Synthesis of Al₂O₃ Coatings by Plasma Transferred Arc

The protection of metallic components against severe operating conditions has motivated the development of coatings for a wide range of applications. In particular, ceramic coatings can be used to protect components that operate under high temperatures and corrosive environments aiming to extend their service life. Several Thermal Spray processes can be used to process ceramic coatings on the metals, taking advantage of the mechanical bond typical of these processes. The exception is the Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA) process which results in a metallurgical bond between the coating and the substrate metal. This study analyzed the potential of PTA to process ceramic coatings on a steel substrate. Powder mixtures of aluminum (Al) and silicon oxide (SiO₂) were deposited using three deposition currents aiming to synthetize alumina coatings “in situ” as the reaction between Silicon Oxide and Aluminum powders occurred. X-Ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, Semi-quantitative chemical analysis by EDS and microhardness were used to analyze the processed surfaces. Coatings characterization confirmed that the synthesis of alumina occurred but it was not completed and a two layer coating was formed. A layer near the fusion line composed of Fe-Al matrix with Fe₃Al precipitates and an external layer of Al, Si, and Al₂O₃. An increased in the iron content in the coating due to the higher interaction of the plasma arc with the substrate reduced the amount of Alumina formed.