The Iron Age 1942-02-19: Vol 149 Iss 7

tates nois rth ith Dakets consi necticut ifornia vada gon Speed production with modern Fairbanks Scales. They weigh faster! They weigh without human error! They even weigh materials the move print records and receipts count small parts and products. Investigate the advantages Fairbanks Scales. Our engineers are your service. Write Fairbanks, Morse Dept. B-38, 600 Michigan Ave., Chicago, Branches and service stations throughout the United States and Canada. 3 5 19, 1942 i q $ ig Rotating Axle Bearings Reduce Noise and Wear WHITING Wheels are perfect true and free Wheels and rails last much longer. it’s Whiting crane, it’s designed and built for quiet oper- ation and long wear. Every vital point protected against unnecessary friction your insurance against breakdown, time out for repairs, and interrupted production. Noise crane danger signal that should eliminated. Whiting cranes, every effort has been made away with noise from the day installation. Heavy duty roller bearings keep all gears permanent alignment. Smooth-running her- ringbone gears outlast spur gears two one. Tapered-tread drive wheels keep the bridge square, reduce binding. Flexible couplings cushion the shock starting, eliminate strain the shaft bearings, and transmit power without noise. Capacities from one 400 tons. Also electric hoists from tons. Whiting Corporation, 15601 Lathrop Avenue, Harvey, Illinois. Builders quality cranes for over years. Send for Booklet “HOW WRITE TRAVELING CRANE SPECIFICATION” OVERHEAD TRAVELING CRANES q f 3 a FEBRUARY 19, 1942 VOL. 149, NO. VAN DEVENTER President and Editor BAUR Vice-President and General Manager ° Managing Editor, LIPPERT News Markets Editor, ROWAN Technical Editor, OLIVER Associate Editors JAMES Art Editor, WINTERS Editorial Assistants Washington Editor MOFFETT Resident District Editors CAMPBELL HERMAN KLEIN Pittsburgh Chicago Cleveland Detroit CHARLES POST San Francisco Editorial Correspondents Buffalo Cincinnati FRAZAR RAYMOND KAY Boston Los Angeles HUGH SHARP JOHN McCUNE Milwaukee Birmingham SANDERSON ROY EDMONDS Toronto, Ontario St. Louis Newark, Seattle ° DIX, Manager Reader Service Advertising Staff Emerson Findley 621 Union Bldg., Cleveland Herman, Chilton Bldg., Philadelphia Hottenstein, 1012 Otis Bldg., Chicago Leonard, 100 East 42nd New York Peirce Lewis, 7310 Woodward Ave., Detroit Fitzgerald 428 Park Pittsburgh Hayes, Production Manager. Baur, Typography and Layout. Member, Audit Bureau Circulation Member, Associated Business Papers Indexed the Industrial Arts Index. lished every Thursday. Subscription Price United States and Possessions, Mexico, Cuba, and South America, $6.00; Canada, Foreign, year. ° ° Owned and Published CHILTON COMPANY (Incorporated) Executive Editorial and Offices Advertising Offices Chestnut and Sts. 100 East 42nd St. Philadelphia, Pa. New York, U.S.A. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS MUSSELMAN, President JOS. HILDRETH, Vice-President GEORGE GRIFFITHS, Vice-President EVERIT TERHUNE, Vice-President VAN DEVENTER, Vice-President BAUR, Vice-President WILLIAM BARBER, Treasurer JOHN BLAIR MOFFETT, Secretary JULIAN CHASE, THOMAS KANE, HARRY DUFFY CHARLES HEALE This Week in... THE IRON Editorial Technical Articles Casting Racks Speed Silver Substitute for Scarce Government Specifications for Aircraft Steel Features News and Markets Iron and Steel Scrap Products Copyright, 1942, by Chilton Gompany (inc.) q | 122 125 126 127 128 130 131 132 133 146 185 f j DEPOSIT A-C withdraw accurately controlled surges D-C current for more uniform welding aluminum Tough job, aluminum welding. You need com- paratively high voltage narrow current range. Aluminum and other alloys used modern planes have very narrow plastic range. How get the exact welding current you need without disruptive surge demands power systems, without installing costly auxiliary equipment, has long been problem. CONDENS-O-WELD solves the problem. Energy drawn from 3-phase a-c power line, rectified, stored electrostatically and released accurately controlled discharges the welding machine. complete, compact, enclosed unit, Condens-O-Weld can used with any electro- static stored energy type resistance welder. With precision control voltage, current and wave form, aircraft producers are getting welds uniform strength and soundness not possible with any previous method. your welding prob- lem demands action now, you’ll glad learn that Condens-O-Weld units are ready now! For detailed data, write Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., Dept. 7-N. CONDENS-O-WELD HELPS KEEP PLANE PLANTS PEAK EFFICIENCY BALANCED 3-PHASE LOAD Power requirements spread over three phases, not concentrated surge demand single phase. MINIMUM PEAK KV-A DEMAND Fast charging rate with efficient electrostatic storage power cuts peak kv-a demand minimum. 7 RESISTANCE WELDING IRON AGE, February 19, 1942 THE FEBRUARY 19, ° ESTABLISHED 1855 Sales and Production OMETIMES production man will say: not interested sales problems policies.” ought be. Except abnormal times, such the present, salesmen and selling have kept production men jobs ever since pro- duction was invented. And selling and sales organizations are allowed get rusty during the duration, there will lot pro- duction men out jobs after the war over. So, you are production executive who would like stay busi- ness later, use what influence and ability you may have help keep selling business now. And not become impatient you find that production publica- tion, such THE IRON AGE, keeps harping upon this subject selling what you've got when you got it! Perhaps you, production man, can help your sales department just that. Because you, all people, know many good things that your company may have offer aside from its products. You can find samples for your sales and advertising departments send out past, present and prospective customers. That what progressive and far-seeing companies are doing today; they are handing out samples. Samples their thinking; samples their knowledge and experience; samples their ability serve, even when they cannot sell. And doing that, they are deliberately building, brick brick, the foundations enduring reputation. Did you ever