The Iron Age 1939-11-02: Vol 144 Iss 18

FRITZ FRANK President VAN DEVENTER Editor Editor Emeritus WRIGHT Managing Editor News Editor Machinery Editor Art Editor Metallurgical Editor Associate Editors Washington Editor Resident District Editors Pittsburgh Chicago Cleveland Detroit Editorial Correspondents London, England Cincinnati FRAZAR Boston Hamburg, Germany MEYER Milwaukee SANDERSON Toronto, Ontario Leroy ALLISON EDMONDS Newark, N. J. St. Louis TURNER, JR. Buffalo CHARLES Post San Francisco ASA ROUNTREE, JR. Birmingham Owned and Published CHILTON COMPANY (Incorporated) Editorial and Publication Office Executive Offices Chestnut and 56th Sts., 239 West 39th St. Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A. New York, N. Y., U.S.A. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS MUSSELMAN, President FRITZ J. FRANK, Executive Vice-President FREDERIC STEVENS, Vice-President JOSEPH HILDRETH, Vice-President GEORGE GRIFFITHS, Vice-President EVERIT TERHUNE, Vice-President WILLIAM BARBER, Treasurer JOHN BLAIR MOFFETT, Secretary JOHN VAN DEVENTER, JULIAN CHASE, THOMAS KANE, CHARLES BAUR, CARROLL BUZBY, FAHRENDORF BAUR, General Advertising Manager DIX, Manager Reader Service Member, Audit Bureau Circulations Member, Associated Business Papers Indexed the Industrial Arts Index. Published every Thursday. Subscrip- tion Price: United States and Pos- sessions, Mexico, Cuba, $6.00; Can- ada, $8.50; Foreign, $12.00 a year. Single copy, 25 cents. Cable Address, ‘“‘Ironage, N. Y."’ ADVERTISING STAFF Emerson Findle 4 y Robert F. Blair B. L. Herman, Chilton Bldg., Phila. H. K. Hottenstein, 1012 Otis Bidg., Chicago H. E. Leonard, 239 W. 39th St., New York Peirce Lewis, 1310 Woodward Ave., Detroit e . Ober, 239 W. 39th St., New York Warren, Box 81, Hartford, Conn. Don Harner, 1595 Pacific Avenue, Long Beach, RICCIARDI Contents NOVEMBER 1939 Properties Brazed Per Cent Chrome Steel Magnesium Alloys for Aircraft Parts R.K. Process for Decarburizing Granulated Pig Tin Plate Analyses vs. Hydrogen Swells What's New Welding Apparatus Vermont Tool Builders Hold Own Show Statistics Metal Working Activity 100 Rate Activity Capital Goods 101 Weekly Ingot Operating Rates Plant Expansion and Equipment Buying Products Advertised Just Between Two Index Advertisers Copyright 1939 Chilton Company (Inc.) | 7 : | 7 7 140 sicel corporation 1939 G BATCHELLER pre High sers cutting come many pecause HGB:D — — Street......... City ate..... very president NOVEMBER 1939 ESTABLISHED 1855 144, Buyers’ and Sellers’ Markets steepest upturn that American business has probably ever experienced has taken place within the last two months. has almost overnight transformed Sudden shifts this sort are dislocating. They introduce complexities and haz- ards which, while quite different from those experienced depression recession, are just burdensome. one steel maker expressed during de- pression has only one thing worry about, namely But today has dozens things worry about. worries about the possibility speculative buy- inflation prices and inventories; skilled labor shortage and labor troubles and dozen other potentialities that accompany skyrocketing rise volume. Some these things are worth worrying about you are inclined that way. And most them are worth thinking about. The possible effects speculative buying and swollen inventories are two such subjects. Not subjects for worry but subjects for thought. When man talks about there being ask him tell what kind buying not and has not always been speculative. The man who buys iron and steel make particular product for resale speculating his ability manipu- late the factors cost that there will profit. Nobody guarantees him one. There good deal this sort buying going today, true, and need more it. The reason that stayed the depression doldrums for many years was that few were willing gamble profit. There very little the old kind speculative buying which purchasing agent's department may have made most the company's profits gambling in- ventory mark-ups. That was risky business, for concerns affected with this commer- cial crap-shootng habit.sometimes lost their ability earn manufacturing profit. far there has been very little the harmful kind speculative buying. And inventories are not becoming excessive for this reason. and large most steel users are keeping their purchases materials well line with the orders they are receiving for their products. What have needed all along since was bigger and better speculative buy- ing. The European war was the psychological factor that got off dead center and started things going. too bad that need that sort push it. Somebody ought invent more constructive self starter for business. AM 3 | 31 eo 4 RE “It’s refreshing, job like mine, find men who really study problems —who contribute much toward solving them. You Inland men work like members our own staff—always the alert for ways improve our quality reduce our costs. find that the time spend with Inland sales representatives, metallurgists and executives time spent the advantage our good many steel buyers feel that way—and will good many more, when they discover the real meaning and value Inland Service. SHEETS STRIP TIN PLATE PLATES STRUCTURALS PILING RAILS TRACK ACCESSORIES REINFORCING BARS Dearborn St., CHICAGO District Offices: MILWAUKEE DETROIT ST. PAUL ST. LOUIS KANSAS CITY | CHRO brazing stainless steel requires consider- able skill. How such alloys may brazed give ten- sile strengths 140,000 lb. per sq. in. described this first part two-part article. HERE has been distinct devel- opment the art furnace brazing during the last quarter century many fields indus- try. Furthermore, constant increase the number new alloys with characteristics which make them use- ful and desirable has brought new fabrication problems those skilled the art brazing. The brazing steel requires particular skill, and extensive investigation along this line General Electric engineers the basis the data reported herein. Stainless steel the straight-chro- mium type not easily copper brazed present day commercial reduc- Ing atmosphere, even where flux used. unlike the low-carbon PROPERTIES BRAZED ° ° KELLEY ° Research Laboratory, General Electric Co. ° ° steels used the present time