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By Otto H. Henry

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the equilibrium diagram of the lithium-magnesium pair as a first step in studying the possible usefulness of these alloys as ultra-light structural materials. Review of the Literature The behavior of lithium towards magnesium was first investigated by Masing and Tammann.(1)† In order to prevent oxidation the alloys were made in iron tubes under an atmosphere of hydrogen; temperatures were measured with a glass-protected thermocouple. These investigators found that lithium and magnesium form two series of solid solutions separated by a miscibility gap between 85 and 95 per cent magnesium; that the alloys with 81 and 95 per cent magnesium showed a homogeneous structure under microscopic examination, while the alloy with 89 per cent magnesium contained two distinguishable crystallites; that the curve indicating the beginning of crystallization rises from the melting point of lithium to that of magnesium; and that no compounds of lithium and magnesium are formed. The equilibrium diagram was not plotted because no definite data were obtained for determining the solidus and the position of the miscibility gap in the solid state. The difficulties encountered in this investigation were: (1) that it was necessary to heat them as high as the melting point of magnesium in order to obtain homogeneous melts; at such temperatures the alloys attacked the glass protecting the thermocouple; and (2) that at temperatures above 400" C. the lithium united with the hydrogen to form lithium hydride, thus contaminating the alloys. By applying the same methods as those used in the lithium-magnesium system, Masing and Tammann determined the equilibrium diagram of the

Jan 1, 1934

By J. J. Jakosky

The fundamental hydrodynamic principles governing the production of oil from wells have been carefully studied and evaluated by many investigators. These prior studies are quite complete and cover virtually the entire field of oil production and recovery.' One of the most important measurements in production studies is that of the bottom-hole pressure at various rates of production.2 It is the purpose of this paper to outline the technique and economics of fluid-level measurements as applied to pumping wells and to review briefly other methods for obtaining bottom-hole data. The applications of bottom-hole pressure or fluid-level measurements are based on simple hydrodynamic principles. Under equilibrium conditions, pbh = hd + pg + pch [1] when pbk = bottom-hole pressure, Ib. per sq. in. absolute, h = height of fluid in well, ft., d = average fluid density, Ib. per sq. in. per foot, p, = weight of section of gas column 1 in, square from fluid level to casinghead, Pch = casinghead pressure, Ib. per sq. in. absolute. In words, equation 1 states that the bottom-hole pressure is equal to the weight hd of the column of fluid plus the weight of the column of gas between the fluid and the casinghead plus the casinghead pressure. At moderate rates of flow, the rate of production is approximatcly proportional to the difference between the reservoir, or static bottom-hole. pressure and the flowing or producing pressure; i.e.: Q = c(pr - pbh) [2] pr = the reservoir pressure, c = the constant of proportionality. However, at production rates approaching zero and also at high rates the proportionality may break down. By combining equations 1 and 2 the

Jan 1, 1939

By Earl Oliver

Superficial observation of the petroleum stabilization movement in 1932 is disappointing. Threatened overproduction persisted; waste continued; proration was violated; gasoline taxes were evaded; and, as a consequence, chaos threatened the industry as the year drew to a close. However, comparison of the movement in 1932 with its beginning a few years ago, and analyses of those influences that promote its growth as well as those which retard it, disclose some reasons for encouragement. Stabilization, as we see it, is not merely a mechanical engineering problem. It involves social engineering. By which we do not mean it is possible, or even desirable, to change the nature of men, but rather that it is possible to set up procedure that will avoid causing them to clash. It comprehends consideration of physical objects that is clearly within the field of the engineer, but it considers them only in relation to their distribution, utilization and control in harmony with philosophies that motivate men and shape current conceptions of right and wrong, or of justice and injustice if those terms be deemed more acceptable. Stabilization cannot be effected without utilizing the knowledge of the engineer, but neither can it be effected without utilizing more than comes within his traditional field of activity. In discussing the problem herein we shall endeavor to treat it briefly from that consolidated viewpoint. Rapid fluctuations in supply have characterized the oil industry from its beginning; yet only within the past ten years has an understanding begun to develop regarding the extent of waste—the degree of dissipation of natural resources—that attends the operation of the industry under the practices and laws which control it in the United States. The extent and regrettable consequences of those wastes, their underlying causes and the ease with which they could be prevented are not yet generally understood even within the industry. Producing TomoRRow' s Oil Today The interests detrimentally affected by these economic evils are vastly greater than the mere welfare of the oil industry. The problem involves the nation's supply of gasoline and other petroleum products at

