On the fracture pressure of liquid metals

Fracture pressure of six liquid metals, Pb, Al, Cu, Ni, Ti and Fe have been calculated at their melting points in three different ways; (i) by extrapolating molecular dynamic (MD) data reported in the literature for various temperatures to their melting points, (ii) by using the fracture pressure equation developed by Fisher and (iii) by using the work of nucleation suggested by Fletcher. Results have shown that the Fisher equation and MDs estimates agree closely, whereas the ones based on the work of nucleation are systematically lower than the other two. In all cases, calculated fracture pressures are several orders of magnitude different from those assumed in the literature, emphasizing the extent of weakening by extrinsic factors in liquid metals.