The Iron Age 1937-03-04: Vol 139 Iss 9

FRITZ FRANK President J. H. VAN DEVENTER Editor c. E. WRIGHT A. I, FINDLEY Managing Editor Editor Emeritus Vachinery Editor Art Editor Editor Associate Editors JuRASCHEK Consulting Editor Washington Editors Resident District Editors Chicago Cleveland Detroit Pittsburgh Editorial Correspondents NUT AND 56TH STREETS, PHILADELPHIA, PA. Sales Offices London, England Cincinnati Boston WEST 39TH STREFT NEW YORK. MEYER LorEN IRWIN Hamburg, Germany Milwaukee San Francisco SANDERSON ROUNTREE, JR. LERoy ALLISON Toronto, Ontario Birmingham St. Louis Buffalo Contents. March 1937 New Strip Mill Installation Granite City The Flexibility the Industrial Truck The Last Word Heavy Interesting Facts About and Steel Steel Engineers Meet Youngstown Rate Activity Capital Goods Washington News NEWS CONTENTS .... Plant Expansion and Equipment Buying 118 Just Between Two Products Advertised 160 Owned and Published Index Advertisers 186 CHILTON COMPANY Copyright 1937 Chilton Company (Inc.) (Incorporated) Executive and Publication Offices, and Sts., Philadelphia, Pa. BAUR, General Advertising Manager DIX, Manager Reader Service A. MUSSELMAN, President Member, Audit Bureau of Circulations ADVERTISING STAFF FRITZ FRANK, Executive Vice-President Emerson Findley, 621 Union Cleveland Member, Associate sine Sts., Philadelphia, Pa. 2 Indexed in the Industrial Arts Index. . HILDRETH, Hottenstein, 802 Otis Bldg., Chicago GEORGE GRIFFITHS, Published every Thursday. St., New York tion Price: United States and Pos- EVERIT TERHUNE, Mexico, Cuba, $6.00; Can- Woodward Ave., ERNEST C. HASTINGS, ada, $8.50, including duty; Foreign C. H. Ober, 239 W. 39th St., New York $12.00 year. Single copy, cents. Robinson, 428 Park Bldg., Pittsburgh WILLIAM BARBER, Treasurer Cable Address, ‘‘Ironage, Warren, Box 81, Hartford, Conn. JOHN BLAIR MOFFETT, Secretary 4 = i |; G S 36—THE IRON AGE, March 1937 The Ryerson Stock List your guide the largest and most diversified stocks steel the country. shows sizes, weights, extras and other information useful the steel you are sure find the kind and quality material best suited your needs. And the Ryerson organization will cut, form what- ever required and deliver the steel and products record time. There special edition for each the ten Ryerson plants. The book featuring the stocks our plant nearest you will mailed shortly. you not receive few days, please let hear from you. JOSEPH RYERSON SON, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Cleveland, Detroit, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Boston, Philadelphia, Jersey City B63 eve { ce ~ THE IRON AGE ... MARCH 1937 ESTABLISHED 1855 Vol. 139, No. When You Evict the Devil, Close the Door! HIS editorial not blanket condemnation unionism. were, would not publish it. For believe that unions can and justify their right existence social and economic assets. question the motivation their leadership and the degree intelligence exercised their management. specific example, have pleasant and profitable relationships, ex- tending over many years, with the printing crafts unions. They observe con- tracts the letter and exert distinct force the elevation craftsmanship. That such unions may have secured for their membership wage rate com- mensurate with ability not, us, cause for condemnation but for congrat- ulation. What condemn, present-day unionization effort, that the monetary returns are not broadly distributed. There too much opportunity for unscrupulous organizer pocket the proceeds. the case the recent glass strike, for example, estimated that will take the workers least two years the new wage rates recoup the losses occasioned their idle time during the strike. The organizers, how- ever, profit immediately. Lust for power and profit not confined any one class society. can found the ranks labor well those capital. And exhibits the same ugly earmarks whatever strata found. Labor today exposed more danger exploitation its self-appointed leaders than its employers. convince yourself this, read the current disclosures concerning the Cafeteria Union New York. any em- ployer were rook his workers ruthlessly the officials that union are said have exploited their membership, would burned the stake indignant public opinion. the present hysteria for turning everything upside down, let remember the parable the man who was possessed the devil. After was exorcised, seven even more terrible devils moved into the vacated quarters! 3 > , , ~ ete > INSTALLATION unique continuous 90- in. hot strip mill and reversing 48-in. cold strip mill has been completed the Granite City Steel Co., Granite City, addition the rolling strip and sheets 84-in. wide and plate the same width, the hot mill layout, with its 100-in. plate mill, permits rolling plates over in., which can trans- ferred and sheared before reach- ing the four-high finishing stands. Use this three-high plate mill, with the flexibility pro- vides, one the unique fea- 50-0"Span SOAKING PITS 38—THE IRON AGE, March 1937 tures this latest hot strip in- stallation. Together with soaking pits and the 100-in. two-high slabbing mill, this plate mill was taken over from the company’s previous plate rolling layout, with considerable lowering initial investment the hot mill whole. Wider diversity product with the same ingot capacity made possible the new continuous mills. the case the hot mills there also flexibility change- over and increase that will greatly facilitate deliv- eries. Better quality product through the closer = = lab Heating ” & forded equipment most mod- ern design likewise obtainable. Except for new power plant equipment, the project does not involve additions any other de- partment division the plant. Sixty Years Expansion Expansion and modernization have characterized the company HOT STRIP MILL BUILDING years ago—as the Granite Iron Rolling Mills, St. Louis, sup- ply material the St. Louis Stamping Co., affiliated organi- zation. the years from 1878 1891 there were number plant additions, culminating 1891 the purchase some 2500 acres what now Granite City. The Granite City Steel Co. was then organized, and 1895 new plant consisting two 20-ton basic open hearths, 34- in. bloomer, 84-in. plate mill, 60-in. jobbing mill, three-high bar mill equipment was put operation. 