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By H. D. Kline

This publication describes mining and milling methods and costs at the Madison mine of National Lead Co., St. Louis Smelting & Refining Division, in the Fredericktown district of southeast Missouri and is one of a series prepared by the Federal Bureau of Mines on methods, practices, and costs of mining and milling throughout the United States. The are bodies of the Madison mine are known for the complexity and diversity of their are minerals. Sulfides of copper, nickel, and cobalt occur in commercial quantities with lead sulfide, which is the most valuable metallic mineral in are bodies of the Bonne Terre formation in southeast Missouri. Several attempts were made by various operators to mine the complex ores and separate the sulfide minerals before 1927 when National Lead Co. became interested in the Fredericktown district. Operating then as the St. Louis Smelting & Refining Co., the company began mining and milling ores from the Madison mine in 1944 and has operated continuously since then. A recently built refinery produces copper, nickel, and cobalt metal from a concentrate containing iron sulphides and small quantities of copper, nickel, and cobalt sulphides.

Jan 1, 1961

A spectrographic procedure applicable to the semiquantitative determination of 29 elements in tungsten is presented. The method is designed to give estimates of impurity concentrations up to 500 p.p.m. Limits of detectability range from 0.3 p.p.m. for the more sensitive elements to 100 p.p.m. for the less sensitive ones. Tungsten metal samples varying in particle size from minus 300-to 30-mesh are excited in the presence of 5 percent germanium with a direct current arc. Germanium acts to stabilize the arc, minimizes the volatilization of tungsten, and serves as an efficient carrier to sweep impurities from the tungsten into the excitation zone. Curves are presented that show the volatilization behavior of germanium, tungsten, and impurities in tungsten at different concentration levels. Data obtained were used as guides in establishing the method of analysis. In the absence of established reliable analytical procedures for determining many impurities in tungsten in the parts per million concentration range, the spectrographic method described here should prove to be helpful in evaluating high-purity tungsten.

Jan 1, 1961

By W. S. Sanner

Anthracite was used extensively as a fuel in iron metallurgy from 1840 to 1880. In 1874, 226 of the 680 blast furnaces in the United States were operating on anthracite and producing almost one-half of the Nation's pig iron. However, by 1890, railroad expansion, the development of western iron-ore reserves, and the growing use of coke decreased the importance of anthracite as a metallurgical fuel. As a result, the last blast furnace designed exclusively for anthracite use was built in 1891. Because of the increased energy requirements of our expanding national economy, the abnormally high demands during national emergencies, and the proximity of anthracite deposits to eastern steel-producing areas, interest has grown in again using anthracite in iron metallurgy. Estimates of anthracite reserves indicate a 300-yr. supply at a production rate of 30 million tons per year. These large reserves dictate the development of an adequate technology for the use of anthracite by the metallurgical industry.

Jan 1, 1961

The paper outlines the development of a solvent extraction process for the recovery of scandium, yttrium, thorium, and heavy lanthanides from waste sulphate liquor at the Port Pirie uranium treatment plant. A summary is given of known solvents for these elements, including the recently developed alkyl-phosphoric acid esters which are applicable to sulphate solutions.A kerosene solution of di- (2'-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (EHPA) has been suggested by some workers as a suitable solvent for fractionation of the lanthanides. Experimental work with this solvent showed that it could be used for initial recovery of the above elements from low concentrations in the complex sulphate liquor. In particular, scandium could be recovered as a high grade product by extraction with 0·lM EHPA, followed by a purification strip with 9N sulphuric acid, and final stripping of scandium with sodium hydroxide solution.To enable alkaline stripping to be used successfully, the kerosene solution of the reagent was modified by the addition of a small proportion of nonanol. Experimental work included laboratory scale batch tests and small pilot scale continuous tests.A proposed extension of the process for the separate recovery of individual heavy lanthanides, yttrium, and thorium is described.INTRODUCTIONAt the Port Pirie uranium treatment plant of the South Australian Government, large volumes of "barren liquor", free from 'uranium, are at present run to waste. This "barren liquor" results from sulphuric acid leaching of Radium,Hill uranium concentrate, followed by separation of solid residues and removal of uranium from the clear solution by ion exchange. The mineral davidite, from which the uranium is derived, contains other potentially valuable components, notably vanadium, chromium, thorium, yttrium, scandium, and the lanthanides. These constituents are...