cop- per brazing; for the chromium the stainless steel oxidizes high tem- peratures form the green compound Low-carbon steels the brazing temperature are always clean and free from the influ- ence comparatively high partial pressures oxygen and water vapor hydrogen. The alloying action be- tween the brazing material and the straight-chromium prevented almost entirely very low partial pressures either oxygen water vapor. the presence the water crystallization many the active fluxes, well some trapped flux, which probably the cause inferior braze where they are used. The atmosphere best suited for this type work one which capable reducing the braz- ing temperature and requires flux; namely, pure dry hydrogen. Original Tests typical analysis the steel used 0.09 carbon, 12.0 chromium, 0.50 man- ganese, 0.35 nickel, 0.30 silicon, 0.02 phosphorus,0.015 sulphur, balance iron. ° Hot-rolled bar stock square was cut into lengths, the sides were ground remove all oxides, and one end each finish ground with fine wheel give smooth, flat sur- face. Two these pieces were assem- bled with 0.002-in. sheet brazing material inserted between the ground ends and wired together with 0.010-in. nichrome wire hold them aline- ment. The samples were placed up- right flat boat and pushed into tube provided with inlet tube for pure hydrogen. The end the tube was then closed wiring sheet 0.002-in. iron over the end. 0.035 0.040-in. hole was punched the bottom the thin sheet prevent the rapidly expanding gas from blow- ing off the cover when the charge was pushed into the heated furnace. The tube containing the charge was in- serted into the cooling chamber, which was provided with split rubber stopper take the inlet tube. Then, the hydrogen was connected and the tube thoroughly washed out, after which the gate the furnace was then opened and the charge pushed into the hot zone means the hydrogen inlet tube. The furnace was THE IRON AGE, November 1939—33 an | 7 f ~ ite 4 ~ operated 1250 deg. (2282 deg. use. This procedure resulted dupli- F.) and the charge was brought cate samples using 1200 deg. (2192 deg. F.) and then and per cent withdrawn into the cooling chamber. Co-97 the brazing materials. account the low heat conduc- The samples were machined 0.505- tivity the chromium steel, the heat- in. diameter over 34-in. the center ing time was about min. and the standard radius between the Three samples were brazed once, ground section and the threaded ends and two runs were made get was used. The results the tensile idea the best brazing material tests are given Table following. 34—THE IRON AGE, November 1939 IG. per cent chromium steel brazed with Cu-Ni-Fe, heat treated and etched with solution 250 diam. eters. There some diffusion the alloy into the steel. TABLE Tests Brazed Samples Brazing Tensile Strength, Material Per In. 33,800 118,900 Cu-Ni-Fe 125,600 Cu-Ni-Fe 139,600 Co-Cu 124,000 Co-Cu 85,000 2—Twelve per cent chromium steel brazed with heat treated and etched with solution 250 diam- eters. The break oc- curred the bound- ary between the steel solid solution and the brazing alloy. 4 | , tensile strength single speci- men 33,000 Ib. per sq. in. expected poorly brazed sample. but tensile strength 139,600 Ib. per in. was almost unbelievable. Additional samples brazed with Cu-10 Ni-5 Fe, which showed the highest tensile strength, gave the re- sults shown Table II, below: TABLE Tensile Strength, Sample No. Lb. Per Sq. 136,900 139,900 122,100 122,100 133,100 133,100 126,400 These additional proof that the high value shown Table was not accident, but true figure. Structure Joint Examination the structure under the microscope, revealed Fig. showed some diffusion the alloy into the steel, and the greatest pentra- tion, usually the case, was along the grain boundaries. thin layer the brazing material showed clearly between the diffused layers either side. Examination broken speci- men revealed that the break occurred the boundary between solid solution and the brazing alloy, higher magnification joint which has five six times greater space between the steel shown Fig. Strength When Heat Treated The data given thus far are samples which were put through the brazing cycle and cooled the water cooling chamber. This cooling prac- tically good quench for this particular type was de- cided determine the effect heat treatment the tensile strength these joints. Standard blank tensile mens were machined from the chro- mium steel and put through the braz- ing cycle, but not brazed. Then they reheated 1000 deg. (1832 deg. F.) hydrogen for one hour and pushed into the cooling chamber. These samples had the properties: tensile strength 200,- 000 per sq. in.; elastic limit 65,000 Ib. per sq. in.; per cent in.; and 19.4 per cent reduction area. blank sample the same mate- rial heated 950 deg. (1742 deg. F.) air, oil quenched, drawn 600 deg. (1112 deg. and air cooled Sy IG. 3—Twelve per cent chromium steel brazed with Cu-Ni-Fe. Structure shown brazed, 1000 diameters. Etched with solution gm. has the following properties: tensile strength 111,400 per sq. in.; 76,000 Ib. per sq. in. elastic 22.5 per cent elongation; and 66.4 per cent reduction area. pushed directly into the cooling cham- ber when tested gave the following results: 139,900 Ib. per sq. in. tensile strength; (?) elastic limit; elonga- tion; and reduction area. Brazed specimens heat treated hydrogen, like the second unbrazed sample, gave the results shown Table III, below: TABLE Tensile Strength, Sample No. Lb. Per Sq. In. 102,900 101,400 103,400 107,400 97,900 was found heat treating the brazed specimens that they could not pushed directly into the furnace temperature without causing rupture the joint. both heating and drawing, the samples were put into cold furnace and brought tempera- ture. They could pushed into the water cooling chamber from any tem- perature without causing break. 