Atmospheric Plasma Spray is widely used for tens of years to elaborate protective coatings on parts for several applications. However, our understanding of the APS process can still be improved, requiring a fine modeling of the process in parallel with some corresponding experiments. In the present work, a complete series of models was applied to reinforce our knowledge of the process: the case of an alumina coating was considered. A 3D CFD model was first used to study the internal arc within the torch. Interactions between the external plasma jet and the injected particles were then computed in a second step. At this level, the predicted in-flight particle characteristics were compared with some corresponding measurements recorded with the DPV 2000 diagnostic tool. A third model was then applied to investigate the particle flattening on the substrate/coating material. SEM pictures of coating cross-sections were then captured and a last model was finally applied to estimate the coating effective thermos-mechanical properties based on calculations performed directly on the SEM micrographs. This set of models allows investigating the APS process from the DC arc within the torch to the coating properties.

A magnesium coating with a low porosity and high microhardness was elaborated using cold spraying. However at present, a poor bonding strength between the coating and substrate limits its application. This paper aims at improving the bonding strength between the coating and substrate using substrate preheating. Aluminum substrates were heated to 100, 200 and 300°C respectively by a flame prior to cold spraying. The results show that substrate preheating can significantly increase the bonding strength. The bonding strength increased from 3.3±0.8 MPa to 11.6±0.5 MPa when the substrate temperature increased from room-temperature to 200°C. The fracture analyses show that the coating fracture occurred within the coating when the substrate was preheated at 200°C.

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coatings have been frequently used as a thermal protective layer on the metal or alloy component surfaces. In the present study, ZrO 2 -7%Y 2 O 3 thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) were successfully deposited by DC (direct current) plasma spray process under very low pressure condition (less than 1 mbar) using low-energy plasma guns F4-VB and F100. The experiments were performed to evaluate the thermal shock resistance of the different TBC specimens which were heated to 1373 K at a high-temperature cycling furnace and held for 0.5 h, followed by air cooling under room temperature during 0.2 h. For comparison, the corresponding APS counterparts were also elaborated to carry out the similar experiments. The results indicated that the VLPPS coatings displayed better thermal shock resistance. Moreover, the failure mechanism of the coatings was also elucidated.

In recent years, the production of coatings obtained by LPPS process (Low Pressure Plasma Spraying) was successfully introduced in industrial markets for aerospace, gas turbines, medical and other special applications. The deposition of coatings with superior properties requires an improved understanding of this complex spray process, including the inflight particle temperature and velocity. In this study, DPV- 2000 (Tecnar, St-Bruno, QC, CA) was employed to characterize the LPPS process at different operational pressure ranges from typically 250 mbar to 150 mbar. Measurements of the temperatures and velocities of the in-flight yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) particles were carried out in an argon– hydrogen plasma jet. The YSZ coatings were also deposited in accordance with different operating parameters. The microstructures of the coatings were analyzed by SEM.

Liquid metal atomization using de Laval nozzle is an established technique for producing fine (< 100 μm) metal powders for a lot of industrial applications. This process offers a variety of advantages as spherical morphology or low consumption of inert gas for example. Despite its widespread uses, however, the relationships among gas dynamics melt nozzle and de Laval nozzle diameters, processing parameters, and particle size remain defined. As a result, efforts to reduce powder costs by improving particle size control and energy efficiency remain hindered. Then, the optimization of this process is a great challenge. This experimental study examines the atomizing spray behavior depending on the process parameters. Experiments were conducted on copper (at 99.9%). Particle Image Velocimetry technique was implemented in the atomization chamber and measurements were performed to characterize in velocity the atomized droplets. The PIV system was placed in such a way that the atomization zone, comprised between 50 and 110 mm downstream the de Laval nozzle exit, can be monitored by the camera. The evolutions of the particle velocity and particle sizes were finally analyzed versus the working conditions.