Jan 1, 1961

Present roof bolting practices in the collieries of Australian Iron and Steel Pty. Ltd. are outlined. Roof support has been improved since introducing roof bolts and it is hoped to increase the reliability of the bolts still further.Expansion-shell, and split and wedge roof bolts five to eight feet long are placed by "Atlas Falcon" and "Fletcher" roof bolters. Both anchorage and tightening have presented some problems.Good panel supervision is required if systematic roof bolting is to be properly co-ordinated with coal production without unnecessary delay to either. Successful roof bolting can only be the product of conscientious men and supervisors who are all convinced of its value. A rigid operational code should be established early and maintained.INTRODUCTIONRoof bolting is a method of support which is permanent and reduces or eliminates the need for other support; The method was pioneered in America and was first experimentally investigated in Australian collieries at Elrington in 1949 (McKensey, 1953). Pneumatic installation methods were employed. Subsequently, a method of using standard hand-held electric coal drills was developed at John Darling Colliery (Horseman, 1954). Pneumatic roof bolting equipment was first operated in the collieries of Australian Ironand Steel Pty. Ltd (A.I. &. S.) in 1951. Since then various hydraulically operated mobile machines have been installed in Australian collieries and these, together with improved pneumatic equipment, form the two present basic methods of placing ,roof bolts. Roof bolt anchorage is achieved by either split and wedge or expansion-shell bolts.The two broad types of roof bolting are 1. consolidation of strata, and 2. suspension support.

Jan 1, 1961

By J. T. McCartney

Thin sections of coal have been prepared for many years either by cutting on a microtome (1,2)5 or by grinding and polishing (2,1). Specimens of most coals had to be demineralized in hydrofluoric acid and softened in caustic solutions before they could be successfully cut with a conventional microtome. Some lignites could be cut without pretreatment. Jeffrey (1) obtained sections from coals of all ranks, although long and tedious pretreatment was required for anthracite. His sections were less than 1 cm.2 in area (probably much less for high rank coals) and about 5 microns thick. Thiessen (2) also cut sections of softened coals, mostly of low rank. His sections were a few square millimeters in area and about 3 microns thick. However, Thiessen preferred ground and polished sections for detailed studies because they were larger and had not been chemically attacked by softening media. He prepared ground sections as large as 4 cm.2 in area and usually 5 to 10 microns thick. Thousands of such sections, covering complete column samples of many coal beds, were studied for a number of years (4). With the development of the electron microscope and increased interest in quantitative optical studies of coals, a need for much thinner sections arose. However, no suitable technique for preparing such sections was known until Fernández-Morán developed a diamond knife for cutting ultrathin sections of hard materials (5). Workers at the Centre d'Etudes et Recherches de Charbonnages de France applied this new tool to the cutting of coal sections and have recently described their technique to the Burg, of Mines. Using their methods, with some modifications, researchers of the Bureau of Mines have succeeded in cutting ultrathin sections of coals ranging in rank from lignite to

Jan 1, 1961

By R. J. Leary

Significant improvements in surface conditions or mechanical properties of steels have been attributed by several investigators to ladle additions of small quantities of rare-earth metals or their oxides. To investigate systematically these effects in wrought and in cast plain carbon and alloy mechanical steels containing approximately 0.35 percent carbon, heats of four representative compositions were melted by the Bureau of Mines in a 4-ton open-hearth furnace. Each heat was cast into three sets of ingots to exemplify respectively, treatments with (1) rare-earth metals, (2) rare-earth metal oxides, and (3) an untreated set as a control. The development of melting, casting and rolling practices is described and discussed. Lance injection of oxygen shortly after melt raised the temperature of the metal immediately as much as 500° F., principally because mechanical agitation exposed the high-carbon metal to the flame and furnace root. An exceptional degree of superheat in the metal at the termination of the refining period was attributed to oxygen injection during the refining period. Bath temperatures higher than industrial practice were permitted by the all-basic furnace lining. Rates of carbon elimination as high as 0.036 percent carbon per minute were achieved by oxygen injections.

Jan 1, 1961

By James E. Mauser

This report deals with the investigation of a continuous process for producing pure zirconium. It covers the construction, operation, and maintenance of the semicontinuous reactor. The report covers a study of test variables, such as reactor temperature and reluctant charge weights, and evaluates the results, such as billet metal hardness, residual billet salt content, and suitability of a purified billet as a consumable electrode for arc melting. The purpose of this project was to develop an inexpensive and continuous process for producing pure zirconium. The process developed, termed the semicontinuous reactor process, produced billets of compacted zirconium sponge. The metal was produced by reducing zirconium tetrachloride with sodium and magnesium beneath molten byproduct salt. Hydraulic rams at each end of a vertical reaction tube compacted the sponge and ejected it as a billet. These billets were purified by heat under vacuum to remove entrapped salt. The goal was to utilize the purified billet directly as a consumable electrode for arc melting.

Jan 1, 1961

By Jr. J. L. Ryon.

Experimentation with ammonium nitrate-fuel oil mixtures at three underground salt mines revealed its excellent applications at those properties. The author relates the present blasting practice used at these mines by the Intemzational Salt Co. The International Salt Company is presently performing blasting operations with a pneumatically -placed ammonium nitrate-fuel oil mixture at three rock salt mines, and plans its use in the near future at its new Cleveland mine. Use of ammonium nitrate is saving the company approximately $250,000 annually. With rapidly increasing operating expenses and increasing competitive pressure resulting in lower prices, savings such as those realized through the use of ammonium nitrate are vitally important. ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION AND EXPERIMENTAL ACTIVITIES The three mines presently involved are located at Detroit, Mich.; Avery Island, La.; and Retsof, N. Y. Initial experiments were conducted at the Detroit mine where a detailed investigation was carried on to determine the significance of the static electricity factor when blowing ammonium nitrate into drill holes in which millisecond delay electric blasting caps had been placed. Although the information developed at the Detroit mine was passed along to the other mines, each mine independently pursued its own course of inves- tigation. This fact, plus the differing mining conditions, resulted in slightly different operational procedures at each mine. Some of the varying statistical data are shown in Table I, and data common to all three International Salt Company mines are shown in Table 11. BLASTING PROCEDURE AT THE DETROIT MINE This mine has been using the ammonium nitrate-fuel oil mixture for more than two years on a full time production basis and represents the successful detonation of several hundred thousand holes. Results have been excellent and the blasting cost has been reduced many times. The actual operation at Detroit consists of adding the fuel oil to the bags of ammonium nitrate by means of a portable fuel oil tank complete with hose, nozzle, and metering device. The bags of the ammonium nitrate-fuel oil mixture are transported to the working face from the oiling area by means of a jeep-drawn trailer. At the face, the ammonium nitrate is placed on the elevating platform of a powder-load ing rig which consists of a pneumatically-tired, large fork-lift truck with a fully insulated elevating platform constructed on the forks. The placement of the dynamite primer and the pneumatic placement of the ammonium nitrate is a two-man operation. First, one cartridge of the primer is placed in each hole on the line of holes which can be reached from the loading rig platform. The plastic hose is then inserted into the hole and pushes the primer to the back of the hole. The proper charge of ammonium nitrate is then placed in the pneumatic placement machine and,

Jan 1, 1961

[Univ. of Atabama-University, Alabama-Mining and Metallurgical Society. William L. Mason, Faculty Sponsor; E. C. Wright, Dept. Head. Univ. of Alaska-College, Alaska-Mining Society of the Univ. of Alaska. Douglas W. Huber, Faculty Sponsor; E. H. Beistline, Mining & Metallurgy Dept. Head; Troy L. Pewe, Geology Dept. Head; James Crawford, Chapter Counselor. Univ. of Arizona-Tucson, Arizona-Miners Society. Wiltard C. Lacy, Faculty Sponsor; J. D. Forrester, Mining & Metallurgy Dept. Head; F. W. Galbraith, Geology Dept. Head. Univ. of Catifornia-Berkeley, California-Mineral Technology Association. H. E. Hawkes; Faculty Sponsor; Joseph A: Pask, Dept. Head.]

