The Iron Age 1942-11-19: Vol 150 Iss 21

NOVEMBER 19, 1942 every warplane flight, there are hundreds ball bearings motion revolving oscillating. They reduce friction and prevent wear propeller hubs, engines, accessories, radio permit the precise functioning scores navigating and Without this unseen crew, plane could ever complete Ball bearings New Departure ball bearings keep airplanes flying, fighting, winning sky battles the world over. the free men, who intend remain free, our fast-growing air armada General Motors, Bristol, Connecticut. THE FORGED BEARING between the unit sections our equipment and in- prime essential today’s Effort world-wide—is vital with machines with men. Continuous high-speed production de- mands continuous co-operation, with materials traveling steady flow from one process the next. New England Mill, large Cleveland Worm Gear Speed Reducers have operated day and night since 1927 —driving equipment which operates series and must synchronized exactly. With nearly years’ experi- ence, the General Manager reports:— “Cleveland Drives maintain more uniform tension crease our production.” Cleveland Give You the Low-Down With Cleveland, teamwork begins our own engineer- ing and manufacturing facilities and extends the successful application standard type Worm Gear Units the machines all Industry. Clevelands will keep your machines co-operating too. The Cleveland Worm Gear Company, 3252 East 80th Street, Cleveland, Ohio. Affiliate: The Farval Corporation, Centralized Systems Lubrication Canada: PEACOCK BROTHERS LIMITED WORM THE IRON AGE, published every Thursday the CHILTON CO. (INC.). Entered second class matter November 1932, the Post Office Philadelphia under act March 1879. yearly North America and South America, Foreign $15. Vol. 150, No. NOVEMBER 19, 1942 Vol. 150, NO. VAN DEVENTER President and Editor BAUR Vice-President and General Manager ° ° ° News Markets Editor, ROWAN Technical Editor OLIVER Associate Editors Art Editor, WINTERS Editorial Assistants Resident District Editors Washington Pittsburgh Washington Chicago Cleveland Detroit OSGOOD MURDOCK 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 BACON Seattle ° ° ° DIX, Manager Reader Service Advertising Robert Blair, 621 Union Cleveland Herman, Chilton Bldg., Philadelphia Hottenstein, 1012 Otis Bldg., Chicago Raymond Kay, 2420 Cheremoya Ave.. Los Angeles, Cal. Leonard, 100 East 42nd St., New York Peirce Lewis, 7310 Woodward Ave., Detroit East 42nd St., New York Robinson Fitzgerald 428 Park Bldg., Pittsburgh Johnson, Market Research Mar. Hayes, Production Manager. Baur, Typography and Layout. ° ° Member, Audit Bureau Circulations Member, Associated Business Papers Indexed the Industrial Arts Index. lished every Thursday. Subscription Price North America, South America and Possessions, $8; Foreign, $15 year. Single copy, cents. ° ° Owned and Published CHILTON COMPANY Executive Editorial and Offices Advertising Offices Chestnut and Sts. 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 CHARLES HEALE HARRY DUFFY Editorial More Flies with Technical Articles Effect Moisture Blast Air Brazing High Speed Steel Small Furnace for Brazing Carbide Tips. High Frequency Flowing Continuous Treating Furnace for Shells New Equipment: Machine Tools Features Assembly Line Washington West Coast Fatigue Cracks Dear News and Markets This Industrial Week News Industry Coming Events Personals and Obituaries. Machine Tool Activity. Non-Ferrous Metals Scrap Markets Iron and Steel Scrap Prices Comparison Prices Finished Steel Prices Warehouse Prices Index Advertisers Copyright, 1942, by Chilton Company (Ine ) 101 134 136 138 140 142 143 144 148 215 This Week in... ° ° fe] i Office | a Record-breaking service important Navy order, made possible Ryerson co- operation steel! “Without your assist- ance, could not have been writes the contractor—and again Ryerson teamwork scores. Cases like this—in which quick Ryerson steel-service has speeded war production —run into the thousands! While have not kept count, enough Ryerson customers are working war contracts firmly es- tablish Ryerson steel from stock vital part the war production machine. Hundreds plants war contracts are depending Ryerson for steel. impor- tant order here, too urgent wait mill production; few bars there; some strip few sheets somewhere else. multiplies into tremendous tonnage—all labeled it’s all going into tanks, planes, guns and ships beat the Axis! source pride the Ryerson or- ganization that its One Hundredth Year finds the direct line greatest service great deal satisfaction War Pro- duction Unit report: “Without your assist- ance could not have been accomplished.” JOSEPH RYERSON SON, INC. Chicago Milwaukee St. Louis Cincinnati Detroit Cleveland Buffalo Boston Philadelphia Jersey City 19, 1942 ° ESTABLISHED 1855 More Flies With Honey old axiom that you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar. also true, thank God, that with Americans, you can get farther and faster persuasive salesmanship than you can threat. The average American “gets his back when somebody threatens him with dire consequences does not this that. Thank God again that the average American has this rigidity vertabrae, because that the quality that need win the war. Another thing that are going need win the war get out the dormant industrial scrap from the various and varied manufac- turing plants this country. And get that will require salesmanship too. Threats won't it. the contrary, the threat owners and man- agers industrial equipment come into their plants and seize machin- ery for scrap will, opinion, insure the failure such drive. Cer- tainly persuasive selling should exhausted before such tactics are even mentioned. have, for example news item from Buffalo which reads follows: “Buffalo, November hundred Buffalo industrialists have been warned Merrill Decker New York, regional chief the WPB industrial salvage section for New York and New Jersey that failure undertake immediate and thorough housecleaning scrap Niagara Frontier plants might lead the government make the aciion compulsory instead voluntary.” This the same threat that the gentlemen mentioned had previously made industrialists