Effect of topography on wettability of rapidly solidified Al–In alloys

Abstract

In this work, we investigate effect of surface topography on the wettability of RS Al–In alloys containing up to 4.7 at% of In by means of atomic force microscopy and water contact angle measurements. For the first time, it was found that indium significantly changes wetting properties of high purity Al foils which exhibit hydrophobic behaviour. The Al–In alloys demonstrated hydrophilic properties. An increase of In concentration resulted in a transition from a homogeneous to a heterogeneous wetting regime when decreasing the roughness of the surface makes it more hydrophilic. Obtained original results expand the current knowledge of mechanisms affecting wettability of rough surfaces of Al alloys.