AGING EFFECTS IN LA-NI-MN TRITIDES

Aging effects on LaNi5-xMnx tritides (0 less than or equal to x less t han or equal to 2) stored at room temperature have been investigated f or 3-5 years. Almost ail helium generated in the compounds by tritium decay was retained in the solid. Helium-induced changes in tritium P-C isotherms were observed: lowering of plateau pressure and reduction o f storage capacity. These aging effects can be reversed, at least for younger tritides, by heating at 300-380 degrees C. Thermal desorption experiments performed on aged LaNi4Mn samples showed that helium relea se from older samples occurs at lower temperatures.