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By O. J. C. Runnals

The intermetallic compounds NpAl2, NpAl3, and NpAl have been prepared, and examined by X-ray diffraction methods. The compounds are isostructural with the corresponding U-Al compounds. NpAl3 is face-centered cubic with a = 7.785A and has the MgCu2 structure. NpAl is simple cubic with a = 4.2624 and has the AuCU3 structure. NpAl4 is body-centered orthorhombic with a = 4.428, b = 6.268, and c = 13.71A. The published description for the atomic positions in UAl, applies also to NpAl4 THE U-Al system has been examined by Gordon and Kaufmann.1 They identified the following intermetallic compounds: UAI2, UAl3, and a third, tentatively identified as UAl5. A structure analysis of the latter compound by Borie2 proved that the formula UAl4 was more consistent with the X-ray data. The crystal structures of UAl2 and UA have been reported by Rundle and Wilson.3 UAl2 was found to be isostructural with MgCu. The atomic positions in the simple cubic UA1, cell were found similar to those in the AuCu3 structure. Three analogous compounds exist in the binary system Np-Al. X-ray data for the compounds NpAl2, NpAl3, and NpAl4 are reported below. The neptunium used in the investigation was supplied through the courtesy of the Argonne National Laboratory as neptunium (V) nitrate. It was stated to have a radioactive content of 99.25 pct Np237. The impurity limits had been established by a spectrographic analysis given in Table I. Any titanium, boron, or bismuth impurity should be effectively removed during the fluorination of NpO2 to NpF4, and sodium, lithium, magnesium or strontium during the alloying procedure. The oxalate ignition technique, described by Westrum for the preparation of finely-divided reactive PuO2, was used.The neptunium (V) nitrate solution, containing 100 mg Np, was evaporated to dryness on oxalic acid crystals. The resulting oxalate was calcined to NpO, by heating in platinum at 650°C for 2 hr. An equimolar mixture of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and purified hydrogen was passed over the NpO2 for 2 hr at 500°C. According to Fried and Davidson" the above fluorination conditions should produce the purple-black fluoride, NpF3 However, the light-green product showed only NpF4 lines on an X-ray diffraction pattern and contained only an estimated 5 pct of finely dispersed black NpF3 particles on microscopic examination. NpAl3: An intimate mixture of 50 mg of neptunium fluoride and aluminum powder (99.99 pct pure, —28 to $60 mesh) was heated to 900°C in a BeO crucible in vacuum by a tungsten coil for 2 hr, to allow the following reaction to proceed: NPF4 + 7Al + NpAl, + 4AlF. [1] The formation and sublimation of aluminum mono-fluoride in this system was verified from an X-ray diffraction analysis of the sublimate. The diffraction pattern was similar to one obtained in the aluminum reduction of UF4 to UF3,6 showing both Al and AlF3 lines. The resulting alloy was sintered at 1100°C for 1 hr. A powdered specimen of the crystalline product was sealed in a thin-walled quartz capillary for X-ray examination. The photograph was taken on a 14.32 cm General Electric powder diffraction camera, using filtered copper radiation. The films were calibrated in terms of a NaCl standard pattern. The wavelengths used in the calculations were 1.5418A for Cu K and 1.5405A for Cu K The powder diffraction pattern showed that NpAl is simple cubic with a = 4.262 % 0.005A, and is isostructural with UA13 where a = 4.27A1 or a =

Jan 1, 1954

By A. K. Chakravarti, A. Lihiri, G. G. Sarkar

One primary objective of India's third Five Year Plan is the expansion of coal production. The goal: boost present output of 45 million tons to 95 million tons by 1965--an increase of more than 100 pct!

Jan 7, 1961

By J. S. Marsh

AN incomplete statistical analysis performed wearily on the morning after Thursday, Feb. 12, indicates that the unavoidable items of conversation among steelmen were the current shortage of sleeping time and the "Normandie." No analysis is needed, however, to be certain that many thousands of valuable words were uttered, both in and out of technical sessions, concerning matters of deep interest to members of the Iron and Steel Division. The opening session consisted mostly of papers that have appeared, or will appear shortly, in Metals Technology. One, however, that was not finished in time to be printed in any form, but that aroused great interest, was by E. L. Ramsey and L. G. Graper (Wisconsin Steel Works). Its subject was the production of high-sulphur steel by treatment with sulphur dioxide derived from anhydrous sodium sulphite or bisulphite added to the ladle or to the mold. The sulphide distribution in the finished steel is such that increased machinability and longer tool life result. Both items are of obvious importance in these days of mighty production.

Jan 1, 1942

By A. CHESTER BEATTY

SO much has been written about African, and particularly about Northern Rhodesian, copper during the past two years that I feel safe in assuming that you are familiar with the general background of the Rhodesian picture. Therefore, I will confine myself to certain of the high lights in connection with the history, geology, development, ore reserves, and contemplated mining methods in this relatively new and highly important copper field., Unlike most of the other great orebodies of the world, the Roan Antelope mine was not discovered by the hoof of a starving prospector's faithful burro; nor even, as its name might suggest, by a well-placed kick of protest from an antelope stumbling over a malachite outcrop. Late in 1905 an English prospector named Collier, traveling in the N'Dola district, came upon some natives using a green powder for medicinal purposes. Closer examination of the powder revealed that it ' was ground-up malachite. Collier endeavored to persuade the natives to tell him where they obtained this medicine, but' for a long time without success, because of the general feeling among the natives that they did not wish to reveal the resources of their land to the white. Finally however, - he persuaded- brie 'of-the elders to at" least take 'him part way toward, the- place where the malachite was supposed to occur. The bid took him, to a point on the lower regions of the Luanshya river and there left him with the instructions that if he followed the stream up toward its.

Jan 1, 1931

US 4,132,635 -In the froth flotation beneficiation of low- grade siliceous iron oxide ore, an aqueous pulp of undeslimed ore is conditioned first with a reagent formed by incorporating a water-soluble polyvalent metal salt into an aqueous solution of sodium silicate and then with oleic acid or other anionic collector and optionally pine 011 or other frother. The conditioned pulp is subjected to flotation to concentrate Iron oxide values in the froth D. C. Yang, assigned to Michigan Technological University Jan 2, 1979 7 pp (209-1 66) Filed 1-1 3-77 (759,094) Drawing below.) [ ] US 4,133,038-In the froth flotation beneficiation of copper sulfide ore or other ores, an aqueous suspension of a mineral sample of uniform grain size and composition is conditioned with a strongly adsorbable collector in an amount which is a fraction of the amount sufficient to create a monomolecular layer on the mineral grains, and the conditioning continued until the entire amount of collector is adsorbed The conditioned pulp is subjected to flotation, the floated particles separated at timed intervals, and the flotation rate coefficient determined. By varying the degree of adsorption in repeated treatments, the dependence of the flotation rate coefficient on the degree of adsorption may be determined A Nieml Jan 2, 1979 10 pp (364-502) Filed 12-7-77 (858,353) Priority Finland, 5-26-75 (75/1,525) Same: British 1,533,723, dated Nov 29, 1978 Same Canadian 1,065,066, dated Oct 23, 1979 US 4,133,746System and method for maintaining substantially steady state conditions in the froth flotation beneficiation of copper ore, molybdenum ore, or other metal ores The mass flow of flotation concentrate from the cell is monitored continuously, and the rate of admission of aeration air into the pulp in the cell is varied inversely with respect to variations in the mass flow control of rougher flotation cells is accomplished with a single valve G W Dopson, assigned to Magma Copper Co Jan 9, 1979 6 pp (209-1) Filed 11- 23-76 (744,306

