Repairs were made in time to enable it to be blown in again December 12th, 1865, the blast ending October 7th, 1866. Total product 1921.15 tons iron, an average of 6.8.2.5 tons per day, from ores yielding 44.8 per cent. Consumption of charcoal 223.2 bushels per ton of iron. The furnace journal up to this time shows no record of furnace dimensions, or temperature of the blast, but as near as can be ascertained, they were as follows, viz.: Height of stack, 42 feet. Diameter of bosh, 11 feet. Angle of bosh, 71/2 inches to 12 inches rise, about 58°. Diameter of open tunnel head, 42 inches. Number of tuyeres 3 ; each 3 inches in diameter. Dam 15 inches high. Tuyeres 24 inches high. Tymp 224 inches high. Diameter of steam cylinder, 20) inches. } Diameter of blast cylinder, 64 inches. } Stroke 5 feet. The engine is direct-acting horizontal non-condensing. December 26th, 1866, the furnace was again put in blast, having been considerably altered in the crucible; the height of stack, bosh, and tunnel head remaining as before. Six tuyeres were put in, three in each of the side arches. The hearth or crucible was rectangular in form, 3 feet wide x 31/2 feet long x 64 feet high. Inclination of bosh 58°. Height of tuyeres 26 inches; nozzles 21/4 inches diameter. Temperature of blast estimated to be about 500°.

By William L. Batt

IT IS becoming increasingly evident to management that it has other obligations than merely to earn dividends for stockholders. The head of one of America's largest organizations has stated it in these words: "There rests upon them a far broader responsibility than the mere production of goods and services, or solely the interests of their stockholders. They must assume the important obligation, through proper policy, of attuning industry to a rapidly changing world, from social as well as economic standpoints." Stockholders might as well reconcile themselves, therefore, to the fact that management cannot always put their interests first in the obligation of business enterprise: and that the legitimate requirements of customers and employees have acquired a new significance which must be recognized if the business of today is to prosper.

Jan 1, 1938

By John W. Crutchfield, Emil F. Bowers

This paper presents the initial results of a pressure maintenance by water return project in the Lower Pawelek reservoir of the Falls City Field, Karnes County, Southwest Texas. Production is from the Lower Wilcox section at an average depth of 6,030 ft on the downthrown side of a "down to the coast" fault. Of particular interest is that the reservoir oil is high gravity and low viscosity but far undersaturated with gas at the original reservoir pressure and temperature. The early pressure and production history indicated only a partial or limited water drive, and this fact, coupled with the characteristics of the reservoir fluid and artificial lifting problem.. made advisable the water injection program to maintain reservoir pressure. The paper includes a description of the reservoir and reservoir fluids, the pressure and production history, a description of the water injection facilities, and the results of reservoir calculations involving Hurst's unsteady state flow and the material balance equations for calculation of water influx and prediction of the pressure-production relationship at various rates of withdrawal. The reservoir calculations and initial field results indicate that reservoir pressures in excess of 85 per cent of original pressure can be maintained by control of water injection even at very high rates of production. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this paper is to report the initial results of a pressure maintenance by water return program in the Lower Pawelek reservoir, Falls City Field, Karnes County. Texas, and to calculate an empirical relationship between pressure and production in this limited or partial water drive reservoir. Location The Falls City Field (Fig. 1) is located two miles north of the town of Falls City in Karnes County, Texas, and is approximately 50 miles south-southeast of San Antonio on U. S. Highway 181. Discovery and Development The initial block of leases was taken after a surface geological survey identified a major east-west fault and closure on the south or downthrown section. The discovery well, Southern Minerals Corporation's Joe F. Bartosch 1; was completed at 4,650 ft in the Lower Bartosch sand in December, 1944. Drilling was continuous until December, 1946, and resulted in the discovery of 12 oil reservoirs between 4,600 and 6,050 ft in the Middle and Lower Wilcox formations. These are shown on the cross-section (Fig. 2). As of the current date there are 64 oil wells completed as follows: Southern Gulfshore Magnolia Minerals Oil Petroleum Reservoir Corp. Co. Corp. Total Upper Bartosch 0 0 0 0 Lower Bartosch 16 0 0 16 Shulze 7 0 1 8 Upper Faires 2 0 0 2 Lower Faires 4 0 0 4 Upper Moczygemba 0 0 0 0 Lower Moczygemha 2 0 0 2 Olinick 2 0 0 2 Upper Martinez 0 0 0 0 Lower Martinez 5 0 0 5 Upper Pawelek 0 0 1 Lower Pawelek 27 1 3 31 Total 65 2 4 71

