Abstract:Surface tension and filling ability of molten metal play an important role on the shaping of the molten metal. The surface tension was calculated from wetting angles of the molten metal by the sessile drop method. The specimen for filling ability was designed and the filling ability experiments under the alternative electromagnetic field were performed. The results show that the intensity and frequency of the alternative electromagnetic field have significant effects on the surface tension of the molten metal. The surface tension of Al-6%Si alloy decreases with increasing the intensity of the electromagnetic field. For pure Sn, the surface tension decreases gradually when the frequency of electromagnetic field is reduced. The filling ability is improved by applying the alternative electromagnetic field.

Key words: electromagnetic field; surface tension; filling ability; wetting angle; Al-Si alloy; pure Sn