The concept of ‘process maps’ has been utilized to study the fundamentals of process–structure–property relationships in high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) sprayed coatings. Ni- 20%Cr was chosen as a representing material of metallic alloys. In this paper, concurrent experiments including diagnostic studies, splat collection, and deposition of coatings were carried out to investigate the effects of fuel gas chemistry (fuel gas/oxygen ratio), total gas flow, and energy input on particle temperature (T) and velocity (V), and coating microstructure formation and properties. Coatings were deposited on an ‘in situ’ curvature monitoring sensor to study residual stress evolution. A strong influence of particle velocity on induced compressive stresses through peening effect is discussed. The complete tracking of the coating buildup history including residual stress evolution and temperature deposition, in addition to single splat analysis allows the interpretation of resultant coating microstructures and properties, and enables coating design with desired properties.

The general method of process maps to understand and control thermal spray processes has been applied to monitor the deposition of WC-Co by high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF). A selected number of particle state conditions (velocity and temperature) has been performed to produce a variety of coatings. Microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear resistance were evaluated and compared. A second order process map for sliding wear, impacting particle erosion and abrasive wear control can be constructed from the process map to provide the limits within which the particle state can be changed to achieve a predefined coating specification. The mechanisms behind the wear resistance are discussed within the framework of wear maps –third order process map-in the context of analysis of inter splat de-bonding, mechanical properties of the coating, and delamination failure.