Search Documents

By John J. Cioston

THE steadily rising flood of gold production from all parts of the world has created an avalanche of rumors regarding the stability of the present price of this metal. Markets have been unsettled from Johannesburg to London from New York and Toronto to Melbourne, despite repeated denials from, American and British authorities of any immediate intention to alter the price. Various economists and financial writers have blossomed forth with predictions that the price would be set at the old level of $20.67 per oz.; some have even been so brash as to state That a price of $15 would be necessary to bring production within control. These effusions, based entirely upon monetary theories and with no regard to production costs, serve to confuse rather than clarify the situation.

Jan 1, 1937

By Mark R. Lamb

THE treatment of slime is of special interest to those engaged in cyaniding gold- and silver-ores. The usual practice is to make as small a percentage of slime as possible. In many instances the slime is given no treatment, but is impounded in dams in the hope that the future will develop some method of economically treating this product. The filter-press was the first step upward from ordinary decantation, but, on account of heavy labor-charge and high cost, its use has been limited to high-grade material. The slime at the Combination mill at Goldfield averages perhaps $20 per ton, and although the values are quickly dissolved the filter-press installation was not entirely satisfactory, resulting in the erection of the canvas-cell filter, developed by Chas. Butters and his staff. This filter is a great improvement over the filter-press, and the following description of it will be of interest to those engaged in treating slime produced in crushing ores, especially in view of the fact that, by the use of this filter, slime can be treated at a lesser cost and with a higher percentage of gold- or silver-extraction than in the ordinary treatment of sand; and, moreover, the initial outlay for an all-sliming plant is less than that for the ordinary sand- and slime-plant. The economy of construction of the Butters filter-plant is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which illustrate the 20-frame filter of 40 tons capacity, now being installed by the Nevada Goldfield Reduction Co. In this construction the slime-pump is so connected that it can pump to or from either tank or the filter by changing the valve-settings-a combination which is necessary in this particular installation, since sufficient fall is not available for filling and discharging the filter by gravity. Ordinarily, a slime-plant comprises: a filter-box with frames

Jan 1, 1907

By Dudley L. Davis, E. C. Peterson

Introduction The Darwin District is 30 miles east of Olancha which is 220 miles north from Los z4ngeles via U. S. Highway No. 6. The ore deposits occur in the Darwin hills that have been elevated above the Darwin plateau by typical basin and range-type faults. Some of these faults have been active quite recently as shown by the displacemerit of Quaternary (?) basalt flows and the rejuvenation of erosion in Darwin wash. The ore bodies occur as fissure fillings and replacement of favorable beddings in a thick series of Paleozoic limestones, dolomites, shales and quartzites. Rich oxidized lead-silver ores were dis'Overed in the early seventies. BY 1875, Darwin had a population Of about 5000, and by 1880 several small mills and smelters had been built. Early exhaustion of surface ores, the isolated location of the district, and fluctuation Of metal prices caused intermittent operations until World War 11. The district production is estimated at about $3,000,000 prior to 1900 and perhaps $4,000,000 between 1900 and 1945 when Anaconda purchased the major producing mines. 'or the Past two Years, daily production has averaged 75 tons of direct shipping and 150 tons of milling-grade ore. At present, 300 tons of mixed oxide and sulphide ore are treated by flotation, the oxidized lead minerals being activated by addition of sodium sulphide after galena and sphalerite have been recovered from the circuit. Extraction averages 85 pct of the lead, 80 pct of the silver, and about 33 Pct Of the zinc in a bulk concentrate. The mill is designed so that minor changes permit selective flotation of pyritic lead-zinc ores encountered at depth. General Geology The oldest rocks in the Darwin hills are a series of Paleozoic limestones, dolomites, shales and quartzites probably pennsyl-vanian in age. These rocks have been intruded on the Rest by the Coso granite batholith and on the east by a granodiorite stock. Numerous sills and dikes grading from orthoclase granite to gabbro are exposed in the underground workings. The sedimentary rocks have been considerably folded and faulted, the most prominent structure being a northwest pitching anticlinal fold, the crest of which lies just west of the ridge line of the Darwin hills, The east limb of this fold has been intruded by the granodiorite stock and east of the stock the sediments show several closely spaced anticlines and synclines. The minor flexures on the west flank of the major fold are structurally important in localizing the ore in the Defiance and Essex mines of the Darwin group. There are three principal systems of faulting and fissuring, most of which are post-intrusive and premineral in age, with minor amounts of postmineral movement. The Darwin tear fault is the largest, most persistent fault in the district. It strikes N 60 to 75°W, dips steeply south and is traceable for about 10 miles. It is a normal

