Reactive wetting and interfacial reaction mechanism of ZrC-SiC ceramic and Ag-Zr filler

In this study, the isotherm wetting and spreading behaviors of molten Ag-Zr filler on ZrC-SiC ceramic surface was investigated using a sessile drop method in vacuum. The effect of Zr content in Ag-Zr filler on the wetting behavior was studied, and the wetting mechanism was revealed in details. The results showed that the contact angle of Ag-Zr filler on the ZrC-SiC surface decreased from 140 degrees to 20 degrees with the Zr content varied from 0 to 8 wt.%, and the Zr was the key factor to the wetting process. The wetting dynamic analysis illustrated that the interfacial reaction controlled the wetting of Ag-Zr filler on the ZrC-SiC surface. Due to the Zr activity difference at Ag-Zr/ZrC interface, the ZrC released C into Ag-Zr filler, and reacted with Zr to form new-born ZrC with higher Zr content. The formation of the new-born ZrC promoted wetting and spreading of Ag-Zr filler on ZrC-SiC surface.