Wetting and bonding at interfaces
The interfacial tensions between a surface and drops of liquid resting upon it influence the amount that the drops spread out on the surface. This “wettability” of the surface is important in the understanding of how interfaces behave when placed under mechanical stress. This theory has applications in any branch of technology in which two substances are joined together without mixing. Investigations were carried out into the wetting behaviour and capillary properties of a range of metal/ceramic interface combinations, along with the effects of surface tension in alloys, thermal equilibria and solid-state joining processes. The research aims to develop advanced methods for controlling wetting and bonding of metal-ceramic interfaces. This is likely to be useful in the manufacture of high-strength joints in the aircraft machine-tool industry. Results from this research will enable wetting and bonding of compounds to be controlled using interfacial properties. Applications in microelectronics and heat exchange system industries will be developed from this new technological knowledge.