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By E. P. Klier, Taylor Lyman

THE structures formed when austenite is quenched to subcritical temperatures and allowed to transform isothermally have been the subject of intensive study since the work of Davenport and Bain.1 Isothermal transformation diagrams summarizing the results of many of these studies have become widely familiar to metallurgists. Of particular interest to metallographers are the dark-etching, acicular products of transformation formed by isothermal reaction below the temperature of maximum velocity of the austenite to pearlite reaction. These products, the bainite structures, can be formed in a wide variety of steels. However, the constitution of bainite is not well understood and divergent views have been expressed as to its mode of formation. In this investigation a combination of dilatometric, microscopic and X-ray methods has been brought to bear upon the problem in the hope of some elucidation of the bainite reaction as it occurs in hypoeutectoid steels. MECHANISM OF BAINITE FORMATION Davenport and Bain1 considered the mechanism of bainite formation to consist of two steps-an allotropic transformation followed by precipitation of carbide. The separation in time of the two processes was considered to be very slight in the upper temperature range and very marked at temperatures just above the martensite range. This concept has been restated by Vilella, Guellich and Bain2 in the form of a definition of the acicular mode of transformation as: The successive, abrupt formation of flat plates of supersaturated ferrite along certain crystallographic planes of the austenite grains; this supersaturated ferrite begins at once to reject carbide particles, (not lamellae), at a rate depending upon temperature. In effect, this is the acicular mode of transformation, even though the temperature be such as to limit the actual life of the quasi-martensite to millionths of a second. The investigation of isothermal decomposition of austenite in certain alloy steels (notably those containing chromium or molybdenum) has revealed that there may be a range of temperatures between the pearlite and bainite reactions in which the austenite decomposes at a relatively low rate.3-6 Further, it is characteristic that in the second region of fast reaction the decomposition of the austenite is incomplete by one reaction but goes to completion by a second reaction. These observations led Wever7 to a description of the bainite reaction as follows: I. The reaction takes place by initial precipitation of a martensitic intermediate structure. 2. In the upper temperature range this structure readily decomposes into ferrite and cementite. In the lower range carbon separates in an unknown form. 3. In the upper temperature range the precipitated carbide nucleates the precipitation

Jan 1, 1944

By Herbert Haas

GEORGE W. HAWKINS, Tucson, Ariz. (communication to the Secretary*).-The paper by Mr. Haas will no doubt be followed with considerable interest, as it covers the power-plant problem in quite a comprehensive way, including not only the usual operating costs but also the fixed charges on the investment, and for load factors ranging all the way from 25 to 100 per cent. and fuel oil ranging from $1.25 to $2 per barrel. The very fact, however, that his paper does cover such a wide range of conditions, makes it the more imperative that any conclusion drawn from his analysis be very carefully considered for any specific case, for in making such analysis the type of prime mover and size must be selected for some one condition which might not be the proper selection had some other condition been assumed as the basic one, resulting in an unfavorable comparison under all conditions except that condition assumed. From the reasons given by the author for his selection of the large turbine units, it is evident he had in mind very high load factors, ranging

Jan 12, 1916

By H. W. McCue, Henry Rogatz

Oil.—In the Texas Panhandle, 502 oil wells were drilled during the year 1940, with a total daily initial production of 139,187 bb1.—that is, 137 more oil wells drilled than in the previous year, with an increase in total daily initial production of 8219 bbl. The total daily potential of the field on Dec. 31, 1940, as determined by the Texas Railroad Commission, was 1,375,502 bbl., an increase of 30,825 bbl. over the previous year. On Dec. 31,1940, a daily allowable of 85,050 bbl., which was a decrease of 35 per cent over 1939, was assigned to the field to be produced from 4788 wells. The total amount of oil produced for the year was 26,788,590 bbl., making a cumulative total of 378,960,728 bbl. during the past 19 years. No new oil-producing acreage was discovered. Gas.—During the year, 92 gas wells were drilled, having a combined open flow of 2,402,900.000 CU. ft.; that is, 6 more than the number of wells drilled in 1939, with an increase in the open flow of 204,900,000 cu. ft. per day. The gas production for the year was 670,435,112,000 CU. ft., and the total gas removed from thc ground during