Jan 1, 1961

By Beverly W. Dunning

The effect of vacuum melting on the elimination of gases and nonmetallic inclusions for six low-alloy steels was investigated. The purpose of these studies was the analysis and comparison of differences in gas content and inclusions in air-melted and vacuum-melted steel. Data obtained from melts of 1-1/4 to 20 pounds indicate that vacuum melting decreases the number and size of nonmetallic inclusions and at the same time increases the degree of dispersion of the remaining inclusions. These improvements are undoubtedly related to the elimination of approximately 80 percent of the nitrogen and 90 percent of the oxygen as well as most of the undesirable metallic trace impurities.

Jan 1, 1961

By Howard W. Wainwright

The Bureau of Mines is engaged in a research program on the characterization of tars produced by low-temperature carbonization of coal and their economical upgrading to more valuable materials, Throughout the years, hydrogenation has played an important role in the treatment of these tars, mainly as a means of converting the whole crude tar or selected fractions to motor fuels; diesel oil, lubricating oil, or various solvents. In some instances, production of specialty chemicals has been the objective. The purpose of this report is to summarize, without critical review, the information of the past 25 years on the hydrogenation of low-temperature tars and related substances as presented in the literature or its English translation. Published articles and patents not abstracted in the main body of this report are included in a bibliography at the end. HYDROGENATION REACTIONS The hydrogenation of tar follows three general types of reactions; 1. The removal of oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen in the tar to form water, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia, respectively: [ ]

Jan 1, 1961

By Charles B. Kenaban

The possibility of using ultrasonic energy as a tool to improve the electrolytic deposition of copper and zinc from several electrolytes was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Mines. Sound with frequencies of 20, 26, 38, and 400 kilocycles per second and acoustical intensities of 0.25 to 1.5 watts per square centimeter was employed. Measurements of cell voltage, anode and cathode current efficiencies, and electrode potentials were made at various current densities. Effects of ultrasonics on the quality of the deposit and on anode corrosion also was noted. In the electrolytic recovery of copper from an acid copper sulfate solution at 50° C., adherent, well-consolidated deposits are normally obtained up to a current density of 30 amperes per square foot. As the current density is increased above this value, the deposits normally become progressively more spongy and less adherent. Ultrasonic irradiation resulted in adherent and well-consolidated deposits at current densities up to 300 amperes per square foot. Radiation also produced smaller grain size and preferred orientation of the copper crystals. In addition, radiation caused as much as 3-volt decreases in cell voltages at the higher current densities. These decreases were caused chiefly by depolarization of the anode, although small depolarization effects were also noted at the cathode. Radiation apparently did not greatly affect cathode-current efficiencies, but prevented excessive anode corrosion at the higher current densities and resulted in more uniform corrosion. Ultrasonic radiation at a frequency of 400 kilocycles per second was not as effective as radiation at the lower frequencies. Circulation of the electrolyte at rates up to 5 percent of the cell capacity per minute did not produce results comparable to those effected by ultrasonic radiation. Rapid rotation of the cathode up to 1,800 revolutions per minute gave results approaching those obtained with ultrasonics.