Jan 1, 1949

By John A. Church

Jan 1, 1903

By James V. Thompson

SINCE it was introduced in 1943 to recover chromite from Oregon beach sands, the Humphreys spiral concentrator has proved successful in several fields of wet mineral beneficiation. By the end of 1957, 9390 Humphreys spirals had been manufactured. Most of these are still in service. The spiral does not offer a panacea for all mineral dressing problems. Its proper application can best be determined by test work. Spirals present a unique advantage for the metallurgist to make tests in a full-size machine rather than a miniature model, without the risk involved in scaling up results. With only 10 to 40 lb of sample, the operator of a closed circuit test unit employing a full-size Humphreys spiral can conduct preliminary tests with full-scale loadings of 0.5 to 2.5 tph. With larger samples, from 300 to 500 lb, he can run longer multi-stage tests to obtain reliable data for the next step-pilot plant design. The manufacturer of the Humphreys spiral concentrator maintains a fully equipped ore dressing laboratory and by insisting on test work prior to sales has largely prevented misapplication of the spiral.

Jan 1, 1958

By Ross Blake

THE St. Joseph Lead Co. became interested in the Tri-State district in 1921 through acquisition of prospecting and development rights on approximately 20,000 acres of land extending northeastward from the Picher mining field, mostly in Kansas. Prospecting with churn drills was begun the same year and the first commercial ore body was found on the Jarrett tract at the then northern limit of the main Picher field. Operations at this mine began in 1923. Kansas Explorations, Inc., was organized in 1923 by the St. Joseph Lead Co. as a wholly-owned subsidiary to carry on its operations in the Tri-State District from an office at Joplin, Mo. As prospecting of the original acreage proved largely negative, attention was subsequently turned to other sections of the district. Numerous additional leases were acquired and prospected. The Company was successful in developing into operating properties the Jarrett, Isherwood, Robinson, Sullivan and Lotson tracts and, in more recent years, the Ritz, Snapp, Buckingham, Gibson and Jasper mines.

