The Prediction of Thermophysical Properties for Modelling Solidification of Metallic Melts

Abstract

This paper briefly describes the philosophy of Ken Mills to give to industry recommended values for thermophysical properties at high temperatures with an indication of the uncertainty of measurement relevant to their processes. To achieve this Ken adopted what he called his three pronged attack: 1) Critically assess the data in the literature and attempt to recommend values for the properties. 2) Construct equipment to make the relevant measurements and perform experiments to understand inconsistencies in the literature values. 3) Investigate models of properties to aid understanding of the measurements and make realistic predictions of the properties. The paper outlines how his successors have attempted to continue in this tradition. Recent examples of work at the National Physical Laboratory are taken. These include the review of properties and the dissemination of the results to industry; the experimental facilities illustrated from the measurement of thermal diffusivity of iron; viscosity of metals; density and surface tension; and finally recent developments for modelling thermophysical properties.