Surface Tension of Liquid Alumina from Contactless Techniques

New data for the surface tension of liquid alumina from 2300 to 3200 K are reported. Aerodynamic levitation of CO2 laser-heated liquid drops allowed contactless measurement of vibration frequencies directly related to surface tension. Consistent data were obtained on drops of different mass ranging from 20 to 160 mg. It was also shown that the oxydo-reducing character of the atmosphere does not modify the results within experimental uncertainty.