The Iron Age 1931-04-23: Vol 127 Iss 17

Ww. W. Macon, Editor 4 |. Frinpuey, Editor Emeritus L. LACHER, Managing Editor C. E. Wricut, News Editor E. F. Cone 8. G. Koon R. E. MILLER G. 8S. HERRICK F. L. PRENTISS Cleveland R. A. Fiske Chicago T. H. GeERKEN Pittaburgh BURNHAM FINNEY Detroit L. W. Morrerr Washington GERARD FRAZAR Roston R G McINTOsSH Cincinnati ON AGE PURLISHING Co 239 West 39th Street, New York. N. Y¥ Address: ‘“‘Ironage, N. Y F. J. Frank, President H. Grirritus, Secretary General Advertisir Manager Division of rED BUSINESS PUBLISHERS, INC New York, N. ¥ District Offices: sco, Otis Building SBURGH, 1319 Park Building YELAND, 1362 Hanna Building Al ELPHIA, 1402 Widener Bldg I 338 Woodward Avenue HINGTON, 536 Investn ent Bldg NNATI, 402 Traction Building FALO, 616 Ellicott Square , Room 230, 80 Federal St FRANCISOO, 381 Bush Street 1 1045 Sansome St. Copyright, 1931, by N AGE PUBLISHING Co ber, Audit Bureau of Circulations er, Associated Business Papers shed every Thursday. Sub- ion Price: United States and essions, Mexico, Cuba, $6.00 nada $8.50; foreign, $12.00 a f Single Copy 25 Cents April 23, 1931 Long-Term Price Declines 1329 Moving Pouring Platform Foundry 1334 Behavior Liquid Carburizers 1338 Making Rails Canadian Mill 1342 Wider Field for Non-Ferrous Alloys 1346 Avoiding Fluctuations Production 1350 Concavity and Cross Sheet Mill Rolls 1333 Alloy Steel Linings Pressure Vessels 1356 Dr. Haney’s Page 1389 w Ww New Equipment 1360 News 1379 Personals and Obituaries 1386 Editorials 1390 Markets 1393 Construction and Equipment Buying 1414 THE BANKERS AND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENTS bankers averse loaning money for the purchase cost-saving equipment? Some manufacturers think so. determined find out the financier’s attitude toward the replace- ment obsolete equipment under present-day conditions. pages 1363-6 this issue The Age, our readers will find the results our survey this subject. indicates wide accept- ance, banking circles, the desirability keep- ing production equipment date. But shows that the maker and the user this equipment must take certain steps before expecting the money man produce the funds. IRON AGE YEAR { “a | | J $25 | | | | | | if — THE IRON APRIL 23, Page NOTHING ROLLS LIKE BALL Zz 4 was problem motorize this machine Nor problem motorize any machine where New Departure Ball Bear- ings are inbuilt motor feature. Vertical mountings are just feasible with these bearings all others because New Departures have generous thrust capacity. The same rules economy apply all New Departure motor installations once-a-year lubrication proof against wear and rotor drop. This machine product the Bradford Machine Tool Company, Cincin- nati. New Departures are used its construction. drills number holes small pump part with accuracy and stabbing swiftness. New De- partures are great aid continuous and rapid production. They are sturdy. The New Departure Mfg. Co., Bristol, Conn.; Detroit, Chicago, San Francisco. ‘a f — q 4 17 NEXT WEEK branch the metal working industry been more alive the ad- vantages cost-sav- ing methods and equipment foundry industry. Yet with all the mechan- ical aids that have been devised the mak- ing molds and the pouring remain, the final really marveled which much de- pends upon skill tech- nical advancement has been rapid and the competition other industries has been successfully met. Cast- ings not even dreamed decade ago are now being made production basis. The manufacture huge locomotive founda- tion castings, ft. long and weighing tons, will out- lined feature arti- cle next week. Bitter Competition Leads Mon- opoly and Reduced Quality Severe competition inevitably tends lower the grade the product even more than lowers its price Such competition, carried extreme inevitably brings about the extinction the weaker competitors and creates monopoly Page Falling Prices Stimulate Industrial Ingenuity, but Lower Ethics The high incentive to economies tends to make the great in lustri¢ more and more efficient, but, says economist, increasingly tition is apt to 1 its un ower standard 1 Page l Avoiding Permanent Dull Times A New England manufact Keeps his force of elmcient workers in tact Dy dividing among seven work ers, for example S$ ina gr of eight, and having ea 1 ati take a wes ff without pa Pa 1 13 Mold-Pourer with Flasks Flasks are placed small trucks running oval track. Ladle pended from monorail. Operator platform moving at same spee 1 as flasks, hooks the ladle the flask and pours Page 1335 Sheet Steel Enamels Harmed Sulphur Dioxide Tests reveal that nitrogen, carbdon dioxide ind reducing atmospheres j 1 are not deleterious Juring melting auring the smelting f cess, Ss Prevents Corrosion Pressure Vessels Newly perfected all lining bon is with the vessel Ww ill, de } veloping shear strength 8000 Ib. the bond. Corrosionless the wall thickness remains constant, reducing the possibility explosion obviating the need for reduction o operating pressures compensate for corrosion, and permitting tne use I! 35 thinner initial wall Page 1356 APRIL 23, 1931 For Best Results Liquid Carburizing not use temperature higher than 1550 deg. with sodium cyan ide. Tests reveal that depth case ind its carbon content are less when steel treated 1600 deg. Page How Get Deep Case Liquid Hardening compound No. 510, witl ddition activating material produces case depth 0.032 with carburizing tempera 50 to 1700 deg. | Page Rail Mill Can Work Bar Each Stand Simultaneously Tr insferring from roughing to late ind fr termediate shing stands 1s don ive QD Sees Great Possibilities “Dispersion” Hardening I ) 1 expect if en in 1 i matter how Weak ft we find the com 1a How Calculate Roll Concavity for hot-rolling sheets mus ived illow f ex tor i for irin yn i pa th 1 kn given Page * i r 185, wh is ine but opp falls fr grace 1 boo t es ind in times of stress It m iy soon and create period marked low levels 1330 Sales Fluctuate but Production Economically Level Manufacturing costs ammuni plant have dropped markedly reason planned production. Total production estimated beginning f year, and revised each juarter pe phy ul chara teristics,” says metal irgist.