Effects of humidity on the flow characteristics of a composite plasma spray powder

The effects of environmental humidity on the flow characteristics of a multicomponent (composite) plasma spray powder have been investigated. Angular and spherical BaF₂−CaF₂ powder was fabricated by comminution and by atomization, respectively. The fluorides were blended with nichrome, chromia, and silver powders to produce a composite plasma spray feedstock. The tap density, apparent density, and angle of repose were measured at 50% relative humidity (RH). The flow of the powder was studied from 2 to 100% RH. The results suggest that the feedstock flow is only slightly degraded with increasing humidity below 66% RH and is more affected above 66% RH. There was no flow above 90% RH except with narrower particle size distributions of the angular fluorides, which allowed flow up to 95% RH. These results offer guidance that enhances the commercial potential for this material system.     

Effect of Particle Morphology and Size Distribution on Cold-Sprayed Pure Titanium Coatings

The effects of commercially pure titanium particle morphology (spherical, sponge, and irregular) and size distributions (mean particle sizes of 20-49 μm) on the cold spray process and resulting coating properties were investigated. Numerous powder and coating characterizations were performed including: powder oxygen and nitrogen contents, powder flowability, powder compressibility, coating microhardness, coating porosity, LOM/SEM analyses, and XRD. Compared to spherical powders, the sponge and irregular CP-Ti powders had higher oxygen content, poorer powder flowability, higher compression ratio, lower powder packing factor, and higher average particle impact velocities. XRD results showed no new phases present when comparing the various feedstock powders to corresponding coatings. A higher particle temperature was also obtained with larger particle size for all feedstock powder morphologies processed with the same set of spray parameters. A spherical powder with 29 μm mean particle size was found to have the lowest porosity coating and best cold sprayability. The relationships of several as-cold sprayed coating characteristics to the ratio of particle impact and critical velocities were also discussed.     

Mullite and Mullite/ZrO2-7wt.%Y2O3 Powders for Thermal Spraying of Environmental Barrier Coatings

Mullite and mullite/ZrO₂-7wt.%Y₂O₃ coatings could be thought among the main protective layers for environment barrier coatings (EBCs) to protect Si-based substrates in future gas turbine engines. Considering that feedstock of the compound powder is not commercially available, two powder processing routes Spray Drying (SD) and Flame Spheroidization (FS) were implemented for both types of powders. For each method the particle size, the morphology, and microstructure of the powder particles was determined. In addition, the effect of the heat treatment on the powder crystallinity and microstructure of FS powders was also investigated. To evaluate their suitability as feedstock materials, the powders were plasma sprayed and their in-flight particle characteristics monitored for coatings production. The powder morphology was correlated to the in-flight particle characteristics and splat morphology to gain insight about into the influence of powder characteristics on the coating formation.     

Development of advanced research reactor fuels using centrifugal atomization technology

Rotating disk centrifugal atomization technology has been utilized to fabricate uranium silicide (U₃Si, U₃Si₂) and U-Mo nuclear fuel powders having high uranium content per unit volume for high performance research reactor fuels. Atomized nuclear fuel powders have characteristics of a spherical shape with narrow size distribution, small specific surface area and high purity. The heat treatment time for the formation of U₃Si by a peritectoid reaction was reduced from about 72 hours for comminuted powders to about 6 hours for atomized powders due to more rapid solidification of atomized powder with a finer microstructure. The homogeneity of fuel particles in fuel meats was improved by mixing atomized fuel powders with Al powders using a V-shaped tumbler mixer. The atomized powders with a spherical shape and smooth surface were extruded under lower force than the comminuted powders with angular rough surfaces. The dispersed fuel meat with atomized powders resulted in an increased fuel powder loading density and higher thermal conductivity in the heat flow direction. The thermal swelling of dispersed fuel meat decreased due to the reduced specific surface area of spherical atomized nuclear powder. The atomized U-10wt.%Mo dispersion fuel showed less bubble formation than the comminuted fuel after an irradiation test with 40% burnup.     