New York City. selling campaign under such unfavorable introduction. Especially since the services salesmen who have volunteered assist this industrial scrap salvage campaign have not yet been utilized. bad selling build sales resistance before your salesman sent call the customer. threaten the customer, other words, that had better buy your goods else! And when such salesmen call accredited representatives the agency making such threats, they are more likely regarded whose job pave the way for conscription than emis- saries goodwill. fair about it, must say that this situation apparently does not apply other sections the country, where volunteer salesmen are already work and where the district WPB salvage representatives have not substituted vinegar for honey. | | | | | | | | | A G F | | | | J | q j | | } | | NAVY P | ee | lose, that day will never come Around our industrial plants are hoards obsolete and obsolescing machinery and equipment, saved because day might have use for Today there use for it, desperately needed scrap, make steel that our fighting men will have the guns and tanks and ships they need. There will never better time clear our plants miscellaneous machines, old boilers, unused structures, 40—THE IRON AGE, November 19, 1942 unfinished parts, etc. Never will needed more. Someone must given the responsibility decide what can discarded throughout the entire plant, and see that everything possible scrapped. Instead saying, some day may have use for remember that, lose, that day will never come! INLAND STEEL CO. South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois BORON— ° ° ° LIPPERT Managing Editor, The Iron Age ° ° ° doesn’t already have enough fret about, the har- ried ferrous metallurgist soon going have freshen his nodding college acquaint- anceship with the non-metallic ele- ment Boron. The chemists assign the symbol the long-haired physicists have doped out its atomic weight 11.0, its specific gravity 2.6, and its melting point around 4000 deg. F.; and the man the street has had occasional encounters with Boron the market place the form boracic acid, borax and boracite. astonishingly high affinity for oxy- gen and is, therefore, naturally superb deoxidizer. Not long ago the copper industry first utilized Boron’s overpowering passion for oxygen, nitrogen and oxygen-con- taining gases obtain castings mechanical soundness and high elec- trical conductivity previously un- obtainable. But, until very recent- ly, all efforts fit Boron into the framework ferrous metallurgy have been, say, uninspiring. Now, all evidence promises important war and post-war role for Boron readily obtainable domestic element, and over the next year should re- lieve somewhat the tremendous pressure certain the other elements, particularly molybdenum. Much, not all, the early work the effect Boron steel involved the use such extremely large percentages Boron, judged present standards, that little attention need given it. Guillet 1907 published the re- sults obtained with steel contain- After 130 years obscurity, 26th element being groomed for billing, equal with such favorite and conventional steel alloying elements manganese, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium and silicon. Boron plenty potent metallurgically, and this new and readily available domestic steel alloying agent will likely dominate much the coming year's furbishing steels. far, however, Boron has been bedevilled atmosphere mystery, its role beclouded use such elegant terms "vitamin" “needling al- and its utilization confused sub-surface technical and commercial polemics. ing 0.46 per cent Boron. Whitney 1910 patented electrical steel containing 0.2 5.0 per cent Boron. 1914 Stahl und published the results tests con- ducted steels containing 0.20, 0.40, and 0.80 per cent Boron. The Bureau Standards published, 1922, the results obtained with number steels containing from 0.06 0.57 per cent Boron. Golyer 1924 patented chromi- steel containing amounts” (which describes “about 0.25 per per cent Boron. All these stabs into the unknown were generally unsat- isfactory and led commercial development. The situation seems fairly described Walter his patent 1924 (U. Patent No. 1,519,388) which says: “Many attempts have been made improve iron and steel and their alloys adding Boron thereto, but the results far were not encour- for the reason that the amount Boron used, generally from 0.2 2.0 per cent alto- gether too high and renders the product hard and brittle and late the experiments with Boron this connection have been prac- tically abandoned.” then proceeds show that “even such minute amount 0.001 per cent Boron” has marked effect the properties steel and his claims covers steels containing Boron within the limits 0.001 and 0.1 per cent. certainly appears that Walter was perhaps the first appreciate the fact that extremely small per- centages Boron were effective improving some the properties steel and that the amounts pre- viously used were far excess those necessary and resulted making the steel brittle (and hot short), but, apparently did not appreciate the effect Boron the “hardenability” steel, and this effect with which the indus- try most concerned today. herein used, “hardenability” refers that characteristic plain carbon low alloy steel determines the depth which will harden when does not refer broadly the well known property steel harden when cooled quench- ing water oil, from above the upper critical temperature, nor does refer the intensity hard- ness the maximum hardness that may obtained. There are, course, steels such the austenitic and ferritic stainless steels which will not harden all quenching, but these are not considered this discussion which limited what are commonly known the heat treated engineering steels. The maximum hardness that can obtained heat treatable plain carbon low alloy steel depen- THE IRON AGE, November | ° ° ° dent almost entirely its carbon content. Alloying elements have minor effect, but alloy steel containing less than per cent alloys, the effect the maximum obtainable hardness not signifi- cant. Alloys would thus seem little value increasing the sur- face hardness heat