X-Ray tube and method of manufacture

An x-ray generating apparatus comprising:

• an integral housing forming a vacuum enclosure, wherein at least a portion of the integral housing comprises:
• a mixture of metallic components;
• and
• a powder substantially comprising chromium, wherein the powder and the mixture of metallic components are combined to form the portion of the integral housing, and wherein the powder and the mixture of metallic components together limit the amount of x-radiation that is able to pass through the portion of the integral housing to a predetermined level, and wherein a surface of the portion of the integral housing is heated in a wet hydrogen environment such that the powder disposed on the surface is converted to an oxide of chromium;
• an anode assembly having a rotating anode with a target portion, the rotating anode being disposed within the vacuum enclosure;
• and
• a cathode assembly, disposed within the vacuum enclosure, having an electron source capable of emitting electrons that strike the target portion to generate x-rays which are released through a window formed through a side of the integral housing.

A method of manufacturing an x-ray tube component for use in an x-ray generating apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

• mixing three or more metallic powders to form a metallic powder mixture, at least one of the metallic powders substantially comprising chromium;
• forming the metallic powder mixture into a predetermined shape of the x-ray tube component, the x-ray tube component having a surface;
• and
• heating the x-ray tube component in a wet hydrogen environment to convert the chromium present at or near the surface of the x-ray tube component into an oxide of chromium.