Accession Number:

ADA604624

Title:

Mating and Optimization Parameters for High-Temperature Liquid Metal Wetting on Solid Substrates

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 1 May 2011-1 Jun 2013

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LAB WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH AEROSPACE SYSTEMS DIR

Personal Author(s):

• Kihm, Kenneth D.
• Feie, John P.

Report Date:

2014-04-01

Pagination or Media Count:

21.0

Abstract:

The main goal of the research is to determine the mating and optimization parameters for the wetting of liquid metal coolants, such as sodium Na or lithium Li, onto various solid surfaces by experimentally measuring the wetting angles and theoretically examining the surface energies. The wetting angle is optically measured using a microscopic goniometer and digital imaging analysis. Examination of the mating and optimization wetting parameters can provide a valuable data base of design parameters for high-temperature heat pipes using liquid metal coolants. Due to budget constraints, this in-house effort was cancelled prior to the start of testing therefore, only the test chamber design and preparations are discussed in this report.

Descriptors:

• *LIQUID METAL COOLANTS
• *WETTING
• COOLING
• EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
• GONIOMETERS
• HEAT PIPES
• HIGH TEMPERATURE
• HYPERSONIC VEHICLES
• INFLIGHT
• LITHIUM
• SODIUM
• SUBSTRATES
• SURFACE ENERGY
• TEST FACILITIES
• TRANSPORT PROPERTIES

Subject Categories:

• Physical Chemistry
• Metallurgy and Metallography
• Air Conditioning, Heating, Lighting and Ventilating
• Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE