Oscillating Cup Viscosity Measurements of Aluminum Alloys: A201, A319 and A356

An oscillating cup viscometer was developed to measure the absolute viscosities of molten metals. Previous experiments established the capability of the apparatus to characterize the viscosities of molten nickel-based superalloys. However, modifications to the instrument and its theoretical analysis were required for reliable measurements on molten aluminum alloys, presumably due to their lower densities and lower viscosities. The theoretical literature for the fluid flow inside an oscillating cup is reviewed, and a working equation without any correction factor is developed for the improved viscometer. Some design parameters of the viscometer that directly affect the accuracy of viscosity estimation by using the working equation are discussed. A special vertical furnace was adopted to uniformly heat a longer cylindrical sample (10 mm inner diameter and 120 mm length) with a temperature difference of less than 2°C over the sample length. The measuring procedure was also improved to get more accurate motion parameters. It is estimated that the working equation and improved instrument provide an uncertainty of less than 4%. In addition, applications and experimental data are presented for pure aluminum and three aluminum alloys: A201, A319, and A356.