treatable steels the maximum hardness that can obtained practically independent the alloy content and determined almost entirely the carbon content and the rate cooling. The rate cooling necessary harden plain carbon steel is, however, such that this rate reached for only relatively small distance from the quenched surface and the steel hardened for only this distance. When the section quite small and the quench drastic, the steel may hardened substantially throughout. However, when the section relatively large, the interior which cooled rate lower than that required obtain full hardness left comparatively soft. Such steel shallow hardening steel. Broadly speaking, the strength any steel varies directly its hardness that shallow harden- ing steel would, large sections, have only comparatively narrow high strength zone the outside and relatively large low strength zone the interior. The average strength would thus low com- pared steel having wider deeper zone high hardness and strength. Alloys, lowering the rate cooling necessary harden steel, widen the zone that cools rapidly enough harden. result, sec- tions which would hardened for only short distance from the sur- face made plain carbon steel, and correspondingly weak are hardened and strengthened through- out, least greater depth, and the piece whole corre- spondingly stronger made alloy steel. The depth which steel will harden, either fully specified hardness, when quenched measure its hard- enability, and this can deter- mined readily number ways. Minute Percentages Used will help greatly this study the effect Boron steel the reader forget for the mo- ment the atmosphere mystery which has surrounded the discus- sion this subject and consider simply another alloying element 42—THE IRON AGE, November 1942 rather than “intensifier,” “vitamin” “needling alloy.” In- sofar the effect hardenability concerned, and this the effect current concern, Boron gives re- sults which are every way simi- lar those obtained with the more conventional alloying elements, such chromium, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium and silicon. differs, however, from these alloy- ing elements that only relatively very minute percentages Boron are necessary obtain the desired effect and that excess over and above what would considered extremely small percentage the common alloying elements may re- sult hot short steel. Already quite few special com- mercial Boron-containing alloys are will available for adding steel, as, for Grainal, Bortam and Ferro-boron’. These addition alloys wise been called intensifiers, spe- cial deoxidizers, and variety publicity Grainal (Vana- dium Corp. America) several years ago made mention the Boron con- Stituent; see THE Ace, May 23, 1940, 70, also Metals and Alloys, June, 1940. Bortam sold Titanium Alloy Mfg. Co. Silcaz product Electro- Metallurgical Co. Ferro-boron sold both Molybdenum Corp. America and Electro-Metallurgical Corp. Other com- panies have may soon announce com- petitive special alloying agents for instance recent B-Si alloy Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corp. less elegant names, all which tend becloud the major con- stituent and function. Each the alloys contains Boron, the prime purpose each intro- duce Boron into steel. Boron simply another alloying element similar kind manganese, chromium, silicon, nickel, vanadium and molybdenum, although different degree that approximately 1/100 the amount Boron has the same general effect harden- ability several the alloying elements just listed. (This not too strange, for the same per cent alloying element there will approximately twenty times many Boron atoms added molyb- denum atoms.) The major function any alloy- ing element provide harden- ability. The effect Boron when present the form which can act, presumably solid solu- tion the steel, limited the amount which can held effec- tively, and the disastrous effect excess Boron hot ductility. Some 0.002 per cent Boron, seems the optimum effective amount, and more than 0.003 per cent invites trouble hot working. With this narrow range permissible Boron content, has been necessary use special agents make effective additions. When effective additions are made and least 0.001 per cent effective Boron present, the Boron acts similarly any other alloy far hardenability con- cerned. those familiar with Grossmann factors’, inter- est that 0.002 per cent added Boron equivalent hardenability fac- *See article and Asinow, THE April 25, 25, and May 39, 1940. tor approximately 1.75 per cent. those not familiar with Gross- mann factors, this may more simply stated that 0.002 per cent added Boron equivalent 0.35 per cent chromium 0.25 per cent molybdenum. line with the con- cept marginal effects, the given steel contains such amounts chromium molybdenum, Boron addition may used save greater amounts one more these elements than cited figures. For example: steel contains 0.40 per cent molybdenum, the molybdenum content may re- duced 0.10 per cent the Boron addition without change harden- ability. The importance hardenability cannot over-emphasized. Not only does result higher strength steels critical section, but results greater toughness after tempering, probably vir- tue producing more uniform microstructure quench. This particularly evident steels tem- pered the lower tempering tem- peratures steels subjected particularly severe impact condi- tions. While hardenability the major reason for alloy additions, including the alloy Boron, second- ary effects are frequently important. Boron appears act similarly molybdenum, vanadium, nickel and copper preventing ferrite sep- aration tempering, and this like- wise gives increased toughness. While there are direct data the effect Boron temper brit- tleness, experience indicates that acts similarly molybdenum this connection. And, while there are large scale data machina- bility, experience the equivalent slightly better machinability for Boron-bearing fine-grain steels compared | em- idi- the ons, ant. and ike- ina- ates tter similar fine-grain steels equal hardenability, but not containing Boron. There nothing indi- that Boron provides creep re- sistance, although the data