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Minerals are vital to any industrialized civilization. Annually, the United States uses more than 4 billion tons of new mineral materials, or about 40,000 pounds per person-about half being mineral fuels and the other half being metals and nonmetallics. Stable and economic domestic mining, mineral, metal, and mineral reclamation industries are essential to the economy. The value of United States energy and processed materials of mineral origin exceeds $200 billion annually. Although a number of minerals are imported, especially some designated as "strategic and critical," most U.S. mineral supplies are derived from the domestic mines and processing facilities that you will be seeing, reading about, and visiting as you use this visitor guide. We hope you enjoy your experiences. This pamphlet, a guide to mining and mineral operations that may be observed or visited and some other points of interest relating to minerals, is in-tended to aid tourists and students who are interested in mining. Some may wish to study our Nation's romantic past; others may plan to enter the minerals industry as a career; still others may have a primary interest in conservation practices. The pamphlet is also intended to aid State and local officials, Chambers of Commerce, and mining firms in answering some of the many questions of tourists and students.

Jan 1, 1977

By E. R. Bauer

In response to the mandates in the MINER Act of 2006, NIOSH conducted refuge alternatives research that included characterizing the utility, practicality and survivability of refuge chambers and outby safe havens. NIOSH also prepared and delivered a report to Congress in late December 2007 that summarized the findings of the research, included recommendations concerning the design and performance specifications for refuge alternatives, and focused on specific information that could inform the regulatory process on refuge alternatives. This document highlights NIOSH's research and recommendations concerning refuge alternatives, survivability evaluations of refuge chambers, and presents a brief review of the current deployment of refuge chambers in underground coal mines in the U.S. The research has lead to the conclusion that refuge alternatives have the potential for saving the lives of mine workers if they are part of a comprehensive escape and rescue plan, and if appropriate training is provided. DISCLAIMER: ?The findings and conclusions in this report have not been formally disseminated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy.?

Jan 1, 2009

Real-Time Integration of Mining and Metallurgical Information for Efficient Use of Energy and Water

Sep 13, 2010

By Louis Huntoon

HISTORY of the Porcupine area has been pub-lished in detail by the Ontario Bureau. of Mines in several issues of its annual reports. An. interesting volume could be written on: this topic; especially if personalities were introduced, such as the. transaction whereby the original title to the Hollinger group of claims was settled between Ben Hollinger and Alex Gillies by the toss of a coin. The early history of the McIntyre mine also had its thrilling events, such as its manager, R. J. Ennis, dodging the sheriff and deposit-ing red-hot gold bricks in the bank to meet his pay-roll. The occurrence of quartz veins containing low gold values was reported in 1896 by E. M. Burwash and again in 1899 by W. A. Parks. The first application for a mining claim appears to have been applied for on Dec. 30, 1906, by W. 0. Taylor, of Toronto, one of the old employees of the Hudson Bay Co. On the recom-mendation of Mr. Taylor, early prospecting was done on the shores of Porcupine Lake. It. was not until the spectacular discovery of the surface croppings at the Dome mine, by J. S. Wilson in 1909, that a rush to the district took place. Exploration was carried on during 1910 and 1911. The big boom was on in 1911, when claims sold on the evidence of mere rock croppings, owing to the prevailing heavy overburden. Rock croppings with specks of gold brought big prices. The country was heavily timbered and most difficult to prospect. My first trip was made during the summer of 1911, while the railroad was under construction from Porquis Junction to South Porcupine. I published my observations in the Canadian Mining Journal, Dec. 15, 1911, discussing in particular the character of the ore deposits and the future prospects of the camp. The first mills were erected in 1911, only to be destroyed by the disastrous fire in July of that year. They were rebuilt and the first important shipments are recorded in 1912. The history of the camp from the discovery of the Dome to the present consists of alternate chapters of great optimism and those of a more non-committal nature. For the engineer unfamiliar with the character of the deposits of this area, and the north country in general, it is at times most difficult to draw conclusions and submit definite recommendations. When valuable orebodies apex at depth, with no surface showings other than slightly mineralized veins of quartz or quartz containing a little visible gold; when at depth valuable veins and ore deposits, paralleling the one being explored, are developed by cross-cutting, such as Nos. 85-58 on the Hollinger, which have been its largest producers, the engineer assumes responsibilities rarely called for in other mining districts. This fluctuating aspect is exemplified in the three large producers, and may be duplicated with some of the old producers now being explored.