In this investigation, particle image velocimetry (PIV) diagnostics were employed to analyze the spray produced by a two-fluid atomizer as used in suspension plasma spraying (SPS). This led to a change in the design of the atomizing nozzle in order to achieve a high-speed spray with narrow distributions in droplet size. The resultant spray was characterized and the diagnostic was adapted accordingly. Various suspensions of YSZ powders were then injected into the plasma under different conditions and particle velocities were determined and correlated with the coating morphologies obtained.

The aim of this work is to analyze the morphology and composition of iron-aluminide (FeAl) powders produced by liquid metal atomization using a de Laval nozzle. The variables studied are atomization gas pressure and melt nozzle diameter. Different sized powders were characterized via SEM, XRD, and EDS analysis and were found to be similar in composition and shape (spherical) regardless of their size. The paper provides a detailed description of how the powders were produced, classified, and tested, and presents and interprets the results.

Glazes are attractive materials as they can be applied onto metallic or ceramic substrates to confer on them specific properties. They find numerous applications, from art ornamenting to protection against corrosion. Conventional process (vitreous glazing) requires a high temperature treatment (up to 1400 °C in some cases) to fuse glazes after their application on the surface to be covered. This treatment cannot be hence applied onto heat-sensitive substrates without severe degradation. Previous studies showed that manufacturing glaze layers by flame spraying prevents the substrate from thermal degradation. The coating formation mechanisms are different from the ones encountered with crystallized ceramic materials: the high surface tension of glazes prevents the particles from being totally spread (i.e., "dewetting" phenomena). Effects of glaze powder characteristics (chemical composition, particles morphology) on coatings structures were also studied. Furthermore, chemical analyses proved that flame spraying did not modify glaze compositions. The most adapted powder to flame spraying has been hence selected. This contribution describes the coating formation mechanism and discusses the influence of the feedstock powder physical properties on coating characteristics. It also estimates effects of spraying parameters on coatings morphology.

The behavior modeling of Atmospheric Plasma Spray (APS) process requires a global approach which considers interrelated non-linear relationships between coating characteristics / properties in-service and process parameters (power, feedstock injection, kinematics, etc.). Such an approach would permit to reduce the development costs. To reach this objective, the knowledge of the interactions between process parameters plays a relevant role in the optimization. This work intends to develop a behavior model based on fuzzy logic concepts. Here, the model considers the deposition yield as the result of the process and it establishes relationships with power process parameter (arc current intensity, plasma gas total flow rate, hydrogen content) on the basis of fuzzy rules. The model hence permits to discriminate the role and the effects of each power process parameters. The modeling results are compared to experimental data. The specific case of the deposition of alumina-titania (Al 2 O 3 -TiO 2 , 13% by weight) by Atmospheric Plasma Spraying (APS) is considered.

The friction behaviour of steel coating deposited on aluminium using a plasma spray process was investigated in this study. Various parameters and spraying atmospheres were varied for forming different coating microstructures, phases and density values. Addition of oxide phase is known to enhance the friction behaviour and wear resistance. In order to see the friction behaviour of steel coating without oxide, deposition was performed with a shroud that maintained inert gas condition around the plasma. Deposition was also performed under oxygen in order to maximize the oxidation. It is found that coatings contain steel and oxides (FeO, Fe 3 O 4 ). Tribological tests were performed using a ball on disc configuration with a steel ball and WC/Co ball. The coating friction behaviours are completely different for different balls. The worn surface and the ball were characterized with optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The present study focuses on the relationship between the iron oxide formed or not during spaying, the injection parameters into the plasma jet and the microstructural characteristics and the tribological behaviour of the resulting coatings.

In thermal spray process, the in-flight particle characteristics such as particle size, velocity and temperature influence significantly their flight duration as well as their melting degree. Consequently, they influence the splat formation and ultimately the coating properties. Thus, the knowledge of the interactions between the process parameters and the in-flight particle characteristics is very important for optimizing the coating properties. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) concept was used to predict in-flight particle velocity and temperature considering the case of alumina (Al 2 O 3 -TiO 2 ) coatings. Databases of in-flight particle characteristics (diameter, velocity and temperature) versus spray process parameters (arc current intensity, hydrogen rate and plasma gas composition) were collected. ANN was trained with the database to establish the relationships linking the particle diameter and spray process parameters to particle velocity and temperature. Then, the established ANN relationships permitted to determine the inflight particle velocity and temperature versus their diameter for given spray process parameters. These velocity and temperature data were then used to determine the time for complete particle melting and the particle dwell-time before impact by an analytical model for given operating conditions.

