New-York tribune., 1907-06-02
MAKING OF STEEL RAILS
Bessemer and Open Hearth IngOts
Cost of Nickel Steel Ones.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir In the discussion of the question OF the
brttleness Of steel rails. to which attention has so
prominently been called OF late. IT seems TO have
been assumed that the fault lies with the limita-
ions OF the Bessemer process of pneumatic conVer-
sion of pig iron into ingot metal and that the cor
reCton of the trouble from which the railroads are
now suffering Will be found in the substitution of
open hearth lngots for Bessemer ingOts by the rail-
mills 1t is possible that such substitution could be
effected in ten years but during that time 1t Is
probable that as much Of both Bessemer and open
hearth steel as be made will be required for
the countless purposes calling for steel IN
steadily increasing quantities Until the supply OF
ores suitable for the production of acid Bessemer
steel is exhausted not likely TO see q large
proportion Of the rail ingots needed by the mills
made by any other process.
This prediction is the confidently made for
the reason that 1t is now within the power of the
rail makers to produce perfect rails from Bes-
semer ingots could he rolled from open hearth
ingots. IL the production Of Bessemer steel there
are two eIemeWs-the metal and the blast IL has
to maintain fbe 0ugiitv Of thSir metal but it is
no means as great Importance attaches to sHsut
OF the best wearing rails of which have record
nave shown upon analysis higher phosphorus than
Jaeory would permit. consensus Of expert opinion
tGroraton in Bessemer steel has Ueen casual and
Almost accidental and that the time is sun ehg
way or when We shall have 10 depend upon the
IN the pneumatic process of steel making there mas
always been element Of uncertainty In the varla-
Stanty changing percentage of moisture it carries
When the blast Is dry the best results are at
lis action upon the molten metal in the charge Is
very different and much less advantageous. When
II is remembered that in single day the hYgrome-
ter may show every degree of humidity from prac-
seen why uniformity Of product in the Bessemer
process has been deemed unattainabe.
The correction of this original defect in pneumatic
conversion Is now made possible by the invention
OF James Gayey, fret vice-pTesident of the United
accomplished and experienced technicians Of the
steel industry. This is the dry blast, secured by
wcat4ers ana temperatures the conditions which
the simple eXpedeut of artificial refrigeration. The
S.L Contalnns pipes IN which a circulation or an
hydrous ammonia is maintained BY this means it's
capacity TO mold suspended moisture. which. as in
an retrigeTating chambers, is preciptated upon the
drier than # ever is NATURALLY except in the clear
est and coolest days OF winter. and. being always
matte steel production, II not eliminated is reduced
to the least expression.
Thus made, there would seem to be no reason
why a degree of uniformity hitherto unattainable
In Bessemer ingots should not be secured under all
conditions. The mixer now used in all Besse-uer
nuns SivsS The nearest possible approach 10 COM
pets uniformity In IN" composition OF the converter
NuaIge. ana with the dry blast one blow should be
-, .N'S'Iy .IKe another from January 10 December.
The Skiltui steelmUkeT detect in the color OF
The fame, and by other Indications the influence
' HPpI1 temperature, but ne cannot cor
rect IT by any eNpedieut at his command. With the
formty Of results than is possible in the best open
hearth practice. with sounder and denser ingots as
Defects in finished rails due to insufficient or
unequal condensation in rolling strains developed
nent. would he the same whether the steel be acid
very vel know how 10 correct these defects when
they deem it GOOD business" to do so
JAMES G.. BAYLEs. NJ E. Ph. d.
Now lork- May ~. 1897.