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By John M. Sharp

John M. Sharp, Jr. (Assistant Professor of Geology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo.)-Geothermal gradient and surface temperature data anomalies are potentially useful tools in mineral exploration, These data, however, may reflect a number of geologic and hydrologic processes as well as the thermophysical properties of the geologic materials. The author presents a relatively simple model which may be of value in mineral exploration. The lack of consideration of other processes, however, limits its usefulness. For instance, because of erosion or sediment deposition over geologic time the land surface must be considered a moving boundary in such a model. Evaluation of this effect coupled with annual surface temperature and thermal conductivity variations can result in temperature profiles such as shown in [Figs. 4 to 7]. These effects and others, such as ground-water movement," must be considered and filtered from the data before proper interpretation is possible. Another assumption which should have been discussed is, why were the observed mean surface temperatures not used for extrapolation of the gradients in [Figs. 4, 6, and 7?] Conductive heat transport responds to the actual boundary (land surface) temperature, not to theoretical temperatures in the absence of perturbations. Benfield presents a theoretical model for calculating perturbations in the geothermal gradient for erosion and sedimentation. The temperature (T) at any time (t) and any depth below the surface (x) is given by [ ] where T is the mean surface temperature, G, the geothermal gradient, v, the rate of erosion (or sedimentation),[ ], the long-term rate of change of T0, and k is the thermal diffusivity of the rock. Using the author's values and a rate of erosion of 1.54 cm per yr for a period of 10,000 yr, a thermal profile as shown in [Fig. 10] will be generated. A thermal diffusivity of 0.0164 sq cm per sec was used, corresponding to a thermal conductivity of 0.0082 cal per cm per sec per C. In [Fig. 11], a sediment deposition rate of 3.0 cm per yr for a period of 1000 yr was used to generate the subsurface temperature profile. A surface temperature of 24.3°C was used, as specified in [Fig. 9, 7], was set equal to zero for both cases. Superposition on the generated profiles in [Figs. 10 and 11] of the annual surface temperature variation perturbation (which may be calculated in a number of ways) will yield profiles similar to those in [Figs. 4 and 7]. Similar profiles can also be produced by regional ground-water flow. Models like the author's can be of value in mineral exploration. Other processes, however, which affect surface temperatures and gradients must first be considered, calculated, and filtered from the data if anything but the crudest qualitative interpretation is to be made. Robert C. Edmiston (Author's reply)-Professor Sharp has raised three objections to my interpretation of the subsurface temperature data I collected at Silver Bell. These are: 1) No correction was made for erosion or sedimentation,

Jan 1, 1977

By W. D. Potter, E. T. Peters

Single-crystal films of boron have been prepared by thermal reduction of purified BCl3 with subsequent deposition of boron onto oriented silicon substrates. The structural properties of films prepared under various experimental conditions have been determined by light microscopy and "grazing-" angle electron-diffraction analysis. An orientation relationship is proposed for silicon and a-rhombo-heclral boron which can be described as: (111)Si (112)B; [110]Si [110]B ElEMENTAL boron is known to have a high energy gap* and consequently has potential value as a high- *Energy gaps of 1.35 to 1.55 ev1-3 and 2.0 ev4 are reported for ß-rhombohedra1 and a-rhombohedra1 boron, respectively. temperature semiconductor.5 Exploitation of this property, however, has been hampered by the unavailability of pure, single-crystal boron. Two recent symposia6,7 have treated the subjects of purification, crystallization, crystal structure, and properties of boron and provide a foundation for further investigation in these areas. The structure, lattice constants, and observed ranges of stability for four reported polymorphs of boron8°12 are listed in Table I. The rhombohedral structures are generally accepted as true polymorphs whereas the tetragonal structures are believed to be transient. Most currently available single crystals of boron are grown by Czochralski and floating-zone methods. Unfortunately, these crystals generally contain numerous defects and are highly strained as a result of the polymorphic transformations and thermal contractions which accompany cooling. Recently, Armington, Potter, and Tanner13 have reported the formation of single-crystal films of boron on silicon single-crystal substrates through thermal reduction of BC13 by hydrogen. Boron E. T. PETERS, Junior Member AIME, is Senior Scientist, ManLabs, Inc., Cambridge, Mass., and W. D. POTTER is Research Chemist, Air Force Cambridge Research Loboratories, L. G. Hanscom Field, Bedford, Mass. formed at temperatures near 1000°C was identified as the a-rhombohedra1 form, consistent with expectation. The present paper describes a continuation of this work with specific reference to characterization of the structural features of the deposited boron films. The ultimate goal of this program is to produce large-area single-crystal films of a-rhombohedra1 boron to be used for electrical and optical studies by other workers. PREPARATION OF BORON FILMS The experimental procedure of preparing thin films is similar to that described by Theuerer14 for the epitaxial growth of silicon by thermal reduction of SiC14 and has already been described as applied to the preparation of boron thin films.13 Briefly, a mixture of BCl3 vapor and dry hydrogen is passed over a heated silicon substrate. Thermal reduction of the BC13 allows deposition of boron on the substrate. The substrates were {111}-oriented, single-crystal silicon. Square specimens 0.63 cm on an edge by 0.1 to 3.0 mm thickness were prepared by

