Document 2q5aL4qbYLkvZrKZxrN5BBbmR

v>". INTCft.OFPICl CORRtSFOHOCNCI E. J. LAVINO AND COMPANY I MVIMI a* iMTUMinwui. MlNttALS 4 CHEMICAL COftPOftAtlQN TO November 29*^196? FROM SUBJECT VISIT BY D. J. MURPHY AND S. W. MC CORMICK NOV. 7 & 8, 1967 ARMCO STEEL CORPORATION - MIDDLETOWN, OHIO Distribution - B. S. Tucker H. Mitchell, Jr (H. M. Mikami ^ 1 M. Harnlsh 4_V. Gilbert H. N. Hall J. N. Herbst H. A. Marsh D. J. Murphy, Jr J. H. Dickson S. W. McCormick This was the first Joint call made to Armco per B. S. Tucker's letter of September 29, 1967. The following Armco personnel were contacted: . C. Knepshield, Senior Buyer Ted Karchner, Pur. Agent John Rosenberger, Supt. No. 2 0. H. Carl Schupert, Masonry Supt. Chuck Staley, Asst. Plant Supt. Mac Sample, B.O.P. Supt. Fred Baines, Masonry Foreman Art Barker, Masonry Clerk, No. 20. H. Lou Yoder, Ass't. Masonry Supt. Bruce Baker, Research Engineer The discussion with purchasing and the operators were mainly on (l) our charges for establishing a warehouse in Houston, (2) Ferrobond 60 with guaranteed hot MOR for roofs, (3) end wall construction practices, (4) port roofs, (5) K-N for door linings, (6) Lofero 90 replacing Lavino Magnesite.' and (7) a review of Lavino's Research Department's Report No. 804-5/67-C-l which related to our laboratory tests on cored and non-cored ''LA-1202". The original laboratory progress report was not shown Armco. Instead a special report based on the laboratory results, but with certain modifications, was pre pared and used. Salient points of the discussion with Baker were (l) presentation of the coring report which was described and dis cussed in detail, (2) review of Lavino samples supplied to Armco, Middletown, (3) advised that Lofero 90 is replacing Lavino Magne site, (4) advised that new physical property data sheets will be issued shortly, and (5) had an extended review of the desired micro-structural features of direct-bonded basic brick. Desired "LA-1202" Micro-Structure Bruce elaborated on what he believes is the desired microstructure of the refractory which will be the successor to direct- 001 Op bonded basic. He believes the succeeding refractory will be made jbject: -2November 29* 1967 ARMCO STEEL CORPORATION - MIDDLETOWN* OHIO from pre-reacted periclase and chromite grains. Bruce cited H. Mikami's U. S. Patent 3*321,322, the paper "Microstructure of Chromite-Perlclase at 1650 to 2310C" published in 1964 by our R & D, and Union Carbide's U. S. Patent 3*328*183 as being excel lent examples of progress in the proper technical direction. The desired end product would have a micro-structure similar to the one shown in Figure 4 of the reference paper where the chromite grains were completely destroyed by firing to 2200C (3992F.) with the chromite redistributing itself as exsolution intergrowths in a periclase matrix. Bruce is familiar with all details of the mentioned references and believes Lavino has started an investigation that should be pursued for commercial feasibility. He believes one way to achieve this desirable microstrueture is to pre-react chrome ore and periclase grains in a shaft kiln at very high temperatures* and after making the brick* to bum it at a somewhat lower temperature. A very significant point is that an American supplier (refrac tory, I presume) has* within the year, shown Schroth and Baker such a product. (He thought it was actually last January.) Armco has not measured the Dhysical properties of a brick of this type (it was not clear why not), but evidentally the supplier informs them that the 2300F modulus of rupture is in excess of 3000 psii Bruce did report Armco has determined the following: PRODUCT Kaiser's Coelex 80 HOT MODULUS OF RUPTURE ~S30oF 2700f~ 3000 psi 1306 psi "LA-1204" 2760 447 General's Slmultan Sinter (old 5x25) 2600* >1000 * Our laboratory value for. 2300F MOR is 1200 psi. Interestingly, Baker recommended the Slmultan Sinter NOT be used for 0. H. roofs. Also* he noted that the microstrueture of Kaiser's Coelex-80 approaches, or somewhat resembles, the microstructure of chrome-periclase brick shown in the previously mentioned Fig. 4. Thus, one and possibly two suppliers are working in this direction. Cored "LA-1202" Baker was somewhat stoic as he listened to the review of the report on coring. He noted that he never saw coring on competitive direct-bonded brick, NOR HAD HE FOUND IT IN "LA-1204", and f'Just couldn't believe this had been occualng all along". He believes ttyat even the most non-observing technician would undoubtedly have noticed the coring. Also, Bruce gave us a photo-micrograph of an interior section (not the surface) of a cored portion of an "LA-1202" brick. In the photo-micrograph (probably 100X) small, bright dots TAB: E E.J. LAVINO & CO. INTEROFFICE CORRESPONDENCE, DATED NOVEMBER 29, 1967, PRODUCED IN RESPONSE TO INTERROGATORY NO. 9 AND REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION NO. 26. LOord^>