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By Oswaldo Ortiz Sánchez

El presente trabajo describe la alternativa de uso del mortero de resina en la fijación de pernos de anclaje de las excavaciones mineras, consolidación y disipación de vibraciones en los cimientos de plataformas para la instalación de molinos, winches, tolvas, etc. Esta opción surge en respuesta al problema de reforzamiento con pernos de anclaje en ambientes con aguas corrosivas o en proceso de deformación acelerada en las excavaciones mineras, así como ante obstáculos de subsidencia de cimentación en plataformas, donde se encuentran instalados equipos de gran tonelaje, y que producen fuertes vibraciones durante su funcionamiento.

Jul 31, 2003

By W. H. Liu

The stability of floors of large drydocks and wagon tipper sheds at coal terminals is an important matter but quite difficult to solve. Anchors can be used to join floors to foundations thus ensuring the stability of floors by the self-weight of floors and the pull of anchors. In this paper, the author describes the structures and types of the anchors used in the floors of the drydock in Beihai Shipyard and the wagon tipper shed at Shijiu Port, both in Shandong Province China, the determination of bearing capacity of anchors in rock bed of highly weathered granite, the comparison between prestressed anchors and non-prestressed anchors, the construction technology of anchors and the analysis of field experimental data.

Jan 1, 2010

By Weng Fu, James Vaughan, Stefan Lakemond

Uranium bearing copper sulphide flotation concentrates produced from iron oxide copper gold uranium (IOCG–U) ore contains radionuclides such as 238U, 230Th, 210Pb, 226Ra, 210Po, which have the potential to reduce their marketability, thus posing a challenge to the industry. Thus, a two–stage leach process has been proposed in this study. In first stage, a sulphuric acid leach process effectively dissolve most of the 238U and 230Th into solution, but other radionulclides (mainly 210Pb, 226Ra and 210Po) remain associated with copper sulphide minerals owing to their low solubilities in sulphuric acid solution. In the second leaching stage, the use of methanesulfonic acid (MSA, CH3SO3H) is investigated to selectively dissolve the 210Pb, 226Ra and 210Po from the residue of the first stage. The results indicate that 96% of 238U, 87% of 230Th, 90% of 210Pb, 86% of 226Ra and 17% of 210Po are dissolved using 3 mol/L MSA solution at 90°C for 3 hours, which represents a dramatic decrease in the radioactivity of the copper concentrate. INTRODUCTION Australia is host to one of the largest iron oxide copper–gold–uranium (IOCG–U) deposits in the world. Most of the value in these deposits is associated with copper. In mineral processing, the gangue minerals are separated from copper sulphide minerals that report to a copper flotation concentrate. However, due to the strong association of uranium with copper minerals and hematite, even clean copper concentrates can contain significant amounts of uranium (238U) and its radioactive decay elements, of which thorium (230Th), radium (226Ra), lead (210Pb), and polonium (210Po) are the long life radionuclides. These hazardous radionuclides negatively affect the marketability of the copper concentrates. Customer copper smelters in China, Japan and Europe may consider the radionuclides penalty elements or may not be able to process the feed. Therefore, there is a strong motivation to remove radionuclides from copper concentrates at the mine site before shipping to custom smelters in global market. Hydrometallurgical leaching has been widely employed to remove radionuclides from different kinds of minerals such as copper concentrates (Ragozzini & Sparrow, 1987), zircon concentrates (Aral, Sparrow, McDonald, & Norgate, 2007), and coal ash (Lei, Qi, Sun, Xu, & Wang, 2014). Leaching using sulphuric acid (H2SO4) solutions is the most widely used process for the extraction of uranium from uranium ores due to the relatively low cost and wide availability of the acid (Bhargava et al., 2015; Gilligan & Nikoloski, 2015). The leach process involves treating ground ore slurry with sulphuric acid at elevated temperatures (typically 60–90 °C) under oxidising conditions in order to convert the uranium in the minerals 2+ from the relatively insoluble tetravalent form (UO2) into water–soluble hexavalent state (UO2), which then complexes with SO42- and forms UO2(SO4)22- in solution. The uranium oxidation is generally carried out in the presence of ferric ion (Fe3+), regardless of the reagent and oxidant used. The most commonly used oxidants for uranium include sodium chlorate, pyrolusite and oxygen (Ring, 1980). These oxidants act indirectly by converting ferrous sulphate, formed by the oxidation reaction of UO2 in slurries, into ferric sulphate. The presence of Fe–containing gangue minerals such as hematite in the ore usually provides sufficient Fe required for the oxidation of UO2. After sulphuric acid leaching, the locked thorium (230Th), radium (226Ra), lead (210Pb), and polonium (210Po) elements are chemically liberated from hematite and uranium mineral grains (Ciobanu, Wade, Cook, Schmidt Mumm, & Giles, 2013). However, the extraction rate of radium (226Ra), lead (210Pb), and polonium (210Po) in sulphate solution is very low due to the limited solubilities of (Ra, Pb, Po)SO4 (Bagnall & Freeman, 1956; Liu & Papangelakis, 2006; Nikitin & Tolmachev, 1933).

