SURFACE-PROPERTIES OF LIQUID ALLOYS - THERMODYNAMIC ASPECTS AND CHEMICAL-REACTIVITY

The behaviour of liquid metals and alloys with respect to the interact ions with their environment (e.g.: vapour phase, solid container) depe nds, to a large extent, on the thermodynamic properties of the liquid surface. This paper reviews the basic principles underlying the thermo dynamics of capillary systems, giving a survey of the more widely used methods for measuring the surface tension, and gives an account of th e existing theoretical approaches to calculate the surface properties. Statistical models, simulation techniques and mean-field models are p resented and discussed. Non-equilibrium conditions are taken into acco unt and analysed, with reference to the influence of gas-liquid exchan ge on the availability of gaseous contaminants to the surface. The ads orption of gaseous and dissolved oxygen to the surface is analysed in terms of adsorption isotherms. New approaches to the study of surface reactivity are also critically presented.