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By John Rogers

The goal of a detailed quantitative understanding of the variables insulfide flotation in terms of established, or new, scientific principles is still distant, although there has been a good beginning in the past 50 years with more rapid progress since 1930. Advances have paralleled closely those in other branches of surface chemistry and the development of a series of experimental techniques such as contact angle, surface area measurement, radioactive tracers, infrared spectra, electron diffraction, monolayer, and electro- chemical methods of investigation. The second editions of books by Sutherland and Warkl ( 1955) and Gaudin2 ( 19571, are detailed accounts of this progress. The complexity of sulfide mineral flotation systems is indicated by Sutherland and Warkl who list 32 variables of flotation, of which only 22 can usually be controlled by the metallurgist. A consequence of this multiplicity of variables, many of which may be specific to each particular ore, is that ways of floating sulfide minerals from new ores are still developed empirically. How- ever, this review will try to show how the chemistry of the function of frothers, collectors, depressants, and activators in sulfide flotation is being steadily unravelled. Chiefly, it will be concerned with the interaction of pure soluble compounds with individual sulfide minerals, the surfaces of which are often not stoichiometric for several reasons discussed by Plaksin.3 As a result, for example, a freshly cleaved galena surface has cathodic and anodic areas which have different degrees of oxidation and different reactivity to- wards collectors like xanthate. Such complicating considerations should be remembered in the subsequent discussion of pure minerals. THE NEED FOR FLOTATION REAGENTS After considerable controversy it has been established with a few exceptions that unoxidized, uncontaminated sulfides will not float. Moreover all flotation plants recovering sulfide minerals use collectors which are removed from the circuit with the sulfides. Gaudin, Miaw, and Spedden4 have discussed the relation between the crystal structure of solids and the native floatability of the exceptions mentioned above. A second question which has been much explored is the nature of the surface on which a collector like xanthate is adsorbed or reacts. Is this the un- changed surface of the sulfide mineral, or does the adsorption depend on the initial oxidation of the sulfide surface ? Sutherland and Warkl and Gaudin2 discuss the work of Taggart5 and others on this question without reaching any other conclusion than that oxygen was important.

Jan 1, 1962

By Herbert H. Uhlig

A STUDY of passivity in chromium-iron alloys holds considerable interest, both because of the present-day practical importance of the stainless steels, and because of the scientific importance attached to the mechanism of their corrosion resistance. Upon the discovery of the passive chromium-iron alloys in 1912, it seemed logical to attribute the observed phenomenal corrosion resistance to a thin, continuous, protective reaction product on the surface. The product was thought to be Cr2O3 or a similar oxide containing both chromium and iron. This mechanism seemed likely in view of Michael Faraday's conjecture that passive iron is not reactive in concentrated nitric acid because of an oxide on the metal surface.† Since 1912, data have accumulated that permit a further exploration into the nature of passivity and provide a new approach to the problem. A summary of the facts lends considerable weight to a mechanism based not on physical protection of an oxide or similar compound, although such compounds may be present on the surface, but to a change in tendency of surface metal atoms to react chemically. This change in reaction tendency is ascribed to chemisorbed films that effectively satisfy residual valence forces of the metal surface, but do not appreciably disturb the positions of metal atoms in the lattice. In other words, formation of a new lattice such as that of an oxide is not a necessary condition for this type of passivity. The decreased reaction tendency of the metal by reason of chemisorbed films can thereby account for low reaction rates of the stainless steels in many media, as well as a noble galvanic potential as is observed. Substances capable of adsorbing on the stainless steels, and hence accompanying the property of passivity, are typically oxygen, nitrites or chromates, but are not in any sense limited to these. Other elements and compounds can also chemisorb, and therefore may also play a major part in the mechanism of passivity in specific media. The mechanism of passivity based on chemisorption or activated adsorption begins with the interpretation Langmuir proposed for his experiments concerning adsorbed oxygen on tungsten.1 He found that adsorbed oxygen was tightly bound, remaining on the tungsten surface above temperatures at which WO3 rapidly volatilizes. The oxygen in such a state did not readily react with hydrogen even at

