The americium oxalate is then calcinated in a platinum boat. It is first dried in a furnace at 150 °C (302 °F) and then heated to 350 °C (662 °F). When decomposition begins to occur, the oxalate will turn into the desired black americium dioxide; to ensure no oxalate remains in the newly forming dioxide, the oven temperature is increased and held at 800 °C (1,470 °F) then slowly allowed to cool to room temperature.[1]