METHOD FOR ELIMINATING CARBON CONTAMINATION OF PRECIOUS METAL COMPONENTS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of eliminating carbon from a platinum-containing metallic component for use in a glass making system to reduce gaseous blisters in molten glass.SOLUTION: The method includes: providing a first platinum-containing metallic member (inner layer 58) having a concentration of carbon greater than 3 ppm; and heating the first platinum-containing metallic member (inner layer 58) in a first heat treating step at a temperature and for a period of time effective to reduce the concentration of carbon to less than 3 ppm. It is preferable that the first platinum-containing metallic member (inner layer 58) is heated to a temperature of ≥1,200°C for ≥12 hours in an atmosphere containing ≥20 vol.% oxygen. It is preferable that the method further includes coupling together the first platinum-containing metallic member (inner layer 58) and a second platinum-containing metallic member (outer layer 60) in an overlapping relationship to form an assembly with a first interstitial space (62) formed between the first and second platinum-containing metallic members.