JP5917617B2 - Tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible, method for producing the same, and method for producing sapphire single crystal - Google Patents

Description

The present invention includes a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible manufacturing method thereof, and relates to a method for producing a sapphire single crystal, in particular the bottom and the side wall portion and a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible having excellent high-temperature strength of the corner connecting its manufacturing method, and a method for producing a sapphire single crystal using such a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible.

  Conventionally, as a component part of a manufacturing apparatus used at a high temperature such as a metal evaporation container, a metal oxide dissolution container, a crystal production container, etc., a bottomed cylinder with an open top in which a bottom part and a side wall part are connected via a corner part A molybdenum crucible is used.

  Such a molybdenum crucible is manufactured by cutting a forged molybdenum body or drawing a plate made of molybdenum. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-169993 (Patent Document 1) discloses a crucible using a molybdenum forged body. This phenomenon is likely to occur, and this phenomenon becomes remarkable particularly at corners where the amount of processing is large.

In addition, for the method of drawing a plate made of molybdenum, a reduction in the thickness of the side wall is inevitable, and the fiber structure at the corners connecting the bottom and the side wall is likely to be swollen, resulting in large variations in high temperature strength. Occur.
Japanese Patent No. 3917208 (Patent Document 2) discloses a crucible made of a tungsten molybdenum alloy containing 1 to 5% by mass of tungsten. However, since the crystal grain size of molybdenum is as large as 1 mm or more, it cannot be said that the lifetime is sufficient.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-169993 Japanese Patent No. 3917208

As described above, conventional molybdenum crucibles are prone to processing strain, and residual strain is likely to occur especially at corners where the amount of processing is large, which accelerates recrystallization of molybdenum crystal grains when used at high temperatures. As a result, the high temperature strength tends to decrease. Furthermore, it is conceivable to secure high-temperature strength by thickening the corners, but it is not always easy to thicken only the corners because a plate material is usually used.
In addition, a long-life crucible has not been obtained for a tungsten molybdenum alloy crucible.

Although various investigations have been made to improve the high temperature strength of the tungsten molybdenum alloy crucible as described above, it is still excellent in high temperature strength, particularly in the corner portion connecting the bottom and the side wall. No crucible has been obtained.
The present invention was made in order to solve the above problems, aims to provide a high-temperature strength, in particular the bottom and tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible having excellent high-temperature strength of the corner portion connecting the side wall portion It is said. Further, the present invention aims to provide a manufacturing method for easily manufacturing such a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible having excellent high-temperature strength. Furthermore, the present invention aims at providing a method for producing a sapphire single crystal using a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible excellent in such high-temperature strength.

The crucible made of tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy of the present invention has an upper open portion in which a bottom portion and a side wall portion made of a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy made of 1 to 60% by mass of tungsten and the remaining molybdenum are connected via a corner portion. A bottomed tubular crucible made of tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy having an average crystal grain size of 30 to 70 μm, a crystal grain ratio of 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less of 50% or more in terms of the number of particles, oxygen content and equal to or less than 0.01 mass%.
Moreover, it is preferable that the crucible has an open portion with an inner diameter of 100 mm or more. The crucible preferably has a relative density of 95% or more. Further, it is preferable that the tungsten is made of a tungsten-molybdenum sintered alloy composed of 10 to 50% by mass and the remaining molybdenum.

Further, it is preferable that the oxygen distribution in a unit area of 500 μm × 500 μm is distributed more in the tungsten region than in the molybdenum region . Also, different it is preferable that the thickness of the corner portion and the side wall portion. Moreover, it is preferable that the ratio of the average grain size of the corner crystal grains to the side wall portions is 0.8 or more and 1.2 or less. The crucible is preferably used as a raw material melt for producing a sapphire single crystal.