—Page 1349 ‘Moral May Soon Appear >. Page 1350 THE IRON APRIL 23, 1931 Page New Britain New-Matic Chucking Machines invite you investigate New Britain New-Matics means lowering your production costs. These Multiple Spindle, Work Rotating, Automatic Chuck- ing Machines, with air hydraulic control, have re- peatedly solved this vital problem for others. New-Matics are built four sizes, No. 454 (illus- trated), Four Spindles—8” chucks; No. 654, Six Spin- dles 554” chucks; No. 452, Four Spindles chucks; No. 652, Six chucks. Complete descriptive matter available. THE NEW BRITAIN-GRIDLEY MACHINE CONN. Os © A ) New York, April 23, 1931 ESTABLISHED 1855 VOL 27 No 17 WHAT HAPPENS DURING LONG-TERM PRICE DECLINES? EDWIN ECKEL the period, and all the social and political develop- ROM 1874 1896 commodity which are terest rates fell, without interrup- and action. tion and every country the world. Now the effects long period steadily this fact which gives point the history ing prices are these; prices begin fall, and first immediate producer happy, te prices and 1n recs, ays translated into political dogma everyone except the ments that took place during these two decades were because income wages will purchase more. olored it. immediately, every country certain however, the large classes were benefited the decline; every certain other large lasses were injured it, divided sentiment two camps. the one hand, everyone who rives comes 4 into income from explained that the lamage these last was due the policies some op- party. ountry reformers explained that what was needed was new political nostrum, every country the chief remedy offered was some cheap currency—in- money free silver land This was not new ituation; all the world had through similar follies luring the long price decline from 1819 1842; practically certain that all the world will through the very same experiences luring any price decline that occur the future. are not interested price movements, their actual social ef- action long-term price declines. 1329 Survival the industrial fittest result the sifting rent, securities, perma nent salary, continues re- joice prices fall. But whose income depends elling products, and every one who owes money mortgages otherwise, that life becoming difficult. far, the tendency falling prices increase the gulf between who have and those who only hoped have. These effects, which are results tend press with severity farmer, because the interest his mortgage fixed quantity while the prices his products fall with those other commodities. Each period therefore, period poli- tical unrest our farming finds more those prices, NOSt falling ACE Political housecleaning accompanies the pressure declined prices for efficiency government and distribution States and commodities. can farther and Say that equally period political unrest among the farmers Great Britain, France and Australia, because like causes are acting there well here. Meantime the equally important class which labors factory, mine, mill and transport fares better, be- cause though long continued decline wages may also fall, they not fall promptly far commodity prices. Throughout period price de- cline, the tendency toward increase the actual purchasing power the wage, even though its money quotation may slightly reduced. The purely industrial effects falling prices are, general, good for the community. There high incentive economies that has been lacking during the preceding boom period; there reason invent and more economical processes methods manufacture and adopt such improvements promptly when they are invented. The great industries tend become more and more ingenious, more and more efficient, prices fall. From purely moral stand- point the gain less clear, for increasingly bitter com- petition apt bring its train lower standard commercial ethics. Finally, the parasitic classes tend become even less relative importance. the depression continues long enough, some members these classes may even driven into productive work one sort another. The period 1873-1896 gave lessons all the 1330—The Iron Age, April 23, 1931 many economists pred term period declining prices. wages, output and profits? can expect under such this article, recurrence least the long-term price decline 1873 Executives will well consider experience, and aid them doing, publish, advance, some extracts from American industrial history. directions which will pay recall now, since seem facing similar period price decline The one which attracted greatest public interest, and which still given widest publicity works, relates the process political corruption and its final correction. Honesty with most people matter With relatively small class, the other hand, dis honesty equally matter course. There still mains large intermediate class whose honesty not permanent but opportunist. With this class honest) matter balance between their own necessities the moment, the amount temptation, the chance detection and the seriousness the probable pun ishment. Many men, for example, who could left the same room alone with watch could not trusted the same country with oil reserve. And there are other men who, the moment they temporarily rich, would scorn rob the country even oil field but who, reduced poverty, would readily take the watch. the existence this class moral chameleons that gives rise the phenomena that are now Price variation actuates economic seesaw a ~ \ 4 IAC \ 2 “4 ices, least 1873 from ict, that are experience long- What likely happen industry, tions, the opinion the author some the results brought about 1896. future possibilities the light past Mr. Eckel has made possible for forthcoming book economic phases studying—-the appearance the same country periods broadly marked high commercial and polit ical morality, followed periods equally marked levels practice. The evil effects are most appear two separate stages our economi ycles. the progress great boom the tempta tion offered can made higher; while toward the end long depression the necessities are greater. period slow regular progress, the other hand, loes not afford the same inducements either trade and political dishonesty the crisi Inflation and Deflation Currency One the very prompt reactions against the con tinuous fall prices took