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Light Metal Production in Japan

Light Metal Production in Japan 148 AIRCRAFT ENGINEERIN G April, 1939 Japanes e Plans Compared with the Industries Already Existing or Developing in Other Countries By Dr. J. Rubinfield* Institut e for Physical and Chemical Research, URING the second half of the year 1938 Aluminium Co. of America itself may put the magnesium licences it held for some years i.e., the manufacture of magnesium from Japanese efforts to achieve great from the German I.G. Farbenindustrie to brine. Large discoveries of magnesite in producing power in aluminium and magnesium have been very intense. Curiously practical account. In England also the simul­ Manchuria and the active assistance given by enough, relatively better results are anticipated taneous increase of both aluminium and mag­ th e laboratories of the South Manchuria for the latter, in spite of the greater technical nesium production is very evident from the Railways Co. have, however, led to the large- difficulties in the process of the production of fact that at the same time as a new aluminium scale practice of chlorinating magnesite to magnesium chloride and subsequent recovery pure magnesium than for aluminium. While factory is being built in Glamorganshire by of the metal by electrolysis. At present, of th e most sanguine expectations pu t the possible Swiss interests, the South Wales Aluminium Co., Ltd., which is acting in conjunction course, the nationalisation of the electrical outpu t of aluminium in Japan in the neigh­ witli the British Aluminium Company, and the industry in Japan is not only causing large bourhood of some 100,000 metric tons, or a fifth part of the rated present world production Aluminium Co. of Canada, substantial exten­ extensions of aluminium production by com­ of this light metal per annum, to be attained sions are also being completed by Magne­ panies which wish to enter the electro-chemical within the next three years, hopes arc being sium Metal and Alloys, the well-known sub­ and electro-metallurgical field (including also held out of an output within the same period sidiary of Murex, Ltd.; while Magnesium carbide, sulphate of ammonium, gems, etc.) in general, but at the same time of magnesium of upwards of 17,000 tons of magnesium, a Electron of Clifton Junction as well as the also. Very remarkable progress has been made tonnage tha t is probably not far off the present Imperial Magnesium Corporation are also reported to be increasing further their mag­ with regard to magnesium inasmuch as its out­ total world production of this metal. This nesium production. Other examples are : The pu t figure amounted to some 3 tons only in 1931 total is pu t at between 20,000 and 25,000 tons, although the number of countries which are rapid increase in France of the production of as compared with an actual present figure of regarded as the well-established magnesium bot h light metals by the Cie. de Prod. Chim. et some 1,750 tons, with production capacities producers was being steadily enlarged during Electro-Metallurgiques Alais, Froges et Ca- greatly enlarged throughout the whole of the recent period by newcomers, while there margue (Pechiney) as well as by Ugine, in Greater Japan and a growing number ot is also another scries of prospective producers. order to comply with the urgent needs of the newcomers announcing their intentions in this respect. At the outset the Japan Man­ The "old " magnesium producing countries national defence authorities. The magnesium churia (Nichiman K.K.) Magnesium Co., which are Germany, U.S.A. and France. As rather factory of Jarrie has undergone a considerable extension, while the aluminium factory of used the Tokyo Institute method already younger members of the international magne­ Venthon and that of Lannemezan arc now also mentioned, was the sole producer. Now, sium community may be reckoned the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan and Italy, and among coming into commission after the securing of however, the Riken Metal Co. accounts for th e prospective producers are Australia and sufficient water power supplies by the Soc. more tha n half the total magnesium production Poland. d'Electrochimie, d'Electrometallurgie et des of Japan, while the Japan Soda Co. and the Acieries Electriqucs d'Ugine as well as by the Ashai Electro-Chemical Co. are among the leading magnesium producers. Pechiney Company. Total magnesium output Australian Possibilities in France by this group of "L'Aluminium Français " is reported to exceed now that of The example of Australia, where at the Effect of State Control th e American Dow Chemical Co. Another same time the Electrolytic Zinc Company of The Tokyo Electric