The method of manufacturing tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible of the present invention is a bottomed tubular shape having an open top portion and a bottom portion and a side wall portion which is connected via a corner portion, the average grain size 30 to 70 .mu.m, crystalline particle size 50% ratio of the following grain 100μm or 10μm is at a ratio of particle number, oxygen content of 0.01 wt% or less, for the manufacture of a relative density of 95% or more of tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible A manufacturing method, a mixing step of mixing tungsten powder and molybdenum powder, a forming step of forming the mixed powder into a crucible shape, and a HIP step of HIP processing at a pressure of 100 MPa or higher and 1300 ° C. or higher in an inert atmosphere, It is characterized by comprising.
Moreover, it is preferable that the average particle diameter of tungsten powder is 5 μm or less, and the average particle diameter of molybdenum powder is 8 μm or less. Moreover, it is preferable that the oxygen content of tungsten powder is 0.1 mass% or less, and the oxygen content of molybdenum powder is 0.1 mass% or less.

The sapphire single crystal production method of the present invention is a sapphire single crystal production method for producing a sapphire single crystal by crystal growth from a raw material melt, and the tungsten of the present invention is used as a crucible for charging the raw material melt. and it is characterized in the use of molybdenum sintered alloy crucible.

According to the present invention, in the bottom-opened cylindrical tungsten-molybdenum sintered alloy crucible in which the bottom and the side wall are connected via a corner, the average crystal grain size is 30 to 70 μm. high temperature strength, can be particularly bottom and side wall and tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible having excellent high-temperature strength of the corner portion connecting.

According to the manufacturing method of tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible of the present invention.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, in the manufacturing method of the sapphire single crystal to produce a sapphire single crystal by crystal growth from a raw material melt, tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible of the present invention as a crucible add the melt of the raw material By using, the operating time of the manufacturing apparatus used for manufacture of a sapphire single crystal can be lengthened, thereby improving the productivity of the sapphire single crystal and reducing its production cost.

Sectional view showing an example of tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible of the present invention. Sectional view showing a modification of tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible of the present invention. Cross-sectional view showing another modified example of tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible of the present invention. Sectional view showing still another modification of the tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
Figure 1 is a sectional view showing an example of tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible of the present invention. Tungsten Molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1 tungsten 1-60% by weight of the present invention, be comprised of tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy and the balance molybdenum, a substantially plate-shaped bottom 2, the outer peripheral portion of the bottom part 2 Side wall portion 3 provided at a predetermined height so as to surround the corner portion 4 and a corner portion 4 connecting the bottom portion 2 and the side wall portion 3 so as to have a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top. It is formed integrally. The corner portion 4 has a thickness substantially the same as, for example, the bottom portion 2 and the side wall portion 3 and is curved in an arc shape. The side wall portion 3 rises from the corner portion 4 substantially vertically. . Further, the impurity components other than tungsten and molybdenum are preferably as small as 0.1% by mass or less, and further 0.05% by mass or less. Typical impurity components are 0.01 wt% (100 wtppm) or less of iron, 0.04 wt% (400 wtppm) or less in total of other metal components, 0.01 wt% (100 wtppm) or less of oxygen, and 0. 01 wt% (100 wtppm) or less is preferable. It goes without saying that the smaller the impurity component, the better.

As the tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1 of the present invention, at least in particular its shape as long as it has a function as the crucible is not intended to be limited, for example, the corner portions 4 is the bottom as shown in FIG. 2 2 or the side wall 3 may be thicker, or the corner 4 may be bent at a substantially right angle as shown in FIG. 3, for example, or the side wall as shown in FIG. 3 may gradually expand from the bottom 2 toward the opening.

Tungsten Molybdenum sintered alloy 1-60 wt% tungsten, with the remainder being molybdenum. If tungsten is less than 1% by mass, there is no effect of adding tungsten, and if it exceeds 60% by mass, tungsten becomes too rich and the price increases. The preferable range of tungsten is 10 to 50% by mass, and further 15 to 35% by mass.
By adding tungsten, less 100μm average crystal grain size of the tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy since it is possible to suppress grain growth of molybdenum, and further can be reduced to 50μm or less. Since the grain growth can be suppressed, the high temperature strength of the crucible can be increased, and the life can be extended. Moreover, since the melting point of tungsten is 3400 ° C. and the melting point of molybdenum is 2620 ° C., which is a high melting point, the melting point can be higher than that of molybdenum alone, so that the high-temperature strength can be increased.