stop ponder upon how reputations are built? Repu- tations that make one concern want with another? our business, they are not built upon single fortuitous happening. They are not even built upon the fact that one makes excellent product. That idea expired with the death the man who made the better mousetrap and then sat down await the road building gang. Today, you cannot send out samples your product because there are none spare. But you can and must send out samples your thinking; samples your experience; samples your ability serve industry. Today industry, with its personal salesmanship handicapped and hobbled shortages and priorities, needs more than ever the services these messengers good will, who build and maintain industrial reputations. | q | | } | 4 q | « 4 4 7 7 | q d Three dies mounted this press blank, draw, emboss, punch and trim cylinders. Cylinder Formed and Finishec Each Press Stroke These brake booster cylinders, 8%" deep di- ameter, are blanked, drawn, embossed, punched and trimmed three dies mounted 250-ton, double- acting press. this ingenious production method cylinder finished every stroke the press. Each 13-ga. Inland sheet trimmed correct size for two blanks. sheet dipped emulsified lubri- cant and set the gauges the first die, which cuts the blank and draws depth 10” diameter. During the upstroke the press, the part moved the second die, where drawn finished size, deep and diameter. the next upstroke, the part inverted and placed the third die, where TRACK ACCESSORIES ; — — embossed, punched and trimmed—completely fin- ished and ready for shipment. This process made continuous feeding the press and advancing the parts each upstroke. Inland special drawing quality sheets have almost perfect performance record this difficult brake booster cylinder job, which drawn and without score marks. you have problem involving the use steel—per haps arising from conversion wartime production —do not hesitate call for Inland Metallurgist who will glad work closely with you. FLOOR PLATE STRUCTURALS RAILS REINFORCING BARS PILING BALE LL ishing the cylinder, J The first die blanks The second die draws The third die dia. ™ ‘ \ ( | ‘ ‘ : ‘ Street, Chicago Offices: Milwaukee, Detroit, St. Paul, St. Louis Kansas City, Cincinnati, Qn this country helplessly depen- Far East tin supplies? the Pacific war strangles Far East sources this vital metal, can the United States bank Bolivia South America turn out the tin needed Tin, course, pressing im- portance today. Too expensive for wide use pure form, tin com- bined with other metals goes into numberless manufactured goods: food cans, mirror backs, roofing, utensils, Now war makes tin metal,” desperately sought the great powers because its role armament making: alloys, solder, coating iron and steel, Naturally, the United States the thick the world scramble for tin, because far the world’s largest tin consumer. One month last spring current con- sumption was reported eating almost half all the tin the whole world was producing. Yet domes- tic production this metal ap- proximately zero. The world the last year two rate 230,000 240,000 long tons anually, big increase over pre- vious years. Principal producers have been (1) Malaya, (2) Nether- lands East Indies, (3) Bolivia, (4) Thailand, (5) China, (6) Nigeria. Bolivia the world’s third largest producer, with only olivia and Tin With war the Far East, tin has suddenly become very critical metal. Its great importance the indus- trial economy makes this informative analysis the Bolivian situation very timely. ° ° BERNARD BORNING Los Angeles ° Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies topping her. War and lack shipping some time ago knocked China out the picture ex- porting producer, and, this written, one can predict what war will other Far East pro- ducing areas. Principal consumers, the other hand, have been (1) the United States, (2) Great Britain, (3) Rus- sia, (4) Germany, (5) Japan, (6) France. War has cut Continental Europe, including Germany and France, largely out this consumer picture, which means bigger slice for any other nation who can keep sea routes open. glance the names the major producers shows four out the six the Far East, more less within Japan’s dreamed orbit. And the consuming side, allied America, Britain and Russia apprehensive the Japan- ese threat their tin sources across thousands ocean miles— have been taking steps insure future supplies. Herein lies the ex- planation why the Metals Re- serve Co. has been buying huge quantities tin ores and pig tin above current consumption. Since 1931, tin exports from the world’s leading producing countries have been controlled the Inter- national Tin Cartel. Bolivia was one the original signers the agreement. Under it, each partici- pating nation allotted “stand- ard tonnage” based capacity produce. Quotas are fixed quarterly certain percentage this ton- nage. illustrate, during the first ° two quarters 1938, quotas were set per cent standard ton- nage, while during the last two quarters 1938, they were re- stricted per cent standard tonnage. Since then, war demands and the huge wants the Metals Reserve Co. caused the Cartel loosen quotas, and the end 1941 they stood 130 per cent. Bolivia was lucky until recently having her standard tonnage based her peak production year 1929, when her output was some- thing more than 46,000 metric tons. date, she has not again equalled this figure, even though most her quotas since 1938 have been above it. its London meeting last year (1941), the Cartel’s International Tin Committee decided bring standard tonnages more line with recent production capacities. Since Bolivia had been falling behind her quotas and stood lose part her allotted share world exports, her delegates naturally tried forestall any revision standard tonnages. They were outvoted, and was agreed base the new standard tonnages production for the twelve months ending June 30, 1941. This spurred Bolivia make the best possible showing before the June deadline, and she did suc- ceed producing some 42,000 met- ric tons, her biggest 12-month out- put years. yet this reduced standard tonnage does not restrict Bolivia, for with the present 130 per cent quotas force, she can