Jan 1, 1980

IN accordance with a programme arranged by a committee of the Institute, consisting of Mr. William P. Shinn, of St. Louis, chairman, and Mr. Joseph D. Weeks, of Pittsburgh, secretary, the member's of the Institute, with their ladies and invited guests, assembled in Chicago on Sunday morning, August 22d. A special train, provided by the Chicago and Northwestern Railway,. left Chicago on Monday morning at 7.50 o'clock, and conveyed the party to Marquette, arriving at 9 o'clock P.M. Here the steamer Northern Queen, which had been chartered by the committee for the accommodation of the Institute, was in waiting, and the members and ladies at once took up their quarters on the boat. EXCURSIONS IN THE MARQUETTE IRON REGION. Local Committee. EXECUTIVE. -J. C. Morse, chairman; C. Y. Osburn, secretary ; D. F. Wadsworth, treasurer; C. H. Hall, H. Merry. RECEPTION.-S. P. Ely, J. P. Pendill, E. Breitung, W. F. Swift, A. P. Swineford, J. C. Fowle, C. G. Griffey. TRANSPORTATION.-Samuel Schoch, D. Morgan, D. H.. Merritt, J. Pickands. FINANCE.-Peter White, A. W. Maitland, W D. Rees, E. R. Hall. EXCURSIONS.-W. E. Dickinson, H. A. Burt, A.. Kidder, C. E. Wright. REFRESHMENTS.-J. Q. Adams, H. H. Stafford, Joseph Kirkpatrick, D. H. Bacon. On Tuesday the iron mines in the vicinity of Negaunee and Ishpeming were visited, transportation being provided by special trains on the Marquette, Houghton and Ontonagon Railroad. In the morning the McComber, South Jackson, and Jackson mines were inspected, and in the afternoon the Cleveland, New York, Lake Superior, and Barnum mines. Dinner was provided at Negaunee, and gracefully served by, the ladies of the town. In the evening the first session of the Institute was held in the saloon of the steamer. The President, William P. Shinn, of St. Louis, congratulated the Institute on the happy consummation of the wishes of its members to have a meeting on Lake Superior. After tedious and baffling negotiations arrangements had been com-

Jan 1, 1881

By George Newton

When Mr. Bailey asked us to present a paper describing our new BOF shop, he requested that we avoid a presentation heavily laden with detail and statistics. Not only have we attempted to do this, but also we have prepared a number of colour slides which, hopefully, will provide you with a graphic conception of the facility. The installation of the BOF facility at the Steel Co. of Canada's Hilton Works was delayed many years because of the remarkable production growth of the oxygen open hearth furnaces in No. 3 shop. However, in mid-1960 it became strongly evident that not only would increased ingot capacity be required, but also that N0.2 shop - with vintage non-oxygen open hearth furnaces - would have to clean its stacks in the near future, or be closed down. A decision to embark on the BOF facility was made in 1967 after an extended period of in-depth planning and assessment of industry trends.

Jan 1, 1972

By C. C. Hagenbuch

Machine loading of coal into mine cars is increasing rapidly. Particular reasons for its use frequently apply to certain localities, but in general, it is profitable to install mechanical coal-loading equipment: (I) when existing hand-loading contract rates prevent further cost reduction; (2) when the height of the coal bed requires that either top or bottom must be taken to place cars in rooms; (3) when labor shortage or limited house-plant capacity prevents the production of desired tonnage ; (4) when tonnage requirements are in excess of possible hand-loaded production from developed areas; (5) when working places are scattered and it is possible to concentrate production, and therefore supervision, by the installation of mechanical equipment; (6) when rapid development is essential. Having decided to install loading equipment, the problem then arises as to what type is best adapted for a particular mine or coal bed, the choice lying between mobile track equipment, pit-car loaders, scrapers, shaker conveyors, belt conveyors and drag conveyors. MajoR FactoRs Influencing Choice of Equipment In determining the type of equipment to be used, the following major factors must be studied: Grades.—Adverse grades, while permitting other types of loading equipment to work successfully, may prevent the success of a shaker conveyor installation. Thickness of Bed.—The thickness of coal governs the choice of equipment. A machine that requires 5 ft. of head room should not be selected for a 3-ft. bed where otherwise it would be unnecessary either to brush top or to lift bottom. Nature of Pavement.—Soft or scaly bottoms are unsuitable for the use of any type of digging loader, shaker conveyors or scraper loaders. nigging loaders and scraper loaders scale the bottom, mixing it with the coal and causing preparation difficulties; shaker-conveyor drives frequently work themselves loose, destroying the conveyor alignment and creating maintenance problems. Nature of Roof.—With any type of loading machine, it is policy to obtain the maximum possible tonnage per move per set-up. This must