120 H,O. Brazed samples heat treated air gave the results recorded Table TABLE Tensile Strength, Sample No. Lb. Per Sq. In. 119,400 108,900 105,400 112,900 Strength 900 Deg. order determine the effect temperature upon the strength the brazed joints this steel several specimens were pulled 900 deg Duplicate samples were brazed, using Cu, and per cent Co-Cu. The results tensile tests are given Table below. TABLE Tensile Strengths Brazed Joints 900 Deg. Sample Brazing Tensile Strength, No. Material Lb. Per In. Cu-Ni-Fe 33,300 Cu-Ni-Fe 32,900 33,200 21,800 Co-Cu 38,800 Co-Cu 26,900 Ep. Nore:—Next week the author will com- plete his report this brazing investigation detailing data impact tests, shear and fatigue tests, and explaining the high tensile strength the brazed joint. THE IRON AGE, November 5 7 7 : | 7 AGNESIUM ALLOYS Characteristics and Uses Sand castings. Replaced Dowmetal Press forgings and extrusions. Replaced Dowmetal Sand castings. Replaced Dowmetal Plate and Sheet. Improved mechanical proper- ties compared with Dowmetal Weldable. Plate and sheet, and certain thin-walled extruded sections and tubes. Replaced Dowmetal and Dowmetal for most extruded sections, and Dowmetal for plate and sheet. Weldable. Sand castings. Weldable. Sand castings and forgings with improved salt water resistance. Heat treatment not required for general use, but may heat treated secure high strength and toughness heat treated and aged secure high yield strength with moderate toughness. Limited weldability. Replaced largely Dowmetal Press forgings, extruded bars, rods, and shapes improved strength and salt water resistance. Weldable. Same Dowmetal but made with low iron and nickel impurities conform present Army and Navy Specifications. Die castings. Replaced largely Dowmetal Hammer forgings. Improved forgeability and salt water resistance compared with Dowmetal Weldable. Plate and sheet, extruded sections, sand castings, and forgings moderate strength and best salt water resistance. Weldable. Simple press forgings and extruded sections high yield strength. Weldable. Same Dowmetal but made with low iron and nickel impurities conform present Army and Navy Specifications. Sand castings. Has improved salt water resis- tance compared with Dowmetal Used only heat treated and aged condition secure maxi- mum yield strength and hardness for applica- tions not subject shock. Weldable. Die castings. Good casting characteristics com- with best mechanical properties. Weld- able. Press forgings, extruded bars, rods, and shapes with best combination properties and resis- tance salt water. Can aged after forging forming. Limited weldability. Same Dowmetal but made with low iron and nickel impurities conform present Army and Navy Specifications. TABLE Compositions and Characteristics Dowmetal Alloys Relative! Nominal Compositions—Per Cent Resistance Aluminum Manganese Zinc Magnesium Water 8.5 0.2 Remainder 12.0 0.1 Remainder 6.0 0.2 Remainder 4.0 0.3 Remainder 10.0 0.1 Remainder 6.0 0.2 3.0 Remainder 6.5 0.2 0.7 Remainder 6.5 0.2 0.7 Remainder Silicon 10.0 0.1 0.5 Remainder Cadmium 2.5 0.3 Remainder 0.2 0.5 Remainder O-1 8.5 0.2 0.5 Remainder 10.0 0.1 1.0 Remainder 9.0 0.2 0.6 Remainder 3.0 0.2 3.0 Remainder X-1 3.0 0.2 3.0 Remainder. Silicon 6.5 0.2 0.2 Remainder Die castings. Moderate strength with high tough- ness for parts subject shock. Weldable. rating the highest. ordinary atmosphere the various alloys are approximately equivalent and have very good resistance. IRON AGE, November 1939 7 i j | 7 7 | : 7 —— PARTS most commonly used mag- nesium alloy for sand manent mold castings for air- craft Dowmetal composition, the development which marks im- portant step forward, particularly be- cause its marked resistance salt water corrosion compared with sand casting alloys used ago. Dowmetal alloy castings are used for low stressed parts such oil tank fittings where excellent weldability required. (See tables composition and physical properties these and other Dowmetal available three conditions, as-cast, solution treated, and solution heat-treated and aged. the casting subject very low stresses, the as-cast material may specified. toughness and shock resistance are prime importance, single solution heat-treated alloy recommended. The double heat-treated aged alloy slightly more expen- sive but specified where hardness high yield point are important. Most engine double heat-treatment, one ing secure greater shear strength tapped The design magnesium alloy cast- ings particular importance. Mag- nesium alloy castings although show- excellent physical properties are quite sensitive notch effect. Hence, special attention should given filleting the fairing one section into another. general, the radius the connecting fillet should about the same the thickness the thicker the two adjoining sections. has also been found advantageous taper the thin wall into the thicker wall and the same time use connecting fil- let. also recommended that spot facing cutters rounded the cor- ANUFACTURING techniques pertaining magnesium alloys are not unduly difficult compli- cated, but because heretofore many production engineers have treated magnesium alloys exactly like alumi- num, trouble has been encountered. paper presented before the tional Aircraft Production meeting the Society Automotive Engi- neers Los Angeles, Oct. Mr. Grant indicated that great deal effort now being devoted the development new alloys, new means providing surface protec- tion and methods fabrication both the aircraft industry and the magnesium suppliers. Current prac- tice this abstract. ners that fillet left rather than sharp corner. Magnesium alloy castings have modulus elasticity 6,500,000 Ib. per sq. in. compared with 10,000,000 for aluminum alloys. most cast- ings, not necessary increase the wall thickness over that used for sim- ilar aluminum castings, but equal stiffness wall important, equal stiffness aluminum can obtained increasing the wall thickness per cent. Another alternative in- crease the size and number ribs. Generally speaking, more fastenings smaller size rather than few fastenings larger size should used give more even load dis- tribution. designing threads and bosses for studs, thread length least twice the stud diameter should used with USS threads. For SAE threads, the length should two and one half three times the stud diam- eter. Patterns for magnesium alloy cast- ings should allow shrinkage factor about 5/32 in. per ft. for castings moderate size with unrestrained shrinkage. factor in. per ft. ° ° ° GRANT The Dow Chemical Co. castings where shrinkage held cores. Magnesium