are lack- ing. Again line with the hypoth- esis that Boron must solid solution effective harden- ability, the effect steels with and more points carbon some- what diminished, probably due stable Boron carbide formation. Still again, the effect Boron the lower carbon carburizing steels, while predictable, appears much greater than desired, that for the time being Boron ommended for use steels contain- ing between and points carbon. Likewise, true most steels, maximum effect achieved the quench and temper- state and Boron just like any other alloy addition that effective normalized steels only when the other chemistry and mass such that the rate cooling normalizing critical. Most experience with Boron wrought steels, but work cast little 0.0006 per cent Boron has definite favorable results hardenability. The Boron added the ladle and little skill required assure good dis- semination throughout the heat steel. ° ° ° steels indicates that similarly effective but probably some- what lesser degree. essential that added the steel such way that sub- stantially protected from oxidiza- tion chemical combination and that uniformly distribut- throughout the molten metal. Silcaz, just single out one the commercial compounds, been designed for this express purpose. balanced alloy which other elements generally listed strong deoxidizers are present graded amounts protect the Boron with- out giving undesirable inclusion formation and provide the extra “killing” action essential for good Boron effect. This extra “killing” action also results fine grain and experience indicates that for the time being, Boron steels should restricted the fine grain condi- tion. While mold additions may made, they are impractical from standpoint and ladle additions are recommended. Seven and one-half pounds Silcaz per ton the recommended initial addi- tion but this amount may tap- pered off subsequent heats amount. The seller states that the protective agents insure that the amount Boron added the per ton addition, 0.002 per cent ample achieve hard- enability, and well below the amount which endangers hot work- ing properties. The lb. per ton Sileaz addition generally suffi- cient itself for deoxidization pur- poses and this regard equiva- lent approximately 1.1 Ib. aluminum per ton steel. Where the practice has been use larger amounts aluminum, the producer recommends that further addi- tion aluminum made, the THE IRON AGE, November 19, Not ion, amount the difference between normal practice and 1.1 lb. per ton. the amount Silcaz reduced to, say, lb. per ton with satisfac- tory effects hardenability, addi- tional aluminum should added line with the above cited arith- metic. Production Precautions Necessary metallurgy that some elements have tremendous effect the proper- ties certain metals and alloys even when present very small percentages. point, might again pointed out that little 0.0006 per cent Boron has been reported giving definitely favorable results hard- enability and the amount giving the optimum effect the order 0.001 0.003 per cent, while little 0.01 per cent may lead trouble. Quite obviously the very small amounts Boron that need added call for high degree skill this molten steel. Since Boron readily oxidized, must added only completely de- oxidized steel bath, must accompanied enough strong de- oxidizers protect until dis- solved the molten steel, otherwise the recovery and the consequent ef- fect will erratic. Furthermore, the amount Boron added small that could conceivably quite difficult obtain good dissemination throughout the steel were added the form of, say, pure Boron very high Boron alloy. would require only 0.06 lb., less than ounce, introduce 0.003 per cent Boron into ton steel under these conditions, and uniform dissemination would problem. For this reason, certain mills report that diluted form Boron highly desirable. One alloy that being used which has been com- mercially available for many years. 44—THE IRON AGE, November 19, 1942 the present time two types are available, the approximate compo- sitions which are: (2) Per Cent Per Cent Boron 15-20 10-12 Silicon max. 3.00 3.00 Aluminum max. Carbon approx. 0.50 approx. lron balance balance stated, several more less complex are also available which are designed dilute the Boron, provide ac- companying elements that protect the Boron from oxidation, and also exert some extent their own specific effect the steel. Typical these are the following: (1) (2) Per Cent Per Cent Boron 0.5 0.50 Titanium 10.0 10.0 Silicon 35-40 35-40 Aluminum Manganese Calcium Zirconium Vanadium Although have previously been made herein, not feasible give precisely the relative amounts Boron and the more conventional alloying ele- ments that will have the same effect hardenability. This because there has been, least until very recently, dependable method for determining the very small amounts However, comparisons between the amounts Boron added and the other elements present mined analysis are quite readily made. the various alloys are added plain carbon steel containing 0.75 per cent manganese, and 0.25 per cent silicon, then the addition 0.002 per cent Boron the form Alloy No. listed here has the same effect hardenability 0.75 per cent manganese, 0.35 per cent chromium, 0.25 per cent molybde- num, 1.5 per cent nickel 1.5 per cent silicon. The relative effects the various elements vary with the amounts them present that the comparisons just made must used with caution. is, however, obvious that Boron the industry has potent alloying element that can far helping overcome the present critical shortage number important alloying ele- ments. Boron cure-all for all the difficulties the steel producer —neither any other alloying ele- ment. may exert certain second- ary effects not yet encountered (3) (4) (5) Per Cent Per Cent Per Cent 0.2 0.5 15.0 20.0 10-20 20-30 10-20 15-25 the tests made, but far un- favorable ones have The Boron-bearing steels forged, rolled and machined least steels the same carbon content, and the same cause the small amount Boron added, the very best alloy steel prac- tice must followed consistent results are desired. There con- siderable evidence that best results are