Jan 1, 1947

By T. E. Evans, C. T. Baroch

ZrB2 was produced in batches of 4 to 6 Ib by interaction of ZrO2, B4C, B203, and carbon at around 2000°C in a simple graphite resistance furnace. Techniques of production are discussed and the final design of a suitable furnace is described in detail. Several other borides were made by the same technique and the process appears to have possibilities for commercial production. N seeking out new hard and refractory com- pounds, many researchers have turned to the investigation of the borides and excellent papers have been published on the properties of these compounds. Few papers, however, have appeared on the techniques and problems concerned with the production of these high temperature substances. This report describes progress made in developing a method for preparing zirconium diboride, ZrB2, on a pilot plant scale. The literature of the borides and other refractory hard metals recently has been reviewed, annotated, and classified so completely' that it is needless to attempt such an outline here. It is enough to say that three borides of zirconium have been reported: ZrB, ZrB2, and ZrB12.2 ZrB2 is the most stable of these and is especially stable in the presence of carbon up to and including its melting point of around 3000°C. Like most borides, it can be prepared in several ways. It can be prepared by synthesis of the elements, but these are expensive and difficult to produce in a high state of purity. Obviously, production directly from the oxides would have decided economic advantages. In electrolytic production such as that of calcium boride,:' the product is recovered as a sludge mixed with electrolyte; and separation of product from adhering electrolyte and regeneration of the electrolyte is an involved and difficult process. The work on borides was started on a small scale in 1948. Late in 1949, Naval Ordnance expressed a specific interest in ZrB2 and the project then centered on this compound. After the usual experimental work necessary in a new field, ZrB2 of good quality was produced by heating mixtures of B4C, ZrO2, B2O3, and carbon to a temperature of about 2000 °C in a resistance-type electric furnace. Over 100 lb was made for experimental use tests, and the method of production probably could be expanded into a commercial operation. A similar process has been described by Kieffer and coworkers.' The main chemical problems were the development of proper charges to insure complete reduction of the elements, determination of the proper temperature range at which these reductions took place, and adoption of techniques necessary to pre- vent inclusion of such impurities as carbon and nitrides. The mechanical problems consisted of developing a simple practical furnace that would attain the high temperatures required and permit use of a controlled atmosphere when necessary and determining of suitable refractories. Both problems were solved by designing a crucible resistance furnace. Crucible Resistance Electric Furnace Attempts were first made to produce ZrB2 in an electric arc furnace, but such a furnace would not provide the degree of carbon control required for producing clean graphite-free borides, so it was decided to try working in a crucible. Obviously, the furnace would have to be constructed of graphite, as the temperatures required are too high for other refractories or heating elements. Crucibles were made by hollowing out segments of graphite electrodes, which were fitted with a cover and clamped between two electrodes so that the current passing through the thin wall of the crucible would generate heat, using the principle of the Helberger crucible furnace."? Preliminary tests with this type of furnace were encouraging and led to the furnace design shown in Fig. 1. The essential components were a thin-walled graphite crucible resting on a graphite block, which formed the lower electrode assembly, and a top electrode assembly swung from a pipe column making contact with the top of the crucible. The space around the crucible was filled with graphite prepared from waste electrodes crushed to about ¼ in. This packing had excellent insulating properties, both electrically and thermally, and could be removed easily and quickly from around the crucible by means of an industrial vacuum cleaner. The largest resistor crucibles were machined from 8 in. electrode stock and were 26 in. long, with a side wall Yi in. thick and a 1 in. bottom. Temperatures were determined optically by sighting down a 1 in. hole drilled longitudinally through the top electrode and the crucible cover. Sealing this hole at the top was a water-cooled brass sight-glass assembly, shown in Fig. 2. An opening was provided for a light flow of helium to keep the sight opening clear of smoke, and a glass prism above the sight glass changed the line of sight to the horizontal for easier reading. More recently, the prism and optical pyrometer were replaced by a photoelectric recording pyrometer. At first the charges were placed directly in the resistor crucible but this meant that everything had to be withdrawn from the furnace every time the charge was emptied. Later, smaller crucibles were made up that could be placed inside the resistor

Jan 1, 1956

By C. A. Meissner

THE following is a further discussion of the paper of James Gayley, " The Application of Dry-Air Blast to the Manufacture of Iron " (Trans., xxxv., 746), with special reference to his sup-plementary paper (Bi-Monthly Bulletin, No. 4, July, 1905, pp. 797 to 819), and. to the paper of J. E. Johnson, Jr., "Notes on the Physical Action of the Blast Furnace " (Bi-Monthly Bulletin, No. 5, September, 1905, pp. 1111 to 1146). Mr. Gayley's paper has been discussed also by E. Windsor Richards, R. W. Raymond, E. H. Saniter, W. J. Foster, H. M. Howe, V. Pendred, B. H. Thwaite, James Gayley and Alexander Pourcel (Trans., xxxv., pp. 1022 to 1042), Joseph W. Richards (Bi-Monthly Bulletin, No. 4, July, 1905, pp. 703 to 718); T. W. Robinson (Bi-Monthly Bulletin, No. 4, July, 1905, pp. 788 to 796) ; C. B. Dudley, R. W. Raymond, J. E. Johnson, Jr., W. F. Mattes, James Gayley, David Baker, John Birkinbine and F. E. Bachman (Bi-Monthly Bulletin, No. 5, September, 1905, pp. 1147 to 1152);.E. de Mille Campbell (Bi-Monthly Bulletin., No. 1, January, 1906, pp. 25 to 50) ; John Birkinbine (Bi-Monthly Bulletin, No. 1, January, 1906, pp. 137, 138). At the Washington meeting of the Institute, May, 1905, a very instructive and interesting paper was presented by Mr. J. E. Johnson, Jr., entitled " Notes on the Physical Action of the Blast Furnace,"' in which reference is made to Mr. Gayley's dry-blast process. A few of Mr. Johnson's conclusions, as summarized in the last pages of his paper, do not appear to me to be in complete accordance with the results obtained at the Isabella furnaces; and I therefore present the following notes which may throw further light on this subject: Mr. Gayley has called attention to the fact that the moisture in the air is an extremely variable and uncertain factor; and

May 1, 1906

By C. D. King

A QUARTER century ago this country was producing an extraordinary quantity of iron and steel, with a decisive influence on the outcome of the first World War. Today this country is again demonstrating its industrial capacity with telling results. If this lapse of time has confirmed the opinion that man learns little from experience with respect to human relationships, at least we can derive some consolation from the knowledge that in the same period we have made huge strides industrially, and particularly in the steel industry. The differences represented by 25 years are striking, and have resulted from a multitude of changes that have contributed to the present-day high state of our pig iron and steel manufacture.

