Mitsubishi Metal Corporation

Kunio Kuramochi

Kenichi Hijikata

Masashi Komabayashi

A thermoelectric element comprises a first layer of a p-type iron silicide, and a second layer of an n-type iron silicide. The first and second layers are joined together to form a pn junction therebetween. An insulating layer of an oxide is interposed between the first and second layers at portions thereof other than the pn junction. The oxide forming the insulating layer consists essentially of 38.0-50% by weight SiO.sub.2, 0.1-10.0% by weight B.sub.2 O.sub.3, and the balance of MgO and inevitable impurities. In manufacturing the thermoelectric element, one of a powder of the p-type iron silicide and a powder of the n-type iron silicide, a powder of the insulating layer-forming oxide, which may be in the form of a sheet, and the other of the powder of the p-type iron silicide and the powder of the n-type iron silicide are charged into a hot pressing mold in the mentioned order, whereby a laminated body is formed within the mold. The laminated body is hot pressed into a sintered body, which is then heated treated in the atmosphere.

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Ohmiya, Japan

Kunio Kuramochi