Wettability of zirconia and alumina ceramics by molten zinc

A basic research study for improvement of the galvanizing process has been conducted. The contact angle and surface tension of the molten zinc/oxide c eramic systems were measured at 873 and 973 K by the sessile drop method. T he measurement became possible by using sponge titanium as deoxidizer under vacuum. It was found that zinc didn't react or wet zirconia and alumina si gnificantly. The surface tension of molten zinc decreased slightly with inc reasing temperature. On the basis of the work of adhesion, it was presumed that the dispersion force was predominant for the bond at zinc/zirconia and zinc/alumina interface.