Co., which is known to be Australasia, Ltd., is contemplating the estab­ example is Italy, where the Montecatini concern taking up th e aluminium business to replace what lishment of an aluminium electrolysis plant, of Milan has its full share of aluminium orders it will lose through the taking over of its power bears out the fact that magnesium and alu­ placed by the defence authorities, so that it plants b y th e State-owned Japan Electric Power minium must no more be considered as opposed seems certain tha t the Italian aluminium output Generation and Transmission Co., is now also t o each other in the national economy, but figure will reach 40,000 tons or more in 1939 embarking on magnesium production, along rathe r as supplementing factors in the steadily (Signor Mussolini wants an annual output of with Japan Aluminium, Kanto Electro-Chemi­ 100,000 tons within a couple of years); while enlarging field of daily applications of light cal, Korean Riken, Korean Nitrogen, Man­ a t the same time the "Società Anonima per il metals in general. Japan, the great imitator of churia Magnesium, Japan Magnesium and Western technique, has had before it the Magnesio e Leghe di Magnesio" is starting Okura Mining. The aggregate initial capa­ example of a long scries of countries taking up magnesium production from domestic dolo­ cities of the last-named eight newcomers is to and intensifying both lines. In Germany the mite by thermo-chemical reduction, which is amoun t to 7,500 metric tons a year, to be aluminium industry underwent an enlargement said to be considerably cheaper than the usual increased subsequently to 14,800 tons, while of its capacities as compared with tha t obtaining electrolysis of the chloride, and, moreover, the th e combined capacities of the first mentioned in the year 1932 by sixfold (while the actual Montecatini group itself is embarking upon three older established producers are to attain outpu t is ninefold) during 1938. At the same magnesium production. 2,700 tons at least within a short time. So time the powerful I.G. Farbenindustrie has far, the Nippon Electric Power Co. (Nippon doubled its magnesium output on the instruc­ Denryo K.K.) and the Great Consolidated tions of the military authorities of Berlin Japanese Ambitions Electric Power Corporation do not appear to during the same period; this output being said intend to embark on magnesium production, Whereas these developments in Europe and to amount at present to 10,000, or even 12,000, although it is very probable that they will U.S. form an incentive to putting a very capa­ tons per annum. Simultaneously, the big participate in the recent big national plan to cious magnesium industry on its legs in Japan, potash concern of Winterhall made great efforts pu t up a large aluminium concern with alu­ it must be pointed out that the origin of the to increase its magnesium output from carnal- minium factories in several parts of Greater industry in tha t country can be traced back to lite ; while the acquisition of the tremendous Japa n witli a combined capacity of 50,000 tons the year 1931, whereas the first aluminium magnesite deposits of Austria is now giving a a year. This venture is to be floated by the manufacturing plant there started its operations fillip to magnesium production both in the well-known big industrial concerns of Japan only towards 1935 owing to the difficulty of former Austria itself as well as by another such as Mitsubishi, Mitsui, South Manchuria solving the problem of the basic material. As outstanding chemical concern of Berlin. In Railways, etc. A more recent development yet no bauxite deposits could be located in another big aluminium producing country, the refers to the project of the Nitto Chemical Japa n proper or in Korea or North China U.S.A., the American Cyanamide and Chemical Industrial Co. (a subsidiary of the Dai Nippon (Manchukuo included), while the finds in the Corporation has joined the ranks of magnesium Sugar Refining Co.) to manufacture aluminium mandated islands of Ponape, Palao and Ponape producers, although the well-known Dow from a phosphatic aluminite by a novel method tha t are to be exploited by the Nanyo Alu­ Chemical Co. had appeared to stabilize its evolved by the Tokyo University of Engineering. minium Kogyo K.K. are so far not expected to output of "Dow-metals" from brine of This new plant is under construction at Ha- yield more than 30,00 tons of bauxite per Midland wells, while it is possible that the chinoe, in the Amomori prefecture in the annum. The first Japanese magnesium plant north-east of the main island of Japan. used the method developed by the Tokyo *of Zandvoort, Holland. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology Emerald Publishing

