Initiation of degradation in polycrystalline sodium-beta alumina electrolytes

Conference · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:6610014

De Jonghe, L C; Feldman, L; Buechele, A

Sodium-beta alumina solid electrolytes degrade during use in sodium sulfur cells. The degradation can take two forms: Mode I degradation involving the rapid propagation of macroscopic cracks driven by cathodic deposition of sodium in them; and Mode II degradation involving a slow degradation due to electron injection from the Na/..beta.. alumina contact. The initiation stage of Mode I is the most important one since cracks propagate rapidly once they are formed. The significance of the local microstructure on the Mode I initiation is discussed. It appears that grain boundaries can be favorable sites for Mode I failure initiation.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA); California Univ., Berkeley (USA). Dept. of Materials Science and Mineral Engineering
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6610014
• Report Number(s): LBL-11000; CONF-8009134-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360102* -- Metals & Alloys-- Structure & Phase Studies
ALKALI METALS
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COATING
CRYSTAL DEFECTS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DEPOSITION
DEPOSITS
ELECTROCHEMICAL COATING
ELECTROLYTES
ELEMENTS
FAILURES
METALS
MICROSTRUCTURE
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SODIUM
SODIUM ALLOYS
SOLID ELECTROLYTES
STRESSES
SURFACE COATING