Jan 8, 1923

By K. Kavouridis

The energy and climate protection policy of European Union (EU), and its Member States adopted in 2007 bridges security of supply, environmental protection and competitiveness. The objectives of the EU energy and environmental strategy cover the foreseeable period till 2020. It assumes all sources of energy will be needed. The objectives for renewable and improved efficiency are ambitious; it must be established if they are also realistic. Coal can continue to make valuable contribution to the security of supply and low price of electricity, only with technologies allowing for drastic reduction of the CO2 emitted of its combustion. The aimed at -20% reduction of green-house gases (GHG) of EU-27 by 2020 is an objective limited in time and content. Europe produces less than 15% of global CO2 and this will be reduced to 10% in 2030. Emissions Trading (ET) is to remain the central instrument for CO2 management, especially in the power sector. ET scheme (ETS) or other mechanisms need designing to create an incentive for investment in higher efficiency and technologies and to Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS). The ETS as the climate protection instrument of the EU can become a heavy burden (high fuel and electricity prices, less security of supply) or it can create a climate for modernization of fossil fuel power plants. The suggestion in this paper of fuel-specific benchmark system for CO2 allocation after 2012 can combine the emission levels to be reached with a strong drive to invest, the necessary investment security, transparency and the principle of proportionality. A Benchmark System as recommended by coal industry could adapt to the different circumstances in the long term and comply with EU energy and environmental policy objectives.

Jan 1, 2008

Helium has probably aroused more varied scientific curiosity than any other single element. Discovered by spectroscopic examination of the sun during an eclipse in 1868, helium is now known to exist not only in the sun and other stars but on earth occluded in minerals, accumulated with natural gases in pockets in the earth's crust, and in the atmosphere surrounding the earth. Astronomers study its presence in the various stars of the universe for clues to their origin and history. Geochemists and geologists study its occurrences in rocks, minerals, and meteorites to determine the age of the earth and the manner of its formation. Pathologists study its effect on living tissues in search for the ideal combination with oxygen for artificial breathing mixtures in medicine, diving operations, and space vehicles. Chemists study its physical properties and use it to trace the sequence of events in reactions in which it does not participate. Geneticists and bacteriologists use it for special studies. Physicists study its behavior when liquefied and the behavior of materials cooled to nearly absolute zero by its use. Nuclear physicists learn more about the universe through study of the nuclear reactions that produce it. Through study of helium and greater knowledge of its origin and properties, science continues to unlock some of nature's more closely guarded secrets. Unknown on earth before 1895, and not discovered as a minor constituent of natural gas until 1905, helium with its simple atomic structure--a nucleus with two electrons orbiting in a closed shell--is a unique element. It is next to the lightest gas, only hydrogen is lighter. It occupies position number 2 in the Periodic Table of the Elements and heads the list of so-called "rare" or ?noble? gases. Most of the naturally occurring helium has an atomic mass of 4.003874 (oxygen = 16). A trace (1.7 x 10-5 mol percent) is the light isotope helium-3 whose atomic mass is 3.0169800 Unstable isotopes of mass numbers 5 and 6 have been authenticated. Isotopes of mass numbers 7 and 8 have been reported, but their existence is less well established. All the heavier isotopes are radioactive and are the product of nuclear reactions.