Jan 1, 1933

By John Furness Park

The mining district is located in the northeasterly part of Nevada, between the Jarbidge River on the west and the East Fork of the Jarbidge on the east. The northern boundary of the district is but a few miles south of the Idaho state line—the gold-bearing area extending from this point south, for 5 or 6 miles. • The Jarbidge Mountains, in which the ore deposits occur, range from 5000 to 11,000 ft. in elevation, the most important mines being situated about 7000 ft. or higher. The town of Jarbidge lies along the Jarbidge River and is reached by stage from Rogerson, Ida., the nearest railroad point. During the summer months, the camp may be entered from the south by way of Deeth, Nev., but no regular transportation facilities are available over this route. History The mineral deposits were not discovered until 1909, when D. A. Bourne, panning along the river bank, found gold in. the gravel at the mouth of a small stream flowing into the Jarbidge. He prospected in the vicinity of this stream, later known as Bourne Gulch, and shortly after located the North Star claims. During the following spring and summer (1910), the camp of Jarbidge grew from nothing to a town of 2000 people and the hills surrounding it were practically all taken up by mining claims. Most of the work done during the first year or two consisted of trenching and open-cut prospecting. Tunneling was started on a number of claims and many veins were uncovered. Mills were built and operated on a few properties, notably the Pavlak and the North Star. These ran only a few months, however, when they were closed down because of extraction and financial difficulties. A period of development followed in which the majority of the present producing mines were opened. The Elkoro Mines Co. acquired a number of claims in 1915 and started work on the present mill in 1917. Since that time other properties have been taken over until this company is by far the largest operator in the district. Only one other company is now actively engaged in mining, the Bluster Mining & Milling Co., which has

Jan 1, 1925

By M. Gensamer

IN applied mechanics and in metallurgy the transition from elastic to inelastic action is a matter of considerable interest and importance. Often the first inelastic deformation is apparently quite homogeneous; that is, uniformly distributed throughout the specimen. Sometimes this deformation is heterogeneous; that is, localized; inelastic deformation proceeds to some definite amount in restricted regions before adjacent regions of the specimen are inelastically deformed. In such cases the deformation does not become homogeneous until the whole specimen has been deformed the amount corresponding to that for each localized deformation. If the test is stopped before uniform extension sets in, the heterogeneous character of the deformation is apparent on the surface of the specimen through characteristic markings, which have been called "Lüders"' lines, "Hartmann's" lines, the "Piobert effect," or simply "flow figures." These markings are the source of considerable trouble in fabricating operations, particularly in the deep drawing of steel sheet. In many cases where the transition is of this nature, the stress developed at the upper limit of the elastic range is greater than the stress during the period of heterogeneous deformation, giving rise to the familiar "drop of the beam" effect in testing. The amount of the yield-point elongation, as well as the value of the stress at the lower yield point (the value to which the stress drops when yielding begins), are functions of the temperature and the testing speed. Lower temperatures and faster rates of testing increase both the yield-point elongation and the yield-point stress. These matters have been ably discussed in a recent paper by Winlock and Leiter1 though, as brought out by the discussion of that paper, the phenomena are but little understood. The purpose of the present paper is to clarify the problem through the application of a simple principle, and to show that, through the application of this principle, a number of phenomena in the plastic deformation of metals become more readily understood. The principle is this: During homogeneous flow, the rate of work-hardening is greater than the rate of change of stress resulting from change

Jan 1, 1938

By J. J. Gilman

WHEN a zinc crystal is immersed in liquid N, and then plastically bent, it is observed that it bends a certain amount and then fractures. This fracture occurs at a fairly reproducible radius of curvature, and the radius varies systematically with the crystal orientation. Because this phenomenon provides an unusually well-defined set of fracture conditions, it is possible to examine various possible fracture criteria and select the best one. Zinc crystals of various orientations were bent about axes lying in their glide planes (0001) and perpendicular to their glide directions [1210]. The crystals were 0.150 in. diam and had chemically polished surfaces. They were immersed in liquid N, while they were being loaded on an Instron testing machine. A three-point bending jig was used to load them. Table I lists the beam radius at which fracture occurred for each orientation. Each value is the average of at least six measurements. The normal stresses on the cleavage planes, at the time of fracture, were calculated as follows: First, from the fracture radius, R,, the orientation angle, x,, of the (0001) plane at the outer fiber was calculated. If x, = angle between the (0001) and the rod axis prior to bending, d = rod diameter, and X, = angle between the (0001) plane and a tangent to the bent crystal, then1 sinX, _ 2R, sin xn 2R, + d Since the glide shear strain is given by' y ' cot X, — Xo the glide strain at fracture, x,, can be calculated. Next, it is necessary to know the tangential stress in the outer fiber at fracture. This depends on the plastic flow curve, so a series of tensile tests were performed at —196°C on another set of zinc crystals. A curve of the average resolved shear stress versus glide strain was prepared. From this curve, shear stresses, r,, corresponding to the glide strains in the bend tests were taken. These values are listed in Table I. Then the normal stresses in the outer fibres, u,, were calculated from the relation U, = r, tan X, This analysis assumes that the fiber stresses in a bent beam are the same as the stresses in simple

