Theoretical and Experimental Investigations of the Dynamic Molten Bridge

Abstract

It was theoretically demonstrated and experimentally confirmed that molten bridges can be categorized into two types; first, static bridges where the velocity of separation is sufficiently low that the volume of the molten metal is independent of the velocity, and second, the dynamic bridge where the velocity of separation is sufficiently high that the volume,of the molten metal is dependent on the velocity. The critical velocity, which divides two types of bridges, is determined solely by the contact current and thermal properties of metals. The experiment was carried out by Pd and stainless steel contacts by using an arrangement allowing contacts to be operated at high controlled velocity of separation.