Jan 1, 2019

By Robert B. Worthington

This investigation was undertaken to develop a more efficient copper smelting practice that would help meet the increasingly stringent antipollution standards. Continuous smelting to copper and a 0.8-to 5-percent copper slag using pure oxygen has been demonstrated for several hours at a time in a unique double furnace, which was devised to overcome the heat losses inherent in a laboratory furnace. The use of pure oxygen to effect the smelting and conversion of copper sulfide concentrate in a single unit to produce blister copper and a very high S02 concentration provides a much reduced gas volume for more economical and thorough sulfur recovery. Although the process was successfully demonstrated for several hours at a time, extended test work using longer runs will be required to balance the system and to obtain test data for adequately demonstrating its technical feasibility.

Jan 1, 1973

By Eleanor Sonley

In October 2000, temporary seismographic stations were installed above the Trail Mountain Mine, Emery County, Utah, USA to supplement a regional network. Over seven months, 1826 mining-induced seismic events were recorded with a magnitude range of M 0 to M 2.2 (Arabasz et al., 2002, 2005). Routine event locations for this dataset cluster around the longwall mining activity during the recording interval. However, applying a double difference relocation technique to the routine locations significantly improves the correlation between mining activity and event location. The resulting relocations depend greatly on station distribution and the number of arrival time picks. We use this dense temporary array to assess station distribution requirements for applying the double difference technique at other mines by systematically removing data from available stations, thus simulating sparser networks. The insight gained using the Trail Mountain dataset is used to develop a metric for assessing the usefulness of above-mine networks and to develop a tool for expanding seismic network coverage. To verify the appropriateness of these tools for wider application, we examine data from two additional mines located in the western United States. Improving the relative locations of mining-induced seismic events highlights the association of these events with active portions of the mine. Clusters, regions of quiescence and relative timing of events can be used by mine operators to assess hazard, optimize production, and evaluate performance of mine plans. The lessons learned from this study may be used in future network design to improve accuracy of event locations at other mines.

Jan 1, 2009

By Peter Bigwood

Whether drilling through tough clay or breaking rock, or facing the most severe conditions including mixed face ground, perched water and running and flowing sands, working under-ground certainly comes with no shortage of challenges. In an environment where the unknown is faced on a daily basis, tunneling contractors must be able to rely on their equipment to get the job done properly. Not only that, their equipment must comply with two of the highest priorities: safety and efficiency. In addition to being the number one concern, a proven safety record provides additional benefits to a company. A safe work environment serves as a key component to company growth, including the ability to remain competitive in bidding and maintaining higher-level, more challenging projects.