Jan 1, 1959

By W. B. Vietz, C. W. Hill, T. P. Thomas

FLUXES, in general, may be classified according to their use as soldering, foundry or casting, and metallurgical and the chemistry of their action follows quite closely this division. The term foundry or casting fluxes, as used here, refers to the substances added to molten metals, preparatory to casting into molds or ingots, with the object of removing small amounts of impurities that have been introduced in handling or melting the metal, which was placed in a fair state of purity by the previous refining or metallurgical processes. The sources of these impurities are the oxide coating on the surface of the ingots, material extracted or mechanically removed from the crucible or furnace wall, and those formed by the reaction of the molten metal with the heating gases or furnace atmosphere. As commonly used, the term fluxes is applied to such materials as ammonium chloride, zinc chloride, salt, borax, and boric oxide. A second class of materials, usually called deoxidizers, includes substances such as metallic phosphides, sub-oxides, carbides, and bo-rides, that reduce the metallic oxides present in the metal. A third class includes various compounds that arc molten and non-volatile at the temperature of the molten metal and are used primarily to protect the surface of the metal from the action of the furnace or exterior atmosphere; to this class belong such mixtures as lime and fluorspar, lime and soda ash, various minerals, etc. In some cases these protective layers may act in a manner similar to the metallurgical fluxes and dissolve or unite with the oxide impurities of the metal, but as generally employed this latter action is negligible since there is little opportunity for the coverings to come into contact with more than the surface of the metal, and hence they arc without action on the body of the molten mass. The use of fluxes is the result of factory experience and tradition, but an extensive study has not been made of the chemical and physical actions that occur or the effects of these actions on the properties of the metal. It would seem necessary in any successful study of metal fluxes to determine not only what impurities are present in metals melted under

Jan 1, 1921

By C. E. Birchenall, R. H. Condit, M. J. Brabers

In the oxidation of pure iron above 700°C the overall rate is determined mainly by the rapid growth of wiistite, through which iron ions can diffuse rapidly.' Nickel added to the iron progressively decreases the stable range of composition of wustite.' When enough nickel is added to eliminate wiistite as a stable phase, the spinel is the fast growing phase. This investigation was undertaken to test the hypothesis that nickel substituting for iron in magnetite might decrease the rate of spinel growth by reducing the iron mobility. Nickel ferrite boules grown by the flame fusion process were purchased from the Linde Co. Chemical analysis gave an atomic ratio of iron to nickel of 2.88 and showed no other cations. They were cut into discs and ground to give flat, parallel faces. The experimental procedure employed was like that of Eisen and Birchenall in which the distribution of radioactivity diffused in from a vapor deposited surface layer was determined by counting the residual activity through a series of ground faces. The diffusivities were calculated in a manner consistent with the requirements discussed by Condit and BirchenallP The details will be given in connection with a more extensive spinel diffusion study now in progress. The results of the measurements are shown in the figure in comparison with earlier data on magnetite1 and zinc ferrite. The uncertainties arising from scatter in the activity vs distance relationship and uncertainties in the temperatures are shown by flags. Despite the scatter it is clear that substitution of a considerable part of the iron in magnetite by nickel, in this case about one third decreases the iron mobility substantially. sachs' determination of the distribution of iron and nickel in scales on iron-nickel alloys appears to show that nickel is less mobile than iron in the spinel layer. It is evident, therefore, that nickel plays several roles in reducing the oxidation rate of iron-nickel alloys. 1) It reduces progressively the stability range of wiistite. ' 2) It reduces progressively the stability range of the iron-nickel spinel phase in terms of the variation in cation to anion ratio.' 3) As shown in this investigation, it reduces the cation mobility in the spinel phase which is the faster growing phase in the absence of wiistite. The fe was obtained from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The research was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (ARDC) under contract number AF 18(600)-967.

