In a DC plasma spray torch, the plasma-forming gas is the most intensively heated and accelerated at the cathode arc attachment due to the very high electric current density at this location. A proper prediction of the cathode arc attachment is, therefore, essential for understanding the plasma jet formation and cathode operation. However, numerical studies of the cathode arc attachment mostly deal with transferred arcs or conventional plasma torches with tapered cathodes. In this study, a 3-D time-dependent and two-temperature model of electric arc combined with a cathode sheath model is applied to the commercial cascaded-anode plasma torch SinplexPro. The model is used to investigate the effect of the cathode sheath model and bidirectional cathode-plasma coupling on the predicted cathode arc attachment and plasma flow. The model of the plasma-cathode interface takes into account the non-equilibrium spacecharge sheath to establish the thermal and electric current balance at the interface. The radial profiles of cathode sheath parameters (voltage drop, electron temperature at the interface, Schottky reduction of the work function) were computed on the surface of the cathode tip and used at the cathode-plasma interface in the model of plasma torch operation. The latter is developed in the open-source CFD software Code_Saturne. It makes it possible to calculate the flow fields inside and outside the plasma torch as well as the enthalpy and electromagnetic fields in the gas phase and electrodes. This study shows that the cathode sheath model results in a higher constriction of the cathode arc attachment, more plausible cathode surface temperature distribution, more reliable prediction of the torch voltage, cooling loss, and more consistent thermal balance in the torch.

Plasma Spray Physical Vapor Deposition aims to substantially evaporate a powder in order to produce coatings with microstructures ranging from lamellar to columnar. This is achieved by the deposition of fine melted powder particles and nanoclusters and/or vapor condensation. The deposition process typically operates at pressure ranging between 10 and 200 Pa. In addition to experimental works, numerical works help to better understand the process and optimize the experimental conditions. However, the combination of high temperature and low pressure with the appearance of shock waves resulting from the supersonic expansion of the hot gas in the low pressure medium, makes questionable the suitability of the continuum approach for modelling such a process. This work deals with the study of (i) the effect of the pressure dependence of the thermodynamic and transport properties on the CFD predictions and (ii) the validity of the continuum approach for thermal plasma flow simulation under very low pressure conditions. It compares the flow fields predicted with a continuum approach (ANSYS Fluent CFD code) and a kinetic-based approach using a Direct Simulation Monte Carlo method (DSMC, SPARTA code). It also shows how presence of flow gradients can contribute to the errors in the results for typical PS-PVD conditions.

In this study, a hybrid plasma spraying process is used to produce particle-reinforced metal-matrix composite coatings on 316 stainless steel. Two injectors are mounted at the output of the plasma gun, one feeding a nickel-base alloy powder, the other feeding a suspension of alumina nanoparticles. Different feed rates, suspension compositions, and alumina particle contents are used and their effects on microstructure, microhardness, porosity, adhesion, and wear behavior are assessed.

The aim of this study is to improve the surface properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) to facilitate the deposition of a ceramic erosion-resistant coating by air plasma spraying (APS). To avoid mechanical damage induced by grit blasting, the CFRP substrate was chemically etched to remove the majority of superficial epoxy, which is responsible for the poor adhesion of ceramic coatings. Chemical etch times of around 5 min were found to be the most effective, although remaining regions of epoxy interfered with the formation of alumina coatings. To overcome the problem, plasma spray parameters were adjusted, resulting in high-velocity, partially melted alumina particles capable of removing epoxy left on substrate surfaces. Using a combination of chemical etching and the modified spraying process, continuous 50 µm thick alumina coatings are achievable on polymer-matrix composite substrates.

Most models used to simulate plasma torch operation consider only the gas domain with the electrodes included as boundary conditions, imposing a current density profile and temperature at the cathode tip. In order to achieve more realistic simulations, it is necessary to include the electrodes and arc column in the calculation domain. This paper discusses some of the issues, factors, and considerations involved in modeling arc-cathode and arc-anode interactions and their effect on the plasma jet. Descriptions of the arc column and plasma jet are based on the coupling of electromagnetic and fluid equations and require thermodynamic, transport, and radiative property values of the gas mixture. In order to capture the stochastic behavior of the arc, it is assumed that the model is 3D and time-dependent.

Coupling of the electromagnetic and heat transfer phenomena in a non-transferred arc plasma torch is generally based on a current density profile and a temperature imposed on the cathode surface. However, it is not possible to observe the current density profile experimentally. To eliminate this boundary condition and be able to predict the arc dynamics in the plasma torch, the electrodes were included in the computational domain, the arc current was imposed on the rear surface of the cathode, and the electromagnetism and energy conservation equations for the fluid and the electrodes were coupled. The solution of this system of equations was implemented in a CFD computer code to model various plasma torch operating conditions. The model predictions for various arc currents were consistent and indicated that such a model could be applied with confidence to plasma torches of different geometries, such as cascaded-anode plasma torches.