Jan 1, 2012

By Madgwick J. C

Leaching column techniques and microbiological methods have been described in detail in Madgwick and Ralph (1980) and Madgwick, Ralph and Sadler (1981).Sixty-nine kilograms of copper porphyry ore (0.4 per cent Cu, 2.7 per cent Fe) (particle size 2.4-11.2 mm; 60 The effect of sodium chloride (O.6M) irrigation on bacterial leaching of Bougainville copper porphyry ore was studied.Viability of suspended Thiobacillus ferrooxidants was reduced to less than 10 cells/ml in NaCI (O.6M) compared with 10' eells/ml in dilute II,SO, (0.01 M, pll 2). Salt irrigation had no significant effect on heterotrophic and sulphur oxidizing bacteria. Increascd short term recovery of copper (145 g/tonne/ 15 days) was followed by a marked decrease in tenors to less than 20 mg/litre/day compared with an acid leach, steady release, of 110 mg/litre/day. Resumption of acid leaching restored average solution copper to 46 mg/litre/day and the viability of suspended T Ierrooxidates to 10 cells/ml.Quantitative removal of sodium ehloride from ore particles was difficult and t races of NaCI remained for more than 200 days.

Jan 1, 1982

By Tom Ireland, Tony Rock

The proposed 1.83km long twin bore A3 Hindhead road tunnel planned for contruction in 2008 is being delivered under a Highways Agency Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contract. The proposed construction methodology is progressive mechanical excavation of a horseshoe shaped tunnel with shotcrete installed close behind the face using robotic spraying equipment. The tunneling medium is a ‘soft rock’ sandstone for which there was little previous tunneling experience, requiring extensive geotechnical investigations and an innovative approach to lining design. A 240m long portal section though sandy material utilising a steel pipe umbrella is also required. This paper describes the development of the tunnel planning and design including the most recent developments in UK road tunnels, and the innovation included in the ‘permanent’ primary lining design.

Jan 1, 2007

By C. S. Samis, D. P. Seraphim

In the presence of oxygen, galena is oxidized in an aqueous medium containing ammonium acetate in accordance with the following reaction: PbS + 1/2 0, + 2 NH~Ac -» PbAc, + So + 2 NH: + H2O. This reaction was studied in an autoclave under oxygen pressure by polarographic measurement of the concentration of lead ion in solution. Oxidation rate is parabolic. The reaction products are lead acetote and elemental sulfur, the latter forming a film on the galena crystal. Reaction kinetics appear to be determined by the diffusion of lead from the galena phase to the solution interface through the film of sulfur. RECENT applications of pressure leaching on a commercial scale have emphasized the metallurgical importance of the oxidation of sulfide minerals in aqueous media by oxygen under pressure. Research experience has shown that sulfates, thio-nates, and metal oxides are the products of humid oxidation of sulfide minerals in basic solutions. The metal oxides may be solubilized in the presence of a complexing ion.' Certain oxide minerals are also amenable to treatment by this type of oxidation.' Several kinetic studies have been made of reactions of this type. Stenhouse' found that pyrite (FeS?) oxidized in a sodium hydroxide solution to produce a soluble sulfate and an insoluble layer of iron oxide and that the kinetics of the reaction were controlled by oxygen diffusion through the oxide layer. Andersen' studied the oxidation of galena (PbS) in a sodium hydroxide solution under oxygen pressure. He found the lead and sulfur to be simultaneously oxidized to produce plum bite ions and sulfate ions, and that the reaction rate was proportional to the surface area of the galena. The kinetics appeared to be determined by the reaction of oxygen and water with the galena surface. In each of the above reactions the metal and sulfur components of the mineral were oxidized simultaneously and at equal rates. In the present study the alkaline medium has been replaced by an approximately neutral solution of ammonium acetate in which lead sulfate is soluble. Under the conditions no sulfate was produced and no sulfur could be detected in the solution. The metal component of the mineral was solubilized and the liberated sulfur remained as a film of elemental sulfur on the surface of the galena crystal. A kinetic study of this reaction was undertaken to establish the kinetic mechanism and to determine the rate controlling step. Specific reaction rates were determined by oxidizing crystals of galena of measured surface areas in an autoclave maintained at the desired temperature and oxygen pressure. The rate of reaction was followed by measuring the concentration of lead in the ammonium acetate solution with a cathode ray polarograph, employing stationary platinum electrodes incorporated in the autoclave. Experimental Materials and Equipment Crystals of galena obtained from Violamac Mines, Retallack, B. C., were selected for oxidation because