Jan 1, 1950

The Library of the above-named Societies is open from 9 A. M. to 10 P. M. except on holidays. It contains about 70,000 volumes and 90,000 pamphlets, including sets of technical periodicals and publications of scientific and technical societies. Members of the Institute, with few exceptions are forced to spend a portion of their time in localities isolated from sources of information. To these the Library; through its Library Service Bureau, can render valuable service through correspondence; letters requesting information will receive especial attention: The Library is prepared, to furnish references and photographic copies of articles on mining and metallurgical subjects; to determine the existence of mining maps, and to furnish general Information on the geology and mineral resources of-all countries. All communications should be made as definite as possible so that the information received may be what is desired and not include collateral matter which may not be of interest. The time spent in searching for such collateral matter will be saved, and the information will be sent more promptly and in more usable shape. HARRISON W. CRAVER, Director.

Jan 4, 1919

By W. L. Fink, H. C. Stumpf, L. A. Willey

VERY few studies of the aluminum-sodium system have been reported. Heycock and Neville1 were unable to detect any solubility of sodium in liquid aluminum. Mathewson2 prepared an equilibrium diagram consisting of two horizontal lines at the melting points of the two metals. He was unable to detect solubility at either end of the system. Scheuer3 first developed a method for the chemical determination of sodium in aluminum and then studied the solubility of sodium in liquid aluminum. His method involved heating aluminum with excess sodium under hydrogen until the two liquids were at equilibrium, chilling the melt, and analyzing the aluminum-rich layer. He reported the solubility to be 0.l0 pct sodium at 700°C, 0.115 pct at 750°C, and 0.128 pct at 800°C. This paper on the aluminum-sodium system is the twenty-first in a series from the Aluminum Research Laboratories describing equilibrium relations in aluminum alloy systems. MATERIALS The alloys for this investigation were prepared from electrolytically refined aluminum (99.99 pct) and sodium of reagent quality conforming to specifications of the American Chemical Society.4 Chemical analysis of the aluminum showed the following impurities: 0.002 pct Si, 0.002 pct Fe, 0.002 pct Cu, <0.001 pct Mn, 0.002 pct Mg and 0.001 pct Na. The sodium content of all alloys was determined by either chemical or spectrographic standard procedures5 No. IIA and No. SII respectively. DETERMINATION OF LIQUIDUS The boundary of the miscibility gap was determined by a modification of the method of Scheuer3 and of that used by Henry and Cordiano.6 As finally developed the method was as follows: A fused alumina crucible 25 mm id with 75 mm depth and 1.5 mm wall thickness was placed on the bottom of a container made from a 4-in. length of 1 ½ -in. iron pipe and pipe caps. The space around the sides of the crucible was filled with 40 mesh crystalline alundum. A charge of 60 g of aluminum and 10 to 15 g of sodium was placed in the crucible, the sodium first being trimmed and rinsed with iso-pentane to remove kerosene. The container was tightly capped, filled with argon (99.6 pct pure), and heated to the desired temperature (between 670 and 800°C). A positive pressure of argon (about 8 mm of mercury) was maintained through a small pipe to the upper cap. After soaking for from 2 to 5 hr, the container was quenched by directing a stream of water onto the base, so that solidification of the aluminum-rich layer was rapid and essentially unidirectional. Analyses were made on drillings taken from the bottom of the ingots after machining off the surface layers. Pre-

Jan 1, 1948

By James Lorimer

THE topography at the Stan Trg mine facilitated early exploration by adits; in consequence adit levels were developed at horizons 865, 795, and 760 meters above sea level, and the levels in the mine &apos;are named according to their elevation. Exploitation started from the 760-m. level . upwards while simultaneously first steps were taken with regard to mining in depth. A deep dewatering adit 2.5 km. long now gives access to the deposit at the 610-m. horizon which also is connected with the 760-m. adit level by a three-compartment main hoisting shaft. Main levels have been developed internally from