Jan 1, 1961

By C. Ernest Birchenall, Gerd M. Rosenblatt

The pressure and molecular weight of the antimony vapor over solid solutions of tin in antimony, containing 97.4, 94.9, 93.0, and 90.7 at. pct Sb, have been measured from 445° to 545°C by the torsion-effision method. The vapor is all Sb, within experimental error. A solidus curve which differs somewhat from the accepted curve has been calculated using the measured antimony activities. Metallographic examination of additional annealed alloys substantiates the accepted solidus. The solid solutions, which show negative deviations from ideality, probably do not deviate greatly from regular solution behavior. HANSEN' considers the Sb-Sn phase diagram to be well established with the exception of the boundary of the (Sb) phase.* Although there have been no pre- Their data can be combined with data for the solid alloys to calculate the solidus curve of the (Sb) phase. This paper presents measurements of the pressure ant1 molecular weight of antimony over Sb-Sn solid solutions containing 97.4, 94.9, 93.0, and 90.7 at. pct sb. Measurements were made by simultaneous use of the volmer3 torsion and Knudsen, effusion methods. The results of these measurements have been combined with the vapor pressure of pure antimony5 to obtain the activity of antimony in the primary solid solutions. The solidus curve calculated from these data differs somewhat from the accepted curve and is rather uncertain. Metallographic examination of Sb-Sn alloys was carried out to clarify the position of the solidus of the (Sb) phase. EXPERIMENTAL The apparatus and technique have been described previously.5 The measurements were made with the same effusion cells and torsion wire used in the measurements on pure antimony. The torsion measurements were calibrated with mercury at 30" using a mercury vapor pressure of 2.96 x 10-3 mm Hg determined by concurrent, absolute, weight-loss experiments. As in the measurements on pure antimony, an extraneous vapor was observed to distill off during the first run after the cell had been loaded with A fresh sample of alloy and during the first minute or two of every run. The change in composition after a series of runs with one sample was of the order of 0.1 at. pct and thus completely negligible in the calculation of the thermodynamic properties. The alloys were prepared from pieces of Merck antimony and Matheson, Coleman, and Bell reagent-

Jan 1, 1962

By R. C. Mahon

THE importance of ground water control in glacial drift overlying mines is widely recognized. Adequate handling of the problem results in considerable saving in overall pumping costs, as the cost of pumping the larger quantity of water under low heads from surface wells is more than offset by the decrease in the quantity of water to be pumped from the mine under high heads. Eliminating or partly reducing seepage of water through the ledge reduces moisture content of the ore, a factor especially important in iron ore mines, where a reduction of 1 pct in moisture effects a very material saving. An important though indeterminate saving is also brought about by the elimination of water in the working places underground. The Homer and Wauseca mines of Hanna Coal & Iron Co. at Iron River, Mich., cover 480 acres. When these mines were started it was possible to operate on only one 40-acre tract, as the depth of water over the remainder of the property was too great to permit operation. Although the average depth of the ground water over the area being mined at that time was less than 50 ft it was necessary to pump 1200 gpm from the mine, the greater part from a depth of 750 ft. The slate footwall and graywacke hanging wall are almost impervious, and it was apparent that seepage into the mine was mainly through the iron formation in which the orebodies were located. Analysis of the water in the iron formation showed it to be of the same character as that in the glacial drift, while the water in both walls was heavily mineralized, also indicating that the water passed much more freely through the iron formation. The first attempt to take off the water above the ledge was by means of drainage drifts driven 15 to 20 ft below the ledge, Fig. 1. Various schemes were used to get the water into these drifts: 1—Holes 15 to 20 ft long were drilled from the back of the drifts to the ledge, but these were difficult to drill and blocked easily. 2—Sections of the drifts were blasted down. This gave a large flow for a time but eventually almost total blockup occurred. 3—Raises 4x4 ft were driven above the drifts to within 8 ft of the

