Document KJRMK1jZMzpo2nJ6ObdEkkrVK

M. W. Burleson - DEQ ce &. A. Stapleton - 9HQ > A. Pociua - DHQ A. 6. Reinker - Pittabura/Diat: L. H. Blair - Plndeme r S. E. Wooley Findeme E. L. Truss - Manville, Box 221 3. r.JLone - Waukegan file chrono Division Headquarters April 3, 1968 TRIP BftBflRT THE METALLURGICAL SOCIETY 0? AIME 51ST HATIOHAL OPES HEARTH AMD BASIC STEEL CCHPERSKCS 27TH IEOH MAKHG COHFEREHCS APRIL 1 THROUGH 3, 1968 ATLAETIC CITY As you know from my trip report of 3-25-68, that we were advised that week by friends at United States Steel Corporation that a paper would be presented at subject meeting which was, in effect, critical of rigid, block-type insulations, namely, SUFEREX 1900, which the author called the standard insulation in blast furnace stoves. The author's contention is that a compressible type of insulation is required to absorb the increased expansion of the stove refractories brought about by the higher, hot blast temperatures that the stoves are now being designed to produce. I attended the presentation of this paper and the cosaents which followed it. From the ccsstents of the author, it was obvious that he was not too sure of his ground when questioned about the resiliency of Mineral Wool block after heating. After the meeting I met with Mr, Dsbenham, Chief Research Engineer Refractories, and his assistant, John Toppingj Bill Kheeper, Chief Staff Engineer - Blast Furnace and Agglomeration, and Eerl Sieger, Superintendent Bleat Furnaees, Fairless Works, all ef U, S. Steel Corporation. There men wore all in general agreement that the answer to these expansion problems was not to replace SUPERS with Mineral Wool bloc!; but, were in agreement that southing had to be dons to solve tills serious problem. Since U.S. Steel is in the final design stages with the Arthur 6. McKee Ccxpeny of Cleveland on a new blast furnace for their South Works, they are vary anxious for our help in solving this problem. After discussions with many of our people who have had experience in this area, it is our feeling that a combination material could provide the neessssry ccapreasicn and resilience without sacrificing the superior integrity of SUFEREX. In an effort to give U.S. Steel something to consider quickly, last week we had Dr. Blair's people put together two samples of s combination of < i {.- r. -2- SUPEEEX 19C0 (2 inches) and 1 Inch of 1C00 SPIN-GIAS. I abased this sample to the U.S. Steel people end they vers quite enthusiastic, and requested that we prepare additional samples for their testing and evalua tion and asked that we advise them as soon oa possible if we could produce such a product, end at what price. They would also like us to evaluate the material in a panel, in as effort to duplicate this service. I will prepare an SSE to cover these teats end discuss cur ability to produce such a product ca an SPPI basis with all concerned. In addition to meeting with the U.S. Steel people, I had an occasion to discuss just briefly this matter with several other people from Jones fe Laugh1in Steel Corporation end Bethlehem Steel Corporation, and ell generally felt that the paper presented seme good new information but, felt that the solutions needed further work and investigation. Therefore, I think it is imperative that as 3aon as our position con be better established, that we contact all the key people with the various steel companies with regard to blast furnace stove design, so that we can protect and hopefully improve cur position in this business. Concerning this meeting generally, it was os always nsavily attended by all of the key people in this part of the steel industry fxes ell over the world. The entertnirnent was also very heavy by all major refractory manufacturers end, also, by many who we don't generally consider major suppliers but apparently they ere. For instance, our Pittsburgh distributor, who is now also a manufacturer end contractor, had a large entertainment suite with entertainment in the evenings. Ferro Engineering Division, Excziet, Foseco end several other relatively small "hoc top" people all had entertainment suites and/or luncheons or dinners on sec or mere days. Babcock & Kilccs had a suite along with their Bailey litter Division, but none of tho other insulation manufacturers had advertised suites. 1 did see six. Jack Cocry, President of International Vermieulite, however, end he was entertaining. Although wo used to have people active in this Society, to cy knowledge vs no longer have anyone in it and I chick we should correct this cs scon as possible. Z would think we should have aemcee in Pittsburgh join, and possibly also in Chicago, so that we can have contact and keep up with developments in this pert of the steel industry. J. A. Csapbell, Jr. in-8