9357496 Trumble This research is directed towards the liquid phase processing of advanced metal-ceramic composites. Poor wetting hampers the processing of many composite systems. Although interfacial chemical interactions are thought to promote wetting, systematic studies of their effects and associated microstructural development are lacking. Reaction-driven wetting is studied using the sessile drop technique. Infiltration of liquid metals into porous ceramics is included in the research. The role of chemical interactions in wetting phenomena is examined through critical experiment coupled with direct interfacial characterization using electron microscopy. %%% The knowledge generated in this program is fundamental to the understanding of the properties of metal-matrix composites. This understanding can be applied to tailoring the properties of these technologically useful materials. ***