obtained with steels made fine grained the use sufficient strong deoxidizers. Boron can used replace other alloying ele- ments, particularly number those which there now crit- ical shortage, and thus help in- crease the alloys available for mak- ing the urgently needed alloy steels for guns, tanks, armor and other war equipment. | MAGNETIC TEST NITRIC ACID Test = best method insure thorough recovery high nickel alloy scrap segrega- tion the bench machine where scrap originates. However, con- tainers which the scrap col- lected can sometimes lose their identifying label, otherwise misplaced. Since many the alloys have much the same appearance, the eye test not safe guide, and two materials mutually un- suitéd for each other’s use easily may become mixed this test relied upon. Mix-ups also are apt occur the storage metals warehouse and the shop where dissimilar materials often are used along the assembly line. Sometimes the form and shape these pieces are the Same, According the International Nickel Co., there are four simple identification tests which carried out with the aid inexpen- sive and readily available supplies. These are the magnetic test, the nitric acid test, the test for copper with iron steel nail, and test with the use cupric chloride solution. Behavior eight familiar metals under each these tests indi- cated the accompanying table. Methods for carrying them out are almost simple the equipment required. the magnetic test, the magnet should brought into contact with No Copper Nor Plates out -- less than 60% Nickel, e.g. Nickel-Silver No " of copper occurs || the specimen, care having been taken that magnetic material such iron steel beneath, the immediate vicinity the specimen. The magnet will will not attracted the specimen. When doubt, and especially where the material seems non-mag- netic, more sensitive method balance the magnet, the speci- men, the edge bench desk and bring the specimen close the magnet vice versa. the mate- rial magnetic the balance will upset and the movement either the magnet the specimen will readily available and inex- pensive equipment all that needed carry out the identifica- tion tests described. Included are good magnet, concentrated ni- tric acid, solution gm. cupric chloride 100 con- centrated hydrochloric acid. White Metals observed. Suspension the mag- net string, and carrying the specimen towards will bring similar results. the nitric acid test, the sur- face the test piece should clean insure direct contact be- tween the acid and the metal. One two drops concentrated acid are then applied, and after minute two any reaction that takes place can observed. After this reaction has been noted, the acid should diluted with three four drops water, one drop time. Should the solution turn either green blue, the third, so-called “nail test,” should used. rubbed the acid solution the metal surface, the nail being kept contact with the specimen. the alloy contains copper, there will the nail, the surface the metal under the solution. Finally, drop two additional water should added the nail rubbed around prevent the deposited copper from redissolving the acid. Chief value the fourth test distinguish Inconel from the per cent chrome—8 per cent nickel type stainless steel. this test chloric acid should applied the cleaned metal surface and al- lowed remain for two minutes. the end this period, three four drops distilled water should added slowly, one drop time, the solution the metal. The solution may then washed off. the sample 18-8 stainless steel, the copper the cupric chloride solution will deposited the metal surface, appearing coppercolored spot. the sample Inconel there will deposi- tion copper. Only white spot will left indicate where the testing solution was applied. Other articles the reclamation and conservation metals appeared THE IRON AGE, Jan. 29, March 26, April April and Nov. 1942. THE IRON AGE, November eacts Reacts Pole 1 _Non-magnetic Reacts Bluish” Copper Plates Not required Magnetic Reacts | Brownto Notrequired Notrequired || Steel or Cast Iron ic he 7 Effect Moisture that hydrogen, when present the structure iron and steel has pronounced embrittling effect upon the metal. Since the moisture has been known for some time forced into the cupola with the blast comes into such intimate contact with iron during the melt- ing operation, conceivable that the hydrogen liberated under these readily absorbed the iron. the cast iron specimens dis- cussed last week, where the mois- ture content the blast was varied, series hydrogen analyses were made determine the hydrogen present the metal did actually vary with the moisture content the blast. The results were fol- lows: grains per cent the iron. per cent the iron. equals 0.00018 per cent the iron. apparent from this that the hydrogen content the metal does vary with the moisture content the blast. will shown later what the importance since the values noted here appear remembered, however, that these values are given weight basis and represent certain percentage heavy metal. basis com- parable volumes, which will given later, the figures are more impressive and will have greater meaning. Boegehold’s views this subject are interesting. believes the properties cast iron, which are dependent upon the amount com- bined carbon present and upon the ease with which retained rapid cooling, are related directly the amount moisture the blast. indicates that the physi- 46—THE IRON AGE, November 19, 1942 cal characteristics persist during Ace, May 26, 1938, 43. may noted here that in- crease moisture the cupola blast will produce greater metal shrinkages and increase the num- ber cracked castings the man- ufacture malleable castings even though the metal duplexed sub- sequent the original melting operation. the malleable duplexing pro- cess the metal treated elec- tric furnace air furnace sub- sequent cupola melting and appears from extensive observa- tions that “cracks and shrinks” crease wet days. This fact well established the minds operating men, but quantitative data are hard obtain. There seems abundant proof that the presence moisture the air used for melting re- sponsible for the presence hydro- gen the metal. There