In this study, MCrAlY-Al 2 O 3 composite powders were produced by ball milling and deposited by plasma, HVOF, and cold spraying. The results show that Al 2 O 3 fractions can be well controlled using composite powder due to non-preferential impact debonding of the matrix and Al 2 O 3 . The microstructure of spray powders is well retained in HVOF and cold-sprayed coatings due to the unmelted or partially molten condition of the spray particles. In the case of plasma-sprayed coatings, however, most Al 2 O 3 particles segregate at lamellar interfaces, forming a continuous oxide scale on the splat. The cold-spray coatings exhibit the highest hardness due to the work hardening effect of kinetic deposition.

This study evaluates the potential of functionally graded composite coatings fabricated with a novel spraying process. The hybrid process embeds varying amounts of ceramic particles in a metal matrix by combining HVOF and wire arc spray streams. In this case, ceramic nanoparticles (SiO 2 , Cr 2 O 3 , Al 2 O 3 ) from liquid precursors are embedded in a matrix synthesized from NiCr wire feedstock. The resulting coatings are evaluated based on high-temperature performance and the composition and dispersion of particles in the NiCr matrix. Uniform size distribution and dispersion of nanoparticles is shown to correlate not only with denser coatings, but also improved corrosion, wear, and oxidation resistance.

This work demonstrates the capabilities of oxide dispersion strengthened MCrAlY coatings and the process used to produce the feedstock powders. Mechanically alloyed powder mixtures were prepared in a high-energy ball mill using commercial NiCoCrAlY and YPSZ powders combined in different amounts. A high-velocity oxyfuel torch was used to deposit the powders on Inconel substrates that were then heat treated for 6 h at 1050 °C. Samples were also produced from unaltered NiCoCrAlY powder to serve as a reference. In high-temperature erosion tests, the strengthened coatings had a mass loss of 47 mg/cm 2 after 30 sec compared to 38 mg/cm 2 for the unstrengthened sample. High-temperature corrosion tests showed that the strengthened coatings were not dense enough to protect the substrate from oxidation. The hard phases inhibited sintering and diffusion effects during heat treatment. As a result, dislocations, defects, and voids could not move and were used by oxygen for diffusion. In further investigations, the strengthened coatings will be treated at a higher temperature to achieve a better sintering effect.

This work investigates some of the unique properties that can be achieved by combining materials with positive and negative thermal expansion coefficients. In the experiments, different mixtures of MCrAlY, WO 3 , and Y 2 O 3 powders are deposited on stainless steel substrates by laser cladding and HVOF spraying. To facilitate the formation of negative expansion coefficient particles in a positive expansion coefficient matrix, nucleation centers are created by ion implantation followed by heat treating. SEM examination and XRD analysis of the coatings obtained confirm the viability of the processing approach.