Jan 1, 1941

By Henry Rogatz, H. W. McCue

Oil.—In the Texas Panhandle, 502 oil wells were drilled during the year 1940, with a total daily initial production of 139,187 bb1.—that is, 137 more oil wells drilled than in the previous year, with an increase in total daily initial production of 8219 bbl. The total daily potential of the field on Dec. 31, 1940, as determined by the Texas Railroad Commission, was 1,375,502 bbl., an increase of 30,825 bbl. over the previous year. On Dec. 31,1940, a daily allowable of 85,050 bbl., which was a decrease of 35 per cent over 1939, was assigned to the field to be produced from 4788 wells. The total amount of oil produced for the year was 26,788,590 bbl., making a cumulative total of 378,960,728 bbl. during the past 19 years. No new oil-producing acreage was discovered. Gas.—During the year, 92 gas wells were drilled, having a combined open flow of 2,402,900.000 CU. ft.; that is, 6 more than the number of wells drilled in 1939, with an increase in the open flow of 204,900,000 cu. ft. per day. The gas production for the year was 670,435,112,000 CU. ft., and the total gas removed from thc ground during

Jan 1, 1941

By Fred P. Dewey

Although coke is the acknowledged metallurgical fuel, and has been extensively used in this country for more than thirty years, yet the facts on record in regard to its physical properties are exceedingly meagre; and this is also true, but in a less degree, of its chemical composition. An investigation is being carried on in the National Museum which is intended to supply, so far as may be, this deficiency, and through the kindness of Professor Baird, Director of the Museum, I am permitted to present to the Institute a summary of a portion of the results already obtained. So far as I am aware, the credit for the first systematic investigation of the physical properties of coke belongs to Mr. John Fulton, Mining Engineer of Cambria Iron Co. The results of this investigation have been published in Report L, Second Geological Survey, Pennsylvania, 1875, and in a pamphlet setting forth the advantages of the Connellsville coke, the latter published also by the " Virginias"* His results are not altogether free from experimental errors, and the assumption that "the specific gravities of coke and water are very nearly alike "- is scarcely warranted. It has seemed to me, therefore, desirable to make an independent investigation of the physical properties of coke on a plan somewhat different from that adopted by Mr. Fulton. This is the investigation now being carried on at the National Museum.

Jan 1, 1884

By Francis F. Lucas

A microscope objective of given numerical aperture, when used with light of given wave length, has some fixed limit of resolution. This may be expressed as potential resolving ability—the ability to resolve is inherent in the lens but whether this limit is achieved in practice is quite another matter. Nearly 50 years ago Abbe evolved theoretical considerations which indicated that the ability of a lens to resolve detail is directly proportional to twice the numerical aperture of the objective and inversely proportional to the wave length of the light used. It is true, unquestionably, that as the numerical aperture of the objective is increased the potential resolving ability of the lens is increased and likewise when the wave length of the light used is decreased, the degree of resolution is increased. Whether Abbe's formula expresses the exact relationship is not a matter of great concern. It suffices to know that to improve resolution, other things being equal, two avenues of approach are available. Either the numerical aperture of the objective may be increased or the wave length of the light decreased. With the apochromatic system it is possible to employ successfully wave lengths from 400 to 500 uu and still secure reasonably short exposures. The present limit for numerical aperture is 1.40 N. A. although objectives of 1.60 N. A. are now an experimental possibility for metallurgical work. Thus certain well defined limits are set for those who work within the range of the visible spectrum. In order to take advantage of the increase in resolving power which accompanies a decrease in the wave length of light employed, Dr. A. Kohler and Dr. M. Von Rohr of the Zeiss Scientific Staff developed the "monochromats." These are quartz objectives corrected for the single wave length 275 uu which lies in the ultra-violet region of the spectrum. They also developed a series of quartz oculars and a complete photo-micrographic equipment with which to use the quartz optics. Quartz must be used for the optical parts because glass absorbs ultra-violet light almost completely. Thus there was made available about 20 years

