Preparation and Tests of Refractory Sulfide Crucibles

Crucibles have been prepared from all af the sulfides of barium, cerium, and thorium, and also from some of the mixed sulfides of cerium with thorium and uranium with thorium. The type of molds used, as well as the methods of pressing of the sulfide powders, are described in detail. Sintering procedures and techniques are listed for each of the various refractories. More than 800 refractory sulfide crucibles have been produced by the authors in the Berkeley laboratories. These crucibles have ranged from extremely small containers with 0.0026 cc. capacity to crucibles with 50 cc. capacity. Tests of these crucibles indicate that they are satisfactory refractories for a large number of metals and halides. Tests of the individual sulfide refractories as containers for various melts are summarized. The individual differences, as well as similarities, of the sulfide refractories are pointed out.