Search Documents

By John B. Myers

Vermiculite is the commercial name used to describe a micaceous mineral that expands appreciably when heated. This process, called exfoliation, results in a light weight material. The light weight material is also called vermiculite, or more exactly, expanded vermiculite. Practically all uses of vermiculite are for the expanded material. Composition and Properties Vermiculite, in its natural state, has the characteristic micaceous habit and a perfect basal cleavage and readily splits into thin laminae, which are soft, pliable, and inelastic. The monoclinic crystal faces are often marked by triangular lines at 60° and 120°. The hardness varies from 1.5 to 2 or more, depending on the composition. The specific gravity varies from 2.2 to 2.7; specific heat 0.2; fusion temperature 2,000° to 2,500°F; luster pearly to greasy; color amber, bronze, brown, dark green, and black. Feel is like talc and sometimes soapy when wet. When heated quickly at elevated temperatures, vermiculite exfoliates by expanding at right angles to the cleavage into long wormlike pieces (the name vermiculite is from the Latin vermiculari, to breed worms). This important characteristic of expansion is believed to be a mechanical separation of the layers when the contained water is converted to steam. The increase in bulk volume of commercially prepared material is 8 to 12 times, but individual flakes may expand as much as 30 times. There is no expansion parallel to the cleavage. Vermiculite may also be expanded by several chemical processes such as soaking in hydrogen peroxide, weak acids and other electrolytes. The color changes during expansion. Heat-treated material changes to a light golden bronze or cream color depending on composition. The conditions of heating affect color. Heating in an oxidizing atmosphere produces reddish colors and heating in a reducing atmosphere produces dull gray colors. The iron is generally not oxidized during chemical expansion. Vermiculite is hydrated magnesium-aluminum silicate. Although there has been much research on the chemical and structural composition, there is not yet complete agreement on the exact formula and composition. This is to be expected since vermiculite is not a mineral of fixed composition and different workers have examined different varieties. It has been proposed that vermiculite is not a single species but a family of related minerals. This has also resulted in many names for the particular vermiculite found in a certain deposit. All of this difficulty arises from the very nature of its crystal chemistry. Unlike most minerals, certain crystal structure properties and the chemical composition can be changed by the ordinary forces of nature or in the laboratory. This would suggest that vermiculite be thought of more as a variable mineral rather than a group of related species. It was stated on page 261 of this volume in the chapter on Clay Minerals by H. H. Murray of the Georgia Clay Co., that vermiculite is an equidimensional, expandable clay mineral. Gruner (ref. 14, Chap. 12) showed that the structure consists of a layer made up of two silica tetrahedral sheets with a central magnesium, iron octahedral sheet separated by two layers of water molecules and adsorbed magnesium and calcium ions. Mathieson and Walker,2a in a recent publication, agree that vermiculite must be regarded as a true clay mineral. The characteristic properties of the mineral, such as high cation ex-

Jan 1, 1960

By Robert C. Berggan

The hot-milling process for reconditioning rock-drill bits is not new. It has been employed by a few mines for years and in the past decade it has been widely adopted, as its advantages have become better known. Because of the extensive commercial development in England and Canada of machines to operate on this principle, general acceptance has been largely in the British possessions and until recently has been chiefly in the field of conventional steel. In the past two years there has been a definite trend toward hot-milling of detachable bits in Canada, but only in the past year has any considerable attempt been made to build special machines for this type of work. Generally a machine designed for conventional steel has been used and special holders employed to manipulate the bit. As early as 1934 at least one operator in the United States had adapted hot-milling to conventional steel with a substantial saving in resharpening costs.1 Several other operators have taken it up but there has been no widespread adoption of the method in this country by users of conventional steel. This may be partly explained by the fact that until recently no American manufacturer produced this equipment and operators have been obliged to build their own hot-millers or import them. Several years ago a few machines were built in Seattle, Washington, and operated in some mines in the northwest, but, for reasons not generally known, the effort was abandoned. The Process Hot-milling performs the function of re-dressing the bit at a forging temperature of about 1650°F., by the removal of metal from the flutes with a milling cutter, followed by a similar cut from the bit gauge. Conventional bits are thus treated following the usual forging operation in a sharpener, and usually in the same heat.

