MECHANICS

Pressure is generated by using a hydraulic ram to force a piston into a cylinder that consists of concentric layers of hardened-steel around a tungsten-carbide core. Pressure is determined from the product of hydraulic oil pressure that is necessary to drive the main ram and the 100:1 area ratio between the ram and the piston.

Temperature is generated by passing a low-voltage, high current signal through a graphite furnace inside the cylinder core. Temperature is measured with a thermocouple in contact with the sample capsule, and controlled with a microprocessor-based system.