Interfacial Tension of Ga, E-GaIn, Galinstan, and GaInSnBiZn High-Entropy Alloy

In the process of measuring the surface tension of Ga and Ga-based liquid metals by pendant-drop method, we found that at least two factors will lead to inaccurate measurement results. For one thing, it is due to the coating of the oxide film on the surface of the pendant-droplet, which shows the viscoelasticity. For another thing, the volume of pendant-drop does not exceed the critical value to ensure the accuracy of measurement. When the volume of the pendant-drops exceeds the critical value (the volume when Worthington number > 0.4), more accurate values can be obtained by using mechanical extrusion while rapidly forming pendant-drops. The surface tensions of Ga, E-GaIn, Galinstan, and GaInSnBiZn alloys are similar to 717.2, similar to 622.8, similar to 548.8 and similar to 545.7 mN/m, respectively, and the measured results are not sensitive to atmosphere. In this study, the dispersion component of GaInSnBiZn high-entropy alloy surface tension is similar to 327.81 mN/m, accounting for about 39.19%, which indicates that the proportion of dispersion component in the surface tension of multi-component alloys is close to that of elemental (Hg). This work will provide theoretical evidence for further development and application of low melting point high-entropy alloy.

Automated summary

In the process of measuring the surface tension of Ga and Ga-based liquid metals using the pendant-drop method, two factors were found to lead to inaccurate results. Firstly, the presence of an oxide film on the surface of the pendant-droplet, which exhibits viscoelasticity. Secondly, the volume of the pendant-drop did not exceed the critical value for accurate measurements.