Light Metal Production in Japan

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
ISSN
0002-2667
DOI
10.1108/eb030467
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Abstract

148 AIRCRAFT ENGINEERIN G April, 1939 Japanes e Plans Compared with the Industries Already Existing or Developing in Other Countries By Dr. J. Rubinfield* Institut e for Physical and Chemical Research, URING the second half of the year 1938 Aluminium Co. of America itself may put the magnesium licences it held for some years i.e., the manufacture of magnesium from Japanese efforts to achieve great from the German I.G. Farbenindustrie to brine. Large discoveries of magnesite in producing power in aluminium and magnesium have been very intense. Curiously practical account. In England also the simul­ Manchuria and the active assistance given by enough, relatively better results are anticipated taneous increase of both aluminium and mag­ th e laboratories of the South Manchuria for the latter, in spite of the greater technical nesium production is very evident from the Railways Co. have, however, led to the large- difficulties in the process of the production of fact that at the same time as a new aluminium scale practice of chlorinating magnesite to magnesium chloride and subsequent recovery pure magnesium than for aluminium. While factory is being built in Glamorganshire by of the metal by electrolysis. At present, of th e most sanguine expectations pu t the possible Swiss interests, the South Wales Aluminium Co., Ltd., which is acting in conjunction course, the nationalisation of the electrical outpu t of aluminium in Japan in the neigh­ witli the British Aluminium Company, and the industry in Japan is not only causing large bourhood of some 100,000 metric tons, or a fifth part of the rated present world production Aluminium Co. of Canada, substantial exten­ extensions of aluminium production by com­ of this light metal per annum, to be attained sions are also being completed by Magne­ panies which wish to enter the electro-chemical within the next three years, hopes arc being sium Metal and Alloys, the well-known sub­ and electro-metallurgical field (including also held out of an output within the same period sidiary of Murex, Ltd.; while Magnesium carbide, sulphate of ammonium, gems, etc.) in general, but at the same time of magnesium of upwards of 17,000 tons of magnesium, a Electron of Clifton Junction as well as the also. Very remarkable progress has been made tonnage tha t is probably not far off the present Imperial Magnesium Corporation are also reported to be increasing further their mag­ with regard to magnesium inasmuch as its out­ total world production of this metal. This nesium production. Other examples are : The pu t figure amounted to some 3 tons only in 1931 total is pu t at between 20,000 and 25,000 tons, although the number of countries which are rapid increase in France of the production of as compared with an actual present figure of regarded as the well-established magnesium bot h light metals by the Cie. de Prod. Chim. et some 1,750 tons, with production capacities producers was being steadily enlarged during Electro-Metallurgiques Alais, Froges et Ca- greatly enlarged throughout the whole of the recent period by newcomers, while there margue (Pechiney) as well as by Ugine, in Greater Japan and a growing number ot is also another scries of prospective producers. order to comply with the urgent needs of the newcomers announcing their intentions in this respect. At the outset the Japan Man­ The "old " magnesium producing countries national defence authorities. The magnesium churia (Nichiman K.K.) Magnesium Co., which are Germany, U.S.A. and France. As rather factory of Jarrie has undergone a considerable extension, while the aluminium factory of used the Tokyo Institute method already younger members of the international magne­ Venthon and that of Lannemezan arc now also mentioned, was the sole producer. Now, sium community may be reckoned the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan and Italy, and among coming into commission after the securing of however, the Riken Metal Co. accounts for th e prospective producers are Australia and sufficient water power supplies by the Soc. more tha n half the total magnesium production Poland. d'Electrochimie, d'Electrometallurgie et des of Japan, while the Japan Soda Co. and the Acieries Electriqucs d'Ugine as well as by the Ashai Electro-Chemical Co. are among the leading magnesium producers. Pechiney Company. Total magnesium output Australian Possibilities in France by this group of "L'Aluminium Français " is reported to exceed now that of The example of Australia, where at the Effect of State Control th e American Dow Chemical Co. Another same time the Electrolytic Zinc Company of The Tokyo Electric Co., which