Electrical conductivity enhancement in an eutectic system containing dispersed second phase particles

The electrical conductivities of the eutectic composition 35.2 m/o LiNO3-39.8 m/o KNO3-25.0 m/o CsNO3 with various amounts of γ-Al2O3 have been measured. A conductivity enhancement of three orders of magnitude has been observed at 92°C. The maximum of conductivity appears for about 35 m/o γ-Al2O3. The results are discussed within the percolation theory approach. The pellets of the eutectic mixture with suitable amounts of γ-Al2O3 were found to keep their shape during a 24 h thermal treatment at 150°C, far above the melting point of the matrix phase, under spring loaded condition. The behavior of this so-called semi-solid state has been investigated.