con- siderable evidence also that hydro- gen retards the rate annealing malleable iron. Although present small percentages, the annealing 00002 0.0003 00004 00006 Hydrogen, per cent IG. The effect small amounts hydrogen length- ening annealing time malleable iron. time prolonged matter days Schwartz, Guiler, Barnett, TRANSACTIONS, December 1940, pp. patent has been granted Schwartz covering this matter. typical claim this patent reads follows: process for improving the physical properties and for shortening the annealing time malleable iron which com- prises melting the iron fuel fired furnace and main- taining the hydrogen the melted iron under about 0.0005 per cent controlling the moisture content the air blast used support combus- tion the fuel.” This suggests the notable effect that hydrogen has upon the proper- ties the metal well the time required for its manufacture. connects these also with the moisture content the air Before presenting any quantita- tive data necessary add note explanation. The values given each case are affected number different factors. extremely difficult, under prac- tical operating conditions, maintain all the variables con- stant and change the hydrogen content the metal alone. Practi- cal operating conditions give the kind results desired since they are already translated into cur- rent practice. The kind data that are avail- able suggest certain very definite trends which must not assigned any definite value too closely. With this mind, few tables can presented which will illus- trate the trends without insisting absolute values. They are sup- ported each case enough data suggestive but are influenced other variables short being absolute. The effect small amounts | | | | | | | r 32 ] + + + + = } | | | | | | | | Blast Air hydrogen the annealing time malleable iron indicated Fig. This shows only the effect first stage annealing which the metal comes equilibrium high temperature with definite combined carbon concentration. indicates that with hydrogen content the hard iron only 0.0005 per cent, the time the first stage may prolonged hr., while with lesser amounts this time reduced considerably. Effect Elongation Fig. shows similar man- ner the effect that hydrogen has the elongation malleable iron. similar trend shown for the tensile strength also but this curve not shown because the absence certain intermediate values which leave portion the curve without sufficient con- firmation. The pronounced effect that hy- drogen has upon malleable iron shows, remarkable manner, the persistence this effect even after prolonged heat treatment. usually supposed that re-heat- ing metal containing hydrogen sufficient remove the hydro- gen effects. Analysis the metal shows that the amount hydrogen greatly reduced such ment, but that its effects are thereby removed does not seem follow since they persist the fully annealed iron indicated above. This illustrates the impor- tant fact that the hydrogen effect carries through subsequent oper- ations even after hydrogen has been removed from the metal. not intended suggest that the physical properties mal- leable iron cannot modified other means, such altering the silicon-carbon relationships, but intends only show what will happen when iron constant analysis has its hydrogen content changed. ° COWAN Surface Combustion Corp., Toledo ° ° this, the conclusion two-part article, the rela- tionship between moisture content the blast and the hydrogen content the metal discussed and data are presented show the effect hydrogen the charac- teristics steel and malleable iron. Included descrip- tion moisture controlling unit utilizing lithium chloride. ° One large producer malleable iron has installed Kathabar mois- ture control equipment, manufac- tured the Surface Combustion Corp., Toledo, for controlling the moisture content the air blast used for melting. This suggests the importance the problem and the attention receiving the present time. The test materials previously referred this article were produced cupola blast that 0.0004 00006 Hydrogen, per cent the elongation malleable iron. similar effect tensile values has been noted. ° ° had been moisture conditioned the Kathabar system. These units employ lithium chloride moisture absorption medium. Op- eration can successfully main- tained any desired moisture content—as low one grain per cu. ft. Because the simplicity the design and operation the Kathabar system, operating and maintenance costs are held minimum. Kathabar units have been operation cupolas for number years. When the use dry blast was first applied the blast furnace, the results were outstanding and commanded the attention manu- facturers all over the world. Two things especially were notable— saving coke and uniformity operation, both which were very attractive. the early installations, mois- ture was removed from the blast freezing which, the case furnace requiring 50,000 cu. ft. per min., meant the removal tons ice day. The me- chanical difficulties encountered caused the use this equipment discontinued although its merits were well recognized. More recently, the matter has been re- considered and with modern equip- ment number installations have been set and others are process building. The amount water removed from the air entering the blast really surprising. has been es- THE IRON AGE, November 1942—47 | a a | } | | | | | | } | | | | ° ° ° IS. Relation- ship between per- centage hydro- gen metal and the corresponding volume gas per cu. ft. iron. 00002 00004 00006 0.0010 00020 00040 000 Per cent hydrogen weight timated that the case fur- nace using 45,000 50,000 cu. ft. per min. air, the removal each grain water will mean little more than net tons water per day. The removal this water point practical efficiency will increase the iron production and the same time reduce the consumption coke. Data are available which show average increase per cent the amount iron made and reduction 414 per cent coke the use air dried approxi- *“Air Conditioning Benefits Blast Fur- Nov. 10, 1941, pp. 88, 91, 94, 112 and 113. mately grains per cu. ft. Opinion among blast furnace operators varies the advan- tages using dry blast. Some have