Ohmic pulse-heating with sub-microsecond time resolution is used to obtain thermophysical properties for aluminum in the liquid phase. Measurement of current through the sample, voltage drop across the sample, surface radiation, and volume expansion allow the calculation of specific heat capacity and the temperature dependencies of electrical resistivity, enthalpy, and density of the sample at melting and in the liquid phase. Thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity as a function of temperature are estimated from resistivity data using the Wiedemann-Franz law. Data for liquid aluminum obtained by pulse-heating are quite rare because of the low melting temperature of aluminum with 933.47 K (660.32°C), as the fast operating pyrometers used for the pulse-heating technique with rise times of about 100 ns generally might not be able to resolve the melting plateau of aluminum because they are not sensitive enough for such low temperature ranges. To overcome this obstacle, we constructed a new, fast pyrometer sensitive in this temperature region. Electromagnetic levitation, as the second experimental approach used, delivers data for surface tension (this quantity is not available by means of the pulse-heating technique) and for density of aluminum as a function of temperature. Data obtained will be extensively compared to existing literature data.

In order to determine the density of tantalum over the entire liquid phase (at the pressure applied) and several hundred K into the super-heated region, the method of ohmic pulse-heating was applied. For this purpose, images of the thermal radial expansion of the resistively heated sample wires were taken with an adapted CCD system. A newly integrated high-power photoflash and improved triggering of the experiment allowed the acquisition of high-contrast shadow images of the expanding wires. To reduce the uncertainty arising from simultaneous pyrometric temperature measurement, the change in normal spectral emissivity as a function of temperature was additionally taken into account. In this work, the density versus temperature relationship of tantalum is reported and compared to existing literature data. From the newly obtained liquidphase density, critical point data of tantalum, such as critical temperature and critical density, were estimated via an extrapolation procedure. Furthermore, an estimate of the phase diagram in the density versus temperature plane is given. The work is concluded by a rigorous density uncertainty estimation according to the guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM).

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) prolong the durability of gas turbine engine components and enable them to operate at high temperature. Several degradation mechanisms limit the durability of TBCs during their service. Since the atmospheric plasma spray (APS) processed 7–8 wt.% yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) TBCs widely utilized for gas turbine applications are susceptible to erosion damage, this work aims to evaluate the influence of their porosity levels on erosion behavior. Eight different APS TBCs were produced from 3 different spray powders with porosity ranging from 14% to 24%. The as-deposited TBCs were examined by SEM analysis. A licensed software was used to quantify the different microstructural features. Mechanical properties of the as-deposited TBCs were evaluated using micro-indentation technique. The as-deposited TBCs were subjected to erosion tests at different angles of erodent impact and their erosion performance was evaluated. Based on the results, microstructure-mechanical property-erosion performance was correlated. Findings from this work provide new insights into the microstructural features desired for improved erosion performance of APS deposited YSZ TBCs.