still pull out all the stops. When World War started THE IRON AGE, February 1942—39 3 q | q 7 d trims, q aS 4 a fin- the rake | . September 1939, the Bolivian min- ing industry seemed for bad time. Bottoms for shipping were hard find, Continental markets were cut off blockade, and cus- tomary advance payments from English smelters got scarcer. Bo- livia’s tungsten and antimony ores, most which had gone Europe, were left groping for market. The only other big market pros- pect for these metals United States, and industries had been the habit taking only very little the purest grade tungsten and antimony, while the lack smelting facilities for tin prohibited buying the ore direct. Since most pig tin imported into the United States came from Brit- ish Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies, seemed the only way the would make Bolivia was have customary shipments across the Pacific threatened. happened, the same war which cut off Bolivia’s markets roused this country action in- sure tin supplies, and now brings Bolivia new markets here. The Metals Reserve Co., offspring RFC, signed contract with every tin mining company Bolivia, ex- cept one, for their tin output for five years. The contract dates from July 1940. This country now buying direct part what formerly went Europe for smelting and subsequent re-export us. The ore will smelted here, and the first tin smelter the West- ern Hemisphere has been built Texas City across the bay from Galveston. this 50-acre tract near Texas City, nations three continents are working together new eco- nomic front against the Axis. Metals Reserve Co. built the plant. Tin Processing Corp., subsidiary Dutch company exiled Bata- via, operates it. Bolivia supplies tin ore. Under the deal, Bolivia furnishes about 18,000 long tons tin year, per fine. The one company not the deal the great Mines Enterprises Con- solidated, which recently was turn- ing out almost half Bolivia’s total tin production. This company still ships England, where owns smelters. But added the tin the has been getting from the Far East, well pig tin from the British smelters, the im- port Bolivian ore puts un- precedented peak the total 40—THE IRON AGE, February 1942 tin pile. other sources are cut off, can Bolivia carry alone for this country? trip Bolivia. Bolivia land extremes, geographically and economically. Her territory divides into two most distinct regions. Her west high plateau where rich mineral deposits are worked elevations 12,000 15,000 ft. above sea level. Here the tin belt, extending from the Peruvian frontier the north that Argentina the south, great strip 500 miles long and roughly miles wide. this “Alto Plano” live most Bolivia’s 3,500,000 people, ranking her with Tibet one the highest inhab- ited regions the earth. Bolivia’s life has centered about this high plateau for centuries—since the days she was “Upper Peru,” and tributary the Spanish viceroyalty Lima. Bolivia’s east, forming sections the Amazon and Plata river basins, land steaming jungle, cut off from the rest the country lack roads rail. Potentially rich and capable producing per- haps all Bolivia’s food, these fer- tile eastern provinces now lie un- tapped and unproductive, inhabited Their isolation from the plateau population forces the country buy most its food from the out- side. one mine official put it, “Bolivia trades more with Brazil, Argentina and the United States than she does with Bolivia.” With sea coast, the country must ship out its minerals rail the west, over lofty mountains Chilean and Peruvian ports. In- coming machinery and food must travel the same difficult route, mount the plateau long rail route out the vast pampas Argentina. Even the more populous western plateau only slightly industrial- ized standards. Enter- prises are for the most part small, tools production crude. this desolate desert highland, the de- scendents Indians vanquished the Spaniards tunnel and drill for tin and other minerals. The snowy peaks themselves rise tremendous heights, yet here where the thin chill air makes exertion hard for white northerners, the Aymaras and Quechuas swing picks inside the gaping caverns left unfilled the Squatting the shadow moun- tain still scarrd the diggings mineral-greedy Spaniards the period Pizarro, Indian women sort out chunks tin ore hand hoisted leather pouches out the mountain through jagged, untimbered shafts. The weird fascination this ancient plateau should not hide hard economic fact. Economically, Bolivia dangerously lopsided. Perhaps other nation earth gle metal for its economic well- being. Minerals are about per cent Bolivia’s export trade, says her Director Mines, and tin alone makes some per cent that trade. Were anything prevent these exports, the country would shortly distress for want food. Tin grim barom- eter her economic situation. Fur- ther, Bolivia the one country where nearly half the principal mineral output controlled one man—Simon Patifio. Almost all government revenue—about per cent, officials say—comes from tin. Precariously, the government feeds single industry, while over that one industry which the country largely lives, hangs the constant threat unpredictable taxation ax. This one major industry Bo- livia classified into three groups, known that country the big, medium, and small producers. The big producers mine per cent the nation’s tin, and are com- posed only interests: Patifio, Hochschild and Aramayo. The medium producers, customarily allotted per cent the nation’s tin output, count close com- panies their group. The small producers together yield but per cent Bolivia’s tin, and this classification fall the remaining midget companies and individuals. committee headed the Director General Mines divides the na- tion’s Cartel quota companies. Many nomic and natural—have hounded Bolivia’s tin industry. Only yester- day her history, severe tax and regulatory laws, brought the hard-to-take Chaco War with Para- guay 1932-35, weighed heavily tin. With treasury depleted war, Bolivia turned her mining companies. The culmination this somewhat anti-capitalistic tendency was the drastic mining law June | ~ | 1939. longer were companies allowed export big profits out the country. The new law harshly taxed