PREPARATION OF ZIRCONIUM CARBIDE CRYSTAL

摘要

PURPOSE:To obtain a single crystal of ZrC having a uniform composition, by using a supply sintered rod having an adjusted composition and a sintered rod for forming a melting zone in preparing the single crystal of ZrC from the sintered rods. CONSTITUTION:Both ends of a sintered rod 3 are supported by holders 2 and heated by a heat source, e.g. high frequency, while bening moved in a pressurized inert gaseous atmosphere to give a single crystal of zirconium carbide. The composition of the supply sintered rod 3 is such that the component of Zr of C evaporated from the melting zone in melting is added to the solid phase component of the zirconium carbide crystal to be obtained. A melting zone consisting of a liquid phase component coexisting with the solid phase component of the zirconium carbide crystal to be obtained is formed in the melting zone part to give the aimed single crystal of the zirconium carbide. The resultant single crystal has a good composition usable as a field emitter material.