FeAl and Mo–Si–B intermetallic coatings prepared by thermal spraying

FeAl and Mo–Si–B intermetallic coatings for elevated temperature environmental resistance were prepared using high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) and air plasma spray (APS) techniques. For both coating types, the effect of coating parameters (spray particle velocity and temperature) on the microstructure and physical properties of the coatings was assessed. Fe–24Al (wt%) coatings were prepared using HVOF thermal spraying at spray particle velocities varying from 540 to 700 m/s. Mo–13.4Si–2.6B coatings were prepared using APS at particle velocities of 180 and 350 m/s. Residual stresses in the HVOF FeAl coatings were compressive, while stresses in the APS Mo–Si–B coatings were tensile. In both cases, residual stresses became more compressive with increasing spray particle velocity due to increased peening imparted by the spray particles. The hardness and elastic moduli of FeAl coatings also increased with increasing particle velocity. For Mo–Si–B coatings, plasma spraying at 180 m/s resulted in significant oxidation of the spray particles and conversion of the T1 phase into amorphous silica and -Mo. The T1 phase was retained after spraying at 350 m/s.     

Numerical modelling of in-flight particle dynamics of non-spherical powder

High velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) is an important thermal spraying technology in depositing high quality coatings. Its ability to produce high particle velocities and relatively low particle temperatures is its most salient feature. Several computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models have been developed to study the in-flight particle behavior during thermal spraying. These models are limited to spherical particles, which are only appropriate for modelling gas atomised powders. On the other hand, hardmetal powders such as WC-Co are created using high energy ball milling and are not normally spherical. To examine the effect of particle morphology on particle dynamics, mathematical models are developed in the present paper to predict the in-flight particle behavior in a liquid fuelled HVOF thermal spray gun. The particle transport equations are coupled with the three-dimensional, chemically reacting, turbulent gas flow, and solved in a Lagrangian manner. The melting and solidification within the particles as a result of heat exchange with the surrounding gas flow are solved numerically. The results demonstrate that non-spherical particles gain more momentum and less heat during the HVOF process than spherical particles. Non-spherical particles are also predicted to stay closer to the center of the gas jet than spherical particles.     

超音速火焰喷涂纳米结构涂层研究进展

超音速火焰(High Velocity Oxy -Fuel,简称HVOF)喷涂具有高速和相对较低的温度两个重要特征,能够获得比普通火焰喷涂或等离子喷涂(Plasma Spray,简称PS)结合强度更高的致密涂层.纳米材料具有独特的表面效应、体积效应及量子尺寸效应,其电学、力学、磁学、光学和热学等性能产生了惊人的变化.随着材料科学技术的深入发展, 在实际生产和生活中运用性能优良的纳米材料倍受人们关注,其中,采用热喷涂技术制备纳米结构涂层是构筑纳米结构材料的最具前途的方法之一.从目前国内外的情况来看,HVOF喷涂纳米结构涂层技术的研究取得了较大的进展.综合国内外文献,总结了HVOF喷涂制备纳米结构涂层的研究现状,着重阐述了热喷涂纳米涂层的基本过程和结合机理,指出了利用HVOF喷涂纳米结构涂层存在的问题,并对热喷涂纳米结构涂层的发展前景作了展望.     

Mechanical and Thermal Transport Properties of Suspension Thermal-Sprayed Alumina-Zirconia Composite Coatings

Micro-laminates and nanocomposites of Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂ can potentially exhibit higher hardness and fracture toughness and lower thermal conductivity than alumina or zirconia alone. The potential of these improvements for abrasion protection and thermal barrier coatings is generating considerable interest in developing techniques for producing these functional coatings with optimized microstructures. Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ composite coatings were deposited by suspension thermal spraying (APS and HVOF) of submicron feedstock powders. The liquid carrier employed in this approach allows for controlled injection of much finer particles than in conventional thermal spraying, leading to unique and novel fine-scaled microstructures. The suspensions were injected internally using a Mettech Axial III plasma torch and a Sulzer-Metco DJ-2700 HVOF gun. The different spray processes induced a variety of structures ranging from finely segregated ceramic laminates to highly alloyed amorphous composites. Mechanisms leading to these structures are related to the feedstock size and in-flight particle states upon their impact. Mechanical and thermal transport properties of the coatings were compared. Compositionally segregated crystalline coatings, obtained by plasma spraying, showed the highest hardness of up to 1125 VHN_{3 N}, as well as the highest abrasion wear resistance (following ASTM G65). The HVOF coating exhibited the highest erosion wear resistance (following ASTM G75), which was related to the toughening effect of small dispersed zirconia particles in the alumina-zirconia-alloyed matrix. This microstructure also exhibited the lowest thermal diffusivity, which is explained by the amorphous phase content and limited particle bonding, generating local thermal resistances within the structure.     