Jan 1, 1965

By Oscar A. Glaeser

INDUSTRIAL relations in the United States Smelting Refining and Mining Company's Western operations covers the field of personnel and labor relations, and the principal aims are to render service to the employes of the Company and to its operating departments. Accident prevention Safety is a primary function. A safety engineer is employed at each operation. The wholehearted support of Company officials, staff, and the working force has been most successful in preventing accidents. Constant vigilance has been combined with a policy of building safety into all operating activities whether these are in the construction of a new facility, the developmnt of a mining system, or the direction of the working force. That this policy has produced results is attested to by the fact that the accident frequency rate at the Company's major mining operations in Utah has been reduced approximately 75 per cent in the ten-year period ending Dec. 31. 1946.

Jan 1, 1948

By Walter Miller

ALTHOUGH confident of its ability to meet any demands which may be made, the petroleum refining industry is not complacent about the situation and realizes that the quantities of petroleum products to be furnished are so enormous and so far beyond what was previously estimated that the full co-operative effort of the industry must be exerted. Establishment by the President in May of the Office of Petroleum Coordinator for Defense with Secretary of the Interior Ickes at its head, plus the formation of the Petroleum Industry Council for Defense, in November, provide the channels for united endeavor within the industry and the means for gearing that endeavor within the industry and the means for gearing that endeavor in full harmony with the nation?s needs. Great strides have been made and a rapid understanding of the situation and the magnitude of the task is being attained by all concerned.

Jan 1, 1942

By R. S. Shoemaker, F. W. McQuiston

CARLIN GOLD MINING COMPANY 1974 Operating Data to October MINE LOCATION: 40 miles from Elko, Nevada ORE DESCRIPTION: Gold with minor amounts of mercury occurring in siltstone and carboniferous limey shales. TYPE OF MINE: Open pit ORE HAULAGE TO MILL: By trucks up to a distance of 12 mi1es MILLING CAPACITY: 2500 tons per day ORE GRADE: 0.20 oz per ton oxide ore 0.25 oz per ton carbon type ore PRODUCTS: Gold bullion 993 fineness, by product quicksilver RECOVERIES: Oxide ore 887'0 Carbon ore 83% POWER FOR GRINDING: 7 Kwh/T POWER, other than grinding: 14 Kwh/T WATER SUPPLY: Pumped from wells 2- 112 miles through 13,000 ft of 8" buried pipe 6 ft underground. Consumption 0.60 tons of new water per ton of mill feed. TAILINGS: By 10" woodstave pipe a distance of 2500 ft to mine waste filled dam. RUNNING TIME: 10 ft x 10 ft mill on oxide ore, 98% 7 ft x 8 ft mill on carbon ore, 937'0 Principal causes of lost time, power outages and problems of feeding gaseous chlorine to carbon ore agitators. LABOR, TONSIMAN SHIFT: See detailed data sheet ILL BUILDING DESCRIPTION: Framed structural steel with sandwich type walls of marine plywood, then packaged pre - fabricated insulation and outer sheeting of galvanized corrugated steel.

Jan 1, 1975

By Zárate G. E.

Practical and statistical considerations concerned with the sampling, sample preparation and chemical analysis of precious metal ores are reviewed. The principal requirements related with the characteristics of sample cutter, sample preparation, equipment and methods are discussed. The main errors introduced in the different stages of the sampling systems are defined. The application of statistical techniques to evaluate these errors to determine the ore grade variation and to design the number of increments needed to get an accurate assay are presented. Finally, results obtained with the application of this method to gold and silver ores are analyzed and some recommendations are given.

