Hydrostatic limits of 11 pressure transmitting media

We present a systematic and comparative study of the pressure-induced solidification of 11 frequently used pressure transmitting fluids using the ruby fluorescence technique in a diamond anvil cell. These fluids are 1 : 1 and 5 : 1 iso-n pentane, 4 : 1 deuterated methanol–ethanol, 16 : 3 : 1 deuterated methanol–ethanol-water, 1 : 1 FC84-FC87 Fluorinert, Daphne 7474, silicone oil, as well as nitrogen, neon, argon and helium. The data provide practical guidelines for the use of these fluids in high pressure experiments up to 50 GPa.