alloy castings are sup- plied from the foundry with chrome- pickle treatment which affords ex- cellent temporary protection during storage. Where storage atmospheric conditions are particularly bad, the castings are sometimes treated the foundry dipping thin oil mix- ture consisting approximately per cent kerosene and per cent light engine oil. Excellent Machinability One the outstanding character- istics magnesium alloys their re- markable machinability. fine smooth finish readily secured with ten- dency drag, tear, chip out. Heavy cuts and feeds may taken high speeds without excessive heating cutting tools work. utmost importance that cutting tools kept very sharp avoid the fire hazard from frictional heat. Ordinary ma- chining operations may performed dry, but high speed operations kero- sene other oil type coolants should used. Water solutions emulsions are not recommended. case fire should extinguished with dry materials such cast iron bor- ings, powdered asbestos graphite. Immediately after machining mag- nesium alloy castings they should given chemical surface treatment improve their corrosion resistance and offer base for subsequent painting. These surface treatments must all alkaline cleaner the use vapor degreasers organic solvents. Great advances have been made the last two years the development sur- face treatments for magnesium alloys. Four new treatments are now avail- THE IRON AGE, November 7 7 7 zi) able which give excellent stability marine atmosphere and which form good paint base. Name The anodic treatments, Dow No. and Dow No. were developed pri- marily used under paint, but Dow No. especially recommended where painting not possible. This coating harder than the magnesium alloy castings and thus offers some abrasion resistance well corrosion resis- tance. Dow treatment No. applied 400 deg. and pressures 225 per sq. in. Dow treatment No. consists essentially min. dip weak hydrofluoric acid room tem- perature followed min. boiling water solution containing per cent weight sodium dichromate. The treating solutions have long life and are easily controlled. outstand- M-303a ing advantage this treatment the fact that dimensions the castings are not changed. The coating formed Specifications Navy Bureau Army Air Corps Aeronautics 98-20010-A Paragraph Tentative alternate 98-20010-A PT13 Paragraph E3B M-382 Tentative alternate Dow No. smooth and varies color from dark brown black. Die Castings The newer high-pressure methods die castings are particularly adaptable magnesium alloys, and castings can obtained that are sound, smooth and have dimensional accuracy comparable with other metal die castings. Dow- metal recommended the best all- purpose alloy has the best combi- nation strength, elongation and corrosion resistance. Dowmetal recommended for those applications where lower yield strength ac- ceptable and greater elongation and impact resistance desired. Die de- sign for magnesium alloy die castings similar that employed alumi- num die casting practice, but the gates and vents require special considera- tions. Larger fillets and the rounding sharp corners are also advantage- ous. Forgings Magnesium alloys have been devel- oped which are suitable for hammer forgings and also for press Hammer forgings are somewhat lower cost and can made closer di- mensions than press forgings but the hammer forging alloys not develop high strength. sup- plied with the chrome-pickle treatment. Extruded Bars and Shapes The use magnesium alloys ex- truded form for aircraft progressing rapidly. special interest are the so- called alloys which were developed primarily meet Government specifi- cations. These particular alloys are exceptionally high purity and develop greatly increased resistance water corrosion without any sacrifice mechanical properties. TABLE Ill Index Specifications Dowmetal Magnesium Alloys Bureau Aeronautics Army Air Corps Form Dowmetal Sand Castings.......... Die Castings........... Bars, Rods, and M-1 X-1 M-1 X-1 O-1 M-1 X-1 Sheet and 38—THE IRON AGE, November 1939 Alloy No. No. B80-38T B94-39T B94-39T B107-38T B107-38T B107-38T B107-38T B107-38T B107-38T B107-38T B107-38T B91-38T B91-38T B91-38T B91-38T B91-38T B90-38T B90-38T B90-38T M-112f M-112f M-369 Grade 11319 M-369 Grade 11319 Grade M-314b Grade M-314b M-314b Grade 11320 Grade M-366a Grade 11318 M-366a M-366a Grade 11318 M-126c M-126c 11321 M-111d Specification No. Alloy No. Specification No. TABLE Elongation Tensile Strength Yield Strength in. Heat 33,000 29,000 12,000 10,000 60,000 19,000 10,000 Heat treated and aged 34,000 29,000 19,000 17,000 21,000 9,000 Heat treated......... 38,000 30,000 12,000 10,000 16,000 10,000 Heat treated 38,000 32,000 19,000 16,000 60,000 18,000 10,000 strength defined the stress which the stress-strain curve deviates 0.2 per cent from the modulus line. Fatigue endurance values are obtained Moore machines and are based 500 cycles. The properties Dowmetal alloys J-1, and Sheets Magnesium alloy sheet and plate being used increasing quantities for aircraft parts, Dowmetal alloy be- ing the most widely used composition. This sheet supplied the aircraft companies with treatment, and should retreated with the chrome-pickle treatment the anodic treatment after form- ing and before assembly. Magnesium alloy sheet can readily bent, drawn and pressed, although these operations require some changes practice other Dowmetal sheet can bent cold around radii down and sheet can bent cold around radii down about 8t. Tools should clean, smooth and well lubricated. Lard oil generally good lubricant since stands the heat well and readily re- moved from the formed stock alka- line cleaners. Magnesium alloy sheet can successfully hot formed with the regular drop hammers such are used the aircraft industry for form- ing dural cold, but either magnesium aluminum dies should used in- stead the regular lead and zine dies prevent pick-up the die material the surface the sheet the ele- vated temperatures hammering. The female die the bottom die should heated about 400 deg. and the sheet should pre-heated oven about 700 deg. all heating op- erations, essential keep the tem- peratures below 800 deg. avoid grain growth, Magnesium alloys should riveted with aluminum alloy rivets, and