Analysis and optimization of the HVOF process by combined experimental and numerical approaches

Thermal spraying with the HVOF technology is a well known approach to dense metallic, ceramic and cermets coatings with good mechanical properties. Any attempt for improving HVOF coating properties requires a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms that occur during HVOF spraying. Thermal spray processes are not only optimized by empirical testing and by correlation analysis between process parameters and coating properties but also with numerical approaches. Recent attempts to understand the momentum and heat transfer mechanisms between flame and particles, and thus improve the control of the thermokinetic deposition process by analysis of fundamental thermophysical and fluid mechanical processes, have led to computational modeling of the spraying process and verification of simulation results by in-flight particle analysis.This paper focuses on modeling (tracking) of the particle properties during HVOF spraying using alumina powder. The particle properties are sensitive to a large number of process parameters (e.g., gas temperature, gas expansion velocity, pressure, spraying distance, spray powder particle diameter, nozzle geometry, etc.). Variation of the operating parameters of the HVOF process (gas flow rates, stoichiometric oxy/fuel ratio, nozzle design, etc.) is performed during modeling and simulation. The SprayWatch® system for particle in-flight measurement is used for verification of the numerical analysis result.     

Effect of Operating Parameters on a Dual-Stage High Velocity Oxygen Fuel Thermal Spray System

High velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) thermal spray systems are being used to apply coatings to prevent surface degradation. The coatings of temperature sensitive materials such as titanium and copper, which have very low melting points, cannot be applied using a single-stage HVOF system. Therefore, a dual-stage HVOF system has been introduced and modeled computationally. The dual-spray system provides an easy control of particle oxidation by introducing a mixing chamber. In addition to the materials being sprayed, the thermal spray coating quality depends to a large extent on flow behavior of reacting gases and the particle dynamics. The present study investigates the influence of various operating parameters on the performance of a dual-stage thermal spray gun. The objective is to develop a predictive understanding of various parameters. The gas flow field and the free jet are modeled by considering the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy with the turbulence and the equilibrium combustion sub models. The particle phase is decoupled from the gas phase due to very low particle volume fractions. The results demonstrate the advantage of a dual-stage system over a single-stage system especially for the deposition of temperature sensitive materials.     

Adapting of the Background-Oriented Schlieren (BOS) Technique in the Characterization of the Flow Regimes in Thermal Spraying Processes

In thermal spraying technique, the changes in the in-flight particle velocities are considered to be only a function of the drag forces caused by the dominating flow regimes in the spray jet. Therefore, the correct understanding of the aerodynamic phenomena occurred at nozzle out let and at the substrate interface is an important task in the targeted improvement in the nozzle and air-cap design as well as in the spraying process in total. The presented work deals with the adapting of an innovative technique for the flow characterization called background-oriented Schlieren. The flow regimes in twin wire arc spraying (TWAS) and high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) were analyzed with this technique. The interfering of the atomization gas flow with the intersected wires causes in case of TWAS process a deformation of the jet shape. It leads also to areas with different aero dynamic forces. The configurations of the outlet air-caps in TWAS effect predominantly the outlet flow characteristics. The ratio between fuel and oxygen determine the dominating flow regimes in the HVOF spraying jet. Enhanced understanding of the aerodynamics at outlet and at the substrate interface could lead to a targeted improvement in thermal spraying processes.     

