Effect of Alumina Ceramics Surface Condition on the Wetting of Liquid Lead

The effect of alumina ceramics surface roughness on the wetting characteristics of liquid lead was investigated by the sessile drop method. The surface 3D appearance and surface roughness of the alumina substrate were measured by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The interface micrographs of lead and alumina substrates were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that as the alumina substrate surface roughness increases, the contact angle of the lead drop increases, the drop height increases, the contact diameter decreases, and the adsorption work decreases. An obvious pinning effect was observed during the wetting process, and the potential mechanism of the wetting behavior was described on the basis of Wenzel equation. This work provides a theoretical basis for the application of alumina ceramics in the lead industry.