Porous TiO2 coating using the solution precursor plasma spray process

Porous titania coatings were deposited from aqueous solution containing titanium isopropoxide using the solution precursor plasma spray (SPPS) process. Effects of plasma power on coating microstructure and phase composition were investigated. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra analyses indicated that the amount of anatase and rutile phases in the as-sprayed coatings can be adjusted by simply changing the plasma power. With the increase of plasma power, the coating anatase content decreases and the rutile content increases. Scanning electron microscope characterization shows that all of the as-sprayed coatings are very porous.     

Plasma spraying of lanthanum silicate electrolytes for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (ITSOFCs)

A new challenge in the field of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) concerns reducing their operating temperature to 973 K. Apatite ceramics are interesting candidates for SOFC electrolytes due to their high ionic conductivity at this temperature. The present work reports on the fabrication and characterization of La₉SrSi₆O_26.5 coatings obtained by atmospheric plasma spraying with two different plasma spray powers. The microstructure and the composition of the as-sprayed and heat-treated coatings were investigated by several techniques including X-Ray Diffraction, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The open porosity of the coatings was evaluated by the Archimedean method. It was found that the as-sprayed apatite coatings were composed of an amorphous phase as well as of a crystalline apatite phase, and that they contained chemical heterogeneities resulting from Si volatilization in the high-temperature plasma. Furthermore, a heat treatment rendered it possible to obtain denser, fully crystallized apatite coatings. Ionic conductivity measurements carried out with impedance spectroscopy demonstrated that the conductivity of the apatite coatings - depending on the spraying conditions - increased with sintering.     

Corrosion characteristics of plasma-sprayed Ni-coated WC coatings comparison with different post-treatment

The effects of vacuum annealing and laser remelting on the microstructure and corrosion behaviour of plasma-sprayed Ni-coated WC coatings on steel substrate have been investigated. The laser remelting was operated in a continuous way while the vacuum annealing was operated with clamping the coating on the graphite face in order to avoid decarburization of WC. When compared with the as-sprayed coating, the microstructure of the post-heating treatment coatings has been found to consist of different phases. Moreover, the denser microstructure can be obtained after heating treatment, especially the laser remelting coating. Electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) shows that the chemical composition remained largely unchanged except the “bumps” at the interface for as-sprayed and vacuum annealing coatings. The more uniform composition was obtained for laser remelting coating. The Vickers microhardness measurement shows a very slightly enhancement for post-heating treatment coatings, which may be duo to the lamellar structure, lower contemt and bulky of carbide for coatings. However, salt spray corrosion (SSC) show the laser remelting coating has the best corrosion resistance, which is due to its low number defects and uniform distribution of the phase and composition.     

Phase evolution of hydroxapatite coatings suspension plasma sprayed using variable parameters in simulated body fluid

Fine, hydroxyapatite (HA) powder, synthesized using calcium nitrate and diammonium nitrate was formulated with water and alcohol to obtain a suspension used to plasma spray coatings onto titanium substrates. The deposition process was optimized using statistical design of 2ⁿ experiments with two variables: spray distance and electric power input to arc plasma. The sprayed coatings were soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF) for the periods of 3, 7, 14, 28, and 60 days at controlled temperature of 37 °C. The reference intensity ratio (RIR) method basing onto X-ray diffraction (XRD) data was used to determine quantitatively the phase composition of as-sprayed and soaked deposits. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) enabled to make the profiles of calcium to phosphorus atomic ratio along a line though the coatings' cross sections. Raman spectroscopy of selected samples enabled to localize the different crystal phases in sprayed coatings. The coatings included some porosity and have two characteristic zones: (i) dense zone corresponding to the lamellas, observed usually in thermally sprayed coatings; (ii) sintered zone containing fine hydroxyapatite grains which correspond to the fine solids from the suspension which were agglomerated in the cold regions of plasma jet and sintered on the substrate. The soaking in SBF homogenizes the morphology of coatings. The sintered zone disappears and the pores get filled by the reprecipitated calcium phosphates.     