Jan 1, 1926

By Kenneth Seaver

It is rather gratifying that in the field of the manufacture of refractories, in which, as a whole, foreign practice has surpassed us, the United States stands pre-eminent in the making of silica brick. In some instances European manufacturers have refused point-blank to credit the possibility of making to such specifications as are Common with us, until the actual completed shapes were shipped for inspection. But both the manufacturer and consumer in foreign lands are now frankly learning from us, and benefiting by our advanced practice in this field, as is evidenced by the orders placed here and the efforts put forth abroad to come up to the standard of American-made material. In no metallurgical operation has the employment of silica brick spread with such leaps and bounds as in the building of plants for the carbonization of coal, particularly in the byproduct coke oven. Today, in practically all types of oven, the structure above the floor level (except the facings) is of silica, while in the recuperative and in some regenerative types, its use is extended to that portion of the oven below the floor as well. By reason of the fact that there are a number of classes of refractories of higher silica content than the usual so-called fire-clay brick, there is sometimes a misunderstanding as to the class of material referred to as "silica" brick. We here refer only to a brick having a silica content of 94 per cent. or more and made usually from quartzite rock with a small percentage of lime as a binder. The term "silica" brick is sometimes rather loosely applied to brick from highly siliceous clays, or to a quartzite refractory of mingled fire-clay and quartz rock; but such products are not considered in this discussion. : Materials The rock from which practically all high-grade silica brick are made is a true quartzite or metamorphosed sandstone, variously known as

Jan 1, 1916

By R. H. Coats

MINING occupies a position of less importance than manufacturing or agriculture in Canada, but its relative contribution has increased greatly during the post- war period. Mineral production was only 5.14 per cent of the net value I of production of all kinds of commodities in 1919, but by 1936 the pro- portion had risen steadily to 12.76 per cent. Mining felt the depression, hut unlike agriculture, which is still ' sorely stricken, it has passed from early convalescence to complete recovery. For each of the last two years new high records were established for the industry as a whole and for the quantity of most metals produced. Mining has had a notable effect on - the growth of the power industry in Canada. Water power has been developed in the same or adjacent areas wherever mining camps have been 1 established, with few exceptions. Consumption of electrical energy by the mining industry gained 72 per cent within a decade, rising from 1604 million kw.-hr. in 1926 to 2754 in 1935. In. 1935 alone the mining industry purchased electric power

Jan 1, 1937

R. S. MACPHERRAN,* Milwaukee, Wis. (written discussion?);-Mr. Stork's paper is very interesting, but I am unable to agree with some of his conclusions. He argues very strongly for the beneficial effect of oxygen, but gives no actual determinations of this element to support -his views. He states that the oxygen resulting from a high bed, heavy charges, low coke ratio, etc. must not be confused with the oxygen under normal conditions. I will be glad to know in what respect these oxygens differ or in what state they occur. Is it his opinion that the beneficial type is present as a dissolved gas and the other as metallic oxide? I will not discuss the first five of his six points, as I have not seen enough trustworthy determinations of oxygen in cast iron to form any conclusions as to its effect. I have never known the addition of manga-nese, however, to reduce the strength of cast iron. Under the sixth point, I would say that the addition of steel lowers the total carbon content, and by this action will increase the strength independently of oxygen. This reduction of carbon operates also to raise the melting point. It is interesting to note here that the author, in order to get proper fluidity for his cylinders, was obliged to reduce his oxygen by raising the manganese in the charge.

Jan 12, 1919

By D. Bergekoff

IN the routine examination of a wide variety of metal specimens it is sometimes necessary to have special methods of polishing in order to retain and reveal certain details in each specimen. Among such special cases is the retention of graphite in malleable and gray cast irons, the preservation of all types of nonmetallic inclusions in both hard and soft steels, obtaining a scratch-free surface with soft metals, and avoiding the usual relief effects with very hard specimens such as tool metals con-taining various carbide and nitride phases. It is the purpose of this paper to give an account of some of these special polishing methods in use at the Union Carbide and Carbon Research Laboratories. The polishing procedures outlined have been found to give uniform results. It is obvious that only general rules and the most important working details can be given here. Following these rules, the polisher can obtain satisfactory results if he possesses the necessary patience and has a sincere desire to give as nearly perfect a finish as possible to his work.

