In situ observation of Ag-Cu-Ti liquid alloy/solid oxide interfaces

In situ investigation methods are a very interesting means for understanding high-temperature interface processes. A method of direct observation of the interactions between transparent materials (Al2O3, SiO2, CaF2) and metal melts was elaborated. For the Ag-36.65 at.%Cu-8.15 at.%Ti/sapphire system, the formation of a dark compound at the interface was observed to occur at high temperature. This result does not confirm the conclusion of a neutron spectroscopy study which indicated that titanium oxides form at the interface only during solidification of the alloy. Interactions of the same alloy with SiO2 and CaF2 were also considered. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.