Abstract: An adherent layer comprising elemental titanium, optionally in combination with another metal such as copper, is deposited on a substrate, preferably of alumina or aluminum nitride, and serves as a base for a further conductive coating which may be applied by electroless or electrolytic deposition. The adherent layer is applied by contacting the substrate with a mixture of the elemental metal(s) and a substantially anhydrous salt composition, preferably an equimolar mixture of potassium chloride and sodium chloride; heating at a temperature and for a time sufficient to melt said salt composition; and removing said salt composition, preferably by water washing.

Abstract: A sodium-sulfur cell is disclosed herein along with a method of constructing its sulfur electrode. The cell includes means containing a supply of sodium, an elongated housing joined at one end with sodium containing means, a beta-alumina electrolyte tube located within and extending from the joined end of the housing so as to define a compartment within the housing around the tube. A mixture including sulfur and an electrically conductive filler is disposed within the compartment and forms the cells sulfur electrode. In constructing this electrode, sufficient space is initially provided within the cell compartment around the beta-alumina electrolyte tube to allow for expansion of the sulfur when the latter converts from its solidified state during initial storage to its molten state during operation of the cell, thereby minimizing the possibility of damage to the electrolyte tube as a result of this expansion.

Abstract: A composite sulfur electrode container is described which comprises an outer metallic casing portion readily corroded by liquid sulfur and polysulfides, a metallic foil portion substantially corrosion resistant to liquid sulfur and polysulfides bonded to the inner surface of the outer metallic casing portion, and a layer portion of chromium bonded to the opposite surface of the foil portion, the chromium layer portion containing in excess of sixty weight percent chromium. A method is described for making a composite sulfur electrode container.

Abstract: A plurality of sulfur electrode container constructions characterized by mild steel containers and discrete anticorrosive liners disposed within the containers and method of manufacturing each.

Abstract: Novel assembly method and sodium/sulfur battery prepared thereby are provided whereby, in a preformed sulfur compartment, the sulfur electrode is prepared in situ, providing for graduated resistance from the beta-alumina electrolyte to the container wall. The method employs providing for a high resistance conductor as a relatively thin sheet adjacent the beta-alumina electrolyte and a conductive sulfur electrolyte extending from the high resistance conductor to the container wall, whereby the electrolyte is composed of sulfur and small carbon fibers. Conveniently, the high resistance film is positioned adjacent the beta-alumina electrolyte and appropriate amounts of the carbon fiber are introduced into the electrolyte chamber, followed by the addition of molten sulfur.

Abstract: Molten sodium is filled into a reservoir insert container including a closed ended tubular portion and the sodium is solidified and the container sealed. Then the container is placed into the sodium compartment of a sodium sulfur cell so that the tubular portion extends into the electrolytic separator tube of the cell and is spaced apart therefrom forming an annular chamber. To activate the cell, the sodium is melted and an opening is formed in the insert container permitting flow of molten sodium from the container into the thus-formed chamber.

Abstract: An improved method and means for allowing a sodium sulfur cell to become more fully charged employs a wrapping of a plain-woven natural fabric reduced in a vacuum furnace to carbon. The wrapping of woven carbon is interposed between a sulfurous electrolyte and the outside surface of a sodium electrolyte container.

Abstract: A sulfur electrode is described which includes a sulfur-carbon plug with a central aperture extending partially therethrough, and at least one layer of an electronically insulating plain woven mesh material positioned within the central aperture and having its exterior surface in contiguous relation with the wall of the central aperture. A sulfur electrode container includes the above sulfur electrode positioned within an outer metallic casing which is substantially corrosion resistant to liquid sulfur and polysulfides. Methods are also described for making sulfur electrode containers.

Abstract: A plurality of sulfur electrode container constructions characterized by mild steel containers and discrete anti-corrosive liners disposed within the containers and method of manufacturing each.

Abstract: A cathode cell casing and a hermetically sealed sodium-sulfur cell are disclosed. The metallic cathode cell casing is made of one of several specific metals. The cell casing includes also an opposed anode cell casing portion joined to a ring supporting an inner casing of a solid sodium ion-conductive material. A hermetically sealed sodium-sulfur cell has the above type of casing with a sodium negative electrode in the inner casing and a positive electrode of sulfur in conductive material in the cathode casing portion surrounding the inner casing. A high resistance electrical wire is positioned within the inner casing, contacts its closed end and extends to and contacts the interior surface of the anode casing portion.

Abstract: Improved sodium-sulfur batteries are provided by enhancing the utilization of active positive-electrode material. In sodium-sulfur batteries, employing a liquid sodium electrode separated from a liquid sulfur electrode by a solid .beta.-alumina electrolyte separator, where the sulfur is impregnated in an electronically conducting matrix such as porous carbon, enhanced utilization of active electrode material is achieved during the charging-discharging cycling by enhancing the electronic resistivity adjacent the .beta.-alumina in the sulfur electrode. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, particularly employing porous carbon of higher resistivity adjacent the .beta.-alumina as compared to the porous carbon distant from the .beta.-alumina.