Jan 1, 1931

By T. E. Eagan, W. R. McCrackin

IN dealing with segregation in babbitt, and its effect on the final cast structure, which is a bearing, it is obviously impossible to cover all of the compositions manufactured. Each composition, of course, will exhibit certain specific types of segregation. However, as examples,, two compositions of babbitt are presented: one a tin-base of well-known analysis and the other a lead-base, which in the past few years has found wide usage. Bearings usually are cast either statically or centrifugally; therefore the effect of these two methods on segregation is presented. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE A slab of babbitt 1/2 in. thick by 5 in. wide and 17 in. long was cast, using a book mold with the long edge vertical. An A.S.T.M. grade 2 babbitt was used (3.5 per cent copper, 7.5 per cent antimony, remainder tin), to which 0.10 per cent tellurium had been added. Unfortunately, no metal without tellurium was available. The mold to hold the babbitt was heated to approximately 300°F., the temperature being judged by the babbitter. The pouring temperature of the babbitt was 875°F. (470°C.). One slab was made by allowing the babbitt to cool without stirring. The other slab was stirred during the entire cooling cycle. This stirring consisted of a vigorous churning or puddling into the mold until complete solidification had taken place. Three samples were removed from these slabs. One was taken at the extreme bottom, another half way to the top, and another at the extreme top, all at the center of the width. Chemical, macroscopic and microscopic examination was made of all samples. Table I shows the chemical analyses obtained at the described positions [ ] in the slab. The analyses show no serious amount of gravity segregation. Microscopic examination from edge to edge of the slab showed little change in structure. From top to bottom there was a progressive coarsening of the grain size in the stirred slab but little change in the slab that was not stirred (Fig. I). No definite exhibit of segregation could be detected. In line with our experimental study on the tin-base babbitts, we cast an almost duplicate slab using A.S.T.M. Alloy No. 15, containing 0.9 to 1.25 per cent tin, 14.75 to 15.5. per cent antimony, 0.80 to 1.25 per cent arsenic and 0.4 per cent copper. The slab was 16 in. long and 3/8 in. thick, cast with the long side vertical. One slab was allowed to cool normally and the other was stirred continually during cooling. The pouring temperature of the babbitt was

Jan 1, 1944

By Ralph Sweetser

THE Round Table. on Qualities of Pig Iron, under the auspices of the Joint Committee on Qualities of Pig Iron, which is made up of members of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, the American Foundrymen's Association, the American Society for Testing Materials, the Gray Iron Institute, and the. Malleable Iron Institute, was held at the Palmer House, Chicago, Ill., on Oct. 1, 1935. PROCEEDINGS R. H. SWEETSER,* New York, N. Y.-Seven years ago last June we had a round table on qualities of pig iron1, and at that time the foundrymen were out with their battle-axes for the blast-furnace men, and the open-hearth men were doing the same thing. After that meeting there was really a determined effort to find out about the qualities of pig iron, and great progress has been made all along the line. This afternoon we want to have a frank discussion of the qualities of pig iron, whether it is the molten pig iron going into the steel plant, or cold pigs going to the different foundries. We ought to hear something from Dr. J. T. MacKenzie, who is chairman of the Joint Committee, and from Mr. R. E. Kennedy, the tech-nical secretary. J. T. MACKENZIE, t Birmingham, Ala.-As a result of that meeting in Chicago, there was considerable agitation in the Foundrymen's Association to develop a set of tests for pig iron. One of the difficulties was that nobody talked the same language on shrinkage, draws, live iron, dead iron, and so forth, which were the main com-plaints against pig iron. By request of a committee of the Foundrymen's Association, the Bureau of Standards ran a comprehensive set of tests that did develop the prin-ciples governing the optical pyrometer as applied to cast iron and pig iron. Then the Bureau went on further with the fluidity test, and developed a method for the absolute changes of volume at the freezing point.

