A STUDY OF CESIUM VAPOR ATTACK ON THERMIONIC CONVERTER CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
>The rate of attack by cesium vapor on a number of ceramic, metallic and metal-ceramic seal materials considered for possible use in the construction of cesium vapor thermionic converters was studied to obtain data on which to select attack resistant materials for use in current thermionic converter work and to determine where concerted effort was needed and should be placed in more extensive attack rate experiments to follow. A description is given of a test vessel having an integral cesium source in which the attack experiments were conducted, as well as the processing and testing procedures that were followed. A considerable variation of attack rates was observed for various commercial and proprietary ceramic bodies between 600 and 900 deg C. What appears to be an anomalous variation in the attack rate with temperature was also observed for certain ceramic bodies. Photomicrographs are presented showing the results of attack on a variety of metallic materials of interest at 900 deg C along with similar results on representative active-alloy metal-- ceramic seals. A brief description will be given of a program that is under way to investigate those areas determined to be in need of additional study, along with any pertinent early results obtained. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co., Schenectady, N.Y.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-027965
- OSTI ID:
- 4714066
- Journal Information:
- Advanced Energy Conversion, Journal Name: Advanced Energy Conversion Vol. Vol: 3
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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