Jan 1, 1961

By F. M. Morris

A large reserve of thick coal in southwest Virginia was developed by Clinch-field Coal Co. in 1957-1958 to produce a nominal rate of 1500 tph raw coal. Operation features coal cleaning in transit. Refuse removed averages 35 pct. Evolution of plant from initial conception to completion is discussed, selection of means applied is explained, and performance to date us design expectation is described. The long-range plan calls for ultimate handling capacity of 40,000 tpd raw coal with anticipated clean coal capacity of 26,000 tpd on a three-shift basis. From a materials handling viewpoint, the Moss No. 3 operation is principally of interest as an ensemble. Generally speaking, it uses time-tested equipment and ideas but some of these are employed on a scale that may be new in the industry. At present about 20,000 tpd of raw coal are being handled. This is expected to increase to 40,000 tpd as soon as business conditions justify it. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the evolution of the plant as to materials handling practices, to describe briefly the equipment and methods used, and to comment on performance in certain areas. The subject divides itself naturally into four phases: 1) operations at the mines, 2) transportation from mines to plant, 3) raw coal handling into the plant, and 4) transportation of refuse away from the plant. OPERATIONS AT THE MINES The coal reserves for Moss 3 are in southwest Virginia where Dickenson, Russell, and Buchanan Counties come together. This area contains about 15 square miles and over 100,000,000 tons of coal. Here the No. 4 (Tiller) and No. 5 (Jawbone) seams of the Norton Formation lie so closely together that for practical purposes, they constitute one seam of coal. This seam, which is called the Thick Tiller, varies from 10 to 18 ft in thickness and underlies Sandy Ridge, a mountain cresting between 2400 and 3300 ft above sea-level. At 18-ft seam height (which is considered to be the maximum practical mining height) the parting between seams will be about 3 1/2 ft thick and each bench of coal will be about 7 ft thick. Depending on the amount of impurities in the seams Drover. total reject in this height coal may approximate 50 pet by wt. It will average about 35 pet for the property as a whole. The first move in developing this resource was made in 1953 when contour maps of several square miles around Duty, Va., including all the known outcrop, were made by photogrammetry. At this time, it was felt the prospective operation would be served by the Clinchfield Railroad and a photogrammetric route survey was made by this railroad from Haysi to Duty. Study of the resulting maps indicated only one site—adversely owned—which might accommodate the size washing plant to be erected. Water resources of a dependable nature seemed nonexistent. In 1954 bulk washability tests were made on the Tiller Bench at the Moss No. 1 preparation plant. The tests indicated this portion of the seam, mined separately, would wash to 4 pet ash with good recovery. Also in 1954, development of Moss No. 2, south of Sandy Ridge, was begun. This mine is in the Tiller Seam where it is about 100 ft below the Jawbone Seam. The reasons for developing a mine in the normal Tiller Seam before tackling the Thick Tiller seemed compelling: Railroad service could be established quickly, communications were better (though not good!), more was known of the seam (it had been mined in the years 1911 to 19241, and there was no essential property to be acquired. After some legal skirmishing, the Norfolk & Western Railroad was granted the right to serve the new mine. Three decades earlier the old mine had been served by the Clinchfield Railroad. The event which triggered active development of Moss 3 was the Appalachian Power Co.'s decision in 1956 to build a 450,000-kva power plant on Clinch River at Carbo. This solved the problem of marketing the steam coal which inevitably must be a product of a mine in the Thick Tiller. Management promptly decided to build the preparation plant at Carbo where an excellent site was owned; where railroad service existed; where telephone service could be obtained; and where roads, bridges, and water supply were tolerable.

Jan 1, 1961

By Willard L. Hunter

The separation of tantalum and columbium by solvent extraction was under-taken as part of the Bureau of Mines research program to improve methods for extracting, separating, and reducing these elements to metal. The diethyl ketone aqueous HCl-HF system was one of several systems studied to determine the effect of metal and acid concentrations in aqueous solutions upon the transfer of tantalum and columbium into selected ketones. The tantalum-columbium oxide mixture used in this investigation was obtained by chemical extraction from Geomines slag. The investigation showed that tantalum 99.4 percent pure and columbium 97.2 percent pure can be produced by the selective transfer of tantalum into diethyl ketone from a solution of 2-N HF and 1-N HC1. The relatively low acid concentration necessary for tantalum transfer and the excellent selectivity of the system recommend its use for the separation of tantalum and columbium.

Jan 1, 1961

By H. J. Heinen

This report summarizes preliminary research studies by the Bureau of Mines in electrowinning molybdenum directly from pure or impure molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) by fused-bath electrolysis in an open graphite cell without need of a protective inert atmosphere. A formulated electrolyte of the tertiary system containing 41.6 percent sodium pyrophosphate, 16.7 percent sodium tetraborat, 33.3 percent sodium chloride, and 8,4 percent molybdenum trioxide, by weight, electrolyzed at 1,000° C,, gave excellent results. Current density studies were made over a range from 20 to 260 amperes per square decimeter. Current efficiencies of 80 to 90 percent were obtained over the entire range. Yields up to 500 grams of molybdenum per kilowatt-hour were obtained. Higher current densities, however, reduced yields and produced a finer grained metal. The two most important facets in electrowinning molybdenum from MoO3, in an open cell, are temperature and electrode spacing to minimize or eliminate the formation of the suboxide MoO2, the major source of oxygen contamination. At temperatures of 1,000° C. and higher, together with the proper spacing of the electrodes, formation of oxides are practically eliminated. Molybdenum metal electrowon from pure MoO3 was 99.9 percent pure and contained 0,056 percent oxygen and 0,007 percent carbon. This metal, when arc-melted, had a Vickers hardness number of 175 and contained 50 parts per million oxygen and less than 10 parts per million carbon. Molybdenum metal electrowon directly from an impure MoO3 containing 90 percent MoO3 resulted in a metal of 99.8 percent purity.

