Barrier Layers Based on Refractory Metals Contacting High-Temperature Thermoelements

Abstract

An electrochemical method is proposed for the forming of contacts to high-temperature thermoelements with barrier layers based on refractory-metal alloys. The contacts are destined for thermoelements with operating temperatures up to 900 K. The barrier layers have specific resistance of no more than 15.3 × 10⁻⁸ Ω m and specific contact resistance of no more than 1.5 × 10⁻⁹ Ω m². The best results were obtained for barrier layers based on Mo–Ni alloy with a Mo content of 36.5 wt %. Ag films obtained by electrochemical deposition were used as a commutation layer in the contacts. The contacts were shown to be thermally stable at the limiting operating temperatures of the thermoelements and have an adhesive strength of at least 10.3 MPa.