Sound velocity and density of liquid Ni68S32 under pressure using ultrasonic and X-ray absorption with tomography methods

Abstract

A new experimental setup for simultaneous P-wave velocity (VP) and density (ρ) measurements for liquid alloys is developed using ultrasonic and X-ray absorption methods combined with X-ray tomography at high pressures and high temperatures. The new setup allows us to directly determine adiabatic bulk moduli (KS) and to discuss the correlation between the VP and ρ of the liquid sample. We measured VP and ρ of liquid Ni68S32 up to 5.6GPa and 1045K using this technique. The effect of pressure on the VP and ρ values of liquid Ni68S32 is similar to that of liquid Fe57S43. (Both compositions correspond to near-eutectic ones.) The obtained KS values are well fitted to the finite strain equation with a KS0 value (KS at ambient pressure) of 31.1GPa and a dKS/dP value of 8.44. The measured VP was found to increase linearly with increasing ρ, as approximated by the relationship: VP [m/s]=1.29ρ [kg/m3] – 5726, suggesting that liquid Ni–S follows an empirical linear relationship, Birch's law. The dVP/dρ slope is similar between Ni68S32 and Fe57S43 liquids, while the VP–ρ plot of liquid Ni–S is markedly different from that of liquid Fe–S, which indicates that the effect of Ni on Birch's law is important for understanding the VP–ρ relation of planetary and Moon's molten cores.