Characterization of mechanical properties of suspension plasma sprayed TiO2 coatings using scratch test

The study aimed at characterizing mechanical properties of TiO₂ coatings obtained by the use of aqueous suspensions of fine rutile and anatase particles onto metal substrates. Thickness of the coatings was found with the use of optical microscope observations of metallographical cross-sections. The coatings morphology was found with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and their phase composition was determined by X-ray diffraction method. The mechanical properties were characterized using scratch test. The test enabled to characterize the adhesion of coatings by determination of critical force necessary to peel off the coatings from the substrate and, on the other hand, to estimate their cohesion by the measurement of the scratch hardness. The hardness was calculated using the width of the scratch and the value of force applied. The design of experiments (DOE) of spraying with the use of a 2³ full factorial plan was applied to rutile powder. The coatings were sprayed onto aluminium substrate. The DOE enabled to find the effects of three principal parameters, i.e. electric power input to plasma, spray distance and suspension feed rate onto coating adhesion expressed by critical force. A preliminary data for anatase powder sprayed with one set of operational parameters onto stainless steel substrate are also shown.