either Magnesium alloys can success- fully gas welded with oxyacetylene torch. Dowmetal alloy the easi- est magnesium alloys weld and is, therefore, successfully used for such parts oil tanks. Dowmetal and extruded shapes, bars, and tubes can welded although not readily The welding rod should the same composition the ma- terial being welded. Special welding fluxes are required and must thor- oughly cleaned from the weld immedi- ately after the welding operation be- cause the flux extremely corrosive. particularly important that welds designed that flux not trapped and because this fact, lap welds especially should avoided. assembling magnesium parts, important that these parts should suitably protected insu- lated where two surfaces come con- tact. addition the general sur- face treatments described, mate primer, sealing compounds gaskets should used the joint. After assembly, magnesium alloy parts should painted wherever possible. THE IRON AGE, November | ~ 3 | | : operation new method, the process, for convert- ing pig iron into product with low carbon content, which suitable substitute for steel scrap for re- melting steel furnaces, was recently described the annual meeting the Iron and Steel Institute the inventors, Count Kalling and Ivar Rennerfelt, Stockholm. this process the iron tapped from the blast furnace granulated the molten condition and then fed continu- ously into rotary furnace, where decarburized without melting gas mixture containing carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide such propor- tions that decarburization takes place practically without the simultaneous oxidation iron other metallic con- stituents. down very low carbon contents The composition the gas mixture the furnace regulated burning the reaction gas leaving the charge to- gether with some blast furnace gas with air, which blown special way towards the inclined surface the revolving charge. The consump- tion blast-furnace gas very low account the exothermal charac- ter the process, and continuous operation practically addition fuel will necessary the residual carbon content the product not especially low. principle, the process thus has close resem- the bessemer process. The possibility decarburizing pig iron without melting has long been known and utilized for making mal- leable cast iron. The principle decarburization without melting has, however, also been applied steel production, though limited extent. example thereof the dry carbon refining method worked out Tun- ner, Leoben, the middle the nineteenth century. Another method decarburization without melting the Uchatius process. The basis mate- rial here granulated pig iron, which admixture with iron ore, succes- sively heated crucibles melting. The main part the decarburization this process takes place before the melting starts. This method, which said have been use England already the end the eighteenth century, was introduced the Wik- 40—THE IRON AGE, November 1939 manshytte Steelworks Sweden, and has been use there ever since. The so-called process now developed differs from previous meth- ods chiefly the fact that carbon oxidized means gaseous oxygen instead iron oxides, and that the process carried continuously feeding the material through rotary furnace while mixed. the following, short de- scription given one the experi- mental plants now actual operation. After successful trial operation Avesta, the Fagersta bolag decided install “R.K.” plant fully technical scale. the question the best way gran- ulate the pig iron order get product the desired size and form grain had not yet been thoroughly investigated, some were first made Fagersta dif- ferent methods. The main question was get all the iron transformed into grains smaller diameter than the maximum desired for the decar- was get the grains round pos- sible. shows principle the gran- ulation plant built Fagersta. The pig iron poured from ladle into small container, provided with hole suitable section the bottom. Through this hole the pig iron passes down thin jet toward rotating drum, provided with strips wood, which shatter the jet and throw the Water pig iron drops down into the water basin, where they are order keep the wood shovels moist all the time and prevent their destruc- tion, ample quantity water fore the iron strikes it. About tons pig iron are granulated time, rate about 440 per min. This rate can, however, consider- ably increased, desired, without any great changes being necessary. The pig iron analyzed about 4.5 0.50 Si, 1.25 Mn, 0.025 max. and The iron analysis has great influ- ence the behavior the iron dur- ing the granulation. high silicon content, for instance, tends render the grains, especially the coarser ones, hollow. This can advantage, the coarser grains, which otherwise require the longest time decar- burization, are hereby decarburized. If, account com- position temperature, the iron viscous when being tapped, may get round grains, The product obtained the form flattened grains flakes, which fact depends the grains not having had inlet Jin. pipe IG. The granulation equipment used Fagersta. t t d \ \ ( ( 1 Wheel-- METHOD DECARBURIZING GRANULATED PIG IRON time assume more rounded form before solidifying. tons per hr. was erected. Fig. shows longitudinal section this furnace. The longitudinal inclination the furnace, which adjustable, has hitherto been about per cent. The burner consists three con- centric pipes, which for the parts ex- posed high temperature are made heat-resisting iron-chromium-nickel alloy. The two inner pipes are open, whereas the outermost pipe closed the end but furnished with number openings along its length. Through the innermost pipe blast-fur- nace gas introduced. This gas partly burned with “primary which introduced through the mid- dle pipe and the amount which can regulated. The “secondary air,” which supplied through the nozzles the outermost pipe approxi- mately right angles the charge, brings about the main decarburization here, and the same time burns the main part the carbon monoxide the furnace gas into carbon dioxide before leaving the furnace. The speed rotation the fur- nace has mostly been about r.p.m. temperature 1922 deg. has proved appropriate the hottest Sluice Discharge