is known to be Australasia, Ltd., is contemplating the estab­ example is Italy, where the Montecatini concern taking up th e aluminium business to replace what lishment of an aluminium electrolysis plant, of Milan has its full share of aluminium orders it will lose through the taking over of its power bears out the fact that magnesium and alu­ placed by the defence authorities, so that it plants b y th e State-owned Japan Electric Power minium must no more be considered as opposed seems certain tha t the Italian aluminium output Generation and Transmission Co., is now also t o each other in the national economy, but figure will reach 40,000 tons or more in 1939 embarking on magnesium production, along rathe r as supplementing factors in the steadily (Signor Mussolini wants an annual output of with Japan Aluminium, Kanto Electro-Chemi­ 100,000 tons within a couple of years); while enlarging field of daily applications of light cal, Korean Riken, Korean Nitrogen, Man­ a t the same time the "Società Anonima per il metals in general. Japan, the great imitator of churia Magnesium, Japan Magnesium and Western technique, has had before it the Magnesio e Leghe di Magnesio" is starting Okura Mining. The aggregate initial capa­ example of a long scries of countries taking up magnesium production from domestic dolo­ cities of the last-named eight newcomers is to and intensifying both lines. In Germany the mite by thermo-chemical reduction, which is amoun t to 7,500 metric tons a year, to be aluminium industry underwent an enlargement said to be considerably cheaper than the usual increased subsequently to 14,800 tons, while of its capacities as compared with tha t obtaining electrolysis of the chloride, and, moreover, the th e combined capacities of the first mentioned in the year 1932 by sixfold (while the actual Montecatini group itself is embarking upon three older established producers are to attain outpu t is ninefold) during 1938. At the same magnesium production. 2,700 tons at least within a short time. So time the powerful I.G. Farbenindustrie has far, the Nippon Electric Power Co. (Nippon doubled its magnesium output on the instruc­ Denryo K.K.) and the Great Consolidated tions of the military authorities of Berlin Japanese Ambitions Electric Power Corporation do not appear to during the same period; this output being said intend to embark on magnesium production, Whereas these developments in Europe and to amount at present to 10,000, or even 12,000, although it is very probable that they will U.S. form an incentive to putting a very capa­ tons per annum. Simultaneously, the big participate in the recent big national plan to cious magnesium industry on its legs in Japan, potash concern of Winterhall made great efforts pu t up a large aluminium concern with alu­ it must be pointed out that the origin of the to increase its magnesium output from carnal- minium factories in several parts of Greater industry in tha t country can be traced back to lite ; while the acquisition of the tremendous Japa n witli a combined capacity of 50,000 tons the year 1931, whereas the first aluminium magnesite deposits of Austria is now giving a a year. This venture is to be floated by the manufacturing plant there started its operations fillip to magnesium production both in the well-known big industrial concerns of Japan only towards 1935 owing to the difficulty of former Austria itself as well as by another such as Mitsubishi, Mitsui, South Manchuria solving the problem of the basic material. As outstanding chemical concern of Berlin. In Railways, etc. A more recent development yet no bauxite deposits could be located in another big aluminium producing country, the refers to the project of the Nitto Chemical Japa n proper or in Korea or North China U.S.A., the American Cyanamide and Chemical Industrial Co. (a subsidiary of the Dai Nippon (Manchukuo included), while the finds in the Corporation has joined the ranks of magnesium Sugar Refining Co.) to manufacture aluminium mandated islands of Ponape, Palao and Ponape producers, although the well-known Dow from a phosphatic aluminite by a novel method tha t are to be exploited by the Nanyo Alu­ Chemical Co. had appeared to stabilize its evolved by the Tokyo University of Engineering. minium Kogyo K.K. are so far not expected to output of "Dow-metals" from brine of This new plant is under construction at Ha- yield more than 30,00 tons of bauxite per Midland wells, while it is possible that the chinoe, in the Amomori prefecture in the annum. The first Japanese magnesium plant north-east of the main island of Japan. used the method developed by the Tokyo *of Zandvoort, Holland.

Journal

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology – Emerald Publishing

Published: Apr 1, 1939

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