Jan 1, 1984

By H. T. Green, R. M. Brick

True stress-strain data on alloys of pure iron with up to 2.4 pct Al were obtained in the temperature range +100° to —185°C. Alumi-num was found to reduce yield and flow stresses of iron at low temperatures but to have little or no effect on ductility. The effects of temperature and composition on strain hardening are discussed. SEVERAL independent studies of the behavior of high purity iron binary alloys at low temperatures are now in progress in attempts to evaluate systematically the variables affecting the low temperature brittleness of ferritic steels. This paper reports the results of one such investigation in which the tensile properties of aluminum and aluminum plus silicon ferrites were measured from 100" to —192°C. True stress-natural strain data have been obtained in order to evaluate as many as possible of the parameters which describe the behavior of the materials involved. In comparable studies at the National Physical Laboratory in England, iron and iron alloys of high purity have been produced' and tested at subat-mospheric temperatures.' True stress-natural strain curves were obtained there also. The purest iron contained 0.0025 pct C and 0.001 pct O and N. Even this, as normalized at 950°C following hot rolling, showed little ductility at -196°C. The grain size was ASTM No. 3, and the room-temperature yield strength was 17,800 psi (which seems too high for pure iron). Some of the NPL irons contained considerably more oxygen and demonstrated intergran-ular fracture at —196°C. The authors2 carefully differentiated between intergranular fractures associated with excessive oxygen content and transcrys-talline cleavage with little ductility encountered at —196°C in the purer material. The cleavage stress was half again as great as that associated with inter-granular fracture. Test Material, Preparation, and Procedures Of a number of Fe-A1 alloys produced, eight were considered to be sufficiently pure for testing. Partial chemical analyses (Table I), low observed yield points, and high ductilities indicate these alloys to be comparatively pure for vacuum-melted irons of sizable ingots, 5 Ib or more. To produce the binary Fe-A1 alloys, electrolytic iron was melted in air, cast into slabs, and rolled to strips 0.010 in. thick. These strips, joined into a continuous ribbon and wound into 2 1/2 in. diameter spools, were subjected for four weeks to a moving atmosphere of purified dry hydrogen in a stainless-steel tube at 1050" to 1150°C. Charges of these spools were melted in beryllia crucibles under good vacuums (1 micron), and aluminum (99.97 pct Al) was added to the melts. Compositions of these alloys are recorded in Table I. The ingots were hot forged and then cold rolled at least 65 pct to 3/8 in. rods which were vacuum annealed to the desired grain size, approximately ASTM No. 4, prior to machining into tensile test bars. All tensile specimens had gage sections 1 in. long, with a fillet of 1.5 in. radius to the shoulder. Gage diameters were 0.250 in, except for a few rods where additional cold work required use of a 0.200 in. gage section. After machining, 0.002 in. was removed from the gage diameter using 240, 400, and 600-grit metallo-graphic papers. The final polish with 600 grit left the fine scratches running in the longitudinal direction. By this means, surface metal strained during machining was removed. A few specimens heat treated after machining were similarly reduced 0.004 in. to remove any material affected chemically by the atmosphere during heat treatments, as is discussed in a later section. Tensile tests of the eight alloys at constant temperatures from +100° to —185°C were performed in apparatus which has been described." The essentials include a double-walled insulated metal vessel which contained the liquid heat-transfer medium surrounding the test specimen. A constant temperature was maintained by means of a pyrometer which regulated the pressure of dry air driving liquid air through a copper coil. Temperature variation was less than ±2°C during a specific test. For axial straining, two lengths of case-hardened chain, terminating in simple shackles, loaded the specimen through threaded grips. The lower grip bar passed through a hole in the bottom of the test vessel to which it was joined by a thin-walled

Jan 1, 1955

By R. W. Stormont, F. Wald

The phase diagram of the Pseudobinary section PbTe-Fe was determined. It was found to contain a monotectic and a eutectic reaction, the latter one taking place at 14 at. pct Fe and 875° * 5°C. The solid solubility of iron in PbTe was found to be 0.3 at. pct by electronmicroProbe analysis. No solubility of PbTe was detected in iron. Slight deviations from true pseudobinary behavior were found to occur in the range of - 5 to 10 at. pct Fe. In the course of a general investigation of reactions of various metals with lead and tin telluride,' the lead telluride-iron system was reinvestigated. It had been established much earlier than iron does not chemically react with lead telluride but forms a eutectic with a melting point of 879" The eutectic composition or other related information has never been reported, but for a number of years iron has been in general use for contacting of lead telluride and lead telluride alloys for thermoelectric applications. It seems therefore desirable to clarify the exact constitution of the system to furnish a base for the long-term evaluation of bonds made between lead telluride and iron either by pressure contacting or by brazing methods. I) EXPERIMENTAL METHODS Lead telluride-iron alloys were prepared in 10-g charges, using premelted lead telluride. This material was prepared from high-purity, semiconductor-grade lead and tellurium obtained from the American Smelting and Refining Co. and described as 99.999 pct pure. The iron used was "Armco" iron; the major impurities found here were 0.02 pct C, 0.018 pct Si, and 0.015 pct Cr. All remaining impurities were less than 0.01, the total of all impurities not exceeding 0.15 pct. Charges were prepared in closed quartz arnpoules which were evacuated and in some cases backfilled with high-purity argon to retard excessive lead telluride evaporation and deposition in slightly cooler parts of the ampoule. For high iron concentrations, this can lead to total separation of the constituents, since the vapor pressure and the sublimation rate of PbTe are quite high.4 Nevertheless, since the ampoules are closed, no change in overall composition was expected and the nominal composition of all alloys was assumed to be retained. X-ray diffraction analysis, thermal analysis, and microsections were used in the evaluation of the alloys. The nature of the system was such that X-ray diffraction was not particularly helpful. It merely served to establish that at all concentrations PbTe and a! iron were in equilibrium at room temperature. Thermal analysis was carried out by taking direct temperature vs time curves on a Sargent recorder where a width of 10 in. was kept as 1 or 0.5 mv by use of an automatic bucking voltage network. Quartz ampoules with minimized dead space, coated with boron nitride and fitted with a thermocouple reentrant, were used as containers for the charge. At high temperatures and over long periods of time, boron nitride reacts with iron. For the thermal analysis runs, however, this was not significant. More significant was the fact that the vapor pressure of PbTe at some of the meas -uring temperatures apparently exceeded I atrn quite considerably. This, in some cases, caused the slightly softened quartz tubes to blow out if great care was not taken to contain them and minimize time and temperatures used. As containers pure nickel tubes were used which also served to avoid temperature gradients in the quartz ampoule. Nevertheless, the experimental difficulties at high temperatures were severe and the monotectic temperature could therefore not be determined accurately. In general, the accuracy reached by the thermal analysis setup in this case is *4"C as determined with gold, silver, and tin, under the conditions of analysis here. Inherently, the apparatus is capable of reaching accuracies better than i 1°C. Also, difficulties were encountered in microsection-ing. They were related to polishing, since it is rather difficult to avoid pulling the iron out of the weak and brittle lead telluride matrix. It proved best to follow a procedure where, after grinding to 600 grit on carborundum paper, a polish with 6 p diamond was used on nylon cloth. Finally, #3 "Buehler" alumina and an automatic polisher were used for -5 min only, to avoid relief. The best etching results were achieved with