Jan 1, 1940

By Charles Means

A THOROUGHLY modern coal-handling system has been installed at the Pittsburgh Terminal R. R. & Coal Co.'s new No. 8 shaft, or Coverdale mine, about 11 mi. (17.7 km.) from Pittsburgh on a spur f the Montour R. R. The Pittsburgh seam, which is the one worked, is reached at a depth of 342 ft. (104 m.). Power is delivered to the mine at 22,000 volts over a transmission line of the bow-arrow type of construction. A private telephone line connecting the various mines and the main office in Pittsburgh is carried on the same poles. The high-tension line is brought to an outdoor, step-down, transformer substation, where three 833-kv.-a., single-phase, 60-cycle, oil-insulated, self-cooled transformers reduce the potential to 2300 volts. The transformers are protected by electrolytic, aluminum-cell lightning arresters, horn gaps, and choke coils. High and low-tension busses, together with fuses, choke coils and air-break horn-gap switches with their remote-control operating mechanism are mounted on a substantial structural-steel tower 25 ft. (7.6 m.) in height. MINE SUBSTATION The transformer substation is adjacent to a pressed-brick building that houses direct-current substation equipment together with switchboards, etc., for the control and distribution of power. This building also contains the hoist for the men and supplies.

Jan 9, 1921

By Robert C. Berggan

The hot-milling process for reconditioning rock-drill bits is not new. It has been employed by a few mines for years and in the past decade it has been widely adopted, as its advantages have become better known. Because of the extensive commercial development in England and Canada of machines to operate on this principle, general acceptance has been largely in the British possessions and until recently has been chiefly in the field of conventional steel. In the past two years there has been a definite trend toward hot-milling of detachable bits in Canada, but only in the past year has any considerable attempt been made to build special machines for this type of work. Generally a machine designed for conventional steel has been used and special holders employed to manipulate the bit. As early as 1934 at least one operator in the United States had adapted hot-milling to conventional steel with a substantial saving in resharpening costs.1 Several other operators have taken it up but there has been no widespread adoption of the method in this country by users of conventional steel. This may be partly explained by the fact that until recently no American manufacturer produced this equipment and operators have been obliged to build their own hot-millers or import them. Several years ago a few machines were built in Seattle, Washington, and operated in some mines in the northwest, but, for reasons not generally known, the effort was abandoned. The Process Hot-milling performs the function of re-dressing the bit at a forging temperature of about 1650°F., by the removal of metal from the flutes with a milling cutter, followed by a similar cut from the bit gauge. Conventional bits are thus treated following the usual forging operation in a sharpener, and usually in the same heat.

Jan 1, 1940

By Marc W. Bodine

Insoluble residues from three sequences of Paleozoic marine evaporates (Retsof salt bed in western New York, Salado Formation in southeastern New Mexico, and Paradox Member of the Hermosa Formation in southeastern Utah) are rich in trioctahedral clays. Chlorite (clinochlore), corrensite (mixed-layer chlorite-trioctahedral smectite), talc, and illite (the only dioctahedral clay) are the dominant clay minerals; serpentine, discrete trioctahedral smectite (saponite), and interstratified talc-trioctahedral smectite are sporadically abundant. These clay-mineral assemblages differ chemically and mineralogically from those observed in most continental and normal marine rocks, which commonly contain kaolinite, dioctahedral smectite (beidellite-montmorillonite), illite, mixed-layer illite-dioctahedral smectite, and, in most cases, no more than minor quantities of trioctahedral clay minerals. The distinctive clay mineralogy in these evaporate sequences suggests a largely authigenic origin. These clay minerals are thought to have formed during deposition and early diagenesis through interaction between argillaceous detritus and Mg-rich marine evaporate brines.

