Determination of the regression rate of a fast moving solid/liquid interface using ultrasonics

This paper reports on an ultrasonic measurement system and its application for in situ real-time measurement of very fast regression rates (>200 mm/s) of the melting interface (RRMI) produced when burning particular metals such as aluminium at high pressures. The RRMI is referred to as the rate at which a solid/liquid interface moves along a metallic rod while burning in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere. The ultrasonic transducer and associated equipment used to drive and record the transducer's output signal and conversion of this output into a regression rate is described. Aluminium rods were burned in pure gaseous oxygen at pressures up to 69 MPa (10,000 psia) where the RRMI was calculated at 204+/-2 mm/s. Other tests with a variety of sample materials, geometric shapes and test conditions were also conducted. The resulting RRMI's calculated with the ultrasonic measurement system compare excellently with rates obtained using a visual review of the same tests and with published results (where available).