1991 Volume 55 Issue 11 Pages 1199-1206
The interfacial properties between liquid Fe-O alloy and alumina substrates with different purities, 99.9% and 96%Al2O3, were measured by the sessile drop method. The interfaces of samples after the experiment were examined by SEM and EPMA.
It was found that the contact angle increased and the work of adhesion decreased with increasing oxygen concentration in the iron in the range of less than 0.010%. These phenomena were attributed to the dessociation of Al2O3. For 96%Al2O3, the Ca and Mg rich layer was observed at the Fe-Al2O3 interface. Whereas, at higher oxygen concentrations, the contact angle decreased with increasing oxygen concentration. Under these conditions, the formation of the hercynite or the penetration of iron into the grain boundaries of Al2O3 substrates were observed.
