Studies of liquid floating zones on SL-IV, the third Skylab mission

The behavior of liquid floating zones in a zero-gravity environment was studied by Dr. E. Gibson on SL-4. These experiments were designed from the results of previous work on floating zones in a simulated zero-gravity model. Molten floating zones are used on earth for the crystal growth and zone refining of reactive materials. The Skylab studies give some insight into the problems associated with the development of the technique for the future space processing of materials. Preliminary results are presented on the stability of the liquid zone surface under static, rotational and vibrational conditions without gravitational constraints.