The optical determination of high metallurgical temperatures - The melting point of iron

Abstract The present investigation has been carried out in the Metallurgical Department of the National Physical Laboratory in order to adapt the optical pyrometer to the estimation of the fusion temperatures of materials of high purity and high melting point and of substances of corrosive or volatile nature. Melting points and thermal changes in the solid state at high temperatures are generally determined by means of platinum thermocouples which are protected from the molten metal or its vapour by insertion in a refractory sheath. Contamination of the molten metal is frequently occasioned by chemical attack which takes place between the metal and the refractory crucible or couple sheath. This is particularly marked when the refractories contain siliceous material.