Jan 1, 1985

By A. M. Lovelace

Introduction One area of engineering utilization of materials in which the requirements are especially rigorous and demanding is that of aerospace systems, including aircraft, helicopters, missiles, and space satellites. Materials used in these systems must reliably perform many critical functions in a broad range of adverse environments. Some of the most critical functions are performed by polymeric nonmetallic materials such as elastomers (rubber), coatings, fibrous materials, and reinforced plastics. These types of polymeric materials have some common characteristics that make them attractive to aerospace system designers: light weight, corrosion resistance, and relative ease and low cost of processing and fabrication. Each type also has its own special characteristics that enable it to perform certain required functions better than other competing materials can (Table 1). The desirable properties of polymeric materials, which in some applications make them the only practical candidates, are partly offset by their principal limitation, which is degradation by exposure to high temperature. [ ]

Jan 1, 1971

By D. Turnbull, R. E. Cech

Small particles, 10-20 microns diameter, of a 28.6 atom pct nickel, balance iron alloy, have been supercooled 186 C with respect to bulk alloy M, temperature. Particles exhibit a marked mechanical shock sensitivity while being held in a supercooled state. The tendency for shock to induce martensitic transformation appears to be a maximum at —140 to —160°. Slow cooling of particles in mechanical contact with one another results in extensive martensite formation. This is prob-ably the same effect as the catalytic effect observed in polycrystals where martensite formation in one grain induces transformation in other grains. AS a result of extensive research over the past decade on the martensitic transformation, a much better though not complete understanding of the transformation has resulted. Recent reviews by Bilby and Christian' and Kaufman and Cohen2 have

Jan 1, 1959

By Donald P. Bellum, Lee Nugent

Southwestern Utah is well known for its scenic attractions. The beauties of Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon and the Grand Canyon are of world renown. Thusly, Cedar City is known, at least by the local Chamber of Commerce, as the Gateway to the Utah Parks. However, of the thousands of tourists flocking to Utah's many points of interest by way of Cedar City, few realize that any mining takes place in the vicinity, in spite of the fact that iron mines have been in continuous operation for 40 years. The Pinto-Iron Springs Mining District is only 15 miles west of Cedar City, and is the largest iron ore producing district in the West. In recent years, the shipments have ranged from 2% to 4 million tons per year making Utah the fifth-ranking state in iron ore production.

Jan 11, 1963

By Charles T. Holland

This discussion is concerned with those comparatively infrequent bumps that eject material from the failed mass with enough energy to wreck heavy machinery and seriously injure or kill people. In such cases there is a loud report, and the pressure waves set up in the mine atmosphere wreck ventilation controls several hundred feet from the site of the failure. Vibrations are induced in the earth's crust which may be detected several miles from the point of origin, and explosive gases may be released in large quantities.* Usually a dense suspension of dust is produced from the failed mass, together with dust placed in suspension by the resulting air blast. These rock bursts or bumps have also been called mountain shots, bounces, pillar bursts, and crumps. Such occurrences, when extensive, are serious catastrophes, and may force abandonment of the mine.1

