Abstract: An anvil including a hard phase and a metal matrix in which the hard phase is dispersed, a concentration of the metal matrix phase varying according to a concentration gradient, is disclosed. The anvil may be used in a high pressure press. Methods of making an anvil including forming a hard phase dispersed in a metal matrix phase, a concentration of the metal matrix phase varying according to a concentration gradient, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high-pressure high-temperature cell including two or more thermal insulation layers is described. A high-pressure high-temperature cell including a current path through a thermal insulation layer, the current path being electrically connected to a heating element and having an indirect path through the thermal insulation layer, is also described. High-pressure high-temperature press systems including the foregoing high-pressure high-temperature cells alone or in combination are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high-pressure high-temperature cell including two or more thermal insulation layers is described. A high-pressure high-temperature cell including a current path through a thermal insulation layer, the current path being electrically connected to a heating element and having an indirect path through the thermal insulation layer, is also described. High-pressure high-temperature press systems including the foregoing the high-pressure high-temperature cells alone or in combination are also disclosed.

Abstract: A synthetic gasket material for use in a high-pressure press includes a major proportion of clay mineral powder having sufficient lubricity to flow in a high-pressure press, a minor proportion of at least one hard material powder having a sufficiently greater hardness than the clay mineral to retard flow of the clay mineral and form a seal during pressing in a high-pressure press, and a sufficient amount of binder to form an integral body. The synthetic gasket material is formed by thoroughly mixing together in desired proportions the clay mineral, hard material, and binder. The mixture is compacted into a body near net geometry and having a desired configuration to facilitate use in the high-pressure press. The compacted body is heated for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to remove non-crystallographic water.

Abstract: An anvil for use in ultra high pressure presses capable of operating in the pressure ranges where diamonds, polycrystalline diamond composites and cubic boron nitride are stable, fabricated by diffusion bonding together a plurality of cemented tungsten carbide layers. The anvil has a working layer adjacent to the highest pressure of the press with the remaining plurality of layers behind the working layer for support. The working layer has a higher hardness than the supporting layers and the supporting layers each have higher toughness than the working layer.