Jan 1, 1969

By V. A. Phillips

Transmission-electron micrographs of electro-thinned samples of bulk-aged Cu-3.1 pet Co alloy show an aging sequence, supersaturated solid solution — coherent particles — quasi -coherent particles — noncoherent particles. Hardening is due to precipitation of coherent spherical fee coball-rich particles showing coherency strain fields, which are resolved at between 15 and 30A diameter. Loss of- full coherency did not occur until well into the overaged region, even with the assistance of deformation after aging. Different average particle diameters of 123, 92, and 149 ± 10Å were observed in samples aged to peak yield strength at 600°, 650°, and 700°C, respectively, indicating that there is no critical size for peak hardening. Noncoherent particles tended to develop (111) faces and became octahedral in shape. Dislocations tended to nucleate spherical coherent particles which eventually grew together forming large elongated particles. The surface energy of a noncoherent (low-angle) inter-phase boundary is estimated to he about 50 ergs per sq cm. A number of particle lining-up phenomena were observed. Overaging is principally attributed to increase in particle spacing, progressive loss of coherency, and increase in amount of discontinzdous precipitation. COPPER dissolves about 5.6 at. pet (5.2 wt pet) of cobalt at 1110oC1 and the solubility decreases to 0.75 at. petl (0.54 at. pet)2 at 650°C and to 0.1 at. pet or less at lower temperature.' It has been known for many years3-5 that Cu-Co alloys are capable of age hardening. Since cobalt is fee above 417°C and its atom size is only about 2 pet smaller than that of copper, precipitation of coherent particles would be expected. The equilibrium phase precipitated at 700°C and below contains about 10 pet Cu in solution which tends to stabilize the fee structure, lowering the transformation temperature to 340oc.l The alloy is known to undergo discontinuous precipitation in addition to general precipitation; while the former can be seen with an optical microscope, the latter precipitates are not visible except in the grosly overaged condition.5, 6 Extensive use has therefore been made of the ferromagnetic properties of the precipitate in order to follow the course of aging, and it has proved possible to measure the average particle size, spacing, approximate shape, and volume fraction and to determine that the particles are coherent without ever seeing a particle (see for example Refs. 2, 7, and 8). The magnetic measurements of particle size are limited to diameters below about 120Å.7 The present study was undertaken using the techniques of transmission-electron microscopy in order to check the above conclusions, to extend the previous magnetic work to larger particle sizes, and to attempt a more detailed correlation of properties and structure. A portion of this work has already been published.9-11 The present paper is concerned with the metallographic features of precipitation in relation to aging curves. Bonar and Kelly12'13 have published preliminary results of a similar study on single crystals of Cu-2 at. pet Co. EXPERIMENTAL Preparation of Alloy. A Cu-Co alloy, containing 3.12 wt pet (3.36 at. pet) Co by analysis, was prepared from 99.999 pet purity oxygen-free copper and electrolytic-grade cobalt. The alloy was melted and cast in vacuo in a high-frequency furnace using a graphite crucible and mold: Analysis showed chat 0.004 pet C was picked up during melting. The 1-1/2-lb ingot was homogenized in hydrogen for 24 hr at 1000°C. Slices were cold-rolled to 0.005 or 0.003 in. thickness, with an intermediate 650°C anneal in hydrogen at 0.080 in. thickness. Batches of six to ten strips were solution-treated in sealed-off quartz tubes in high vacuum in a vertical furnace and quenched by dropping into iced brine containing a device which snapped off the nose of the tube. Solution treatment consisted of 1 hr at 990°C or 2 hr at 965°C. The latter was employed for all mechanical-property studies, since a tendency was noted for the higher temperature to give porous material. Strips were usually aged individually in a horizontal vacuum furnace, inserting into the hot zone and withdrawing into a cold zone without breaking the vacuum. This method gave a rapid heating rate, permitting the use of short aging times. In some cases, particularly for the longer aging times at the higher temperatures, samples were sealed individually in quartz tubes in high

