Originally Posted by daft batty (Post 5628950)

I wrote the introduction to a book once. On CT scanners though not on rhenium - but I could have mentioned it as there is some rhenium in an x-ray tube.........

Originally Posted by steve666 (Post 5629344)

An additive to tungsten. It says here.

Originally Posted by daft batty (Post 5629599)

I know this. Makes em last longer. Cant remember why. Heat and stuff and bombardment I shouldnt wonder

Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 5629713)

A 5% rhenium 95% tungsten mix as target for the electrons in an X-ray source is much more resistant to cracking. This is because the cubic body centred crystalline form of tungsten is modified by the hexagonal tendency of rhenium to produce an alloy with greater overall stability.

I think.;)

Originally Posted by steve666 (Post 5629898)

How did they reach a figure of 5%? Luck? Just inquisitive.

Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 5629910)

Yea, just plain dumb luck. (Also rhenium is bloody expensive).

Originally Posted by steve666 (Post 5629946)

I was going to mention the expensive bit, you can imagine the scientist, "Add 20% rhenium and see what happens." No? didn't work? Ok add 50%. Still doesn't work? What? We don't have any more rhenium? Well buy some more! HOW MUCH!!! Ok, buy enough for 5% and have done with it."

The opposite is true of course with a gallium plutonium mix.

Originally Posted by steve666 (Post 5629898)

How did they reach a figure of 5%? Luck? Just inquisitive.

Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 5629961)

Pl****ium is bound to attract attention from Echalon: on your head be it. If asked, we have never met.

Originally Posted by steve666 (Post 5629975)

But we haven't. Really.

Originally Posted by daft batty (Post 5629974)

I thought it was 10%

Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 5629983)

Although that could change. I have to be in Oddawa in February for a week (17th -24th?). If there is less than 5 metres of snow at the time, we could grab a beer or several?

Maybe Souv too?

Originally Posted by steve666 (Post 5629991)

Sounds good to me. I may be in the UK but hoping it's going to be earlier or preferably not at all.

Originally Posted by daft batty (Post 5629974)

I thought it was 10%