Containerless melting and solidification of materials with an aerodynamic levitation system

Abstract

A simple aerodynamic system which can heat, melt, cool, and solidify (in a containerless fashion) small, roughly spherical (diameter 1.5-4 mm) samples of materials is described. The principal components of the system are an aerodynamic levitation tube and an elliptical radiant heater. The materials processed, i.e., melted and resolidified, in the system include lead and an alkali borosilicate glass. The processing of a glass bead is described. In addition, the physical phenomena which may generate the levitation force in the tube are briefly discussed.

<i>In-situ</i> Phase Identification of Crystallized Compound from 2CaO·SiO₂–3CaO·P₂O₅ Liquid

“…It should be noted that the levitated melt sphere is easily supercooled without nucleation. 22,[26][27][28][29][39][40][41][42] To promote the crystallization below the melting point, we added 1 mass% Pt powder as nucleation agency to the reference materials.…”

Aerodynamic Levitation and Inductive Heating – A New Concept for Structural Investigations of Undercooled Melts

“…The application of free jet positioning of liquid samples without additional stabilizing forces, for example aero-acoustic levitation, is then limited. The conical nozzle levitator [8] is another method to obtain stable aerodynamic levitation of liquids. The sample is supported by a gas flow passing through a diverging conical nozzle.…”

Thermophysical Property Measurements of Refractory Oxide Melts With an Electrostatic Levitation Furnace in the International Space Station

“…Aerodynamic levitation is the simplest among the levitation methods. It uses a conical nozzle through which a gas flows and creates a stable point (pressure minimum) where a sample can be stably levitated (Oran and Berge, 1982, Nordine and Atkins, 1982, and Paradis et al, 1996. Combined with high power lasers, the levitated sample can be heated and melted.…”