Jan 1, 1964

By E. M. Chance

HERBERT M. WILSON, Pittsburgh, Pa. (written discussion).-Permit me to endorse the author's conclusions and their form of presentation as ,being, in my judgment, the last word 'on the subject of lights for the illumination of coal mines. I also feel that the open-flame oil lamp has outlived its usefulness, and that it should go, in the interests not only of safety but of efficiency. Where an open-flame lamp can be used with safety in non-gaseous mines, the acetylene light adds materially to efficiency by its better illumination, and to safety for the numerous reasons given by Mr. Chance. The latter, however, lays chief stress on the value of the acetylene because of its non-fouling and non-obscuring effect on the atmosphere. Another important advantage over any other form of illumination is the clear, bright light projected at the point where the workman may look for danger. The better illumination materially safeguards the worker against obstacles over which he may stumble when traveling, and against dangers from falls of roof or of coal, weakness in timbering, and similar conditions. The acetylene lamp, where it may be used with safety, has advantages even over the present electric cap lamp, in that it gives a higher luminosity; and when the miner comes to learn its signals, as he will in time, just as he learns those given by the open-flame or the safety lamp, he will find that the acetylene lamp is a fair detector not only of methane but of carbon dioxide, as clearly shown by Mr. Chance. The only, serious objection, raised against the use of carbide lamps. has been recently in Pennsylvania, due to the belief of the State Mine Inspection Department that it endangered miners working on pillar work, or other places where carbon dioxide might accumulate, or where there is lack of sufficient ventilation, and because it was believed that the indications of the carbide lamp would not give the miner sufficient warning. On this point Mr. Chance has clearly shown the fallacies of the objections. I may add that for those unable to detect carbon dioxide with the acetylene lamp, the maximum of protection would be afforded by using an open oil lamp or a flame safety lamp in such places; or, because the miner might not watch his oil light, a better, protection still would be offered by a sufficient number of daily inspections of such working places by a fire boss or other official, with flame safety lamp.

Jan 4, 1917

By AIME AIME

FOR the use of workmen and employees, the company should establish a dispensary and a -hospital where workmen who suffer accidents or professional diseases may be taken care of; and at suitable places in the mine or metallurgical plant it should install first-aid stations. Workmen have a right to receive 75 per cent of their wages while they are unable to perform their work as result of a professional disease; but some companies pay full wages and in the case of natural disease, with the exception of venereal, alcoholism, injuries from fights, and chronic illnesses, 50 per cent of their wages up to a period of two months. The number of diseases the Law considers as professional is large and increases almost daily. Among the professional diseases, the one which has caused greatest harm to the miners and expense to the companies is silicosis. To avoid its propagation, companies should take every possible precaution that the working atmosphere is free from dust, abating this by frequent sprinkling of the workings using, wet drills and furnishing the workmen adequate protective apparatus such as respirators.

Jan 1, 1937

By H. H. Stout

In the early fall of 1925, the writer was conducting, in the Ledoux and Co. laboratory, New York, experiments directed toward ascertaining the effect on its impurity content when cathode copper was subjected to a current of various gases at an elevated temperature below the melting point. The apparatus consisted of a vertical I-in. dia. silica tube about 12 in. long, heated on the outside. The cathodes were broken to pass 3/8-in. mesh, and a current of various different gases was passed up through a 4-in. long column of these loose cathode particles in the vertical tube furnace. Temperature was maintained to 1500º to 1600ºF. and the gas treatments lasted from 3 to 6 hr. The writer observed that whenever reducing gas (H2 or CO) was used, these cathode particles stuck together at points of contact with each other. The cohesion was so marked and tenacious that an examination was made of the fractured surfaces, when cathode particles were broken from the cluster. Crystal growth was always found to have taken place across the surfaces where separate particles were in contact, but only after all oxides, sulphates, etc., had been completely removed. The idea of a possible new process was then conceived and was disclosed to A. M. Smoot (V. P. Ledoux and Co.) with intent to obtain his views. The first conception as given Smoot was "to gas-clean broken cathodes, put them in an extrusion press, solidify and extrude them at around 1500ºF." Smoot's reaction, after a few moments considera- tion, was, "It looks perfectly all right to me.'' The writer and his assistants, W. H. Osborn and H. H. Stout, Jr., after conferring as to ways and means, decided to go ahead with preliminary laboratory experiments, which, it was thought, would move the new process from the possible to the probable. This program followed a course indicated by three basic considerations: 1. Since brittle cathodes were often unintentionally produced, it seemed probable that the laws controlling this type of deposition could be ascertained. 2. We had already proved the gas-cleaning feature. 3. There remained to prove: whether a sound, homogeneous metal billet could be produced with crystal growth established over the entire surface of each individual particle in the billet; and, if so, what would be the physical properties? Osborn arranged with Columbia University for conducting experiments in its research laboratory to prove or disprove the third item; Columbia assigned C. A. Phillipi, Jr. to assist in the project. A press with a cylinder 2 in. high and of I-in. dia. was used. It was surrouilded and heated by a resistance coil 01 Nichrome wire. Broken tough cathodes were used. Experimental Procedure The first run took place March 18, 1926. The resistance wire gave out when temperature of 1000ºF. was obtained. Pressure was immediately applied: perceptible ram movement stopped when 39,000 lb. per sq. in. on the copper was reached, with a maxi-

