Improvements in scandate powder synthesis

We study the effect on emission and life of variations in: 1) tungsten oxidation; 2) scandia concentration; 3) sintering temperature; 4) tungsten particles size. Both L-L and L-S powders were studied. Over 32 powders were synthesized, over 100 cathodes were emission tested, 80 of which received life testing. Many were tested for mechanical strength. In addition, 115 SEM/EDS tests were performed on the surface and cross-sections of sintered cathode matrices.