Jan 1, 1968

Jan 1, 1988

By J. A. Burkhardt

Field measurements and theoretical studies have been made of pressure surges—momentary variations in fluid pressure—produced by movement of pipe in mud-filled boreholes. Pressure measurements were recorded by five pressure gauges located at various positions in the borehole. An important positive pressure peak was found to occur as the casing moved with maximum velocity. Important negative peaks were found as the casing was lifted from the slips and as brakes were applied to stop pipe movement. A rigorously formulated theory has successfully predicted the sequence and magnitudes of these positive and negative surges and has established a basis for understanding how they occur. Both the measurements and theory indicate that the most important pressure surge is usually due to viscous drag of the flowing mud. The theory of viscous-drag pressure surges has been approximated by simplified graphs and calculation procedures to facilitate ready use in field operations. Comparison of measured results with those predicted by the simplified theory shows that the magnitude of this surge can be predicted accurately. INTRODUCTION It is widely recognized that raising or lowering pipe in a fluid-filled borehole produces momentary variations in fluid pressure, commonly called pressure surges. Both negative (or "swabbing") surges and positive (or "fracturing") surges may occur. In 1934, Cannon1 measured the negative surges and showed that they could be large enough to cause flow of formation fluids into the well-bore and, in extreme cases, lead to blowout conditions. Later, Coins2 measured the positive surges associated with lowering pipe. His results and subsequent field operations strikingly demonstrated that pressure surges could be an important factor in some cases of lost returns. In addition, although the evidence is less clear than in the case of blowouts and lost returns, other investigators 3, 4 feel that pressure surges probably play a part in many instances of minor gas cutting, salt-water flow and other hole trouble. The importance of pressure surges in drilling operations led naturally to attempts to explain the physical causes, nature and magnitude of the surges. Cardwell5 was the first to publish a theory which allowed the quantitative prediction of momentary pressure variations. He assumed that the drilling fluid was a 300-cp Newtonian fluid in turbulent flow. Most field muds have a considerably lower viscosity and are generally believed to be Bingham plastic in nature.6 However, card-well's results were useful because they were presented in a form convenient for field use and, in some cases, gave a reasonably accurate predicted value for the maximum pressure surge. Subsequently, Ormsby7 published a more comprehensive theory of pressure surges. He discussed both laminar and turbulent flow and considered the theory of mud-bypass devices for reducing pressure surges. As a consequence of his more rigorous approach, his results were more accurate but more complex and difficult to use. Further, both Ormsby and Cardwell considered only the pressure surge arising from viscous drag of the moving mud. Clark later published idealized graphs of surges and presented equations for predicting their magnitudes. In addition to pressure variations arising from viscous drag, he considered those caused by inertial effects. His theory was in this respect more complete than those of Cardwell and Ormsby, although he did not discuss pressures due to breaking of the gel. Furthermore, his equations, while not exceptionally complicated, were too complex for ready use at a drilling location. One difficulty common to all three theories is that none was tested rigorously by direct comparison with measured pressure surges. Their accuracy, therefore, could, not be demonstrated. Further, the two theories based on most realistic assumptions (Ormsby and Clark) required the solution of one or more rather complex algebraic equations. The research described in this paper was undertaken to supplement that described and to overcome some of the difficulties noted. It seemed obvious that a fully satisfactory study of pressure surges should encompass three main phases. 1. A valid theory useful in all field situations must be developed. This theory must be based upon realistic assumptions, must be formulated rigorously and should lead to clear concepts whereby the nature of pressure surges can be easily understood. 2. The theory, however complex and involved, ultimately must be presented in simplified form for convenient field use. This may involve extensive machine computations and the use of figures and empirical equations. 3. The accuracy of the simplified equations must be established by comparing measured pressure surges with those predicted by the theory. These must agree both in their characteristic nature and in magnitude. 'This means that careful measurements of surges occurring in actual field operations must be made.

By Jerome F. Kuzmick

The use of iron powder during the postwar conversion period has been increasing with great rapidity. This is particularly true in regard to the manufacture of molded mechanical parts such as bushings, gears, cams, small wheels, and the like. Many manufacturers have found it possible to replace machined cast iron and carbon steel with molded iron powder parts, and thereby can not only effect a savings in cost, but can produce a better product as well. As the field of application for iron powder parts widens, greater demands are made upon the powder supplier concerning quality and uniformity characteristics. The following are some of the most important properties parts fabricators desire in the iron powder they use: 1. The powder should have high compressibility so that good density can be obtained without the use of excessive pressures. At the same time, it should show low die wear so that a large number of pieces can be produced from the die. This means that the powder must be of high purity and good softness or plasticity. 2. The powder should produce compacts of high green strength, so that unsintered parts can be handled without breakage or fraying of the edges. 3. The sintering properties should be good so that satisfactory strength is obtained in the sintered piece. 4. Compacts made from the powder should show small but, above all, uniform dimensional changes during the sintering operation so that accurate parts can be produced, and warping and other such bad effects eliminated. 5. The powder should have satisfactory flow properties for automatic molding. 6. It is very important that the powder be uniform in sieve analysis, compressibility, flow, purity, and other qualities, from container to container in any given lot and from shipment to shipment. 7. Price—The fabricators desire all these good properties, but in many instances still do not wish to pay a premium price. There has been considerable discussion as to the importance of price of the powder in relation to the cost of the finished product. It is true that in cases where certain special properties only procured by powder metallurgy are required, price is not a criterion. On the other hand, there have been a number of applications recently made which would not be commercially practical with a powder which commands a premium in price. Iron powder parts are compressed in automatic presses to definite size, shape, and density. The powder is compressed to a density figure dependent upon the function the part is to perform, as well as upon such important considerations as press capacity and die wear. Such parts can be roughly broken down into the following density ranges:

Jan 1, 1949

By Jerome F. Kuzmick

INTRODUCTION THE use of iron powder during the post-war conversion period has been increasing with great rapidity. This is particularly true in regard to the manufacture of molded mechanical parts such as bushings, gears, cams, small wheels, and the like. Many manufacturers have found it possible to replace machined cast iron and carbon steel with molded iron powder parts, and thereby can not only effect a savings in cost, but can produce a better product as well. As the field of application for iron powder parts widens, greater demands are made upon the powder supplier concerning quality and uniformity characteristics. The following are some of the most important properties parts fabricators desire in the iron powder they use: I. The powder should have high compressibility so that good density can be obtained without the use of excessive pressures. At the same time, it should show low die wear so that a large number of pieces can be produced from the die. This means that the powder must be of high purity and good softness or plasticity. 2. The powder should produce compacts of high green strength, so that unsintered parts can be handled without breakage or fraying of the edges. 3. The sintering properties should be good so that satisfactory strength is obtained in the sintered piece. 4. Compacts made from the powder should show small but, above all, uniform dimensional changes during the sintering operation so that accurate parts can be produced, and warping and other such bad effects eliminated. 5. The powder should have satisfactory flow properties for automatic molding. 6. It is very important that the powder be uniform in sieve analysis, compressibility, flow, purity, and other qualities, from container to container in any given lot and from shipment to shipment. 7. Price-The fabricators desire all these good properties, but in many instances still do not wish to pay a premium price. There has been considerable discussion as to the importance of price of the powder in relation to the cost of the finished product. It is true that in cases where certain special properties only procured by powder metallurgy are required, price is not a criterion. On the other hand, there have been a number of applications recently made which would not be commercially practical with a powder which commands a premium in price. Iron powder parts are compressed in automatic presses to definite size, shape, and density. The powder is compressed to a density figure dependent upon the function the part is to perform, as well as upon such important considerations as press capacity and die wear. Such parts can be roughly broken down into the following density ranges:

