Wettability and phase formation in TiC/Al-alloys assemblies

The effect of alloying elements on the wetting behavior of TiC substrates by commercial aluminum alloys (1010, 2024, 6061, 7075) and its relation to phase formation at the metal-ceramic interface was investigated at 900 degreesC using a sessile drop technique. It was found that wetting behavior in Al-alloys/TiC is typical of reactive systems, furthermore, wettability of TiC by pure Al-1010 was better than the alloys. Interface examination revealed the formation of Al4C3 in all the cases; the thickness of the reaction layer varied within the samples and was discontinuous in nature, particularly for the 7075/TiC and 6061/TiC systems, which exhibited poor wetting. The formation of alloyed phases in the ceramic surface decreased the amount of the undesirable Al4C3 at the metaVceramic interface. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.