热喷涂技术的新发展

在过去的几年里，热喷涂技术在喷涂工艺、喷涂材料、涂层质量监控等方面都有很大发展，喷涂层应用领域也进一部扩大。其主要标志为新三阴极等离子喷涂系统、微等离子喷涂工艺、冷喷工艺的开发和应用，高速火焰喷涂工艺的进一步改进和完善，亚微米及纳米结构等新型喷涂材料的开发，喷涂粒子和基体诊断分析系统的开发和应用以及喷涂层在汽车发动机上的应用。     

High-speed visualization and plume characterization of the hybrid spray process

The hybrid spray process that combines arc spray with a high-velocity oxyfuel (HVOF)/plasma jet has recently demonstrated its effectiveness in deposition of functionally gradient coatings. This approach aims at exploiting the combined attributes of the arc-spray technique and the HVOF/air plasma spraying (APS) technique. This paper presents high-speed visualization and plume characterization of an arc/HVOF hybrid spray gun as well as a twin-wire arc-spray gun. The physics of atomization in the hybrid spray process is examined using a high-speed camera. A DPV/CPS-2000 (Tecnar, St-Bruno, QC, Canada) particle diagnostics sensor is used to measure particle velocity, temperature, size, and distribution. The influence of feed material, arc parameters, and HVOF parameters on the particle characteristics is presented. Differences in the in-flight characteristics between the hybrid and the twin-wire arc process are discussed aided by the observed atomization phenomena with the high-speed camera. This article was originally published inBuilding on 100 Years of Success, Proceedings of the 2006 International Thermal Spray Conference (Seattle, WA), May 15–18, 2006, B.R. Marple, M.M. Hyland, Y.-Ch. Lau, R.S. Lima, and J. Voyer, Ed., ASM International, Materials Park, OH, 2006.     

Oxidation control in atmospheric plasma spraying coating

Thermal spray coatings are formed by successive impingements and interbonding materials among the splats, solidified individual molten particles. Depending on the processing conditions employed during the spray process, deposits are produced with an assortment of microstructures and properties. This study highlights how the coating oxidation differences are influenced by the mechanisms involved during the spray process. The commercial steel powder referenced Amdry XPT 512 is chosen for a systematic study of comparison across different spraying techniques. Steel particles were sprayed with a F4 plasma torch and with a shrouded plasma spray process used in order to protect particles against atmospheric oxidation. The plasma jet was successively shielding by an inert gas shroud and by an oxidizing gas shroud. In-flight oxidation and post impact oxidation present in coatings are discussed in detail and the effects of these mechanisms on coating properties are addressed. The comparison was made on in-flight particle characteristics and on coating properties in terms of oxide content and porosity level. Using shrouded gas, in-flight characteristics are quite similarly independent of the nature of the shrouded gas. This way, the comparison of oxide contents present in the coatings corresponds to in-flight oxidation and is completely dependent on the nature of the shrouded gas. Comparing these results to those obtained by APS, a decrease in both velocity and temperature of in-flight particles was observed leading also to a significant decrease in oxide contents and to a slight increase in porosity level compared to coatings sprayed with air shrouding.     

Investigation of Amorphous/Nanocrystalline Iron-Based Thermal Barrier Coatings

Because of their favorable thermophysical properties, good machinability and low material costs, iron-based coatings which exhibit a highly amorphous/nanocrystalline microstructure are currently in the focus of research. Considering the crystallization temperature of the material, iron-based coatings might be the next generation of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) for low-temperature systems, reducing thermal losses. The objective of this research project is the development of highly amorphous, iron-based coatings. For this purpose, amorphous feedstock materials with different chromium contents have been developed and characterized regarding their microstructures, phase compositions, crystallization temperatures and amorphous content. The results show that the amorphous content is reduced with increasing particle size and chromium content. The coatings were deposited by air plasma spraying (APS) and high-velocity oxygen fuel spraying (HVOF). It is shown that all coatings exhibit amorphous structures. HVOF coatings show a smaller amount of amorphous content compared to the feedstock materials, indicating crystallization occurring in not fully melted particles or insufficient rapid cooling. The APS process can increase the amount of amorphous content compared to the feedstock material, as shown for x _Cr = 15%. All coatings proof good thermal shock behavior. Lowest thermal diffusivity values were determined for APS coatings, which confirms the potential of iron-based TBCs.     

Sensors in Spray Processes

This paper presents what is our actual knowledge about sensors, used in the harsh environment of spray booths, to improve the reproducibility and reliability of coatings sprayed with hot or cold gases. First are described, with their limitations and precisions, the different sensors following the in-flight hot particle parameters (trajectories, temperatures, velocities, sizes, and shapes). A few comments are also made about techniques, still under developments in laboratories, to improve our understanding of coating formation such as plasma jet temperature measurements in non-symmetrical conditions, hot gases heat flux, particles flattening and splats formation, particles evaporation. Then are described the illumination techniques by laser flash of either cold particles (those injected in hot gases, or in cold spray gun) or liquid injected into hot gases (suspensions or solutions). The possibilities they open to determine the flux and velocities of cold particles or visualize liquid penetration in the core of hot gases are discussed. Afterwards are presented sensors to follow, when spraying hot particles, substrate and coating temperature evolution, and the stress development within coatings during the spray process as well as the coating thickness. The different uses of these sensors are then described with successively: (i) Measurements limited to particle trajectories, velocities, temperatures, and sizes in different spray conditions: plasma (including transient conditions due to arc root fluctuations in d.c. plasma jets), HVOF, wire arc, cold spray. Afterwards are discussed how such sensor data can be used to achieve a better understanding of the different spray processes, compare experiments to calculations and improve the reproducibility and reliability of the spray conditions. (ii) Coatings monitoring through in-flight measurements coupled with those devoted to coatings formation. This is achieved by either maintaining at their set point both in-flight and certain spray parameters (spray pattern, coating temperature…), or defining a good working area through factorial design, or using artificial intelligence based on artificial neural network (ANN) to predict particle in-flight characteristics and coating structural attributes from the knowledge of processing parameters.     

In-flight characteristics of plasma sprayed alumina particles: Measurements,modeling, and comparison

The key phenomena controlling the properties of sprayed coatings are the heat and momentum transfer between the plasma jet and the injected particles. Modern on-line particle monitoring systems provide an efficient tool to measure in-flight particle characteristics in such a way that factors that could affect the coating quality can be identified during the spray process. In this work, the optical sensing device, DPV-2000 from Tecnar, was used for monitoring the velocity, temperature, and diameter of in-flight particles during the spraying of alumina with a Sulzer-Metco F4 plasma torch. Evolution of particle velocity, temperature, diameter, and trajectory showed well-marked trends. Relationships between the position of the in-flight particles into the jet and their characteristics were pointed out, thus delivering valuable information about their thermal treatment. Moreover, a numerical model was developed and predictions were compared with experimental results. A good agreement on particle characteristics was found between the two different approaches.     

Fabrication and Characterization of Thermal-Sprayed Fe-Based Amorphous/Nanocrystalline Composite Coatings: An Overview

This review focuses on the recent development of iron (Fe)-based amorphous/nanocrystalline composite coatings, which have attracted much attention due to their attractive combination of high hardness/strength, elevated abrasive wear resistance, and enhanced corrosion resistance. Accompanying the advancements in various thermal spray technologies, industrial application fields of Fe-based amorphous/nanocrystalline composite coatings are becoming more diverse. In the main part, the typical empirical rules for the design of amorphous alloys with high glass-forming ability are generalized and discussed at first. Then various thermal spray technologies for the fabrication of Fe-based amorphous/nanocrystalline composite coatings, such as high velocity oxygen/air spray (HVOF/HVAF), air plasma spray (APS), low-pressure plasma spray (LPPS), high-energy plasma spray (HPS), and high velocity arc spray (HVAS) processes, are introduced. The microstructures, hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of Fe-based amorphous/nanocrystalline composite coatings formed using these thermal spray technologies are reviewed and compared. Finally, the existing challenges and future prospects are proposed.     

Effect of oxygen/fuel ratio on the in-flight particle parameters and properties of HVOF WC-CoCr coatings

High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) spray techniques can produce high performance alloy and cermet coatings for applications that require wear resistant surfaces. In HVOF process, the particle velocity and temperature determine the resultant coating properties and in many cases enables a better understanding of the process.The aim of this study is to investigate influences of different oxygen/fuel ratios on velocity and temperature of flying particles as well as properties of the HVOF thermal sprayed WC-CoCr coatings. Particle parameters were recorded just prior to impact on the substrate using in-flight particle diagnostic tool Accuraspray-g3®. Detailed correlation of particle parameters and the coating properties are evaluated in order to deduce particle parameter ranges providing coatings with optimum properties.     