Jan 1, 1941

By William B. Plank

A NEW record-a quarter million students in the engineering schools of the United States and Canada-has resulted from the great demand for engineers following World War II. The figures released by the American Society for Engineering Education and which appeared in detail in the Journal of Engineering Education for January 1948, show that, on Nov. 1, 1947, 252,250 students were studying engineering in 149 engineering schools of both countries. There are 244,390 in the 143 schools canvassed in the United States, and 7860 in six schools in Canada. These figures include both undergraduate and graduate students and are therefore comparable with the figures in previous presentations on this subject. This unprecedented engineering student body

Jan 1, 1948

By P. A. Tucker, T. B. Rhinehammer, D. E. Etter, J. E. Selle

The Ce-Cu phase diagram was investigated by differential thermal analysis and rnetallography. Two congruent melting compounds, CeCu2 (817°C) and CeCua (938°C), and three incongruent cornpounds, CeCu (516°C), CeCu, (796°C), and CeCu, CERIUM and copper have been suggested as possible diluents in a liquid-plutonium fueled reactor. As part of the determination of the Ce-Cu-Pu ternary phase diagram, a review Of the Ce-Cu system (798°C), are present in this system. Eutectics exist at 28 at. pct Cu (424°C), 74 at. pct Cu (756°C), and 91 at. pct Cu (876°C). The purity of the cerium used has an important effect on the results obtained by differential thermal analysis. was considered necessary. Previous work by Hanaman was conducted with relatively impure metal: 96.7 pct Ce with 2.5 pct other rare earths and 0.5 pct Fe as major impurities. The metal had a melting point of 715°C as compared to the melting point for pure cerium of 804°C as reported by Spedding and Daane.2 Results presented in this work were obtained primarily by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and metallographic examination of slow-cooled or quenched samples.

Jan 1, 1964

By Alan English, M. F. Morgan

EXPERIMENTAL work on the concentration and agglomeration of low-grade iron ores was started many years ago at the Mines Experiment Station of the University of Minnesota by E. W. Davis and his staff. From these laboratory results and the work of 0. G. Lellep, consultant for the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co., there were indications that the use of a downdraft continuous- grate furnace, patterned from a conventional-type sintering machine, would be practical. Consequently, a pilot plant was designed and constructed by the joint efforts of Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co. and Arthur G. McKee & Co. at Carrollville, Wis. Several years of work resulted in plans to build a large-scale pilot plant for commercial application. Such a pilot plant, built at Babbitt, Minn., by the Reserve Mining Co., was designed to produce 1000 tpd. Sufficient metallurgical and operating data were accumulated to permit the successful application to the design of a commercial plant of any desired capacity. Based upon this data, a pelletizing plant having a 3 ¾ million ton per year capacity was erected by the Reserve Mining Co. at Silver Bay, Minn. and started operation in October, 1955. Provisions were made in the design to permit future expansion to a capacity of 10 million tons per year.

Jan 3, 1958

By T. D. Tiemann

Extraction of silica from the taconites of the Wisconsin Gogebic range by high temperature digestion in caustic solutions has been described.1,2 The ores consist essentially of hematite, goethite, and microcrystalline quartz, detailed descriptions of which appear in the literature.1,3 It is the purpose of this communication to describe some results obtained from a laboratory investigation of an alternative method, that of sintering the ore with sodium carbonate followed by water extraction of the sodium silicate produced. This is analogous to the Deville-Péchiney4,5 soda ash sinter process for the production of alumina from bauxites in which soluble sodium aluminates are formed. Raw mixes of the desired composition were prepared from 10.0 g minus 200 mesh samples of taconite and sintered in nickel crucibles in a muffle furnace controlled to within ±10°F of the operating temperatures. The resulting sinters were pulverized and then leached in distilled water with continuous agitation for 30 minutes at 95°C. The suspensions were vacuum filtered and the residues dried, ignited and weighed. Iron assays on the ignited samples were made by the standard dichromate procedure after dissolution in hydrochloric acid. The percentage of extraction was calculated from the iron assays by the relation:

Jan 1, 1964

By Charles H. Fulton

ONE of the events of note in mineral industry education circles during the year was the summer school for engineering teachers, devoted to mining and metallurgical engineering, which was conducted by the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education in co¬operation with the University of Wisconsin. It was in charge of Prof. Harry P. Hammond, director of the summer school, and Prof. Richard S. McCaffery of the University of Wisconsin. It was attended by 63 people, and practically every educational institution offering mineral industry courses had representatives present. The session was successful and those in attendance spoke highly of the pro¬gram and results obtained. The Mineral Industry Education Division cooperated with the S.P.E.E. in this project. Prof. Hammond will discuss the purpose and results of this session at the February meeting.

