The objective of this project is to provide accurate surface tension and viscosity data for calibrants for use at high temperatures.
The analytical techniques used to process the oscillation spectra obtained from levitated drops have been significantly improved. Surface tension values obtained in this way have been shown to be (i) independent of the drop mass, (ii) in agreement with recommended values and (iii) in agreement with values calculated from single-peak spectra obtained in microgravity experiments on Au and (36% Ni + 64% Zr). Surface tension values are reported for liquid Ni, Au, Cu and Pt.

An oscillating viscometer has been designed, constructed and commissioned. The performance of the viscometer has been checked using mercury and zinc and the resulting values were within 1% of recommended values. Viscosities have also been obtained for liquid A1 and Cu. Microgravity experiments have been carried out to determine the feasibility of deriving viscosities from the damping of the oscillations of a levitated gold drop. The results indicate that the damping forces are larger than the calculated viscous forces.