Wettability of Ni/(TixMe1 − x)(CuNv) System (Me = Mo, W)

Wetting tests for Ni on TiN, Ti(C0.7 N0.3), and various (TixMe1 − x)(CuNv) compounds were carried out at 1823 K (Me denotes Mo or W). The contact angles decreased with increasing Me content, and the contact angle for (TixMo1 − x)(C0.7 N0.3) was smaller than that for (TixW1 − x)(C0.7 N0.3) for the same Ti/Me ratio. It was found that molybdenum and tungsten are effective in improving the wettability of Ni/(TixMe1 − x)(CuNv) and that molybdenum is more effective than tungsten. The wettability of Ni/(TixMe1 − x)(C0.7 N0.3) is better than those of Ni/(TixMe1 − x)(C0.55–0.65 N0.45–0.35) compounds. Cross sections of the samples after wetting tests were observed by XRD and SEM/EDS. No new phase was observed, and microstructures could be divided into three regions: a Ni-rich region, mixed region, and substrate region. The solubility increased with the Me content. The element concentration gradients around the interfacial region decreased with an increase in the Me content. The contact angle decreased with an increase in the solubility and the element concentration gradients. It is suggested that the wetting mechanism of the Ni/(TixMe1 − x)(CuNv) system is reactive wetting accompanied by a dissolution.