Abstract A method for producing homogeneous ingots of an alloy in which one of the components thereof has a high vapor pressure includes the step of sealing the desired alloy components in a quartz ampoule sufficiently large to include a vapor space therein and heating the ampoule and its contents to at least a temperature at which the components will form a homogeneous liquid mixture. An example of an alloy which can be produced by the instant process is an alloy of cadmium, mercury and tellurium. The method of this invention also includes the steps of quenching the homogeneous alloy from the liquid to the solid state while maintaining a relatively high vapor pressure in the vapor space in the ampoule above the space occupied by the alloy. The high vapor pressure can be maintained in the vapor space by thermally insulating the vapor space during the quenching step. The preferable form of quenching is by immersing only a portion of the space occupied by the alloy in a quenching bath, for example, a quenching oil.
The method of claim 1 wherein the quenching is accomplished by immersing at least a portion of the space of the ampoule occupied by the alloy in a quenching bath.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein only a portion of the space of the ampoule occupied by the alloy is immersed in a quenching bath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the quenching Bath is maintained at approximately room temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the alloy is solidified in less than 20 seconds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the quenching bath is composed of a quenching oil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a method of producing an alloy wherein one of the components has a relatively high vapor pressure by sealing the desired alloy components in an ampoule sufficiently large to include a vapor space therein, and heating the ampoule and contents to a temperature sufficiently high to form a homogeneous liquid mixture of said components, the improvement comprising: quenching the alloy from the liquid to the solid state by selectively cooling that portion of the ampoule containing the alloy, while maintaining the temperature of the remaining portion of the ampoule sufficiently high to prevent flashing of said high-vapor-pressure component from within the molten alloy during said quenching.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as defined by claim 7 wherein said selective cooling is achieved by thermally insulating that portion of the ampoule containing the vapor space and immersing that portion of the ampoule occupied by the alloy in a quenching bath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined by claim 7 wherein the high vapor pressure component of said alloy is mercury.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said alloy comprises at least one Group II element and at least one Group VI element.