Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1912-08-10
CONSUMPTION OF COPPER.
1t is Possible that 1t May be Used
in Making Rails.

/ duce a tougher rail We do not know
/ how far the experiments have been
conducted in arriving at positive
conclusion concerning the effect oil
this metallic combination, but report
has it that it has made a wonderful
showing in the toughening OF the raii,
making it much more difficult of break
age under strains caused by pound
ing of heavy locomotives and trains
and by excessive expansion under eX-
IRENE changes from heat to cold.
In this northern peninsula of Mich
igan we hear of broken rails not infre-
quently during the winter season, and
last winter, which was an extremely
cold one, broken rails caused by very
low temperatures were not uncommon
at many places much further south
than this.
If the admixture of a certain per
centage of copper will give the re
quired toughness to the rail and not
impair its wearing qualities 1t will be
a very fine thing for the railways OF
this as well as other countries.
During the past few years there
has been much agitation OF the steel
rail subject. The railway organiza
tons have been demanding of the
steel makers the very best rails that
can be produced. The chemistry OF
the industry has been given the most
careful consideration by the foremost
experts in this line The government
has interested itself and made investi
cations. and there has been lot OF
money expended in seeking the very
best that can be devised.
1t has not been unlike the atten-
ton given to the manufacture of auto
mobile tires. where, after much eX
perimenting and the outlay of large
sums of money great results have
been achieved. when we consider the
entering into the manufac
ture.
A combination of rubber and cotton
fabric as the base. with skillful manip
ulation in vulcanizing, etc, has pro
duccd remarkable results. tire that
withstand from three to ten thousand
miles wear under heavy cars not be
ing uncommon. 1t serves as an illus
tration as to what may be gained by
securing all that is possible in the
elements employed.
Steel has undergone great changes
in refining during the past ten years.
Tensile strength has been wonderfully
increased through skillful heat treat
ments. The employment of nicklc
and vanadium has brought out factors
of strength formerly looked upon as
impossible, and now, if copper is to
be employed to give greater tough
ness. Iron Ore and all those interested
wifi be delighted
One cannot imagine the enormous
increase in the campaign OF the red
metal if it is to be generally en-
ployed for this purpose. 1t can readi-
" be seen how the use OF even very
small percentage would run into big
tonnage annually because of the enor-
nous quantity OF steel used in rails
and other forms where especial at
tention is given To toughness OF fibre.
1t would mean that every copper mine
in the country would be put to its
utmost capacity to provide the ton
mage needed in this and other lines
where it is now employed.
We sicerely hope that copper is to
be used for the purpose stated. Ii
it would add to the safety OF travel
it would be all important, and il il
would make copper more popular III
the industrial world then that would
please us and all OF our readers.
Copper is fast working into new
channels. and ,even in the dullest
seasons there will be big call for il
just the same as there now is for iron
ore in the dull years. The increase in
consumption is steadily gaining until
the trade has reached enormous pro
portions, and big tonnage is annu
ally required even when trade is gen
orally slack
There's a heap of copper finding its
way into aluminium castings for auto
mobiles. it being used as an alloy for
the toughening of this metal, Alumni
mum is light. makes ideal crank cases
and finds its way into many other
parts of the car. In the average mucl
is consumed in the automobile max
ing. and this industry is now only
fairly getting started.
The electriication of the railway
of the country is also just beginning
| The next few years will witness :
great gain in the line, and we canno
/ but view the future of the red meta