1898 the three separate com- Mech Elect Pipe panies, namely, the Granite Rolling Mills, the St. Louis Stamp- ing Co., and the Granite City Steel Co., combined into single organization, the National Enam- eling Stamping Co. 1927 the steel producing units the National Enameling company be- came the Granite City Steel Co., wholly-owned subsidiary National company. 1928 the \ A ~ ~ Cran Continuous Strip Mill Installation MILLER Granite City Steel Co. two-high reversing plate corporated, and became sepa- mill. Subsequent major plant ad- rate entity. ditions included the building 1900 six basic open hearths, 1923 the company’s 26-acre four and two 20-ton, and tin mills with complementary equipment were installed Gran- ite City, and seven years later new tin house was added. the same year, 1907, the company be- New Hot The continuous 90-in. hot strip gan selling the general steel mill that forms the larger part consuming trade. the company’s present expan- From 1909-1918, the company sion project housed build- the number its tin ing that about 1100 ft. long. mills 20, enlarged four its 40-ton open hearths, Major units, built for the most installed six part the United Engineering new 60-ton open hearths with re- Foundry Co., Pittsburgh, are lated equipment, and added follows: Or, = > plan Granite City Steel Co.'s new 90-in. continuous hot one the largest the United States. with six jobbing mill, and number galvanizing pots. North Plant equipped sheet mills, one Strip Mill 100-in. two-high slabbing mill. Reversible vertical edger. slab shear with gaging table. Slab conveying, piling and storage facilities. Continuous slab reheating furnace. 100 in. two-high roughing scale breaker. roughing equipped with vertical edger. in. two-high finishing scale breaker. 90-in., four-high finishing mill (four stands). 200-ft. runout table. Hot coiler. Flying shear. Sheet piler. skin pass mill. Roller levellers, shears, etc. The 100-in. slabbing mill, the first unit the rolling line, equipped with turntable for use spreading ingots, and driven reversing steam engine. Located about ft. from the vertical edger, driven 1000-hp. d.c. motor. Next line the 900-ton steam hydraulic which has capacity for cutting 5-in. slabs lengths ranging from 15%. Except the case direct roll- ing plates, the cut slabs ad- vance about ft. pusher that loads them inclined roller conveyor located right angles the mill table. This conveyor, United Palmer-Bee unit, about ft. long, has THE IRON AGE, March 1937—39 a — a vor — q 1 = Cory Sig, anti-friction bearing rollers, and slab piler, from which the slabs are lowered platform for chipping, scarfing other condi- tioning. Slab storage space approximately 238 ft. pro- vided section adjoining this conveyor. slab reheating furnace has been installed adjacent the slab storage. This unit, supplied the Surface Combustion Co., continuous type with Chap- man-Stein tile recuperator, and will burn natural gas. ft. wide and ft. long, inside, and will handle slabs in. thick, ft. long, two rows, 15-ft.-long slabs one row, the rate gross tons hour. Roughing Train From the furnace the reheated slabs enter the roughing train, the first unit which the 100-in. roughing scale breaker, driven 750-hp. motor. Water under 1000-lb. pressure plied the hydraulic descaling nozzles this and the subse- quent finishing scale breaker and the three-high roughing mill compact installation com- prising twin Allis-Chalmers 500- hp. centrifugal pumps with air-cushioning tank. The next stand line, some ft. from the scale breaker, the three-high, 100-in. roughing mill, equipped with vertical edger and driven 3000-hp. Westinghouse motor with flywheel. believed that this the first time that three-high mill 40—THE IRON AGE, March 1937 this type has been employed hot strip layout. The diameter the top and bottom rolls this mill in. and that the middle roll in. Ryertex water-cooled roll neck bearings are used and also hy- draulic roll balancers employing water 1000-lb. pressure. Farval automatic lubrication used here, well elsewhere, wherever desirable. Side guards and screwdowns are Selsyn- ABOVE finishing train comprises four stands four-high Work rolls are in. diameter and backing-up rolls, in.; the latter are carried Morgoil bearings believed the largest yet built. The hot rolled strip leaves the last stand speeds 1200 ft. per min. and advances up-coiler over 200-ft. long, two- section runout table equipped, respec- tively, with 102 and individual motor- driven rollers. equipped that the setting these motor-operated units de- termined all times. Finishing Train From the roughing mill the strip advances the finishing scale breaker over approach table driven two 30-hp. motors through reduction gears. Approach table speeds may varied from 500 ft. per min. The scale breaker, wat | driven 350-hp. d.c. motor, two-high unit having 90- in. rolls carried Ryertex water- cooled bearings. balancers, this case employing oil under high pressure, are used this mill. Next line are four stands the four-high finishing mill. Each the first three stands driven 3500-hp. motor and the fourth stand 2500-hp. motor—all d.c. Work rolls are 90-in., and are equipped with Messinger roller bearings. Back- ing-up rolls are 90-in. and are carried Morgoil bearings, believed the largest yet built. Selsyn control devices are pro- vided for indicating roll and chute guide settings, both sides each cators are mounted the mill housings and adjustments made push-button control. These per- ABOVE continuous type slab reheat- ing furnace the hot strip mill ft. wide and ft. long, inside, and will handle slabs the rate gross tons hour. LEFT four-high fin- ishing stands are provided with roll- changing rig left) that permits changing top and bottom backing rolls simultaneously about min. The Ford sedan between the housings, serves show the immense size the finishing stands. mit accurate setting rolls guide chutes one man. An- other feature these four-high finishing stands roll changing rig that permits changing the top and bottom backing-up rolls simul- taneously about min. Runout Table Has Individually- Driven Rollers The last stand the finishing train has maximum delivery speed 1200 ft. per min. From the hot rolled strip advances long, two-section equipped with 102 and rollers respectively. These rollers are in. diameter, in. wide, and each them individually mo- tor driven through re- ducer. They are tied into fre- quency set that any variable delivery motor speed from 600 1800 r.p.m. can obtained. Each the two sections the table can started and stopped indi- vidually, and dynamic braking provided the 102-motor section for quick stopping. From the finishing mills, the hot rolled material proceeds one three different lines for further processing. driven transfer, and then leaves the main mill line for leveling, trimming and shearing into re- quired lengths. For strip, the processing route past the plate transfer with capacity for coiling 84-in.