Equilibrium segregation of Ti to Au-sapphire interfaces

Elad Nussbaum, Hila Meltzman, Wayne D. Kaplan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Equilibrium segregation of Ti to Au-sapphire interfaces was measured from dewetted Au(Ti) films on the (0001) surface of sapphire. Quantitative energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to determine a Ti excess at the Au-sapphire interface of 2.2 Ti atoms/nm 2, which together with an excess of 4.6 Ti atoms/nm 2 at the (0001) sapphire surface, is associated with a decrease in the solid-solid Au-sapphire interface energy. Quantitative high resolution transmission electron microscopy showed that the segregated Ti is distributed within a 1.54-nm thick intergranular film at the Au-sapphire interface, which is not a bulk phase but rather an equilibrium interface state. As a result, Ti segregation without the formation of a bulk reaction at the interface is associated with a decreased interface energy, improved wetting, and may be an important part of the total complex mechanism responsible for improved wetting and spreading in "reactive" braze systems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1647-1654
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Materials Science
Volume47
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • General Materials Science

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