Jan 1, 1957

By Rudiger Baltz

The sudden failure of bodies of rock is a serious problem commonly experienced in the international mining industry. These explosive releases of energy are referred-to as ?bumps?, ?outbursts? and ?rockbursts?. Rockbursts can occur at such a rapid speed that they present a direct threat to safety in large parts of the mine workings. The build-up of excess stress within the body of rock can be attributed to different causes. In shallow workings, for example, sudden and violent failure of the roof strata can be caused by leaving insufficient pillar width when practising room-and-pillar mining. At much greater working depths, as it is the case in the German coal industry, rockbursts are generally attributable to high levels of rock pressure. This can even result in coal outbursts when driving individual roadways. More than thirty years ago the German coal industry suffered from numerous rockburst incidents which caused many deaths and serious injuries. This led directly to the establishment of the Rockburst Prevention Centre, which was created at the instigation of the mining companies and the chief mines inspectorate. The consistent logging and analysis of all rockburst incidents has led to the development of a system that is still used as a basis for preventing underground rockbursts and minimising the risk of such phenomena occurring. Working closely with the mining authorities and mining companies the accredited experts of the Rockburst Prevention Centre have played a key role in helping to develop and implement a range of methods for the early detection and prevention of rockbursts.

Jan 1, 2008

By Kewal K. Kohli, Thomas Z. Jones

This paper presents a simplified computerized method for the prediction of maximum subsidence and the subsidence profile for the Appalachian Coal Basin using the Hyperbolic Function Profile Method. Several case histories are cited to demonstrate the appropriateness of the predictive method. In addition, sample runs and a detailed listing of the computer program is provided. Other popular subsidence prediction methods are discussed and compared with the Hyperbolic Function Profile Method.

Jan 1, 1986

By Yanjie Liang

Elemental sulfur and volatilization kiln slag(VKS)containing heavy-metal produced by smelter factories were used to produce sulfured building material. The effects of heating mode, material proportion (MSulfur:MVKS), size of waste particles and ratio of aggregate to filler(A/F) on the mechanical properties and leaching toxicities of solidified stuff were investigated. The optimal conditions for the solidification are stepped heating mode, 3:7 ratio of MSulfur to MVKS, particle size less than 150µm and 3/17 ratio of A/F. Under the above optimal conditions, the compressive strength of solidified stuff rises to 35 MPa, and water absorption is down to 4%-6%.Furthermore, when NaOH is applied as an additive in the process of solidification, the 2+concentrations of most heavy metals except Pb have reached the national leaching toxicity standard. The results of X-ray diffraction reveal that sulfured solidification is caused by the physical encapsulation rather than chemical transformation.

Jan 1, 2010

By James R. Boyle

The Bureau of Mines initiated a program to address short-and long-term objectives of wetlands restoration as a option for reclamation of lands mined for phosphate. The short-term objectives were to identify a suitable wetland test site, initiate an extensive premining monitoring plan, develop an acceptable mining plan, and recontour and revegetate the test site. These goals were accomplished using a unique combination of expertise provided by Federal and State agencies and private industry. A 6.5-ha forested wetland with an associated streambed was offered by private industry as the test site. A premining monitoring program was established and carried out from May 1982 to October 1983. A control site was established to determine ecological changes unrelated to mining. Clearing and mining began in October 1983 and was completed in April 1984. Grading and streambed restoration was completed in February 1986. Revegetation of the site was completed in February 1987. The program to meet the long-term objective of postmining monitoring is described.

