Vaporization impacts surface tension In this article, Prof Dr-Ing. Jörg 218 from University West, Trollhättan in Sweden, explores how surface tension in pure metals behaves at high temperatures, particularly in the boiling range. When increasing the temperature of a pure metal from its melting temperature, its surface tension decreases. Often, a linear decrease is assumed (e.g., (1)). However, it is likely that surface tension does not disappear at a high temperature. For example, within a laser-generated vapor channel, the temperature increases to levels above the boiling point, yet surface tension remains active. (2) A steeper decrease in the surface tension coefficient was observed with stagnation just below the boiling temperature, (3) whereas above the boiling temperature, an increase was seen. (2) This surprising effect can have different origins. One possible effect is the impact of ejecting atoms, which leave holes in the surface and thereby change the bonding forces within the surface, a measure of surface tension.
Jörg Volpp (Thu,) studied this question.