Measurement of solid–liquid interfacial energy for solid Zn in the Zn–Cd eutectic system

The equilibrated grain boundary groove shapes for the Zn solid solution in Zn–Cd liquid solutions were directly observed. From the observed grain boundary groove shapes, the Gibbs–Thomson coefficient for solid Zn (Zn–15 wt.% Cd) in Zn–Cd liquid solutions has been determined to be (2.5 ± 0.1) × 10−8 Km by a direct method. The solid–liquid interfacial energy between solid Zn and Zn–Cd liquid solution has been obtained to be (165.5 ± 19.0) mJ/m2 from the Gibbs–Thomson equation. The grain boundary energy for the same alloy has been determined as (317.8 ± 39.9) mJ/m2. The thermal conductivities of the solid and liquid phases at the eutectic composition and temperature have also been measured.