Jan 9, 1958

By A. H. Geisler, R. F. Mehl, C. S. Barrett

The mechanism by which the supersaturated solid solution of 20 per cent silver in aluminum decomposes has been reported in two previous publications.1'2 The analysis of streaks in Laue photograms showed that thin platelike particles (the so-called Guinier-Preston aggregates) form upon matrix planes in the early state of decomposition.1 The size of these particles is larger, the higher the temperature at which they form in accordance with nucleation theory;³ at all temperatures they increase in size with aging.2 When they have grown thick enough to afford three-dimensional diffraction, powder X-ray photograms show that the structure is not that of the equilibrium precipitate but that of a transition lattice . Sincc this is also platelike in shape and also lies upon the (III) matrix planes with the [IIO] direction in the matrix parallel to the [II.O] direction in it seems likely that the original platelet particles are merely in an early stage of formation, and thus finely dispersed. The atomic spacing and pattern on the (00.1) plane in y' are identical with those on the (111) matrix plane to which it lies parallel, and since comparable directions in the two planes are parallel, the lattices are thus coherent at the interface; an analogous coherence has been found in aluminum-copper alloys.3 The structures y' and y are both close-packed hexagonal and are oriented alike; they differ only in interatomic distances. Consequently, y' is regarded as y strained from its ordinary dimensions by the lattice coherency between it and the matrix.2 The lattice movements that transform the matrix to the equilibrium precipitate appear to be very simple.2 The mechanism of precipitation in this system is simpler and is more precisely known than that in any other system hence the system should be a profitable one for the difficult task of correlating property changes with structural alterations. The present report provides additional studies on powder X-ray diffraction from alloys of 10 per cent, 20 per cent and 30 per cent Ag, and presents the correlation of crystallographic changes with changes in microstructurc, Brinell hardness and electrical resistivity of the three alloys. Preparation of Samples and Experimental Procedure The preparation of the 20.2 per cent Ag alloy has been described2 Alloys containing 9.9 and 29.7 per cent Ag were prepared from 99.97 per cent A1 and 99.99+ per cent Ag using a similar procedure. Rolled

Jan 1, 1943

By R. F. Mehl, C. S. Barrett, A. H. Geisler

The mechanism by which the supersaturated solid solution of 20 per cent silver in aluminum decomposes has been reported in two previous publications.1'2 The analysis of streaks in Laue photograms showed that thin platelike particles (the so-called Guinier-Preston aggregates) form upon matrix planes in the early state of decomposition.1 The size of these particles is larger, the higher the temperature at which they form in accordance with nucleation theory;³ at all temperatures they increase in size with aging.2 When they have grown thick enough to afford three-dimensional diffraction, powder X-ray photograms show that the structure is not that of the equilibrium precipitate but that of a transition lattice . Sincc this is also platelike in shape and also lies upon the (III) matrix planes with the [IIO] direction in the matrix parallel to the [II.O] direction in it seems likely that the original platelet particles are merely in an early stage of formation, and thus finely dispersed. The atomic spacing and pattern on the (00.1) plane in y' are identical with those on the (111) matrix plane to which it lies parallel, and since comparable directions in the two planes are parallel, the lattices are thus coherent at the interface; an analogous coherence has been found in aluminum-copper alloys.3 The structures y' and y are both close-packed hexagonal and are oriented alike; they differ only in interatomic distances. Consequently, y' is regarded as y strained from its ordinary dimensions by the lattice coherency between it and the matrix.2 The lattice movements that transform the matrix to the equilibrium precipitate appear to be very simple.2 The mechanism of precipitation in this system is simpler and is more precisely known than that in any other system hence the system should be a profitable one for the difficult task of correlating property changes with structural alterations. The present report provides additional studies on powder X-ray diffraction from alloys of 10 per cent, 20 per cent and 30 per cent Ag, and presents the correlation of crystallographic changes with changes in microstructurc, Brinell hardness and electrical resistivity of the three alloys. Preparation of Samples and Experimental Procedure The preparation of the 20.2 per cent Ag alloy has been described2 Alloys containing 9.9 and 29.7 per cent Ag were prepared from 99.97 per cent A1 and 99.99+ per cent Ag using a similar procedure. Rolled

