Thermophysical properties of liquid and supercooled rare earth elements measured by an electrostatic levitator

Thermophysical properties of four rare earth elements, namely Lanthanum (La), Praseodymium (Pr), Neodymium (Nd), and Terbium (Tb) have been measured using electrostatic levitation techniques. The understanding of the nature and behavior of rare earth metals in their liquid phases requires accurate values of their physical properties. However, keeping samples in their liquid phases free from contamination long enough to carry out measurements represents a formidable challenge. This is due to high reactivity and melts contamination of these elements with crucibles or gaseous environment. The use of an electrostatic levitator in vacuum conditions circumvents these difficulties and permits the measurements of the density, the surface tension, and the viscosity of these metals above and below their melting temperature. In this paper, the measurement methods as well as the levitation apparatus are introduced and measured values are reported.
資料番号: AA0063800000
レポート番号: JAXA-RR-07-014E