Ultra-High-Pressure, High-Temperature Apparatus: the ``Belt''

Abstract

Equipment is described for maintaining pressures of 100 000 atmos at temperatures in excess of 2000°C for long periods of time. The equipment makes use of conical Carboloy pistons that push into each end of a specially shaped Carboloy chamber. Both chamber and pistons receive lateral support from stressed binding rings. Axial motion of the conical pistons in and out of the chamber is accomplished (while still maintaining a pressure seal) by the use of a specially shaped sandwich gasket made up of naturally occurring pyrophyllite and a steel cone. The arrangement gives a multistaging effect in a single stage. Pyrophyllite in addition to its use in the gasket is also used as pressure transmitting medium, thermal insulation, and electrical insulation. The sample is heated by passage of an electric current through a metal or graphite tube. Methods of pressure and temperature calibration as well as construction details are discussed.