The intermetallic compound, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2), is being considered for high temperature structural applications because of its high melting point and superior oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures. The lack of high temperature strength, creep resistance and low temperature ductility has hindered its progress for structural applications. Plasma spraying of coatings and structural components of MoSi2-based composites offers an exciting processing alternative to conventional powder processing methods due to superior flexibility and the ability to tailor properties. Laminate, discontinuous and in situ reinforced composites have been produced with secondary reinforcements of Ta, Al203, SiC, Si3N4 and Mo5Si3. Laminate composites, in particular, have been shown to improve the damage tolerance of MoSi2 during high temperature melting operations. A review of research which has been performed at Los Alamos National Laboratory on plasma spraying of MoSi2-based composites to improve low temperature fracture toughness, thermal shock resistance, high temperature strength and creep resistance will be discussed.

Plasma spraying is under investigation as a method for in-situ repair of damaged beryllium and tungsten plasma facing surfaces for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the next generation magnetic fusion energy device, and is also being considered as a potential fabrication method for beryllium and tungsten plasma-facing components for the first wall of ITER. Investigators at the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Beryllium Atomization and Thermal Spray Facility have concentrated on investigating the structure property relationship between the as-deposited microstructures of plasma sprayed beryllium coatings and the resulting thermal properties of the coatings. In this study, the effect of the initial substrate temperature on the resulting thermal diffusivity of the beryllium coatings and the thermal diffusivity at the coating/beryllium substrate interface (i.e. interface thermal resistance) was investigated. Results have shown that initial beryllium substrate temperatures greater than 600°C can improve the thermal diffusivity of the beryllium coatings and minimize any thermal resistance at the interface between the beryllium coating and beryllium substrate.

Residual stresses in net-shaped plasma sprayed tubes was measured by X-ray microdiffraction, as a function of radial position in the sample. A tensile to compressive hoop stress profile was measured, ranging 200 MPa in tension at the outer diameter, to ~125 MPa at the inner. A force balance model was used to explain the evolution of stresses when incrementally adding layers to the pre-existent material.