Plasma spraying of Al2O3 and Al2O3Y2O3

A microstructural study has been carried out of plasma-sprayed Al₂O₃ and mixed and sintered Al₂O₃Y₂O₃. In order to ascertain the degree of metastability achieved by plasma spraying, these results are compared with a similar experiment utilizing a CO₂ laser for melting and the hammer-and-anvil technique for quenching of the same materials. X-ray diffraction methods were used to determine the obtained phases and crystal structures. In addition, transmission electron microscopy was used to confirm the phases present and to study their morpology. The porosity was studied with both mercury intrusion porosimetry and small angle neutron scattering. The addition of Y₂O₃ is shown to decrease the porosity from 15% to 7.5%. Adhesion is likewise related to the addition of Y₂O₃ and it is seen that adhesion of the mixture is measurably improved over that of pure Al₂O₃. The implication of these results is discussed.