Jan 1, 1947

By B. B. Zavoico

The oil industry in the Soviet Union closed the 1929-1930 operating year fulfilling its assigned program. During this period of time, however, no basic improvements were noted within the industry. A careful study of the conditions indicates that disorganization in most branches increased continually; that supply and transportation problems are approaching a state of breakdown; that labor problems become increasingly difficult and that the estimates for 1931-1933 period are too large. The production of all Russian fields increased by 27,200,000 bbl., as compared with the 1928-1929 operating year, while the next year's program anticipates a further increase of 46,000,000 bbl., and the 1933 plans call for an amazing total of 330,000,000 bbl., or over 150 per cent, more than the production of the operating year that has just closed. Table 1 shows petroleum production in Russia by individual areas and fields from 1916, and furnishes estimates for the three coming years, which constitute the balance of the Five-year plan. A brief analysis of Table 1 will show that the Soviet Planning Commission anticipates that the fully developed fields of the Apsheron-Baku will double their production by 1933, .as compared with 1929-1930, and that the old Grozny fields, which are already showing a tendency to decline, will increase their output from 44,110,000 bbl. in 1929-1930 to 68,000,000 bbl. in 1933. Furthermore, in 1933 new fields are slated to produce not less than 100,000,000 bbl., a figure which even under most favorable conditions in Russia would be hard to achieve. Of course, Russia could develop such production, because the country is not lacking in the prospective reserves, but the transportation in the country today (as in the past.) is in such poor shape that neither the supply of a gigantic oil industry nor the movement of its products is within the realm of possibility. Table 1 shows the future estimated crude oil production as required by the Five-year plan, and also as reasonably estimated by the author, taking into account natural declines in old fields, slow development of new areas and the deficiency of the transport. While in the 1929-1930 operating year only two major fields underproduced (Surakany and Maikop) and the plan was fulfilled to the extent of 97.4 per cent., the production of the last three months of 1930 ("Shock Quarter") indicated

Jan 1, 1931

By H. W. Graham

The young metallurgist of today who thinks casually of the technical literature of the steel industry might conclude that little has been published concerning the Bessemer process. This conclusion is true as relating to the last decade or two, but there is a fairly voluminous Bessemer literature in the period of 1860 to 1910. Since that time, however, an entirely new level of metallurgical knowledge of steelmaking has been reached; and the present paper is simply an effort to look broadly from this new level and to bring the recorded history of the process up to date. It is an effort to appraise the acid Bessemer method of steelmaking in the light of today's technical knowledge thereof. In this paper matters of history will be dealt with only insofar as they contribute to an understanding of today's situation. Attention will be directed to the apparent causes of past developments in seeking to perceive the true direction of trends now in existence and effective as bearing upon future developments. The paper will discuss the economics of the Bessemer process, but only to the extent that will bear upon the metallurgist's understanding of his responsibility. The problem of the quality of Bessemer steel will be reviewed and examples will be given of the technical data upon which the reasoning of the paper is based. Matters of engineering design, mechanical maintenance, operation and metallurgical investigation will be surveyed. Comparisons will be made between the Bessemer and open-hearth processes for the sake of clear and ready understanding. Production First of all it is considered logical and informative to show how much Bessemer steel has been and is being produced, and the relation of that production to the tonllage made by the open-hearth process. Table 1 shows the tonnages made by the two processes in representative years. It is to be noted that these figures are in net tons of 2000, lb., whereas previous to 1940 the Institute figures were compiled in gross tons. id open-hearth production and steel going into castings are included, since separated data are not available for the early years of the period covered. The ratio shown in Table I is merely the Bessemer tonnage for a given year divided by the open-hearth tonnage of the same