Characterization and processing of spray-dried zirconia powders for plasma spray application

The correlation between the performance of plasma spray coatings and feedstock powder properties is not fully understood. To demonstrate this correlation, eight spray-dried zirconia powders containing a mass fraction of 20% Y₂O₃ (yttria) were characterized with respect to their physical, bulk chemical, and surface chemical properties. The same powders were plasma spray deposited as coatings, and their relative performance was evaluated using a thermal rupture test developed by Pratt and Whitney. The specific powder properties studied were chemical composition, binder content, particle size distribution, powder morphology, interface chemistry, thermogravimetry, phase composition, and specific surface area. Among the characterization data, the binder-related properties of the powder correlated most strongly with the thermal rupture test data. Specifically, higher binder contents were associated with poor thermal rupture test performance.     

Spheroidization of Nd-Fe-B Powders by RF Induction Plasma Processing

以不规则形的钕铁硼粉为原料,使用射频等离子体球化处理工艺,制备球形钕铁硼粉.研究了原料的加料速率和粉末粒度对粉末球化率的影响.通过扫描电子显微镜观察对比了等离子球化处理前后粉末及截面形貌,采用X射线衍射方法测试分析了球化过程中氧化物的生成.检测了球化前后粉末的松装密度及其粒度分布.结果表明:不规则形状的钕铁硼粉经等离子球化处理后其球化率可达到100％,松装密度由2.778 g/cm3提高到3.785 g/cm3,粉末流动性由43.3 s/50 g提高到27.5 s/50 g.该粉末适用于凝胶注膜成型及注射成型.     

In-flight particle velocity measurements with DPV-2000 in cold spray

The measurements of in-flight particle velocities and deposition efficiency at cold spraying of two stainless 316L powders having different morphology and almost the same size distributions were carried out. It was found that the angular particle had faster velocity than spherical one and resulted in greater deposition efficiency. The critical velocity of both powders was almost the same and did not depend on their micro-hardness. Therefore, the deposition efficiency was not affected by the particle micro-hardness. The critical velocity significantly depended on He gas temperature and decreased as the temperature increases, but little depended on N₂ gas temperature. The critical velocity little depended on operating gas pressure. The cause why the angular particle morphology gives faster velocity in supersonic gas flow compared with the spherical one has to be investigated and clarified. The drag coefficient appears to depend on particle morphology. An angular particle seems to have a larger drag coefficient than a spherical particle.     

等离子体球化处理和放电等离子烧结制备钡钨阴极多孔钨基体

采用等离子体球化处理和放电等离子烧结(SPS)相结合的方法制备了钡钨阴极多孔钨基体。研究了等离子体球化处理工艺参数对钨粉的球化率和性能的影响规律,以及SPS制备的多孔钨基体的微观组织和相应钡钨阴极的发射性能。结果表明:当喂粉速率和载气流量分别为2.4 g/min和4.0 L/min时,可得到球化率大于98%,且表面光滑、球形度高的球形钨粉;经球化处理后,钨粉的松装密度和流动性显著提高。与原料钨粉相比,采用球形钨粉制备得到的多孔钨基体的孔隙结构和分布均得到显著改善,且开孔率由18.3%提高至19.7%;相应的钡钨阴极在1050℃下的饱和脉冲发射电流密度由8.7 A/cm~2提高至11.2 A/cm~2。     

Preparation of Mo(Si,Al)2 feedstock used for air plasma spraying

In order to prepare high quality Mo(Si,Al)₂ feedstock characterized with C40 phase, higher Al doping amount and excellent flowability, Mo(Si_1–x,Al_x)₂ with different Al contents (x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) were synthesized by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis first and Mo(Si_0.6,Al_0.4)₂ was confirmed as the suitable material through X-ray diffraction analysis. A series of tests with different parameters of induction plasma spheroidization were applied to improving the flowability of feedstock. Mo(Si,Al)₂ feedstock with excellent flowability (26.2 s/50 g) was prepared through adding hydrogen into sheath gas and decreasing the powder feeding rate. The composition segregation occurred in the spheroidized powder after Al consumption and oxidation. The inhomogeneous structure of the same particle was caused by the asymmetric heating and cooling when particle passed through the plasma jet.     

