STUDIES OF THERMIONIC MATERIALS FOR SPACE POWER APPLICATIONS. Quarterly Progress Report, September 1, 1963-November 30, 1963

Technical Report · Fri Feb 28 04:00:00 EST 1964

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4084302· OSTI ID:4084302

Isostatic-pressing techniques using reversible gels as the pressing medium were studied for improving the uniformity in density and structure of UC-- ZrC bodies. Control of powder-size fraction was studied as a means for controlling the pore distribution. Control of the carbon content by thermal treatment in a mixture of H/sub 2/ and hydrocarbon was also studied. Near stoichiometric 30 UC--70 ZrC powder was prepared by gas-metal reaction. Assembly of an apparatus for study of the thermochemical vapor-deposition of tungsten is near completion. The vaporization and fission product release rates of a hot- pressed high-density 30 UC -70 ZrC sample were measured from 1800 to 2000 deg C. A low-pressure gas adsorption apparatus was set up for measuring the true surface area of UC-ZrC samples. The cell used for the study of fission product diffusion through tungsten was fabricated. Samples are being prepared for fuel-clad compatibility and refractory-metal interdiffusion studies. Diffusion-emission studies were made on a rhenium-clad UC sample at 1800 deg C. The molybdenum pedestal of the loading device of a high-temperature mechanical testing furnace was modified. Thermionic emission microscopy showed that areas of high work function can co-exist with betteremitting UO/sub 2/ dispersions on the surface of a W-UO/sub 2/ cermet at 1650 deg C. Life-testing cells for fueled cesium converters using planar, as well as cylindrical fueled emitters were designed. The cylindrical configuration was favored, since a reliable cylindrical cell envelope was developed. (auth)

• Research Organization: General Atomic Div., General Dynamics Corp., San Diego, Calif.
• NSA Number: NSA-18-014363
• OSTI ID: 4084302
• Report Number(s): GA-4874
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ADSORPTION
CARBON
CERMETS
CESIUM
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONFIGURATION
CONTROL
CONVERSION
DEGASSING
DENSITY
DIFFUSION
DISPERSIONS
DISTRIBUTION
EFFICIENCY
EMISSION
FISSION PRODUCTS
FUEL CANS
FUEL ELEMENTS
FURNACES
HEAT TREATMENTS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HOT WORKING
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
LAYERS
MACHINE PARTS
MEASURED VALUES
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
MICROSCOPY
MIXING
MOLYBDENUM
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
POROSITY
POWDERS
POWER
PREPARATION
PRESSURE
REFRACTORIES
RHENIUM
SAMPLING
SPACE FLIGHT
SURFACES
THERMIONICS
THICKNESS
TUNGSTEN
URANIUM CARBIDES
URANIUM DIOXIDE
USES
VAPORS
ZIRCONIUM CARBIDES