Process for the sorption of residual gas by means of a non-evaporated barium getter alloy

A process for the sorption of residual gas in a vessel by a non-evaporated barium getter comprising the steps of:

• i) comminuting an alloy of Ba.sub.1-x A.sub.x Li.sub.4-y B.sub.y to particles in the absence of reactive gases to produce a particulate alloy;
• and
• ii) placing the particulate alloy in the vessel;
• and
• iii) providing a partially evacuated atmosphere within the vessel to produce an evacuated vessel;
• and
• iv) exposing the particulate alloy to the residual gas at a temperature less than 150.degree. C., and absorbing the residual gas without vaporizing the particulate alloy wherein,
• "A" is a metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, and strontium;
• and
• "B" is a metal selected from the group consisting of boron, aluminum and magnesium;
• and
• "x" has a value from zero to 0.8;
• and
• "y" has a value from zero to 3.5.

A process for the sorption of residual gas in a vessel by a non-evaporated barium getter comprising the steps of:

• i) comminuting an alloy of BaLi.sub.4 to particles in the absence of reactive gas to produce a particulate alloy;
• and
• ii) placing the particulate alloy in the vessel;
• and
• iii) providing a partially evacuated atmosphere within the vessel to produce an evacuated vessel;
• and
• iv) exposing the particulate alloy to the residual gas at a temperature of less than 150.degree. C., and absorbing the residual gas without vaporizing the particulate alloy.

A process for the sorption of residual gas at temperatures less than 150.degree. C. in a closed vessel by contacting the residual gas with a particulate alloy of Ba .sub.1-x A .sub.x Li .sub.4-y B .sub.y, wherein:

• the particulate alloy has a particle size less than 5 mm;
• and sorption of residual gas without vaporizing the particulate alloy;
• and
• "A" is a metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, and strontium;
• and
• "B" is a metal selected from the group consisting of boron, aluminum, and magnesium;
• and
• "x" has a value from zero to 0.8;
• and
• "y" has a value from zero to 3.5.