Jan 1, 1944

By Michael Perch

The fact that coal is a complex organic material and heterogeneous in composition has made its study extremely difficult, particularly in regard to obtaining a fundamental concept of the processes involved in the formation of coke. It has been stated recently that coals are natural polymers and that in a complex reaction such as occurs during carbonization the differences between coals are quantitative and not qualitative. Such being the case, it would be expected, therefore, that a series of coals subjected to exactly the same conditions of coking would produce results that should be related quantitatively to the chemical analyses of the individual coals. In the past, however, this fact was not generally recognized and consequently many empirical test methods were devised for testing coals. The interpretation of the results obtained depended upon comparing a set of data with other data on coals of known characteristics. The testing procedure had to be con- ducted in precisely the same manner each time and not the least requirement in making the interpretation was experience. The test methods varied from those utilizing a gram of coal to the plant-scale tests in which one or more ovens were charged with the test coal. The aim had been principally to find some simple, inexpensive means by which the coke-making and other properties of coal could be predicted. It is not necessary to emphasize the importance of these endeavors, for anyone acquainted with the problems involved in the selection of coals for making coke is well aware of the time and expense involved in making a series of definitive tests.

Jan 1, 1949

By E. V. Murphree

CREATION of atomic energy, aside from its influence on war or peace, has posed these basic questions for the world: How soon can energy from atoms be harnessed to do man's daily work? How much of this power will there be, to what degree will it supplant present fuels, and what does it imply for the future of civilization? Answers to these questions may be found in part in analysis of just what atomic energy is and how far its development has come. The answers are encouraging. One of the first questions encountered in considering the application of atomic reactions is whether such reactions can be controlled. Fortunately, this has been adequately demonstrated by the operation of the Government plutonium plants at Hanford, Wash. Here nuclear reactions are carried out on a large scale involving liberation of about a billion B.t.u. per hour. This hourly heat liberation is equivalent to that obtained from about 7100 gallons of fuel oil. It has been possible to operate these plants day in and day out with the reaction controlled at the intensity desired. There should therefore be no question that, under proper conditions, reactions involving nuclear fission can be controlled.

Jan 1, 1946

[Separates of all the Technical Publications published in 1929 are available at lnstitute headquarters. All the papers are on file in public, university and technical libraries, and when so indicated in the list, may be found in the Transactions.] Metal Mining Technical Pdbli- Title Author Meeting Trans. cation . Volume No. and Page* 182-A-23 The Royal Commission on Mining Henry Louis New York Subsidence Feb., 1929 183-A-24 Cycles in Metal Production D. F. Hewett Nen. York T29, 65, 95 Feb., 1929 199-A-25 Ventilation at the United Verde Oscar A. Glaeser New York T29,- 114. Mine Feb., 1929 206-A-26 Air Conditioning In Deep Mines R. W. Waterfill New York T29. 99, 112 Feb., 1929 245-A-27 Bumps in No. 2 Mine, Springhill, Walter Herd New York Nova Scotia (with discussion) Feb., 1929 257-A-28 Misfires: Their Causes, Prevention New York and Treatment on Occurrence Feb., 1929 Misfires in Anthracite Coa1 T. D. Thomas Mines (With Discussion) Misfires in Bituminous Coal W. H. Forbes Mines (With Discussion) Misfires in Non-metallic Mining A. W. Worthington (Limestone) (With Discussion) Milling and Concentration 195-B-15 A Study of Differential Flotation C. R. Ince New York Feb., 1929 196-B-16 Elements of Operation of the Arthur F. Taggart New York Pneumatic Table H. L. Lechmereoertel Feb., 1929 202-B-18 Silver-bearing Minerals of Some A; W. Habn New York T29, 325 Ores from Tintic Mining District Feb., 1929 204-B-17 Experiments with Flotation Re- A. F. Taggart New York agents T. C. Taylor Feb., 1929 C. R. Ince 208-B-20 Cyanide Regeneration or Recov- C. W. Lawr Sun Francisco ety as Practiced by the Com- Oct., 1929 pania Beneficiadora de Pachuca, Mexico 214-B-19 Calculations in Ore Dressing W. Luyken New York E. Bierbraer Feb., 1929 217-B-21 Differential Grinding Applied to Leon M. Banks San Francisco Tailing Retreatment George A. Johnson Oct., 1929 224-B-22 Reducing and Oxidizing Agents Research Staff San Francisco and Lime Consumption in Flo- of United Verde Oct., 1929 tation Pulp Copper Co. 247-B-23 Copper Sulfate as Flotation Acti- 0. C. Ralaton San Francisco vator for Sphalerite 0. R. King Oct., 1929 F. X. Tartaron