Jan 1, 1948

By Lucien F. Trueb

The microstructure of explosion-bonded pairs of similar and dissimilar metals has been investigated by electron microscopy. A review of the specific problems encountered and the methods used for obtaining surface replicas and thin-film transmission specimens of the bond interface is given. The bond area is mainly characterized by continuous and practically diffusionless metallurgical bonding. The very large shear stresses induced along the collision front of the plates being joined causes extreme grain elongation and a symmetrical pattern of subgrains in the bonding direction. The bond zone is also characterized by a very high density of dislocations and pressure-induced twins. Localized heating occurring during the cladding process can result in partial re-crystallization or the formation of thin layers of molten material. The force of precisely controlled explosions causing a high-velocity impact between metal plates has been used for several years to achieve metallurgical bonding between an extremely wide variety of metals. This method essentially consists of accelerating a plate to high velocity toward a stationary plate by a detonating explosive. Since the restrictions to bonding are not those encountered with conventional nethods, it becomes possible to bond pairs of metals having widely different mechanical properties that are immiscible or form brittle intermetallic compounds. Many applications of such composite metals are found in the field of corrosion protection as well as numerous other fields; for example, explosion bonding is being applied for fabricating the materials used by the United States Mint in the new sandwich-type coins. The primary condition for establishing a metallurgical bond is that absolutely clean metal surfaces be brought together. Any metal exposed to the atmosphere is covered with oxides, adsorbed gases, and other contaminants; even a very forceful impact of two such surfaces is not sufficient for bonding. Cowan and Holtz-man,"' who reviewed the dynamics of colliding plates in detail, showed that in order to achieve a good bond the explosion conditions must be chosen in such a way that the plate collision velocity is less than the sonic velocity, in which case no oblique shock waves are attached to the collision front. A pressure wave is then generated ahead of the collision line, and the material forming the colliding surface of each of the plates flows forward and is ejected in the form of a spray, the so-called jet. The dynamic elastic limit of the metals must be exceeded so that there is sufficient plastic deformation. At the point where the jet formed by the junction of the inner surface layers of both plates separates from the combined plates, the material experi- ences a very high shearing strain and the pressure can reach several hundred kilobars. This process strongly influences the microstructure of the bond zone as will be seen later. Behind the collision front, uncontami-nated layers of internal material are brought together under high pressure and are thus metallurgically bonded. I) STRUCTURE OF EXPLOSION BONDS The different types of explosion bonds that can be obtained depend on the explosion conditions, and have been investigated by Cowan and Holtzman,1'2 Holtzman,3 Klein; Bahrani and crossland,' and Buck and Horn-bogen. The preferred kind for practical applications is the so-called wavy bond, typical examples of which are given in Fig. 1 showing light micrographs of various metal-to-metal interfaces. In forming this type-- of bond the collision energy is mainly expended in jetting, the formation of waves, and localized melting. Beyond the crest of the waves, eddy-shaped areas are observed in which the two metals are mixed in a complex pattern of streaks. Cowan and Holtzmanl first proposed that this wavy pattern is analogous to periodic eddy shedding in the flow of a viscous fluid around an obstacle (Von Karman's eddy street). The mass of metal ahead of the stagnation point, which is associated with the jet and has forward momentum, plays the role of an obstacle and the eddies created in the flow of solid metal around the stagnation point are preserved in the final clad specimen. This idea has been reviewed more recently by Klein4 and the variables involved in the wave formation have been discussed in some detail by Bahrani and crosslands and Buck and Hornbogen.6 Several studies of the structure of explosion bonds by light metallography have already been published.1-6 Aside from the waviness and the eddies which were mentioned above, the most striking characteristic of the area in the vicinity of the bond interface is a very considerable longitudinal grain deformation which appears to be strongest at the metal-to-metal boundary and dies out as one moves away from it. Large twins are often observed within the deformed grains, and molten areas are found in the center of the eddy-shaped structures situated beyond the crest of the waves. The large hydrostatic pressures and shear stresses occurring at the interface modify the mechanical and chemical properties of the bond zone. Increases in hardness in this area have been reported by various authors.396 The defects along the interface can also cause a local increase of the chemical reactivity and thus might be expected to boost the etching rate. However, the effects of this preferential etching cannot be observed by light microscopy due to its inherently limited resolution power. The same limitation precludes the observation of morphological features directly along the bond interface as well as the interface itself. Furthermore, no information can be gained by light-

Jan 1, 1969

By Estanislao Dumin

Si bien los yacimientos ferrííferos de los Departamentos de Cuzco y Apurímac, junto a Marcona conforman la principal reserva de hierro del Perú, son pocos los estudios que se realizaron sobre la importancia de dicho mineral. En este sentido, el presente texto refiere la relación de los yacimientos de óxidos de hierro con la formación Ferrobamba y el Batolito de la Deflexión Abancay para dar cuenta de la extensión de la provincia metalogénetica. Asimismo se considera la forma de los grupos de cuerpos mineralizados, el nivel de erosión, composición química y mineralógica del hierro, los yacimientos de otras sustancias en la faja ferrífera, la estimación de las reservas, la factibilidad de la explotación de los depósitos de hierro, morfología y transporte y su viabilidad con otros proyectos mineros.

Nov 20, 1978

By Fabio do Prado Verderano

A partir de corpos de prova de uma chapa de aço baixa liga NBR 6656 grau LNE 26, realizou-se a caracterização microestrutural, levantamento do perfil de dureza ao longo da espessura da chapa, ensaios de tração monotônicos, cíclicos de fadiga e análises fractográficas. Concluiu-se que, nas extremidades da espessura da amostra, o valor da dureza é maior, indicando que quando a chapa foi laminada as superfícies em contato com os rolos de laminação sofreram encruamento, aumentando a dureza nessa região. A microestrutura encontrada e o grau das inclusões presentes na amostra são compatíveis para o material, bem como as propriedades mecânicas monotônicas, que estão de acordo com a especificação. Por meio de ensaios de fadiga de baixo ciclo, encontrou-se uma boa correlação entre as propriedades monotônicas e cíclicas do material para a proposição da equação de Basquin, considerando-se dados seguros, quando utilizado os primeiros vinte ciclos do ensaio de fadiga para estabilização de cada corpo de prova. Verificando-se a seção transversal da fratura do corpo de prova, observa-se que o mecanismo de falha do material ocorreu a partir do aparecimento de trincas na interface ferrita-cementita com propagação transgranular até a fratura final.