zone, the innermost nozzle for the secondary air. has proved ex- pedient regulate the amount pri- mary air such way that the tem- perature decreases somewhat toward the discharge end. too much pri- mary air admitted, there risk oxidation the iron also this zone, the main part the carbon has already been eliminated place. During most the time the output has been only tons per hr., would fill the furnace once. this rate operation there has been keeping the average car- bon content the product below 0.10 per cent, and during certain periods has been below 0.05 per ation with more rapid feeding has also been tried. feeding rate tons per hr. the carbon content could still kept down 0.10 per cent. However, when the feeding rate was increased tons, the carbon values and rose considerably above 0.10 per cent; this seemed partly caused the air supply being too small. Regarding the use the product, the decarburized granulated iron is, the first place, intended fill the need low-carbon material known and constant composition known origin raw material for the manufacture high quality steel. seems become more and more obtain scrap that sufh- ciently free from the usual alloy con- stituents, such chromium, nickel and copper, besides which there always the risk its containing also other, unknown, impurities which may influence the quality. The prod- uct will have field use particu- larly such processes where ap- preciable decarburization usually takes place, such the electric and crucible steelmaking processes. For the acid processes is, course, necessary that the granulated product made from pig iron sufficiently low sulphur and phosphorus. processes will also sible use granulated iron made from ordinary coke pig iron for the production material with specific requirements. basic The possibility reducing the car- bon content the granulated iron particularly low values before and during melting seems, besides, open not unimportant field application the production alloy steels with low carbon contents. cases where the pig iron cannot directly converted into steel, for instance, the blast furnace sit- uated long distance from the steel plant and any hot-metal process can- not, considered, the advantages the “R.K.” process be- come more distinct. Connection gaspiping 2—Longitudinal section the Fagersta decarburization furnace. THE IRON AGE, November PLATE ANALYSES VS. storage fruit the “tin can” process that has achieved wide and deserved degree success. There is, however, outstanding problem that has far not been entirely overcome: The formation so-called hydrogen-swells during storage. These “blown” cans, caused the evolution within the can hydrogen formed the corrosion the tin plate the fruit acids, are unmarketable. Fur- thermore, can that has become domed sometimes suffers foration not long though great deal canned fruit rapidly consumed that the prob- lem does not arise, there are least two important directions which reduction the rate formation hydrogen-swells would very desir- able: (1) assisting canners carry over packs from one fruit season the next, when there glut, insure against poor harvest the next year; (2) facilitating the ex- port hot climates fruits that present fail too rapidly com- mercial proposition, owing the in- crease the corrosion rate with in- crease temperature. Previous researches have indicated that one important factor influencing the rate tin plate corrosion and hydrogen formation the composi- tion the steel base. The influence composition the rate attack steel acid media has been much studied, especially Bardenheuer and Thanheiser, Hoar and Havenhand and Edwards, Phillips and Thomas, while the direct influence the steel- base composition and/or corrosion be- havior the rate formation hydrogen-swells canned fruit has committee, representing canning and Hirst and Adam, Vaurio, Clark and Lueck, Rhodes. this same character was recent *Strip from the new Ebbw Vale mills not available for this work. 42—THE IRON AGE, November 1939 work reported the Iron and Steel Institute (British) Hoar, Morris, and Adam, deal- ing specifically with the influence the sulphur, phosphorus and copper contents the steel base the rate representative selection fruits. “Random samples” commer- cial tin plate were taken, made into cans, and tested; every can was ana- lyzed, after had given hydrogen- swell, for sulphur, phosphorus and copper, and the results preted statistical methods. The re- sults obtained were follow: (1) The steel base the (pack- rolled*) plate tested was that the British market the time. had the following average composition: Sulphur, 0.03 0.09 per cent, mean 0.06; phosphorus, 0.02 0.09 per cent, mean 0.055; copper 0.03 0.22 per cent, mean 0.10. All the results ob- tained refer this type steel base (2) For the finished sheets this material, high sulphur content asso- ciated with high phosphorus content, and high phosphorus content with low copper content; but for fixed phos- phorus content, the higher sulphur steels tended also higher cop- per. (3) more rapid formation hydrogen-swells cans fruit was significantly associated with higher rate corrosion the steel base citric acid solution for experimental packs black currants, sweet white loganberries, yellow Pershore plums and raspberries double-lacquered cans; the agree- ment was means exact, but was general tendency. (4) For the packs black currants, gooseberries, loganberries, Pershore plums, raspberries and strawberries the double-lacquered cans studied, the rate formation hydrogen-swells was significantly less for cans made from steel bases higher copper, and therefore lower for the packs blackcurrants, goose berries, the factor producing the better was very probably the higher copper, while for those Pershore plums and strawberries was very probably the lower phosphorus. For similar pack sweet white cherries, the copper and phosphorus contents were imma- terial. For all the packs, the sulphur content was immaterial. (5) Since fruits are themselves variable, not possible predict with certainty that the results given (4) will apply any packs these fruits; but since high copper, low phosphorus tin plate has been showr favorable six out seven packs seven typical fruits, its gen- eral use may expected