Preparation of High Melting Alloys with the Aid of Electron Bombardment

An electron bombardment furnace was constructed for high temperature melting. The temperature attainable is limited only by the refractoriness of the crucible; a tantalum cup (m.p. 2850°C) was melted with the expenditure of only 700 watts. Degassing of sample and surroundings causes gas discharge if the rate of heating is too rapid. Metals volatile at their melting point cannot be melted, but this applies to only a few metals such as manganese and palladium. Alloys of platinum with tungsten, molybdenum, and cobalt are now being successfully prepared for x-ray investigation. The tendency of some metals to react with available refractory crucibles needs further study before their alloys can be prepared.