In nuclear plants, the replacement of hardfacing Stellite, a cobalt-base alloy, on parts of the piping system in connection with the reactor has been investigated since the late 60’s. Various Fe-base or Ni-base alloys, Co-free or with a low content of Co, have been developed but their mechanical properties are generally lower than that of Stellites. The 4th generation nuclear plants impose additional or more stringent requirements for hardfacing materials. Plasma transferred arc (PTA) coatings of cobalt-free nickel-base alloys with the addition of sub-micrometric or micrometric alumina particles are thought to be a potential solution for tribological applications in the primary system of sodium-cooled fast reactors. In this study, PTA coatings of nickel-base alloys reinforced with alumina particles were deposited on 316L stainless steel substrates. The examination of coatings revealed a refinement of the microstructure. Under the conditions of the study, the addition of alumina particles did not improve the micro-hardness of coatings but improve their resistance to abrasive wear.

In this study, a wide range of suspension plasma spraying conditions are used to produce YSZ coatings for intended use in liquid gas engines. To meet specifications, the coatings must exhibit a homogeneous microstructure with no vertical cracks or columns, low surface roughness, and low thermal conductivity. The properties of the plasma jet (velocity, enthalpy, stability), droplets (trajectory, number, size), and particles (velocity) were measured during spray trials and are correlated with coating microstructure. Suspension plasma spraying conditions necessary for depositing disk-shaped splats and achieving finely structured coatings with no stacking defects are described along with substrate cooling requirements.

This paper describes the development of a numerical model and explains how it is used to investigate arc-cathode interactions in a plasma arc torch. The model is based on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory and couples Navier-Stokes equations for a nonisothermal fluid with Maxwell’s equations for electromagnetic fields. The equations account for the internal geometry of the torch as well as arc current and gas type and flow rate. They are solved using CFD code and relevant boundary conditions and are shown to provide insight on arc dynamics and the effect of cathode shape on arc behavior.

The residual stress level in coatings is a main issue in controlling in-service deformation, spallation or cracking. Residual stress generation has been widely studied for plasma and HVOF sprayed coatings, but only scare data are available for cold sprayed coatings. This paper describes the measurement and analysis of residual stresses in tantalum cold sprayed coatings. Residual stress measurements were performed by the hole-drilling and curvature methods. The former provided a through-thickness residual stress profile in the coating while the latter was used to investigate the in-situ residual stress evolution during the deposition process. The results from both methods were consistent and showed compressive stress of 350 MPa for a tantalum coating deposited on a 3 mm thick copper substrate at 80°C.

The adhesion of plasma-sprayed coating is to a large extent controlled by the cleanness and roughness of the surface on which the coating is deposited. So, most of the plasma spray procedures involve surface pretreatment by grit-blasting to adapt the roughness of the surface to the size of the impacting particles. This preparation process brings about compressive stresses that make it inappropriate for thin substrates. The present works aims to elaborate a ceramic coating on a thin metal substrate with a smooth surface. The coating system is intended for use in a generation–IV nuclear energy system. It must exhibit a good adhesion between the ceramic topcoat (about 0.5-mm thick) and the smooth metal substrate (1-mm thick) to meet the specifications of the application. Our approach has consisted in depositing the ceramic layer on a few micrometers thick ceramic layer made by suspension spraying. We have observed the interface between both ceramic layers by transmission electronic microscope and studied the adhesion of the nanostructured layer by the Vickers Indentation Cracking technique and that of the coating system by tensile test.

This study examines the fundamental reactions that, in the solution plasma spraying process, lead to the conversion of the precursor salts to solid material that is deposited onto the substrate. The study specifically focused on the phenomena occurring in-flight and the effect of plasma jet treatment on the mechanical and thermal treatment of the solution injected in the form of a liquid jet. The evolution of precursor droplets in the plasma flow was investigated “in situ” using a shadowgraphy technique. The morphology and structure of material deposited onto smooth stainless steel substrates during single scan experiments were characterized by SEM, GI-XRD and micro-Raman spectroscopy and were correlated to the in-flight observations, in order to evaluate the effect of the plasma-forming gas and solution solvent.

The gas-cooled fast reactor is a 4th generation nuclear reactor currently under development. Its design concept requires protective coatings able to operate at 850°C and protect the underlying structure in case of extreme cases, where the functional temperature can increase up to 1250°C and there is depressurization from 70 bars to atmospheric pressure. The parts to be covered are made in 1-mm thick materials resistant to heat and erosion with high mechanical properties at high temperatures, such as the Haynes 230 nickel-based alloy. In this study, the potential of the suspension plasma spraying technique for forming the first layers of a ceramic coating on smooth 1-mm thick Haynes substrate was explored. In order to meet these specifications, the coating material selected was partially stabilized zirconia of standard composition (8 mol.% Y 2 O 3 -ZrO 2 ).