Jan 1, 1941

By H. W. Graham

The young metallurgist of today who thinks casually of the technical literature of the steel industry might conclude that little has been published concerning the Bessemer process. This conclusion is true as relating to the last decade or two, but there is a fairly voluminous Bessemer literature in the period of 1860 to 1910. Since that time, however, an entirely new level of metallurgical knowledge of steelmaking has been reached; and the present paper is simply an effort to look broadly from this new level and to bring the recorded history of the process up to date. It is an effort to appraise the acid Bessemer method of steelmaking in the light of today's technical knowledge thereof. In this paper matters of history will be dealt with only insofar as they contribute to an understanding of today's situation. Attention will be directed to the apparent causes of past developments in seeking to perceive the true direction of trends now in existence and effective as bearing upon future developments. The paper will discuss the economics of the Bessemer process, but only to the extent that will bear upon the metallurgist's understanding of his responsibility. The problem of the quality of Bessemer steel will be reviewed and examples will be given of the technical data upon which the reasoning of the paper is based. Matters of engineering design, mechanical maintenance, operation and metallurgical investigation will be surveyed. Comparisons will be made between the Bessemer and open-hearth processes for the sake of clear and ready understanding. Production First of all it is considered logical and informative to show how much Bessemer steel has been and is being produced, and the relation of that production to the tonllage made by the open-hearth process. Table 1 shows the tonnages made by the two processes in representative years. It is to be noted that these figures are in net tons of 2000, lb., whereas previous to 1940 the Institute figures were compiled in gross tons. id open-hearth production and steel going into castings are included, since separated data are not available for the early years of the period covered. The ratio shown in Table I is merely the Bessemer tonnage for a given year divided by the open-hearth tonnage of the same

Jan 1, 1941

By J. E. Tobey

UNQUESTIONABLY, manufactured gas will stage a comeback of such huge proportions as to dwarf its previous history. Timing will depend on two things: the diminishing supply of natural gas and the perfecting of processes for large-scale production of high-Btu gas from, coal. What the timing will be, and how soon the new era will begin for manufactured gas, no one knows. It may be just around the corner and it may be several years, but it is certain to come. It will depend on economic changes, and any major world upheaval might accelerate it tremendously. Supplemental gas for pipelines will come no doubt from two sources at least: (1) synthetic-fuel plants of the coal-chemical group, which produce chemicals and liquid fuels with a tail gas high in methane as a by-product; and (2) large-scale gasification plants, which will produce high-Btu gas entirely or as a major product with chemicals and liquid fuels as by-products. There is important activity at the present time, in the development of new processes and the improvement of those now in existence. The first large-scale gasification plants of the second category probably will be strategically located in the coal fields on or near the long-distance transmission gas lines, and these plants probably will operate jointly with large natural gas storage fields. Inasmuch as virtually all the major gas-transmission lines cross one or more coal fields, such locations will not be difficult to find. It will be a practical necessity to produce a high-Btu gas -that is, 750 to 1000 Btu-in order to maintain the capacity of the main transmission lines and local city distribution systems and further to eliminate the problem of appliance changeovers in the cities. If gasification plants on a medium or smaller scale prove to be economical, local gas utilities no doubt will consider .the construction of such plants to supplement their supply of natural gas. If low-temperature distillation processes like those now being developed by the Pittsburgh Consolidation Coal Co. are successful, and there is reason to believe that they will be, utilities that supply both gas and electricity to communities would find this method particularly attractive, as they could burn the char product directly under power boilers, thereby minimizing thermal