Single-wavelength pyrometers are widely used as a noncontact temperature measurement tool in material processing, petrochemical and laser-machining industries. In addition, these intensity-based IR sensors are used extensively as a diagnostic and health monitoring in the development and research of advanced high-temperature military and commercial gas turbine engines. In contrast to thermocouples, optical pyrometers have several advantages. First, they are easy to install and second they do not bring any disturbance to the measured system. However, they suffer from some problems, in particular the variation of the material emissivity and perturbations introduced by extraneous radiations. Yttria stabilised Zirconia (YSZ) thermal barriers are known to be more emissive and opaque in the 8-14 µm spectral band, therefore we can take advantage using this spectral band in temperature measurement. Spectral emissivities of an YSZ sample were measured using two commercial pyrometers. And a method for adapting commercial wide-band pyrometers (generally used for low temperature measurements) for high temperature measurements of thermal barrier coatings was tested.

Parametric drifts and fluctuations occur during plasma spraying. These drifts and fluctuations originate especially from the electrode wear and intrinsic plasma jet instabilities: the plasma net power varies in this case modifying significantly its thermodynamic properties and transport coefficients hence modifying the momentum and heat transfers to the particles. It is possible to control the in-flight particle characteristics by adjusting continuously the operating parameters, in particular the power parameters. Due to the large amplitudes of these drifts and fluctuations, the strategy to adopt will depend on the required corrections to apply to the particle characteristics. Developing a reliable controller requires: (i) implementation of reliable sensors to accurately diagnose in-flight particle characteristics but also some other parameters, such as surface temperature during spraying; (ii) development of a robust command, to insure the stability of the control system. Fuzzy logic permits to define parametric correction rules and the command can be based on these algorithms; (iii) linking of the robust command to a predictive model. Artificial neural networks, among other artificial intelligence protocols such as genetic algorithms, proved to be able to predict in-flight particle and coating characteristics; (iv) validation of the corrections with an extensive database used as a reference. Coupling neural protocols to fuzzy logic should permit the development of such an independent controller which could adjust in real time the operating parameters as a function of the measured in-flight particles to manufacture a coating with identical conditions among its entire thickness. This paper aims at presenting the methodology and the controller and at simulating the spray operation.

The aim of this study was to point out the role of each electrode in the droplets formation in twin arc spraying. This way, two consumable wires of different properties, namely steel and copper, were sprayed simultaneously. The DPV 2000 diagnostic system was used to determine the size, temperature and velocity of in-flight particles, detected at the same locations than those previously tested on particles collection. Then, a model based on the particle temperature was developed to separate particles from the anode and the cathode wires. Results showed significant modifications in term of size, velocity, temperature and repartition when changing material electrodes. To validate the proposed model, modelling results were first compared to results found on properties of collected particles, i.e. sizes and percentages. Then, important differences of in-flight particles characteristics, velocity and temperature, were pointed out depending on the electrode nature and on radial locations in the spray jet. Finally, some coatings were sprayed at the same locations and analyzed in term of thickness. Results showed that the thickness distribution was largely dependent on the anode nature, which was in close agreements with in-flight particles analysis.

Substrate temperature is nowadays recognized as a key parameter to optimise the coating quality in the thermal spraying process. Generally parts being processed are in motion and therefore non contact temperature measurement devices are appropriate. In contrast to thermocouples, optical pyrometers have several advantages. First, they are easy to install and second they do not bring any disturbance to the measured system. Meanwhile, several problems may arise with those devices which are not always considered as they should be and in particular the variation of material emissivity temperature, the effect of the reflection of the external radiation or the attenuation of the optical signal due to the variable transmissivity of the optical path. The aim of this work was to develop algorithms for correcting optical pyrometer temperature measurements during thermal spraying by taking into account emissivity variations and radiation reflexion on the components. Emissivity of some materials with respect to the specific spectral band of the pyrometer and the influence of reflected radiations were measured. Results are discussed in order to point out the influence of each parameter on the temperature value.