Jan 1, 1988

The alkaline ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) leach process for extracting tungsten from scheelite (CaW04) ores has been examined for the treatment of low grade (<0.5 per cent WO,) residue dumps. The process has been considerably simplified by applying solvent extraction directly to the leach liquor.Ammonium paratungstate is thereby produced in a one step process and this obviates the need to physically recover EDTA prior to recycling. This modified process should be an economical method of tungsten extraction.

Jan 1, 1983

By L. Moyd, P. Moyd

The first commercially available portable gamma ray-neutron beryllium detector, the Rerylometer, was developed by the same group that developed the first practical portable scintillation counter, the Scintillo-meter. This group includes Professor George Brownell, of the Geology Department of the University of Manitoba in winnipeg, and his associates, K. I. Roulston, R. w. Pringle, and R. L. Funt, of the Physics and Engineering Departments of the University of Manitoba. A prototype model was tested in the field by Dr. Brownell during the summer of 1958. Commercial production was undertaken shortly thereafter by Nuclear Enterprises Ltd., of Winnipeg, and a license for manufacture and distribution in the U.S. was granted to Isotopes Specialties Co., of Burbank, California, a division of Nuclear Corporation of America. Early in 1959, we were retained by the 'Mining Division of Minerva Oil Co. to Legin a search throughout North America for minable deposits of beryllium, and to train members of their permanent staff to continue the program. The project included literature sur-veys, interviews with members of various federal, state, and provincial agencies, scanning of our own collection of suites of specimens from various mineral occurrences, and the examination of deposits in the field. The value of a beryllium detector to this program was obvious and arrangements were made to procure one as soon as possible, which resulted in our obtaining and using the first instrument that was produced commercially in the U. S. In addition to the commercially available Berylometer, Mr. William Vaughan and his associates, of the U. S. Geological Survey Geophysics Division, in Denver, have developed and tested several experimental instruments based on the same principles. DETECTOR Principles The detection of beryllium is based on the fact that "hard" gamma rays (1.6 MEV and geater), such as those produced by Antimony convert ordinary beryllium (Be9) to Be8 , with the release of a neutron. The neutrons are counted by a scintillator designed to favor neutron responses while suppressing those of gamma rays. 'The instrument is completely selective for beryllium. No other element can interfere. Instrunlentation The Rerylometer itself, which is cylindrical, is about 8 inches in diameter, 13 inches high, and weighs about 11 pounds. (Figs. 1, 2). The principal components include: 1. A disc of wax to moderate (or "thermalize") neutrons. 2. A boron-enriched polyester-zinc-sulphide fluorescent screen. This material produces strong flashes when struck by thermalized neutrons but only weak flashes from gamma rays. 3. A photomultiplier tube. 4. An electronic circuit, complete with one srnall 71/2-volt dry battery. The photomultiplier tube and electronic circuit convert neutron flashes to electrical impulses, but gamma ray effects are almost

Jan 1, 1961

By A. L. Mular, R. P. Edwards

"The operation of flotation circuits is often regarded as a combination of art and science. Expert systems offer a method by which the art may be captured and supervisory control of flotation circuits fully realized. Operating knowledge, the art, can be consistently employed to enhance regulatory control through the judicious application of an expert system. Using an expert system, a supervisory control routine was developed, and successfully implemented, in the copper flotation circuit at Brenda Mines Ltd.The expert system ran in conjunction with regulatory PI controllers on a personal computer. The expert system received assays via an on-stream analyzer and adjusted regulatory loop setpoints as required in real-time. From its commissioning in November 1989, to the end of the mine's operation in June, 1990, the ES was enthusiastically embraced by the operators and attained operating levels superior to those achievable manually.INTRODUCTIONExpert system (ES) software springs from research into artificial intelligence and is currently making significant inroads into business and industry. Proponents of ES's make many attractive claims; they are a means of capturing the knowledge of experts and they can be programmed by non-programmers. To date, most uses of this software in the process industry are in off-line applications, meaning that the applications are not tied directly to operating (on-line) environments. Moreover, in on-line environments, they are typically employed as advisors and only suggest changes. Human operators are required to close-the-loop to the process. Yet, ES's should be applicable to operating environments and, if the claims of the proponents are valid, should also be better than existing tools. As an intelligent controller an ES must use the knowledge of experienced operators, apply it directly to a process and do this without the intervention of human operators. On-line applications have been successfully employed in the closed loop control of SAG circuits (Herbst et al., 1989) and flotation circuits (Hales, 1989). Harris and Kosick (1988) detail an implementation for flotation control at the Polaris Mine."

