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(11) | EP 0 157 634 A3 |
(12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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(54) | Tungsten-iridium impregnated cathode |
(57) Porous agglomerates (14) are made from pure tungsten by sintering fine particles
together and mechnically breaking down the mass to form some agglomerates (14) considerably
larger than the particles. These agglomerates (14) are mixed with fine iridium powder
(18) and sintered to form a porous mass. The mass is machined to the cathode shapes
(10') and impregnated with an alkaline earth aluminate (18). The large agglomerates
(14) alloy with the iridium only on their outer surface. Their pure tungsten interior
provides the surfaces to reduce the alkaline earth oxide to the metal which activates
the cathode.
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