Solid-solid interfacial energy determinations in metal-ceramic systems

Abstract
Small metal particles have been formed on α-Al2O3 films and equilibrated to give the minimum surface energy shapes. Determination of the equilibrated shape by transmission electron microscopy allows the interfacial energy of the solid-solid system to be determined. Values of γ interface are given for the systems Au, Ag, Cu, Ni and γ-Fe on α-Al2O3. Comparison with the results obtained by others on equivalent solid-liquid systems suggests that no large (>20%) variations in γ interface occur at the melting point of the metal.