Jan 1, 1991

By Luis Valle, Fredy Zegarra, Ernesto Vizcardo

El uso de los procesos estocásticos y cadenas de Markov se ha desarrollado solo para estudios de probabilidades en la rama de las ciencias matemáticas y como una opción a las descripciones tradicionales en el campo del procesamiento de minerales, se realizó una comparación entre ambas metodologías para lo cual se cuenta previamente con varios análisis granulométrico proveniente de los molinos de Bolas industriales de la empresa Shougang Perú y pruebas granulometrías de Molienda de Sider-Perú, comparar en ambos estudios, como el probabilístico (Cadenas de Markov) y el cinético (Selección y fractura) ofrecen un buen acercamiento al resultado experimental, dando como una buena alternativa el primero por su uso del manejo estocástico.

Sep 1, 2017

By Gorr W. W., Wyche E. H, R. Smith

The combination of high strength and corrosion resistance of cold-worked 18 Cr, 8 Ni steel has been advantageously utilized for some time, particularly in aircraft and rail car structures. There are, however, certain limitations on the use of such materials because the high strengths can be obtained only by cold-working, limiting the available products to sheets, strip, wire and tubes. The authors sought to overcome these limitations by resorting to precipitation-hardening, which has been used so successfully in nonferrous metallurgy but only to a limited extent in iron-base alloys. Accomplishment of this objective not only overcame the limitations, but also effected certain improvements in mechanical and other properties. This paper is an account of the development by Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation of a precipitation-hardening 18-8 stainless steel (called Stainless W‡ and tentatively identified as type 322). A description is given of its composition and metallurgical characteristics, heat-treatment, physical and mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Development of the New Steel For a considerable length of time the authors were unable to determine the mechanism of the precipitation-hardening process that had been noted by Ffield18,19 in 18-8 Ti or 18-8 Cb after cold-working and reheating to moderately elevated temperatures. All known variables were exhaustively studied, but with little success. However, results began to indicate that chemical composition was the most important variable, particularly the ratio of austenite-forming to ferrite-forming elements. The investigators then focused their attention upon the composition, and, in particular, upon the element titanium and its mode of alloying in the presence of other elements. A heat was obtained that could not be brought to the softness level of annealed 18-8. The response to cold-straining and aging* was very marked by previous standards, and, more important, cold-straining was found to be entirely unnecessary to produce the precipitation-hardening effect. The chemical composition of this heat was: C, 0.06 per cent; Mn, 0.54; P, 0.016; S, 0.016; Si, 0.58; Ni, 7.28; Cr, 17.60; Ti, 0.90; Al, 0.17. For some time the development work, particularly on composition, was carried

