Rheology of liquid metals and alloys

The flow behavior and viscosity of liquid Zn, Sn, Cd, Bi-42 wt%Sn, Zn-7 wt%Al, and Sn-3 wt%Ag-0.5 wt%Cu were characterized and quantified with rotational rheometry experiments. Evidences from this study shows these liquid systems uniquely exhibit a shear thinning and time-independent (non-thixotropic) flow behavior in all the evaluated shear rate regimes. We have attempted to offer a physical explanation from prior-art for the observed unique flow behavior of the liquid metal systems. The strong short range atomic order in these metals significantly contribute to their flow behavior and at any shear rate the viscosity obeys the standard Arrhenius energy equation for temperature dependence.

► Rheology of liquid metals and alloys are quantified for a range of shear rate regime. ► Physical expression for the flow behavior has been presented. ► Non-Newtonian and time-independent flow behavior was observed for liquid metal systems.