Measurement of the average crystal grain size is obtained by the line intercept method. That is, first, an enlarged photograph of a size of 500 μm × 500 μm is taken with respect to a cross section to be an individual measurement location of the tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1, and a straight line is arbitrarily drawn on the photograph, and a tungsten crystal or molybdenum crossing the straight line In addition to measuring the number of crystal grains, the grain size of each tungsten crystal or molybdenum crystal grain traversed by this straight line (the grain size at the portion where the straight line crosses, that is, the length of the straight line across the tungsten crystal or molybdenum crystal grain) is measured. To do.
An average value is obtained from 500 μm / number of crystal grains. This operation is performed for any three unit areas, and the average value is defined as the average crystal grain size.

  Further, the proportion of tungsten or molybdenum crystal grains having a crystal grain size of 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less is preferably 50% or more, more preferably 90% or more in terms of the number of particles. That is, the ratio of the number of particles having a particle size of 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less to the number of particles of the total particle size of crystal grains ((number of particles having a particle size of 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less) / (number of particles of all particles) × 100 [% ]) Is 50% or more.

Thus, by setting the ratio of crystal grains having a grain size of 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less to 50% or more, in other words, fine crystal grains having a grain size of less than 10 μm, or excessive crystal grains having a grain size exceeding 100 μm By reducing the variation in particle size as a whole, the high temperature strength, in particular, the high temperature strength of the corner portion connecting the bottom portion 2 and the side wall portion 3 can be improved.
Note that the crystal grains having a particle size of 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less that are contained by 50% or more do not necessarily have to be composed of a single particle size selected from 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less. If it is in the range of 100 μm or less, it can be composed of crystal grains having different particle diameters.
Further, the proportion of molybdenum crystal grains having a grain size of 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less is specifically set to an arbitrary 2 in the corner portion 4 where a molybdenum crystal grain having a large grain size is likely to be generated when manufactured by forging as a conventional example. It is obtained by averaging the proportion of molybdenum crystal grains having a particle size of 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less, which is calculated for a total of four measurement locations, that is, a location and any two locations in the sidewall portion 3 that are not.

  The proportion of crystal grains having a grain size of 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less at each measurement location is specifically determined by a line intercept method. That is, first, an enlarged photograph of a size of 500 μm × 500 μm is taken with respect to a cross-section as an individual measurement location of the molybdenum crucible 1, an arbitrary straight line is drawn on this photograph, and the number of molybdenum crystal grains that the straight line crosses is measured. At the same time, the grain size of each molybdenum crystal grain that the straight line crosses (the grain size at the part that the straight line crosses, that is, the length of the straight line that crosses the molybdenum crystal grain) is measured.

  Then, from the number of molybdenum crystal grains measured in this way and the number of molybdenum crystal grains having a grain size of 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less, the grain size at each measurement location is 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less by the above formula. The ratio of crystal grains can be obtained. Further, the proportion of crystal grains having a particle size of 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less at each measurement location (2 locations (corner portion 4) +2 locations (side wall portion 3), 4 locations in total)) thus obtained is further averaged. Thus, the ratio of tungsten crystal grains and molybdenum crystal grains having a final average grain size of 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less can be obtained.

Such tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1, the high-temperature strength, in particular a bottom 2 and the side wall portion 3 because of its excellent high-temperature strength of the corner portion connecting, a large size, 100 mm in particular inner diameter of the opening As described above, it can be suitably used for those having a thickness of 300 mm or more.

  The average grain size of the tungsten crystal and the molybdenum crystal grain is preferably 30 μm or more and 70 μm or less. Such an average particle diameter tends to be excellent in high temperature strength, in particular, high temperature strength of the corner portion connecting the bottom portion 2 and the side wall portion 3.