Jan 1, 1936

By David B. Reger

New discoveries of gas in the southern counties featured the petroleum industry in West Virginia during 194;. Drilling for oil increased slightly over 1944 and a small increase of initial production resulted. Out of 28 wildcats drilled, there were 16 gas discoveries and 12 dry holes. No commercial oil was found in the 28 wells.

Jan 1, 1946

By William R. Rumbold

THE Kinta valley in the State of Perak, one of the largest of the Federated Malay States, is probably at the present time the richest alluvial tin-district in the world, Perak producing from 20,000 to 25,000 tons of tin annually, and the Kiuta valley being the chief producer. The valley runs approximately north and south, and is 30 miles long by 12 wide. It is very flat, the mountain-ranges on either side rising abruptly from the plain, that on the east being the great Central range of the peninsula, and that on the west a subsidiary range marked " Kledang " on the map, Fig. 1. The valley is drained by the Kinta river, which rises in the eastern mountain range and flows south to join the Perak river, being joined by numerous streams from both mountain-ranges. The rain-fall is heavy, averaging annually about 90 in. The whole country is covered with dense jungle, except where it has been cleared for mining-operations and a small amount of cultivation. Mining villages are scattered throughout the valley, the chief towns being Kampar, Batu Gajah, Lahat and Ipoh, the latter being the center of the mining-operations. An ideal section of the main geological features of the Kinta valley is given in Fig. 2. The valley is composed of a highly crystalline limestone, usually white in color, sometimes gray; in fact, it may be called marble. It is always highly inclined and often contorted, and in some places is interbedded with shale. On the east side of the valley, near its contact with the granite, it forms a remarkable series of limestone cliffs, which rise in some cases as high as 2,000 ft. above the level of the limestone in the valley. It is non-fossiliferous, and its geo-

Sep 1, 1906

By Orville R. Lyons

THE Russellton preparation plant of Republic Steel Corp., located north of Pittsburgh, Pa., prepares 3 1/2x0-in. Thick-Freeport coal by means of a 13-ft 6-in. diam Chance cone and 16 No. 7 Deister tables. The plant feed ranges between 370 and 410 tons per hr, of which approximately 31 pct is ¼x0-in. size, and the plant reject ranges between 14 and 16 pct of the feed. The 3½xY4-in. washed coal, the cone product, is dewatered and desanded by a double-deck Parrish-type shaking screen 46 ft long and 7 ft wide. The 1¼x¼-in. portion is further dewatered by two 4x12-ft single-deck vibrating screens. The ¼x0-in. washed coal from the tables is distributed to three 54x70 in. Bird centrifuges. The dewatered centrifuge product is combined with the product of the de-watering screens prior to loading into railroad cars. During the early part of 1951 complaints were received from officials at Republic's coke ovens concerning the moisture content of Russellton washed coal. The records revealed that during the first half of 1951 the shipped washed coal moisture averaged

Jan 1, 1954

By Oliver Bowles

EACH year the broad diversified field of industrial minerals offers a panorama of new and interesting developments that not only concern the welfare of the industries themselves but have a more or less direct influence on the lives of citizens at large. Thus, the home life of multirudes may be affected by new building units that transmit light through walls instead of windows, by illuminated processed marble lighting fixtures and decorations, by the vast impetus given to thermal insulation Ly .mineral wool, expanded vermiculite, and related products, and, more remotely, by fireproof rugs and drap-