Jan 1, 1961

By John C. Machisak

Injury data and experience, with related employment statistics, at coal mines in the United States for 1959 are presented in this publication under the following general sections: (A) General injury experience: Tables 1 to 6: Current data on number of injuries degree of injury, frequency and severity rates, average severity, and related employment and production data by work location. (B) Selected injury experience: Tables 7 to 38: Current data on principal agencies of injuries, distribution of injuries by part of body injured, days of disability, extent of hand and machine loading, experience by employment and production groups, and various other operating factors and physical conditions related to the occurrence of injuries at the Nation's coal mines.

Jan 1, 1961

Solvent extraction has recently been introduced into Australian hydrometallurgical practice for the production of a high grade uranium concentrate from El Sherana ore by a sulphuric acid leach and solvent extraction process. The solvent is a 5 per cent solution of tri(iso-octyl)amine in kerosene modified with 4 per cent of a long chain alcohol. The stripping reagent is a molar solution of sodium chloride.Preliminary testing for the development of the process showed that the leach liquor was quite amenable to the solvent extraction process and that the equilibrium and rate considerations of both the extraction and stripping steps were very favourable.The industrial plant contains four stages of extraction, three stages of chloride stripping and one stage of secondary carbonate stripping. An internal type of mixer-settler is used for the stagewise contact, the design being based on tests with model equipment.The performance and control of the industrial plant is satisfactory; 99·7 per cent of the uranium is recovered for a loss of 0·3 gallons of kerosene and 0· 4 pounds of amine per 1,000 gallons of liquor treated.INTRODUCTIONThe processing of El Sherana uranium ore from the South Alligator River valley commenced in April, 1959, and thereby introduced into Australian hydrometallurgical practice the unit operation of solvent extraction on an industrial scale. Although there are now some twelve mineral processing plants in the United States and Canada using solvent extraction, its application to the field of primary hydrometallurgy is quite new. Prior to 1956 none of these twelve plants was operating and hydrometallurgical application waslimited to the refining of comparatively high grade uranium compounds and fission products from nitrate and nitric acid solutions.

Jan 1, 1961

By C. Feng

HE sensitivity of twinning in molybdenum alloys containing 20 or more at. pct Re was reported by Dickenson and Richardson&apos; and Sims et a1.&apos; The latter3 also studied the effect of twinning on plastic deformation of these alloys. Recently, in this laboratory, the twinning planes in a series of Mo-Re alloys were successfully identified by tracing their boundaries on two known surfaces of the crystals, with the aid of stereographic projection. The nominal alloy composition and the results of the determination are listed in Table I. Metallic powders of molybdenum and rhenium with 99.9 pct purity were mixed, pressed and arc-melted into buttons under purified argon in a water-cooled copper hearth; the buttons were annealed at 2400 °C in vacuum (10-&apos;mm Hg) for 1 hr, remelted under argon and finally reannealed in vacuum at 2400°C for another hour. This treatment yielded a homogeneous alloy. Large-grain specimens devoid of subgrains were obtained with grain diameter varying from 1/8 to 1/2 in. A typical specimen weighed about 15 g. Orientations were determined by taking X-ray back reflection photographs for each grain on a polished surface of the specimens. Two surfaces were cut and polished; the angle between the two surfaces was measured with an accuracy of *2o. The twins were produced by compression in a hydraulic press at room temperature. Usually, several sets of twins could be obtained within each grain. Except in cases where no twins were formed, (Crystals 7, 8, and 9) the twinning planes were identified consistently as the (112) family over a wide range of alloying compositions and surface orientations of the crystals, as indicated in the stereo-graphic triangle in Fig. 1. The twins, however, were not broad enough to accommodate a conventional X-ray beam and no identification could be made of the twinning direction. Nevertheless, the direction must be one that lies in a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the twinning plane. There are only two such possible planes in a bcc lattice, namely the (110) and the (100) planes. Of these, only the (110) planes are perpendicular to (112), and the <111> direction is the intersection of the two perpendicular planes. It can thus be concluded that <1l1> is the twinning direction. The twinning elements of molybdenum have been reported as the (112) planes and the <111> directions,4 which are also the operative elements in other body-centered-cubic metals, such as W, a-Fe, and ß -brass.5 Thus, the present finding of the twinning elements in Mo- Re alloys supports the concept that twinning formation is mainly governed by the lattice structure. It is of interest to note that for specimens containing 12 at. Pct Re or less, no twins were found after being plastically deformed to as much as 30 pct reduction in height by compression, while for the 35 at. pct Re alloy, twins were formed with less than 1 pct deformation. This, of course, does not exclude the possibilities that for Re-Mo alloys containing 12 pct Re or less, twins could be formed under different conditions, such as at liquid air temperature or under impact loading. The present results, however, suggest that under the same conditions twinning is increasingly sensitive with increasing rhenium content. Consequently, the plastic strain at which twinning starts was found inversely proportional to the amount of rhenium in solid solution with molybdenum. This plastic strain necessary to cause twinning may be used as a criterion in the study of twinning characteristics.

