Physics Commons^™

Melting Kinetics In Microgravity, Martin E. Glicksman

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We analyzed the large data archive obtained from microgravity experiments called the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE). The final orbital mission of the IDGE allowed streaming of real-time video of crystal growth and melting in low-Earth orbit of high-purity pivalic acid anhydride (PVA). Melting kinetics was observed in detail for the first time under microgravity conditions. Normally, terrestrial gravity precludes observation and analysis of conduction-limited melting by stimulating buoyancy flows and inducing collapse of the solid-liquid structure. The initial dendritic mushy zone melts under steady heating into isolated crystallite clusters that remain stationary within the melt, and eventually shrink toward …