advan- tageous the average these fruits. (6) The amount improvement expected from the use high cop- per (about 0.16 0.22 per cent), low phosphorus (about 0.03 0.045 per cent) steel rather than unspecified ma- terial taken random, estimated, roughly but conservatively, doubling the time during which the first per cent any given pack may expected fail through hydro- gen-swells, for those fruits for which steel-base composition appears significant. (7) The “artificial” corrosion rate steel base and 0.5 per cent citric-acid solutions, under conditions free and restricted access air, respectively, significantly less the higher copper, lower phosphorus steels. Both factors may operative. There is, however, further fall corrosion rate above 0.2 per cent copper, but indeed some evidence slight rise. (8) the evidence this and previous work, appears that about 0.2 per cent copper the optimum value, from the fruit-acid corrosion and hydrogen-swell point view; the phosphorus content should low pack-rolling considerations allow. This applies (so far) only the six fruits that give the significant results (4). F W wag al W 5 e 1 1 r > | | AST week Chicago saw the fruition predictions made the same city years earlier when the Steel Treaters’ Society held its first convention with exhibitors and only few technical papers. Last week the American Society for Metals, successor the steel treaters’ group, came “of age,” being years old, and along with other groups held what easily conceded the greatest Metal Congress and Exposi- tion yet. Contrasted with the modest 1919 ex- hibit, the show last week boasted 267 exhibitors and attracted about 33,000 persons. The National Metal Con- gress, participated the American Society for Metals, the American Welding Society, the American Insti- tute Mining and Metallurgical Engi- neers, and the Wire Association, drew thousands over four-score tech- nical papers and discussions, which exhaustively covered all phases the metal Also, preliminary plans were made lor next year’s metal show, which will held Cleveland October. Desvernine Speaks hard hitting, factual address “Science and Steel Industrial De- mocracy,” Raoul Desvernine, Crucible Steel Co. Amer- METAL SHOW SETS NEW RECORDS ica, the annual banquet the A.S.M., Oct. 26, was one the high spots the week. Contentions that industry has been “anti-social” RAOUL DESVERNINE, president, Crucible Steel Co. America, who spoke the annual dinner the Amer- ican Society for Metals, Palmer House, Chicago. must refuted with facts, urged Mr. Desvernine. “You are not doing your duty your profession you continue per- mit the impression grow that scien- tific progress and the mechanization industry produce unemployment, that machines displace men,” asserted, pointing out that while the population the nation increased 70.8 per cent from 1900 1939, the average number wage earners increased 111.2 per cent the manufacturing industry, and blast furnaces, steel plants and roll- ing mills 125 per cent. machines, not busy machines, produce unemployment,” continued. “And you can’t blame idle machines Big Business, only busy ma- chines can make profits.” Mr. Desvernine pointed out that the purchasing power the hourly wages each worker the steel industry increased 55.8 per cent over 1929, and that weekly earnings 1939 have in- creased purchasing power over 1929 2.8 per cent. Meanwhile, from 1923 1929, the average composite price per pound for finished steel was 2.35c. and 1938, 2.30c. per per cent lower, with obvious benefit the con sumer. “It seems that our industry needs yield one the eco- nomic front,” continued. are THE IRON AGE, November | a i 7 — better equipped and manned today our bit than ever before, and the metallurgist and engineer who have principally made this possible.” Moreover, the United gradually becoming less dependent European metallurgical progress, said the speaker. “There are new frontiers Amer- ica which hold promise greater wealth, more goods, more jobs and higher standard living than ever produced territorial conquests and trade domination,” said. “These peace time frontiers stem out the shops and research laboratories in- dustry. You are the masters our industrial destiny.” Referring war, Mr. Desvernine said: “In opinion, war would tempo- rarily, not permanently, sound the death knell the free enterprise sys- tem. Bear mind that the Euro- pean combatants, even the so-called democratic states, are not fighting this war under the free enterprise system. “Industry, well man, mobil- ized and regimented war. Even preparation for possible war, our Government has formulated most com- prehensive plans for industrial mobili- zation. These plans, carried out, would completely alter our industrial processes and distort our tional economy. “War profits are thing the past and the proverbial “munitions’ maker’s wife” will shabby creature the next war. Let one tell you that business men want war! know what participation this war would American business. And scep- tical that even neutrality might prove disappointing.” Another industrialist who indulged “plain talk” was White, vice- president charge operations, Republic Steel Corp., who addressed the dinner meeting the metals divi- sion, A.I.M.E., Oct. 24. Vigorous ex- ercise citizenship rights was advo- cated Mr. White, who said investi- gation should made the necessity under which men must too frequently pay for the right work. Eshbach, dean the Tech- nological Institute, Northwestern Uni- versity, was the chief speaker the twentieth annual banquet the Amer- ican Welding Society the Stevens Hotel. Nathaniel Leverone, chairman the board, Automatic Canteen Co., presided toastmaster. Three Acres Exhibits The exposition covered over three acres the International Amphithea- HOLSLAG, left, president, Electric Arc Cutting Welding Co., receives the Miller Medal for conspicuous contributions the advancement welding cutting metals from Dr. Adams, member the board directors the American Welding Society 44—THE IRON AGE, November 1939 HORTON, newly elected president the American Welding Society. ter. Headquarters the associations were A.S.M., Palmer House; American Welding Society, Stevens Hotel; A.I.M.E., Blackstone Hotel; Wire Association, Congress Hotel. More