Wetting and spreading kinetics of liquid Sn on Ag and Ag3Sn substrates

Abstract The isothermal wetting and spreading of liquid Sn on Agand Ag3 Sn substrates are studied for the first time using the dispensed drop technique under high vacuum at 300° and 400 °C. The Sn/ Ag3 Sn interaction involves only dissolution of Ag3 Sn in the molten phase while the Sn/ Aginteraction involves both dissolution of Agand Ag3 Sn formation at the interface. Only one spreading regime is observed in Sn/ Ag3 Sn system and two spreading regimes in Sn/ Agsystem. The contact angles of liquid Sn on Agand Ag3 Sn substrates are evaluated and a mechanism of reactive spreading in the liquid Sn/ Agsystem is proposed.