Gaseous carbide theory. Has it been buried prematurely?

The status of the gaseous carbide theory of spike formation is discussed with due account of the recent critical publications. An analysis of the results of quadrupole mass spectrometric studies permits the conclusion that the principal assumption of the theory, namely, that gaseous carbides are present in over-equilibrium amounts, remains valid. A critical consideration of the alternative model of spike formation which is based on autocatalytic reduction of Al2O3 by aluminium vapor shows it to be inconsistent with thermodynamic and kinetics restrictions.