Abstract
Thermal spray of Al was carried out on the modified 9Cr-1Mo steel to evaluate the steam oxidation resistance of the sprayed Al coating. Atmospheric plasma spray process (APS) was used to coat aluminum on sandblasted 9Cr-1Mo steel substrate. The coating thickness was around 40 µm. The coated specimens were steam oxidized in four different temperatures, ranging from 600 to 750°C. The results show that the scale growth occurred in the interface between coating and substrate subsequently it penetrated into the coating structure. Al diffused into the alloy substrate with high solubility. The diffusion increased with increase in the steam temperature and test duration. Diffused aluminum formed the high hardness intermetallic compound in the substrate near the coating/substrate interface. With increase in the test duration, the intermetallic compound moved towards the bulk and at prolonged aging, it became dissolved. This was identified from the decrease in the micro hardness values at coating/substrate interface at prolonged duration. The scale growth at the substrate surface of Al sprayed steel was much controlled compared to the uncoated specimens.
