William Rowland | News

Steel & Iron Recycled for London 2012

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

With only months to go before the opening ceremony in London, the Olympic Park is almost ready. Built in one of London's most underdeveloped areas at Lower Lea Valley, the park hopes to trigger positivity in the area by providing new transport facilities, employment, housing, a green park and cultural sports facilities. London won the Games based on their "reduce, reuse, recycle" approach that promotes a greener city, country and world.

Backing From UK Government For Devon Tungsten Mine

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Mining was first carried out at the site in Hemerdon, Devon between 1919 and 1920, restarting again in 1934 and permanently closing in 1944. More than 60 years on since the closure, Australian company Wolf Minerals are reopening the tungsten mine. Tungsten was first found at the site in 1867, and Hemerdon is ranked as the 4th largest tungsten mine in the world.

Uses of Tin Based Alloys

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Tin is rarely used as a metal on its own, but more commonly in association with other metals to form alloys such as pewter and white metal bearing alloys. Scandinavian pewter is a mixture of tin, antimony, copper and bismuth, however English pewter are 91% tin, 7.5% antimony and 1.5% copper. The tin and copper combination is commonly used in tableware, and the tin and antimony combination in the production of flatware.

Nobel Prize for Quasicrystal Space Discovery

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Daniel Shechtman first discovered these unusual crystals in 1982. Other scientists thought the idea of quasicrystals ridiculous as they break every rule of what a crystal is. His battle to prove their existence was long and drawn out, but throughout this time he continued his research to confirm that his discovery was real. Firstly, he created quasicrystals under laboratory conditions - cooling molten metals by squirting the mixture onto a cold surface. Shechtman also sent electron waves through molten metal made up of aluminium and manganese to test how the wave diffracted according to the metals atoms.

The Pressures of Being Iron Oxide

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Scientists continue to find out more of what lies 6,000km beneath the surface of the Earth through research and experimentation in laboratories across the world. The Earth's mantle is made up of a solid mixture of magnesium and iron oxide. The electronic link from between the core and mantle is formulate by iron oxide, and affects the magnetic field that we see on the Earth's surface. Iron oxide is one of the main materials found at the centre of the earth, and research has indicated a change to iron oxide due to extreme pressures of 690,000 times sea level and temperatures of 1,650ºC. This has dramatically changed the way in which the metal conducts electricity, with no change to its structure.

Applications of Nickel

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Nickel is useful in many applications due to its numerous desirable properties including corrosion resistance, durability and availability. Nickel is relatively important and a widely used constituent in alloy steels. It is best known to be a solid solution strengthener and is used in 300 different grades of stainless steels. It also provides the basics to create many extensive super alloys that are resistant to heat, oxidation and corrosion. Wrought steels, including stainless steel are responsible for the harden-ability agent. Nickel's presence in alloy steels also promotes toughness at lower temperatures.

The Metal of Choice - Aluminium

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Aluminium is a metal that plays a key role in the fuel, automotive and aerospace industry. It is an extremely lightweight metal, which is ideal for these industries as it ensures that the weight of the vehicle is dramatically reduced. A lighter vehicle results in reduced fuel consumption and reduced fuel emissions, making aluminium the metal of choice. Aluminium is also used in the construction industry; it has corrosive resistance properties that make it idyllic for use in the development of low maintenance buildings.

Isaac Babbitt’s Inventions

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Isaac Babbitt was born in Taunton, Massachusetts on 26th July 1799 and started his career in metals as a goldsmith, but he soon turned his attention to the production of alloys. He produced the first Britannia metal to be manufactured in the USA in 1824. This alloy has similar properties to pewter, and the production of utensils and flatware was very popular at the time and pewter was the material of choice for these products. These products were originally imported and Isaac Babbitt hoped to supply his Britannia metal as an alternative for their production, however it proved to be financially unsuccessful.

POSCO Magnesium Sheet Plant in Korea

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Leading Korean steel maker, POSCO have begun building a plant in the southern city of Suncheon that will produce sheets of magnesium to be used in cars. POSCO say that the plant will be completed by August 2012 and will have an annual capacity of 10,000 tonnes of magnesium sheets. Due to the third biggest steel maker in the world and the Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology in Pohang, commercial production may not begin until 2013 as they are currently developing cast technology for wider magnesium sheets.

Strong And Tough – It’s the HLSA alloy!

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

High strength low alloy steel (HLSA) is an alloy steel that provides mechanical properties and resistance to corrosion better than that of carbon steel. Their carbon content range is between 0.05 - 0.25% which retains formability and weld ability. Other alloying elements include up to 2.0% manganese and small quantities of copper, nickel, niobium, nitrogen, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum, titanium, calcium, rare earth elements, or zirconium. Elements such as copper, titanium, vanadium and niobium are added to strengthen alloys, and alter the microstructure of carbon steels.

Discovery Of Europe’s Largest Nickel Deposit By Anglo-American In Sakattilampi

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

It has been reported that Anglo-American has discovered Europe's largest nickel deposit in the Sakattilampi district, north of the town Sodankylä in Finnish Lapland. Test drillings have found ore samples with as much as 4% nickel content, but it is also reported that there is plenty of copper here too, as well as gold and palladium. The exploration of the area has already acquired a combined depth of 28km of drill holes. It is thought that the deposit stretches down almost a kilometre and contains pyrites; Anglo-American plan to employ 150 workers to double the number of drill holes to see just how wide / deep the deposit is.

The Uses of High Purity Metals - Chromium

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Chromium is a high purity metal that can be used in various forms such as metal powders and ferro alloys, but it is never found in its pure chromium state. As soon as the metal is extracted from the earths crust it is oxidised. However chromium is an exceptionally hard metal with high corrosion resistance so can be used in a diverse range of applications across many industries.

