Abstract: A support crucible includes a central axis, outer radii including longest outer radii defining planes with the central axis, a side wall region having a circumferential direction and a bottom. At least two neighboring segments are separated by joints extending substantially vertically in the side wall region to the bottom and penetrating the bottom. The joints define opposed surfaces of the neighboring segments which always overlap each other in the circumferential direction of the side wall region in an operating state. Each of the surfaces is intersected by a respective one of the planes, at least in the side wall region. According to another embodiment, the joints defining opposed surfaces of the neighboring segments have complementary shapes, the surfaces are formed by cuts beginning at a jacket surface of the side wall region and extending parallel to the central axis and at an angle to the planes, and the cuts extend in a curve to the central axis.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing piston, a blank for the piston and a method for producing the piston include two parts being constructed radially symmetrically, but formed with outer and inner parts differing from each other. This offers great variability in the shaping of the functionally essential elements of the shock-absorbing piston.

Abstract: A graphite tube furnace for atomic absorption spectroscopy has a specimen support. The graphite tube furnace is constructed with zones disposed substantially symmetrically around the center of the furnace. The shape of the zones is largely matched and matchable to the functions of the device, such as electric contacting, prevention of heat sinks, restriction of an atomization chamber, provision of an atomization chamber and holding of the specimen support. The specimen support is formed in such a way that in practice it is no longer heated by Joulean heat or thermal conduction, it is secured against movements and it has a minimal mass.

Abstract: A graphite tube furnace and a specimen support are provided for atomic absorption spectroscopy. The graphite tube furnace has end surfaces with slots. The specimen support has an intermediate or middle section with a recess for receiving a specimen and end sections which are wider than the middle section. Upon insertion in the graphite tube furnace, the specimen support is fixed with the wider end sections in the slots in the end faces and the intermediate section is held at a constant distance from the wall of the tube furnace. As a result, current conduction and heat flow between tube furnace and the specimen support are very small.

Abstract: A graphite tube furnace with a specimen support for use in atomic absorption spectroscopy has preferably knife-edged shaped flanges on the inner wall surface of the tube furnace. The specimen support is held on the flanges at a distance from the inner wall surface. This avoids the production of heat in the specimen support and heat flow from the tube furnace to the specimen support.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing cams for camsshafts by powder metallurgy, wherein the formed cams have constant properties over the volume thereof and are well polishable, includes molding into a cam blank a powder mixture made up of iron powder alloyed with carbide-forming elements of the fifth and sixth secondary groups of the periodic table, and graphite powder in a quantity necessary for carbide formation; sintering the blank at a temperature of at most 50 K above a solidus temperature of the blank; and compacting the blank by hot-isostatic compression at a temperature below the solidus temperature to at least 99% of a theoretical density.

Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrochemical process which is particularly suitable for use as an anode for an electrophoretic process includes a phenolformaldehyde resin matrix and a filler dispersed therein which is produced by graphitization of carbon black coke. Such electrodes are more stable, particularly in contact with oxidizing media, than carbon and graphite containing electrodes having a filler of different origin.

Abstract: Unitary receptacle and contact pieces for vaporization and spectroscopic analysis of an analysis sample. Receptacle means are incorporated in the receptacle reception of the sample. The contact pieces are formed integrally with the receptacle for connection of the reception means to an electrical supply unit to enable the sample to be heated. The reception means may constitute a bore in the receptacle, a cup for containing an analysis sample engageable in the bore and additional contact pieces formed integrally with the cup for connection of the cup with a current supply unit therefor.

Abstract: A segment of a commutator made by(a) placing a first layer of copper powder and on top thereof a second layer of a mixture of carbon powder and a binder into a die with a cavity shaped like the segment,(b) densifying the powder layers to produce a blank having the form of the segment, and(c) sintering the blank at an elevated temperature to cause the powder particles to cohere and the layers to firmly join together.