Method for preparing iridium crucibles for crystal growth

摘要

A method of preparing an iridium crucible for crystal growth. As a form of preventive maintenance or during a repair, an iridium crucible is prepared by a method of surface conditioning by way of weld puddling the entire surface of the bottom or on the sidewalls from the bottom up to a height sufficient to include the depth of the residual crystal material after pulling of a crystal or both. In this regard, the surface of the iridium crucible is pulse welded so as to puddle a small portion of the surface without penetrating the side or bottom wall. In the preferred embodiment, the entire surface of the bottom of the iridium crucible is conditioned by weld melting. Similarly, the sidewalls are similarly conditioned by way of weld puddling such as by a pulsating welder. It will be recognized that any state of the art welding apparatus, such as a GTAW welder, TIG welder, laser welder or the like, that generates temperatures sufficient to melt iridium while controlling the depth of penetration can be utilized.