Although the thickness of the side wall part 3 and the corner part 4 may be the same or different, the corner part 4 becomes thicker than the side wall part 3 from the viewpoint of securing the high temperature strength of the corner part 4. For example, the ratio of the thickness of the corner 4 to the side wall 3 (the thickness of the corner 4 / the thickness of the side wall 3) is preferably 1.2 or more. If the thickness ratio is smaller than the above range, the effect of improving the high temperature strength of the corner 4 is not necessarily sufficient, and if it is within the above range, the high temperature strength of the corner 4 may be sufficient. can, this larger the contrary by weight of tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1 exceeds the undesirable because it may increase unnecessarily.

  Although the site | part which measures the thickness in the side wall part 3 and the corner | angular part 4 is not necessarily limited, Usually, about the side wall part 3, the height direction of the side wall part 3 as shown, for example by the wavy line 5 of FIG. The corner portion 4 is preferably a substantially intermediate portion, and the corner portion 4 is, for example, a portion connecting the substantially intermediate portions in the radial direction of the inner surface and the outer surface of the curved portion of the corner portion 4 as shown by a wavy line 6 in FIG. Preferably there is.

  The ratio of the average grain size of the corner 4 to the side wall 3 (average grain size of the corner 4 / average grain size of the side wall 3) is 0.8 or more and 1.2 or less. It is preferable that When the ratio of the average particle diameter is out of the above range, in any case, there is a large variation in the average particle diameter between the side wall part 3 and the corner part 4, and the high temperature strength may not be excellent. There is.

  In addition, the average particle diameter of the crystal grains of the side wall part 3 and the corner | angular part 4 is calculated | required by further averaging the average particle diameter of the molybdenum crystal grain calculated | required about two arbitrary measurement places, respectively specifically ,. . The average grain size of the crystal grains at each measurement location is determined by the line intercept method as described above.

  Although the measurement location of the average grain diameter of the molybdenum crystal grains in the side wall 3 and the corner 4 is not necessarily limited, for example, for the side wall 3, for example, the height of the side wall 3 as indicated by the wavy line 5 in FIG. It is preferable that it is a substantially middle part in the vertical direction. As for the corner 4, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the corner 4 is curved in an arc shape, it is preferably within the range of the arc-curved portion, and for example, as shown in FIG. 3. When the corner 4 is square, it is preferably within a range surrounded by the extended surface 2a of the inner surface of the bottom 2 and the extended surface 3a of the inner surface of the side wall 3 shown in FIG.

The density of the tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1 is 95% or more, more preferably 100% or less than 97%. Determination of density, tungsten specific gravity 19.3 g / cm ^3, molybdenum specific gravity 10.2 g / cm ^3, obtains the theoretical density from the weight ratio of tungsten molybdenum alloy. Next, an actual measurement value is obtained by the Archimedes method, and a density is obtained by (actual measurement value / theoretical density) × 100%.

Further, it is preferable that the oxygen distribution in a unit area of 500 μm × 500 μm is distributed more in the tungsten region than in the molybdenum region. One of the reasons why the life of a crucible is reduced is the “blister” phenomenon in which oxygen has entered the molybdenum crystal surface. When blistering occurs, the side wall and bottom are swollen and the crucible shape cannot be maintained. In some cases, there may be holes.
On the other hand, the amount of oxygen incorporated into the crystal is larger than that of the molybdenum crystal. Therefore, the presence of tungsten can reduce the amount of oxygen that advances to the crystal surface, thereby suppressing blistering.
The distribution of oxygen can be measured by color mapping of tungsten, molybdenum, and oxygen with EPMA. If a unit area of 500 μm × 500 μm can be measured at a time, the unit area may be measured, and if it is difficult to understand, the unit area may be reduced to a total of 500 μm × 500 μm.
As a result of color mapping, an average value of oxygen concentrations in the tungsten region and the molybdenum region is obtained.
Tungsten or molybdenum uses tungsten oxide or molybdenum oxide as a raw material for producing tungsten powder or molybdenum powder. Therefore, oxygen is easily mixed as impurities in the finished tungsten powder and molybdenum powder.
Since tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible of the present invention contains a predetermined amount of tungsten, oxygen can be incorporated into the tungsten crystal, it is possible to suppress occurrence of blisters during crucible use.