-wide material O.D. in. Coils travel THE IRON AGE, March gravity conveyor across Fair- scale, from which they are car- ried crane railroad cars for transportation either the coil pickler for cold reduction the old style two-high hot mills breakdowns. Sheet Line the case sheets (3/16 in. and under) the hot rolled mate- rial proceeds the strip up-coiler but. passes straight line un- der it, space being made for its passage elevating the up-coiler ramp. The rolled strip continues pair pinch rolls that feed them into drum-type shear, one the interesting units modern strip mills. This compact machine with blade and gear box that pro- vides large variety combina- tions cutting speeds and ratios. Normally, sheets will cut into leaving the piler pinch rolls speeds ranging from 150 600 ft. per min. the far right-hand end the sheet floor there 3/16 84-in. shearing line. Sheets from the flying shears are put lift form rack table and conveyed into slitter, the trimmed sheets then advancing 42—THE IRON AGE, March 1937 ih, reversing four-high cold reduction mill. Pratt Whitney Electrolimit mits continuous gaging without stopping slowing down the mill and Selsyn screwdown indicator shows movement the screw increments small in. ° ° ° through roller leveler up-cut shear for cutting accu- rately length. This shear ing table and gage that ad- justable for automatic cutting 20-ft. lengths, increments in. The sheets are then racked and piled, ready for ship- ment. Motor Room Inclosed and Ventilated The main drive motors the roughing scale breaker, the rough- ing plate mill, the finishing scale breaker and the four stands the finishing mill, together with number motor generator sets, transformers, control boards and electrical equipment are housed inclosed motor room assure maximum cleanliness and facilitate maintenance. This room approximately 300 ft. long ft. wide and has base- ment from which the main drive motors are constantly ventilated cooled air under pressure. The recirculating system includes makeup fan the motor room that supplies filtered air re- place that lost through doors and other openings. Here elsewhere the new mill, most the elec- trical equipment was supplied the Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co. Adjacent the slab reheating furnace and about the center the hot mill rolling line there 24-ft. Mesta roll grinder for the conditioning the rolls the hot strip finishing stands and the rolls the cold mill, located another building. The machine insulated against vibration means sand packed around the concrete foundation. Cold Strip Mill The new cold strip division equipped with the most modern facilities, the major unit which the single reversing four-high cold reduction mill. The continuous processing gins with joining the ends two previously unwound coils hot strip means oxy-acetylene blowpipe torch. The double coils are then loosely recoiled and | ‘add } ‘ | . conveyed coil pickling unit new central mast design. From the pickling operation the loosely wound welded coils through drying room and oiler house, where they are spray coated with oil. The coils then advance conveyor the cold mill room, which entirely in- closed. Here they are put through tight coiling operation prepara- tory passing through the cold reduction mill. This mill has 16% 48-in. work rolls and 48-in. backing-up motor and each its tension reels powered 550-hp. motor. Strip tension automatically con- trolled, and the strip continu- ously and accurately gaged means Pratt Whitney elec- tric limit device, without stopping slowing down the mill. screwdown indicator, made Selsyn instrument and counter, indicates movement the screw increments small 0.0001 in. Subsequent processing includes trimming rotary side trim- ming shear, and cutting length flying shear. The latter push-button controlled and ad- justable maximum speed 300 ft. per min. New Turbine Generators Installed take care the additional power required the new con- tinuous hot and cold strip mills and also the company’s North plant sheet mill, power for which formerly was purchased from local power company, two kw. Allis-Chalmers turbine gen- erators have been added the two 3000-kw. General Electric mixed-pressure turbine generators previously installed. These ma- chines take 400 640 deg. steam the throttle, and extract, bleed, maximum 100,000 lb. steam per hr. 160 Ib. pressure for processing, for the reciprocating mill engines and for the previously installed mixed- pressure turbines. Steam for the latter was formerly supplied di- rectly from the steam generators operating lower pressure. Other new power plant cludes Allis-Chalmers surface con- densers; circulating and conden- sate centrifugal pumps; Marley Co. cooling tower; Swartwout Co. steam pressure and desuper- heating station; and new surge tank receive condensate from the new turbines. The steam generating plant the same heretofore. con- sists three Combustion Engi- neering steam generating units, two installed 1927 and one 1931. Four new overhead electric trav- eling cranes, all supplied the Harnischfeger Corp. and equipped with Cutler-Hammer magnetic con- trol, complete the new equipment required for the new hot and cold strip mills. Those the hot mill are: One 75-ton, with 25-ton aux- iliary, ft. span; one 70-ft. span; and one 25-ton, 50-ft. span, the latter installed the slab storage building. The cold mill required 50-ton, 75-ft. span with 10-ton auxiliary. UNIQUE application