and regulated tin miners, required them deposit 100 per cent the proceeds from the sale tin with the Central Bank. The bank paid off boliv- lanos rate exchange set the government. Today’s Pefiaranda administration say mine people, has loosened some the restrictions. Yet even today the government tries peg the foreign exchange rate, keeps strong hand min- last June, mining com- panies only had deposit per cent tin sales, instead the 100 per cent. From this deposit, per cent was taxed away directly, then numerous freight, ever increasing importance the United States the tin resources Bolivia. From per cent the tin produced our Latin American neighbor three large interests, Patino, Hochs- child, and Aramayo. Medium producers, numbering some 30, produce per cent the tin, and small producers together yield about per cent. This mine Oruro, Bolivia. ° ° ° handling, treatment charges were deducted. For the sad remnant, miners got bolivianos the dollar. Last June, the “Cambio Unico” decree once more altered the regu- lations. There was still the per cent deposit, but miners received bolivianos the dollar instead the previous 40. Yet this apparent gain was largely negated rais- ing the direct tax the deposit from per cent per cent. could not get enthusiastic over Cambio Unico. add tin’s difficulties, the labor supply has been short, espe- cially since Chaco. Only the Boliv- ian Indian can take the high altitude most the mines, and staggering proportion this manpower was lost the struggle with Paraguay. Some the work- ers who were not killed off, fled northern Argentina, but attempt re-import them proved flop, since they preferred the easier life their new country. Then, too, because the average grade ore mined has sharply decreased decade, more men are needed today produce given tonnage tin. took nearly many workers turn out 28,000 metric tons 1939 THE IRON AGE, February , ’ is. 1a- q led q the ra- ily ing his | did mine about 46,000 tons ten years earlier. All this tough production expansion. Summed prominent tin official: “Bolivia simply has wait for new generation miners grow up!” Lack roads another severe limitation Bolivia’s tin industry limiting her whole de- velopment. Many areas that con- tain tin deposits, say geologists, are still inaccessible and cannot pro- ductive until truck roads rail- roads are extended. Some miners transport their ore truck rail station, but from many the small mines the hills the ore must hauled pack trains llamas burros the roads. From the remote Bolivian plateau itself, the ore can hauled out only rail through neighboring foreign coun- tries. “It costs much now,” said miner, “to carry ton tin con- centrate from Bolivian mine the coast, few hundred miles away, does from the coast Texas City, thousands miles make transportation matters worse, Bolivia’s limited motor-haul- ing facilities are the mercy supply. Though her eastern region contains undeveloped oil, and she does refine little, her gasoline production far from satisfies even her small needs. Consequently, she depends largely the northern Peru fields for gasoline, and imports Diesel fuel, oils and greases from the United States. Last summer when the Peru-Ecuador squabble flamed into full-fledged border war, Bolivia was left gasping for gas. West coast shipping, already pressed, seemed have other things haul, place gasoline down the ports which connect rail with land-locked Bolivia. Trucks were stalled, and tin output took beat- ing. Officials suggested reserve tanks might have built west coast rail heads smooth out the spurts delivery. for the petroleum products she’s been buy- ing from the States, Bolivia fears war may now restrict them, too. Finally, nature, Bolivia “high cost” producer tin. Un- like the cheaper-to-work alluvial deposits the Far East, Bolivia’s production comes ground, mostly from narrow veins. Very few placer deposits are being worked. Her underground tin ores are usually metallurgically more 42—THE IRON AGE, February 19, 1942 complicated, harder mill and re- fine than Far East ores. Bo- livia’s dusty plateau, mining com- panies must constantly battle the problem adequate water supplies for their operations. And fur- ther contrast Malayan and Neth- erlands East Indies tin areas which are close the sea, Bolivia’s tin zone blocked from the Pacific rugged mountains. Were not for the quota system the Interna- tional Tin Cartel, claimed, doubtful Bolivian producers could compete open world market. These, then, are Bolivian tin’s peculiar difficulties. What about the future? Attempts better Bolivia’s min- ing position local smelting ores have proved disappointing, spite study and experiment for some time. present, only the relatively high grade concentrates can exported because trans- portation costs. Local smelting would mean the possibility treat- ing lower grade concentrates, re- sulting higher tin recovery. Sev- eral attempts establish smelter projects recent years went the rocks, with money spent Chilean, American, Canadian and Argentine interests. One enterprise had pro- gressed the stage building reverberatory furnace the Chile- coast, when British smelter peo- ple bought off the scheme. Pros- pects Bolivian smelting the foreseeable future are not encour- aging. mining circles, the statement repeatedly heard that the “fu- ture” the country’s mineral de- velopment rests the small pro- ducer. The big fellows are already close their production peak, said; the real increase tin tons must come from the smaller enter- prises. The small operator needs place where can take his samples for assay; where can get advice mining, milling, marketing; where can get help his trans- portation problem. Often needs funds keep him going. Limited capital and technical ignorance may lead him work only the richest ore pockets and then quit. That not the way make productive mine out prospect, add new name Bolivia’s list producers. The government itself senses this situation, and 1937 set the “Banco Minero,” mine bank, encourage and aid smaller pro- ducers. All members the small producer group belong the Banco law, and any companies classified medium may belong, they choose. Banco Minero the marketing outlet for its members; sells them explosives, picks, shovels and