Jan 1, 1953

By Marcel R. Daly

EUGENE COSTS, Calgary, Alberta (communication to the Secretary*).¬This new theory to account for the accumulation of commercial deposits of oil and gas, is deliberately and admittedly based on the hypothesis that the origin of these products is organic. Mr. Daly says (page 1142), "Should the organic origin of the petroleum that is found in pools be granted, the following interpretation is offered for the mechanics of its accumulation." But suppose the origin thus accepted by definition be incorrect, then what becomes of the diastrophic theory, Mr. Daly's interpretation? As Mr. Daly remarks himself (same page), "It is obvious that the history of petroleum will have to be entirely different, dependent upon its origin, either from emanations coming from the depths, or from organic decomposition in the strata themselves." Then why should one propound a theory, through which he is endeavoring to trace the history of petroleum, by starting with a definition of its origin? The origin should be the deduction, the forced conclusion of the theory, and not its starting point. Facts alone should be considered first, in any theory worth the name, until sufficient proofs have accumulated to permit of the deduction of a complete explanation for these facts. This would lead one to the origin through a real theory founded on facts, and not based on a preconceived idea perhaps true, but possibly fanciful. Mr. Daly's way can only lead on one road, namely the organic road, and, I repeat, it may be the wrong road. In the case of the petroleum deposits, as .I have endeavored to show in several papers on the subject, to which the reader may refer, the facts clearly lead to the force conclusion that their origin is not one of accumulations of hydrocarbons at first disseminated in the sedimentary strata but the reverse process of subsequent local infiltrations and impregnations of hydrocarbon emanations from the depths. This new theory, therefore, founded on, an erroneous conception of origin cannot be a help in the solution of the petroleum' problem, not any more than were the anti-theory or the hydraulic theory, both of which were also based on the same error, although Mr. Daly is inclined to think that the authors of these two theories did not accept the misconception boldly enough (page 1142). -

Jan 12, 1916

THE great subject of interest in American affairs during February was the consideration of the proposed soldier bonus. This proposal was based upon the idea that, because most of the workers of the United States had enjoyed high wages during war, the soldiers were entitled to "adjusted compensa-tion" in order to equalize things. It overlooked the fact that the soldiers, themselves, had the opportunity to enjoy high wages in 1919 and 1920, when rates were highest. Apart from this, the whole project was founded on fallacies and involved what would be nothing less than economic crime. Although it looked as if the measure were destined to be railroaded through Congress, so great a storm of protest was pelted upon Congress that the present outlook is that the whole project will be abandoned. There was probably some increase in the physical volume of business during February. A rise in prices for agricultural products assisted the farmers mate-rially. These developments, however, are not to be construed as presaging any general upward movement. On the contrary, the current year is to be contem-plated as one of serious labor troubles, following inevit-able reductions of wages. These began in February in the form of an extensive strike in the cotton textile industry of New England, accompanied by some rioting in Rhode Island. The coal miners have had numerous conferences, without coming to any encouraging results, and the stage appears to be fully set for a general strike beginning Apr. 1. About the only question now is whether this will comprise both the bituminous and anthracite miners. If the latter refuse to go out, no serious shortage of coal is anticipated, the belief being that the existing stocks together with the output of the non-union mines will supply the demand, which is sub-normal even now. In the metal industries, lead and zinc were dull but stable. The weakening tendency in iron and steel that was manifest during January appeared to be checked, at least temporarily. Copper was charac-terized by a distinct weakness and a considerable decline in the market. This downward movement was inspired by the news during January that several of the important mining companies were taking steps to resume production. During February the demand for copper, both foreign and domestic, was poor.

Jan 3, 1922

By Shueling Woo, Charles S. Barrett, Robert F. Mehl

When one solid phase is generated from another, fixed and rational orientation relationships are observed to subsist between the parent and the new crystal. The principle has been proposed1 that the relationships obtaining between the same two phases are identical whatever the type of phase change involved, or whichever of the phases may act as parent. Many types of phase changes have been studied: allotropic transformations in pure metals, precipitation from solid solutions, eutectoid decompositions, peritectic reactions, the formation of oxide layers, and others2 Phase layers generated by diffusion of one metal into another constitute an additional type of reaction. This report provides new data on the orientation relationships occurring between phase layers formed by diffusion, in the Cu-Zn system,§ and furnishes further evidence in support of the principle. Materials and Methods The Cu-Zn system is especially suitable for these studies since the high vapor pres- sure of Zn provides an opportunity readily to create one phase poorer in Zn upon a parent phase richer in Zn by removing Zn by vaporization, or to reverse this process by adding Zn from Zn vapor; e.g., the beta phase can be found as a layer upon gamma by dezincing, or gamma can be found on beta by addition of Zn from Zn vapor. Since orientation relationships are to be sought, requiring crystals large enough for orientation determinations, it is convenient to prepare single crystals or large grains of the parent phase. The samples were prepared from oxygen-free high-conductivity copper and Horse Head zinc by melting under a borax flux in a graphite crucible. Large crystals of beta brass were grown by the strain-anneal method, in plates sectioned from the cast ingots, by the following procedure. Rockwell-hardness indents were made at I cm. intervals and with various loads, then the plates were annealed for 4 days at 700°C. in Nichrome boxes packed with beta-brass chips and graphite. Surface layers were removed by grinding and etching to a depth of about 1.0 mm., and individual grains were cut out. Crystals of alpha and gamma brass were prepared by freezing, by lowering a graphite crucible at speeds less than one inch per hour through a furnace held at a constant temperature above the melting point. Single crystals were cut out with a jeweler's saw, ground, polished and etched. Care was taken to remove cold-worked layers from the finished crystals

