Abstract: A point attack bit has an enlarged head, an integral and coaxial shank extending from the base of the head, and a tip extending from the other end of the head and having a generally frustoconical end with an odd number of side faces disposed between the end and the head. The odd number of side faces create an unbalanced loading on the bit when it engages the surface to be mined, excavated or cut and cause the bit to rotate within a mounting block in which the shank is rotatably received to reduce the wear on and more evenly wear the bit. The faces may be generally flat or they may be arcuate providing a generally frustoconical tip. The tip is preferably a carbide insert operably connected to the head of the bit. In one form, the head is frustoconically shaped and has a smooth exterior. In a second form, the head has a construction similar to that of the tip and preferably has the same number of side faces as the tip with each face of the head and tip generally aligned.

Abstract: A process for treating composite materials comprising metals and having significant radioactivity for separation into concentrated individual products is provided. The process of the invention recovers valuable metals and semi-metal elements including rare earth, transition metal, radioactive elements, and compounds and composites thereof as commercially viable products while isolating the radioactive components. They key components in the composite material which are desired to be recovered are tantalum, niobium, and scandium due to their high commercial values and significant quantities. The process further includes the capability to recover uranium, thorium, rare earth, and zirconium products. Generally, the process consists of an initial sulfate roast followed by a series of hydrometallurgical unit operations designed to separate and purify the desired components into commercially usable products, such as tantalum and/or niobium in the form of metal oxides, M.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: A preload retainer in combination with a mining or construction bit having a shank carried in the bore of a mounting block. The retainer is a split resilient collar which snaps over a reduced neck in a tool shank and is tapered on one side to cam into a reduced diameter around the neck of the shank to pass through the bore of the mounting block. Upon reaching the operative position, the retainer expands to provide a positive lock for the bit shank. In one embodiment the retainer can be extracted by a suitable tool. In a block bore with an internal groove, the retainer expands into the groove. A hollow plug closes the inner end of the bore and serves to cam the retainer into the reduced diameter to permit removal of the shank.

Abstract: Tantalum and tantalum-based alloys, particularly in wire form, are significantly improved in retention of a fine grain size at elevated temperatures and in resistance to embrittlement by the addition of 10 to 1000 ppm silicon and 10 to 1000 ppm thorium-containing material.

Abstract: A chuck to be power driven for rotating drill bits in the mining and construction fields. The chuck is designed to drive one or more telescoped drill steels which carry a mining bit and is designed to drive drill steels with square drive ends, large hexagonal drive ends, small hexagonal drive ends and large and small hexagonal ends as well as roof bolt units without modification.

Abstract: A joint construction is provided for lined equipment in which mutually weldable backing plates or sheets are lined with layer or facing sheets weldable to each other but not to the backing. An intermediate metal is optionally included between the backing and layer. A channel is provided between the layer sheets overlying the joint between the backings. A bridging strip weldable to the layer sheets is disposed in the channel and welded to the respective edges of the layer sheets. In some embodiments spaced strips of the layer material are disposed under the respective edges and the bridging strip and welds are made to join the spaced strips, the bridging strip and the edges of the layer sheets.

Abstract: A graded material system comprising: a refractory metal alloy base having a major metal selected from the group consisting of Group V-B metals (columbium, tantalum and vanadium), and having at least one alloy metal selected from the group consisting of Group IV-B metals (titanium, zirconium and hafnium), Group VI-B metals (molybdenum, tungsten and chromium) and mixtures thereof. The base has a surface containing non-metallic pick-ups in concentration of at least 1 mg/cm.sup.2 at said surface and decreasing inwardly from said surface. The non-metallic pick-ups are selected from the group consisting essentially of: oxygen and carbon; oxygen, carbon and nitrogen; oxygen, carbon and boron; and oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and boron.

Abstract: A retainer for a mining or construction bit which bit is carried in the bore of a mounting block and which has an annular groove forming a neck at the protruding end to receive a retainer. The retainer is a split collar which snaps over the neck of the mounting portion of the bit. The collar, either a molded ring or a spring steel member, has opposed curved axial projections which are dimensioned to fit into and be retained in the bore of the mounting block during the functioning of the bit in operation.

Abstract: An ingot-derived unagglomerated (or preagglomerated) tantalum powder composition includes a platelet tantalum powder having an average FSSS of less than two micrometers, preferably in the range of 0.6 to 1.1 micrometers, a Scott density not greater than about 30 g/in.sup.3, and a BET surface area of at least 0.7 m.sup.2 /g. In one embodiment of the invention, such powder is agglomerated and milled to form a tantalum powder product having a particle size of about 2 to 3 micrometers, a BET surface area of about 0.43 m.sup.2 /g, a Scott density in the range of 18 to 27 g/in.sup.3.

Abstract: A coated cemented carbide product comprising a cemented carbide substrate and a dense chemical vapor deposited coating having a microstructure of at least two simultaneously co-deposited phases which form a composite layer. The microstructure of the composite layer has one phase dispersed either as discrete particulates or as oriented fibrous, rod-like or columnar particulates in the other phase.

