Wetting and interfacial interactions in the CaO-Al2O3-SiO2/silicon carbide system

In this article, the wetting of 23 wt% CaO-15 wt% Al2O3-62 wt% SiO2 molten glass on polycrystalline silicon carbide is studied under air at temperatures between 1,100 and 1,590 A degrees C. Wetting experiments are performed by the sessile drop technique. Good wetting (final contact angle lower than 50A degrees) is observed regardless of the experimental temperature when it is higher than 1,300 A degrees C. Moreover, some specific experiments of wetting of glass on platinum, silica and monocrystalline SiC substrates are also performed. The character of molten glass spreading on silicon carbide (reactive or non-reactive) as well as the role of the atmosphere on interfacial interactions with SiC are identified and discussed.