conveyors the pro- duction strip aluminum shown the accompanying illustration. Hot strip rol- ler-conveyed from the rolling mill coiler, and from the latter the coils are automati- discharged ontoa troughed roller conveyor which acts loading sta- tion for upender. From the upender the coil travels over roller conveyor automatically operated elec- tric hoist designed elevate the coils and discharge them conveyor that serves cooling table and also af- fords temporary storage. From this point the coils travel conveyors the finishing department where the aluminum strip trimmed and cut specified lengths. The coils average in. diameter and are in. length. They weigh 250 Ib. (Photo courtesy Ma- thews Conveyer Co., Ellwood City, Pa.) THE IRON AGE, March 1937—43 te Flexibility the ndustrial Truc FRANCIS JURASCHEK Consulting Editor, The Iron Age the modern industrial truck two major develop- ments are evident; greater load-carrying capacity, and many different means picking the load. This continuation Powered Mobile Handling which appeared the issue Feb. 18, 1937. general way the advantages and limita- tions industrial trucks and tractor trains were outlined the previ- ous discussion this series, pub- lished the issue Feb. 18, 1937, under the title, “Self-Powered Mo- bile Handling Equipment.” this continuation that article at- tempt will made cover briefly some the engineering problems incident the development the widely varied special types equipment now available. the early days electric in- dustrial truck manufacture, both use requirements and manufactur- ing design were relatively simple. Loads over three tons were un- thought of. many cases floor con- struction manufacturing plants was such that heavier loads could 44—THE IRON AGE, March 1937 not safely carried. Bearings for truck wheels had not been de- veloped carry heavier loads, drop forgings for axles and steer- ing knuckles seemed prone de- velop faults times stress, truck tires were still problem, and knowledge the use the lighter alloy steels had not progressed far enough warrant their use trucks designed heavy loads. Engineering skill truck design had not pro- gressed far enough, with the back- ing the requisite experience, permit designs which would pack into small space heavy load-carry- ing capacity with ample power and light weight. Finally, those days the need was not clearly seen developing truck designs such types would unite one unit the functions picking loads well carrying them. Under all these restrictions general type truck was evolved such all-around usefulness that still heavy demand. typ- ical example shown Fig. This Yale narrow, high-plat- form truck with load-carrying capacity two tons. First manu- factured commercially about 1922, still made substantially the same for host industrial ap- plications. Other industrial truck manufacturers developed somewhat similar designs, and most them are likewise still being made and sold. comparison with equipment especially developed for the more exacting and special needs today, interest note that the frame this truck was pressed steel, riveted; the 84-in. 38-in. platform was made oak plank; and the batteries were car- ried metal case slung under the platform. Trucks like this are still being used for handling mis- cellaneous loads material which can placed the platform hand, chain block, electric hoist, ship’s tackle overhead crane service. Auxiliary equipment frequently added, such gravity dump bodies for material, electrically operated swinging boom cranes. The large wheels and full spring suspension permit efficient operation over rough surfaces well smooth. way contrast the Auto- Transportation unit shown Fig. provides several points interest. Especially designed pick well carry heavy loads dies, jigs, sheet metal, and forth, this truck has lifting and load-carrying capacity tons. Special skids corresponding the beds form- ing presses carry the dies other materials transferred. The lift platform the truck runs un- | h ° ° ° ° ° ° | der the skids, and means reduction gear drive and double 1%-in. pitch Diamond roller chains, lifts the skid and its load clear from the floor, after which the truck performs its second function transportation unit. Even heavier loads are being suc- cessfully handled today, and truck technique rapidly displacing the overhead crane for placing heavy dies presses and taking them off again. The type die-handling truck shown Fig. has attained great favor, permits the changing dies quickly, with RIGHT Baker-Rau- lang trailer truck method handling The fork truck alone may used for carrying five ton dies. ° ° ° RIGHT Yale narrow, truck. Substantially the same design first made 1922. f a = 4 THE IRON AGE, March 1937—45 LEFT Modern Automatic portation ton ca- pacity lift truck. Practically mate the single lift-shift unit. ° ° ° ’ A small gang, and safely. Likewise, permits the dies carried out the press room for storage the plant yard without the rehandling that necessary when depending upon the overhead crane. But the maximum load-carrying while many the dies use to- day for the production all-steel tops and bodies automobiles weigh double that figure. And truck the size and ca- pacity required even for 30-ton dies ABOVE 1G. The Baker-Raulang com- bination truck and trailer moving tons one load the Cad- illac Motor Co., Detroit. ° ° RIGHT Yale two-ton skid-lifting truck single multiple lift type. The multiple (telescoping) lift raises the platform inches above the floor. strictly one-purpose machine, representing considerable invest- ment which must lie idle for great part the time. Confronted with the problem handling, changing and storing dies weighing tons, and facing the possibility using 60-ton dies the near future, engineers the 46—THE IRON AGE, March Cadillac Motor Co. worked out with the Baker-Raulang engineering staff new technique which may obsolete all other methods han- dling heavy dies. The equipment required extremely flexible op- eration, and permits the dies changed the shortest possible time with very small force men. Fig. shows the special truck and semi-trailer which was devel- oped. The trailers are made with single axle placed that the weight the dies will almost bal- ance. Since the weight