Jan 1, 1955

By J. M. Lovejoy

Various estimates have been made as 60 the percentage of oil left in a field after the wells have become so small that it is no longer practical to produce them. Engineers have given the matter much study and can substantiate their figures by data taken from fields from the Appalachians to California. The average oil sand has a porosity of about 20 per cent., which gives a capacity per acre-foot of approximately 1500 bbl. The sand thickness in Oklahoma pools averages 20 ft. With 20 per cent, porosity and a 20-ft. sand thickness, the capacity per acre is 30,000 bbl., yet these pools will seldom yield more than 5000 bbl. to the acre. These figures gupport the theory that at least 50 per cent. of the oil remains in a sand after all known methods to recover it have been used. Certainly we can never recover all the oil, unless in years to come oil becomes so rare and yet so necessary that the price will justify sinking shafts into the abandoned fields and regular mining methods of drifting and stoping. However, with improved methods of production and conservation of the natural agencies of expulsion, we should be able to increase recovery. It is with this in mind that this paper, relating to the effect of back pressure on wells, is presented. Except in the fields where production is caused by hydrostatic pressure, the chief agency for getting oil out of the sand into the hole is the gas that occurs with the oil. After the pressure has declined, probably gravity also is a factor, but not an important one. With a given amount of oil in a sand and a given amount of gas occurring with the oil, the ratio of gas volume per barrel of oil is the key to the ultimate recovery from that sand. Our efforts should be along lines that will lower this ratio and make the gas, the agency given us by nature, do its work better and yield more of the oil, of which it is a part. T. E. Swigart,' of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, has published an extract of the paper he is preparing under the title "The Effect of Back Pressures. on Wells." The experiments described were made on two

Jan 1, 1924

By A. R. Kinkel

Robert T. Walker and Woodville J. Walker (Walker Engineering Corp., Salt Lake City)—Mr. Kinkel's article embodies, in condensed form, the results of the first detailed and complete geological survey that has ever been made of the long neglected but potentially very important West Shasta Copper-Zinc district, in Shasta County, California. In view of the difficulties of the terrain and the complexity of the geological structure, this represents a notable achievement, and it is with regret, therefore, that the writers find it necessary to differ from Mr. Kinkel's conclusions on two important points. The first has to do with the interpretation of two members of the stratigraphic column of formations in the district; for purposes of comparison, the description of these two members according to Mr. Kinkel is shown parallel to the description of these members according to the writers, see Fig. 14, Mr. Kinkel's nomenclature being used. The first member, which Mr. Kinkel terms the upper unit of the Balaklala rhyolite, consists of a single, massive, homogenous body of very silicious igneous rock, consisting almost wholly of quartz and albite, and averaging about 80 pct silica. Most geologists of the U. S. Geological Survey who have previously inspected the district have called it an alaskite. It is not a pile of several members, but is a single unit, without internal subdivisions. It has the form of a recumbent lens, approximately flat on the bottom and arched on top, several miles in diameter, and attaining a maximum thickness of 1000 to 1200 ft. It varies in texture from porphyritic to holocrystalline, and contains unusually large quartz phenocrysts up to 4 mm diam. Mr. Kinkel considers this formation to be a thick lava flow that is older than the overlying Kennett shale, while the writers interpret it as being intrusive, constituting a domed sill or laccolith that is younger than the Kennett shale. Their reasons are as follows: 1) This formation shows none of the features which within the writers' experience invariably accompany very silicious lava flows. Nowhere is it vesicular; nowhere does it contain any glass or its devitrified equivalent; nowhere does it contain flow breccia; and nowhere has it a ragged top, in spite of the fact that there is no evidence of surface erosion, which might have removed such a top.

Jan 1, 1957

By Frank C. Appleyard

Gypsum, the dihydrate form of calcium sulfate, has a history of usefulness to man dating back several thousand years, and a worldwide industry has been built on the mining and processing of this versatile industrial mineral. However, anhydrite, the other principal calcium sulfate mineral has very limited use, so much so that separate statistics for it are not always kept, but are usually included with those for gypsum. Although often found in close association, the two minerals have important chemical differences in that anhydrite is the anhydrous form of calcium sulfate (CaSO,) whereas gypsum is the dihydrate (CAS0;2H20). These two molecules of combined water result in significant differences in hardness, density, and solubility of the two minerals. However, of most importance is the difference in thermal properties wherein gypsum, upon the application of a modest amount of heat, can be converted to the hemihydrate of calcium sulfate (CaS0;Vi H,O) or plaster of paris, an intermediate product upon which is based over 90% of the value of all calcium sulfate end products. Anhydrite, on the other hand, is inert at these temperatures and its uses have been limited to only those few cases where calcium sulfate in the anhydrous form may have an advantage. The earliest known use of gypsum plaster dates back some 5000 years to the time of the Pharaohs of Egypt who had discovered that gypsum rock, when exposed to fire, broke down into a powder which when mixed with water would form a putty that could be "plastered" on a rough mud brick or stone wall to make a smooth finish. It was used down through the centuries in a limited way for ornamental purposes, but did not achieve wide acceptance because of its quick (25 to 30 min) setting or hardening time which made it difficult to use. The first real understanding of gypsum chemistry was developed in France about 1755, and the gradual growth of its present utilization dates from that time. In the United States, the first utilization of gypsum was to grind it to a fine material for use as a soil conditioner at about the time of the Revolutionary War, and the term "land plaster" for ground gypsum has remained in use. Another cementituous material-lime or calcium oxide-had become the usual plastering material, but by about 1870 a method for retarding the set of gypsum plaster was discovered and it has today almost completely replaced lime as a plastering material. In recent years, gypsum products sold in the United States have reached a total valuation of approximately $500 million per year as illustrated in [Table 1].

