A METHOD OF FORMING AN ALLOY COMPRISING TWO REFRACTORY METALS, PARTICULARLY W AND TA AND X-RAY ANODE COMPRISING SUCH ALLOY AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME.

摘要

An alloy comprising at least two refractory metals and a method for forming such alloy are proposed. In the alloy, a first refractory metal such as tantalum forming a minor portion of the alloy is completely dissolved in a second refractory metal such as tungsten forming a major portion of the alloy. The alloy may be formed by providing the two refractory metals in a common crucible (step S1), melting both refractory metals by application of an electron beam (step S2), mixing the molten refractory metals (step S3) and solidifying the melt (step S4). Due to the possible complete mixing of the refractory metal components in a molten state, improved material properties of the solidified alloy may be achieved. Furthermore, due to the use of tantalum instead of rhenium together with tungsten, a cheap and resistant refractory metal alloy may be produced, which alloy may be used for example for forming a focal track region of an X-ray anode.