Corrosivity of Cesium

Cesium used as a propellant for ion engines was evaluated for compatibility with container materials. These studies were directed toward the corrosive effects on the materials of containment as well as the extent of propellant contamination by the corrosion reactions. The exposures were made in both liquid and vapor environments at a temperature of 400 C for 500 hours. From this investigation a number of alloys were selected that had adequate corrosion resistance. A preponderance of evidence indicated that the chief reaction was oxidation-reduction between cesium oxide in the cesium and the metals under test.