Degradation factors of a new long-life cathode

Since 2002, an accelerated life test has launched for a new long-life cathode at four different temperatures (1050°C, 1090°C, 1130°C and 1170°C) and fixed current density (2A/cm
²
) in IECAS. According to the relationship between the cathode life and operating temperatures, an accelerated equation has been set up. The cathode life at normal operating temperature is deducted based on results of the accelerated life test by using the accelerated equation. The results show that life of the novel cathodes exceeds 150,000 hour at 960°C with a current density of 2A/cm
²
[1].