New attachment for controlling gas flow in the HVOF process

During the decade, the high-velocity oxyfuel (HVOF) process proved to be a technological alternative to the many conventional thermal spray processes. It would be very advantageous to design a nozzle that provides improved performance in the areas of deposition efficiency, particle in-flight oxidation, and flexibility to allow deposition of ceramic coatings. Based on a numerical analysis, a new attachment to a standard HVOF torch was modeled, designed, tested, and used to produce thermal spray coatings according to the industrial needs mentioned above. Performance of the attachment was investigated by spraying several coating materials including metal and ceramic powders. Particle conditions and spatial distribution, as well as gas phase composition, corresponding to the new attachment and the standard HVOF gun, were compared. The attachment provides better particle spatial distribution, combined with higher particle velocity and temperature. The original version of this article was published as part of the ASM Proceedings, Thermal Spray 2003: Advancing the Science and Applying the Technology, International Thermal Spray Conference (Orlando, FL), 5–8 May, 2003, Basil R. Marple and Christian Moreau, Ed., ASM International, 2003.     

Microstructures of nanostructured ceramic coatings obtained by suspension thermal spraying

In the present work, the elaboration of nanostructured alumina and titania coatings by thermal spraying with liquid precursors is described. Nano- and submicrometer-sized powders were used to prepare aqueous or alcoholic suspensions. The suspensions were sprayed using APS and HVOF processes in order to obtain thin and thick deposits. The paper discusses the coating microstructures as a function of suspension characteristics and spray parameters in both APS and HVOF processes.     

On the Response of Different Particle State Sensors to Deliberate Process Variations

Deliberate particle state variations were performed using atmospheric plasma spray (APS) and high-velocity oxy-fuel flame spraying (HVOF) to create a set of first-order process maps. Particle states were measured simultaneously using five in-flight particle sensors: DPV-2000, Accuraspray, SprayWatch, TDS, and SprayCam. While the sensors use similar methods for calculating particle characteristics, absolute values of temperature and velocity were considerably different. Process map trends among sensors are in agreement for the HVOF process, but differ when using plasma spray at high total gas flow conditions. After understanding the stochastic nature of particle detection, an open loop feedback control algorithm was implemented to achieve similar particle states with different hydrogen gas flow rates. The resulting particle state window measured by three different sensors under select fixed hydrogen flow rates was significantly narrowed.     

Influence of the spray velocity on arc-sprayed coating structures

Thermal spray processes such as plasma spraying and HVOF have gained markets due to a steady process of development of materials and equipment. One disadvantage of thermal spray processes is that costs must be competitive compared to techniques such as PTA and electroplating. In order to reduce costs, the more economical spray processes like conventional wire flame spraying, as well as arc spraying, are becoming more popular. There are modern arc spray gun designs on the market that meet the requirements of modern coating properties, for example aviation overhaul applications as well as the processing of cored wires. Nevertheless, the physical basis of arc spraying is well known. The aim of the present investigation is to show how the influence of spray velocity (not particle velocity) affects coating structure with respect to arc spray parameters.     

Relationships between NiCrBSi particle characteristics and corresponding coating properties using different thermal spraying processes

Because the microstructure and physical properties of a thermally sprayed coating are determined by the dynamics of the particles interacting with the spray jet, different processes were tested in order to explore the effects of process variables to particle characteristics and to coating quality. The NiCrBSi powder was sprayed successively with plasma, flame and HVOF process. Standard parameters specified by previous researches were followed for this operation. The DPV 2000 measurement system was used to monitor particle characteristics during their flight into the spray. Then, the coatings were realized at the position corresponding to the DPV measurements. The coatings were characterized in term of microstructure and composition, hardness, Young modulus, porosity and oxide level. The results revealed significant modifications in coating properties depending on the used spray process. Comparing the particle characteristics obtained successively with the different processes allows to better understand the properties of the formed coatings and to investigate the causes of a coating quality changes. Differences were interpreted based on in-flight diagnostic results.