Jan 1, 1937

Established as a Society February 26, 1957 OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES Wayne E Glenn, President Earl M Kipp, President-elect John S Bell, Past President R A Morse, Vice-President W D Owsley, Vice-President Everett G Trostel, Treasurer Joe B Alford, Executive Secretary 6300 North Central Expressway Dallas 6, Texas

Jan 1, 1960

[President MRS. REED W. HYDE 84 Mountain Ave. Summit, N. J. First Vice-President MRS. WILLIAM A. SCHEUCH 37 Trent St. Great Kills, S. I., N. Y. Second Vice-President MRS. RUSSELL B. PAUL 6 Brooklands Bronxville, N. Y. Third Vice-President MRS. JOHN C. BURTON 271 Fox Meadow Rd. Scarsdale, N. Y. Fourth Vice-President MRS. DANIEL C. JACKLING Redwood City R. F. D., Woodside, Calif.]

Jan 1, 1940

By S. W. Poole, J. A. Rosa

THE object of this investigation was to determine the distribution of chemical elements within a large, killed alloy-steel ingot, by sulphur printing and quantitative chemical analysis. With regard to segregation in steel ingots, the factors of melting practice, pouring temperatures, mold design, etc., and the mechanics of solidification and its attendant functions, have been the subject of intensive study over a period of years by many investigators. Notable among these is the Sub-Committee of the No. 5 Committee of the British Iron and Steel Institute. For an exposition 0f the many problems awaiting the researcher on the heterogeneity of steel ingots, the methods of attacking these problems, together with some of the answers, the reader is referred to the nine reports and numerous papers of that committee and its membership. STEELMAKING DATA Melt.-The heat was made in a 70-ton direct arc-type basic electric furnace. Furnace charge consisted of nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel, most of it in the form of heavy mill scrap. All of the scrap was charged cold. The standard double-slag method was employed, the heat being finished under a strong carbide slag. Aluminum was used as the deoxidizing agent. Tapping temperature, as observed with an optical pyrometer, was 3000°F. Detail of Mold and Ingot Size.-Details of the ingot mold and the ingot itself are given in Fig. I. Teeming.-Teeming temperature of the subject ingot as observed with an optical pyrometer was 2830°F. The ingot was top-poured directly through a 1 ½ in. nozzle and required 7 min., 44 sec. to fill up to the hot top. An additional 2 min., 30 sec. were required to fill the hot top. The ingot was stripped hot and charged with the remainder of the heat into an annealing furnace. There it was given the standard annealing cycle used for these ingots. Subsequent heat-treatments are described elsewhere in this paper. SECTIONING AND PREPARATION FOR SULPHUR PRINTING Because of previous favorable experience in sectioning ingots up to 21 ½ in. square with an oxyacetylene torch, it was decided to use this method to section the subject ingot. The ingot was preheated to 900°F. for 12 hr. It was then placed on a steel bed in a horizontal position so that the longitudinal axis was level and parallel to the track of the motor-driven torch carrier. Two cuts were made, one 2 in. above the longitudinal axis and the other 2 in. below. The time required to make each cut was approximately 75 min. The cutting operation is shown in Figs. z and 3. The 4-in. thick slab was mmediately charged into a furnace standing at 1200°F.

