| Abstract Scope |
The physicochemical properties, viscosity, density and surface tension, are critical properties of liquid metals and alloys. These properties are needed for thermodynamics, solidification modelling, and materials properties databases. The Discharge Crucible method (DC) developed in 2003 has been used to measure and report these properties for a wide range of liquid metals and alloys, including Sb, Sn, Zn, Al, Al-Cu, Sb-Sn, Sn-Ag, and AZ91D. The results are compared with published data and models that are proposed to predict these property values. This method is based on a mathematical formulation that predicts the velocity of a stream draining from an orifice. The viscous losses are calculated using a discharge coefficient equation and the gas-liquid surface tension is determined using the Young-Laplace overpressure induced in the jet. The model and experiments will be described along with the effect of nozzle shapes on the distribution of forces in the DC method, including the effect of wetting of the orifice. The aim is to define the optimal nozzle design for a good distribution of forces throughout a draining experiment. |