Jan 1, 1944

By Charles S. Barrett, Robert F. Mehl, Shueling Woo

When one solid phase is generated from another, fixed and rational orientation relationships are observed to subsist between the parent and the new crystal. The principle has been proposed1 that the relationships obtaining between the same two phases are identical whatever the type of phase change involved, or whichever of the phases may act as parent. Many types of phase changes have been studied: allotropic transformations in pure metals, precipitation from solid solutions, eutectoid decompositions, peritectic reactions, the formation of oxide layers, and others2 Phase layers generated by diffusion of one metal into another constitute an additional type of reaction. This report provides new data on the orientation relationships occurring between phase layers formed by diffusion, in the Cu-Zn system,§ and furnishes further evidence in support of the principle. Materials and Methods The Cu-Zn system is especially suitable for these studies since the high vapor pres- sure of Zn provides an opportunity readily to create one phase poorer in Zn upon a parent phase richer in Zn by removing Zn by vaporization, or to reverse this process by adding Zn from Zn vapor; e.g., the beta phase can be found as a layer upon gamma by dezincing, or gamma can be found on beta by addition of Zn from Zn vapor. Since orientation relationships are to be sought, requiring crystals large enough for orientation determinations, it is convenient to prepare single crystals or large grains of the parent phase. The samples were prepared from oxygen-free high-conductivity copper and Horse Head zinc by melting under a borax flux in a graphite crucible. Large crystals of beta brass were grown by the strain-anneal method, in plates sectioned from the cast ingots, by the following procedure. Rockwell-hardness indents were made at I cm. intervals and with various loads, then the plates were annealed for 4 days at 700°C. in Nichrome boxes packed with beta-brass chips and graphite. Surface layers were removed by grinding and etching to a depth of about 1.0 mm., and individual grains were cut out. Crystals of alpha and gamma brass were prepared by freezing, by lowering a graphite crucible at speeds less than one inch per hour through a furnace held at a constant temperature above the melting point. Single crystals were cut out with a jeweler's saw, ground, polished and etched. Care was taken to remove cold-worked layers from the finished crystals

Jan 1, 1944

By R. H. Ogburn

THE GROUND now being worked by the Fairbanks Exploration Co., near Fairbanks, Alaska, has been known to be gold bearing since 1901. In the early days it was worked by drift mining and other small-scale methods. In 1922, Hammond started prospecting the gold-bearing ground and obtaining options on the properties desired. Two years later the present Fairbanks Exploration Co. started taking up the options, and preparing to exploit the ground. For the prospect drilling Keystone drills were used, with holes at the points of equilateral triangles 600 ft. apart. Holes were also put down more closely spaced to determine the limits of dredging ground. In the first drilling casing was used to the bottom of the holes, but in later work the casing was put down only to the bottom of the thawed ground, and the rest of the hole put down without casing. The gold content was determined by panning, each 2 ft. of depth being determined separately. Where no casing was used the size of the hole was determined by using water to measure its volume. The greatest concentration of gold occurs at or near bedrock. All the gold-bearing streams head in one big dome. Gold, however, is not found clear to the head of the creeks, the pay being first found some distance downstream from the head.

