Abstract
Diamond grains of various sizes and also the mixed powders of diamond and Si made up in various proportions in different proportions were prepared as the starting materials for synthesis experiments. Respective material was charged in a capsule consisted of Si and SiC and HIPed at 1450°C and 200 MPa for 30 min. After the capsule was removed by mechanical and chemical treatments, their physical properties were measured. By comparison of the density and the bulk modulus, the sample whose starting material was diamond of 12 μm without additive showed the best values. These values were close to those of the material obtained by means of the solid compression of diamond and SiC (ADC). Microscopic observation and XRD revealed that the obtained samples was a sintered compound of diamond and SiC whose hardness was comparable to that of ADC.
The compound was used to make high-pressure anvils. The prepared test anvils were strong enough to generate high pressures and temperatures up to 17 GPa and 700°C. The transparency to X-ray is another advantage of this anvil. Its further use is expected in high pressure research such as in situ observations of physical properties under compression.