than ever before, those attend- ing the Metal Congress and Expo- sition left Chicago feeling that dis- tinct and genuine service rendered the metal world, especially view current industrial activity. Technical programs all the so- cieties were likely the most diverse and interesting ever presented. five- lecture educational course Bain, past president the A.S.M. and assistant the vice-president charge metallurgy and research, United States Steel Corp., titled “Functions the Alloying Elements Steel,” was one the outstanding features the A.S.M. technical program. Equally popular was the three-lecture evening course presented George Enos, University Cincinnati, the sub- Steels.” lurgical work the United States Steel Corp. Kearny Research Labora- tories since 1935, delivered the Camp- memorial Wednesday morning, Oct. 25, and abstract this important address appears this issue. Braley, Pittsburgh Steel Co., Pittsburgh, presented the Mordica Memorial Lecture before the annual meeting the Wire Association. Lee if Ca J pi m \ 3 4 3 SMITH, newly elected first vice the American Welding Society. Newly elected officers for the can Society for Metals are follows: president, Gill, chief metallurgist. Vanadium-Alloys Steel burgh; vice-president, Dr. Har- der, Battelle Memorial Institute, lumbus, Ohio; secretary, Aluminum Co. America, Cleveland Lincoln gold medal donated the American Weld- Society each year James Lincoln, president Electric Co. Cleveland, was Bernard, Jr. (left) the Aluminum Cooking Utensil Co. and Hoglund middle} the Alu- minum Co. Amer- Charles Jennings Westing- Clark, California Tech.; Foley. Midvale Co., Philadelphia; International Nickel Co., New York City; and Grossmann, Steel Corp., Chicago. New officers the American Weld- ing Society are: president, George Horton, president, Chicago Bridge Iron Co.; first vice-president, Smith, General Petroleum Corp., Los Angeles; second vice-president, Moisseiff, consulting engineer, New York. Many Awards Made District vice-presidents are: New York and New England, Hess, Rensselaer Polytechnic Troy, Y.; Middle Eastern, Bidder, Steel burgh; Middle Western, Han- sen, consulting engineer, Milwaukee: Southern, Moses, Combustion Engineering Co., Chattanooga; Pacific Coast, Delhi, Western Pipe Steel Co., Los Angeles. Directors large are: David, assistant manager Applied Engineering Department, Air Reduction Sales Co.. New York; Gordon, fabricating department, Taylor Winfield Corp., Detroit; Col. Jenks, United States Army Ordnance Department; and Smith, Consulting Engineer, Union Carbide Carbon Corp., New York. the welding society convention. recipient the Miller medal was Holslag, president, Electric Are Cut- ting Welding Co., Newark, Mr. Holslag was selected the judges the person “most deserving for con- spicuous contributions the advance- ment welding cutting metals.” The Lincoln gold medal, donated the society yearly James Lin- coln Cleveland, was presented Hoglund the Aluminum Co. America and Bernard, Jr., the Aluminum Cooking Utensil Co., both New Kensington, Pa. They were co-authors paper which was published the society’s journal and which was judged the greatest origi- nal contribution the advancement and use welding during 1939. The Henry Marion Howe Award, made annually the American So- ciety for Metals for the best tech- nical paper published “Transac- Tech.; Ansel, Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., and Mehl Car- negie Tech., for their paper titled “Slip Twinning and Cleavage Iron and Silicon Ferrite.” Gold medals were presented the trio the annual A.S.M. banquet. Stanley Rockwell Hartford, Conn., was the fifth winner the Albert Sauveur Achievement Award. Basis the award the Rockwell Hardness Tester. Mr. Rockwell, whose tester now use all over the world, president the bearing his name. The THE IRON AGE, November ; ° CO-RECIPIENTS HENRY MARION HOWE AWARD BARRETT, Carnegie Institute Technology: ANSEL. Dow Chemical Co.: and MEHL, Carnegie tute co-winners the A.S.M. HENRY MARION HOWE for 1939. published award which received memory Sauveur, former professor metallurgy Harvard University, who died last January. Mr. Sauveur, one the great men metallurgy who fought for the science when was young generation ago, was the first winner the award 1934. Sub- sequently, the award has been received Dr. Zay Jeffries 1935, Chapin 1936, and Harry Me- Quaid award was made The Sauveur Award not neces- sarily made each year. provided constitution, the award shall given present former mem- ber the society “only after the pio- The award made annually for the best paper the during the year. neering work has been proven time have conformed the purposes for which the award was established.” Any apprehension which might have been present the minds some Metal Congress officials the start the week, due the unprecedented in- dustrial activity which might have cut attendance, was speedily dispelled ANNUAL BANQUET | ‘ ‘ AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR METALS TANLEY ROCKWELL, inventor the hardness tester, Sauveur Achieve- ment Awardee the A.S.M. the show got under way larger scale than any previous Some recalled the prophecy Barker back 1919 the first exhi bition, when said can see the values this Society, which will increase its pres- tige and membership. ail re GILL, Vanadium-Alloys Steel Pittsburgh, newly elected president American Society for Metals. The conservatism this statement has been proved many times over each successive Metal Show outdid its predecessors. Equally interesting re- call the statement which appeared THe AGE account the first show, which was held the Seventh Regiment Armory, large plain struc- ture with steel beams HARDER, Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, newly elected vice-president American Society for Metals. everywhere and decorated flags the Allies. The article stated, “This was the surprise the week. Besides exhibition which variety and character easily equaled, did not surpass, some those much older organizations, papers unusual merit were presented the technical ses- . r EDMUND DAVENPORT temporaries, Professor Campbell devoted much his effort the investigation various aspects the constitution steel revealed studies involving, the one hand, condit