Our facilities

MULTIANVIL PRESS

DIAMOND-ANVIL CELLS

SAMPLE PREPARATION

MACHINING

WORKSPACE


 

Multianvil press

DIA-type 1500 ton hydraulic press to conduct multianvil experiments
at pressures ranging from 3 to 30 GPa and temperatures up to 1800-2500°C

 

The press equipped with DIA-type guide block (left), which compresses Kawai-type multianvil block (right)

 

 

An example of octahedral zirconia cell with graphite heater designed for experiments at pressures of 3-6.5 GPa and temperatures up to 1800°C.

 

 

Look inside of Kawai-type multianvil block. The block consists of eight tungsten carbide cubes with triangular truncation. The truncations push on an octahedral cell.

 

 

Anvils with gasketing and octahedral high pressure cell. Sample temperature is monitored via a W-Re thermocouple.

 

 

Opened and assembled high-pressure cell with graphite sample holder

 

 

The system to control press force and sample temperature. Three operation modes (TC EMF, power and voltage) can be used to control sample temperature.

 

 

Heating system also includes a 2000 W power supply for accurate frequency control

 

 

Uninterruptable power source of 10 kVA with battery pack for 2 h stand-alone operation is used to supply oil pressure pump and heating system by electric power

 

A brief review of the method

For better understanding of multianvil presses principles, read Anton Shatskiy's comprehensive presentation review


 

Diamond-anvil cells

 

A piston-cylinder diamond-anvil cell (DAC) made by Almax-EasyLab (up to 70GPa)

 

 

A piston-cylinder DAC made by Syntek (up to 70GPa)

 

 

Opened Almax-EasyLab DAC

 

 

Opened Syntek DAC

 

 

A DAC for Raman spectroscopy equipped with gas membrane and resistive heater. For in situ Raman experiments up to 20 GPa / 600°C.

 

 

An electric discharge machine (EDM) for drilling tiny holes (0.05-0.3 mm in diameter) in metallic gaskets. The holes serve as sample chambers when the gasket is pressurized between two diamond anvils.

 

A brief review of the method


 

Sample preparation

 

Long-focus binocular microscope to assemble / disassemble DAC. Wide magnification range allows assembling from the beginning to the end without moving the anvils.

 

 

Binocular microscopes to assemble / disassemble HP cells (left) and to photograph samples (right)

 

 

Vacuum desiccators for samples and starting materials storage

 

 

Vacuum box (left) and dry module (right) for chemicals

 

 

Balances:
GX-1000 (left). Max 1100 g, min 0.1 g,
e = 0.01 g, d = 0.001 g.
GH-200 (right). Max 200 g, min 10 mg,
e = 1 mg, d = 0.1 mg.

 

 

Ultrasonic baths with (right) and without (left) heating

 

 

Welder PUK U4 for sealing metal capsules in inert atmosphere, equipped with system controlling argon flow and microscope with eyes protection system

 

 

Drying oven with heating up to 200°C. For storage of hydroscopic chemicals.

 

 

Vacuum oven with heating up to 230°C. We use this oven to dry cell assemblies as well as to remove water from hygroscopic starting compounds.

 

 

1000°C-furnaces for annealing ceramics (MgO, ZrO2, Al2O3, LaCrO3) and for drying samples and gaskets

 


 

Machining

 

Machine to grind WC anvils, steel, ceramics, pyrophyllite, natural and post-experimental samples

 

 

3D milling machine for shaping parts for HP cell assemblies using variable materials such as semisintered MgO, ZrO2, Al2O3 ceramics, LaCrO3, graphite, h-BN, talc, and pyrophyllite.

 

 

Lathe to grind semi-sintered ceramics (MgO, ZrO2, Al2O3), graphite, h-BN, and LaCrO3

 

 

Lathe for metal

 

 

Drilling machines for ceramics (left) and for metal (right)

 

 

Drilling machine for large parts

 

 

Compact drilling machine to make holes for TC in pressure mediums and gaskets

 

 

Low speed cutting machine to cut ceramics, natural and post-experimental samples

 

 

High-speed cutting machine to cut balsa wood

 

 

Stone-cutting machine. Saw depth is 13 cm. Cut width is 4.5 mm.

 

Precision wire saw with sample stage and 0.28 mm diamond wire.
We use this tool to slice semisintered ceramics and pyrophyllite.


 

Workspace

Press room. Multianvil press zone.

 

Press room. Working zone.

 

Press room. Machining zone.

 

Office room