Jan 1, 1947

By D. H. Trollope

In engineering in general, close agreement between theoretical predictions and structural performance is rare—this is particularly true in rock slopes. Since the complexity of natural arrangements makes exact theoretical solutions of associated structural problems almost impossible, the role of theory should be that of developing guides or markers to which observations and experience can be related. The author in this paper has outlined the results of a theoretical study of highly idealized models which represent both granular materials and jointed rock. Some important practical considerations result—especially in regard to horizontal stresses—when theory is compared with full-scale experience. In the field of engineering activity, specific examples of close agreement between theoretical prediction and structural performance are rare. Particularly is this so for the case of rock slopes, where, owing to the complexity of the natural arrangements, it is quixotic to expect exact theoretical solutions to the associated structural problems. The role of theory is rather that of developing signposts or guide rails to which observations and experience can be related. It is with this in mind that the present paper has been prepared; the author's aim has been to set out briefly the results of a theoretical study of highly idealized models which represent both granular materials and jointed rock. Despite the idealization of the problem, it will be seen that the theoretical conclusions are in accord with full-scale experience, particularly as far as horizontal stresses are concerned, and they point to some important practical considerations. CLASSIFICATION OF ROCK SLOPES At the risk of over-simplification, an attempt has been made to classify the problem of rock slopes into three broad categories with respect to internal stress systems. These are illustrated in Fig. 1. It is tacitly assumed in this classification that the strength of individual particles is very much greater than the interparticle strength whether the particles are the crystals of an igneous rock (Case I) or the blocks of Cases 2 and 3. The Homogeneous Monolith: This case is representative of uniform unjointed rock. Under relatively low stress conditions the internal stress system may approximate to that of an elastic body as given by Terzaghi.' It is more usual, however, for overall stability, to consider the material as a rigid plastic which yields in shear when S =C + c tan 4> where S is the shear yield stress, o is the normal stress on the surface of failure, and C and d are empirical constants according to the Mohr-Coulomb criterion of failure. Sokolovsky has recently developed, for the first time, a series of mathematical solutions to problems involvinga C, mass subject to self-weight. He demonstrates that for such a case a semi-arch (Fig. 2) is stable. A corollary of this argument is that for a true C, d material a curved overhanging slope is possible and such an observation may well aid field identification of these materials. The shape of the curved slope face is however directly dependent on the C-value, and from the long-term point of view this is a most difficult value to establish with any degree of confidence. It is customary to measure C and 0 in some form of shear test—usually a triaxial compression test—on core specimens sampled from the rock, and as far as the author is aware the present case is the only one in which, as far as overall stability is concerned, such tests are

Jan 1, 1961

By Gorr W. W., R. Smith, Wyche E. H

The combination of high strength and corrosion resistance of cold-worked 18 Cr, 8 Ni steel has been advantageously utilized for some time, particularly in aircraft and rail car structures. There are, however, certain limitations on the use of such materials because the high strengths can be obtained only by cold-working, limiting the available products to sheets, strip, wire and tubes. The authors sought to overcome these limitations by resorting to precipitation-hardening, which has been used so successfully in nonferrous metallurgy but only to a limited extent in iron-base alloys. Accomplishment of this objective not only overcame the limitations, but also effected certain improvements in mechanical and other properties. This paper is an account of the development by Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation of a precipitation-hardening 18-8 stainless steel (called Stainless W‡ and tentatively identified as type 322). A description is given of its composition and metallurgical characteristics, heat-treatment, physical and mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Development of the New Steel For a considerable length of time the authors were unable to determine the mechanism of the precipitation-hardening process that had been noted by Ffield18,19 in 18-8 Ti or 18-8 Cb after cold-working and reheating to moderately elevated temperatures. All known variables were exhaustively studied, but with little success. However, results began to indicate that chemical composition was the most important variable, particularly the ratio of austenite-forming to ferrite-forming elements. The investigators then focused their attention upon the composition, and, in particular, upon the element titanium and its mode of alloying in the presence of other elements. A heat was obtained that could not be brought to the softness level of annealed 18-8. The response to cold-straining and aging* was very marked by previous standards, and, more important, cold-straining was found to be entirely unnecessary to produce the precipitation-hardening effect. The chemical composition of this heat was: C, 0.06 per cent; Mn, 0.54; P, 0.016; S, 0.016; Si, 0.58; Ni, 7.28; Cr, 17.60; Ti, 0.90; Al, 0.17. For some time the development work, particularly on composition, was carried

Jan 1, 1947