Interface Reactions Between Metals and Ceramics: IV, Wetting of Sapphire by Liquid Copper-Oxygen Alloys

The wettability of sapphire single crystals by liquid copper which contained oxygen added as cupric oxide was investigated using the sessile drop technique in vacuum at 1230°C. Additions of cupric oxide to copper, varying from 1 to 72% of copper weight, resulted in rapid chemical reaction at the solid‐liquid interface with a significant reduction of the contact angle, the final value being dependent on the oxygen in the system. In all cases the interfacial product was CuAlO2. A linear relation between the fourth power of the basal radius of the molten drop and the amount of oxygen present was observed. The initial stage of the reaction could be explained by the formation of a Cu2O layer at the interface, followed by reaction between Cu2O and Al2O3 to form CuAlO2.