Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing materials in supercritical fluids is disclosed. The apparatus includes a capsule configured to contain a supercritical fluid, a high strength enclosure disposed about the capsule and a sensor configured to sense pressure difference between an interior and an exterior of the capsule. The apparatus also includes a pressure control device configured to adjust pressure difference of the capsule in response to the pressure difference sensed by the sensor. The apparatus further includes at least one dividing structure disposed within the capsule that divides the capsule into a seed growing chamber and a nutrient chamber.

Abstract: A method for induction hardening through hardened chromium-molybdenum hot work die steel comprising the steps of induction heating to a uniform temperature above the upper critical temperature, cooling, and double tempering at temperatures below the lower critical temperature to produce a workpiece having a tough core and a hard wear resistant surface. An apparatus is provided for induction hardening long workpieces with minimum distortion by providing an inductor coil which always remains centered around the workpiece during induction coil traverse. Mandrel bars for tube piercing mills can be induction hardened using this process and apparatus.