Molybdenum disilicide ceramic composite infrared radiation source or heating source

摘要

In an infrared radiation source containing hot-pressed molybdenum disilicide reinforced with silicon carbide whiskers as the illuminant thereof, terminal portions of the illuminant having a protective dense silica film of 5 to 20 mu m in thickness formed on the surface thereof which portions are to be heated at a temperature of 400 to 800 DEG C. are either set to have a current density of at most 12 A/mm2 or disposed in dry air having a relative humidity at 25 DEG C. of at most 30% (absolute humidity: 0.00588). As a result, the low-temperature oxidation phenomenon that would otherwise be developed in the terminal portions of the illuminant is suppressed. Thus, there can be obtained an infrared radiation source containing an illuminant made of molybdenum disilicide reinforced with silicon carbide whiskers and having a long serviceable life span.