基于晶体微观有限元方法的多相复合涂层高温摩擦应力场模拟

对高温摩擦磨损工况下多相复合涂层的热-力耦合应力场的模拟研究尚不充分。基于Voronoi多边形建立NiCr-Cr₃C₂-CaF₂/BaF₂多相复合涂层的晶体微观有限元模型,模拟复合涂层中各相的占比、分布形态和热-力学参数,求解得到热-力耦合工况下的von Mises应力和第一主应力分布。结果表明：在高温摩擦工况下,多相复合涂层的应力显著高于均匀涂层,尤其是在硬质相尖端附近易产生局部高应力区域,改善相的形态将锐角钝化能够有效缓解局部高应力现象;热-力耦合应力场与黏结相和硬质相的弹性模量密切相关,通过调节各相模量能够有效调控复合涂层的Mises应力和拉应力值。基于微观有限元方法的热-力耦合应力场模拟可为高温摩擦磨损工况下多相复合涂层的优化设计提供理论依据。     

Effect of NiCr Clad BaF<Subscript>2</Subscript>·CaF<Subscript>2</Subscript> Addition on Wear Performance of Plasma Sprayed Chromium Carbide-Nichrome Coating

NiCr clad BaF₂·CaF₂ fluoride eutectic powders were added into chromium carbide-nichrome feedstock to improve the tribological properties of NiCr-Cr₃C₂ coating, and the structures, mechanical, and ball-on-disk sliding wear performance of the coating were characterized. The results show that NiCr cladding can effectively decrease the density and thermophysical difference between the feedstock components, while alleviate the decarburization and oxidization of the constituent phases, and form the coating with a uniform and dense microstructure. However, the addition of BaF₂·CaF₂ has a negative effect on mechanical properties of the coating. When the temperature reaches 500 °C, the BaF₂·CaF₂ eutectic is soften by the heat and smeared by the counterpart, thus the low shear stress lubricating film forms between the contact surface, that improves the tribological properties dramatically. At this temperature, the dominant wear mechanisms also change from splats spallation and abrasive wear at room temperature to plastic deformation and plawing by the counterpart. Within the temperature range from 600 to 800 °C, the friction coefficient, the wear rates of NiCr/Cr₃C₂-10% BaF₂·CaF₂ coating and its coupled Si₃N₄ ball are 20%, 40%, and 75% lower than those of the NiCr/Cr₃C₂ coating, respectively. The NiCr/Cr₃C₂-BaF₂·CaF₂ coating shows superior wear performance to the NiCr/Cr₃C₂ coating without lubricant additive.     

降低碱性焊条烟尘及毒性研究

本文从化学、物理化学、结晶学的原理出发,分析研究了碱性低氢型焊条焊接冶金物理化学特性。其中包括:CaF_2的去氢、CaF_2在渣中的平衡量、药皮中CaF_2含量对发尘致毒的影响,NaF—MgF_2形成难挥发不溶性化学化合物抑制NaF的挥发。降低毒性等。还研究了焊条制造过程中,药皮物质相互作用产生的少量可溶性氟。通过分析确定了烟尘中锰的存在形式。研制成功了卫生指标先进、机械性能符合国标、工艺性能良好的碱性低尘低毒焊条。     

Properties evolution of additive manufacture used tungsten powders prepared by radio frequency induction plasma

In this study, radio frequency induction plasma was adopted to improve tungsten powder properties to meet the requirements of additive manufacturing process. After plasma spheroidization process operated, tungsten particles changed from irregular shape to uniform spherical shape. The average size and oxygen content of raw tungsten powders were both decreased, meanwhile, the laser absorption coefficient was increased by plasma spheroidization process. Furthermore, a series of tests were carried out for raw and spherical tungsten powders to investigate the influence of plasma spheroidization process on powder flowability evolution. The results displayed that, plasma spheroidized powders had a better comprehensive flowability, such as basic flow property, aerated flow property, compressibility, permeability and shear property, comparing to raw tungsten powders. In conclusion, plasma spheroidized tungsten powders met demands of additive manufacturing process very well.     

