Plasma Spheroidized Alumina/Zircon Mixtures

The plasma-spray process is specified by the associated processing parameters, where these influence the properties of the resultant deposits. This article describes the preparation and processing of composite powders for use in thermal spraying by mixing high purity zircon and alumina powders. The spheroidized powder were obtained by high energy ball milling and rapid solidification from the molten state during plasma spraying. The article discusses the processes involved in spray drying and plasma spheroidization, describing thermal analysis and mullitization kinetics in the spheroidized alumina/zircon mixtures.