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U.S. Department of Energy
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EXPERIMENTAL METHOD OF PRODUCING POROUS TUNGSTEN FOR ION ROCKET ENGINES

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4064175
The results of a preliminary program to investigate the effects of particle size and sintering temperature on the porosity of tungsten ionizers are presented. Tungsten powders of 1, 10, and 20 microns average particle size were sintered at 2250 to 2900 deg F. Results of metallographic examiniation and nitrogen-flow tests on disks representing various combinations of particle size and sintering temperature are discussed. A method of producing thin porous tungsten platelets with a known porosity is reported. Platelets manufactured by this method have successfully operated in an experimental ion engine. (auth)
Research Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Lewis Research Center, Cleveland
NSA Number:
NSA-15-022667
OSTI ID:
4064175
Report Number(s):
NASA-TN-D-864
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English