Aug 17, 2017

By Chas. F. Jackson

This bulletin is one of a series of Bureau of Mines reports dealing with mining methods, practices, and costs. A study of this subject was undertaken by the Bureau in cooperation with a large number of mining companies in 1928. This study continued for 5 years, during which engineers of the Mining Division of the Bureau visited most of the larger mines and many smaller ones in the United States, as well as several mines in Canada and Mexico. As a result of this study, 75 reports dealing with underground mining methods and costs at different mines were published as information circulars. Circulars also were issued on 6 open-pit mines and 2 gold-dredging operations. These circulars were written by the managers, superintendents, and engineers in charge of the operations, in some instances in collaboration with Bureau engineers. They were prepared according to a standard outline drawn up by the Bureau to obtain uniformity in textual treatment and in the arrangement and basis of setting up cost and operating data.

Jan 1, 1936

By Kelvin K. Wu

A coal waste disposal dam failed on Buffalo Creek near Saunders, West Virginia, on February 26, 1972. This accident resulted in the loss of 125 lives, left over 4000 people homeless, and resulted in millions of dollars in damage to several downstream communities. As a result of this tragic event, major changes occurred in the mine waste disposal practices used by the U.S. coal industry. This paper summarizes changes in U.S. coal-waste disposal practices in the nearly 35 years since the Buffalo Creek dam failure and identifies safety issues that need to be addressed for continued improvement. While many organizations and individuals have played roles in the improvements that have occurred, this paper focuses on the role played by MSHA and its predecessor agencies.

Jan 1, 2006

By Kenneth Pidgeon

The Boston Marine Industrial Park (BMIP) Boat Section, which is part of contract C04A2 of the Central Artery/Tunnel (CA/T) project, is currently under construction in South Boston, Massachusetts (Fig. 1). The Boat Section is approximately 900 feet long and varies in width from about 135 to 185 feet (Fig. 2). The depth to the top of the Boat Section base slab varies from about 28 to 31 feet below final ground surface and about 23 to 26 feet below normal ground water levels. The Boat Section is supported on 578 anchors drilled into the underlying bedrock each designed for a working load of 630 kips. Design and Construction Team The owner of the project is the Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD). The owner's representative is the Management Consultant, Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff. The section design consultant (SDC) consisted of HDR Engineering, Inc. with GEI Consultants, Inc. as the geotechnical subconsultant. The general contractor was the joint venture of Kiewit, Perini, Atkinson, and Cashman. The boat anchors were installed by the subcontractor Delta Geotechnical Services, Inc.

Jan 1, 1994

By Robert W. Bruhn

Ground movements associated with high extraction underground coal mining, such as pillar retreat and longwall, are some- times large enough to disrupt the ground water regime as well as damage buildings and other surface structures. A U.S. Department of Energy Bureau of Mines- sponsored subsidence study at Kitt Energy Corporation's Kitt No. 1 Mine near Philippi (Barbour County) , West Virginia has provided an opportunity to monitor the ground water response above a mine panel during both developmental and pillar re- treat mining. Findings concerning ground water effects presented in this paper indicate that total extraction mining produced significant water level declines in deep-lying strata but had little effect on water levels at shallower depths. Post-mining values of hydraulic conductivity were typically somewhat higher than pre-mining values. Changes in water chemistry associated with mining were not sufficient to render the water unfit for human consumption.

Jan 1, 1986

By Paul R. Clark

Outline ? Coal As An Energy Resource ? Canadian Clean Power Coalition ? Phase I of the CCPC Project ? CO2 capture options ? Gasification ? CO2 use ? Results ? Phase II Plans ? Next Steps TransAlta - Profile ? 9,726 megawatts (MW) of capacity ? 46,877 gigawatt hours (GWh) produced at an average plant availability of 88.4% ? 47 facilities in four geographies: Canada; the U.S.; Mexico; and Australia ? Fuel mix of coal (62%), gas (26%), hydro and renewables (12%) ? 23.2 million tonnes of coal mined ? 47.0 million gigajoules (GJ) of gas consumed

May 1, 2004

By J. Gurland

The effect of four different second-phase additions on the strength of composite alloys with a common matrix was investigated. The four compositions each consisted of 85 pct by volume of silver with additions of 15 pct of either tungsten, molybdenum, tungsten carbide, or nickel. These particular additives were chosen because of their low mutual solid solubilities with silver at room temperature, the alloys consisting essentially of a dispersion strengthened silver matrix in which the second phase is distributed randomly. Test specimens were prepared by a powder metallurgy procedure consisting of ball milling the mixed powders, compacting, and sintering at 920°C for 1 hr in hydrogen. The constituent powders were of CP quality and of particle size between 2 and 10 ?. The compacts were subsequently hot pressed at 1000 psi and 1400° in an Inconel die, coined at room temperature at 60,000 psi and finally annealed and outgassed in vacuum at 800°F. The microstructures of the alloys are shown in Fig. 1, and the microscopically observed porosity grade was A-2 or better as evaluated by ASTM Recommended Practice B 276-54. The properties of the sintered compacts are listed in Table I, and the load-deformation curves in bending are shown in Fig. 2. The samples, of rectangular cross section, were loaded at the center of 58 in. span, and the reported stress was calculated on the basis of linearly elastic behavior in order to allow the comparison of specimens of slightly different dimensions. It is apparent that the tungsten, molybdenum, and tungsten carbide alloys exhibit very similar deformation curves. The moduli of elasticity were determined from the slopes of the stress-deflection curves at small loads. The measured values agree quite well with those calculated by the strength of materials approximation proposed by Paul1 for the elastic constants of mixtures, the calculated values being 15.0, 15.0, 17.4, and 13.4 million psi, respectively, for the tungsten, molybdenum, tungsten carbide, and nickel combinations with silver. The strength of the Ag-Ni composition is appreciably lower than that of the other three alloys. The discrepancy between the two groups is accounted for by the following characteristics of deformation and failure which were observed microscopically during the tests: A) The deformation of the W, Mo, and WC alloys did not involve the second phase particles to any appreciable extent. Slip and fracture took place in the silver-rich matrix alone, although the fracture path generally skirted the particles by favoring the phase boundaries. The deformation proceeded according to the following sequence: 1) formation of small, discontinuous microcracks in areas of the matrix adjacent to a particle, 2) general slip in the matrix and extension of cracks, 3) failure of specimens by propagation of cracks through matrix. The near coincidence of the 3 load-deflection curves suggests that the nature of the second phase particles does not decisively influence the plastic behavior of composite alloys of this composition as long as the particles do not undergo any considerable deformation themselves. B) A markedly different behavior was exhibited by the Ag-Ni composition where the relatively low flow strength is associated with the low yield strength of the nickel grains. Slip in the nickel grains was first observed at a stress of approximately 10,000 psi, although failure, at a later stage, took place by the propagation of cracks through the matrix. The ductility of this aggregate, in which both components deform plastically, is appreciably greater than that of the elastic-plastic composites. In summary: 1) The measured values of the moduli of elasticity of the composite alloys under discussion are in good agreement with the "strength of materials" approximation proposed by Paul.' 2) The overall plastic behavior of these particle-strengthened alloys is unaffected by the nature of the second phase particles, if the latter remain elastic. This work was supported by the Office of Naval Research. The experimental results are presented

Jan 1, 1962

By Hugh M. Wolfin

This Information Circular is an abstract of a manuscript which was completed in June 1933, by Mr. Hugh M. Wolflin, formerly of the U. S. Bur eau of Mines. This abstract has been prepared by Charles Will Wright for presentation at the February meeting of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers in New York. It has been necessary to omit many of the details and most of the cost data and tables, as well as the illustrations in the original manuscript. As the use of airplanes in mining developments is making such progress and as a publication on this subject to be of greatest value should include the most recent information, it is unfortunate that, due to a lack of printing funds, it has not been possible to publish this manuscript. The purposes of Mr. Wolflin's paper are: (1) To describe briefly what has been accomplished in some outstanding examples by the use of aircraft in the mining and petroleum industries, (2) To record costs, (3) To present available information and suggestions to assist in solving future air-transportation problems in the industries under consideration.

Jan 1, 1934