Jan 1, 1939

By J. F. Fidiam, T. F. Ford, A. G. Loomis

It is only within the past 10 years that serious attempt appears to have been made to improve rotary drilling fluids by the application of the principles of colloid chemistry, although the use of chemicals to control the rheological properties of clay slips has long been known in the ceramic industry. The main difficulty apparently lay in the lack of a complete analysis of all of the functions of a drilling fluid in the drilling of the well, together with the lack of adequate consideration of how colloid science could be applied to secure these ends, and particularly how apparent antithetical properties of the fluid could be compromised. Thus one analvsisl of the many requirements of a drilling fluid proved conclusively that the viscosity should be low, in order that cuttings and entrained gas might be eliminated effi-ciently in the settling ditch, while the loss in carrying capacity accompanying low viscosity could be regained by increasing either the density of the mud or the upward velocity of the mud stream in the annular space of the well, and the danger of sticking of the drill stem due to rapid settling in case of enforced suspension of drilling operations could be eliminated by enhancing the thixotropic properties of the fluid. The desired properties of the drilling fluid having thus been established, it was a natural step to treat the fluid with vis-cosity-reducing chemicals, such as salts of weak organic acidsl for example, sodium tannate or gallate—and to adjust the pH to the alkaline side to such a degree of thixo-tropy as would give low viscosity and low yield point under the conditions of flow prevailing in the settling ditch, but rapid gelation and high yield point when quiescent in the annular space during shutdowns. In fact, flow in the settling ditch should be just short of turbulent while flow in the well, together with the flow of mud past the cuttings, is practically always turbulent. The use of chemicals other than those mentioned, such as Calgon (sodium hexametaphosphate) and certain other phosphates together with sodium tannate, has now become standard practice and it is the consensus that this method of treatment has proved to be an important step in the development of the art of drilling oil wells. It is safe to assume that the application of colloid chemical principles can also help in solving other outstanding problems of drilling fluids, such as the development of cheaper and more efficient viscosity reducers ; the development of chemicals that do not lose their effectiveness in a short time during drilling operations; the finding of chemicals to preserve the plastering properties of muds when concentrated brines are encountered or in drilling through salt beds; improvement in the plastering properties of poor muds by further defloc-culation, and, conversely, the prevention of excessive deflocculation of certain marine shales sometimes encountered; the preparation of muds suitable for the successful drilling of heaving shale formations; the finding 0f chemicals to treat the mud to prevent or to diminish lost circulation; the development 0f muds that will not impair 6

Jan 1, 1941

By T. F. Ford, J. F. Fidiam, A. G. Loomis

It is only within the past 10 years that serious attempt appears to have been made to improve rotary drilling fluids by the application of the principles of colloid chemistry, although the use of chemicals to control the rheological properties of clay slips has long been known in the ceramic industry. The main difficulty apparently lay in the lack of a complete analysis of all of the functions of a drilling fluid in the drilling of the well, together with the lack of adequate consideration of how colloid science could be applied to secure these ends, and particularly how apparent antithetical properties of the fluid could be compromised. Thus one analvsisl of the many requirements of a drilling fluid proved conclusively that the viscosity should be low, in order that cuttings and entrained gas might be eliminated effi-ciently in the settling ditch, while the loss in carrying capacity accompanying low viscosity could be regained by increasing either the density of the mud or the upward velocity of the mud stream in the annular space of the well, and the danger of sticking of the drill stem due to rapid settling in case of enforced suspension of drilling operations could be eliminated by enhancing the thixotropic properties of the fluid. The desired properties of the drilling fluid having thus been established, it was a natural step to treat the fluid with vis-cosity-reducing chemicals, such as salts of weak organic acidsl for example, sodium tannate or gallate—and to adjust the pH to the alkaline side to such a degree of thixo-tropy as would give low viscosity and low yield point under the conditions of flow prevailing in the settling ditch, but rapid gelation and high yield point when quiescent in the annular space during shutdowns. In fact, flow in the settling ditch should be just short of turbulent while flow in the well, together with the flow of mud past the cuttings, is practically always turbulent. The use of chemicals other than those mentioned, such as Calgon (sodium hexametaphosphate) and certain other phosphates together with sodium tannate, has now become standard practice and it is the consensus that this method of treatment has proved to be an important step in the development of the art of drilling oil wells. It is safe to assume that the application of colloid chemical principles can also help in solving other outstanding problems of drilling fluids, such as the development of cheaper and more efficient viscosity reducers ; the development of chemicals that do not lose their effectiveness in a short time during drilling operations; the finding of chemicals to preserve the plastering properties of muds when concentrated brines are encountered or in drilling through salt beds; improvement in the plastering properties of poor muds by further defloc-culation, and, conversely, the prevention of excessive deflocculation of certain marine shales sometimes encountered; the preparation of muds suitable for the successful drilling of heaving shale formations; the finding 0f chemicals to treat the mud to prevent or to diminish lost circulation; the development 0f muds that will not impair 6

