High Temperature Measurement and Thermodynamics

 

Aero-acoustic levitation

Copyright: © GHI Floating ceramic bead in the aero-acoustic-levitator

Phase diagrams represent an important basis of materials science. They are particularly important in materials development and for corrosion protection. While the heterogeneous phase equilibria at room temperature are well known, the thermodynamic data sets in the high-temperature range >1500°C show partial errors. With the aid of an aero-acoustic levitator (AAL), floating ceramic spheres are melted by a laser beam. This containerless technique allows measurements at temperatures >3000°C without possible contamination of the sample with container material. The method also offers the possibility of high undercooling of melts, as there are no nucleation sites. This allows to investigate metastable regions and to adjust new microstructures.