other types material and equipment cost plus per cent; makes loans the small com- panies; gives them free technical advice. now plans custom mills where small producers can bring their ores for concentrating. The idea behind the Banco Minero that saves overhead for finan- cially hard-pressed little miners, gives them the benefit large-scale buying, makes available technical help they could not afford their own. times the Banco even pays above market price for metals from the small producers, official states, the ground that whatever helps develop mining benefit the whole country the long run. Another way increasing Bo- livia’s tin production frequently suggested: new deposits. Great areas the country have never been thoroughly explored, and more prospecting might reveal consider- able further deposits worked. With better transportation connec- tions, miners and geologists would encouraged enter these now unknown regions, develop any new tin deposits that exist. The Director General Mines thinks alluvial tin might found lower eastern lands. Further, boost present output, and assure maximum total pro- duction through the years, lower grade ores must get increasing attention. Already larger mining companies are profitably working ores thought too poor trouble with years ago. The conquering Spaniards started the short-sighted policy skimming off only top grade ores, sometimes discarding waste anything containing under per cent pure tin. Later miners continued the tendency sorting out only the best material dug up. Today huge dumps this so-called waste contain surprising tonnages tin. Some these dumps being reworked now, and even dis- card filling old mine tunnels being remined and sent through the con- centrating mills. Some mining com- panies report that more than half their year’s production now comes from old workings and low grade material not included “ore serves.” The mine industry begins realize that Bolivia’s tin 7 7 | = } q 7 2 not last forever, can last much longer all possible tons are squeezed from poorer ores. But the shift lower grade ores calls for changes—changes min- ing, handling ores outside the mine, crushing and concentrat- ing operations. Modern machinery for digging out bigger tonnages this poorer material should replace some the primitive pick and shovel scratching for only the cream. The short labor supply can made more efficient greater mechanization surface work some mines. And many cases must asked certain the crude hand methods for recovering fine tin concentrate from mine- run ore could not give way more and mechanized milling, Patifio’s marvelous Oatavi mill. Today ore containing little per cent tin can profitably LMOST all the tin produced Bolivia was exported for smelting. About completed new smelter Texas City, Texas, the first this country, which will handle the smelting Bolivian ore. These are the Patino tin mines Catair, Bolivia. worked—with the It’s question machinery, and capital. Technical men, too, are badly needed Bolivia help big part her tin industry step from the primitive the progressive. New techniques and recovery methods could life savers. “We have the practical miners,” one told, “but we’re short modern specialists.” train more such careerists her own, Bolivia needs first-rate school mines, instead the sec- ond-rate one Oruro. She needed the modern metallurgical laboratory ot « : recently completed Paz the new Department Mines building, she needs the experimental ore mill that planned. With such things, and more, she’ll her way. sum up, major problems in- volved future increases Boliv- ian tin production might listed as: (1) Mechanization for medium and small mining companies. (2) Roads. (3) Improved methods for work- ing low grade ores. (4) Technical men. (5) Stable laws and sympa- thetic government attitude. That’s Bolivia. Now quick round-up see where the stands. has been noted that Bolivia turned out about 44,000 long tons last year (1941), substantial in- crease over recent years. com- THE IRON AGE, February 19, 1942—43 j t 1- i- 7 4 4 parison, consumption for the last decade said average some 60,000 long tons; 1940 was 74,000 tons. The following little table, based official figures from the Ministry National Economy, shows who Bolivia doing the equipment, slight technical knowl- edge—yield the poorest concen- trates. this connection, mention should made Bolivian “gripe” about the the past: “Trouble is,” explains her Director increasing, and how much: General Mines, “when North FIRST HALF, 1940 FIRST HALF, 1941 Per Cent Cent Tons Production Production Long Tons Per Cent Patifio 7,218 44.6 10,427 48.7 3,208 44.5 Hochschild 4,011 24.8 5,394 25.1 1,383 34.5 Aramayo 1,452 9.0 1,477 6.9 1.7 Other Miners 3,500 21.6 4,126 19.3 626 17.9 Total 16,181 100.0 21,424 100.0 5,243 32.4 (average) glance reveals that the “big —Patifio, Hochschild and —are digging ouf most Bolivia’s tin now. Obviously, the has depend largely them for prompt production the immediate future. But officials say these big companies are close their peak, that the smaller companies dium” and could greatly expand present output. fact, pre- dicts the Director General Mines, with proper development smaller companies, Bolivia should able produce unprecedented 70,000 metric tons year for the Democra- cies! That figure certainly won’t happen tomorrow. But the small fellows should certainly given chance show their stuff. add point, note the quality output different sized producers: QUALITY CONCENTRATES (Figures, same source above, 1940) Over Under Per Cent Per Cent Tin, Pure Tin, 98.5 72.4 84.0 Other 63.0 13.35 Refers per cent year’s output. seen that the highest quality comes from the giant Patifio com- pany with its modern plant equip- ment and scientific direction. Also, not quite good for the other two companies the “big who are less mechanized and somewhat inferior plant. The little fellows —with their hand methods, crude 44—THE IRON AGE, February 19, 1942 Americans come investigate our mining, they usually forget about all our miners except the three big Hochschild and Aramayo!” Substance the Di- rector General’s remarks: Big pro- ducers already possess more com- plete figures, research, hence need outside help least all. The expansion