The Need for Standardization in Evaluating the Effect of Coatings on Substrate Mechanical Properties

As the application of thermal spray coatings is expanded to performance-critical applications, the need to ascertain how the coating affects mechanical properties of the substrate is very important. This is especially true for properties such as fatigue. A standard method for approaching this type of evaluation is necessary. Items such as test bar configuration, application of the coating, baseline comparison methods, and many other factors must be defined to formulate a consistent and repeatable system for evaluation.