Jan 1, 1941

By I. N. Zavarine

AUSTENITE is often defined as a solid solution of carbon or carbide in a nonmagnetic form of iron. Conversely, magnetic measurements are often used by investigators for the purpose of detecting the degree of austenite decomposition after an iron alloy has been subjected to certain thermal or mechanical treatments. Association of the magnetic state with the gamma-phase decomposition is often extended to the alloys of iron with elements other than carbon. Definition of austenite as a nonmagnetic solid solution cannot be accepted in the light of available information without certain reservations. The relation of magnetic transformations with the gamma-phase decomposition in the complex alloys of iron has never been rigorously proved. The present investigation deals primarily with the magnetic trans-formation that occurs in carbon steels during the quenching process. The work was further limited to a study of magnetic transformation in carbon steels quenched at such rates as are necessary to retain the product of austenite decomposition in a martensitic state.

Jan 1, 1934

By George Hale

(The following extracts from Mr. Hale's paper have been made by the Editor, as being of particular interest to our members.) In an address delivered on May 28, at the kind invitation of the Engineering Foundation, I briefly sketched "The War Activities of the National Research Council. "' The wide scope of my subject forced me to touch very lightly upon engineering; I therefore beg permission to return to this phase of the subject. As shown in my earlier address, the' charter membership of the National Academy of Sciences, organized in the midst of the Civil War,

Jan 10, 1918

By Bobby P. Faulkner

The Tennessee Copper Co.'s flotation plant, refer- T red to as London Mill, processes approximately 4800 tons of a massive complex sulfide ore per day. The ore is predominantly pyrrhotite and pyrite, the other sulfides being chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and a small amount of galena. Magnetite of economic value is also present. There are four concentrates produced. In decreasing tonnage, these are iron, copper, zinc and lead. The ore feeding the mill is a composite of ores from five mines which vary in grade. Therefore, in order to provide a fairly constant feed to the mill, the ore is blended several times before reaching the flotation machines. The flotation plant is divided into three main sections: bulk, copper and zinc. Fig. 1 shows a simplified flowsheet. The first two sections, the bulk and copper, were the two sections studied most closely in utilizing the computer.