Jan 1, 1975

By J. Szekely

A rrlethod is presented for the estitnation of oxygen pickup by teettzed molten steel streams. Of the mechanisrt~s considered for oxygen absorption, physical entrainment appeared to be the most significant. The estent of this physical entrainment may be calculated by the application of boundary layer theory. It was found that the values of oxygen pickup thus predicted were in wry good agreement with data reported in the literature, in the case of short, well-defined metal streams. This entrainment model does not provide an adequate description of oxygen pickup by long streams, exoosed to external winds and where breakup of the streatn is likely. WheN molten steel is teemed into a mold or tundish it will absorb oxygen contained in its environment. Recently interest has been expressed in the measurement and possible prediction of the extent of this oxygen absorption: this interest owes its existence to two principal factors: a) the desirability of providing a quantitative assessment of the role played by the absorbed oxygen in impairing the quality of (vacuum degassed. stainless, or continuously cast) steel; b) the need for providing guidelines for stream protection methods. The purpose of this communication is to suggest a simple method for the prediction of oxygen absorption by continuous metal streams and to compare the predicted values with the data available in the literature. It is hoped that this method may provide at least an initial framework for the interpretation of additional data that might become available. FORMULATION Consider a continuous metal stream falling into a molten metal pool as depicted in Fig. 1. This system may absorb oxygen due to the following two mechanisms: 1) physical entrainment of gases (including oxygen) into the molten pool where reactions. thus absorption, will occur; 2) mass transfer (convec:tive diffusion) of oxygen to the metal stream. 1) Physical Entrainment. The physical entrainment may be calculated by using the concept of the diaplace-ttzent tlzickness of the laminar boundary layer, which will be stated briefly in the following.&apos; When a fluid flows past a solid surface, a portion of the fluid close to the surface is retarded due to fric-tional forces. This region in which the velocity of the fluid differs from that in the main stream is called the boundary layer. An illustration of this is given in Fig. 2 where it is seen that the thickness of the boundary layer increases as we move along in the x direction. In the laminar region, when Re, < 10&apos; the thickness of the boundary layer is given by the following relationship: f =4.64 Re;1" [1] where 61 is the boundary layer thickness, x is the length along the leading edge, Us is the velocity of the free stream, (i is the viscosity of the fluid (gas in this instance).

Jan 1, 1970

By Frederick Apgar

(Butte Meeting, August, 1913.) THE valuable results that have followed the application in recent years of microscopic methods of research to problems of ore genesis have been significant, but possibly the recognition of their practical importance is not as general as might be, and while, as a scientific method of investigating ores and rocks, the advantage derived through the use of the microscope is unquestioned, its utility as an aid in solving shining problems arising during actual every-day mine examination and operation may not be fully appreciated. Perhaps the roost logical method of showing some of these practical applications of the microscope will be to consider first the prospect stage of a mining venture, then the uses to which the instrument may be put during the operation of a working and developed mine, and, finally, to discuss some of the problems of a metallurgical nature that ii-my arise during milling and smelting the ore. The valuation of mining property as a preliminary to acquiring ownership or determining the advisability of investing time and money in an enterprise is one of the most important and delicate problems that come before the mining engineer. The many and variable factors that have to be taken into account, as, for example, the geology of the district, availability of supplies, probable mining costs, transportation facilities, and the quality of ore, require a careful balancing of costs against recoverable values.