Jan 1, 1936

By D. R. Walker, M. C. Shaw

Dimitri Kececioglu (Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee)—The idea of applying metal cutting theory to comminution and vice versa is very impressive. Among others, the demarcation of wheel-grinding data into two regions, namely Kick&apos;s and Rittinger&apos;s, draws attention here. A study of Figs. 6 to 9 shows the following: In Fig. 6, 1 point out of 8; in Fig. 7, 4 points out of 26; in Fig. 8 only 1 point out of 13; and in Fig. 9 practically none out of 13 points fall out of curve No. 2. Also when grinding particles smaller than 5x10." in. it is difficult to measure very accurately the grinding forces, chip geometry, and particle size. In view of the above it would be difficult to make a positive and distinct demarcation of the Wheel-grinding data into two regions, namely, Kick&apos;s and Rittinger&apos;s. The idea of using machine grinding to determine the comminution properties of materials is indeed unique. The following cautions come to mind, however, regarding applicability of machine grinding data to comminution: 1—Grinding gives uniform particle size, whereas comminution gives a variety of particle sizes in the same process. The fact that grinding gives uniform particle size is not necessarily an advantage because in comminution the overall energy under actual comminution is desired and comminution invariably results in the production of a variety of particle sizes. 2—In grinding, a small particle is ground off a comparatively large surface. In comminution small bodies are broken down to smaller bodies. This makes it difficult to establish a concept of reduction ratio in machine grinding. 3—The mechanics of machine grinding involve direct shearing action under very high strain and comparatively high compression at the shear zone, whereas: comminution involves direct dynamic compression and surface friction with comparatively little strain and shear. Consequently the mechanics of machine grinding appear to be different from those involved in comminution. Hence one might arrive at erroneous con- clusions when comminution characteristics are eval-uated from machine grinding results. It is noticed also that functions other &apos;than Eq. 16 which do not involve the concept of direct proportionality of useful energy input to new surface area created (Eq. 2 and particularly Eq. 12) may be derived to fit the, data of curve No. 2. One such relationship may be u = ct-", where c is a positive constant and n is a positive constant less than unity. This, of course, is made possible because data of a very small range. of particle size are being fitted by the curves of No. 2 and the hereby suggested relationship. A sound comminution theory should be applicable to a relatively large range of particle size. George B. Clark (Department of Mining Engineering, University of Illinois)—While the experimental work of Walker and Shawin this article is of intrinsic value in revealing certain fundamental aspects of machine grinding, milling, and related processes and in adding to the store of information concerning the comminution of solid materials by this particular process, it appears doubtful that the results of their research can be employed to verify either Kick&apos;s or Rittinger&apos;s theories. Both these laws were originally developed and proposed on the basis of very simple, idealized hypotheses. The creation of parallel idealized physical laboratory conditions which would be required for either their proof or disproof appear to be well beyond the scope of human ingenuity, at least at present. One great weakness of the imputed verification is that the spread of the points plotted on the graphs is not sufficient to permit accurate &apos;curve fitting. The range of particle sizes included in the belt and wheel grinding is not extensive enough to show any general trends, particularly for the horizontal portion of the curves, said to represent Kick&apos;s laws. That the milling; grinding, and turning data obtained by Walker and Shaw for both metals and minerals happen to comply with. certain interpretations of these two theories under certain specialized conditions