Jan 1, 1934

By H. M. Chance

Discussion of the paper of H. M. Chance, Bi-Monthly Bulletin, No. 23, September, 190S, pp. 791-808. CHARLES CATLETT, Staunton,Va. (communication to the Secretary *):-Mr. Chance's suggestions that the brown hematite ores of the Potsdam formation are due to the alteration in place of iron sulphide, and that their extension may reasonably be expected to contain valuable deposits of unaltered sulphide, are interesting; but the facts marshaled by him are too limited to justify more than the hope that they may serve as a commercial source of sulphur. It is true that these deposits have been the source of large amounts of iron-ore; and it. is common, as stated by him, for the mining operations to extend to a shallow depth only; but this is largely due to the fact that the surface-material represents an accumulation from the breaking down and collection of the ore which formerly reached a much higher level. With, increasing depth comes a decreasing thickness of valuable material. This is especially appreciated by a glance at Mr. Chance's drawings. This is the reason why so many disappointments have resulted when these ores have been followed to greater depths. Even if the ore is largely derived from oxidation in place, it is impossible to ignore the great number of concretionary forms, as well as those showing the evidence of secondary solution and deposition now taking place, such, for instance, as the part replacements of fragments of quartzite derived from the underlying beds. Concretionary form does not necessarily mean long transportation, and may be a variation of material in place; but commonly it is an evidence of collection, and tends to imply that more or less concentration has taken place. This fact would also argue against an equally extensive develop¬-

Nov 1, 1908

By A. E. Bibb, J. R. Fascia

Single-crystal wafers of zirconium have been exposed to 680°F neutral water. The single crystals were of known orientation and weight-gain data as a function of crystal orientation were obtained. These data show that all the crystal faces studied obeyed a cubic rate law out to the time of transition whereupon the crystals corroded at an approximately linear rate. The time to transition varied from 114 days for (1074) crystals to about 325 days for the (2130) faces. The epitaxial relationship be-tween metal and monoclinic oxide was found to be (0001) H (111) and [1120] 11 [101]. A black tight adherent oxide layer was formed on the crystals in the pretransition range. This black oxide was found to be monocrystalline. The white corrosion product produced after transition was found to be polycrys-talline but highly oriented. X-ray line-broadening studies found that the black oxide was a highly strained structure whereas the white oxide was relatively strain-free. These results indicate a strain-induced re crystallization or fragmentation accompanies the change from protective black oxide to nonprotective white oxide. ZIRCONIUM alloys have been used quite extensively in high-temperature aqueous environments. Alloy additions can be made to commercial sponge zirconium which enhance the corrosion resistance of the zirconium in both water and steam media, which raise the tolerance limit for certain impurities detrimental to corrosion resistance, and which reduce the amount of free hydrogen pickup during corrosion. The development of the corrosion-resistant zirconium alloys has been a long and tedious job involving trial and error methods. This technique has been necessary because of a lack of fundamental data and hence understanding of the corrosion mechanisms. The objective of the work described herein was to provide some fundamental data with respect to the aqueous corrosion of zirconium crystals as a function of the orientation of the exposed surfaces. Hg. The zirconium chunk was then cooled to below the transformation temperature (862°C) and reheated to 1200°C for 8 hr. The ultimate size of the zirconium grains increased with the number of cycles. Rapid or even furnace cooling through the transformation temperature produces a considerable amount of substructure which was intolerable in corrosion experiments as it would be in the study of any crystallographically dependent property. It was found that a high-temperature a-phase anneal for approximately 4 days reduced the substructure below the limits detectable by visual or X-ray means. Crystals so produced were carefully cut from the massive zirconium chunk and oriented by standard back-reflection Laue techniques. The crystals were then mounted in a goniometer head and, by using the three degrees of freedom available, slices on the order of 0.015 to 0.020 in. were cut parallel to any desired crystal plane. These slices were then carefully polished on both sides to produce smooth flat faces, pickled to remove about 0.002 in. per face, annealed for 1/2 hr at '750°C in a vacuum of approximately 10"5 mm Hg, flash pickled, and checked for orientation. The pickling solution was 45-45-10 vol pct HN0,-H20-HF and continuous agitation was provided to eliminate pitting of the slices. Any slice that was not within 2 deg of the desired orientation was discarded, and any evidence of substructure as indicated by the Laue spots was also grounds for discarding the sample. Thin slices were used for the corrosion tests because weight gain per area data could be obtained with only a minimum area exposed to the corrosive media that was not of the desired orientation. The thin single-crystal slices were of irregular shape and as a result the areas were determined by placing a crystal inside an inscribed square of known area, enlarging a picture of this assembly about X5, and tracing both the enlarged square and crystal with a planimeter. The zirconium used to produce these single crystals was crystal-bar grade, a typical analysis of which is given in Table I. An oxygen analysis on prepared crystals gave a concentration of 205 ppm. The hydrogen concentrations are believed to be less than 15 ppm due to the dynamic vacuum anneal given each crystal. Typical nitrogen values for zirconium treated in this manner are about 10 to 20 ppm. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Single-crystal wafers have been exposed to de-oxygenated, deionized water in static autoclaves.

