Liquid metal

About: Liquid metal is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 6947 publications have been published within this topic receiving 77785 citations. The topic is also known as: liquid alloy & liquid metal alloy.

Liquid metal model experiments on casting and solidification processes

Abstract: This paper is concerned with laboratory studies using liquid metals with T melt ≤ 300°C to model the flow of metals in industrial processes. Considering three selected examples the main features of such cold models are described. In the first instance we examine an aluminium alloy investment casting process. The requirement of reducing high flow velocities was achieved by the application of a static magnetic field. Local velocity measurements as well as integrated flow rate determination were carried out using eutectic InGaSn (T melt = 10°C). Secondly, model experiments were performed on the electromagnetic stirring of liquid metals in a cylindrical cavity. We applied a rotating magnetic field (RMF) and a travelling magnetic field and recorded flow maps by means of ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry. With the goal of an efficient 3D-mixing, measurements were made using a combination of both field types with promising results. Thirdly, we report on systematic studies of the effect of an RMF on the solidification of a PbSn alloy. Directional solidification experiments demonstrate the influence of the electromagnetically driven convection on the resulting microstructure.

Simultaneous Fast Deformation and Solidification in Supercooled Liquid Gallium at Room Temperature

Abstract: The authors demonstrate that it is possible to transform a supercooled liquid metal at room temperature into a variety of shapes in solids by combined liquid metal deformation and induced crystallization from the supercooling state. The authors discover that both reversible deformation and irreversible deformation can be achieved simultaneously for supercooled liquid gallium in alkaline or acid electrolytes by using electrodes that are non-wetted or wetted with liquid gallium, respectively. Our findings on the simultaneous deformation and solidification offer a novel approach to controlled patterning and solidification of supercooled liquid gallium at room temperature.

Deformable Liquid Metal Patch Antenna for Air Pressure Detection

Abstract: For the first time, a deformable liquid metal patch, which is loaded with an air cavity underneath, is proposed for designing an air pressure-detecting antenna. Both the liquid metal (EGaIn) and air cavity of the antenna structure are constructed inside a soft and deformable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate. Since liquid metal is highly dense, a PDMS pillar is tactfully embedded into the air cavity region for supporting the liquid patch. Due to the use of such structural support, the liquid metal patch can now be made into one whole piece and it does not cause the antenna structure to collapse. The proposed antenna structure does not require the use of microfluidic channels, which usually compromise the radiation performances, for designing the liquid metal patch. As a result, it is able to attain a high antenna gain of 8.02 dBi. The existence of the air cavity has been proven to be crucial for making the antenna structure deformable so that it is useable for detecting ambient air pressure.

Continuous metal casting method, apparatus and product

Abstract: The products of this invention are produced in an elongated casting vessel disposed in upright position to receive liquid metal for solidification within an electromagnetic field generating means disposed around the vessel along a portion of its length. The electromagnetic field generating means produces an upward lifting effect on liquid metal in the vessel together with a containment effect wherein the liquid metal is continuously urged upwardly into contact with the lower end of the solidifying product and maintained in a pressureless contact condition with respect to the walls of the casting vessel. In this way, voids and flaws are avoided and fully dense homogeneous products of uniform, small grain cross section result without wear on the casting vessel. The novel products of the invention are long metal bodies which are fully dense and of substantially uniform, fine grain cross section and constant composition throughout in each instance. In their as-cast condition, these bars, rods and other products have smooth, slightly wavy surfaces attributable to the fact that before, during and just after solidification, the metal of which they are formed is electromagnetically maintained out of contact with lateral support structure (such as the surface of a mold) and also due to the fact that the liquid metal at the solidification front is constantly stirred by induced eddy currents. The product may suitably be of multi-element composition which tends strongly to phase separation, however, because of the continuous stirring by induced eddy currents, the resulting products have a high degree of homogeneity.