Jan 1, 1933

By Butler, P. B.

TRIPOLI is a rather unusual form of silica, which thus far has been found in commercially valuable quantities only in the neighborhood of Seneca, Mo., although there are numerous deposits of somewhat similar materials in several southern states. The latter have not, however, attained any position of real importance, due undoubtedly to definite structural limitations which have rendered them less suitable for the particular uses that have given tripoli its principal outlets. Raymond B. Ladoo, mineral technologist, says': "Since that time (1880-90) the term tripoli has with increasing definiteness been reserved for the Seneca material, and other siliceous materials of similar origin and physical properties."

Jan 1, 1928

Jan 1, 1907

By T. S. Lundy, R. E. Pawel

Effects of short-circuiting paths on observed diffusion behavior in real crystalline systems are considered. It is concluded that experimentally measured diffusion coefficients may vary widely from values associated with true lattice diffusion to those appropriate for short-circuiting paths alone depending upon the conditions of the experiment and the sensitivity and completeness of the data. IN 1961 Harrison1 classified experimentally observed diffusion behavior in systems involving both lattice and dislocation-enhanced atomic transport into three categories. His types A and C were limiting cases where the measured diffusion coefficients using the usual serial sectioning techniques were representative of lattice diffusion (with only slight effects of dislocations) and dislocation-network diffusion (with only slight effects from lattice diffusion), respectively. In both cases A and C for a sectioning experiment in which the diffusion couple has the semi-infinite geometry and unidirectional diffusion takes place from a plane source located at the origin of the coordinate system, he pointed out that Gaussian penetration behavior should be observed. For case A the lattice coefficient should be slightly enhanced by dislocation contributions, and the model of Hart2 can be used to predict the amount of this enhancement. For case C the observed coefficient should be that for the dislocation network and have little or nothing to do with lattice diffusion. Hart's model in its general form is still applicable, but the apparent diffusion coefficient for this case is virtually independent of dislocation density. Harrison's case B is that for which non-negligible contributions exist for transport by both mechanisms and "the concentration distribution does not approximate to any simple form." With the possible exception of very low temperatures where diffusion distances approach atomic dimensions, any real diffusion specimen will in general show non-Gaussian behavior provided the data are complete enough to uncover it. Thus, a "complete" set of data for any real system cannot be expected to be totally amenable to treatment by a simple mathematical model which does not take into account the relative distribution of transport by the various modes or submodes. For a particular sensitivity of specimen analysis and at a given temperature of annealing if the concentration profile could be observed as a function of time, "the behavior will initially be type C, and will develop into type B. and ultimately type A".1 Thus, it appears that the type of diffusion behavior which is experimentally observed in a given system depends very much upon the particular experimental conditions and the particular tools available to obtain the data. Interpreted in this fashion, Harrison's classification refers not to the diffusion behavior as a whole but to the relative sensitivity of the method of examination and completeness of the data. In the present paper we will: 1) assume that the measured penetration behavior follows the same general classification as that proposed by Harrison; 2) give, for diffusion in tungsten, examples of the range of diffusion coefficients that it is possible to obtain in a single experiment; and 3) speculate that some arguments which consider the possibility of short-circuiting effects being responsible for "anomalous" diffusion in several bcc metals may have been discarded prematurely.3 Both monocrystalline and polycrystalline tungsten were used in this work. The former was obtained as triple-pass, electron-beam zone-refined 6.0-mm-diam rod from Materials Research Corp.. Orange-burg. N.Y. The latter was swaged, high-purity bar stock which was annealed for 2 hr at 2200°C and 10-9 torr to yield an average grain diameter of about 25 /i. The tracer Nb95 was received in oxalate solution from the Isotopes Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Experimental procedures of specimen preparation, isothermal diffusion annealing, serial sectioning by anodizing-and-stripping, and y counting of the individual sections to determine the tracer penetration profile after a given diffusion anneal have been described elsewhere.4 However, it should be noted that the anodizing-stripping sectioning technique has the particular advantage for this research of permitting sectioning to be accomplished over a wide range of

