A threshold for onset of natural convection in binary metallic alloys

Experiments were performed with a new radioscopic flow visualization technique on natural convection during melting of a binary metallic Ga-In alloy. This technique provides visualization of the density fields within opaque low Prandtl number fluids and their solids. Upon applying a horizontal temperature gradient to a gallium melt alloyed with 5 weight percent indium, the binary melt developed a vertical concentrational stratification and heat transfer was by conduction only. Convective flow developed at a higher temperature difference, which may be termed “critical”. After reducing the temperature difference the thermosolutal convection breaks down and a conductive state reappears at ΔT0 K. This threshold for onset of natural convection in binary Ga-In melts is in need of a theoretical explanation.