place the direction tempting stop the fall some government currency inflation. This entirely normal action and may expect see appear form another the years come, just did the two three decades after the Civil War. The expedients offered between 1866 and 1896 overed wide range possible action, ranging from that brings joy some and grief others. Under the stern pressure necessity, invention, discovery and provement proceed accelerated rate frank dishonesty mere delusion. The first and perhaps the most dishonest proposition was that should redeem its bonds not gold but paper currency. This was finally negatived, which marked decided advance morality since the davs the Fathers, for must recall that after the Revolution repudiation had been accepted without much argument, except for the foreign debt later stag came the effort, successful for time, retain all the paper service, until the mands the country could grow the currency supply. The resumption specie payments, effected 1879, put end these phases the matter. still later years there were national party plat- forms and campaigns which turned the proposi tion issuing new supply paper returning the free coinage silver, which had been demone tized 1873 large number countries addi tion the United States. From 1896 the peak high prices 1919 1921, one was interested cheap money issue; but from now the question bound regain its political importance, and unless some new factor en- ters change the situation may fairly prophesy that within few years will again face arguments favor issuing paper, coining silver, stamp ing clay into curren The Growth Commodity Output During vhole period slowly falling price there was steady growth the output our lead- col both natural and manufactured prod presented ntly for our present note the first glance that all itput these tial commodities increased very during the twenty-year period question; only The Iron Age, April 23, 1931—1331 ~ aw when the figures are examined more closely that cer- tain disquieting features come light. These relate the disproportion between agricultural and other growth during the period and can considered best later when the economic fortunes the farmer are discussed. present will confine our attention the rate development the manufacturing in- dustries and their necessary raw materials. the outset may said that for almost all industries the five between 1873 and 1878 1879 were years not merely falling prices but falling best stationary output; was period frank commercial depression, following great finan- crisis; and was experienced all over the world, and all industrial countries about the same in- tensity. During this period cruelly forced economy most industries worked short time, and created commod- ities hand-to-mouth fashion. The result was that gradually industrial and financial soundness was re- stored, and period active growth arrived again. will noted that both coal and iron outputs showed gain the period 1873 1878; but that both were doubled the equal period 1878 1883. But here again another though lesser crisis came stop the progress, for 1884 the financial situation had again become unsound, and with the usual reaction upon the greater industries. After relatively short period depression all industries began grow high which culminated early 1893. The net result for the twenty-year period that the coal output the country, which fair index its activity both industry and transport, tripled between 1875 and 1893; and that the iron output only slightly lower ratio. Copper, cement and petroleum showed increases much more strik- ing character, due each case specially favorable conditions—the growth the electrical industry and PRICE TRENDS IMPORTANT COMMODITIES OVER THE PERIOD 1873-1894 = — = = 87 O08 9.2 13.0 1879 1.8 18.2 1.11 67.50 $1.47 0.95 12.0 1882 ¢ +] 8.50 2.01 0.79 1.88 [yo 188 1.09 0.91 10.6 1884 & 0.7 79 0.83 0.64 10.6 4 1885 ( 8 ) » 00 0.86 0.7 10.5 150 1.95 0.70 0.69 9.4 1888 1.91 0.88 0.6 10.3 1889 43.40 29.25 1.44 0.94 O68 1890 18 >.92? l ) 1.43 0.87 Li 5 1891 0.00 1.46 0.67 8.6 1892 15.7 41.89 50.00 0.56 7.3 3 3 1894 30.02 24.00 0.84 1332—The Iron Age, April 23, 1931 Connellsville coke 1.00 per ton 1894 Foundry iron, Birmingham 5.75 per ton 1897 Bessemer pig, Pittsburgh 9.50 per ton 1897, May Structural shapes, Pittsburgh 0.98c. per lb. 1897, Aug Steel rails, Pittsburgh $15.00 per ton 1897 Steel billets, Pittsburgh $14.00 per ton 1897, Pig lead, New York 2.60c. per 1896, Aug Lake copper, New York 8.94c. per 1894, Spelter (zinc), New York 3.10c. Spot cotton, New York 1894 Spot cotton, New York 3/16c. 1897 Cash wheat, Chicago per bu. 1895 Cash corn, Chicago per bu. 1896 Crude oil, Pennsylvania 50c. per bbl. 1892, Oct Crude oil, 65c. per bb! 1897, Oct Portland cement, average per bbl. 1896 Portland cement, average U.S. $0.813 per bbl. 1909 the telegraph and newly invented telephone systems, the discovery new oil fields, the beginnings mod- ern steel-and-concrete construction the cities and elsewhere. The manufacturing industries whole seem have somewhat more than doubled during this twenty year period declining prices, regard being paid both labor employed and the total value the output. During the whole period under consideration there was essentially upward reaction, but very marked and very resistless fall prices all commodities. small extent, but only small extent, this was due the resumption specie payments the United States. But this influence was ended 1879, and thereafter American prices moved downward ac- cordance with general conditions world trade. The Trend Business Organization have seen the period between 1873 and 1896 -indeed, between 1864 and 1896—was period which all important commodities were produced increasing quantities each year, and which most them were sold lower prices each year. These facts, taken together, suggest immediately that th: period must have been one bitter competition most industries; and that was indeed the fact. Theo retical economists had always extolled the advantages competition, and all the current textbooks political economy spoke, and speak even today, competition were itself unmixed blessing. real life, course, the case different. all know that reality severe competition any