Thermophysical Properties of Metastable Helium-3 and Helium-4

A new four-parameter generalized van der Waals equation of state with Peneloux correction in the repulsive and attractive terms has been proposed. This equation of state has been employed to determine the spinodal, thermodynamic limit of superheat and the ideal tensile strength of helium-3 and helium-4. It has been established that helium-3 and helium-4 can be superheated, under rapid heating, up to temperatures 0.82 and 0.84, respectively. Above these temperature limits, helium-3 and helium-4 undergo phase explosion. It has also been established that the helium-3 and helium-4 undergo rupturing at the negative pressures of -21.0820, and -25.998 respectively.