Changing of the Structure of the Contact Region of Thermoelectric Materials on the Basis of Bismuth Telluride at Elevated Temperatures
Destruction of the thermoelectric material on the basis of bismuth telluride under high temperatures, which prevents the use of these materials for a direct conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy, are revealed. Mechanisms of the occurring process are proposed. It is shown that the industrial technology of spark cutting leads to appearance of the damaged layer, which facilitates the penetration of solder into the volume of the thermoelectric material in subsequent soldering of thermoelements.