The base metal of the oxide-coated cathode

The present paper aims at explaining the operation of the base metal through a review. After a brief introduction, the notion of activator is detailed along with their diffusivities and their associated interfacial compounds. Then, the different cathode life models are described prior to few comments on the composition choice of a base metal. Finally, the specificities of the RCA/Thomson “bimetal” base metal are presented with a discussion on the optimized composition choice illustrated by a long-term life-test of five different melts.