Method of forging spinel domes

摘要

A method of forging spinel into complex shapes in which a spinel plate is placed in a mold while the spinel plate is heated, in an atmosphere of helium, to a temperature below its melting point and above its solid two phases transition point that allows plastic deformation to take place. Forging stresses well above the yield point of the spinel are applied to the plate by the mold to reduce the forging time.