Reactive Atmospheric Plasma Spraying of AlN Coatings: Influence of Aluminum Feedstock Particle Size

Feedstock powder characteristics (size distribution, morphology, shape, specific mass, and injection rate) are considered to be one of the key factors in controlling plasma-sprayed coatings microstructure and properties. The influence of feedstock powder characteristics to control the reaction and coatings microstructure in reactive plasma spraying process (RPS) is still unclear. This study, investigated the influence of feedstock particle size in RPS of aluminum nitride (AlN) coatings, through plasma nitriding of aluminum (Al) feedstock powders. It was possible to fabricate AlN-based coatings through plasma nitriding of all kinds of Al powders in atmospheric plasma spray (APS) process. The nitriding ratio was improved with decreasing the particle size of feedstock powder, due to improving the nitriding reaction during flight. However, decreasing the particle size of feedstock powder suppressed the coatings thickness. Due to the loss of the powder during the injection, the excessive vaporization of fine Al particles and the completing nitriding reaction of some fine Al particles during flight. The feedstock particle size directly affects on the nitriding, melting, flowability, and the vaporization behaviors of Al powders during spraying. It concluded that using smaller particle size powders is useful for improving the nitriding ratio and not suitable for fabrication thick AlN coatings in reactive plasma spray process. To fabricate thick AlN coatings through RPS, enhancing the nitriding reaction of Al powders with large particle size during spraying is required.     

Preparation and wear performance of NiCr/Cr3C2-NiCr/hBN plasma sprayed composite coating

NiCr clad hexagonal BN powder (NiCr/hBN) was added to NiCr/Cr₃C₂ feedstock to improve the tribological properties of chromium carbide nichrome coating. The microstructure, flowability and apparent density of the composite powder, as well as the structure and mechanical properties of the plasma sprayed coating were characterized. The friction and wear behavior of the NiCr/Cr₃C₂-NiCr/hBN coating from ambient temperature up to 800 °C was evaluated on a ball-on-disk wear tester and compared with that of NiCr/Cr₃C₂ coating and NiCr/Cr₃C₂-NiCr/BaF₂·CaF₂ coating. The results show that NiCr cladding can reduce the decarburization of Cr₃C₂ and oxidation of hBN during the thermal spray. The main wear mechanisms of the NiCr/Cr₃C₂-NiCr/hBN composite coating are ploughing and adhesive wear. Layered hexagonal BN particle reduce the direct contact and severe adhesion between friction pairs, thus decreasing the friction coefficient. The NiCr/Cr₃C₂-NiCr/hBN composite coating shows a promising application in the high temperature environment with the request of both wear resistance and friction reduction.     

Effect of powder size on the consolidation of gas atomized Cu54Ni6Zr22Ti18 amorphous powders

Cu₅₄Ni₆Zr₂₂Ti₁₈ metallic glass powders with spherical morphology and clean surfaces were synthesized using high-pressure gas atomization. In order to investigate the effect of powder size distribution on consolidation, which was performed using warm extrusion, the powders were divided into four groups. Little difference in the thermal behaviors of powders was found with the powder size distribution. Extruded bars are amorphous structure when consolidated at a suitable, temperature in their supercooled liquid state. As the powder size decreased, the compressive strength of the extrudated samples decreased. Fracture occurred along the maximum shear plane declined ∼45° to the loading direction.     