Plasma spraying using liquid precursors makes it possible to produce finely-structured coatings with a broad range of microstructures and properties. Nonetheless, issues with coating reproducibility and control of deposition efficiency continue to be a concern. With conventional dc plasma torches that inject liquid feedstock transversely into the plasma stream, coating quality depends on transient interactions between the liquid and plasma jet. Numerical models may assist in understanding these interactions provided they are able to predict droplet fragmentation, which determines the trajectories of droplets and their behavior in the plasma flow. Although various models for droplet fragmentation have been proposed in the literature, they include parameters and constants that need to be validated for plasma spraying conditions. This study simulates liquid material injection and break-up in the plasma jet using an enhanced Taylor analogy break-up (TAB) model. Model constants are adapted to plasma spray conditions by observation of liquid behavior in the plasma flow, which is accomplished by means of a shadowgraph system using pulsed backlight illumination.

The aim of this study is to model a spray process that combines aspects of plasma and HVOF spraying. The process is characterized by its stability over a broad range of fuel-oxidant conditions and ability to produce coatings using relatively little gas with rather low gross heating values The mathematical model developed accounts for the formation of the plasma jet, the combustion process, and supersonic flow issuing from the spray torch. Simulating the new process made it possible to investigate the effect of the plasma on the velocity and temperature of the gas flow inside and outside the gun. The equations were solved using CFD code and predictions were compared with experimental observations. The benefits of the plasma jet are discussed on the basis of predictions and fuel combustion mechanisms.

This paper presents a life cycle assessment comparison of electroplating and various thermal spray processes for the formation of nickel coatings. The comparison was carried out using a peer-reviewed database of upstream materials and energy and commercial LCA software. Material and energy use and the corresponding emissions of each coating process were converted to impact scores by means of the Eco-Indicator-99 method.

Electroplated hard chromium (EHC) is widely coated onto parts to provide resistance to corrosion, wear and impact. The electroplating process, however, has significant health and environmental impacts. Air emissions during the electroplating process contain hexavalent chromium (Cr+6) - a known carcinogen, furthermore the process is energy intensive and generates hazardous waste. Because of health and environmental issues related to hard chromium plating, there have been several efforts to find alternatives. One of the more efficient technologies among the substitutes is High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) thermal spraying. This technology is commercially available today, with a major commercial opportunity in aerospace applications. In this paper, we therefore compare the life cycle environmental footprints of hard chromium and HVOF coatings for aircraft landing gear. Our results indicate that from an environmental perspective, HVOF spraying is generally preferable to EHC plating, with 5-10 times lower human health impacts and 30-50 times lower ecosystem impacts. However, in terms of resource consumption, the processes have similar impact profiles with EHC plating having a potential for lower impact on resources in areas with a significant share of renewable electricity.

The use of liquid precursors in plasma spraying makes it possible to produce coatings with more refined microstructures than in conventional plasma spraying. Depending on the injection device, the liquid feedstock is injected into the plasma jet in the form of liquid jet or droplets. The instabilities on the liquid-gas interface cause the mechanical break-up of liquids into drops that are subjected to further break-up until the droplets reach a stable state or evaporate. The process break-up may strongly influence the size, trajectories and, therefore, treatment of the droplets in the plasma medium. This study deals with the experimental observation of liquid break-up under plasma spray conditions when using a conventional DC plasma torch with radial injection by means of a pneumatic injection system that can deliver either liquid stream or blobs.

Plasma spraying using liquid feedstock makes it possible to produce thin coatings (< 100 µm) with more refined microstructures than in conventional plasma spraying. However, the low density of the feedstock droplets makes them very sensitive to the instantaneous characteristics of the fluctuating plasma jet at the location where they are injected. In this study the interactions between the fluctuating plasma jet and droplets are explored by using numerical simulations. The computations are based on a three-dimensional and time-dependent model of the plasma jet that couples the dynamic behavior of the arc inside the torch and the plasma jet issuing from the plasma torch. The turbulence that develops in the jet flow issuing in air is modeled by a Large Eddy Simulation model that computes the largest structures of the flow which carry most of the energy and momentum.

This study deals with a plasma technique that combines two plasma spray torches to produce finely-structured zirconia coatings. Ideally, the deposition process path involves the vaporization of most of the particles injected in the plasma jet and the transport of the vapor to the substrate where it re-condenses. The arrangement of the plasma torches makes it possible to limit the deposition of non-completely evaporated particles onto the substrate. The experimental design of the vapor deposition process has been assisted by experimental characterization of the plasma temperature field and numerical simulations of the two plasma flow interactions and powder vaporization.