Manufacture of Titanium Powder to increase

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

ADMA Products, an Ohio based company has announced it will be increasing it's manufacture of titanium powder, after successfully running its process on a test scale. Pilot production will go up from 5kg per cycle to 300kg per cycle, Vladimir Duz, director of research and development, told Metal-Pages at the opening of the International Titanium Association's Titanium 2011 conference and exhibition.

Titanium industry races ahead in Asia

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Industrial demand for titanium is now getting back on track after the 2008 dip. Industrial applications are estimated to account for 25% of the global market of 95,000 tonnes of titanium mill products in 2011. It has been forecasted that the Chinese titanium market will reach 150,000 tonnes for sponge for mill products by 2015, according to Baoji Titanium. Therefore the timeframe of the next 4 years is an important period for the industry, focusing on integration, developmental strategy and upgrades.

Defence cuts hit Titanium

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Shrinking budgets and defence cuts are set to negatively impact titanium demand volume as customers are now looking to reduce cost by reducing buying weight affecting both military aircraft and land vehicles.

The Photovoltaic Effect and the Solar Cell

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Solar panels use wafers of crystalline silicon cells or thin-film cells based on cadmium telluride or silicon. The conducting wires that take the current off the panels may contain silver, copper or other conductive (but generally not magnetic) transition metals. Due to the vagaries of the weather solar panels must be able to withstand a wide range of climatic changes from heatwaves to prolonged periods of rain fall and the harsh conditions that icy winters brings.

The Global Foundry industry - an overview

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The melting and casting of metal is an established technique which has been used in and across the World for thousands of years. In the UK, the most relevant growth in the ferrous metal casting industry came with the birth of the industrial revolution. Cast iron and steels were able to be developed on extensive scales as metal components were in great demand from the multiple technologies that were evolving...

52 Elements at Risk of Short Supply Published

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0100

A list which highlights 52 economically valuable elements that are at risk of becoming short in supply has been published by the British Geological Survey (BGS). The list is based on the various metals abundance, political stability of the location, accessibility and reserves.

High-grade Manganese discovered by Buchans Minerals Corporation in New Brunswick, USA.

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Buchans Minerals Corporation, the Canadian exploration company, who focus on developing their Base Metal properties and deposits in and around the famous Buchans Mining Camp, owns a 100% interest in the 5,800 hectare Woodstock Manganese Property in New Brunswick, USA.

Chinese Stainless Steel production forecast up slightly from last year

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0100

China has been the largest steel industry in the world since around 2005 with approximately one third of the worlds share, being driven by ever increasing demand. However, it seems the current world economy is having an effect on Chinese Stainless Steel production, with forecasts only up slightly from last year.

Molybdenum in Constructional Engineering Steels and Stainless Steels

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100

In 2009 approximately 21,200 tonnes of molybdenum were used across the globe. Constructional engineering and stainless steel sectors dominate with 60% of total usage. Although engineering steels typically use less the 1% Mo, more often 0.1 to 0.2% Mo, where the tonnages produced are enormous.

New Titanium Alloy – ATI 425

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Allegheny Technologies (ATI) has developed a new titanium alloy using less vanadium, which most standard grade titanium alloys rely on for strength. ATI have been working to promote this new alloy, known to industry by its trademark name ATI 425. The development of ATI 425 has brought its usage of vanadium down by 3.7% and a third less aluminium than the 6-4 titanium alloy that is more commonly used.

Investment Castings - an Overview

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Investment casting, the lost wax process, Cire perdue, are all terms used to describe a form of producing castings to very nearly a finished condition. This production method is thousands of years old.

Seasonal Summer Fall In Stainless Steel Consumption

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The demand for stainless steel has weakened in the second half of this year in both American and European markets. The seasonal summer fall in consumption of steel (where many mills take annual breaks from production) appears to have arrived early in many parts of the world. Continued fears over the global economy may lead to subdued markets.

Carbon Tax Plan To Cause Issues For Australian Mining Industry

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The Australian federal government plan to introduce carbon tax, much to the dismay of the mining industry, to help cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.

Copper Mine Workers Strike At Codelco

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

For the first time in nearly two decades, Codelco closed for 24 hours for a national strike due to disagreements between management and unions over restructuring plans at the business. Chile's state controlled copper molybdenum mine lost $40 million because of the closure and 4,600 tonnes of copper.

Xstrata Zinc Buy Hackett River and Wishbone Greenstone

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Xstrata Zinc Canada, a unit of Anglo-Swiss miner Xstrata, has recently come to an agreement with Sabina Gold and Silver Corporation to buy the Hackett River and Wishbone Greenstone belt exploratory properties in Nunavut, Canada.

Copper & Zinc - Metal For New Solar Batteries

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Researchers in Japan from the Kanazawa Institute of Technology have developed a solar battery that is able to convert energy from sunlight using copper oxide at a rate of 3.26%.

Anticipation of Ferro-Chrome Pricing Recovery

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Under the basic ordering agreement in May this year, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Strategic Materials had sold 1,355 tons of high carbon ferro-chrome and 960 short tons of low carbon ferro-chrome, equating to $4.89 million in sales.

Increased Vanadium Resources at Monte Peake, Australia

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Although only preliminary, results of an ongoing drilling programme at the Monte Peake iron-vanadium project in Australia's Northern Territory are expected to see a rise in its vanadium resources. Estimations show that mine life at Monte Peake should last up to 24 years, producing 4,703 tonnes of ferro-vanadium.