The present paper examines a hybrid DC arc thermal plasma torch with gas-water stabilisation and its application for thermal spraying. The torch was worked out based on the water-stabilised plasma torch WSP, main features of which are high temperature of the generated plasma and high powder through-put. In the hybrid torch the cathode part is modified in the way like in gas torches, which not only provides proper stabilisation of the arc in this region and cathode protection from contact with stabilising water but also allows to vary properties of the generated plasma. Change of the secondary gas flow rate, which is usually argon, results in strong changes of the plasma gas density, while the energy balance of the torch remains almost unchanged. This in turn leads to modification of the plasma jet properties. The paper describes effect of the plasma torch parameters on behaviour of the generated plasma jet and injected powder particles. The results show how particle velocities follow changes of the plasma jet properties according to the plasma torch operation parameters. Both increase of arc current and argon flow rate provided increase of particle velocities.

Tungsten particles were sprayed by a novel plasma torch with hybrid water-gas stabilization (WSP®-H). Several spraying parameters were varied – arc current, argon flow rate, carrier gas flow rate and spraying distance. The temperature and velocity of the individual particles were monitored by the DPV 2000 optical sensor. Individual splats were collected on polished stainless steel substrates and analyzed by SEM to assess their melting, flattening and/or fragmentation. These features were correlated with the basic in-flight particle characteristics and conditions for production of dense coatings were sought for. Significant dependence of the splats morphology on spraying parameters was found, and important improvement of particle melting at WSP-H over conventional water stabilized plasma torch (WSP) was registered.

Plasma sprayed tungsten and tungsten-copper coatings are being developed for potential application as plasma facing materials for fusion reactors. Initial spray tests indicated difficulties in tungsten melting and in-flight oxidation. Numerical modeling was performed to help explain these issues. A complex study of the process and its products was performed, including: in-flight diagnostics, characterization of isolated splats, and structure, composition, thermal and mechanical properties of the coatings. Based on these results, the process was optimized, with respect to powder size and various spraying parameters, to improve melting of the particles, reduce oxidation and increase the deposition efficiency.