Jan 1, 1961

By Y. L. Yao

A scale based on existing data for the mutual solid solubilities of metals in binary systems has been compiled. This scale is useful for estimating the relative magnitude of two solubilities, provided that these two metals do not form a continuous series of solid solutions. In his classic work on the theory of metallic solid solutions, Hume-Rothery proposed that, other things being equal, a metal of lower valency should be regarded as more likely to dissolve one of higher valency than vice versa. He called this the "relative valency effect". Later he found that the application of this general principle was limited to the three univalent metals: copper, silver, and gold. In dealing with alloys of these metals with metals of higher valency, Hume-Rothery stated, it is usually found that the solid solution of the univalent metal is of the greater extent.&apos; The question of whether there is a systematic trend in comparing the relative magnitude of mutual solubilities, if valency is not considered a criterion, naturally arises. The present paper proposes a "mutual solid solubility" scale on an empirical basis. The order of its arrangement is determined by the relative magnitude of mutual solid solubilities. Some applications of and inferences from this scale are given. ORIGIN AND SCOPE OF THE SCALE An extensive survey of over 400 binary phase diagrams shows that, with certain exceptions and within certain limitations, metals can be arranged in the following order: Na Zn Cd Ga Bi Ge Sb As Hg Sn Si Mg Li Ba In Tl Pb Al Ca Be Mn Cr Re W Mo Cu V Ta Fe Ru Cb Co Ti Hf Ni Os Zr Ir Pt Au U Rh Ce Pd Ag Th so that a metal higher on the scale tends to have a higher solubility in a metal lower on the scale than vice versa. some experimental solubility data are given in Table I. These data, unless otherwise specified, are taken from Hansen and Anderko.6 Throughout this paper, the term "solubility of A in B" is taken to mean the maximum solid solubility of A in B in atomic percent, while the maximum solid solubility of B in A in atomic percent is called "reciprocal solubility". The exceptions found in the above-mentioned survey are: Al-Ag system, 20.34 at. pct Al in Ag, 23.8 Ag in Al; Mg-Pb system, 5.9 Mg in Pb, 7.75 Pb in Mg; As-Sn system, vanishingly small amount of As in Sn, a large As primary solid solution; Cd-Hg system, Cd in Hg <Hg in Cd; Mg-T1 system, 5(?) Mg in ßT1, 15.4 T1 in Mg; W-Ti system, -21 W in ßTi, -25 Ti in W; Zr-Ag system, probably small amount of Zr in Ag, 20 Ag in ßZr.7 Considering the large number of examples, the exceptions are few. It is remarkable that metals may be so arranged without considering other factors such as size, crystal structure, electronic structure, and so forth. A limitation to the use of the scale is the fact that it cannot be tested for two metals forming a continuous series of solid solutions. It is interesting to point out that when the continuous solid solutions have a miscibility gap the critical composition is

Jan 1, 1961