industry occupation inevitably tends lower the grade product, even more than lowers its price; and that such competition carried its logical textbook ex- treme just inevitably brings about the extinction the weaker competitors and the final creation monopoly. Wages and Labor Conditions period that was marked falling prices, output and bitter business competition was, perhaps necessarily, also period marked labor unrest and great development labor organization. between 1873 and 1896 find numerous times when unemployment became serious problem, periods when strikes took place numbers and scales hitherto not experienced. And these, partly consequences and partly causes, find also vast growth the organization the — + dividual trades, the beginnings national trades fed- erations; and the first real traces class con- sciousness, leading toward the formation distinct socialist groups and parties. The trades union move- ment and the socialist movement were distinctly sep arate their beginnings, leadership though there was course certain similarity the auses that brought both about. Agrarian Difficulties Throughout the entire period now under review there was almost continuous agitation, particularly the West and Northwest, among farmers, based upon which was claimed should remedied political action otherwise. true that thes were not always expressed clearly ably; and times, when they were presented profes sional politicians, there was necessarily touch in- sincerity. possible also that some the remedies suggested were foolish, and that others were inade- quate. But, these facts admitted, think that care- ful study the data available suggests that there were actual and very serious difficulties the situation throughout the two decades question The matter more than historic interest, be- cause seems certain enough that some the con- ditions which gave rise agrarian discontent during the period 1873-1896 are conditions which will cer- tainly reappear during the period slowly falling prices that now ahead us—if indeed they have not already reappeared. 1870 each manufacturing wage earner had pro duced times much value product the farmer; 1890 the factory hand produced eight times Taking Care Labor ANY concern has been faced with the necessity for shortening its labor commit- ments without disrupting its organization. Some companies have made drastic reductions like percentage basis, without regard future conditions. Others—the more far-seeing ones—have laid their plans ahead and have retained many their key men and good workers has been possible keep the payroll. Something the method employed New manufacturer may suggestive executives other companies. This organization has followed two three different methods for taking care this problem, but each one has been thought out best suited the particular case hand. the first place there was the positive method going after more business than was available from the usual fatalistic stand-pat attitude many business concerns. addition was made the sales force and the list prospects more diligently than ever before. Notwithstanding the results this forward looking policy, became apparent some time ago that the payroll would have cut. First, the en- tire list was gone over and every bit deadwood, speak, was eliminated. This did not suffice. GROWTH OUTPUT VARIOUS BASIC COMMODITIES, 1873-1893 Commodity 1873 1878 1883 1888 1893 llion bushels 420 421 416 396 208 290 269 303 Coal, million tons 103 Copper, 51.6 101.0 much. whatever way these figures ered, there ems clear proof that the farmer position, bad enough 1870, had become both lutely and relatively worse during the two decad that followed. The period 1873-1896 had een one prices; and both farm products well manut tured prod ucts were about one-third lower 1893 than 1873. But the manufacturer had been meet this securing earner employed; while the farmer had not been able geta higher number The business depression after the panic r tonnage per bushels per acre tilled Lowest Prices History continued for some 1893 and prices commodities fell almost steadily until 1896 thereabout. the tal lation page 1332 extreme low prices and dates are given for number the most important American commodities. every case except petroleum and cement the extreme low point all recorded history reached during the period 1894-1897. wre We iS When Business Slack Then each department scanned with rela tion the possibility working somewhat shorter hours than the full-time week prevailing. This sulted either shutting down the department Saturday morning since the plant does not work Saturday afternoons), relieving half the force given department the first and third Saturday mornings the month, while the half were not working other Saturda nstance ere several people similar rk \ p Die 0 to divide the job that one eight would take his own expense every eight week Thus the even persons remaining the group would car hange extent one the eight eek off the preceding member return vorkers shorten their employment and conse quently their pay Every one those working les teadily than before made realize the predicament which the company find wn. Hence the hard feelings which might expected with cur- tailed employment have place here, and the morale employees maintained. The Iron 23, 1931—1333 = = te = = — on" 7 q Operator pouring from moving plat- form into flasks moving the same rate. pulls along the ladle required. OURING castings the run,” were, with the flasks moving down the line traveling conveyor while the operators pour the molten metal, established practice number foundries. recent innovation, however, motor-operated platform running parallel the flask conveyor and ladle trolley parallel both. the empty flasks and full ladles travel along together, their respective conveyors, the along the moving platform and pour the molten from one the other with ease and accuracy, for the rate travel all three nicely synchro- nized. Such installation has been made the plant the Stockham Pipe Fittings Co., Birmingham, Ala. This plant divided into three main divisions—gray iron, malleable and steel castings—and here are made all kinds fittings, including standard and extra heavy, oil and heavy oil, hydraulic, etc., screwed