Abstract: A process for preparing a heat-treated body from a material (preferably a dielectric ceramic) that does not couple well with microwaves while nevertheless using microwave energy for the heating step. The process involves the use of a microwave susceptor (i.e. a material that couples well with microwaves) as a means for generating heat in the material. To avoid contamination of the final product, a susceptor is chosen which is converted, during the heating step, to a substance which is substantially the same as the material itself, both the susceptor and the material are converted to the same desired final product, or the material is converted to a substance substantially the same as the susceptor. The resulting substantially pure heat-treated (and preferably sintered) bodies can be used for a variety of purposes, e.g. as substrates for micro-electronic devices. The process can also be used for joining bodies of non-susceptor materials without contaminating the resulting joint.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for heating bodies to high temperatures at high pressures. The process involves locating the body in a chamber capable of acting as a resonant cavity for microwave radiation of a predetermined frequency. The body is then irradiated in the cavity with microwave energy of the predetermined frequency for a time sufficient to raise the temperature of the body to a suitable high temperature. Then, either subsequently or simultaneously, a fluid at high pressure is introduced into the cavity to pressurize the body. The apparatus provides the equipment necessary for the operation of the process. The process and apparatus can be used for sintering and/or hot isostatic pressing of bodies made of ceramic powders and for similar purposes.

Abstract: An aluminium reduction cell includes a potlining 16, which may be of alumina, with cathode current collectors 24, 32 embedded therein. The cell floor has an array of depressions 22 with at least one collector at the bottom of each depression. The depressions are filled with metal-wettable bodies 20, e.g. 5-20 mm diameter balls of titanium diboride, sized to prevent the entry of electrolyte or sludge. The depressions may be elongate in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal magnetic field in the cell.

Abstract: A sample loading device for loading samples into and unloading samples from an ultra high vacuum analysis chamber without the necessity to raise and lower pressure each time a sample loading or unloading is effected, is described. The sample is initially positioned in a chamber of comparatively small volume which can be rapidly and simply evacuated to a vacuum approximating that of the analysis chamber. A gate valve between the small volume chamber and the analysis chamber then is opened and the sample introduced to the analysis chamber by a simple rack-and-pinion mechanism. Fine positioning of the sample and release of the carrier from the insertion fork is achieved by external X- and Y-axis adjustments.