Jan 11, 1966

By C. D. Ramsden

DURING the war years of 1941 to 1945, maintenance of mine locomotives and other mine equipment took the form of rebuilding rather than of renewing. Pur¬chase of new parts became increasingly difficult and mine operators found it necessary to maintain equipment by sal¬vaging old parts. Mine-locomotive wheels, although not representing a high cost per pound of material, contain a con¬siderable amount of steel and without rebuilding would have to be scrapped long before even a moderate percentage of the steel in the wheel is actually consumed. Many mine operators have been re¬building locomotive wheels for several years with automatic open arc-welding equipment. In 1927, the Pittsburgh Coal Co. started such a program, using a single Westinghouse automatic welding head. Since that time, many refinements have been added, until in 1944 the setup was operating very efficiently. A desire to increase wheel life and to hold down rising costs led the company in 1944 to investigate the possibilities of the under¬flux arc-welding process for wheel rebuild¬ing, although at that time, little or no work had been done on multiple pass or "build-up" welding with the underflux arc. Work with this process had been confined largely to welding together flat plates in a "down hand" position. Possibilities for savings were intensified by the fact that the company has 300 locomotives in operation, using actively or as spares 1200 sets of wheels. During 1942 and 1943, about 500 sets of wheels were sent each year to the company's maintenance shop at Library, Pa., for rebuilding. Based on having 800 sets in service (many of the company's heavy locomotives have three- sets of trucks), the average life of a set of wheels was approximately 19 months. Anything that could be done to increase wheel life promised sizable annual savings. OPEN ARC WELDING With the open arc process, a set of wheels could be rebuilt for about 40 pct of the cost of new wheels. Underflux arc welding gave promise of greatly increased welding speeds, more homogeneous, dense deposits and the chance for use of a wider range in welding-wire compositions. Against this was ranged the higher cost of materials and the cost of developing the process from the theory to a practical reality. Since 1927, when a single open arc head was placed in operation, fixed welding procedures had been gradually developed, a positioner for handling a set of wheels was built, and a second head was placed in operation in order to weld two wheels simultaneously. The fixture, or posi¬tioner, which was built to position and turn the wheels under the two welding heads, included a motor drive, controlled by a rheostat, which rotated the wheels through a double set of speed reducers and a removable jaw coupling attached to one end of the axle of the wheel truck.

Jan 1, 1946

By G. P. Gladis, R. H. Atkinson

Palladium has been used for jewelry for many years, particularly in conjunction with gold. This use increased in amount during the war, as palladium and gold were only moderately used for war purposes while demands for platinum and some of the other members of the platinum group were so great that their use in jewelry was prohibited. Palladium hardened with a small percentage of ruthenium has the necessary technical properties and appearance for good jewelry, and it is sufficiently rare to be desirable for luxury items—at least I00 times as rare as gold. Although both visual and spectro-photometric examination demonstrated that the color of Palladium was almost the same as that of platinum, a few jewelers found the surface of palladium, even after some polishing, rather dark in areas that had been repeatedly heated during the soldering necessary to assemble certain types of handmade ornaments. This phenomenon is not to be confused with the thin, bluish oxide film that can be produced by heating in air over the range 400' to 800°C., as that film is easily reduced by dipping in warm 5 per cent formic acid or in warm methanol. It was suspected that the difficulty arose from heating in atmospheres that were alternately oxidizing and reducing, as Wise and Vines1 had found that this opened the grain boundaries of palladium and palladium-silver alloys in the same manner as in pure silver, as reported by Martin and Parker.2 This damage is caused by the reaction between oxygen in solid solution in the metal, acquired when heated under oxidizing conditions, and hydrogen diffusing in from subsequent heating under reducing conditions; the steam cannot diffuse out and therefore builds up sufficient pressure to disrupt the metal near the surface. Copper and various other metals can be damaged similarly, but platinum is nearly immune; therefore the problem was new to the platinum jeweler. Sulphur in the fuel gas also can cause trouble but did not appear to be dominant in the present instance. Metallographic examination of both pure palladium and ruthenium-palladium showed that the usual torch using oxygen and city gas as normally operated did in fact cause the surface and subsurface damage that had been observed, and also disclosed that a reducing flame caused more damage than an oxidizing flame and was very damaging even in the absence of any intentional swing in atmosphere from oxidizing to reducing (Fig. 7); besides the surface damage, there was serious loss of ductility. A full explanation of the mechanism of attack is not evident at the moment, but may be allied to the attack that occurs on heating catalytically active metals in nonequilibrium atmospheres.

