A mercury-dispensing device is disclosed that includes a mercury dispenser
comprising an intermetallic compound including mercury and a second metal
selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, and mixtures
thereof; and a promoter that comprises copper, tin and at least a third
metal selected among the rare earth elements. A getter material selected
among titanium, zirconium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium and mixtures
thereof, and alloys of these metals with nickel, iron or aluminum can be
included in the device. The mercury dispenser, promoter and optional
getter material are provided preferably in the form of powders compressed
as a pellet, or contained in a ring-shaped metallic support or rolled on
the surfaces of a metallic strip. Also disclosed is a process for
introducing mercury into electron tubes by making use of the
above-mentioned mercury-dispensing devices.