Modified high-temperature cell (up to 3300 K) for use with a cubic press

A high temperature-high pressure pyrophyllite cell with a graphite heater has Limitations when temperature exceeds similar to 2100 K. A conventional cell used with the cubic anvil high pressure apparatus has been modified to reach similar to 3300 K. The heater power versus temperature calibration curve has been established using Pt-Pt10%Rh thermocouple up to 1900 K. For calibration above 1900 K, the heater powers required to initiate melting in Al2O3, Y2O3, and TiB2, and decomposition of alpha-SiC have been determined. The melting (or decomposition) of the specimens has been detected by examining the microstructure of the specimens recovered after pressure-temperature treatment. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.