Abstract: A coolant system for mining bits which are rotatably mounted in blocks secured to mining machines of the type utilizing a large rotating wheel or continuous power-driven chains. The mounting blocks for the bits have a coolant passage leading to a bore in the block. Within the bore is a coolant dispensing sleeve which has a central passage to receive the shank of a mining bit. The sleeve has one or more axially disposed spray nozzles which receive coolant under pressure from the coolant passage in the block and from an annular passage formed between the block and the sleeve.

Abstract: An automatic drive lock drill system for roof drilling with a bit and drill steel components which are assembled axially one by one in telescoping relationship when the acircular drive shank on one part is inserted into an acircular recess in an adjacent part. The drive shank on each component has a series of radial lobes on the corners of the acircular part which are spaced at a set location from the end of the shank and will fit into the recess grooves and undercut ribs of the adjoining part and when rotated in either drive or reverse direction, each lobe of each male shank will automatically interlock on an axial plane, when rotated from an insertion orientation to a drive orientation.

Abstract: A mining block carried by power-operated moving apparatus which is apertured to receive and retain the mounting shanks of elongate mining bits having a sharp wear point extending beyond the block. A block has an open-ended cylindrical recess which ensmalls at the base to a smaller coaxial recess. A conical shoulder at the juncture of the two recesses provides a step for the inner and base end of a mining bit to serve as a wear surface. A retainer on the shank above the base end holds the shank within the cylindrical recess. This eliminates wear at the mouth of the open-ended recess and prolongs the life of the mining block.

Abstract: Tantalum powders for electrolytic capacitors having improved electrical capacity and low direct current leakage characteristics are produced by the introduction of combinations of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur-containing materials.

Abstract: A drill bit for use in mining, and in particular in rotative and percussion drilling action which includes a generally cylindrical body with a driving shank at one end and a transverse cutting insert at the other end. The body is hollow to conduct a suction force to the drilling area and side ports are formed in the body connected to the hollow center to draw in dust, chips and cuttings resulting from the drilling action. The shape and extent of the side ports is disclosed as 1/4 to 1/3 of the axial length of the body of the bit and circumferentially significantly increased with a shape which provides circumferential access to the ports as well as radial.

Abstract: A mining bit to be mounted for rotation in a bore of a support block or on a drill steel having a retention configuration opposite the working end. A bit shank is formed with an abutment flange at the insertion end and a recess adjacent said flange to receive flexed resilient fingers of a resilient retention ring during insertion of said ring in said bore. A fulcrum land supports an unsplit end of said ring. The resilient fingers carry an annular bulge projection which engages an annular recess in a support bore. The ring can extend the length of the retention shank to serve as a wear sleeve. With a drill steel, the retention ring is mounted on an extending insert to cooperate with a female recess in a hollow bit.

Abstract: A hard metal wear insert to be force fitted into a steel body of a tool or stabilizer which has a serrated cylindrical side surface, as in the prior art, but is provided with air relief passages on the sides to relieve air in the receiving recess as the insert is driven in. A diametrical cross-passage between the air relief passages aids in the expulsion of air and provides a fracture line for destructive removal of the inserts. A central axial passage in conical form allows ready inspection of progressive wear as well as functioning to vent the interior end to prevent excessive air pressure in the heating of the body. A receiving recess in the body is shaped to provide a bottom surface to seat the insert solidly while permitting the air relief passages to function.

Abstract: A drill steel and method of making a drill steel with an insert which provides a male insertion segment to form a joint with the female end of a drill steel. The insert is formed with a reduced end having an annular lip and can be utilized in a die forming process which forms the end of a drill steel around the insert in a one-step forming operation while at the same time enlarging the drill steel end to form a shoulder abutment.

Abstract: A process for increasing the resistance to wear of the surface of hard metal parts subject to wear, such as a cutting blade of metal cutting tools, and the product which results from the process, which includes coating the surface of the hard metal, for example, cemented carbide articles with a first layer comprised of one or more layers of a metallic carbide or nitride in a total thickness ranging from 0.01 to 10 .mu.m, a second layer comprised of one or more layers of a refractory oxide, such as an oxide of aluminum, zirconium, silicon, calcium, magnesium, titanium, and hafnium, and stabilized zirconium oxide in a total thickness ranging from 0.5 to 10 .mu.m, and depositing over the refractory oxide coating a third layer comprised of one or more layers of a nitride, carbonitride, oxynitride, oxycarbide or oxycarbonitride .[.and boride.]. of such metals as titanium, zirconium, hafnium, aluminum and silicon in a total thickness ranging from 1 to 10 .mu.m.

Abstract: Tantalum powder capable of producing anodes of improved electrical capacitance is prepared by the addition of phosphorus-containing materials in amounts from about 5 to about 400 ppm based on elemental phosphorus. In one embodiment, the flow properties of the powder are also improved.