Jan 1, 1946

By G. P. Gladis, R. H. Atkinson

Palladium has been used for jewelry for many years, particularly in conjunction with gold. This use increased in amount during the war, as palladium and gold were only moderately used for war purposes while demands for platinum and some of the other members of the platinum group were so great that their use in jewelry was prohibited. Palladium hardened with a small percentage of ruthenium has the necessary technical properties and appearance for good jewelry, and it is sufficiently rare to be desirable for luxury items—at least I00 times as rare as gold. Although both visual and spectro-photometric examination demonstrated that the color of Palladium was almost the same as that of platinum, a few jewelers found the surface of palladium, even after some polishing, rather dark in areas that had been repeatedly heated during the soldering necessary to assemble certain types of handmade ornaments. This phenomenon is not to be confused with the thin, bluish oxide film that can be produced by heating in air over the range 400' to 800°C., as that film is easily reduced by dipping in warm 5 per cent formic acid or in warm methanol. It was suspected that the difficulty arose from heating in atmospheres that were alternately oxidizing and reducing, as Wise and Vines1 had found that this opened the grain boundaries of palladium and palladium-silver alloys in the same manner as in pure silver, as reported by Martin and Parker.2 This damage is caused by the reaction between oxygen in solid solution in the metal, acquired when heated under oxidizing conditions, and hydrogen diffusing in from subsequent heating under reducing conditions; the steam cannot diffuse out and therefore builds up sufficient pressure to disrupt the metal near the surface. Copper and various other metals can be damaged similarly, but platinum is nearly immune; therefore the problem was new to the platinum jeweler. Sulphur in the fuel gas also can cause trouble but did not appear to be dominant in the present instance. Metallographic examination of both pure palladium and ruthenium-palladium showed that the usual torch using oxygen and city gas as normally operated did in fact cause the surface and subsurface damage that had been observed, and also disclosed that a reducing flame caused more damage than an oxidizing flame and was very damaging even in the absence of any intentional swing in atmosphere from oxidizing to reducing (Fig. 7); besides the surface damage, there was serious loss of ductility. A full explanation of the mechanism of attack is not evident at the moment, but may be allied to the attack that occurs on heating catalytically active metals in nonequilibrium atmospheres.

Jan 1, 1946

By Norman Pilling

The effects of lead and tin up to maximum contents of about 0.1 per cent. each, in the presence of oxygen between 0.04 and 0.30 per cent., have been studied. Tin is retained efficiently in the oxidized condition, whereas lead is not. An approximate relation between the lead-oxygen and tin-oxygen contents is deduced which, if observed, permits the presence of these elements without detrimental effect. Excess of lead beyond this limit affects ductility and rolling properties adversely and an excess of tin correspondingly diminishes the conductivity. It is shown that copper carrying a combined lead and tin content of several hundredths per cent., yet fully equal in quality to electrolytic wirebar, may be produced under commercial conditions. TIN is not normally found in more than bare traces in current grades of American electrolytic copper, and lead is rarely found to more than a few thousandths per cent. In the electrolytic refining of copper these metals do not present great difficulty in separation and their presence in any considerable amount in copper that has been refined by this method need not be tolerated. On the other hand, the effect of these elements is not entirely academic, as a considerable tonnage of scrap copper liberally contaminated with them has been reclaimed by the fire-refining process into metal with a residual lead and tin content of several hundredths per cent., yet having excellent working properties and fully equal in quality to current grades of electrolytic wirebar. Such copper has been found entirely suitable for use in the manufacture of electrical apparatus. In the absence of oxygen, tin is known to depress the conductivity rapidly, and lead to impair ductility and the rolling properties, yet the effects of these metals on commercial grades of copper-i. e., copper containing from 0.03 to 0.10 per cent. of oxygen-apparently has not received systematic attention. Occasional reference is made to the fact that in the presence of oxygen lead may be tolerated, yet Addicks says,1 in regard to overpoling: "The unstable condition can be controlled by adding certain substances, notably lead, in small quantities, but as mere

Jan 2, 1926

By Hugh Roberts

During 1916 and 1917, the E. J. Longyear Co. of Minneapolis, Minn., carried out a campaign of exploration for nickel-copper ore in the Sudbury District of Ontario. The work was initiated by W. E. Smith, a resident of Sudbury, who called the attention of W. J. Mead, Chief geologist. The E. J. Longyear Co., to the fact that explorable lands in the Sudbury District were still available. Five diamond drills were employed, and holes were drilled in the townships of Levack, Trill, Denison, Blezard; Garson, Falconbridge and MacLennan. The general map of the District, Fig. 1, shows the distribution of the lands chosen. As a result of this exploration, a large body of nickel and copper ore has been found in the western part of the Township of Falconbridge. This property lies in the eastern part of the Sudbury District, east of the Garson mine.

Jan 2, 1918