We have investigated convective flow phenomena of KNbO3+Li2B4O7 solution in a small loop-shape Pt wire heater. The maximum convective velocities are 4.5 x 10(-1) mm s(-1) (V-ed, radial direction) and 2.2 x 10(-2) mm s(-1) (V-e theta, azimuthal direction), respectively. By experimental data and theoretical calculation of the helix flow of high-temperature oxide solution, it is found that we could ignore the buoyancy convection effect along azimuthal direction of the heater, however, we must consider both buoyancy and surface tension convection along radial direction. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.