Surface electrical conductivity of single crystal spinel in cesium vapor. Final report

Technical Report · Sun Apr 02 00:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:350681

Agnew, P; Ing, J L

The operation of a thermionic fuel element (TFE) requires the maintenance of good electrical resistance between the anode and cathode, and between the electrodes and the TFE body. A program of research was established as part of the TOPAZ International Program (TIP) with the purpose of investigating the degradation of TFE electrical insulators. The major emphasis of this research has been on the interactions of oxide ceramics with cesium (Cs) vapor, and the resurfacing decrease of surface resistivity. Previous work has studied the surface electrical conductivity of sapphire exposed to Cs. In this report the authors describe the results of an experimental investigation of the surface electrical conductivity of single crystal magnesium aluminate spinel at temperatures ranging from 573K to 923K, in the presence of cesium vapor at pressures up to 1 Torr. The interest in spinel has arisen in view of its apparent resistance to radiation damage.

• Research Organization: AEA Technology PLC, Materials and Chemistry Div., Didcot (United Kingdom)
• OSTI ID: 350681
• Report Number(s): AD-A-360059/XAB; CNN: Contract F61708-95-C-0002; TRN: 91310261
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: 2 Apr 1995
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
21 NUCLEAR POWER REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
CESIUM
ELECTRODES
THERMIONIC FUEL ELEMENTS
TOPAZ REACTOR
ELECTRICAL INSULATORS
SPINELS
CERAMICS
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems