Surface tension of magnesium, Mg-Al-Zn-Mn and Mg-Zn-Zr system alloys with yttrium and rare earth additions

Surface tension of molten magnesium and magnesium alloys, and the influence of yttrium and REM additions on this property have been investigated upon heating to 800 deg C and cooling to crystallization temperature. The best experimental technique is that of the maximum pressure in the gas bubble providing for scattering no more than +-2.8%. The concentration dependences obtained indicate that yttrium notably increases surface tension coefficient of the alloys, whereas REM additions exert appreciable influence only on alloys of Mg-Al-Zn-Mn system