The application of thermal sprayed coatings for pig iron ingot molds

Molds made of gray cast iron for casting pig iron ingots are subjected to severe temperature fluctuations. The main life- limiting factor for mold damage is the formation of surface cracks arising from thermal fa-tigue. Various flame and plasma sprayed coatings were investigated to extend the life of these molds. Coating materials studied include plasma sprayed ceramic coatings with bond coats as well as flame sprayed oxidation- resistant alloy powders. The results of cyclic furnace tests from room temperature to 1100 °C in air, simulating the thermal cycle in casting, indicated that failure occurred along the interface between the bond coat and the gray iron substrate because of iron oxidation, and not at the interface between the ceramic top coat-ing and the bond coating for a superalloy substrate. The field test results indicated that plasma sprayed alumina coatings with 200 µm top coating thickness are the most promising materials for pig iron casting.