粘接相对YSZ基高温封严涂层沉积效率的影响

通过喷雾造粒法制备出含不同粘接相的B0（不含粘接相）、B1（氧化铝）、B2（钇铝石榴石）和B3（镁铝尖晶石）4种YSZ（Y₂O₃ partially stabilized ZrO₂）基团聚颗粒,对4种团聚颗粒的流动性、松装密度及粒径分布进行了研究。利用等离子喷涂技术制备了上述4组高温封严涂层,测量了各组粉末的沉积效率,分析了不同粘接相的粘接机理。结果表明,与B0型团聚粉末相比,B1、B2和B3型团聚粉末的流动性分别降低了6.94%、5.15%和25.2%,松装密度分别减少了2.85%、2.19%和7.67%,大粒度的团聚粉末所占比例分别提高了15.82%、6.65%和29.75%;B1、B2和B3型团聚粉末的沉积效率分别提高了75.80%,181.49%和59.21%。粘接相熔融后对未熔融YSZ粒子和未烧损聚苯酯粒子的黏附和包裹作用是提高涂层沉积效率的主要原因。由于钇铝石榴石粘接相熔点最低、粒度适中,得到的B2型团聚颗粒流动性最好,松装密度最大,大颗粒所占比例最小,因此B2型涂层具有最高的沉积效率。     

Preparation and spray drying of Al2O3-TiO2 nanoparticle suspensions to obtain nanostructured coatings by APS

Al₂O₃-TiO₂ coatings were deposited on austenitic stainless steel coupons from nanostructured powders by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS). Commercial suspensions of nanosized Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ particles were used as starting materials. Mixtures of these suspensions and of more concentrated suspensions of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ were then agglomerated into plasma sprayable feedstock. Agglomeration was performed by spray drying, followed by consolidation thermal treatment.These powders were successfully deposited, yielding coatings that were well bonded to the substrates. The coating microstructure thus consisted of semi-molten feedstock agglomerates surrounded by fully molten particles that acted as binders. Agglomerates from suspensions with higher solids contents yielded coatings with lower porosity and fewer semi-molten areas.     

Cr<Subscript>3</Subscript>C<Subscript>2</Subscript>-NiCr HVOF-Sprayed Coatings: Microstructure and Properties Versus Powder Characteristics and Process Parameters

Two 75%Cr₃C₂-25%NiCr feedstock powders with the same size distribution but different production process were characterized and found quite different in terms of morphology and phase composition. The powders were sprayed in a HVOF Diamond Jet (Sulzer Metco DJ-2600) torch with five different values of the oxygen-to-hydrogen ratio in order to assess the influence of this parameter on the microstructure and properties of the coatings. The results show that the closed and dense microstructure of one powder (Woka 7302) results in coatings with lower amount of decarburization, less oxide formation and higher toughness compared to coatings from the other powder (Praxair 1375). It was found that the O₂/H₂ ratio impacts mainly on the Young’s modulus, which almost doubled by changing the ratio from 0.40 to 0.50, and on toughness, but does not notably affect the Vickers hardness.     

Development of multimaterial coatings by cold spray and gas detonation spraying

The basic objective is the development of multifunctional multimaterial protective coatings using cold spraying (CS) and computer controlled detonation spraying (CCDS).As far as CS is concerned, the separate injection of each powder into different zones of the carrier gas stream is applied. Cu-Al, Cu-SiC, Al-Al₂O₃, Cu-Al₂O₃, Al-SiC, Al-Ti and Ti-SiC coatings are successfully sprayed. As to CCDS, powders are sprayed with a recently developed apparatus that is characterized by a high-precision gas supply system and a fine-dosed twin powder feeding system. Computer control provides a flexible programmed readjustment of the detonation gases energy impact on powder thus allowing selecting the optimal for each component spraying parameters to form composite and multilayered coatings. Several powders are sprayed to obtain composite coatings, specifically, among others, WC-Co-Cr + Al₂O₃, Cu + Al₂O₃, and Al₂O₃ + ZrO₂.