and flanged; also all kinds sprinkler fittings, Running along one side the main building, the raw material yard served with railroad spur and craneway ft. wide and 875 ft. long. The cupolas 1334—The Iron Age, April 23, 1931 NEALEY American Gas Association, New York YNCHRONIZED speeds for mold conveyor, pouring platform along- side and the ladle carriage monorail overhead are employed easing the job filling the molds Birmingham plant. This foundry making great variety castings for pipe fittings all kinds, and which gray iron, malleable and steel castings all are produced. are arranged single row parallel this yard, and just inside the building. Raw material storage pro- vided for the space between the tracks and building. Sand and coke are handled with grab buckets and iron and scrap with magnets. The coke dropped into pits and elevator conveyors lift into storage bins over the cupolas. Two Cupolas Furnish Iron for Malleable Castings the most interesting sections this plant the malleable iron division, which served two cupolas located about the center one the building. Directly front these cupolas overhead rail the form loop, from whic! ladles are suspended. These are trucks riding the rail, that they can pulled along with the other side this unit loop-shaped track, laid out the floor, with traveling chain center pulling dollies cars, riding the tracks, along with it. Flasks made operators located along the further side this track loop are placed directly the cars. — > PLATFORM FEATURES SOUTHERN CASTINGS PLANT When these flasks and cars have made the castings are packed alloy steel boxes they are then traveling parallel and directly under ft. ft. deep, and the filled boxes are charged into the ladle runway. Alongside and parallel with the furnace, one above the other, and then sealed with the moving platform. The operator simply fills his fireclay. Gas supplied high pressure. the ladle the cupola, pulls around the platform automatic gas-air proportioners, the venturi type, which steps), hooks the flask that will any desired atmosphere can obtained and main follow through without further effort his part and tained the furna Four thern pours the metal. the end the steps off tributed points the furnace and chart the platform, pulls his ladle around the cupola the temperature fluctuations each are kept and repeats the cycle. ngle recording Most Core-making units are arranged along the tilated with natural draft hich take off all the building and the pattern storage racks ear the bottor line parallel. The shakeout one end the car-bottom type furnace, near the one described, track loop and fans and hoods here remove all smoke, has pit for the car operate in, just deep lust and dirt, while the sand falls through grating that the car top, which forms the hearth the traveling belt conveyor which collects for furnace, level with the concrete floor the roon onditioning. Transferred another conveyor, the This furnace, ft. long, ft. wide and ft. high, astings are taken the cleaning room tumblers; heated with gas burners side, half high after tumbling they are sent the annealing room and half low down the furnace walls. monorail Cores are baked row four gas-fired ovens with hand hoists used loading and unloading and are double-compartment ovens constructed car provided with sand seal that the insulated steel panels and provided with swing doors. Each ft. wide, ft. long, and 6°, ft. high, and heated with two pipe-burners with lava tips, set one each side, close the floor. Ventilation through one long pipe with take- flues each oven, single motor-oper ited fan supplying the draft. Larger ores are baked similar but larger oven, ft. long, ft. wide and high. Insulated Furnaces for Heat Treating Many furnaces several different types are used for malleableizing. Most these units are served with overhead mon orail systems and pneumatic hoists aid handling the castings and boxes These furnaces are heavy brick con- struction, insulated and suitably stayed, and are fired with gas. One such unit, ft. long, ft. wide and ft. high, heated with gas burners each side, half which are located the upper portion the wall and half the lower, heat. Steel castings being charged into car-bottom type annealing furnace The Iron Age, April 23, 1931—1335 — q 5 heat the furnace will not penetrate below the recording pyrometer maintains two charts ratures two parts this furnace and requires about hr. trucks. bring the whole from room temperature approximately 1800 deg. row five furnaces, two which are each ft. long, ft. wide and ft. high. These are heated with ras burners the side, firing from above and below, ‘ature lines are kept recorder. The other three furnaces are each ft. ft. ide and ft. high, and are heated with gas burn- ers each side. overhead monorail with hoists part the equipment Heat Treatment for Castings Steel TEEL castings receive special treatment here that requires two furnaces, one for the high heat and the for controlling the cooling grain growth period. These are the car-bottom type, open one end only, and are placed that the doors face each ther with 15-ft. Space between track runs be- furnaces and another, the ime length and parallel outside. pit right angles these tracks, between the quipped with transfer truck and track. When this truck and track are centered between the the ween and into these lies just furnace car can run from one oven the can located the truck and transferred ording the heat treatment scheduled. The cars are and out with winch and the work handled and hois the outside track, swing post crane These furnaces are brick, ft. long, ft. wide and ft. high, and each fired with gas burners each side. The Most the castings are piled loose the cars. work treated these furnaces carbon steel and nichrome steel. Both are heated 1550 1600 deg. the first furnace. two classes, Nichrome steel castings, pulled out the furnace and left the air until cooled blackness, are then transferred the other furnace, which already heated about 1300 deg F., and then allowed cool slowly. The carbon steel castings, the other hand, are pulled from the high-temperature furnace and put directly into the other furnace, which cold. This furnace then sealed and the work