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it happened during manufacture

Stu is right on target as usual. If interested there are sources describing various whole processes in tube manufacture: Bernie Majors has written extensively from the WECO perspective. RCA makes clear the complexities of tube making in a one page display often found in their RC tube manuals. It shows all the various elements (chemicals, minerals, metals) that can go into a tube. I think their usual visual suspect was 6L6 in all its beam power glory. The transmitter tube manuals (like RCA TT-5 etc) show other examples. I wonder sometimes how control happened using an oven with a hyrdrogen atmosphere for example. I believe your tube had the mica tear during manufacture. As to affecting operation it is nothing. Note: you will notice higher quality (meaning will take higher powers and mechanical shocks in stride) tubes in the transmitting and defense area use ceramic spacers rather than mica. Mica though relatively cheap and abundant can and does outgas during operation even after manufacture: pumping, RF heating of plate, electron bombardment of plate, and gettering. It it goes in a warhead it gets ceramic and Nonex type glasses. If it goes in a radio or tv it gets mica. By the way, the TT-5 Transmitting Tubes manual of tubes with inputs under 5KW has been reprinted. Antique has them - tubesandmore dot com. There is a section under each tube group that clearly and succinctly describes operation and application. Though not a text book per se this is a good way to delve into the "whys" more if you are interested in learning more about tubes and their operation. Also highly recommended is The Radiotron Designers Handbook. I wish someone would undertake to republish this work. RCA put their name on it but credit really should to to Amalgamated Wireless of Australia. Whatever, it is just terrific as a handbook for tube guys and gals. The RDH is a superb teacher for the teach yourself bunch.


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