Baffles sample problem

One problem in particular attracted him. It was baffling a number of the research workers. They were trying to make a tungsten wire which would not break so easily in an electric light bulb. Hundreds of samples of this wire had already been prepared, but only three of them showed no weakness. Most of the wires were short-lived, once an electric current was passed through them. 

Clearly it is essential that the sample, any volatile species, and any reactive atmosphere not react with the sample holder or other components with which they may come in contact. This is seldom an issue with polymers however, the interaction of phosphorous containing polymers with platinum above 900 °C is one exception. Condensation of volatile products on the suspension in cooler portions of the furnace may be avoided by using a sufficient gas flow or longer hot zone. The flow pattern of the atmosphere, the baffling, and the thermobalance configuration all affect the likelihood of such a problem. 

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