Anisotropy in the wetting behaviour of a silicate liquid in contact with the faceted sapphire {1010} surface has been demonstrated using a simple specimen geometry. The shape of the glass pockets is influenced by the asymmetric faceting of the α-Al2O3 {1010} surface. The glass remains preferentially in contact with the {1010} facets in α-Al2O3. Using this approach, which allows control over temperature and composition of the glass, a sequential study of the mechanisms of solution-precipitation and facet growth is possible.
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Ramamurthy et al. (1995) studied this question.