Jan 6, 1913

By Jean Howard

ALTHOUGH zone melting has found favor in recent years because of its convenience and its faster rate of production of single crystals, the older technique of strain annealing still has a number of advantages. It has been reported1 that the lattice of a crystal prepared in this manner has fewer defects than one grown from the melt and, of course, the control of the external geometry is easier. Also, the diameter of the crystal which can be grown by zone melting has a theoretical limit determined by the surface tension, thermal conductivity, and specific gravity of the material, while the size of that which can be grown in the solid state is limited only by practical considerations. In a program for the study of the structure-sensitive properties of niobium and its alloys it was desirable, for ease of handling, to have available single crystals of large diameter. This requirement dictated the choice of the strain-anneal technique. Induction heating was chosen in the present work in preference to other methods because of its deep penetration of large-diameter sections. A five-turn coil, powered by a motor generator operating at 10,000 cps, is contained in a vacuum chamber. The work is lowered through the coil for both the recrystallization and the crystal-growth steps. Starting with electron-beam melted material, the bars are cold-swaged, recrystallized, strained in a tensile machine, and then subjected to the growth step. Single crystals have been grown under the following conditions: Reduction in area during swaging— 79 to 99 pct, recrystallization temperature—1500o to 1667°C at the rate of 1.25 in. per hr, strain—1.0 to 2.5 pct, growth temperature—1600o to 2400°C at rates from 0.15 to 1.25 in. per hr. Starting grain sizes achieved after the recrystallization step varied from 0.6 to 1.55 mm. The starting grain size was found to be critical; if it is too fine and has any residual cold work, as shown by the presence of a fiberlike texture, a single crystal cannot be grown. Using this technique niobium single crystals have been grown from 0.250 in. diameter and 12 in. long to 1.00 in. diameter and 5 in. long as shown in Fig. 1. The 1-in. crystal is the largest to be reported for a refractory metal as compared to 0.500 in. for molybdenum grown by zone melting.2 As with zone melting, control of orientation is possible by the use of special procedures. Other investigators, see for example Williamson and Smallman,3 have reported that orientation control may be achieved by a bending technique. In the present work the strained rod is partially lowered through the coil to start the growth of the crystal. Then it is removed and bent at a point ahead of the interface between the single and polycrystalline portions. Finally, it is returned to the chamber and growth is continued "around the corner". The amount of bending which can be imparted to the rod is limited by coil geometry which up to now has been 10 deg. However, by repeating the bending and growing operations it should be possible to attain any desired orientation. The perfection of these single-crystal specimens as a function of process variables is being measured by X-ray and metallographic techniques and the results will be reported in a forthcoming paper. This work was partially supported by the Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Jan 1, 1964

The Institute conducts jointly with the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and American Institute of Electrical Engineers, certain activities as listed below, and is joint owner with them of certain properties. United Engineering Trustees, Inc.* When Mr. Carnegie made his gift which made possible a home for the engineering societies, a separate corporation was organized to act as a holding company and to manage the common property. This was long known as the United Engineering Society but the name has now been changed to one which more nearly reflects the real function of the corporation. It holds title to the Engineering societies Building and to various funds placed in its charge and is managed by a Board of Trustees of which three are chosen by each of the four societies, American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Institute of Electrical Engineers and American Society of Civil Engineers, which own equal and undivided interests in the property. The land and building cost two million dollars. The interest of each of the Founders societies, aside from especial trust funds, is now valued at $493,352. The A. I. M. E. trustees are Arthur S. Dwight, J. V. N. Dorr and H. A. Guess. George D. Barron will succeed Mr. Guess as trustee at the end of this year. The President of the Board is Francis Lee Stuart and the Secretary, Alfred D. Flinn. The Engineering Foundation The Engnieering Foundation was established in 1814 as a result of a gift of $200,000 made by Ambrose Swasey. It is intended not only "for the Furtherance of research" along broad lines but also "for the advancement of" a wide variety of other activities of benefit to engineering as need arises. The endowment fund, which now amounts to $630,000, is administered by the United Engineering Trustees, Inc. Through The Engineering Foundation board, on which the Institute is now represented by J. V. N. Dorr, John M. Callow and Galen H. Clevenger, the income of the endowment, approximately $28,000 a year, and funds contributed for special projects are appropriated for the purposes intended. H. C. Bellinger will succeed Mr. Callow on the board at the end of this year. Alfred D. Flinn is Secretary- and Director. Researches of wide interest in many lines have been aided by Engineering Foundation. . A grant from it to the Mining Methods Committee assisted in the preparation of Volume 72 of the Transactions. For several years the Foundation has aided in support of the study of Blast-furnacc Slags by R. 8. McCaffery at the University of Wisconsin, sponsored by the Institute. The Foundation has raised over $230,000 to support the Alloys of Iron Research endorsed by the Institute and George B. Water-house is serving as Chairman and Director of the Iron Alloys Committee which has been brought together to direct this work. The Foundation has also on recommendation of the Institute made a grant in aid of the studies of Mining and Strata being conducted at Columbia University by P. B. Bucky, which promise information of great usefulness relative to mine subsidence and support of ground. John Fritz Medal Board of Award The medal was established in 1902 and lias since, been awarded not oftener than annually by a hoard of sixteen members, four representatives each from the American Societies of Civil, Mining and Metallurgical, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineers.

Jan 1, 1930

By R. L. Wilcox, M. L. Fuller

Owing to the nature of the die-casting process, fresllly cast alloys are undoubtedly not at equilibrium from the standpoint of alloy phase relationships. After casting, therefore, they tend to undergo phase changes, with the ultimate effeet of reaching a state of equilibrium at the aging temperature, beyond which no fnrther change takes place. This phase alteration undoubtedly is one of the primary causes of the changes in dimensions and physical properties that zinc-alloy die castings undergo during aging. It is planned to report on this problem in a series of papers of which this is the first. The writers have made a study of commercial zinc die-casting alloys over a period of several years, utilizing the X-ray diffraction technic of determining the phase composition changes in the alloys. Up to the present, two principal phase changes have been observed which are capable of causing dimensional changes: (I) the segregation of secondary constituents from the zinc-base solid solution and (2) the beta aluminum-zinc decomposition. The latter is the subject of the present paper and studies on the former will be reported upon at a future time. Scope of Study In the present investigation a special technic for the study of the beta phase in zinc-alloy die castings has been developed, making possible the determination of the period of existence of the beta phase after casting. The pure beta constituent and its decomposition have been studied in detail. The effect of magnesium and copper on the velocity of the decomposition is reported. The heat of decomposition, the eutectoid temperature arid the accompanying density change have been measured. The density change lias been calculated from data on crystal structure and the result thus obtained has been compared with the actual change.

Jan 1, 1935

By R. L. Wilcox, M. L. Fuller

Owing to the nature of the die-casting process, fresllly cast alloys are undoubtedly not at equilibrium from the standpoint of alloy phase relationships. After casting, therefore, they tend to undergo phase changes, with the ultimate effeet of reaching a state of equilibrium at the aging temperature, beyond which no fnrther change takes place. This phase alteration undoubtedly is one of the primary causes of the changes in dimensions and physical properties that zinc-alloy die castings undergo during aging. It is planned to report on this problem in a series of papers of which this is the first. The writers have made a study of commercial zinc die-casting alloys over a period of several years, utilizing the X-ray diffraction technic of determining the phase composition changes in the alloys. Up to the present, two principal phase changes have been observed which are capable of causing dimensional changes: (I) the segregation of secondary constituents from the zinc-base solid solution and (2) the beta aluminum-zinc decomposition. The latter is the subject of the present paper and studies on the former will be reported upon at a future time. Scope of Study In the present investigation a special technic for the study of the beta phase in zinc-alloy die castings has been developed, making possible the determination of the period of existence of the beta phase after casting. The pure beta constituent and its decomposition have been studied in detail. The effect of magnesium and copper on the velocity of the decomposition is reported. The heat of decomposition, the eutectoid temperature arid the accompanying density change have been measured. The density change lias been calculated from data on crystal structure and the result thus obtained has been compared with the actual change.

Jan 1, 1935

By B. W. Frazier

This interesting application of the laws of thermodynamics to metallurgical practice has not been discussed by any writer, within my reading, except the late Prof. Callon of Paris. In his Cours de Machines," Prof. Callon has given a short but lucid discussion of this subject in the admirably clear style for which he was remarkable. Although the interest attached. to the subject is rather theoretical than practical, I have thought that an attempt to explain the mechanical action exerted in the hot-blast oven might not be entirely devoid of utility, especially in the suggestions which it involves. The statement, that the mechanical work performed in heating the blast is, when high temperatures are produced, considerably greater than the work performed by the blowing-engine, may seem incredible to many who are practically acquainted with the subject, appearing, as it does, to conflict with the results of their experience. It is, nevertheless, literally true, and I shall attempt in this paper to prove it, and to explain why it has not rendered itself palpably manifest in practice. Before proceeding to the mathematical demonstration, it will be well to recall to mind the definitions of some terms employed by writers in mechanics and thermodynamics. The actual energy of a moving body, as defined by Rankine, is the work which it is capable of performing against a retarding resistance before being brought to rest, and is equal to the energy which must be exerted on the body to bring it from a state of rest to its actual velocity. The value of that quantity is the product of the weight of the body into the height from which it must fall to acquire its actual velocity.

Jan 1, 1879