future the little fellows—they should get the study and help. Now then, what’s the set-up for helping Bolivia supply the better? Metals Reserve Co. already has American miner its spe- cial representative Bolivia—H. Altshuler. addition, says the State Department, two American mining experts were lately sent study plans for quick boosting mineral production quality. Small miners are get special study, with improvements their methods and equipment contem- plated. And the time this read, loan for Bolivia being con- sidered Washington last summer may have gone through. Bolivian newspapers blazed with excitement the prospect aid, and variously reported $20,000,000 $80,000,000 might coming help out. The credits were planned for: (1) mineral development, (2) roads, (3) defense, (4) money sta- bilization, (5) agricultural develop- ment. Another point. Why doesn’t Mines Enterprises Con- solidated ship the United States? Why isn’t this biggest mining com- pany Bolivia, Delaware corpo- ration, the Metals Reserve deal? The general manager says that, “previous British contracts prevent.” Moreover, must re- membered that the British also need tin; but “something pens England,” say officials, the company would certainly ship us, and might even build another smelter here. Then all Bolivia’s tin, one mighty stream, would pouring into the United States. That stream (about 44,000 long tons 1941) may rise and towards the 74,000-ton mark (1940 metal prices mount. But with ris- ing Bolivian production, the consumption tends upward. The present conclusion must be, obvi- ously: current output can’t fully satisfy the current appetite. But there are least two fur- ther considerations weighing Bolivia’s production against consumption. First, reserves. For months this country has been stacking huge strategic tin reserve. year’s end, 1940, according fig- ures the Tin Producers’ Associa- tion, London, Metals Reserve Co. had piled 38,844 long tons. And 1941, says another source, 4000 5000 tons month more than the consumed had been coming into the United States. Decem- ber 1941, when the went war with Japan, the country must have had tremendous stocks re- serve. Perhaps 90,000 long tons? Second, conservation. ample, fewer tinfoil wrappers after this. Less tin for non-vital uses, with war manufacturers coming first. both fields, substitute other more available materials where pos- sible. WPB has announced conser- vation measures cut tin use all this means—if the usual tons Far East tin can’t get past Axis submarines—that this country will have (1) follow through preliminary efforts spur Bolivian production, technical help, loans, machinery, etc., (2) cut down consumption, (3) fall back tin reserves. portant word about Bolivia herself. isphere when the war over, the must pay more and more eco- nomic attention Latin America. case, this country should what can help make Bolivia’s lopsided economy better balanced. One her aims ought 7 7 7 q 7 7 3 ~ q q q q = 7 | : 7 7 q increased production and export other minerals besides tin. the combined value her copper, gold, tungsten, antimony, lead and exports could equal the value her tin export, the nation would have few more economic legs stand on. When today’s hungry de- mand for tin dulls, Bolivia may suf- fer severely because her one- track production. Diversification would cushion such blows. Some temporary help comes the form second contract with the Metals Reserve Co. From last July the buying Bolivia’s entire tungsten output—up 13,- 200 short tons over three-year period. Used steels, tungsten vital metal war- time, and Bolivia becomes im- portant supply region augment replace endangered Far East supplies. She could furnish half bid against the for Bolivia’s tungsten, offering $23 per long ton. The price some $21 per short ton won out because the Japanese couldn’t guarantee ocean transport case war, and Bo- livians thought the pay surer. Bolivian tungsten production came complete standstill after World War avoid repetition such hardship after this war, new markets and/or cheaper pro- duction methods must found. Plans were under way last summer whereby the Massachusetts Insti- tute Technology was start research hunt find new uses for Bolivia’s tungsten. new outlets for the metal result, her tungsten miners may able produce for peace well war. This just minor example how the might bolster its Good Neighbor. Casting Racks Speed Production improved method handling and storing turbine castings, making use pallet handling racks, has relieved yard ages and facilitated classification and delivery castings the shops the Lynn River Works General Electric Co. Incoming ma- terials are classified, placed pal- lets for unit operations the shop, and then stored the racks until required the production depart- ment. Delivery materials the shops from the racks made fork truck. This system not only reduced handling costs, but also eliminated the possibility loss from mislaid materials. Operations are not hin- dered inclement weather, inven- tories are simplified, and the set-up the racks can rearranged without disturbing the materials stock inventories the racks. The system particularly advantageous the present time when expansion manufacturing facilities places great premium yard space. EFORE installation racks, castings were stored the yard, exposed weather and required considerable space. Pallet handling racks, installed the storage yards (below), facilitate classification and delivery the castings the shop, and the save yard space. THE IRON AGE, February 1942—45 4 ) | § q q 7 q ) q i 4 4 ar = a Plating Alloys With discussion the plating technique and applica- tions black and gray nickel deposits, the author con- cludes this series articles plating alloys. ° ° ° Electroplating Consultant, New York ° IKE the black molybdenum coating, discussed the first article this series, black and gray nickel platings cannot, the true sense the word, called alloys. They are classified such, however, because they con- tain, among other elements, nickel and zinc. Black nickel plating one the “old timers,” has been used for many years jet black fin- ish. can plated nickel, zinc, brass, copper and aluminum with- out any difficulty. Steel can fin- ished with black