High-temperature compatibility of Al-rare earth alloys with titanium carbide

Abstract

The wetting of titanium carbide by molten Al–rare earth alloys was studied. The physicochemical properties of the alloys were correlated with the contact angle and the carbon and oxygen affinities of the substrate and alloy. The properties of the alloys were investigated as a function of composition. The phase relations in the Al-rich corners of the Al–Y and Al–Nd phase diagrams were refined using viscosity data. The x-ray microanalysis and Auger electron spectroscopy data were used to assess the melt structure, adsorption behavior of the melt components at the liquid–gas and liquid–solid interfaces, interfacial area, and composition of the transition layer. The introduction of rare-earth additions into Al was found to reduce the temperature at which good adhesion to TiC can be achieved by 100–200 K.