The thermophysical properties of liquid metals can be studied by electromagnetic levitation, a containerless technique. It avoids contamination of the melt and gives access to the undercooled regime allowing accurate measurements of thermophysical properties sensitive to surface contamination, like surface tension. Microgravity helps to reduce the undesirable side effects of the levitation field, such as heating, stirring and shape deformation. During the SpaceLab missions IML-2 and MSL-1, density, surface tension, viscosity and electrical conductivity of selected metals and alloys was measured in the TEMPUS levitation facility using non-contact, videographic and inductive methods. The results obtained from experiments in microgravity prove the feasibility of the approach of containerless processing and give an indication of the high quality that can be obtained. However, for parametric studies of complex alloys, as used in industrial applications, a systematic research program is necessary. In the space station era, it will become possible to implement long-term research programs leading to, first, an optimization of the experimental procedures and, second, to a comprehensive study of materials of scientific or technological interest. Under ESA’s MAP program such application-oriented research projects are under way. This paper reviews the results available and discusses the objectives and progress achieved so far in the on-going preparatory programs.


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    Title :

    Thermophysical property measurements of liquid metals in microgravity


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Space Technology and Applications International Forum - 2001 ; 2001 ; Albuquerque, New Mexico


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 552 , 1 ; 325-331


    Publication date :

    2001-02-02


    Size :

    7 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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