Self-diffusion in liquid metals

Abstract

A survey is made of all published data on self-diffusion in liquid metals and an examination is carried out on the temperature-dependence of D for studies covering a wide range of temperatures. Log D versus 1/T and D versus T represent the best data equally well, while D versus T ^1/2 and D versus T ² do not. The proper functional form is taken to be D=CT experimentally, and a simple free diffusion theory is developed from the standpoint of vibrational atom motion. An equation having no adjustable parameters results (D=k ² ϑ _D T/hk), in which κ is the vibrational force constant. Values calculated for D at the melting point are in good agreement with experimental values for potassium, sodium, copper and silver, but are below the measured values for lead, indium, zinc and tin.