Fluid Flow of Liquid Plutonium Alloys in an Oscillating-Cup Viscosimeter

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Abstract
An oscillating-cup viscosimeter was utilized to measure the viscosity of three low-melting plutonium alloys. The derived relationship for the viscosity calculation was confirmed by measurements on standard viscosity oils and on liquid metals which covered wide ranges of viscosities. Abnormal behavior was detected for the three plutonium alloys. When the period of oscillation was greater than 11.0 sec for the three plutonium alloys, the logarithmic decrement passed through a maximum, then decreased as the temperature decreased; at the same time the period of oscillation increased greatly. When the period of oscillation was 2.7 sec, the plutonium alloys behaved normally but showed very large viscosities, which approached 25 cP. The cause of the anomalous behavior was not determined but indicated possible viscoelastic or non-Newtonian behavior.

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