In situ observation of Ag–Cu–Ti liquid alloy/solid oxide interfaces

In situ investigation methods are a very interesting means for understanding high-temperature interface processes. A method of direct observation of the interactions between transparent materials (Al2O3, SiO2, CaF2) and metal melts was elaborated. For the Ag–36.65 at.%Cu–8.15 at.%Ti/sapphire system, the formation of a dark compound at the interface was observed to occur at high temperature. This result does not confirm the conclusion of a neutron spectroscopy study which indicated that titanium oxides form at the interface only during solidification of the alloy. Interactions of the same alloy with SiO2 and CaF2 were also considered.