allowed slowly. Another unit group two furnaces used for similar work. These treatments malleableizing and annealing are very exacting and require close control, both temperature cycle and furnace atmosphere. Galvanizing Castings Malleableized castings are finally pickled, dried and galvanized several units each consisting row pickle vats, dryers and galvanizing furnaces and kettles, all served with overhead monorail loop con- The castings are hung hooks suspended from trucks the conveyor, and are pushed along the operators. The conveyor extends past all these and there are four galvanizing kettles unit. After dipping the castings the pickle they are placed the dryers, one back each kettle. dryer con- sists steel plate which kept hot with the waste heat from the kettle. Each kettle furnace brick, ft. long, ft. wide and ft. high. hooded and heated with four gas burners each side, these burners being the impact type, and provided with gas-air propor- tioners. The dry castings are placed racks, dipped into the molten zinc, quenched oil and then placed tote boxes for further handling. The accumulation dross these hand racks burned off sheet . ing furnaces for cast- cooling unit and then out. 1336—The Iron Age, April 23, 1931 ~ Gas-fired galvanizing kettles for coating pipe fittings with zinc. ? steel, brick-lined furnace, about ft. each dimen- sion, and heated with two high-pressure, tunnel-type yas burners. All fitting are tested with both cold and hot water, the latter supplied 50-hp. steam boiler fired with vas, the burners being sealed into the fire-door open- ings. The water heated two U-tube heaters, each consisting steam coils within tank, the heat from the steam being imparted the water. This boiler equipped with automatic steam pressure control, consisting diaphragm governor connected pipe the steam header one side and piston with shutoff valve the gas supply line the other side. When the pre regulator, causes the diaphragm sink and close ssure rises above the point set the the gas flow, thus reducing the volume flames and heat under the boiler, which turn causes the steam When the pressure diaphragm rises, the valve opens and pressure to drop. yone below the setting the Hardening Heads Rails Water Quenching hardening with water the running sur- face steel rails discussed recent article Stahl und Eisen Pilz and Meyer, and some interesting results were obtained. The writers proceeded the theory that, among rails with high wear resistance, those which the running surface not too highly hardened, ought specially good results owing their great tough- ness and resistance fracture. Even them, how- ever, transverse surface cracks caused the grinding action the tires may occur. While such racks may lead breakages, experience far does not indicate that they are any great importance. So-called fractures” which may appear very hard rails result internal stresses, have not hitherto been observed hardened basic-Bessemer steel rails. which such fractures arise and the magnitude the cooling strains rails were studied and reported upon. The manner whether there are any objections hardening the running increased grounds safety, rails with different degrees sur face hardening from two different works were sub jected comparative tests These chemical structure and physical the Owing the defects strength vealed the tests result the dissimilar hard ness special tests were also carried out ininjured rail section. fundamental obje tions against extreme hardening the running sur face were found. the wearing test the highest surface hardening onded the question, therefore, should presumably service. Practical tests such given favorable results, and greatest resistance wear. The prove most durable rails service have may expected that these tests will remove the preju- dice some quarters against such rails. The Age, April 23, 1931—1337 4 : 3 ¥ q 4 7 — & — BEHAVIOR LIQUID ARBURIZING BATHS MOFFETT Technologist, American Cyanamid Co. New York has become great commercial impor tance since the advent the bicycle and the motor car. Potassium cyanide was prob- ably the first material used extensively the molten condition liquid bath. This form cyanide was commercial product before sodium cyanide was avail- able. still used but relatively small amount. The literature contains very little information about the results produced potassium cyanide, but are the opinion that the hardness and the rate penetration are about the same are obtained with sodium cyanide. have heard old hardeners claim that the fume was less irritating. Cyanide Sodium Used for Many Years Sodium cyanide has been used almost for number years, possibly far back 1900. The high-grade material containing per cent NaCN was used first, and later mixtures containing some salt and sodium carbonate. ques- tion frequently asked is, what the rate deterioration sodium cyanide? Several investigators have published the result their experiments covering this point. man and Clark have prepared paper show- ing graphically the results obtained. Baths “96 98” grade and grade operated for hr. 1500 deg. under normal production requirements. series analyses the baths was made over the period three-hour intervals, and curves were plotted from the results. “ARRAS Three runs were made using each grade sodium cyanide. The higher analysis material showed uniform deterioration, the curve representing being almost straight line, for hr. The average rate deterioration for the three runs during this period was about per cent per hour, while for the next hr. the average was per cent per hour. has been found that cyanide con- centration about per cent neces- sary give good penetration and hard- 1338—The Iron Age, April 23, 1931 find that, per cent concentration, average rate deterioration between and per cent per hour. This rate also holds grade materials and therefore necessary tain the correct cyanide concentration, when the oper ation conducted 1500 1550 Higher temperatures decompose the cyanide more rapidly and consequently larger quantities must added main- tain the strength. Materials popularly known and contain that amount sodium cyanide respectively, the bal- ance each mixture consisting equal parts sodium chloride and sodium carbonate. The grade used for hardening medium-carbon and for producing slight case low-carbon steel. The strength the bath frequently maintained addi- ” ? ” = 4 4 oF 3 3 | ” ” 2 a) 9 3 ” | — THOUSANDTHS INCH Fig. 1.