Jan 1, 1929

By K. A. Grange, W. S. Holt, E. T. Tkac

Quantitative knowledge of the time clement involved in austenite transformation in a particular steel provides a sound basis for understanding and planning heat-treatment. Such knowledge is conveniently obtained by measurement of austenite transformation as it occurs at each of a series of temperature levels. The results of these measurements usually are summarized in the form of the now familiar isothermal transformation diagram (I-T diagram, TTT diagram, or S-curve). Although a considerable number of such diagrams already have appeared in the literature, there remain many compositions of commercial importance for which no I-T diagram is available. The diagram for many such steels may be predicted from published data with sufficient accuracy for most practical purposes, but for others no satisfactory prediction can be made because the effect on austenite transformation of one or more of the important alloying elements present is not well enough known. Such a steel is Nitralloy, Type 13s-Modified, which, containing about 1.25 per cent aluminum, differs from any whose I-T diagram has been published. This paper presents results of a study of the isothermal transformation behavior of a sample from a commercial heat of this aluminum-chromium-molybdenum steel, together with pertinent supplementary data including the equilibrium transformation temperatures (Aeaand Ae,), the temperature range of martensite formation, and the end-quench harden-ability. These data are directly applicable to the hcat-treatment of this type of steel and are of interest in revealing some of the fundamental effects of aluminum as an alloying element in steel. Material All specimens were prepared from a 1 1/4 i-in. diam bar forged from a 5 by 5-in. billet from a commercial heat made in an electric arc furnace. The composition of the bar was; C, 0.41 per cent: AIn, 0.57: P, 0.016: S, 0.005: Si, 0.24: Ni, 0.17: Cr, I.j7: Mo, 0.36: All 1.26. The forged bar was normalized from r750°F (95s°C) and then tempered for one hour at rzoo°F (650°C), this tempering treatment having been given to facilitate the machining of specimens. Equilibrium Transformation Temperatures In hypoeutectoid steel the minimum temperature at which austenite is completely stable, Aep, and the maximum temperature at which austenite is completely unstable, Ael, are of great significance in heat-treatment. Since these temperatures are dependent upon com-

Jan 1, 1948

By W. S. Holt, E. T. Tkac, R. A. Grange

QUANTITATIVE knowledge of the time element involved in austenite transformation in a particular steel provides a sound basis for understanding and planning heat-treatment. Such knowledge is conveniently obtained by measurement of austenite transformation as it occurs at each of a series of temperature levels. The results of these measurements usually are summarized in the form of the now familiar isothermal transformation diagram (I-T diagram, TTT diagram, or S-curve). Although a considerable number of such diagrams already have appeared in the literature, there remain many compositions of commercial importance for which no I-T diagram is available. The diagram for many such steels may be predicted from published data with sufficient accuracy for most practical purposes, but for others no satisfactory prediction can be made because the effect on austenite transformation of one or more of the important alloying elements present is not well enough known. Such a steel is Nitralloy, Type 135-Modified, which, containing about 1.25 per cent aluminum, differs from any whose I-T diagram has been published. This paper presents results of a study of the isothermal transformation behavior of a sample from a commercial heat of this aluminum-chromium-molybdenum steel, together with pertinent supplementary data including the equilibrium transformation temperatures (Ae3 and Ae1), the temperature range of martensite formation, and the end-quench hardenability. These data are directly applicable to the heat-treatment of this type of steel and are of interest in revealing some of the fundamental effects of aluminum as an alloying element in steel. MATERIAL All specimens were prepared from a 13-in. diam bar forged from a 5 by 5-in. billet from a commercial heat made in an electric arc furnace. The composition of the bar was; C, 0.41 per cent: Mn, 0.57: P, 0.016: S, 0.005: Si, 0.24: Ni, 0.17: Cr, i.57: MO, 0.36: Al, 1.26. The forged bar was normalized from 1750°F (955°C) and then tempered for one hour at 1200°F (650°C), this tempering treatment having been given to facilitate the machining of specimens. EQUILIBRIUM TRANSFORMATION TEMPERATURES In hypoeutectoid steel the minimum temperature at which austenite is completely stable, Ae3, and the maximum temperature at which austenite is completely unstable, Ae1, are of great significance in heat-treatment. Since these temperatures are dependent upon com-