all the trailer, truck relatively small capacity can used, such dies, about five tons weight, being carried directly the truck. The trailer platform about in. above the height the press bed, but when one end tilted down exactly press bed lev- el. The trailer pushed the press, wire cables running from electrically operated winches the truck are hooked the die, and the die drawn smoothly off the press bed onto the trailer. The operation getting die onto the press from the trailer accom- plished running the cables through reversing tached temporarily the press frame, the trailer set posi- tion one side the press and the truck run around the other side the press permit the cables draw the die off the trail- through the press. The truck itself heavy-duty, six-wheel, two-motor, four-wheel drive fork truck which steers four wheels. has capacity five tons, and equipped with re- movable and interchangeable forks and coupling socket. When carry- ing smaller dies, the truck can used tier them storage, desired, order increase the available storage space without in- creasing the floor space. view the truck and trailer combina- tion moving 40-ton die shown Fig. The Yale high lift truck two tons’ capacity, shown Fig. designed self-loading transpor- tation unit combining the advan- tages both low lift and high lift, well trailer haulage. may used lift loaded skids from the floor and transport them an- other place, raise them such height that the cost stack- ing tiering storerooms, freight ~ cars steamship holds reduced reduction spur gearing and single roller chain, the platform can raised the telescopic models height in. from the floor. This truck has two-wheel drive and four-wheel steering. Capacity loads can raised the rate ft. per minute, and lowered ft. per minute. With this type truck the loads must placed skids ABOVE Yale tilting, tiering, telescoping fork-type truck with 72-inch forks for skid boards pallet lifting. Maximum inches. RIGHT Elwell- Parker for picking and carrying coils inches width and tons weight. with standard floor clearances Fig. shows Yale tilting, tier- ing, telescoping fork-type truck which will pick loads skid boards pallets having under- clearance only in. The forks are in. long, and the supporting uprights the forks and carrying the roller chain-lifting mechanism can carried ver- tical position, tilted forward five degrees for picking loads, tilted backward degrees for carrying them. Lifts are available mum 98% in. above the floor level. The truck drive, and steering means the two rear wheels only. The fork capacity from 1500 lb. 2500 Still another type modern lift- shift truck which has gained great favor steel mills and plants han- dling strip metal shown Fig. The trucks illustrated are well-Parker heavy-duty ram trucks for handling coiled strip steel. They are built various load-carrying capacities for coils in. width and weighing tons. Four- wheel drive and four-wheel steering enables these trucks turned close quarters. Two factors have spurred the in- dustrial truck manufacturers in- creased efforts during recent years. One the factor the increasing weights the loads handled, evidenced the heavy dies used for automobile body work, the han- dling metal steel mills and fabricating plants, and the han- dling loads heavy sheet metal such tin plate. The other fac- tor the growing consciousness the value “air-rights” stor- age; that is, the utilization stor- age space cubic foot basis in- stead merely square foot basis. This latter factor has led more and more the development efficient and economical means stacking tiering materials ver- tically well placing them hori- zontally. The problems combining great strength with comparative light- ness construction and wide versatility action the modern industrial truck have been met combination events. First, the development alloy steels has come most propitious moment; second, heat-treating skill has been developed point amazing re- sourcefulness; third, the drop-forg- ing art has advanced materially that flawless, homogeneous forg- ings can now obtained meet the increasingly heavy demands axles, shafts, and steering knuckles. Finally, the most complete advan- tage has been taken all these outside developments the exer- cise patient and painstaking skill within the industry intensively trained and experienced engineer- ing staffs. The self-powered, mobile hap- dling unit scarcely quarter century old, yet its developments probably include greater amount engineering thought than any other single form mechanical handling apparatus. one knows yet just what the actual physical limitations this type equip- ment may be, the entire range its usefulness the matter more efficiently and economically han- dling the materials industry. THE IRON AGE, March 1937—47 he YALE = in ° ° Welding and Metallurgical Engineer Lukens Steel Co., Coatesville, Pa. Certain Alloy Steels concluded 2.15 per cent nickel, 0.17 per cent car- bon—Fig. 22c. For all practical purposes, have two per steels: one with 0.30 per cent car- with per cent nickel, the containing 2.00 per This relationship gives decreas- ing amounts nickel and carbon Since nickel intensifies the HIS article, the second tain Alloy concludes the interesting series Dr. Theisinger. For listing the issues containing previous parts the series see THE IRON AGE Feb. 25, page Nickel Steels obtain some idea the effect nickel combination with car- bon steel, three types steels comparable analyses were stwdied. The same method weld- ing was employed for the other steels. bare, 5/32-in. diameter, plain carbon steel electrode was used deposit bead the top plates. The series steels examined was follows: 3.45 per cent nickel, per cent car- bon—Fig. 22a. per cent nickel, 0.20 per cent car- 22b. 48—THE IRON AGE, March 1937 bon, the other with 0.20 per cent carbon. Then there also two 0.20 per cent carbon steels; one ing power carbon, the influence varying amounts both ele- ments ought studied. 