About liquid metal/ceramic interface interaction mechanism and mode of a new intermediate compound formation

In a number of non-equilibrium liquid metal/solid contact systems, when chemical boundary reaction occurs and intermediate compound is formed, a high degree of wettability takes place. So wettability is commonly related to the chemical phase formed at the phase boundary. The microscopic studies which reveal interface layer of a new phase confirm this point of view. In an investigation of interface boundary at high-temperatures by new neutron spectroscopic techniques, intermediate compound layer has not been detected when a metal alloy, containing adhesion-active element (titanium), was in a liquid aggregate state. This is an important fact for high-temperature capillarity science. In the present paper, this question is discussed, and proof (experimental data and theoretical consideration) is given to support the contention that compound layer of necessary thickness (usually, very small) to promote good wettability is formed when metal alloy is in liquid state.