The aim of this study was to compare different processes for a spraying NiCrBSi powder in order to understand how the coating properties are influenced by the particle characteristics. For that, three processes were tested: atmospheric plasma, HVOF and flame spraying. The plasma torch was a classical F4 gun from Sulzer-Metco, the HVOF gun was the CDS system manufactured by Sulzer-Metco and the flame spray gun was a Castolyn 8000 system. For each spraying process, the particles were analyzed using the DPV 2000 (Technar Ltd) at the distance corresponding to the coating build up. Particles velocity and temperature data were then correlated to the coating quality. Results indicate that the choice of the spraying technique induces important modifications in the coating properties in terms of adherence, porosity level, hardness and Young modulus. Changes in particle velocity and temperature are the key parameters determining the coating properties.

While twin wire arc spraying, strong dependences are usually noticed between elaboration process parameters and coating properties. Therefore, control is needed for increasing coating performances. The aim of this paper is to investigate the coating properties in relation with in-flight particle characteristics and with the impact modes. Measurements were achieved on iron particles when changing either the current intensity or the air flow rates. In-flight particle characteristics were determined by using the DPV diagnostic system 200 mm from the gun exit and for three different radial locations. The same locations were kept for the impact analysis. Then, the morphology of the splats was evaluated by its flattening and shape factors when the substrate is preheated or not. Finally, the coating properties were characterized in terms of porosity, oxide contents, microhardness and thickness. Through the determination of related interactions, a better knowledge of coating elaboration conditions will lead to improve reliability and properties of the deposits.

Twin wire arc spraying is widely used in industry due to its low cost and high rate of material deposition. Much has been learned about the process over the course of its use, most recently in regard to the correlation between spray parameters and coating microstructure. The aim of this study is to investigate the behavior of steel particles in nitrogen and air jets and show how in-flight particle characteristics affect coating properties. In the experiments, an optical sensing system is used to measure the velocity, temperature, and size of carbon steel particles fired from a wire arc spray gun set at 100 A and 30V for gas flow rates of 94, 110, 122, and 144 m 3 /h. The particle data obtained is presented and correlated with coating microstructure, hardness, and oxide content. Paper includes a German-language abstract.

The effects of the plasma spray process parameters on the microstructure and properties of coatings have been recognized for a long time. It is now clearly proved that the quality and the properties of the deposits are strongly dependent on the in-flight particle characteristics as well as on the splat morphology. The aim of this study was to examine in detail: firstly the interaction between an Al 2 O 3 /13%TiO 2 powder and the spraying process, secondly the splat formation in order to understand the morphology of the deposits. A good way to reach a better understanding of the particle/ plasma interaction is to determine the particle parameters at impact. The particles parameters: velocity, temperature and diameter, prior to their impact on the substrate were measured by the DPV-2000 diagnostic system. The effect of particle velocity, temperature and size on the splat morphology and deposits properties for different plasma conditions were examined. The splat morphology was characterized using the Sommerfeld dimensionless number, K; the value of which is directly related to the impact mode. These analyses were correlated to microhardness, roughness and to the tribological properties of the coatings.

A supersonic external flow and high particle velocities, which lead to low porosity coatings, characterize the High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) process. A numerical study of this process is proposed in the present work. In a first step, the PHOENICS CFD code is used for the computation of the flow inside a CDS gun and within the supersonic external jet: a two-dimensional axisymmetric geometry is used. The combustion model assumes chemical equilibrium whereas the turbulence effect is taken into account using the Chen-Kim k-ε model, which is appropriate for the computation of round jets. In a second step, an in-house code is used in order to simulate the flow/particles interactions. Finally, numerical results obtained on in-flight particle characteristics are compared with measurements obtained with the DPV2000 system.