Jan 1, 1970

By George S. Rice

ARIAL maps of prospective mineral-bearing territory have become almost indispensable in all the branches of exploration, and have proved particularly useful in the great oil area of the Southwest. About nine years ago aerial photographic mapping in this area was begun. The early product was lacking in scale accuracy and other control features, which limited its effective use. Since then, the evolution of the technique of such mapping has been steady, with several mapping companies collaborating with five of the leading oil companies, and aerial maps have been prepared covering practically the entire area.Improvements in cameras, film, and developing equipment and practice have resulted in more uniform and clearer photographs, but the outstanding development has been the accuracy obtained with respect to scale and all other control features. Maps are no

Jan 1, 1936

By MORTON WEBB

Discussion of the paper of Max Boehmer, presented at the Pittsburg meeting, March, 1910, and printed in Bulletin. No. 38, February, 1910, pp. 119 to 122. W. MORTON WEBB, Germiston, Transvaal, South Africa (communication to the Secretary*):-The experience of Mr. Boehmer in the Leadville district and his reputation as an engineer assure the interest of anything he may write on the ore-bodies of that district; and all engineers who have operated in Leadville will agree that the theory of the origin of the Leadville deposits, as given by Mr. Emmons in his famous monograph, does not adequately explain the genesis of all the deposits. The solution of the problem does not, however, appear to be quite so simple as Mr. Boehmer would make it; and the advance pamphlet issued by the U. S. Geological Survey, pending the completion of the main report, shows that there is still much ground for controversy. No doubt the later eruptives had a greater influence on the deposition of the ore-bodies than was thought at the time of the first investigation by the Survey; but it has always appeared to me that the influence exerted by these dikes was more in the nature of a physical than a chemical one. The weight of evidence in recent years is mostly in the direction of ascension rather than lateral secretion; and one of the strongest evidences is the fact that most of the ore-bodies lie under one of the comparatively impervious layers which help to make up the structure of these hills. On Iron hill I have found a very persistent white porphyry sheet, split off from the overlying porphyry and lying from 30 to 60 ft. below the main white porphyry and blue limestone contact. This sheet varies from a few to 50 ft. in thickness, and where found adds another "contact" to that region ; some of the largest ore-bodies on Iron hill lie immediately under this sheet. Above this is the main white porphyry and * Received Mar. 3, 1910.

Feb 1, 1911

By J. R. Coulter, F. O. Case, H. G. Satterthwaite, B. Harden

During the two years that the Henderson plant has been in operation, a number of technical improvements have been made by the staff of Basic Magnesium, Inc., the effects of which were realized subsequent to the writing of the paper by Major C. J. P. Ball (p. 28j, this volume). Pellet Mix The process as originally installed required the use of peat moss in the mixture going to the chlorinators. This had to be imported from Canada at a considerable cost, and, besides being expensive, constituted a serious fire hazard in the dry climate of Nevada. Experimentation looking toward its elimination had been going on for some time and was actively pushed as soon as operations commenced. It was found that a pellet mix containing no peat, which would chlorinate at a satisfactory rate, could be cast as a fluid slurry, which would set up into a hard mass having the desired porosity. For carrying out this operation, equipment similar to that used in the manufacture of phosphate fertilizer at Anaconda, Mont., was installed and proved eminently successful. The dry materials, with peat moss and raw concentrates entirely eliminated, are mixed with magnesium chloride solution in two Pratt phosphate mixers and the resultant slurry is poured onto two 48-in. slowly moving rubber conveyor belts. By the time the slurry has reached the head pulley, the material has set su4iciently to be broken and sized as desired. The discharge from the casting belts is fed to the four rotary kilns in the preparation plant, where it is dried and coked to the proper degree for subsequent chlorination. With the peatless feed the capacity of the kilns was found to be about double what it had been before, so that the four rotaries suffice for a 10-unit operation, thus making it unnecessary to operate the extruders and tunnel kilns. In addition to saving the cost of the peat, the new system can be operated with about 85 per cent less labor than was formerly required in the preparation plant. The new pellet production system has also made it feasible to install centralized crushing equipment with suitable conveyors and a loading station. Containers of 8000 lb. capacity were substituted for small cubicles of 1000 lb. capacity which formerly were used for charging the chlorinators, and trailer trucks were substituted for the small trains originally provided for transportation from the preparation plant to the chlorinators. These changes resulted in a considerable saving in handling and transportation charges. Handling Molten Metal The molten magnesium originally was ladled from the electrolytic cells into small gas-fired brick-lined cars standing between the cell rows. From these cars the metal nes ium. into ''cheeses'' weighing from 150 to 300 lb. After solidification the