—Carbon distribution from the use different carburizing media S.A.E. 1020 steel 1600 deg. 4 VOY | | } | | } 4 | Y | | | | | | | | | tions grade. The grade used almost exclusively for hardening medium steels requiring case. These mixtures fume less than the because the lower vapor pressure due the sodium chloride. Sodium cyanide the actual active case hardening agent these mixtures. Failure maintain the correct concentration results lack case depth and hardness. The use temperatures excess 1550 deg. results rapid deterioration the cyanide and does not increase the rate penetration. Experimental work has demonstrated that the depth case and its earbon content are less when steel treated 1600 deg. than 1550 deg. for the same time. The carbon penetration uniform throughout the bath temperatures below 1550 deg. while 1600 deg varies from the top the bottom the bath. This lack uniformity quite noticeable when comparatively deep pots are used, and illustrated heating wire per cent cyanide bath in. depth. this experiment the wire reached bottom the pot and was treated for hr. 1600 deg. and quenched water. The wire was broken and the depth case measured 2-in. intervals. varied from 0.013 in. the top the bath 0.004 in. the bottom, the top in. the bath being fairly uniform depth case produced. This lack uniformity was apparent when treat ing triple notched Izod bars suspended vertically sodium 1600 deg. The Rockwell hard- ness readings varied from the top the lower end the 5-in. bars, the hardness the lower end being invariably less than the top and amounted nine points the case 4615 steel, treated for hr., and points the case 1020 steel treated for hr. Other steels showed marked differences hardness. General Rules for Using Sodium Cyanide General instructions for sodium cyanide case hard- ening are summarized follows: (1) Select compound correct analysis for the job. (2) Use pot correct dimensions. Pots in. wide and in. deep have proved most satisfactory and economical for heavy production schedules (3) Maintain cyanide concentration per cent where case depth 0.005 in. desired. (4) Keep the bath free from sludge. (5) not operate temperature higher than de F. The Aerocase Process Sodium cyanide baths are rarely used produce case depths greater than 0.010 in., beyond this point the rate penetration very slow and not economical. This limitation sodium cyanide led comparatively recent development liquid bath hardening known the Aerocase process. This process uses molten salt bath Aerocase compound No. 510 which case hardening properties are im- parted the addition small quantities act vating material Aerocase compound No, 28. The characteristics this process are: processes for liquid carburizing case hardening are discussed this article: Sodium cyanide compounds and calcium cyanide mixtures. Case hardening sodium cyanide and mixtures fully reviewed, with experi- mental data covering the rate deterior- ation the cyanide. Five general in- structions for its use are included. The calcium cyanide Aerocase proc- ess discussed detail, with the method operating the bath and the results ob- tainable covered. This article based paper pre- sented Mr. Moffett symposium carburizing conducted the New York chapter the American Society for Steel Treating. (1) The « produced is of untiorm depth, extremely hard and not (2) Only hr. temperature 1600 1625 deg are required produce case 0.032 (3) The bath during operation 1600 deg. fume extent; the fumes are not (4) The molten bath has corrosive action pot (5) The bath can used the temperature range from 1425 1650 deg. (6) The bath can used neutral heat-treating nedium for carburizing varying the quan tity activating material added. (7) The activating ingredient cyanide This bath extremely useful producing case the range 0.005 in. 0.032 in. but not limited these depths. Carburizing temperatures 1650 1700 deg. accelerate the rate carbon penetra- tion that case depths greater than 0.032 in. produced hr. The temperature main tained and the period immersion are determined the characteristics the steel and the and depth case desired produce. The case hardening operation carried out the isual furnace and pot equipment. start fresh bath, compound No. 510 introduced into new thoroughly cleaned pot and melted, additions being made the material melts completely. The level the bath, when loaded with steel treated, should about inch below the top the pot. When the molten salt has reached the temperature 1400 deg. quantity Aerocase compound No. added according the proportions required, figured below allowed melt and react for min. This first addition the activating material causes The Iron Age, April 23, 1931—1339 the impurities and dirt adhering the pot collect the surface the bath black scum. This should skimmed off with perforated ladle. When the temperature the bath reaches that which the case hardening operation performed, second addition compound No. equal weight the first made. The bath should now ready for use. The amount compound No. added varies from per cent the weight compound No. 510 contained the pot (110 lb. Aerocase com- pound No. 510 the molten state occupies cu. ft. space). The concentration the activating com- pound No. the bath must maintained during operation insure the production uniform case the desired depth and hardness. This done the addition every hour amount compound No. figured above. Additions higher per- per cent, are recommended only when the operating temperature above 1600 deg. and the surface the steel treated very large. centage, There almost volatilization salts from this bath, and consequently the temperatures used may considerably higher than with other Fur- thermore, the molten bath extremely fluid and there very little loss the salts adherence the work removed from the bath. Experience has shown that compound No. 510 should added the bath during continuous operation for every pound the activating material, compound No. 28, which has been added. Results Certain Steels Results obtainable