Decarburization of an Iron-Nickel-Cobalt Glass Sealing Alloy

A study was made of the decarburization of an Fe-Ni-Co glass sealing alloy in wet hydrogen and its effect on glass-to-metal sealing. Rods of this alloy were decarburized in wet hydrogen, and the decarburization process was found to be controlled by a diffusion mechanism where D_o= 8.5 × 10^-3 cm² per second and Q = 25.6 kcal per mole. The decarburized rods were then sealed with glass and the effects of the various decarburization treatments on glass-to-metal sealing were observed. These effects are described, and a decarburization schedule for production is suggested.