Such tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1 is preferably one sintering the tungsten and molybdenum powder, it is preferably not forged after sintering. Note that tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1 of the present invention is preferably not forged, for example, cutting or the like for adjusting the shape after sintering may also be performed.
Moreover, according to the sintering method, there are few restrictions on manufacturing like the conventional forging process regarding thickness, and what differs in thickness by the side wall part 3 and the corner | angular part 4 can be manufactured easily, for example, By making the corner 4 thicker than the side wall 3, the corner 4 can be excellent in high-temperature strength.

  Furthermore, when forging is performed, excessive crystal grains having a grain size exceeding 100 μm are likely to be generated due to stretching by pressing during processing, and particularly excessive crystal grains in a portion with a large processing amount such as the corner 4. However, by not performing forging after sintering, generation of such excessive crystal grains can be suppressed, and high temperature strength, particularly high temperature strength of the corner 4 can be suppressed. It can be made excellent. In particular, if excessive molybdenum crystal grains are formed, it tends to cause blistering. In addition, when forging is performed, residual distortion is likely to occur in the corners 4, thereby accelerating recrystallization during use at a high temperature and easily reducing the high temperature strength, but forging is not performed after the HIP treatment. By setting it as a thing, generation | occurrence | production of the residual distortion in the corner | angular part 4 can be suppressed, and thereby it can suppress recrystallization and can make it excellent in high temperature strength.

Next, a manufacturing method will be described. Method for producing a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible of the present invention is not particularly limited, the following can be listed as a method for obtaining a high yield.
Manufacturing method of the first tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible of the present invention, the bottom and the side wall portion and the bottomed cylindrical tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible having a top opening which is connected via a corner portion A manufacturing method for manufacturing, a mixing step of mixing tungsten powder and molybdenum powder, a forming step of producing a crucible-shaped formed body by CIP forming at a pressure of 1 ton / cm ² or more, and a hydrogen atmosphere in the formed body It comprises a first sintering step of sintering at a temperature of 1400 ° C. or higher and a second sintering step of sintering at a temperature of 2000 ° C. or higher in a reducing atmosphere.

First, a mixing process of mixing tungsten powder and molybdenum powder is performed. The tungsten powder preferably has an average particle size of 5 μm or less and an oxygen content of 0.1 wt% or less. The molybdenum powder preferably has an average particle size of 8 μm or less and an oxygen content of 0.1 wt% or less. Mix tungsten powder and molybdenum powder so that they are uniformly mixed. Further, the purity of the tungsten powder and the molybdenum powder is preferably a high purity powder of 99.9% or more.
Next, a forming step of producing a crucible-shaped formed body by CIP forming at a pressure of 1 ton / cm ² or more (98 MPa or more) is performed. CIP molding (hydrostatic press) is a method in which a mixed powder is packed in a flexible bag such as a rubber bag and molded by applying pressure with water or oil. The molding pressure is 1 ton / cm ² or more. When the molding pressure is less than 1 ton / cm ² , the density of the molded body becomes insufficient, and it is difficult to obtain a sintered body having a density of 95% or more. The upper limit of the molding pressure is not particularly limited, but is preferably 200 MPa or less.

Next, the 1st sintering process of sintering a molded object at the temperature of 1400 degreeC or more in hydrogen atmosphere is performed. The upper limit of the sintering temperature is preferably lower than the temperature of the second sintering step described later. The sintering time is preferably 8 hours or longer. A large-sized one having an inner diameter of 300 mm or more preferably has a sintering time of 1600 ° C. or more × 10 hours or more.
Next, a second sintering step is performed in which sintering is performed at a temperature of 2000 ° C. or higher in a reducing atmosphere or an inert atmosphere. Examples of the reducing atmosphere include a hydrogen atmosphere and a carbon monoxide atmosphere. The inert atmosphere is preferably argon. The sintering time is preferably 5 hours or more.
By performing the first sintering step and, if necessary, the second sintering step in a hydrogen atmosphere (or reducing atmosphere), oxygen in the sintered body that causes blistering can be removed.
After the sintering, it is possible to perform a cutting process for adjusting the shape as necessary.