Jan 1, 1946

By W. S. Holt, K. A. Grange, E. T. Tkac

Quantitative knowledge of the time clement involved in austenite transformation in a particular steel provides a sound basis for understanding and planning heat-treatment. Such knowledge is conveniently obtained by measurement of austenite transformation as it occurs at each of a series of temperature levels. The results of these measurements usually are summarized in the form of the now familiar isothermal transformation diagram (I-T diagram, TTT diagram, or S-curve). Although a considerable number of such diagrams already have appeared in the literature, there remain many compositions of commercial importance for which no I-T diagram is available. The diagram for many such steels may be predicted from published data with sufficient accuracy for most practical purposes, but for others no satisfactory prediction can be made because the effect on austenite transformation of one or more of the important alloying elements present is not well enough known. Such a steel is Nitralloy, Type 13s-Modified, which, containing about 1.25 per cent aluminum, differs from any whose I-T diagram has been published. This paper presents results of a study of the isothermal transformation behavior of a sample from a commercial heat of this aluminum-chromium-molybdenum steel, together with pertinent supplementary data including the equilibrium transformation temperatures (Aeaand Ae,), the temperature range of martensite formation, and the end-quench harden-ability. These data are directly applicable to the hcat-treatment of this type of steel and are of interest in revealing some of the fundamental effects of aluminum as an alloying element in steel. Material All specimens were prepared from a 1 1/4 i-in. diam bar forged from a 5 by 5-in. billet from a commercial heat made in an electric arc furnace. The composition of the bar was; C, 0.41 per cent: AIn, 0.57: P, 0.016: S, 0.005: Si, 0.24: Ni, 0.17: Cr, I.j7: Mo, 0.36: All 1.26. The forged bar was normalized from r750°F (95s°C) and then tempered for one hour at rzoo°F (650°C), this tempering treatment having been given to facilitate the machining of specimens. Equilibrium Transformation Temperatures In hypoeutectoid steel the minimum temperature at which austenite is completely stable, Aep, and the maximum temperature at which austenite is completely unstable, Ael, are of great significance in heat-treatment. Since these temperatures are dependent upon com-

Jan 1, 1948

By S. Weinig, E. S. Machlin

IN a previous study of the grain boundary stress relaxation phenomenon,' the authors had arrived at the conclusion that two successive steps were involved in the complete relaxation of stress at a grain boundary. These two steps were grain boundary migration and grain boundary slip. It was further suggested that the slower of these two processes is rate controlling. In an attempt to ascertain the validity of the above, a study of grain growth kinetics on the same alloys used for the previous study was undertaken. Separate wire specimens, 0.030 in. diam, in the same as-deformed state (99 pct reduction in area) as in the previous investigation were heated to the various temperatures for a sequence of times. The compositions used and the temperatures of testing are summarized in Table I. A statistical determination of grain size was then made on each specimen, using the average length of traverse between boundaries as a measure of the grain size. Examples of typical results obtained are shown in Figs. '1 and 2. The grain growth law D = ktn was found to fit most of the data. Using this relation, values of the grain growth exponent n were calculated and the inter -esting dependence of n on solute content shown in Figs. 3 and 4 was then obtained. Also, it was found that the constant K which was obtained from extrapolation is roughly independent of solute content. (K is uncertain to within ±25 pct.) An estimate of the activation energy for grain growth was made using the technique of Burke? This method utilizes the plot of the reciprocal of time necessary for the grain size to increase from a definite starting size Do, to a final size D, for each isothermal heat treatment. The slope of this curve corresponds to the heat of activation for the process. In Fig. 5 the rate of grain growth is plotted against the reciprocal of absolute temperature. The activation energies were obtained from these curves and are summarized in Fig. 6. Discussion It is interesting to note that the same saturation in the variability with concentration has been found for the grain growth exponent n in this research as was found in the previous researches on both grain boundary stress relaxationa and internal friction of dislocation origin." The significant feature is that saturation in the variation of these properties has been found to occur at about the same level of solute concentration, namely, between 0.1 and 0.5 atomic pct. The only characteristic common to these different quantities is that solute adsorption at grain boundaries and dislocation can take place and affect these values in a similar fashion. Thus, it is concluded that the grain growth exponent n depends upon solute adsorption at the grain boundaries. It appears, therefore, that theoretical considerations leading to the contrary conclusions5,6 have not treated the real process by which solute atoms exert their effect on grain growth. Prior to the analysis of the observed activation energies, certain of the aspects of the aforementioned grain boundary stress relaxation investigation will be briefly reviewed. It was found that with the addition of solute atoms the grain boundary stress relaxation peak (internal friction vs temperature) decreased in intensity. Simultaneously a second peak was observed which increased with increasing solute atoms. Both of these peaks were shown to be the result of grain boundary stress relaxation. They have been termed, respectively, poire peak and solute peak. It was suggested that the solute peak was dependent upon grain boundary migration, whereas the pure peak was a manifestation of grain boundry slip. Activation energies for both peaks were obtained as a function of Solute content. The value of the activation energy in the temperature range corresponding to the solute peak was