Jan 1, 1964

By D. R. Irving

Prior to this time, ample supplies of high grade mineral fillers, such as clay, have been available close to consuming centers. Now depletion of these accessible deposits, coupled with other factors such as increasing demand due to population expansion and standard of living rise, has made development of upgrading techniques attractive to producers. Various investigations being carried out by the U.S. Bureau of Mines are described. Factors making the development of improved methods for upgrading clays attractive to producers include: depletion of accessible deposits of high-grade clays, rising transportation and labor costs, more exacting specifications, and increased demand resulting from an expanding population and a constantly rising standard of living. Industry recognizes the need for upgrading presently unusable materials and has cooperated with the U.S. Bureau of Mines by providing samples from submarginal deposits and by evaluating the products that USBM upgrades. Following are some examples of recent clay beneficiation work by the Bureau. FIRE CLAY BENEFICIATION At the Rolla Metallurgical Center, Rolla, Mo., the Bureau is conducting research to develop technically and economically feasible mineral-dressing methods to remove quartz, pyrite, and other impurities from submarginal fire clays. The research has been spurred by the growing shortage of high-grade bur-ley, flint, and plastic clays in the Missouri fire-clay district resulting from increased consumption and the low rate of discovery of new deposits of adequate quality. There apparently is ample tonnage of submarginal flint and plastic clays to maintain the industry for many years if such material can be upgraded to commercial quality. Samples have been submitted to USBM by several major producers of refractories, including A. P. Green Fire Brick Co.; Harbison-Walker Refractories Co.; Mexico Refractories Div., Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp.; and Wellsville Fire Brick Co. Research on some samples has been completed and still is in progress on others. The Bureau has found that specimens containing quartz or pyrite in grains coarser than the accompanying clay generally can be upgraded either with a gravity table or hydraulic cyclone. The improvement in quality is notable not only in chemical analysis but in an increase in pyrometric cone equivalent (PCE) of one or more cones. As an example, consider the results attained on a sandy flint—a fine-grained mixture of kaolin and halloysite with quartz and minor quantities of iron and manganese oxides. Chemical analysis was: 35.4 pct alumina (A12O3) and 47.8 pct silica (SiO2). The sample contained 9.2 pct free silica as quartz. The PCE was 33. The sample was crushed to -10-mesh, blunged with water, and then stage-ground to -48-mesh. The ground sample was tabled to yield a clay fraction containing 37.6 pct A12O3, and 45.3 pct SiO2 of which 2.4 pct was free silica. The PCE was 34. Recovery of alumina by this process was 73.6 pct. Concentration of the same clay in the hydraulic cyclone was even more effective in respect to quartz removal. The clay fraction analyzed 38.6 pct A12O3, 45.0 pct SiO2 of which 0.5 pct was free silica as quartz, and had a PCE of 34. Recovery of alumina was 71.9 pct. The hydraulic cyclone was also effective in reducing the pyrite content of a plastic clay which likewise was a mixture of kaolin and halloysite, plus some pyrite, quartz, and carbonaceous material. It analyzed 30.6 pct Al2O3, 52.3 pct SiO2, 2.3 pct Fe2O3, and 0.76 pct S. The sample was blunged and screened through 10-mesh to remove some coarse pyrite, then ground to -65-mesh and cycloned to remove most of the remainder. The final product recovered 81.8 pct of the alumina at a grade of 32.3 pct A12O3, 50.9 pct SiO2, 1.4 pct Fe2O3, and 0.1 pct S. The PCE was 32-1/2, compared with a PCE of 31-1/2 for the crude clay. The fine beneficiated clays, of course, must be pelletized and dried or fired to meet commercial acceptance. This operation has already been solved by industry. Little progress has been made on two remaining problems. One is that of fine-grained impurities, not separable by table or cyclone. Flotation is being investigated to solve this. Although fine pyrite is readily rejected, a satisfactory quartz-clay separation has not been attained. The second problem, a stubborn one, is that of alkali. Samples containing as much as 5 pct potas-

Jan 1, 1961