Thermophysical Properties of Manganin (Cu86Mn12Ni2) in the Solid and Liquid State

Manganin is the trademark name of the alloy Cu86Mn12Ni2. Despite its frequent usage in manufacturing processes, literature data are scarce particularly at higher temperatures. This work presents a set of thermophysical data of this alloy in a temperature range above its classic area of application up to the end of its liquid phase. For investigating the alloy, four examination setups were employed. Using differential thermal analysis, solidus and liquidus temperatures were obtained. In the solid phase, the electrical resistivity as a function of temperature was determined by a four-point probe positioned in a furnace. Thermal expansion was measured with a high-resolution two-beam laser dilatometer based on Michelson-interferometry and thereby density was calculated. The liquid state was investigated using a s-ohmic-pulse-heating setup. Wire-shaped specimens were resistively volume heated as part of an electrical discharge circuit. Measured quantities were the current through the specimen, the voltage drop along the specimen, the surface radiance by a pyrometer, and the thermal expansion with an adapted CCD camera system. On the basis of these measurements, temperature-dependent thermophysical properties of enthalpy, isobaric heat capacity, electrical resistivity, and density are obtained. Additionally the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity are estimated in the high-temperature range applying the Wiedemann-Franz law.