Jan 1, 1944

By Francis M. Walters

IN spite of the war and the preoccupation of many physical metallurgists with work on secret or confidential problems, definite progress was made during 1944 in our understanding of the behavior of steel and of the effect of alloying elements. During the first two years of the war there was much concern over the possible unavailability of certain alloying elements; this period saw the development of the N.E. (National Emergency) steels. However, the measures taken eased the alloy situation and currently, highly practical problems under study are the graphitization of low-carbon steel and weld-cracking, while investigations of more theoretical interest have concerned hardenability, isothermal reactions, the effect of hydrogen and the interpretation of the notched-bar impact test.

Jan 1, 1945

By C. McDermid

At the request of Mr. C. McDermid, Secretary of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, Salisbury House, London, E. C., England, the following reports of standardization committees are here republished. Mr. McDermid invites members of-the American Institute of Mining Engineers to write him and express their opinion of the various proposals made by the committees. COPY OF THE REPORT OF THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES STANDARDIZATION COMMITTEE OF THE INSTITUTION OF MINING AND METALLURGY, as adopted by the Central Standardization Committee; Dec. 20, 1906, and submitted to the Council, Jan. 16, 1907.

Mar 1, 1907

By Helmut Thielsch

MeTallographic specimens whose surfaces are to be investigated are too thick to allow either light or electrons to pass through them for microexamination by transmission. This difficulty is overcome with optical microscopes by illuminating the surface through the objective lens. For electron microscopes best results are obtained by preparing thin replicas of the surface of the specimen, placing them in the microscope and passing the electron beam through them. Since electron microscopes represent a rather recent invention, they have found little application as compared with optical microscopes. This is true because, aside from the cost of new equipment and development of new techniques, some of the older replica methods necessitated the destruction of the surface from which a thin transparent replica was obtained. In other processes in which the surface is preserved, either too tedious a procedure is required, unsuited to "mass-production" requirements of industrial laboratories, or replicas of insufficient contrast and sharpness are produced. In general, investigations with the electron microscope involve five steps: (I) polishing the surface of the metal specimen, (2) proper etching of the surface, (3) preparing the suitable replica from the surface, (4) examination and phorography in electron microscope and (5) interpretation. Preparation of Metal Surfaces Usual metallographic polishing is generclly satisfactory. It is important though that the final polish be applied very carefully, since otherwise evidence of a small amount of deformation might show up even on relatively deeply etched surfaces. A high-power microscope should be used to determine the suitability of the polish and etch. This, of course, is not different from optical examinations, but in these, if a deep etch is used, the problem is less serious. It is frequently difficult to detect with optical microscopes poor polishing aside fiom superficial scratches before etching. Figs. I and 2 show micrographs of "well" and "poorly" polished nickel etched by immersing the sample for 20 min. in a solution containing 8 grams cupric sulphate in 40 C.C. of concentrated HCl and 40 C.C. of Hz0 (Marble's reagent). The sample shown in Fig. I was polished in its final stages for 5 min. on a carborundum wheel followed by ro min. on a rouge wheel, whereas the sample shown in Fig. 2 was polished only I min. on the rouge wheel. Generally, this procedure does not guarantee that the surface of the specimen will be either undistorted or deformed. It was applied here merely to show the effects Of good and poor polishing. To the experienced investigator, plastic deformation is

Jan 1, 1946