The University of Limoges developed a compact sensing module that measures particle beam properties and substrate surface temperatures during plasma spraying. In this paper, the authors explain how they built and tested a closed-loop controller for APS processes using the sensing module. One of the key elements in the online control system is an empirical model that relates process inputs, in-flight particle parameters, substrate temperatures, and coating properties. The paper discusses the development and implementation of the model and the determination of the main input parameters. Paper includes a German-language abstract.

During last 10 years, it has been pointed out that the reproducibility and reliability of air plasma sprayed (APS) coatings depend, among other parameters, on the particle velocity and temperature distributions prior to their impacts to the target surface. On-line control systems have been designed to follow these parameters in the harsh environment of booths. However, in spite of significant strides, works have yet to be carried out to establish relationships between deposit properties and in-flight particle parameters and/or surface target temperature, roughness and oxidation stage. The SPCTS laboratory at the University of Limoges has developed the SDC (Spray and Deposit Control) system in collaboration with SNECMA Services. It controls the stability of the spray jet and the mean particle trajectory together with the target surface temperature. It has been used with a device allowing to measure the deflection of a rectangular beam during APS of WC-Co17wt% or ZrO 2 +8wt%Y 2 O 3 powder on Hastelloy X (Ni base alloy) substrate. The aim of this study was to determine which spray parameters influence the residual stresses, in order to achieve a mean compressive residual stress in the WC-Co17wt% coating on Hastelloy X and to control it with the deposit temperature.

The quality of plasma sprayed coatings depends strongly on substrate surface preparation, especially roughness, grit residue, and oxidation stage; particle spray jet position and size relative to the plasma jet; impacting particle distribution; particle velocity, temperature, and size prior to impact; substrate temperature; and pass thickness. A simple and low-cost spray and deposit control system developed in our laboratory allows to monitor on-line the position, shape, and centroid of the hot particle spray jet. Such a tool has proved to be very sensitive to any drift in powder injection conditions and torch input parameters. Although it gives no direct information on particle velocity and temperature, this system can be easily implemented in an industrial environment and help to maintain constant the particle parameters during spraying. A CCD camera is used in conjunction with a pyrometer making it possible to measure simultaneously substrate temperature. The system can monitor coating parameters such as deposition efficiency and residual stresses. This paper describes how the system can be used to set the tolerance range of process input parameters to obtain coating parameters within given specifications.