Wetting and interface phenomena in the B4C/(Cu-B-Si) system

The addition of Si to a Cu-B liquid alloy improves wetting of the boron carbide substrate and allows maintaining a flat metal/ceramic interface. Improved wetting is associated with a shift of the boron content in the near surface layer of the substrate towards a higher B/C ratio. The experimental results are consistent with the thermodynamic analysis of the Cu-B-C-Si system.