Jan 1, 1958

By John B. Knaebel, Robert J. Grant

This paper outlines the trends in gold production since the discovery of America, in the world as a whole, and in the principal producing regions as well. World production climbed at an average rate of about 20,000,000 oz. per 5-year period until the record all-time output of 111,307,000 oz. in the period ending with 1915. Production fell off during the war period, but has been mounting since 1925, and will probably be nearly 100,000,000 oz. for the 5-year period ending in 1930. Total world production of gold from 1492 to the end of 1930, as closely as can be determined, is more than 1,061,000,000 fine ounces. More than one-half of this total, or about 575,000,000 oz., has been mined since 1900. In percentage of world production, the United States jumped from 4.8 per cent for the decade 1831-1840 to 44.5 per cent for the five years ending with 1855. This is the highest figure ever reached by this country, although, with the exception of the 10-year period ending 1865, it ranked first among the nationa from 1849 until the end of 1905. During the 5-year period ending with that year, the United States produced 24.7 per cent of the world's gold. The tremendous increase from South Africa following 1890 resulted in that country's becoming the largest contributor for the five years 1906-1910, a position it has held with increasing dominance ever since. Relegated to second place in the period 1906 to 1910, the United States produced nearly 20 per cent of the world's new gold until 1920. From 1921 to 1925 it averaged 13.6 per cent and since then it has continued to decline in relative importance, accounting for only 10.9 per cent in 1927. Final figures for 1930 may place Canada second among the gold producers of the world.

Jan 1, 1931

By James C. Ray

DURING the summer of 1931, I spent four months in a study of the Willow Creek district, Alaska. This work was part of a general investigation of the territory contiguous to the route of the Government- owned Alaska Railroad. It was conducted by the U. S. Geological Survey to determine the real and potential merits of the mineral deposits, to stimulate development of them, and thus to increase the traffic on the Alaska Railroad.

Jan 1, 1932

By J. T. Ryan

POISONOUS, irritating, or explosive gases are found in almost every industry, and manufacturers of gas masks are called upon to provide gas mask protection for a great variety of conditions, such as operators in horseradish factories, fumigators of homes and ocean liners, and men engaged in the manufacture of tetra-ethyl-lead, the new motor fuel. The modern type of gas mask and respirator, to provide protection against all such industrial gases, is an outgrowth of the gas mask developed during the World War to protect the soldiers against the poisonous war gases. So far, it has been possible to develop ample mask protection from all known noxious gases and fumes present in atmospheres encountered in mines, metallurgical works, and chemical and other industries, so long as there is sufficient oxygen present to support the flame of an oil lamp. The most important development of the gas mask was in providing protection against carbon monoxide- which is the noxious gas that mining men are most concerned with and, in fact, is the noxious gas that man is most frequently exposed to. This paper will be con- fined largely to the discussion of masks for underground use in metal mines. Gases that contaminate the normal air in mines can be divided into two classes: those that are given off normally by the workings, and those that are produced in mine operation.

Jan 1, 1926