Evaluation of piston dilatometry for studying the melting behaviour of metals and alloys
Roger Morrell, Peter Quested
The theory and use of double-piston cells and conventional dilatometry for the determination of the melting and liquid thermal expansion characteristics of metals and alloys have been evaluated and are reviewed in detail. The technique has been successfully applied to aluminium alloys with a boron nitride cell, and to cast iron and nickel alloys with an alumina cell. The technique has permitted the density as a function of temperature to be determined through the so-called ‘mushy’ zone and into the liquid state. Partial success has been obtained with a machinable glass-ceramic cell. For successful operation of the technique a number of criteria have to be satisfied, and these are described.