Effect of carbon on wettability and interface reaction between melt superalloy and ceramic material

Effect of C on wettability and interface reaction between a nickel based superalloy and ceramic material was investigated by using a sessile drop method. It was found that the content of C in the alloy is able to influence the wettability and interface reaction. Alloys with C content lower than 0.1wt.% are stable on ceramic material and no interface reaction generates at the alloy-ceramic interface. However, when C content is higher than 0.1wt.%, the interface reaction occurs and the wetting angle decreases quickly. The product of interface reaction is discontinuous and composed of 9Al2O3 ⋅Cr2O3. Such result indicates that Cr in the alloy is impossible to react with the ceramic material and form Cr2O3 without the assistance of C. It is suggested that C in the alloy deoxidizes SiO2 in the ceramic material and produces SiO and CO. SiO is unstable and it can release active O atom at the interface. Cr at the interface combines with free O atom and forms Cr2O3. Al2O3 in the ceramic material and Cr2O3 finally forms 9Al2O3 ⋅Cr2O3