Next, the manufacturing method of the 2nd tungsten molybdenum crucible 1 of this invention is demonstrated.
Second process for producing tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible, the bottom and the side wall portion and is for producing a bottomed cylindrical tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible having a top opening which is connected via a corner portion A mixing step of mixing tungsten powder and molybdenum powder, a forming step of forming the mixed powder into a crucible shape, and a HIP step of HIP processing at a pressure of 100 MPa or higher and 1300 ° C. or higher in an inert atmosphere , And.

The raw material tungsten powder and molybdenum powder are the same as in the first manufacturing method. Mix tungsten powder and molybdenum powder so that they are uniformly mixed.
Next, a forming step is performed for forming the mixed powder into a crucible shape. The molding method is not necessarily limited, and may be performed using, for example, a uniaxial mold press, or after being preformed using, for example, a uniaxial mold press, CIP (cold isostatic pressure using a rubber mold) Press). Moreover, it is preferable that a shaping | molding pressure shall be 50 MPa or more and 200 MPa or less, for example. When the molding pressure is smaller than the above range, for example, even if the HIP treatment is performed, it cannot be sufficiently densified, the high-temperature strength is not sufficient, and the density may not be sufficient. Further, when the molding pressure is larger than the above range, for example, the durability of the molding die may be lowered, which is not preferable.

In HIP treatment, a mixed powder of tungsten powder and molybdenum powder, or a molded product thereof is sealed and deaerated in a metal or glass container that can be coated even at high temperatures, and heated while isotropically pressurized through an inert atmosphere medium. In the sintering method, for example, the hot press is uniaxially pressed, and is isotropic pressed, so that a more homogeneous and dense sintered body can be obtained by low-temperature sintering.
The HIP process is performed in an inert atmosphere at a pressure of 100 MPa or higher and 1300 ° C. or higher. The inert atmosphere is preferably an argon atmosphere. The pressure is 100 MPa or more. If the pressure is less than 100 MPa, the density may decrease. The upper limit of the pressure is not particularly limited, but is preferably 500 MPa or less.

  Moreover, HIP temperature is 1300 degreeC or more. If it is less than 1300 degreeC, there exists a possibility that a density may fall. Although the upper limit of HIP temperature is not specifically limited, 2000 degrees C or less is preferable. The HIP time is preferably 3 hours or more and 10 hours or less.

Further, the HIP treatment, for example after pre-sintering so as to slightly lower density than previously theoretical density molded body, even the pre-sintered body as tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1 by HIP treatment Good. After thus pre presintering, be to HIP treatment, it is possible to obtain a more homogeneous density tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1.
Further, after the HIP process, it is possible to perform a cutting process for adjusting the shape as necessary.

Thus tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1 obtained by the metal evaporating vessel, the metal oxide dissolution vessel can be suitably used as a component of a manufacturing apparatus used at a high temperature, such as crystal manufacturing container In particular, it can be used for the production of a sapphire single crystal that is suitably used as a substrate material such as a GaN film-forming substrate for LEDs such as blue.

In the manufacture of a sapphire single crystal, for example, a raw material is put in a crucible and melted, a seed crystal made of a sapphire single crystal is brought into contact with this melt, and the single crystal is grown by pulling it up while rotating. Tungsten Molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1 of the present invention is suitably used as a crucible for containing a melt of such materials.

Specifically, for example, a lifting device having a bottomed cylindrical heating furnace having an open top and a lifting rod arranged so as to be inserted from above the heating furnace is used. A seed crystal is fixed to the lower tip side of the lifting rod. Further, tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1 is placed inside the bottom of the furnace in such a pulling apparatus.
In such pulling apparatus, first the aluminum oxide as a raw material for a sapphire single crystal tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1 was charged, to obtain a melt by melting. Thereafter, the seeding put lifting rod fixing the seed crystal tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 1 containing the melt. Thereafter, the pulling rod is pulled up while rotating to obtain a substantially cylindrical single crystal ingot which is a sapphire single crystal. Tungsten Molybdenum sintered alloy crucible of the present invention, since thereby improving the high temperature strength, dissolution temperature 2000 ° C. or more, more long life can be obtained even if the above 2200 ° C..

