Microstructural characteristic of NiTi coating on stainless steel by plasma transferred arc process

In this study, NiTi powder mixture was coated on the surface of an austenitic stainless steel (AISI 304) by plasma transferred arc (PTA). Coating was carried out by using 80, 90, 100 A current density under Ar atmosphere. Coating layer and interface were examined with SEM, EDX, XRD analysis and micro hardness test. Thickness of coating increased with current density. No cracks or pores were detected in the interface. Higher arc current densities caused a coating layer poor in NiTi alloy. Secondary phases such as Cr₂Fe₇Ni, Fe₇Cr₂Ni and Ni₃Ti also formed in the coating layer.