High-Temperature Interaction Between Molten AlSr10 Alloy and Glass-Like Carbon Substrate

Wettability of glass-like carbon substrate (Cglc) by molten Al-10 wt.% Sr alloy (AlSr10) has been examined by a sessile drop method at 700-800 °C for 120 min under vacuum. Non-contact heating to the test temperature combined with the removal of oxide film from the alloy drop was done using capillary purification procedure by squeezing the liquid alloy from a capillary. The influence of the type of capillary on wetting behavior of AlSr10/Cglc couples was noticed. Molten AlSr10 alloy does not wet Cglc at about 700 °C forming the contact angles of 111° with graphite capillary and 141° with alumina capillary. At 800 °C with alumina capillary, non-wetting-to-wetting transition takes place resulting in a final contact angle of 70°. After testing at 800 °C, the AlSr10/Cglc interface was revealed at the test temperature directly in the vacuum chamber by the drop suction procedure. Structural characterization of the interfaces by scanning and transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and by scanning probe microscopy combined with Auger electron spectrometry did not show any new phases formed with Sr. It suggests that the dominant role in wettability improvement by alloying Al with 10 wt.% Sr was related with significant lowering of the surface tension of liquid metal and adsorption of Sr at the interface.