use the Aerocase process have been determined laboratory work and com- pared with those obtained use cyanide and pack carburizing. The steels used this investiga- tion were: S.A.E. 1015, 1020, 2315, 3115, 5115, 6116, 1615. Standard triple notched Izod bars were used for the determination the hardness and impact values. Round bars, in. diameter in. long, were used for the determination the carbon concentra- tion and penetration. The carburized treated follows: All specimens were packed commercial carburiz- and pieces were ing compound heat-resisting alloy boxes the approximate dimensions, in. in. in. deep. The boxes were charged into furnace large Results Obtained from Carburizing S.A.E. 1020 Steel enough hold such boxes and heated 1650 deg. for total furnace time hr. and hr. Approximately hr. this time were required bring the boxes temperature. After the specified time had elapsed, the boxes were removed from the furnace and were allowed cool atmospheric temperature before they were dumped. The round test bars were then cleaned and successive cuts 0.005 in. the radius were removed lathe, the chips subsequently being analyzed for carbon the combustion method. The Izod bars were reheated oil-fired muffle furnace 1420 deg. Sufficient time was allowed for the specimens become thoroughly heated through. The plain carbon steels were quenched water and the alloy steels were quenched oil. Similar Izod bars and round bars were treated the Aerocase bath, heated automatically con- trolled electric furnace 1550 and 1600 deg. for periods 1,2 and The carbon bars were cooled lime and subsequently cleaned and sampled for the carbon determination. The Izod bars the plain carbon steels were quenched water and the alloy steels were quenched oil. similar procedure was used the treatment the samples bath con- taining per cent sodium cyanide, the cyanide concentration being checked analysis and corrected every half hour operation. The results obtained these three methods treatment have been tabulated and chart, Fig. shows the figures relating the S.A.E. 1020 steel. This steel good one study, used for many purposes. wide variation the rate carbon penetra- tion concentration noted the different steels when treated the same bath. The hardness readings vary somewhat according the analysis the steel, while the impact values, might ex- pected, show fairly wide variation. For instance, bar S.A.E. 1020 steel treated for hr. 1550 deg. the Aerocase bath had impact value 414 ft. lb., while bar S.A.E. 6115 steel treated similar manner showed impact value ft. lb. Variations similar magnitude were shown these two steels when treated sodium cyanide. interesting note the difference the shape the curves representing carbon distribution Aerocase case, inches Depth case, inches Cyanide Aerocase Carbon content outer 0.005 in. case, per cent Hardness Rockwell Cyanide Impact value foot-pounds Cyanide Pack carburized case depth (inches) Carbon content, per cent 0.88 Rockwell 56.5 Aerocase Aerocase Iron Age, April 23, 1931 1550 Deg. 1600 Deg 0.013 0.020 0.024 0.016 0.025 0.030 0.010 0.016 0.018 0.010 0.012 0.015 0.90 0.98 1.02 1.00 1.10 0.62 0.72 0.74 0.50 0.63 0.63 7.0 4.5 4.5 4.7 4.3 6.0 4.0 4.0 3.2 4.5 0.019 (6% hr.) 1650 deg. hr.) 1650 deg. 0.99 Fig. Curves and illustrating the results ob- tained sodium cyanide, are similar shape and slope those obtained pack carburizing, while curves and representing the results obtained the Aerocase bath, are almost straight lines. Experi- ence has shown that the case represented these curves well tied the core and does not chip spall. The Aerocase process has been called liquid car- burizing process. Its claim this classification illustrated Fig. Experimental work has shown that carbon and nitrogen are added about equal amounts sodium cyanide. This readily apparent the outer portion the case when the percentage carbon originally present the steel deducted from the carbon content the case. Looking the NaCN curves note carbon 0.56 per cent. deduct 0.20 per cent, have 0.36 per cent added carbon. The nitrogen 0.38 per cent, the Aerocase curves, note carbon 0.98 per cent. Deduct 0.20 per cent and have 0.78 per cent added carbon. The nitrogen the same portion the case 0.25 per cent, ratio carbon nitrogen 3.1 comparison the sodium cyanide and Aerocase bath shows marked differences. Naturally the ques- tion arises, why? Especially the active reagent both baths cyanide and its concentration greater the less active bath, being the average sodium cyanide bath the neighborhood per cent and only between 0.2 and 0.3 per cent the Aero- case bath. The answer lies the fact that, the Aerocase bath, cyanide the active reagent, and its chemical reactions case hardening are entirely dif ferent from those sodium cyanide. The mechanism the absorption carbon iron steel the Aerocase bath can represented the following equations: and 3 Fe + C — Fes C (2) That the reaction represented equation (1) occurs can demonstrated increasing the calcium cyanide content the Aerocase bath several per cent. such bath carbon deposited the sur- face the metal layer that can scraped off. This deposition due the fact that when the cal- cium cyanide content very high, the rate which reaction (2) takes place not rapid enough for the steel take the carbon liberated according reaction (1). The reaction mechanism sodium cyanide bath much more involved and, though considerable ex- perimental work has been done, the problem has not been entirely solved. That the reaction mechanism different from that the Aerocase bath indi- cated the difference: First, the reaction between sodium carbide and nitrogen and that calcium carbide and nitrogen. the first case the reaction the secord ] 4 Li TOGEN 4g AEROCAS 4 rare. — THO ANNTWC Of AA NC THOUSANDTHS OF AN INCH Fig. carbon and nitrogen Aerocase and sod: and, second, the reaction the two cyanides when heated. The decomposition sodium cyanide rep resented the equations: and the decomposition calcium cyanide equation, Expansion Electric Steel Output the World NLY recently have data become available cover ing the detailed output electric steel 1929 for all countries the world. From these now possible compile table giving the electric steel production the countri