Effect of Electric Current Passed Through the Interface on the Wetting of ZrO₂ Ceramics with Silver–Copper–Oxygen Melt in Air

Abstract

The wetting of ZrO₂ ceramics with Ag–Cu–O melts in air when electric current passes through the interface has been studied. Special samples were fabricated for experiments: parallel ZrO₂ ceramic plates, with drops of copper–silver alloy being located between them. Direct current was supplied to the plates after melting of the drops. It is found that the anode plate is wetted better at a certain amperage. Microstructural analysis shows that much more copper oxide adsorbs on the anode plate than that on the cathode. It is assumed that oxidized copper is reduced on the cathode and thus migrates to the anode, worsening the wetting of the cathode.