Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-11
RESEARCH PLANNED
IN ALLOYS OF IRON
Five Year Review Of Presen t
knowledge to Start
Venture.

NEW YORK, March n.-Eesearch
in alloys of iron, to keep America
abreast of world progress in industry,
and described as the most ambitious
undertaking ever attempted in this
field, is planned by the Engineering
Foundation in cooperation with the
American Institute of Mining and
Metallurgical Engineers, it is announced
at the national headquarters of the
foundation. 20 West Thirty-ninth street.
The industries. universities and tech
nical schools. bureaus of the United
States Government, scientific organiZa-
tons. and foreign agencies will aid.
Practically all industries, it is said, are
affected
The initial task is critical five-year
review of all available literature in
English and other languages, to result
in a series of monographs and manuals,
at cost of $l50,000.
Following a conference of represent
atives Of makers and users of irons
end steels technical societies, govern
ment bureaus. headed by J. v. w. Reyn-
ders. who directed the Hoover-for-
President movement among the en-
research has been appointed. The
chairman is John Johnston, director
of research and technology of the
United States Steel Corporation. Other
members of the committee are:
F. M. Becker, president of the Union
Carbide and Carbon Research Labora-
tories: H. w. Gillett, chief of the di-
vision OF metallurgy. United States Blu
reau of Standards; James T. Mac
Kenzie, metallurgist and chief chemist
of the American Cast Iron Pipe Co. !;
A. j. Wadnams. manager of research
and development of the International
Nickel Co.
The future progress of the Ameri-
can iron and steel industry" says the
foundations announcement. issued by
Director Alfred d. Finn, will be great
ly affected by its ability to maintain a
strong position in alloy irons and steels.
1t has taken 40 or so years to de-
velop the present state of the art for
carbon SteelS through contributions
from time to time by those engaged in
iron and steel manufactures.
Producers of irons, steels and alloys
desire increase of tonnage for better
automobiles, for bigger bridges, heavier
rails. new rolling stock. for improved
agricultural. mining and CONSTITUTIONAL
equipment, for machines and machine
tools, and numberlesS other cor1modi-
ties for which users must have quail
ity' metal.
Pure iron has been seen by few. It
cannot now be had for industrial uses.
It's physical and chemical properties
are not yet well known. All iron in
practical use is combined with other
substances. BY degrees the importance
of these substances has been realized.
Their harmful or beneficial effects are
being studied more and more infinitely.
Technical stats and research men
are aware of two needs. greater accessi-
bility OF existing knowledge, and re-
search for new knowledge. Statesmen
and treaSurers will not long remain
ignorant If they have not already per-
ceived the trend of events, competition
will be their teacher.
THE alloys of iron research will be a
public service. Everybody will be bene-
hted IN some measure, but more di-
rectly and tangibly producers of iron
and steels, producers of alloys and
alloying elements, the railroads, man
ufacturers and users of automobiles,
trucks and tractors. the aircraft in
dustry, builders and users of heavy
machines, machine tools, electrical
equipment. Diesel engines, turbines and
locomotives. the petroleum industry.
iron and steel foundries. makers and
users of wire ropes and cables"
The second phase of the program.
which, 1t is expected, will extend over
a long period of years, will be research
directed toward increasing fundamental
knowledge of iron and its combinations
with other substances. particularly al
Toys. of pure iron with one or two or
three or more other pure metals: and
also the effects of the impurities Incl
dent to practical operations.