Microstructure formation in thermally-sprayed duplex and functionally graded NiCrAlY/Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia coatings

NiCrAlY bond coats were deposited on a number of Inconel-738LC specimens using HVOF spray technique. For duplex coating, a group of these specimens were coated with Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) using plasma spray technique. Functionally graded NiCrAlY/YSZ coatings were fabricated by plasma spray using co-injection of the two different powders in a single plasma torch. The amount of Zirconia in functionally graded coatings were gradually increased from 30 to 100 vol.%. Duplex and functionally graded coatings were then characterized using optical microscope, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive x-ray Spectrometry (EDS), map analysis and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The strength of the Adhesive coatings of the substrate was also measured.The results show that microstructure, porosity and compositions are gradually varied in the functionally graded coatings. EDS analyses revealed that oxidation of aluminum, chromium and yttrium in the NiCrAlY alloy are occur in the high-temperature plasma-spray stream during deposition. The oxidized products, mixed with zirconia at high temperature in a wide composition range, produce ceramic composites and increase the cohesion strength between the layers. The results also show a better performance in as-sprayed functionally graded coatings comparing with duplex coatings, especially regard to the adhesion strength of the coatings.     

The effect of plasma spraying power on the structure and mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite deposited onto carbon/carbon composites

This paper deals with the effect of plasma spraying power on hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings on carbon/carbon composites (C/C composites). The microstructure and phase composition of the as-sprayed coatings have been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The shear strength of the HA coatings–C/C substrates was detected on a RGD-5 tensile testing machine. Results indicate that the melting extent and the shear strength of the coatings were evidently improved with the increasing of spraying power. Moreover, the amount of decomposed phases is increased and the content of crystalline HA of coatings was slightly changed. Observation of fracture surfaces shows that carbon fiber bundles can bond well with HA coatings using 40 kW spraying power.     

Advanced Microstructural Study of Suspension Plasma Sprayed Hydroxyapatite Coatings

Fine, home-synthesized, hydroxyapatite powder was formulated with water and alcohol to obtain a suspension used to plasma spray coatings onto a titanium substrate. The deposition process was optimized using statistical design of 2 ⁿ experiments with two variables: spray distance and electric power input to plasma. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to determine quantitatively the phase composition of obtained deposits. Raman microscopy and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) enabled localization of the phases in different positions of the coating cross sections. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) study associated with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) enabled visualization and analysis of a two-zone microstructure. One zone contained crystals of hydroxyapatite, tetracalcium phosphate, and a phase rich in calcium oxide. This zone included lamellas, usually observed in thermally sprayed coatings. The other zone contained fine hydroxyapatite grains that correspond to nanometric and submicrometric solids from the suspension that were agglomerated and sintered in the cold regions of plasma jet and on the substrate.     

Characterization of thermal sprayed nanostructured WC-Co coatings derived from nanocrystalline WC-18wt.%Co powders

Nanostructured WC-Co coatings were synthesized using high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) thermal spray. The nanocrystalline feedstock powder with a nominal composition of WC-18 wt.%Co was prepared using the novel integrated mechanical and thermal activation (IMTA) process. The effects of HVOF thermal spray conditions and powder characteristics on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-sprayed WC-Co coatings were studied. It was found that the ratio of oxygen-to-hydrogen flow rate (ROHFR) and the starting powder microstructures had strong effects on decarburization of the nano-coatings. Decarburization was significantly suppressed at low ROHFR and with the presence of free carbon in the powder. The level of porosity in the coatings was correlated with the powder microstructure and spray process conditions. The coating sprayed at ROHFR=0.5 exhibited the highest microhardness value (HV_300g=1077), which is comparable to that of conventional coarse-grained coatings.     

悬浮液等离子喷涂制备氟代羟基磷灰石生物涂层

主要以氟代羟基磷灰石(FHA)悬浮液为原料,采用悬浮液等离子喷涂技术,在钛基体表面制备了FHA涂层。通过XRD,SEM,FT-IR以及XPS等测试手段,对不同喷涂功率制备的FHA涂层进行表征,并测试其性能。结果表明,粉体及制备的涂层主要晶相为HA,但是粉体进入等离子火焰形成涂层的过程中发生分解,生成α-磷酸钙(α-TCP),β-磷酸钙(β-TCP),以及磷酸四钙(TTCP)等分解产物。XPS结果证明F离子成功取代了OH基团进入HA晶格中,导致FHA涂层的抗溶解性明显提高。电化学实验结果表明,随着喷涂功率的增加,涂层的抗腐蚀性能提高。     

Thermal barrier coating application of zircon sand

Naturally occurring zircon sand was plasma spray coated on steel substrates previously coated with NiCrAlY bond coat. The coatings were characterized for their microstructure, chemical composition, thermal shock resistance, and the nature of structural phases present. The as-sprayed coatings consisted of t-ZrO₂ (major phase), m-ZrO₂, ZrSiO₄ (minor phases), and amorphous SiO₂. These coatings, when annealed at 1200 °C/1.44 × 10⁴s yielded a ZrSiO₄ phase as a result of the reaction between ZrO₂ and SiO₂. Dramatic changes occurred in the characteristics of the coatings when a mixture of zircon sand and Y₂O₃ was plasma spray coated and annealed at 1400 °C/1.44 × 10⁴s. The t-ZrO₂ phase was completely stabilized, and these coatings were found to have considerable potential for thermal barrier applications.     

