Surface tension of liquid Al–Au binary alloys

Abstract

The surface tensions γ of liquid Al–Au binary alloys are measured contactlessly using the oscillation drop technique of electromagnetic levitation. Data are obtained in experiments performed on ground and in micro-gravity during a parabolic flight campaign. For all samples and for all compositions, the surface tension decreases linearly with temperature. At 1400 K, γ monotonously decreases with increasing Al concentration. Features of compound formation, such as a maximum in the isothermal surface tension, are not evident from the experimental data. The results are in good agreement with the Butler and the Chatain model both using the sub-regular solution approximation.