High-temperature reactive melt spreading: Experimental modeling of SHS reactions

Initial stages of high-temperature spreading and inreaction of molten droplets with solid substrates were experimentally investigated in the systems Ti–C and Nb–B. Thin layer of solid product (carbide, boride) crystalline grains forms immediately in the spreading frontier, while the melt infiltrates through nano-scale gaps between grains. The formation of a continuous layer of oxidation- and wear-resistant solid refractory (∼ 3000°C) product can be utilized for coating protection of refractory metals and carbon materials, as well as in high-temperature joining of carbon materials via a thin layer of titanium carbide.