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples.
(Examples 1-3)
Mix and mix tungsten powder with a purity of 99.95% or more (average particle size 3 μm, impurity oxygen 0.1 wt%) and molybdenum powder with a purity 99.95% or more (average particle size 5 μm, impurity oxygen 0.1 wt%) A powder was prepared. CIP molding was performed at the pressures of Example 1 (100 MPa), Example 2 (120 MPa), and Example 3 (150 MPa) as the molding pressure.
Next, the first sintering process of Example 1 (1430 ° C. × 8 hours), Example 2 (1650 ° C. × 10 hours), and Example 3 (1550 ° C. × 11 hours) was performed in a hydrogen atmosphere. . The second sintering step is 2000 ° C. × 6 hours in argon atmosphere (Example 1), 2050 ° C. × 5 hours in hydrogen atmosphere (Example 2), and 2100 ° C. × 7 hours in hydrogen atmosphere (Example 3). went.
The resulting crucible was cut into the crucibles according to Examples 1 to 3.

The overall shape, the corner portion shape, the thickness of the tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible produced in each Example (the corners, the side wall portion) was as shown in Table 1. In other words, Le pot of Example 1 and 3, which corners as shown in FIG. 1 is curved in an arc shape be substantially the same thickness as the side wall, the side wall portion 3 rises from the corner 4 to a substantially vertical It was. Moreover, Le pot of Example 2, the corners as shown in FIG. 2 is assumed extremely thicker than the side wall portion. The crucible contained 0.02 wt% or less of impurity components other than tungsten and molybdenum.

(Comparative Example 1)
The same thing as Example 1 was prepared except having manufactured only by the molybdenum powder (average particle diameter of 5 micrometers, impurity oxygen 0.1 wt%) of purity 99.95% or more.
(Comparative Example 2)
The same thing as Example 1 was prepared except having changed the sintering conditions and making the average crystal grain size 1000 μm.

Regarding the crucibles according to Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the average crystal grain size, the ratio of crystal grains of 10 to 90 μm, the density, and the oxygen distribution in the tungsten crystal region and the molybdenum crystal region were examined.
The ratio of the average crystal grains and the crystal grains of 10 to 90 μm was obtained by a method using the above-described intercept method. Moreover, the density was calculated | required by ratio of the above-mentioned Archimedes method and theoretical density. Further, the oxygen distribution in the tungsten crystal region and the molybdenum crystal region was examined using EPMA. The results are shown in Table 2.

In Examples 1 to 3 were evaluated durability for Le pot of Comparative Examples 1 and 2. For evaluation of durability, first, a sapphire melt was put into a crucible and heat treatment was performed at 2000 ° C. for 120 hours and 200 hours, and the presence or absence of blistering of the crucible was visually confirmed. The results are shown in Table 3.

  As can be seen from the table, the crucible according to the present example showed excellent durability. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1 produced only with molybdenum, blistering occurred in 120 hours. In Comparative Example 2 having a large average particle diameter, small blisters were confirmed at 120 hours, and large blisters that could not be used at 200 hours were generated.

(Examples 4 to 6)
Mix and mix tungsten powder (average particle size 5μm, impurity oxygen 0.1wt%) with purity 99.97% or more and molybdenum powder (average particle size 7μm, impurity oxygen 0.1wt%) with purity 99.97% or more A powder was prepared. Next, as a molding step, CIP molding was performed at a pressure of 150 MPa.
The HIP treatment was performed at 120 MPa × 1340 ° C. × 4 hours in Example 4, 140 MPa × 1580 ° C. × 6 hours in Example 5, and 180 MPa × 1800 ° C. × 5 hours in Example 6. The resulting crucible was cut into the crucibles according to Examples 4 to 6.

Next, tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible of Examples 4-6 produced in this way was subjected to the same measurements as in Example 1. The results are also shown in Table 5.

