Wetting and bonding strength in Al/Al2O3 system

Experimental results are presented on the investigation of the correlation between wetting and bonding properties in Al/Al2O3 couples. Applying the sessile drop method the wettability of alumina substrates by molten Al was investigated at temperatures from 953–1373 K under a dynamic vacuum of 0.2 mPa. A special procedure to study shear strength of metal–ceramic joints using the sessile drop samples has been elaborated. The results clearly indicate that the shear strength of Al/Al2O3 joints strongly depends on wetting properties in Al/Al2O3 system, i.e. the lower the contact angle Θ, the higher the value of interfacial shear strength.