Surface Tension and Viscosity of Industrial Ti-Alloys measured by the Oscillating Drop Method on Board Parabolic Flights

The surface tension and the viscosity of Ti6Al4V, Ώ6424, and of a γ-TiAl alloy were measured by the oscillating drop method with an electromagnetic levitation device on board a series of parabolic flights. Parabolic flights offer twenty seconds of reduced gravity during which a specimen can be positioned under nearly force-free conditions and measurements in the liquid phase can be performed. The surface tension of Ti6Al4V and Ώ6424 at the liquidus temperature has been obtained as σ(Τί) = 1,52 Nm' and 1.53 Nm', respectively, while for γ-TiAl a value a{Ti) = 1.28 Nm"' was obtained. The viscosity of Ti6Al4V and Ώ6424 at the liquidus temperature was obtained as η(Τί) = 4.76 mPa s and 4.82 mPa s. The viscosity of the γ-TiAl at T| was obtained as η(Τ) = 9.2 mPa s. The experimental method and data evaluation from the parabolic flights are described.