Jan 1, 1955

By William P. Jones

THE consumption of sulphuric acid, one of the most important commodities in our modern industrial world, is often used as a barometer for industrial activity. The economics of acid manufacture are largely dependent upon the location of the place of consumption and the availability of raw materials in that locality. Sulphuric acid is made from SO2 oxygen from the air and water. Therefore the sulphur dioxide is the only raw material to be considered in an economic study. SO2 can be obtained from almost any material containing inorganic sulphur, such as elemental sulphur, pyrites, coal, sour gas and oil, metallurgical gases, waste gases, or gypsum and anhydrite. Many tons of acid can also be reclaimed by the recovery and concentration of spent acids. The aim of this paper is to present a guide to the economic aspects to be considered when the installation of an acid plant is contemplated. It must be remembered that 1 ton of elemental sulphur produces 3 tons of sulphuric acid and that the shipping of sulphuric acid by tank car is very costly. The size of the plant must also be given careful consideration. For instance, operation of a plant producing 5 tons of acid per day might be warranted in Brazil or Pakistan, whereas economics usually favor buying quantities up to 50 tons per day for use within the United States. Elemental sulphur, when available at the low price of 1 ½ ¢ per lb delivered at an acid plant, has always been the raw material most frequently used for sulphuric acid. All conditions favor its use at this price. The so-called sulphur shortage has been the subject of so many technical papers, magazine articles, and newspaper items during the past year that it hardly seems necessary to mention it again, but a very brief review of the matter will serve as a foundation for the discussion that follows. There is no shortage of sulphur. Only a shortage of low-cost Frasch-mined brimstone exists today. Other more expensive sulphur-bearing materials are plentiful, both in the United States and abroad. The low cost of Frasch-mined brimstone has discouraged the development of higher cost sources. However, the approaching depletion of Gulf Coast dome deposits and the greatly increased demand for sulphur here and abroad have made it necessary for industry to prepare for conversion to utilize sulphur in other forms. For future planning this situation must be considered permanent and not temporary. This conclusion is based on the fact that although sulphur demand will continue to rise, the production of Frasch-mined sulphur probably will not increase greatly beyond its present level of about 5,000,000 long tons per year. The International Materials Conference in Washington estimates 1952 requirements of the free world at nearly 7 ½ million long tons; and the Defense Production Administration has recently set a new goal for 8,400,000 long tons annual domestic production by 1955. The total sulphur equivalent produced in this country in 1950 was 6 million tons. What, then, are the alternatives for the manufacture of the vital chemical, sulphuric acid? Today about 85 pct of this country&apos;s sulphur, and nearly 50 pct of the world supply, comes from our Gulf Coast salt domes and is extracted from the earth by Frasch&apos;s hot water process. The Gulf Coast salt dome deposits have been the most important known natural deposits in the world, producing 90 million tons of sulphur during the past 50 years. However, at the present rate of extraction these deposits cannot be expected to last indefinitely. Pyrites Pyrites are, and have been for many years, the source of more than 50 pct of the world&apos;s sulphur requirements. The principal use, of course, is in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. The use of pyrites in the United States has diminished greatly because of the availability of low cost native sulphur, but pyrites have continued a major source of sulphur in many other countries. The most available pyrites for use in this country are in the form of lump pyritic ore and in mill tailings from flotation of other minerals such as lead, zinc, copper, gold, and silver. An important factor, when the use of pyrites for acid manufacture is being considered, is the disposal of calcine. A ton of sulphuric acid requires approximately ¾ ton of high-grade pyrite and results in ½ ton of calcine. If the calcine is a fairly pure oxide, free of harmful impurities, it can be used, after sintering, in an iron blast furnace burden. Its value might be as high as 15¢ per unit of Fe at the blast furnace; or possibly $10.00 per ton of sinter, if it assays 65 pct Fe. This might result in a credit of $4.00 per ton of acid if the sintering plant and blast furnace are both located adjacent to the acid plant. On the other hand, several factors must be considered before this credit can be realized, i.e., freight to blast furnace, availability of sintering facilities, methods of eliminating impurities, and the removal of valuable metal values. In some locations it would be most economical to dump the calcines.

Jan 1, 1952

By E. L. Mann

Asbestos is the generic name given to a group of fibrous mineral silicates found in nature. They are all incombustible and can be separated by mechanical means into fibers of various lengths and cross sections, but each differs in chemical composition from the others. The commercial grades of asbestos consist of a spectrum of lengths and sizes and are not definitive as are most organic fibers. It is generally recognized that there are two main groups of asbestos. The first only contains the fibrous serpentine called chrysotile and comprises about 94% of the world production of asbestos. The second group contains five minerals in the amphibole series-crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. The latter two have no commercial importance. Properties Physical The structures of asbestos fibers have been studied intensively over a number of years. X-ray diffraction patterns have been used as a means of identification and classification. Low angle X-ray scattering techniques have shown that chrysotile fibers are "hexagonally close packed" and parallel to each other, having cross-sectional diameters varying from 18Å to 300 Å units, while the amphibole fibers are many times larger in cross section, have considerably smaller surface areas, and the fibers are less symmetrical than those of chrysotile. Electron micrographs of the more common types of asbestos are shown in Figs. 1-4. Fig. 1 illustrates the softness and flexibility of chrysotile which make it suitable for textile-type products. For a number of years there was considerable controversy over the exact nature of chrysotile fiber, but the photographic evidence in Figs. 5-7 clearly show that it is tubular in structure. The curvature is the result of the mismatch in the dimensions of the silica [Si2O5] and brucite [Mg(OH)2] layers which are on the inside and outside, respectively, of a double sheet. This curvature had been predicted by Pauling (1930) years ago based on the molecular dimensions of the two component structures. In contrast to this, the structure of the amphiboles consists of two ribbon chains based on Si4O11 units separated by a band of seven cations with two hydroxyl groups attached to

Jan 1, 1983