350 300 250 375 Amperes Volts Vickers-Brinell Hardness 375 Ampere 200 Volts Plate Welding per minute 150 Nickel steel; (b) Effect decreasing carbon with the same nickel content; (c) Effect decreasing nickel with the same carbon content. | x. > Weld ° ° | 300 250 1G. 23—Cromansil lowable welding speed based 100 points in. per min. WELD PLATE 300 Brinell Hardness > 24—Cromansil steel, per cent Welding speeds 12, and in. per min. Pearlite and sorbite. The samples were run weld- minute. The higher the carbon nickel, the greater the hardness both the affected and unaffected plate metal. Unaffected Plate Fig. 22a 218 Fig. 22b 185 Fig. 166 Vickers- Affected Plate Welding Speeds 258 278 333 215 218 282 185 187 240 dropping the carbon content, there considerable decrease the hardness the per cent steel, and the allowable 0.42Cr 375 Amperes Welding per minute welding range increased. Also there then difference the hardness obtained between the and 8-in. welding speeds. There also decrease hardness the nickel content lowered well the carbon. The lower nickel —low carbon the least harden- able the series. Here another example the Low Carbon Special Steel Because the tremendous in- fluence which carbon has the hardening properties steel and 4.04 & 4 * aay tad effect carbon the heat af- fected zone produced welding. While true that the higher tensile and yield point properties are attractive, the magnitude metallurgical damage the plate adjacent the weld increased well. This fact should given consideration the selection ferrous metals for welding. the hardening the plate adjacent weld, more and more atten- tion being given the low car- THE IRON AGE, March 1937—49 —_ : bon-low alloy steels. appears that the most suitable welding steel, where strength higher than that possessed the plain struc- tural steels, one which some alloying elements are added low carbon content order produce the desired physicals. The most important requirement for such welding steels that the carbon must low. Although there seems considerable lati- tude the choice special ele- ments, not assumed that Vickers Hardness Here again the proper welding rod position similar the plate. Fig. shows the hardness curves this steel welded minute. The maximum difference tween plate and hard zone only 113 points Vickers-Brinell in. minute. This shows wide range weldability and keeps the usual welding practices within the bounds commercial technique. Molybdenum steel; (b) effect decreasing carbon content with increased molybdenum. haphazard selection wise course pursue. Weldability must taken into account with even greater care since the heat effect means nothing the special steel does not weld readily. alloy steel, known the trade Cromansil was developed meet the metallurgical requirements welding. The samples investigated were the following analysis: Carbon, 0.13 per cent; chromium, 0.42; manganese, 1.20; and silicon, 0.72 per cent. These specimens like the others described herein were welded depositing bead the top sur- face the plate with bare 5/32- in., plain carbon steel electrode. 50—THE IRON AGE, March 1937 This steel welded easily in. minute, where only slightly preheated, this speed was easily performed any the slower welding speeds. The photomicrographs, Fig. 24, show that the highest order structural constituents, even after 18-in. welding speed, greater than fine-grained sorbite. the slower rates deposition, the structure is, course, itic. The desirable effect com- bining special elements with low carbon steel illustrated these photomicrographs showing that sorbite and not martensite found the plate metal adjacent the weld. Special elements have imparted physical properties with- out the high hardening power carbon. Carbon-Molybdenum Steels Two types carbon molyb- denum steel were studied weld- ing and examining described for the other steels. The effect both carbon and molybdenum illustrated with steels. Fig. 25a Fig. 25b 0.25 percent 0.15 per cent Molybdenum... 0.24 0.48 Manganese ... 0.85 0.78 0.18 0.17 only necessary deal with the carbon and molybdenum con- tents these steels the man- ganese and silicon analyses may considered identical. The physical properties the molyb- denum steels are desirable from structural viewpoint. addition this point its favor, molyb- denum addition steel seems increase the weldability the plate—at least, definite fact that molybdenum steel does not place any difficulty the way welding. Fig. 25a shows the hardness curve the higher carbon steel. Although the rise hardness gradual, there steady increase the hardness the hard zone adjacent the weld. the other hand, the lower carbon, Fig. 25b, with twice much molybdenum the first sample, indicates that increased rate welding pro- duces but little additional harden- ing the plate. The 0.17 per cent carbon—0.48 per cent molybdenum type steel gives promise considerable com- mercial importance the welding field. combines ease weld- ability, low hardening power the plate metal adjacent the weld and high physical strength and ductility. Stress Relieving study this kind which metallurgical changes duced welding the plate metal adjacent the weld would serve its purpose unless some ef- fort was made give few illustrations the effect the common stress relieving treatment 2 300 0.85Mn 200 Zone 0.24Mo Volts 300 0.78Mn 100 ” 300 IG. stress relieved 1150 deg. 200 ° ° ° WELD PLATE 0.33 Carbon 375 Amperes Volts 27—S.A.E. 1035 stress relieved 1150 deg. F.; per cent Nital, Welding speeds 12, and in. per min. this hardened zone. Two types steels were subjected this treatment; one with low hardening power, the other readily hard- enable special steel. its name implies, stress re- lieving treatment employed reduce the residual stresses set heating the welded structure temperature slightly below the critical range, maintaining that temperature for period time, followed relatively slow cool- ing. Again, the microscope and the machine are Pearlite sorbite. Dec. 17, 1936). used study the welded and treat- specimens. Two sets specimens were selected from the experiments de- scribed the earlier portions this work, the results which will referred for comparison. The plain carbon steel series S.A.E. 1035 and the chromium- molybdenum series S.A.E. 4150 are representative average and abnormal conditions, respectively. The test sections for this study were cut from the remaining piece the welded samples from which the previously described regular Compare with Fig. (The Age tests were taken and after the re- maining piece