Abstract
This study investigates the potential of external powder injection for producing functionally graded coatings by twin wire arc spraying. In spray trials, the position of the injection port was altered along the spray axis and perpendicular to the arc and different powders and carrier gases were used. Real-time images were captured by a high-speed camera during spraying to detect correlations between gas flow rates, hard particle wetting, and atomization of the molten pool. The optimal location for injection was found to be dependent on the size and density of the powder and the flow rate of the carrier gas. In the case of embedding B4C in a Fe-based matrix, a strong metallurgical bond was formed, confirming that powder injection is a viable approach for controlling the composition of twin wire arc sprayed coatings.