nickel first plated with zinc nickel and then with the black nickel. Any metal that can plated with nickel, brass, copper zinc, can likewise finished with this material. Di- rect plating aluminum, particu- larly notable, used for contrast effects metal signs, shown Fig. These signs have black nickel background and raised alu- minum letters. Black nickel does not protect iron and steel against corrosion. such protection desirable, the base metal should first plated with heavy coating nickel zinc. Since black nickel plating very old and well tried process, very little recent research has been con- ducted this process. The atti- tude has long been that black nickel can taken “as is” because has proved itself the past. Within the IRON AGE, February 19, 1942 ° ° last years, doubtful whether scientific papers have been pub- lished the subject, and very lit- tle known the behavior the plating bath, interesting sub- ject for original research. There are several objections the black nickel coating, some which are: (1) The adhesion poor when the base metal dis- torted; (2) black nickel soft; (3) uniform results are difficult obtain, especially small baths; (4) complex problem presented the type anode used; (5) small currents must used, and (6) the coating weathers when ex- posed the atmosphere. Some TABLE Black Nickel Plating Baths BATH Per Gal. Per Gal. Nickel sulfate, Nickel ammonium sulfate, NiSO,-(NH,):SO.-6H-O 6 8 Sodium thiocyanate, NaCNS BATH CONDITIONS Current density amp. per sq. ft. Anodes............. per cent carbon, per cent nickel these objections may overcome, and believed that future re- search will accomplish this. There have been many so-called black nickel baths. this discus- sion, however, black nickel coating denotes black deposit produced nickel and zinc salt and sodium thiocyanate with the the bath below seven. Composition the bath has been varied greatly the course time, and thus, one formula specifies sodium arsenite cyanide and nickel sulfate. many instances black deposit has been obtained consisting almost pure arsenic, when nickel present. Many the old plating formulas called for acid and base the same bath. Such hodge-podge materials could only produce mix- ture, wasteful and often gives undesirable results. Also, many these old formulas uble compounds that form heavy precipitate the bottom the tank, wasting valuable chemicals. Satisfactory baths are shown Table VIII, along with bath condi- tions. Bath produces harder plating than Bath Black nickel can produced heavy black deposit when low current density used prop- erly balanced solution. The deposit plates very rapidly, more rapidly q 7 7 7 7 7 7 a a a 7 | ‘ | These sheets have black nickel back- ground, and the lettering raised the base metal. This pro- duces contrast- ing effect and suit- for signwork and dials. SHOULD ° ° ° fact, than predicted Fara- day’s Laws. Thus, possible coat some metals within few min- utes. Black nickel, having variety uses backgrounds for dials and signs and producing antique effects, easily finished after plating. Highlights are re- lieved brushing other similar methods removing por- tion the coating and leaving the remainder dull black. This done frequently with Sterling sil- ver flatware produce old sil- ver appearance. Since black nickel soft and cracks readily when the base metal deformed, the use this deposit entails special handling. Likewise, control the bath, often essential, another difficulty, but this may overcome the bath chem- ically controlled and operated un- der correct conditions. the current density creased beyond that indicated Table VIII streaky, gray deposit will result. This results from the excessively high generated the cathode area, which, turn, precipitates the surface the cathode basic salts zine and nickel. the concentration the zine thiocyanate becomes too low, the deposit plating will gun metal color instead jet black, The composition the deposit obtained from the baths Table VII will be:* Organic matter... Remainder Bureau Standards Technical Paper, No. 100. Often gray nickel coating and con- desired for illustrative 8—An ordinary yel- low brass stri was plated wit bright then plated for five min. with gray nickel and then buffed, produc- ing the finish il- lustrated here. trast purposes. possible ob- tain such deposit from the baths shown Table VIII using higher current density and voltage, and decreasing the about six. However, this rather diffi- cult regulate times and more suitable bath for gray nickel coat- ings shown Table IX. Sodium thiocyanate not essen- tial the bath. has been chosen THE IRON AGE, February 1942—47 ! ‘ig Haast that Rochelle salts and sodium sulfate can substituted for the thiocyanate, and black de- posits can produced. Industry, 19, 1921, pp. 73. Special Bath has been stated already that research badly needed the gray and black nickel plating fields, but now and then something new developed. However, such develop- ments are generally kept secret and used specified fields. was the good fortune the author come upon formula that produces at- tractive gray nickel deposits that can applied variety uses. This bath shown Table Ingredients are numbered facilitate mixing this bath. Ingre- dient No. dissolved two- thirds the required amount water; No. dissolved the re- maining water, and the two solu- tions are mixed. Next, No. added the bath and when dissolved, ingredient No. placed into the solution. Silver use silver powdered metallurgy increasing, be- ing employed for making mechan- ical mixtures containing metals, such nickel, which not alloy with silver except small propor- tions. Graphite, tantalum, molyb- denum and tungsten are among the materials mixed finely powdered form with silver powder, com- pressed and sintered tempera- ture slightly below the melting point silver. Some resulting products can rolled into sheet drawn into rod which now are used chiefly for mak- ing electrical contacts and welding electrodes, although other applica- tions are contemplated. Wire suit- able for heading operations pro- duced, since silver itself ductile and helps form ductile mixtures. possible make mixtures al- most dense might expected complete alloying were possible. the other hand, ingredient which can volatilized after press- ing has been done added, uni- formly porous product can pro- duced. With copper production barely able keep pace with defense needs, the use silver bus bars has been suggested and has more than academic interest. Govern- 48—THE IRON AGE, February 1942 TABLE Gray Nickel Plating Bath BATH COMPOSITION Per Gal. Nickel ammonium sulfate, 8 Sodium thiocyanate, BATH CONDITIONS Current density amp. per sq. ft. Temperature, deg. F..68 TABLE Gray Nickel Gm. BATH COMPOSITION Per Gal. Per Sodium pyrophosphate, ...... 