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oa Platinum Group Alloy Containers for Radioisotopic Heat Sources
Thermoelectric Generators Power Spacecraft Instruments
- Source: Platinum Metals Review, Volume 23, Issue 3, Jul 1979, p. 100 - 108
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- 01 Jan 1979
Abstract
The conversion of heat energy, resulting from the decay of plutonium-238 dioxide, to electrical energy for spacecraft requires alloys capable of containing the isotopic fuel at temperatures up to about 2000°C and of withstanding impact velocities of 90 metres per second. The development and properties of a platinum-30 per cent rhodium-8 per cent tungsten and an iridium-0.3 per cent tungsten alloy doped with 40 ppm each of thorium and aluminium, which meet the stringent service requirements, are reviewed.
© Johnson Matthey