Jan 1, 1943

By Richard L. Gordon

Minerals long have been important commodities in international trade. As an inevitable result, the governments of the world have employed a wide variety of programs that affect the flow of trade. Roughly speaking, we may distinguish between the desire of more developed countries (MDCs) like the United States, western Europe, and Japan to control imports of minerals and the concern of less developed countries (LDCs), like India, about exploiting and exporting their minerals. The terminology used to describe different countries and the classification of specific countries into groups is unsettled and often changing. The poorest countries have been characterized as backward, undeveloped, underdeveloped, and developing. The problem seems to be in selecting a term that is both accurate and polite. Less developed seems, for reasons outlined by Hagen [pp. 51-57], the most convenient term. The borderline between an LDC and an MDC is always open to dispute. Objective measures are difficult to develop because of deficiencies in basic data, and enormous conceptual problems arise in making valid comparisons from even good data [see Hagen, pp. 7-28]. Thus, policies of the MDCs can be evaluated chiefly by using a few basic arguments for protectionist attitudes towards international trade. In dealing with the LDCs, a more far-ranging evaluation that covers general economic policy goals, the role of foreign investment, and the indirect effects of trade is required. This duality breaks down when trying to deal with the depressed areas in an MDC; here the issues are more akin to those associated with problems in an LDC. Similarly, variants of arguments used in LDCs appear in debates about foreign investments in MDCs. The whole discussion of minerals in LDCs, moreover, has obvious implications for MDCs like Canada and Australia. They, too, must face problems about the best utilization of their resources. THE RESTRICTION OF MINERAL TRADE BY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES[a] At least to some extent, the world's leading industrial nations have intervened to control the inflow of minerals. Such regulation is particularly pronounced for energy. Both the United States and western Europe employ

Jan 1, 1976

By A. J. Phillips, C. G. Grant, Wm. B. Price

ADMIRALTY nickel is a new corrosion-resisting and heat-resisting white metal alloy composed of 70 per cent. copper, 29 per cent. nickel and 1 per cent. tin. It has been given the trade name "Adnic." In 1924, Wm. B. Price1 described this alloy and its successful use as a diaphragm metal. The physical properties of Adnic at ordinary and elevated temperatures were given in Mining & Metallury.2 A patent3 was granted on Adnic, April 28, 1925. Work was first started on this alloy during December, 1921. An investigation of the patent situation in this country and abroad, and also a search of the literature, did not reveal any work on the ternary diagram, copper-nickel-tin; and the only wrought copper-nickel-tin alloy found was that known as "Newloy," composed of copper, 64 per cent.; nickel, 35 per cent.; tin, 1 per cent. This was being manufactured and sold by Wm. Gallimore & Sons, Ltd., Sheffield, England, for unplated spoon and fork stock, and first came to our attention in January, 1922. The preliminary work in connection with the development of Adnic was started by casting four binary copper-nickel alloys of the compositions shown in Table 1. Various amounts of tin were added to each of these mixtures, to produce the series of ternary copper-nickel-tin alloys also given in Table 1. A 200-gm. sample of each of these was cast by melting in a clay graphite crucible and allowing the melt to slowly cool with the furnace. A longitudinal section from each of these castings was polished and etched for examination. The castings were not homogeneous solid solutions, but showed the usual cored structure associated with cast alloys. However, from an examination of these sections we roughly determined

Jan 1, 1928

Gentlemen of the American Institute of Mining Engineers.—As you well know an application is about to be made to Congress, by the American Society of Civil Engineers, for the appointment of a cornmission composed of persons skilled in the production and use of iron, steel, and other structural materials, whose duty it shall be to test the strength, elasticity, and other quatities of such materials ; not simply the substances used as such, but the members of large structures composed of such materials, of the forms and sizes in which they are actually used. As I understand, the papers that will be read here to-night will have for their object to show the necessity for such tests, and therefore the necessity for the commission asked for. As the representative of the Society of Civil Engineers, I have to thank you, gentlemen of the Mining Engineers, for the great zeal with which yon have taken up this subject, and seconded the efforts of the Civil Engineers; or, perhaps I ought rather to say, initiated the efforts to get a suitable commission appointed to obtain most vitally important information which it is admitted on all hands we do not now possess. In drawing up the memorial to Congress, in connection with some of the ablest and best informed of our Society, and in all the discossions on the subject, I have been struck with the emphasis with which the confession is made, that so little is known of the strength of the larger-sized members constantly used in building structures of the magnitude which the present requirements of the country now demand. I presume the remarks made to-night will bring this out very prominently. This is no disgrace, for with the means here-

Jan 1, 1882

By D. M. Urich

New plant construction for pyrolysis and agglomeration during 1969 has been relatively quiet in the North American scene. U.S. pellet capacity approximates 52 million long tons and that of Canada 25.3 million tons. The foreign scene, however, has been extremely active during 1969, and this is expected to continue for the next several years. Changes in sinter practice have not been reported, other than a few changes towards increased bed depths and the increased use of screening facilities to size the product more closely. Interest in the field of briquetting in fields other than iron ore is high with a new fluorspar briquetting plant under construction at Brownsville, Texas. Considerable research appears to be pointed towards solving the problem of reclaiming steelmill waste products (flue dust, BOF dust, mill scale) by means other than sintering.

