Laura Lambert wrote:

Friday, May 29, 2015, 11:21 Total number of foils: 425 discs Total mass of materials [incl graphite foils]: 44.41g Total length packed: 12.3cm Container has no heat shields. No endcaps inserted to allow outgassing. Currently being pumped down.  Friday, May 29, 2015, 14:13 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 5.4e-6 Torr. Tapping up manually. Friday, May 29, 2015, 16:48 Tapped up manually to 20A. IGP1 = 5.9e-6 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp at 0.2A/min for the TGHT and 0.1A/min for the TBHT. Max setpoints set to 580A and 230A for the TGHT and TBHT respectively. Good Vacuum = 3.0e-5 Torr. Bad Vacuum = 4.0e-5 Torr.  Monday, June 01, 2015, 09:17 IGP1 = 3.8e-6 Torr. TGHT = 478A. TBHT reached max setpoint of 230A. Increasing ramping rate to 0.5A/min.  Monday, June 01, 2015, 13:15 Checked window for temperature readings, good visibility, no coating on window.  IGP1 = 9.1e-6 Torr. TGHT reached max setpoint of 580A 30min ago. Stepping up manually to a target temperature of 2000C...  Monday, June 01, 2015, 16:25 IGP1 = 6.5e-6 Torr. TGHT = 870A, 17.90V OMEGA = 1948C

 Monday, June 01, 2015, 17:59

After almost an hour at 870A, the temperature went up from 1948C to 1980C; however temperature around the target container/legs are >2000C.  The voltage on the power supply also went up slightly. 

There is a film coated on the window port and that could affect the temp reading.

To be safe, I lowered the TGHT to 830A/17.38V, temp at 1930C. 

Will keep at 830A for 4 hours and cool down this evening. 

Recommend: Using Ta-heat shields for sintering next time.

 Monday, June 01, 2015, 22:55

TGHT at 830A for almost 5 hours.  

TEMP has gone up to 1994C.  Voltage has also gone up to 19V.  

Cooling down at 2A/min for TGHT and 1A/min for TBHT.