Jan 1, 1944

By S. W. Poole, J. A. Rosa

The object of this investigation was to determine the distribution of chemical elements within a large, killed alloy-steel ingot, by sulphur printing and quantitative chemical analysis. With regard to segregation in steel ingots, the factors of melting practice, pouring temperatures, mold design, etc., and the mechanics of solidification and its attendant functions, have been the subject of intensive study over a period of years by many investigators. Notable among these is the Sub-committee of the No. 5 Committee of the British Iron and Steel Institute. For an exposition of the many problems awaiting the researcher on the heterogeneity of steel ingots, the methods of attacking these problems, together with some of the answers, the reader is referred to the nine reports and numerous papers of that committee and its membership. Steelmaking Data Melt.—The heat was made in a 70-ton direct arc-type basic electric furnace. Furnace charge consisted of nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel, most of it in the form of heavy mill scrap. All of the scrap was charged cold. The standard double-slag method was employed, the heat being finished under a strong carbide slag. Aluminum was used as the deoxidizing agent. Tapping tempera- ture, as observed with an optical pyrometer, was 3000°F. Detail of Mold and Ingot Size.—Details of the ingot mold and the ingot itself are given in Fig. I. Teeming.—Teeming temperature of the subject ingot as observed with an optical pyrometer was 2830°F. The ingot was top-poured directly through a 1 1/2-in. nozzle and required 7 min., 44 sec. to fill up to the hot top. An additional 2 min., 30 sec. were required to fill the hot top. The ingot was stripped hot and charged with the remainder of the heat into an annealing furnace. There it was given the standard annealing cycle used for these ingots. Subsequent heat-treatments are described elsewhere in this paper. Sectioning and Preparation for Sulphur Printing Because of previous favorable experience in sectioning ingots up to 21 1/2 in. square with an oxyacetylene torch, it was decided to use this method to section the subject ingot. The ingot was preheated to 900°F. for 12 hr. It was then placed on a steel bed in a horizontal position so that the longitudinal axis was level and parallel to the track of the motor-driven torch carrier. Two cuts were made, one 2 in. above the longitudinal axis and the other 2 in. below. The time required to make each cut was approximately 75 min. The cutting operation is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The 4-in. thick slab was mmediately charged into a furnace standing at 1200F.

Jan 1, 1945

By William Fink

Two of the aluminum-alloy systems previously studied-the alumi-num-titanium and the aluminum-chromium-exhibit a peritectic reaction at the extreme aluminum end of the diagram. Preliminary work indi-cated that the aluminum-zirconium and certain other aluminum systems were similar in this respect. The present paper, the twentieth of a series from the Aluminum Research Laboratories, reports the results of a recent investigation of equilibrium relations in aluminum-zirconium alloys of high purity, which confirm the preliminary observations. PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS There has been only one investigation of the aluminum end of the aluminum-zirconium system. Sykes1 prepared and studied alloys containing 0 to 70 per cent Zr. The lowering of the freezing point of aluminum by the addition of zirconium was found to be very little, if any (less than 2°C.). He placed the solid solubility of zirconium in aluminum at room temperature between 0.57 and 0.97 per cent. A few other investigators have attempted to determine the com-position of the intermetallic compounds occurring in this system. Hönigschmid2 obtained the compound ZrAl3 as a by-product during the preparation of ZrSi2. He made no attempt to prepare other aluminum-zir-conium compounds. Weiss and Newmann3 prepared an alloy by heating aluminum with a double fluoride of potassium and zirconium. When this alloy was treated consecutively with caustic soda and hydrochloric acid, there was a residue, which contained approximately 72 per cent Zr and 28 per cent Al (Zr3Al4). Marden and Rich4 prepared an alloy in the same way, treated it with caustic soda, and obtained a residue of silver-white crystals, which contained 70 per cent Zr and 30 per cent Al (Zr3Al4).

Jan 1, 1939

By E. M. Norris

THE Western phosphate deposits extend over a large area in the Rocky Mountain region, comprising portions of south central Montana, southeastern Idaho, northeastern Utah, and southwestern Wyoming. A limited acreage of these deposits passed into private ownership prior to Dec. 9, 1908, at which time 7000 sq. mi. of land in these phosphate fields was withdrawn from public entry by direction of the Secretary of the Interior. Under the Act of Feb. 25, 1920 (41 Stat. 437) title to all phosphate lands in the public domain was reserved to the United States with provisions for leasing portions to citizens, corporations, states, etc. The above act, in effect, created by law a Western phosphate reserve of approximately 2,269,055 acres.

Jan 1, 1944