Ceramic metal interfaces and the spreading of reactive liquids

A number of solid-state and liquid-stare processing techniques are availabl e for tailoring the properties of a ceramic-metal interface. While many of the techniques are successfully used in industry, the mechanisms for their microstructural formation are not well understood. For situations where a l iquid metal is in contact with a solid ceramic substrate, the wetting and s preading behavior of the liquid is critical in determining the final micros tructure and properties of the interface, which may control the properties of the component or system.