Characterization and Corrosion Behavior of Functional Gradient Hydroxyapatite Coating

The aim of the present work is to examine the characterization and corrosion behavior of functional gradient hydroxyapatite coating deposited on titanium-based alloy by plasma spray coating process. The functionally graded coating is designed to provide the crystalline hydroxyapatite at the interface with metallic substrate and the amorphous hydroxyapatite at the outer surface. It is considered that the top amorphous layer of hydroxyapatite has higher bioactivity, and its initial dissolution will lead to bone tissue growth enhancement and bonding, whereas the underneath crystalline hydroxyapatite coating after heat treatment is expected to enhance the long-term stability of coating at the interface with metal. The heat treatment of the underneath as-sprayed coating for crystallization was performed at 700 °C for 1 h. The characterization of the coatings was performed by various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction analysis, surface roughness, and microhardness. It was observed from potentiodynamic scan that heat-treated coating exhibited better dissolution resistance as compared to the as-sprayed coating. Heat treatment of the hydroxyapatite coating resulted in improved crystallinity of the coating which may provide long-term stability to the coating.     

Microstructures and environmental assessment of metallic NiCrBSi coatings manufactured via hybrid plasma spray process

The alternative coatings to electrodeposited hard chromium plating are studied nowadays, because of the chemical composition of the baths containing Cr(VI), forbidden by several European regulations. Thermal spraying is already used in industry, but the deposited coatings still need improvements for reasons of porosity and microstructures. In this study, atmospheric plasma spraying and in situ laser irradiation by diode laser processes were combined to modify the structural characteristics of NiCrBSi coatings. The microstructure evolution was studied, with the analysis of chemical composition using energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Results show that in situ laser remelting induces the growth of a dendritic structure which strongly decreases the porosity of as-sprayed coatings and no phase transition after laser treatment. The adopted configuration drives to the achievement of coatings without solidification cracking, one of the major defects that can occur during the solidification of metallic alloys. Furthermore, to evaluate the environmental impacts of coatings in comparison with other conventional treatments developed to melt NiCrBSi layers, a Life Cycle Assessment was carried out. The ecodesign of surface coatings has not been reported in detail in the current literature, and nowadays, life cycle analysis is an important consideration for the thermal spray community. The good environmental assessment of the hybrid process is demonstrated in this paper.     

Microstructure of Suspension Plasma Spray and Air Plasma Spray Al2O3-ZrO2 Composite Coatings

Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ coatings were deposited by the suspension plasma spray (SPS) molecularly mixed amorphous powder and the conventional air plasma spray (APS) Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ crystalline powder. The amorphous powder was produced by heat treatment of molecularly mixed chemical solution precursors below their crystallization temperatures. Phase composition and microstructure of the as-synthesized and heat-treated SPS and APS coatings were characterized by XRD and SEM. XRD analysis shows that the as-sprayed SPS coating is composed of α-Al₂O₃ and tetragonal ZrO₂ phases, while the as-sprayed APS coating consists of tetragonal ZrO₂, α-Al₂O₃, and γ-Al₂O₃ phases. Microstructure characterization revealed that the Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂ phase distribution in SPS coatings is much more homogeneous than that of APS coatings.     

纳米Al_2O_3-13％TiO_2粉末及其等离子喷涂涂层的相变

将商用纳米Al_2O_3与TiO_2粉末混合制浆,通过喷雾造粒技术重构成大颗粒纳米Al_2O_3-13％T102团聚粉体,然后采用不同加热温度进行烧结,制备用于热喷涂的纳米喂料。采用等离子喷涂技术沉积形成纳米涂层。利用XRD和SEM对纳米粉末和涂层的形貌、显微结构和晶相进行表征。结果表明,在烧结过程中纳米氧化铝没有发生相变,而纳米氧化钛则由锐钛矿相转变为金红石相;在等离子喷涂过程中,部分a—Al_2O_3发生熔化转变为y—Al_2O_3,且转变量与喷涂工艺参数有关;而TiO_2相只在较低喷涂工艺参数下存在衍射峰,在较高喷涂工艺参数下则以z—A1203＂Ti02固溶体存在;涂层在热处理过程中会发生y．A1203向a—A1203的转变,且有Ti02相析出。     

Effect of Atmospheric Plasma Spraying Power on Microstructure and Properties of WC-(W,Cr)2C-Ni Coatings

