New method for simultaneous measurement of viscosity,density and surface tension of metallic melts at high temperatures

A new method for determination of the viscosity of metallic melts based on the measurement of the velocity of gas bubbles in the melt, is developed. Gas bubbles are produced at known depth through a capillary tube. The time needed by the bubble to reach the surface of the melt is measured with the help of a laser beam. The method is tested with reference metals (Sn, Pb, Cu). The results show that there is a large dependence of the bubble velocity on the viscosity although the diameter of the bubbles is large. The recorded pressure curve in the capillary tube during the bubble formation allows the measurement of the surface tension and the density of the metallic melt to be determined by using the method of the maximum bubble pressure.