had been subjected the stress relieving treatment. These sections were taken adjacent where the section was removed for the earlier experiments. Effects Stress Relieving The stress relieving treatment consisted heating the welded samples slowly 1150 deg. F., holding that temperature for hr. and cooling the furnace. The specimens were polished and etch- before. was found that the stress relieving treatment does THE IRON AGE, March 1937—5! gin 400 i F | G ld Welding per minute 4 | | % Carbon 375 Amperes Hardness Welding Speed ,inches per minute * 3 28—S.A.E. 4150 stress relieved deg. PLATE IG. 29—S.A.E. 4150 stress relieved 1150 deg. F.; per cent Nital. Welding speeds and in. per min. Fine grained sorbite. Compare with Fig. previous article. affect the microstructure and hard- ness the weld and heat affected zones. This treatment produced the most drastic changes where the original hardness was great- est. For example: the S.A.E. 4150 sample welded in. minute had hardness 642 Vickers- Brinell the plate metal adjacent the weld, while, after stress re- lieving the hardness for the same region was 376. the other hand, the 1035 sample weld- ness 250 welded, and was only reduced 200 the stress relieving treatment. 52—THE IRON AGE, March 1937 This relationship more pro- nounced when the slower speeds are studied. the S.A.E. 4150 sample welded in. minute, the hardness after welding was 301 and after treatment fell off 277. The same welding speed the S.A.E. 1035 steel developed hardness 170, and after stress relieving the hardness was still 170. Since this value very close the hardness the unaffected plate metal, would not expect 1150 deg. cause softening, whereas should have marked effect martensitic structure such made the S.A.E. 4150 specimen 642 Vickers-Brinell. The stress relieving treatment has had the same effect the microstructure had the hardness values. could ex- pected from study the hard- ness results, there change the microstructure the S.A.E. 1035 series. However, the S.A.E. 4150 steel revealed considerable response the temperature 1150 deg. F., could antici- pated. Sorbite has replaced troos- tite and the dense martensite has been converted fine-grained sor- bite. S.A.E. 1035; hardness curve Fig. = > 4 | j 26.—By comparing these curves Dec. 17, 1936, page 41] will seen that little change has been effected. The hardness values have dropped off some, true, but the change has been slight. would not expect this temperature affect the pearlitic and sorbitic structures the specimens. The microstructure, Fig. 27, re- than that shown Fig. 12. Pearlite and fine-grained sorbite make these samples the metal adja- cent the weld. S.A.E. 4150; hardness curve Fig. 28.—The effect the stress relieving treatment the hard- ness the plate metal adjacent the weld quite marked. comparing with Fig. this article, shown that the high- est hardnesses the welded plate have been reduced the most. Fig. 29, the microstructure the heat-treated specimens offer marked contrast that the as-welded samples, Fig. 20. The hard zone solid martensite has been changed fine-grained sor- bite. The entire range metal- lurgical damage has been reduced more ductile and impact re- sisting microstructure. Effect Plate Thickness far have held the plate dimensions constant while varying the composition the base metal and the speed welding. The thickness the plate being weld- must certainly influence the results this study since thick base member will exert greater quench the heated portion than will light plate. order per- mit comparison between the data shown here and other work being done, the following curve, Fig. 30, given. 0.43 per cent carbon steel bar, width in., but pieces were ob- tained varying thicknesses men was welded depositing bead the top surface the minute. Thus have held con- stant the plate composition and the welding conditions while chang- ing the metal thickness. The hardness the heat-affected zone adjacent the weld increases 0.43 Carbon Volts per min. welding spee Vickers Hardness 1045 Thickness Section, inches 1045 (0.43 per cent Showing effect thickness increasing the hardness the affected zone. with increasing thickness the plate, the most pronounced increase occurring from in. From pected that over certain point the thickness will fail have appreciable effect the harden- ing the heated section. Conclusion From the results this study, find that the hardening power the base metal raised, the hardness the affected plate metal adjacent weld in- creased. Where this effect must taken into consideration, for increases hardening power Germany Restricts Stainless Steel Use order issued the German Board Control for Iron and Steel under date Dec. 31, 1936, prohibits the manufacture cer- tain articles from stainless steel for the domestic market, according the United States Department Commerce. This the first re- striction imposed the use these steels and affects most those uses which stainless steel appeared have found new im- portant outlets within recent years, particularly cutlery, table and the base metal, the heat energy input the welding process should raised the use higher am- perage reduced welding speed. Although direct experiments were carried out the effect preheating during welding, apparent that several hundred de- grees heat imparted the struc- ture welded will assist reducing this hardening effect. the elements studied, carbon exerts the greatest influence in- creasing the susceptibility the base plate harden after welding. Speed welding, perhaps sel- dom taken into account, should considered seriously when the hard- enable steels are welded. The intermediate speeds are the most desirable. kitchen utensils, parts bicycles, sporting goods and building hard- ware. Industrial apparatus and machines have been severely re- stricted the use stainless steel, especially brewery equipment, and machines and containers for the various foodstuffs industries. stated that the prohibition appears aimed particularly nickel- containing steels, since the use steels with chromium and manga- nese (but with nickel not more than 1.5 per cent nickel) permitted until further notice, ex- cept bicycle parts, sporting goods, and building hardware. THE IRON AGE, March 40 | whet 4 | Plate | \ | | See > i | | i | = | LAST WORD HEAVY STAMPIN ENERAL MOTORS has recently opened new stamping division Grand Rapids which represents the last word modernity layout, fabricating technique and production equipment. now employing more than 2100 workers. EIGHING steel comes from the flat cars. This railroad siding entirely under cover and the picture gives good idea the excel- lent illumination the new Grand Rapids Stamping Di- vision General Motors. the die shop notable for its large size units. This one the new vertical sur- face grinders employed die work. LEFT ATERIAL flows from the stock floor the square shears, then the roller levelers, before being fed the presses. ° RIGHT welding the rocker channels the sides the underbody Fisher Body. The steel floor shown braced cross-wise with beams heavier metal and lengthwise the rockers. Gun welders are Fisher Body design and are operated ically, with electric timing. BELOW the three 750-ton presses, each weighing over 500 tons. This particu- lar unit performing the second forming operation Fisher body turret tops. ABOVE ONVEYORIZATION used wherever possible. This view shows turret tops being counted automatically they leave the end the production line the over- head monorail conveyor. Interesting Facts About lron and Steel COMPILED WRIGHT EADERS are invited send suggestions in- quiries that will result in- teresting facts that may published from time time this column. prospective advance the price Lake Superior ores draws attention the fact that the low- est prices ever quoted for these ores were $2.60 ton for old-range bessemer 1897, $2.15 for Mesabi bessemer 1895, $1.85 for old- range non-bessemer 1898, and $1.75 for Mesabi non-bessemer 1898. Indian massacre foiled the first attempt manufacture iron this country, Falling Creek, Va., the Virginia Co., March, 1622, the manager and all the workmen being killed the works destroyed. Apparently, ac- cording Swank his Jron All Ages, not pound iron was made Virginia the begin- ning the eighteenth century. The first iron article made from native iron ore America was 56—THE IRON AGE, March 1937 iron pot weighing oz. with capacity nearly one quart, which was cast Lynn, Mass., 1645. Believe not (with apologies Mr. Ripley) dog foods are one the largest outlets for tin plate (in the form cans) the United States and vie with con- densed milk for first position. such vegetables corn, peas, tomatoes, etc., are considered to- gether they are the lead, but taken separately none these pop- ular canned vegetables takes many cans food for dogs. asked grocer about this, and explained that dog owners usually buy dog foods six cans time, while canned corn peas are bought one two cans time. dog will use can food day. The first case record where iron ore was exported from Amer- ica, according Swank’s Iron All Ages, was 1608, just one year after the founding James- town the first permanent Eng- lish colony this country. ship the Virginia Co. London, which established the first settle- ment here, sailed back England with cargo “iron ore, sassa- fras, cedar posts, and walnut Neill’s history the Virginia Co., was later smelted, and “seventeen tons metal were sold per ton the East India Co.,” thus marking the first iron ever made Europeans from Ameri- can ore. Manufacture horseshoes still constitutes fairly substantial business the United States de- spite increasing motorization. How- ever, the business has dwindled year year, having amounted $1,560,478 total sales 1935 against $4,217,604 1925. 4 ° ° i | j i | | | , Owing the tremendous demand for steel products created the World War, the largest addition ever made capacity single year was completed 1917 when open-hearth furnaces with total annual capacity 4,326,500 tons ingots were made available for production. Fourteen blast fur- naces with capacity 2,520,000 tons pig iron were completed the same year. The United States Steel Corp. alone increased its an- nual ingot capacity 1,220,000 tons that year. 1916, 103 open hearths were completed, but the total capacity was 121,500 tons below that added 1917. The term base box applied tin plate originated Great Brit- ain, where then, now, meant sq. in., 217.78 sq. ft. tin plate—the area covered 112 interesting fact dug the American Iron and Steel Insti- tute that every steel mill pur- chasing agent buyer green saplings. About 20,000 these were purchased last year the steel mills the country. They are used stir molten steel re- duce the amount carbon. The saplings used are from ft. long and in. thick the butt end. Elm, ash, oak are generally used. Stirring the molten steel with green saplings produces violent boiling agita- tion the steel the carbon the sapling and the oxygen the metal react chemically. This agi- tation mixes the steel thoroughly with the layer molten limestone slag floating top the steel, and the excess carbon absorbed the slag. ° ° ° The highest price which No. heavy melting steel has ever been sold Pittsburgh was $41 per ton June, 1917, while the lowest was July, 1932, when was quoted $8.25. Iron bars were once sold ped- dlers over merchant’s counter just like bolt cloth, and thus came known merchant bars, according the employees’ publication the Youngstown Sheet Tube Co. More than 200 years ago the term “merchant bar” was described English pam- phlet “such shaped iron usually imported the merchant, about in. broad and 1/3 in. thick, and squares different sizes.” the iron industry grew larger sizes were rolled, but the mills rolling the lighter sections for stock and general resale pur- poses came known mer- chant mills. ° ° ° Since 1900 THE IRON com- posite pig iron price has been high $52.11 ton, and low $11.84. The peak was reached July, 1917, and the low July, 1904. During the recent depres- sion the lowest point reached this composite was $13.56, from December, 1932, through March, 1933. ° ° ° Steel rails when first made 1867 were quoted $166 per ton, but sank all-time low $17 per ton, December, 1898. ° The Aliquippa, Pa., works the Jones Laughlin Steel Corp. in- cludes three the five largest blast furnaces the United States, according the 1935 edition the Iron and Steel Works Directory. The two largest the country, 378,000 tons and 360,000 tons an- nual capacity