Abstract:
The generation of ultra-high pressures by a pair of opposed Bridgeman-type anvils is improved by surrounding the major portions of each anvil with a frustro-conical segmented jacket in position to transmit vertical forces thereon to the anvils in an axial direction and at the same time induce lateral compressive stresses therein for increasing the resistance thereof to brittle failure. Additional support is provided to the pressure-face ends of the anvils by a die ring laterally disposed therebetween in position to be circumferentially stressed by a segmented die ring which is, in turn, similarly compressed by a band of pressuretransmitting metal subjected to lateral extrusion by an annular piston enclosing the pressure system. The displacement of the piston is adjustably controlled in accordance with the size of the anvils and the axial forces thereon to provide optimum support to the die ring.