Jan 1, 1970

Some specific observations might be appropriate concerning the reporting of Research and Development results. Each report is usually directed towards a particular group, such as technical, operational financial, or marketing. The requirements and background of the group receiving the report must be considered, and the emphasis and coverage geared to the training of people concerned. For reports that might have large and varied distribution, it is often feasible to group, either as sections or appendixes, the special details and information of interest only to certain functions within the organization. (A check list prepared in conjunction with the various users of the report is sometimes useful to prevent omissions.) Typical points listed might be: Financial- (1) capital requirements, (2) timing of capital expenditures, (3) tax implications, including depreciation, depletion and investment credits, (4) changes in working capital.

Jan 10, 1967

By D. R. Colton, W. V. Youdelis

The maximum segregation, as a function of alloy composition, is calculated for the aluminum-zinc system using the theory of inverse segregation based on the mechanism of volume contraction and interdendritic flow. The results show good agreement with experiments on aluminum-zinc ingots. The significance of the mass calculations of the segregation theory in discussing the metallography of the cast aluminum-zinc alloys is considered. THE occurrence of inverse segregation in rapidly cooled castings has been reported on previously by various authors, and several theories have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. It is now generally accepted that the mechanism of inverse segregation involves volume contraction on solidification followed by interdendritic flow of enriched residual liquid to the contraction volumes. This increases the concentration of the lower-melting-point constituents in regions of first solidification to above the mean concentration, which is con-

Jan 1, 1961

By John A. Church

In May, 1878, I had the honor of presenting to the Institute, at the Chattanooga meeting, some observations upon the heat of the Comstock Lode, and since then the subject has attracted some attention and criticism, in the course of which, L have observed errors of apprehension which I beg leave to correct now. Mr. John Arthur Phillips discussed it before the Geological Society, his paper being printed in the Quarterly Journal for August, 1879." His criticism is based upon that part of my paper in which I quote a number of analyses of the mine waters, to illustrate the fact that the heat does not come from the oxidation of pyrite. I pointed out that these waters contain only an insignificant proportion of sulphuric acid, and not enough to account for even one per cent. Of

Jan 1, 1880

By Paul K. Krueger

SUMMARY Since 1970 the Federal Preparedness Agency has been using computer models to help establish the amounts of strategic and critical materials to be held in the National Stockpile. Fifty-three of these materials are metals or minerals. The following diagram shows the linkage of models used to estimate material requirements. [ ] The starting point for the models are estimates of the major components of GNP for some future period. These may be estimates purchased from a forecasting service or may be produced in-house. The projections are translated into industrial final demands using DITT (Demand Impact Transformation Tables), a system developed at FPA. Then using a version of the current Bureau of Economic Analysis input-output model, estimates are made of the gross output of each industry necessary to support the level and composition of GNP as specified by the macro-economic model.

Jan 1, 1977

By Warren Weaver

Some of the advantages of the inductive method of electrical prospecting were emphasized in a paper by Dr. Max Mason. Since this emphasis was misunderstood by some to indicate a too exclusive interest in inductive methods, we are especially happy to help correct this impression by reporting on some of our work on surface potential methods. Earth Currents and Surface Potentials When two electrodes, A and B, are placed on the surface of the ground a distance d apart, and a 100-volt battery is connected across the elec- trodes, current flows from the positive electrode A to the negative electrode B. The current does not pass directly from A to B along the straight line joining these two points. In fact, a negligible amount of the total current chooses this direct path, and the flow actually takes place

Jan 1, 1929