High temperature surface tension measurement

Atmospheric radio frequency inductively coupled plasma (RF-ICP) is used as the high temperature heat source in this containerless method to measure the surface tension and viscosity of high melting point materials. Dynamics of melting, droplet formation, and drop detachment of a rod exposed to RF plasma are recorded. Using a three-dimensional model in which flow field, heat transfer, and phase change are solved, the melting process of the rod will be simulated. Comparing simulations and experiments, surface tension, and viscosity of ceramics can be obtained. Some preliminary results from the experiments for copper and alumina are reported in the present study.