Materials Science Forum, Vol.449-4, 925-928, 2004
Relationship between splat morphology and property of plasma sprayed alumina coatings
New method for characterization of coating microstructures and for evaluation of coating property by means of surface morphology has been proposed. In this paper, the distribution of shape and dimensions of splat was examined using quantitative analysis of scanning electron microscope images from the surface of spray pattern as well as the surface of coating. Results obtained in this study indicate that it is necessary to analyze the spray pattern as well as the surface morphology in order to estimate the coating property by means of the distribution of splat which composes the coating. Moreover, the splats, which are in the interface between the substrate and the coating, should have the same morphology as those of the coating surface. The relationship between splat morphology and the property of coatings was discussed.
Keywords:thermal spray coatings;plasma spray;characterization;splat morphology;alumina;adhesive strength;wear property