How surface tension is measured for molten metals?

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SUMMARY

The measurement of surface tension in molten metals can be effectively conducted using several methods, including the pendant-drop approach, maximum bubble pressure method, and electrostatic levitation of oscillating droplets. The pendant-drop method, referenced in the work of J. Tille and J.C. Kelly (1963), is noted for its historical significance but is considered less accurate. The consensus among experimentalists favors the electrostatic levitation technique, as discussed in the research by I. Egry et al. (1995), which allows for precise characterization in microgravity environments. Additionally, the sessile drop method, while previously utilized, is criticized for its inaccuracies.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of surface tension measurement techniques
  • Familiarity with the pendant-drop method
  • Knowledge of electrostatic levitation principles
  • Basic concepts of microgravity effects on fluid dynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the electrostatic levitation method for measuring surface tension
  • Study the pendant-drop approach and its limitations in accuracy
  • Explore the maximum bubble pressure method for surface tension analysis
  • Investigate the mathematical modeling of sessile drops for interfacial tension calculations
USEFUL FOR

Researchers in materials science, physicists studying fluid dynamics, and experimentalists focused on the properties of molten metals will benefit from this discussion.

ORF
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Hello

How the surface tension is measured for molten metals? I have heard about the sessile drop, but it seems to be a very inaccurate method...

Thank you for your time.

Regards.
 
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Experimentalists have also looked at the size of a drop as it falls (e.g., the pendant-drop approach, J Tille and J C Kelly 1963 Br. J. Appl. Phys. 14 717), the maximum bubble pressure method, electrostatic levitation of oscillating droplets, and characterization of oscillating droplets in microgravity (I Egry, G Lohoefer, and G Jacobs 1995 Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 4043). The penultimate method seems to be the consensus for Earth-based characterization of the surface tension of molten metals and strongly reactive substances. The final method provides a check against the methods used to correct for the influence of the strong EM field required for levitation.
 
ORF said:
I have heard about the sessile drop, but it seems to be a very inaccurate method...
Hi ORF:

A long time ago I was involved in helping a physical chemist friend determine surface tension of mercury drops by developing a method of calculating the best fitting mathematical shape of a sessile drop to a set of observed shape measurements. As I remember, the paper that resulted reported an acceptable level of precision in he results.
"A curve fitting method for calculating interfacial tension from the shape of a sessile drop" James N. Butler and Burton H. Bloom, Surface Science 4 (1966) 1-17.​

Why do you think this method is inaccurate?

Regards,
Buzz
 

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