Investigation of the kinetics of Ga–Pb melt separation using an acoustic method

Using a phase pulse method for ultrasound velocity measurement, the kinetics of meniscus movement in the course of the hypermonotectic Ga–30 at.%Pb and Ga–40 at.%Pb melts separation was measured. Assuming that the process is limited by sedimentation of Pb-rich particles, their size distribution at various temperatures was determined. The time dependences of the volume fraction of dispersed particles and degree of sedimentation were calculated based on the experimental results. It was shown that coagulation of the particles is sufficient for surface energy reduction in the phase separation process.