150 )Nickel sulfate, (CP) 22/3 (3) Aluminum ammonium sul- fate, AINH,(SO,). 2 15 (4) Potassium cyanide, KCN essential that the nickel anode have low anode efficiency. Otherwise, the nickel content the bath will increase and produce anced solution. prevent nickel increase small bath, nickel wire from 1/16 in. diam- eter can inserted into the solu- causes polarization the anode and decreased anode efficiency be- cause the high anode current density. large bath, carbon anodes can substituted for some the nickel anodes, suggested the black nickel baths shown Table VIII. has been pointed out, re- search badly the field black and gray nickel plating, and believed that such experimental work will forthcoming shortly, because industry demands good black coating and willing pay for it. Substitute for Scarce Metals ment-owned power plants private companies replaced copper bus bars with those made silver, thou- sands tons high-purity copper could released for defense appli- cations. The silver presumably would come from reserves now idle Government vaults from new- mined metal which the Govern- ment constantly purchasing from domestic producers. might lent and returned later when needs for copper are less pressing. Silver, while being the best elec- trical conductor known, also has other excellent physical properties suiting for use bus bars. easily fabricated and can sil- ver-soldered brazed with silver alloys the same way that copper bus bars are brazed. Another use silver the manufacture bearings for radial air-cooled and liquid-cooled aircraft engines, replacing babbitt, accord- ing information recently released the American Silver Producers’ Research Project. Some the bear- ings are complete rings coated in- side and cutside with silver, and some are split and coated the in- side surface only. Silver under- stood capable carrying higher loads than babbitt, bet- ter conductor heat, and retains its hardness temperatures above those feasible with babbitt. far known, the coatings are applied electroplating, al- though possible that other methods application have been found suitable. Subsequent ap- plication, the silver may ma- chined hold the close limits dimensions required aircraft work. Silver removed machin- ing and that applied bearings which are damaged process may rejected for minor defects easily reclaimed. All silver coat- ings bearings service are be- lieved pure silver, which has high corrosion resistance and not attacked corrosive agents some- times found lubricating oils. this respect, the bearings are quite different from bearings with small proportions silver, and should not confused with such alloys. Although the silver coatings ap- plied bearings are about thick those babbitt previously used, most silver coatings applied met- als for industrial and other uses are well under 0.001 in. thick and are low cost because the quan- tity silver used small and readily applied plating and other means. METAL POWDERS have opened entirely new field metallurgy and are being increasingly exploited com- mercial industry that each day encounters new demands for its products. Particularly interesting iron powder, which can have various origins, i.e., from sponge iron, reduced from iron carbonyl, converted from scrap steel, etc. Moraine Products Division G.M., Dayton, large tonnages iron and steel scrap (above, are converted into iron powder left). ut Fa 4 IRON AGE, February 3 7 | q 7 7 q Moraine, low carbon steel scrap treated various processes and then broken ball mill, after which run through belt-type controlled atmosphere decarburizing furnace. The result high purity iron powder, very soft and uniform quality and size particles. Air classification has been tried, but far satisfactory com- mercial equipment not available. the iron powder passed through 150 mesh screen, with per cent the material passing through 325 mesh screen. The graphite added ultra fine. Copper powder passed through 150 mesh screen, with per cent passing through 325 mesh screen. Bronze powder made parts copper, parts tin, and parts graphite, all weight. The graphite added the bronze help bearings made from the powder. The bronze powder mixed more elaborate equipment than that shown below for iron powder, the mixing involving certain amount aeration, etc. HIS mixer used blend coarse and fine iron pow- ders, and mix graphite with the iron powder. The mixer loaded from the top, and the mixed powder comes from the center chute. The per cent graphite generally added serves supply carbon for subsequent sintering and also lubricates the during briquetting. just part the large stock dies Moraine. Die material and treatment varies with whether iron bronze powders are worked. The dies are usually made oil hardening steel, with clearance 0.0005 in. Close control clearance par- ticularly important order secure uniform and high quality products. | basic operation powder metallurgy briquetting. This small rotary briquetting machine pill-making ma- chine with little alteration) normally carries dies, but operating here (right) dies. small bronze door hinge bearing being made—one has just been ejected and one rolling down the chute. Using all dies production 130 per min. usually obtained. Briquetting pressure about 30,000 per sq. in. stationary hopper powder the left, and the die cavity rotates under it. ERE whole row small auto- matic machines briquetting various articles, for instance auto water pump bearing, thrust washer for washing machine, electric motor bear- ings, etc. The bronze powder for these products frequently Cu, Sn, and per cent graphite. Speed these machines about 300 per hr. and varies with size and shape. large bearing being bri- quetted from iron powde