maintained that air satu- rated with moisture all times will produce satisfactory results. Without doubt, this will give the advantage uniform furnace op- eration but loses the feature coke saving and metal increase. Furthermore, does not take into account the increased hydrogen content the metal which results from the higher moisture content the air blast. For many years has been ob- served that the product from dif- ferent furnaces varies out ac- cord with variations the chemi- cal analysis the iron. Some users pig iron insist that their metal charges made iron from two more blast furnaces order offset these unknown differences the iron. Many attempts have been made account for this the basis burden used and the details furnace operation. known also that these differences persist through subsequent melting and heat treating operations. Heat treaters talk “inheritance,” which they mean ° ° ° IG. hydrogen re- duction area open hearth steel used for rails. 0.00080 00200 Content, cu. 48—THE IRON AGE, November 19, 1942 0.04000 0.08000 0.20000 characteristics which carry along through successive ments. Evidence continues ac- cumulate number different fields that hydrogen combina- tion the iron accountable for these anomalies the metal. the light these findings, this matter should have consider- ation when enters pig iron since this the primary source the metal where “inheritance” begins. will shown later that unbe- lievably small percentages hy- drogen have deleterious effects upon iron and steel products and the sources this contamination must guarded against all stages manufacture. may well this point consider some the effects that have been noted regarding the Early metallurgists recognized point the iron-carbon equilib- rium diagram below the lower critical point which they called the “hydrogen point.” extended across the diagram tempera- ture about 400 475 deg. F., which the location the criti- cal point now designated recent diagrams. The effect not sharply defined any definite temperature and consequently there has been some “critical point.” There doubt, however, that pronounced effect produced through range temperatures well below 1300 deg. This the region the “blue heat” range which carefully avoided metallurgists. Hydro- gen known have strong in- fluence the properties steel this range temperature and recent studies have emphasized the importance this influence. There also the matter “flaking” steel. Once attributed oxides, then “sonims” (non- metallic inclusions) has now been traced largely the effect dissolved hydrogen the metal. Studies conducted the Univer- sity Illinois appear quite con- clusive this regard. The “flakes” manifest themselves minute incipient cracks that are deep-seated the structure rail steel and result rail failure shatter cracking. holding these rails for various lengths tures, the hydrogen was caused diffuse outwardly and the flakes did not occur, although there were abundance them the = | | | } | | | | | | { | | | | | | } wo o = same rails when allowed cool air. interesting note that the amount hydrogen present undeterminable the apparatus available for this purpose. One analysis, noted having been determined the Bureau Standards, gives the value 0.0004 per cent hydrogen. This seems very small amount, but significant that reality this equivalent about one- third the volume the metal. Honda's Calculations has made theoretical volved when hydrogen comes out solution small metal cavity. “On the assumption that body steel just below its solidification temperature saturated with 0.0023 per cent hydrogen, the pressure inconsiderable until 950 deg. reached, but then rises rapidly peak about 500,000 Ib. per sq. in. 500 deg. and then decreases linearly nil zero. This for cavity cu. mm. The tem- perature maximum pressure co- incides with the temperature flake pointed out above, the usual analysis hydrogen iron ex- pressed weight percentages. this the amounts found are Vol. 31, Nov. 1937. very small. fact, the determi- nation hydrogen this way re- quires considerable analytic skill. the basis volumes involved, the amount hydrogen the steel assumes more significant fig- ures. This brought out ref- erence Fig. which has been prepared for convenient compari- sons. using this chart, determine the relation- ship between the percentage hydrogen the metal and the corresponding volume gas cubic foot the iron. This makes the percentages appear more sig- nificant when viewed this light. The effect hydrogen steel and steel rails particular has been studied very extensively Germany.’ Fig. shows some these values, indicating this ef- fect reduction area open hearth steel used for rails. The effects hydrogen small AND “Effect Hydro- gen Steel,” Bardenheuer, Vol. 57, No. 21, May, 1937. amounts the number bends and twists steel wire illus- trated Fig. 11. This not record any standard test but shows the effects hydrogen certain arbitrary and “twist” tests steel wire taken from the articles Bardenheuer referred previously. The tem- peratures shown the curves are Centigrade and represent the point from which the specimens are quenched. The ordinates represent the amount hydrogen given off during heating. The steel the same for both tests. ° 18 small amounts hydrogen bend- ing and twisting ca- pacity steel wire. graph from Barden- heuer are degrees Centigrade. The ordinates are the amount hydrogen given off during heating. ° ° ° 0 The manner which hydrogen causes the cracking metal sec- tions seems somewhat fol- lows: Atomic hydrogen has the power penetrating metals. this comes out solution the interior the metal small cavity, blow hole, non-metallic inclusion, the atoms combine form molecular hydrogen, H:, which insoluble steel and cannot, therefore, diffuse away. which steel bar was bored provide hollow cylinder that could fitted with pressure gage. Hydrogen was evolved from the outer surface the tube electrolysis and after short time the pressure rose the inside 4300 per sq. in., the limit the gage. course, all the hydrogen does not come out solution this way that double effect noted; that which accounts for cracking and that which re- mains solution and causes em- brittlement. Hydrogen has been observed also open hearth steel. The values seem run between 0.0003 and 0.001 per cent. This the usual range although higher values are frequently obtained. One set authors give informa- tion 127 heats steel made throughout the year which show higher hydrogen contents during the warmer months and suggest that this may associated with per 100 gm. the moisture content the air dur- ing this period.’ Transactions, Vol 25, pp. and 1177-1184. The presence hydrogen metals and its effect becoming matter increasing impor- tance. evidence the work being done, may noted that the Department Agricul- ture, which conducts micro-film service, has film which gives selected bibliography 500 refer- ences hydrogen steel. Summary has been shown result experience and experiment that the presence excessive amount moisture the air blast used various melting op- erations has deleterious effect upon the resulting metal product. The full extent this effect not THE IRON AGE, November 1942—49 at- ac- na- for ice ns. ny- cts all STEEL 0 lly n- al. ‘a- Contactor Is Wo Kathéne heater LEGEND GSS Strong Weak kathene Hot kathene Steam Water known. has become customary modify this effect, far cu- pola and blast furnace operation are concerned, the use larger amounts fuel. The meth- ods for doing this have been worked out both theoretically and practically. add moisture the air provide saturation all times and thereby overcome the usual fluctuations incident the weather. This prac- tice loses sight the fact that moisture the air adds hydrogen the metal, and that hydrogen surprisingly small amounts has injurious effect upon both iron and steel, also increases the number cracked castings and prolongs the annealing time producing mal- leable iron; retards graphitiza- tion and increases the depth chill cast iron; imparts prop- erties pig iron that persist through successive melting opera- tions and cause “flaking” steel rails and otherwise impairs the physical properties steel, caus- ing brittleness, low elongation and small reduction area standard specimens. 50—THE IRON AGE, November 1942 Automatic Moist outlet | water valve Regenerator The lowered melting rate which follows from the loss tempera- ture that consequence add- ing large volumes moisture the blast may overcome using larger amount coke. But this does not take care the increased amount hydrogen that enters the metal under these conditions. Obviously, large part this will swept out the metal during cooling and escape along with the other gases, but there will remain locked the metal amount proportional the amount the blast. This sufficient cause effects noted. Removal this moisture from the blast for cupolas and blast furnaces being efficiently han- dled many plants the Sur- face Combustion Corp.’s Kathabar system. This equipment de- signed give considerable flexi- bility and ease control op- eration and capable handling any required volume air. With this system possible pro- vide blast with moisture con- tent low grain per cu. ft. Fig. shows the arrangement the various components 12—Diagram showing arrange- ment Kathabar blast condition- ing unit for summer operation. Kathabar installation, arranged for summer operation. opera- tion, the outside air drawn through contactor cell, which provided chemical wash called Kathene. This watch es- sentially lithium chloride. The Kathene, salt solution, acts the absorption medium. has very low vapor pressure, its ab- sorbing capacity determined accordingly. The rate absorption the Kathene solutior. regulated au- tomatically varying the concen- tration the solution. float hy- drometer opens closes steam valve, which turn operates the regenerator. This maintains the proper concentration the solu- tion provide for the required moisture content the treated air. The Kathene solution can used continuously placement and when used with the patented process selected surfaces and combination with common in- hibitor. single salt solution and not subjected variation separation one salt from the other. Cooling MAS SS = | | _| | | a + Air 4 accurate segregation scrap paramount importance today, and numerous handlers scrap have indicated that the proper identification arti- cles passing through their yards causing them great difficulty. many requests have come THE IRON AGE for list articles and the probable steels from which they are made that the following classification prepared the American Iron and Steel Institute presented order facilitate the movement and classification the large volume scrap that must currently handled intelligent manner. The numbers used are SAE and/or AISI designations and the prefix letters are follows: basic open hearth alloy steel; bessemer steel; basic open hearth steel; acid steel; electric furnace alloy steel; semi-finished bessemer steel, forging quality; semi-finished basic open hearth steel, forging quality; either open hearth bessemer steel Steel Grade and Number Agricultural implement parts Agricultural implement wheel Aircraft parts Bolts 2330 Camshafts 2512, 2515, Connecting rod bolts 2330 4337 2512, 4138, 434 4340 Engine parts........ 4340 Engine valve springs 6150 4618, 4640, 4643 Knuckle 6150 ~ 4340 Structural members 4133 Studs | Transmission gears. 2330 4640 Signiticant Steels Intended Use Alemite fittings Automatic screw machine parts Automobile parts Alemite fittings. Axle housing flanges Axle shafts Axle shafts, truck Axles, Bearing races Brake pedals Bumpers. Bushing nuts Bushings. Cam shafts Cap nuts for disk Chassis frame members... Clutch Clutch Clutch Connecting Crankshafts........ Cylinder head Differential gears...... Differential pinion gears Differential ring gears. Drive Gears... Jack Jack screws King bolts King pins. THE IRON AGE, November Commonly Used for Specific Articles Steel Grade and Number Carbon Steels Alloy Steels 1113 1131 1113 1020, 1020 1330, 3146, 4023, 4062, 4142 1040 1018 52100 3120, 4615, 4617, 4620, 5117, 1025 1090 1112 1020 1020 1112 1020, 1025 1016 1025 1037 1040, 1045 4042 4820, 5117, 4615, 4620 4027, 4620, 5117 1020, 1025 1045 4620, 4822 1045 1112 iS . | Intended Use Piston pins Propeller shafts Ring gears. Side gears... Spark plug shells Splines Springs, Steering arms. Steering