  In Example 4, since the amount of tungsten was small, durability was lowered. Examples 5 to 6 showed excellent durability. For this reason, it can be said that the amount of tungsten is preferably 10% by mass or more.

(Examples 7 to 8)
A crucible having an enlarged size as shown in Table 6 was prepared.
Tungsten powder (purity 99.95% or more, average particle size 5 μm, impurity oxygen 0.03 wt%) and molybdenum powder (purity 99.95% or more, average particle size 3 μm, impurity oxygen 0.03 wt%) were prepared. .
In Example 7, it manufactured by performing the 2nd sintering process of 2070 degreeC x 8 hours in argon atmosphere after the 1st sintering of C700 pressure 170MPa and hydrogen atmosphere 1700 degreeC x 8 hours. In addition, Example 8 was manufactured by performing a second sintering step of 2050 ° C. × 9 hours in an argon atmosphere after first sintering at 1800 ° C. × 7 hours in a hydrogen atmosphere at a CIP pressure of 170 MPa.

  Even if the crucible size was increased to an inner diameter of 300 mm or more, further 400 mm or more, a crucible showing excellent durability was obtained. For this reason, when manufacturing a syphic single crystal, the crucible can be replaced for a long time, so that the manufacturing efficiency is improved.

1 ... Tungsten Molybdenum sintered alloy crucible 2 ... bottom 3 ... side wall portion 4 ... corners

Claims (12)

A bottomed cylindrical tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible having an upper open portion in which a bottom portion and a side wall portion made of a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy made of 1 to 60% by mass of tungsten and the remaining molybdenum are connected via a corner portion. Because
Tungsten molybdenum firing characterized in that the average crystal grain size is 30 to 70 μm, the proportion of crystal grains having a crystal grain size of 10 μm to 100 μm is 50% or more and the oxygen content is 0.01% by mass or less in terms of the number of particles. Combined gold crucible.   The crucible made of a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy according to claim 1, wherein the crucible has an inner diameter of 100 mm or more in an open portion.   The crucible made of a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the crucible has a relative density of 95% or more.   The crucible made of a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tungsten is made of a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy comprising 10 to 50% by mass of the remaining molybdenum.   The crucible made of a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein oxygen distribution in a unit area of 500 µm × 500 µm is distributed more in the tungsten region than in the molybdenum region.   The crucible made of a tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the side wall portion and the corner portion have different thicknesses.   7. The tungsten-molybdenum sintered alloy product according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of an average grain size of the corner portion to the side wall portion is 0.8 or more and 1.2 or less. Crucible.   The crucible made of a tungsten-molybdenum sintered alloy according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the crucible is used to contain a raw material melt for producing a sapphire single crystal. It is a bottomed cylindrical shape having an open top part in which the bottom part and the side wall part are connected via a corner part, and the proportion of crystal grains having an average crystal grain size of 30 to 70 μm and a crystal grain size of 10 to 100 μm is the number of particles. A production method for producing a crucible made of tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy having an oxygen content of 0.01% by mass or less and a relative density of 95% or more,
A mixing step of mixing so that the tungsten powder is 1 to 60% by mass and the balance is a molybdenum powder;
A molding step of molding the mixed powder into a crucible shape;
A HIP process in which an HIP process is performed at a pressure of 100 MPa or higher and 1300 ° C. or higher in an inert atmosphere;
A method for producing a crucible made of a sintered tungsten molybdenum alloy.   10. The method for producing a crucible made of tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy according to claim 9, wherein the average particle size of the tungsten powder is 5 μm or less and the average particle size of the molybdenum powder is 8 μm or less.   11. The tungsten molybdenum sintered alloy crucible production according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the tungsten powder has an oxygen content of 0.1 mass% or less, and the molybdenum powder has an oxygen content of 0.1 mass% or less. Method. A method for producing a sapphire single crystal comprising producing a sapphire single crystal by crystal growth from a raw material melt,
A method for producing a sapphire single crystal, wherein the crucible made of a sintered tungsten molybdenum alloy according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is used as a crucible for charging the melt of the raw material.

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