WC-(W,Cr)₂C-Ni coatings were prepared by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) with different spraying powers. The effect of spraying power on microstructure, phase composition, hardness, fracture toughness, and oscillating dry friction and wear behaviors of the coatings were studied. Simultaneously, the microstructure and properties of the as-sprayed coatings were compared with those of WC-17Co coating prepared under the optimal spraying power. It was found that spraying power had significant effect on the molten degree of feedstock powder and phase composition as well as microstructure and properties of WC-(W,Cr)₂C-Ni coatings. WC-(W,Cr)₂C-Ni coating deposited at a moderate spraying power of 22.5?kW had the highest fracture toughness and the best wear resistance. WC-17Co coating obtained under the moderate spraying power had poor fracture toughness and wear resistance. Moreover, the four kinds of coatings were all dominated by subsurface cracking and removal of materials when sliding against Si₃N₄ ball under unlubricated conditions.     

Fabrication of conventional and nanostructured NiCrC coatings via HVAF technique

The conventional and nanostructured NiCrC （with chemical composition of 80%NiCr-20%CrC） coatings with high quality were fabricated via high velocity air-fuel（HVAF） spraying technique. The microstructures of these coatings were characterized by means of metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. A Vickers microhardness tester was used to determine the mechanical properties of the as-sprayed coatings. The single-line approximation（SLA） method was employed to calculate the grain size and microstrain of as-sprayed nanostructured coating based on the XRD data. The results show that nanostructured NiCrC coating possesses a more uniform and denser microstructure, much higher microhardness and better fracture toughness than its conventional counterpart. Both TEM observation and calculation results based on XRD profile show that as-sprayed nanostructured NiCrC coating has a homogeneous nanocrystalline microstructure with an average grain size of 40 nm.     

Effects of Crystallization on the Corrosion Resistance of Arc-Sprayed FeBSiNb Coatings

FeBSiNb coatings with a primarily glassy structure were prepared by arc spray processing. The as-sprayed coating was devitrified at various annealing temperatures to form different portions of crystalline phase. The effect of crystallization on the corrosion resistance of the coatings was systematically studied by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. The results indicate that the as-sprayed coatings exhibit a superior corrosion resistance to the crystallized coatings with high polarization resistance, and the corrosion resistance of the coating deteriorates with the increase in the amount of crystalline phase. The corrosion resistance of both as-sprayed and devitrified coatings is explained in terms of chemical and structural characteristics of the alloys.     

Structure and photocatalytic activity of TiO2 coatings deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying

Titanium dioxide coatings were deposited by utilizing an atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) system, at different spray parameters like argon flow rate and arc current. The structure and crystallite size of the as-sprayed TiO₂ coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photo-catalytic efficiency was determined in an environmental test chamber and evaluated from the conversion rate of ethanol. The as-sprayed TiO₂ coatings were photo-catalytically reactive for the degradation of ethanol and the photo-catalytic activity was influenced by spray conditions.     

等离子喷涂参数对Ta／W／Sn复合涂层组织性能的影响

采用等离子喷涂方法在LY12铝上制备了Ta/W/Sn复合涂层。研究了各种工艺参数对涂层材料熔化程度和沉积效率的影响。采用扫描电子显微镜观察了复合涂层的表面及界面，精密机械天平称量涂层的增重，力学拉伸机测量涂层的抗拉结合强度，能谱和化学方法分析涂层的化学成分。结果表明，等离子喷涂工艺可以制作组织致密，厚度均匀的Ta/W/Sn复合涂层；喷涂功率和送粉速率对材料的熔化状态影响较大，在特定喷距范围内喷距的影响则较小。     

电热爆炸喷涂和等离子喷涂联合法制备热障涂层的研究

采用电热爆炸喷涂和等离子喷涂联合制备热障涂层,以电热爆炸喷涂法在DZ125合金表面制备NiCoCrAlY粘结层,以等离子喷涂技术制备陶瓷顶层。利用扫描电镜(SEM)和X射线衍射(XRD)仪对所制备的粘结层进行分析,结果表明:电热爆炸喷涂的粘结层与基体结合良好,喷涂态的粘结层的相主要由Ni3Al组成。采用联合法制备的热障涂层,在喷涂态的陶瓷层、粘结层、基体3者结合良好,界面清晰。在高温热循环过程中,粘结层/陶瓷层界面间生成了连续、致密的Al2O3膜,阻碍粘结层的氧化。粘结层/TGO界面产生平行于界面的裂纹,是导致热障涂层失效的主要原因。