Plasma sprayed ceramic coatings are widely used for thermal barrier coating applications. Commercially available mullite powder particles and a mixture of mechanically alloyed alumina and silica powder particles were used to deposit mullite ceramic coatings by plasma spraying. Microstructure and morphology of both powder particles as well as coatings were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Phase formation and degree of crystallization of coatings were analyzed and estimated by using X-ray diffraction technique. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) method was used to study the phase transformation of coatings. Results indicated that the porosity level in the coating deposited using mullite as initial powder particles was lower than that deposited using the mixed powder particles. The crystallization degree of the coating deposited using the mixed powder particles are higher than that deposited using mullite powder particles. DTA curves of coatings deposited using the mixed powders have showed some phase transformation due to the crystallization of the retained amorphous phases such as mullite and alumina in the coatings. The degree of crystallization of both as sprayed coatings was significantly increased after post deposition heat treatments.

Magnesia-alumina spinel (MgAl 2 O 4 ) is an oxide ceramic with broad applications as a high temperature and corrosion resistant material. Its moderate coefficient of thermal expansion (7-8 x 10-6 K-1) may allow it to be used as a plasma spray coating on metallic substrates with coefficients of thermal expansion of ~12x10-6 K-1. Two important factors affecting the microstructure and properties of plasma sprayed coatings are the particle temperature (Tp) and particle velocity (Vp) in the plasma jet. The particle temperature and velocity are influenced by a substantial number of operating parameters. Using a statistical design of experiments approach, deposition parameters, microstructure, and physical properties of air plasma sprayed spinel coatings are linked through mapping versus in-flight particle temperature and velocity. The Tp-Vp maps provide a basis for depositing coatings with controlled structures.

Increasing the combustion temperature in diesel engines is an idea which has been pursued for over 20 years. Increased combusting temperature can increase the power and efficiency of the engine, decrease the specific fuel consumption, CO and (possibly) the NOx emission rate. At the same time, TBCs should protect the metallic substrate against the corrosive attack of fuel contaminants (Na, V, and S). The most common system used is Yittria Partially Stabilized Zirconia (Y-PSZ). However, in diesel engines Y-PSZ TBCs have not met with wide success. To reach the desirable temperature of 850-900°C in the combustion chamber from the current temperature of 350- 400°C, a coating with a thickness of at least 1mm is required. This introduces different considerations than in the case of turbine blade coatings, which are on the order of 100µm thick. The design of a multilayer coating employing relatively low cost materials with complementary thermal properties is described. Numerical models were used to optimize the thickness for the different layers to yield the minimum stress at the operating conditions while achieving the desired temperature gradient. Abstract only; no full-text paper available.